| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07651399B2 |
Torsional vibration damper
A torsional vibration damper includes a plurality of coil springs which are each received in a pair of windows of respective takeoff side and drive side transmission elements. Each spring has a pair of opposed final turns separated by a plurality of intermediate turns, wherein each final turn is against a circumferential boundary of a respective window. Each final turn has a tip area which is in contact with an adjacent intermediate turn, the final turn being separated from the adjacent intermediate turn by a first distance which increases from the tip area to a maximum value within a predetermined angle φ following the tip area. This maximum value, in a load-free state of the springs, is essentially the same as a second distance separating adjacent intermediate turns. |
| US07651389B2 |
Exhaust smoke-processing system
An exhaust smoke processing system comprises air preheater for heating combustion air by exhaust smoke discharged from a boiler, a heat recoverer for heating a heat medium by exhaust smoke discharged from the air preheater, a dust collector for collecting soot and dust in exhaust smoke discharged from the heat recoverer, a wet-type exhaust smoke processing apparatus for processing exhaust smoke discharged from the dust collector, a reheater for heating exhaust smoke discharged from the wet-type exhaust smoke processing apparatus by the heat medium, and a heat medium circulation pipe passage for circulating the heating medium between the reheater and the heat recoverer. the system measures a heavy metal concentration in the exhaust smoke and adjusts the temperature of exhaust smoke at an outlet of the heat recoverer such that the measured value falls within a predetermined range. |
| US07651387B2 |
Apparatus and method for processing bovine pericardium
An apparatus for use in processing “raw” pericardium. The apparatus includes a mold having a generally hemispheroid dome and a support base upon which the mold is mounted. The hemispheroid dome has a diameter suitable for stretching a pericardium over the dome. Also, a method for processing “raw” pericardium. The method involves stretching raw pericardium over a mold such that the pericardium conforms to the shape of the mold and the mold stretches the pericardium. This is followed by separating at least some of the fat layer off the pericardial tissue layer where the pericardium is mounted over the mold and finally removing fat from the total pericardium surface. |
| US07651384B2 |
Method and system for point of use recycling of ECMP fluids
The present invention generally comprises a method and an apparatus for recycling electrochemical mechanical polishing (ECMP) fluid. A selected portion of used ECMP fluid may be delivered to a recycling unit where the fluid may be refurbished. The concentration of the components that are present in the selected portion of used ECMP fluid may be measured. Based upon the measurements, individual components of the ECMP fluid may be selectively dosed into the selected portion in an amount sufficient to ensure that the selected portion of used ECMP fluid, once refurbished, contains the appropriate concentration of components. Alternatively, a predetermined amount of virgin ECMP fluid may be added to the selected portion. The refurbished ECMP fluid may be recycled into an ECMP system for use in another ECMP process. |
| US07651382B2 |
Electrical interconnection devices incorporating redundant contact points for reducing capacitive stubs and improved signal integrity
An electrical interconnection device for establishing redundant contacts between the ends of two conductive elements to be mated, creating a electrical interconnection without capacitive stubs. |
| US07651378B2 |
Electrical card connector with guide member
An electrical card connector for receiving at least two different cards, comprises: an insulative housing; a plurality of contacts received in the housing; an L-shaped shell assembled on the housing defining a receiving space for receiving the card; and a guide member assembled on the shell with a spring plate extending into the receiving space. When an L-shaped electrical card inserts into the connector, it could be keep in the connector steadily because of the friction between the card and the spring plate. |
| US07651376B2 |
Contact element for shielded connectors
To connect the shielding of an electric cable to a metallic connector, an electrically non-conductive cable guide part that features a wall segment of an electrically conductive material that needs to be laterally opened sectionally is provided. In this case, the shielding of the electric cable lying in the interior is connected to a corresponding mating connector by means of the wall segment and an electrically conductive connector sleeve surrounding the connector. |
| US07651370B2 |
Multi-port connector for integrating transmission interfaces of displayport and USB
A multi-port connector for integrating the transmission interfaces of DisplayPort and USB, includes a seat body, a DisplayPort, a USB connector, a sealing lid, and a hollow outer shell. At an upper portion of the seat body, there is a rabbet, under which a connecting trough is arranged. At back of the seat body, there is a recessing part, at upper portion of which an assembling opening is arranged, which is communicated to the rabbet. A plurality of fissures are arranged on a wall of the recessing part. The DisplayPort is assembled in the rabbet, while the USB connector is assembled in the connecting trough. The sealing lid is assembled and connected in the recessing part at back of the seat body. A bulger arranged at the sealing lid is assembled and connected in the assembling opening of the recessing part. On a wall surface of the sealing lid, there are a plurality of striping ribs, which are snapped into the fissures. The hollow outer shell externally fitted to the seat body is arranged a first perforation and a second perforation at front side face thereof. The first and second perforations respectively correspond to a plug-in opening and a USB slot, while a set of assembling-and-connecting legs are extended at a bottom side face of the hollow outer shell. The multi-port connector is to provide a plug-in function for the transmitting lines of the Displayport and the USB. |
| US07651368B2 |
Appliance with an adapter to simultaneously couple multiple consumer electronic devices
A modular system comprises an appliance and an adapter configured to simultaneously couple two consumer electronic devices to the appliance and to supply at least one service between the appliance and the consumer electronic devices. The appliance can comprise a refrigeration appliance and the adapter can couple the consumer electronic devices to a door of the refrigeration appliance. The service can comprise mechanical, power, or data communication. |
| US07651357B2 |
IC socket
An IC socket comprises an insulative housing having a plurality of periphery walls and a cover pivotally assembled to one end of the insulative housing and adapted to be locked to the insulative housing at the other end. The cover includes a plurality of peripheral edges. The cover also has a plurality of spring arms upwardly extending therefrom and disposed at the edges. |
| US07651346B2 |
Communication port
A communication port is susceptible to contaminates such as dirt, dust, and moisture if not properly protected. A communication port that automatically protects against contaminates includes a housing defining an opening and configured to receive a device connector. A face plate is disposed on the housing. The face plate defines a window generally aligned with the opening. A door is slideably disposed on the housing and biased toward a position covering the opening and the window. Exerting a force on the door exposes the opening and the window. |
| US07651327B2 |
Production line for producing sheets based on hydraulic binder and method of manufacturing the same
A production line for producing sheets based on hydraulic binder, the production line including in an upstream zone of the production line, marking device for marking a facing material of the preform with a mark; in a downstream zone of the production line, detecting device for detecting the mark made by the marking device; a cutting device; and an actuating device for actuating said cutting device after receiving a detection signal from the detection device. |
| US07651320B2 |
Method of lightning-proofing a blade for a wind-energy plant, a lightning-proofed blade and a wind-energy plant comprising such blade
The invention relates to a method of lightning-proofing a blade (1) on a wind-energy plant, which blade comprises a blade shell (2) configured essentially as a fiber-reinforced laminate, which laminate comprises electrically conductive fibers, wherein the blade comprises at least one lightning arrester (9) configured for conducting lightning current, including preferably to ground. The method comprises that the electrically conductive fibers are connected to each other, and that at least one metallic receptor (4, 24, 25) is arranged for capturing lightning current at or in proximity of the external face of the blade; and that the receptor and the fibers are connected to the lightning arrester for equalizing the difference in potential between the lightning arrester and the electrically conductive fibers. When the electrically conductive fibers are connected to each other, the fibers will cooperate on the conduction of a possible lightning current to prevent the current from running in individual fibers. Simultaneously the metallic receptor will serve as the primary lightning capturing device and reduce the risk of lightning striking the laminate. The receptor being connected to the lightning arrester, the current will predominately be conducted to ground, while the risk of transfer to the laminate is minimized in that a possible difference in potential between fibers and lightning arrester has been equalized. |
| US07651318B2 |
Steam turbine
A super steam turbine (100) into which high-temperature steam of 650° C. or more is introduced is provided with an inner steam pipe (120) which is disposed through an inner casing (110) and an outer casing (111), an outer steam pipe (130) which is welded to the outer casing (111) and disposed outside of the inner steam pipe (120) along the inner steam pipe (120) with a prescribed space therebetween, and a radiation heat shielding pipe (140) which is disposed along the inner steam pipe (120) between the inner steam pipe (120) and the outer steam pipe (130) to face a welded portion of at least the outer steam pipe (130), wherein cooling steam (160) is flown between the inner steam pipe (120) and the outer steam pipe (130), respective component parts are made of a suitable heat-resisting steel having prescribed chemical composition ranges. |
| US07651309B2 |
Floating unit, and an article support apparatus having floating units
A floating unit comprises: a stationary portion; a movable portion supported to be movable relative to the stationary portion and including an article support; a support disposed between the stationary portion and the movable portion, the support having a plurality of rolling elements rotatably held by a holder between an upwardly facing first contact surface provided on the stationary portion and a downwardly facing second contact surface provided on the movable portion, whereby the support is movable in all horizontal directions relative to the movable portion and the stationary portion; a movable portion returning device for biasing the movable portion relative to the stationary portion toward a reference position for receiving an article; and a support returning device for biasing the support horizontally relative to the stationary portion toward a reference position for holding the movable portion. |
| US07651303B2 |
Conduit reamer tool element
A conduit reamer for a cutting tool includes a generally cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis and a blade coupled to the generally cylindrical body. The blade includes a first blade portion defining a first height of the conduit reamer with respect to the longitudinal axis and a second blade portion defining a second height of the conduit reamer with respect to the longitudinal axis, wherein the first height is different than the second height. The conduit reamer further includes a shank end having a shank configured to be received and driven by the cutting tool, a bit end opposite the shank end and having a cavity configured to receive a tool bit, and a locking mechanism positioned proximate the bit end and configured to secure the tool bit within the cavity. |
| US07651293B2 |
Aquifer replenishment system
A concrete structure for replenishing an aquifer and a method for constructing the same is provided. The structure is comprised of a pavement layer with surface drains that extend through the pavement layer and into an aggregate leach field. The leach field includes leach lines spanning the leach field. An aggregate drain extends from the leach field into a sand lens. Precipitation which falls upon the structure thus flows through the surface drain, absorbed into the aggregate leach field, and transported to the aggregate drains by way of aggregate leach lines. The water is then absorbed into the sand lens, ultimately replenishing the aquifer. Existing conventional pavement structures are retrofitted by the removal of a section of the pavement, and filling the same with porous concrete. |
| US07651290B2 |
Device with pull tab activation
A fluid-containing pouch is presented including a top layer having an outer surface; a bottom layer attached to the top layer and forming a cavity therebetween; an opening in the top layer allowing fluid communication between the cavity and the outer surface; a seal removably attached to the outer surface and sealing the opening; and a pull tab affixed to and overlying the seal. A cleaning device is also presented including a base layer; a wipe layer attached to the base layer to form an interior space therebetween, and; a pouch positioned within the interior space, the pouch having a top layer, a bottom layer attached to the top layer to form a cavity therebetween, an opening in one of the top and bottom layers, a seal affixed to the pouch and sealing the opening, and a pull tab affixed to and overlying the seal. |
| US07651287B2 |
Printer device having ink ribbon cartridge with protection plate for thermal head
A printer device is disclosed. The printer device includes: a base chassis that accepts therein and ejects therefrom the printing medium; a top chassis that is disposed to be able to freely open and close in a direction vertical to the basis chassis; an ink ribbon cartridge holder that is disposed between the top chassis and the base chassis, and is attached with an ink ribbon cartridge including therein the ink ribbon; and a thermal head that prints an image to the printing medium by heating the ink ribbon in the ink ribbon cartridge attached to the ink ribbon cartridge holder. |
| US07651280B2 |
Coupling for conduits sealed in a recess of a housing
A coupling for bringing a first conduit in communication with a second conduit. Each of the conduits comprises an end to be coupled and each of the conduits is adapted for conducting a medium. The coupling has a housing and at least one aperture in said housing. The housing is adapted for introducing said first and second conduits into the housing. Furthermore, the coupling comprises a recess in the housing. The recess is adapted for partly receiving the ends of the first and second conduits. The coupling has a seal adapted for sealing the first and second conduits within the recess. |
| US07651279B2 |
Optical-electrical transmission connector, optical-electrical transmission device and electronic device
An optical-electrical transmission connector having resistance to optical axis misalignment, having small loss, easily increasing the number of buses, and capable of being formed of a commonly-used material is provided. In a male connector, one collimating lens facing the other collimating lens when connecting the male connector to a female connector is arranged, and a light guide is arranged corresponding to the focal point of the one collimating lens. A positioning section is arranged corresponding to surroundings of the one collimating lens, and the positioning section has one inclined surface coming into contact with the other inclined surface when connecting the male connector to the female connector. |
| US07651276B2 |
Bearing unit
In a bearing unit for a drive shaft mounted cantilevered in a housing by means of two rolling bearings and having a driving bevel gear wherein the drive shaft is mounted in the drive housing via a bearing bush and the bearing bush is axially supported at one end by a bearing bush support part and the rolling bearings are supported in the bearing bush spaced from the one end thereof so that, during heating, the bearing bush expands inwardly toward the driving bevel gear mounted on the shaft whereas the drive housing expands outwardly away from the driving bevel gear, the gear drive housing and the bearing bush consist of a light metal alloy and the bearing bush support part consists of an iron material. |
| US07651270B2 |
Automated x-ray optic alignment with four-sector sensor
A system for x-ray optical alignment. The system includes an x-ray source, an optic, a collimation element, and alignment sensors. The x-ray source generates an x-ray beam that is directed by the optic at a sample. The collimation element is located between the optic and the sample to define the profile of the x-ray beam. The sensors receive the x-ray beam from the optic and generated signal indicative of the system alignment. The sensors may be located on a surface of the collimation element facing the optic. The inner edge of the sensors may be located at equal intervals radially about the collimation element and may form an aperture having a symmetric shape. |
| US07651269B2 |
Temperature probes having a thermally isolated tip
Temperature probes for measuring the temperature of objects are disclosed. The temperature probes include a housing and a tip in thermal contact with an end of the housing. The tip is adapted to contact a surface of the object whose temperature is to be measured by the temperature probe. A portion of the housing in contact with the tip has a high thermal resistance effective to thermally isolate the tip from an adjacent portion of the housing. A sensor is located inside of the housing and adapted to measure the temperature of the tip. |
| US07651267B2 |
Sensor arrangement and method for using same
A sensor arrangement includes, in some embodiments, a magnetostrictive element configured to output magnetic signals in response to a magnetic field. A sensor is configured to sense a value of a property of a selected object, and to provide an electrical resistance that varies in response to variations in the sensed value. The sensor cooperates with the magnetostrictive element to vary the frequency of the signals output by the magnetostrictive element based on variations of the electrical resistance provided by the sensor. A transmitter provides an alternating magnetic field to the magnetostrictive element, and a receiver picks up the magnetic signals generated by the magnetostrictive element. The frequency of the signals received is correlated with the sensor resistance, and the resistance is correlated to a value of the property sensed. |
| US07651255B2 |
Light source apparatus for electronic endoscope and electronic endoscope having the light source apparatus
A light source apparatus for an electronic endoscope includes a light source; a rotary shutter including a pair of aperture controlling rotary plates; a first planetary gear mechanism including a first internal tooth gear, a first sun gear rotated with one aperture controlling rotary plate, and a first planet gear engaged with the first internal tooth gear and the first sun gear; a second planetary gear mechanism including a second internal tooth gear, a second sun gear rotated with the other aperture controlling rotary plate, and a second planet gear engaged with the second internal tooth gear and the second sun gear; and a carrier device which holds the first and second planet gears. An endless timing belt is installed on an output gear of a phase-difference motor and an input tooth portion of the second internal tooth gear, and includes a meshing portion. |
| US07651251B2 |
Combined viewing mirror and turn signal lamp for automotive vehicles
A combined viewing mirror and turn signal lamp assembly (2) for this purpose includes a generally elongated stay (8) connected at one end (8a) thereof with a body of an automotive vehicle, and a rear viewing mirror (10) connected with the opposite end (8b) of the elongated stay. A turn signal lamp (12) is incorporated in a portion (8c) of the stay intermediate between the ends of the stay. |
| US07651245B2 |
LED light fixture with internal power supply
The invention provides a light fixture that includes a light engine, a rugged housing, and an internal power module that is thermally isolated. The light fixture includes several novel heat management features designed to thermally isolate the power supply in order to reduce the risk of failure and thereby increase the reliability of the light fixture. The light engine includes groups of light modules, each having a light emitting diode (LED) and a zener diode. The power module resides within a rear receptacle of the housing and includes a power supply, a box, and a cover that enclose the power supply. The housing also includes an arrangement of external fins that dissipate heat generated by the light engine. During operation, heat is generated by the light modules, namely the LEDs, and then is transferred along a flow path through a main body portion of the housing and the fins for dissipation to ambient without negatively impacting the power supply. |
| US07651243B2 |
Phosphor wheel illuminator
Various embodiments described herein comprise illuminators comprising a phosphor color wheel for producing colored light. Light of a first wavelength emitted by a light source is incident on a phosphor color wheel comprising a plurality of different regions, where at least one of these regions comprises a phosphor that fluoresces at a second wavelength when illuminated with light of the first wavelength. The light from the light source and the different regions of the phosphor color wheel are movable with respect to each other such that as the different regions are illuminated by the light, different colors are produced. |
| US07651233B2 |
Lighting device for display devices, liquid crystal display device, and light source lamp
A lighting device for display devices preferably used for constituting a backlight of a transmissive or transflective liquid crystal display device includes a light source lamp, and a light-diffusing layer constituted by a diffusing plate or a diffusing sheet, the light source lamp being a light source lamp having a folded portion(curved portion), such as U-shaped tube, and the lighting device for display devices having any of, or a combination of: a configuration in which the folded portion (curved portion) of the light source lamp is covered with a lamp frame; a configuration in which an optical member provided with a light-reducing or light-shielding treatment is used around the folded portion (curved portion) of the light source lamp; a configuration in which the folded portion (curved portion) of the light source lamp is disposed outside an effective display region; a configuration in which the folded portion (curved portion) of the light source lamp is provided with a member for reducing or shielding light; and a configuration in which a reflective member provided with a light-reducing treatment is used around the folded portion (curved portion) of the light source lamp. As a result, at least part of light generated from the curved portion of the light source lamp is reduced or shielded. |
| US07651231B2 |
Lighting module for use in a keypad device
A lighting module adapted for use in a keypad device includes a circuit substrate board, a transparent light guide plate stacked on the circuit substrate board, and at least one light emitting diode embedded in the light guide plate and connected electrically to the circuit substrate board. By having the light emitting diode embedded in the light guide plate, the overall thickness of the lighting module can be reduced to permit miniaturization. |
| US07651223B2 |
Fundus camera
A fundus camera capable of preferably photographing the periphery of a fundus irrespective of the state of an eye includes a photographing optical system having a photographing optical axis for photographing the fundus, a fundus observation optical system for picking up a fundus observation image, an alignment target projection optical system for projecting an alignment target onto an anterior segment of the eye, an alignment target image detection optical system, a photographing unit housing the systems, a moving mechanism moving the unit for alignment of the axis, a fixation target presenting system for guiding a visual line direction, a target presenting position being selectable or changeable, a display unit, and a controller controlling the display unit to display the observation and target images, wherein the controller includes a program for forming and displaying a reticle mark in displaying the observation image varying the shape of the mark with the presenting position. |
| US07651221B2 |
Method and device for working the edges of spectacle lenses
For machining lenses by a CNC lens cutting machine, relevant data in regard to eyes, spectacle frame, and lenses are entered in the computer that compares the optical data of lenses and frame openings. When the lens is too small, it is moved by calculation relative to the shape of the frame edge until it is completely within the lens. The computer checks whether the carried-out movement is within given tolerances and, if not, the lenses are rejected; if the tolerances are met, the computer checks whether the carried-out movement of one lens requires movement of the other in order to meet the tolerances. If this is so, the computer calculates the minimum movement and checks whether this movement is within the tolerances and, if not, the lens pair is rejected. If the tolerances are met, the computer drives the machine for machining the shape of the spectacle lenses. |
| US07651218B2 |
Nose support for a pair of spectacles
A nose support for a pair of spectacles having a nose rest (2) and having a retainer (1), comprising a wire part (3), for the nose rest (2) is described, which has an undercut pocket (8) for the plug reception of an eye bent out of one end of the wire part (3). To provide advantageous design conditions, it is suggested that the end of the wire part (3) forming an eye be bent in a hairpin shape, the web (4) connecting the two legs (5, 6) of the hairpin-shaped end section forming a round eye (7) expanded in relation to the adjoining legs (5, 6), and the pocket (8) of the nose rest (2) expanding outward on one hand away from the undercut in the plane of the hairpin-shaped bent legs (5, 6) of the wire part (3) and on the other hand transversely to this plane over the entire pocket depth. |
| US07651215B2 |
Ink jet recording apparatus
To reduce ink bleeding and growing of dot diameters for high image quality, an ink jet recording apparatus for recording a color image includes a first head group including chromatic color ink recording heads, a second head group including at least one of a transparent ink recording head and an achromatic color ink recording head, and light emitting devices for curing a photocurable ink having landed on a recording medium. The first and the second head groups are disposed along a scanning direction. The chromatic color ink recording heads of the first head group do not have the light emitting device therebetween along the scanning direction. And the light emitting device is arranged along the scanning direction between the first and second head groups and further arranged at least on a trailing side, in the scanning direction, of a trailing one of the first and second head groups. |
| US07651211B2 |
Recording method and printed matter
A recording method with an ink ejected by an ink jet head, in which an ink repellent layer is formed on a surface of a nozzle plate of the ink jet head so that an opening portion for liquid ejections is established, the ink jet head being formed such that a cross-sectional area for the opening portion neighborhood of the ink repellent layer in a plane which is perpendicular to a centerline of the opening portion grows big sequentially as the cross-sectional area is further separated from the surface of the base material nozzle plate, wherein the amount of the ink transferred onto a recording medium during a contact time of 100 ms measured by a dynamic scanning absorptometer with environmental conditions of temperature 23° C. and relative humidity 50% RH is between 4 and 15 ml/m2, and the amount of the ink transferred onto the recording medium during a contact time of 400 ms measured by the dynamic scanning absorptometer with the environmental conditions of temperature 23° C. and relative humidity 50% RH is between 7 and 20 ml/m2. |
| US07651204B2 |
Fluid ejection device
A fluid ejection device includes a substrate having a plurality of fluid channels, a flexible membrane supported by the substrate and including a plurality of flexible membrane portions each extending a length of a respective one of the fluid channels, a plurality of actuators each provided on a first portion of a respective one of the flexible membrane portions and adapted to deflect the first portion of the respective one of the flexible membrane portions relative to a respective one of the fluid channels, and a reinforcement member provided on the flexible membrane and supporting a second portion of each of the flexible membrane portions. |
| US07651198B2 |
Liquid droplet ejection head and image forming apparatus
The liquid droplet ejection head comprises: a plurality of pressure chambers which are separated by a partition wall, each of the plurality of pressure chambers being formed with a first member and a second member in opposition to the first member, each of the plurality of pressure chambers having a nozzle and a supply port, the nozzle being formed in the first member for ejecting a droplet of a liquid onto a recording medium, the supply port being formed in the second member for supplying the liquid to the pressure chamber; a piezoelectric element which causes the pressure chamber to deform, the piezoelectric element having an electrode for the piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric element being provided on a side of the second member opposite to an inside of the pressure chamber; a common liquid chamber which supplies the liquid to the pressure chamber through the supply port, the common liquid chamber being provided on the side of the second member on which the piezoelectric element is provided; and a wiring member which is formed in the common liquid chamber so as to stand upright from the electrode for the piezoelectric element in a direction substantially perpendicular to the second member, and is disposed in a position corresponding to the partition wall. |
| US07651191B2 |
Temperature detector and recording apparatus including the same
A temperature detector of the present invention includes a temperature sensor, a reference signal generation circuit, a level memory which rewritably stores therein a first signal level and a second signal level, a control circuit which controls the reference signal generation circuit so as to make a level of the reference signal change from the first signal level to the second signal level, a comparator circuit which compares the level of the reference signal and a level of the output signal, and a level rewriter which rewrites at least either one of the first signal level and the second signal level. When the level of the reference signal reaches the level of the output signal, the control circuit generates a detected temperature signal, and controls the level rewriter so as to change a range where a level of the reference signal changes. |
| US07651190B2 |
Inkjet recording apparatus
A recording head includes a main body and electrodes. The main body has a nozzle plate. The electrodes are arranged on the front surface of the nozzle plate. A current sensor is connected to the electrodes through connection terminals, and measures a current value flowing in the respective electrodes. The electrodes correspond respectively to the colors of inks to be discharged. Each of the electrodes is separated from the edge of the nozzle hole by 1 μm to 5 μm. The nozzle plate has a water repellent layer on the front surface. The electrodes connect a plurality of nozzle holes in series. |
| US07651174B2 |
Pressure limiting device for a hydraulic braking circuit of vehicle
The device comprises a leaktight housing which is hydraulically connected between braking elements of the front and rear wheel(s). The housing comprises a body and fittings which enable the hydraulic fluid to flow into the braking elements of the rear wheels until an adjustable set pressure is obtained, after which the pressure is reduced in the braking elements of the rear wheel(s) in a manner which is proportional to the pressure increase in the braking elements of the front wheel(s). |
| US07651168B2 |
Adjustable child support device
A child support device including adjustable features is disclosed. The support device may be a high chair including an adjustable foot support and/or tray portion. The child support device may include a base, a frame attached to the base, and a seat attached to the frame. The seat may include a primary restraint such as a crotch post. The footrest may be telescopically connected to the primary restraint such that its position relative to the seat may be altered. The tray, moreover, may include a secondary restraint that cooperates with the primary restraint to provide an additional safety feature. The tray and the secondary restraint may be repositioned with respect to the primary restraint to accommodate children of various sizes. |
| US07651163B2 |
Lumbar support device
A lumbar support device that is adjusted to a user's neutral postural position when the user is standing, and that is subsequently used to reinforce the user's neutral postural position when the user is seated. The device includes a rigid shell and an adjustable lumbar support surface. The lumbar support surface is a plurality of inelastic straps of adjustable length disposed horizontally between the sides of the rigid shell. The user adapts the straps to conform to the user's back when in a standing neutral position. When seated, the straps maintain their adjusted lengths, so as to reinforce the user's neutral position. The device includes a covering and a padding between the covering and the straps. The lumbar support device features downwardly depending legs at each side so as to support the device when placed in a chair and position the surface in the lumbar region above the chair. The gap between the legs and below the back of the shell provides a cutout to accommodate protrusion of the user's buttocks, allowing the user to adopt normal buttock positioning on the seat of the chair. |
| US07651144B2 |
Seal water catch for recreational vehicle
A seal between a base structure and a slide out structure of a recreational vehicle includes a panel section mounted to the base structure, the panel section including a front edge, a rear edge, a first side and a second side. A sealing element extends from the panel section, between the front edge and the rear edge, in a direction from the first side toward the second side of the panel section, the sealing element extending to contact the slide out structure and wipe moisture therefrom upon relative movement of the slide out structure and base structure. A catch flange extends upwardly from the rear edge of the panel section. A first side basin detail extends from the first side of the panel section, and a second side basin detail extends from the second side of the panel section. The catch flange, the first side basin detail and the second side basin detail define a water catch that is open at the front edge of the panel section, the water catch collecting moisture wiped from the slide out structure by the sealing element. |
| US07651140B2 |
Door security device
A door security device for arranging on a floor surface proximate a bottom portion of an inwardly opening door includes a chock. The chock has a front surface extending substantially parallel to a plane of the door when the chock is in an operative position and a bottom surface adapted to rest against the floor surface. The bottom surface extends substantially perpendicular to the plane of the door when the chock is in the operative position. The chock has a top surface disposed between the front and bottom surfaces. An opening extends through the chock from the top surface to the bottom surface. The device also includes a pin sized to be received in the opening, a hollow tube for inserting into a hole in the floor surface and a cap for covering a top portion of the hollow tube. |
| US07651132B2 |
Impact absorbing system of steering column for vehicle
An impact-absorbing system of a steering column, which includes a mounting plate, an outer tube, an upper shaft, and a lower shaft. The impact absorbing system includes a mounting plate hole, a curling plate pin, a trans bracket coupled to the outer tube, a trans bracket hole, a curling plate, a curling plate guide, a mounting plate slot, and a curling guide coupling portion fixing the curling plate guide to the trans bracket and moving along the mounting plate slot in the event of collision. |
| US07651130B2 |
Airbag unit
An airbag unit with an airbag exhibiting an impact surface, a housing, a gas generator, a first tensioning element extending from housing to impact surface, which is interrupted when the airbag is fully expanded, and a second tensioning element extending from impact surface to an outlet valve with variable cross section located in airbag. The cross section of the outlet valve becomes smaller when the second tensioning element is under tension. In order to ensure a high degree of functional reliability, outlet valve exhibits a nozzle extending around an opening, around which the second tensioning element is guided. |
| US07651127B2 |
Blasting cap apparatus for vehicle airbag and control method
A complex blasting cap apparatus of an airbag for a vehicle includes: a detector detecting impact acting on a vehicle body during a vehicle accident; a controller receiving a signal detected by the detector, computing the received signal, and applying different voltages so as to operate an inflator depending on a pre-input impact force; and a complex blasting cap formed as integration of a first blasting cap which is operated by a control signal of the controller and is exploded by a first voltage signal applied from the controller and a second blasting cap which is connected to a circuit to which the first blasting cap is connected and is exploded by a second voltage signal applied from the controller. |
| US07651126B2 |
Device for implementing a security element for the protection of goods and/or persons
A device for protecting goods and/or persons including a security element; and a gas generating system connected to the security element and including an explosive charge formed at least of: a primary pyrotechnic compound, in a first chamber, initiated by at least one initiator having a reinforcing charge and including at least one propellant having an optionally adjusted oxygen balance, and a secondary compound, in a secondary chamber, including an oxidant constituent capable of delivering only gas by decomposition and at least one reducing additive having a function of contributing nitrogen, the additive being present in a proportion by weight less than about 70% of the weight of the primary-secondary compound. |
| US07651112B2 |
Motorcycle with grab bar attached to body frame below seat
A motorcycle having a grab bar with sufficient attachment strength and rigidity, minimum wall thickness and size and no deterioration in external appearance. The grab bar has a grab section to be grabbed by a rider and attachment sections to be attached to left and right seat rails. The attachment sections extend through a space below a rear edge of a seat toward the front and are connected to the left and right seat rails. |
| US07651106B2 |
Wheel-guiding stabilizer device
A stabilizer device for an axle of a motor vehicle. The axle has a roll stabilizer (2) and for each wheel at least one wheel guide control arm (1). The chassis-side articulation of the wheel guide control arm (1) is connected to an end area of the roll stabilizer (2) such that a twisting actuation of the roll stabilizer (2) takes place due to an inward deflection motion of the wheel guide control arm (1). An end of the roll stabilizer (2) is received in a hollow shaft (6) connected to the wheel guide control arm (1). The hollow shaft (6) is mounted in a chassis-side bearing flange (3) and the bearing flange (3) can be elastically connected to the vehicle. The stabilizer device is used especially to eliminate the conflicts of design goals between the requirements of uncoupling structure-borne noise and comfort of the chassis, on the one hand, and immediate response characteristic of the stabilizer, on the other hand. Further advantages include space required for installation, weight and modularity of the stabilizer device. |
| US07651104B1 |
System and method for moving objects
A method and system are disclosed for moving objects, such as large potted plants, large oval shaped objects and objects of various other shapes. A user can utilize the present invention to move large potted plants and other objects without exerting a large amount of physical force thereby reducing the chance of a user suffering an injury resulting from moving large objects. A user can slide a large potted plant onto the present invention and then proceed in moving the large potted plant without exerting a large amount of force. |
| US07651101B2 |
Compliant plate seals for turbomachinery
A shaft seal serves to reduce leakage between a rotating shaft and a static shell. The shaft seal includes a plurality of compliant plate members, each having a root and a tip. The compliant plate members are secured to the static shell at their root in facing relation. The tips of the compliant plate members define a sealing ring between the static shell and the rotating shaft. An axial flow resistance member is disposed within the compliant plate members and serves as a barrier to axial leakage flow between the compliant plate members. |
| US07651098B2 |
Screen net
A screen net includes a front member with an opening, a base member, a catch member and a wall member. The base member is placed on the ground. The catch member is adapted to catch a ball that passes through the opening of the front member. The wall member is positioned above the opening of the front member. The wall member comprises a wall fabric member and a wall pole member. The wall fabric member comprises a sleeve through which the wall pole member passes. The wall fabric member is attached to the front member. The ends of the wall pole member are supported by the base member. The screen net further comprises straps that connect the front member and the base member. The straps are under tension provided by the elastic pole segments. |
| US07651092B2 |
Printing system and control method thereof
An object of this invention is to provide a convenient printing system applicable not only to the office environment but also to the POD environment. To accomplish this, a printing system capable of supplying a print medium to a printing apparatus from a plurality of feeding apparatuses each having a feeding unit for feeding a print medium, a multi feed detection unit for detecting occurrence of multi feed of overlapping print media, and a multi feed discharge unit for discharging multi-fed print media includes a multi feed discharge destination setting unit for, when the multi feed detection unit detects occurrence of multi feed, setting which of multi feed discharge units is to accept multi-fed print media, and a control unit for controlling the feeding apparatus to discharge the multi-fed print media to the multi feed discharge unit set by the multi feed discharge destination setting unit. |
| US07651089B2 |
Method and device for forming stacks of flat elements
A method and a device is provided for forming stacks of flat elements in a stacking region, the flat elements being guided to the stacking region substantially continuously. The flat elements are stacked on a main stack carrier. Upon achieving a finished stack of a predetermined number of flat elements stacked on the main stack carrier, an auxiliary stack carrier is inserted into the stacking region above the finished stack. Subsequent flat elements are then stacked on the auxiliary stack carrier. The finished stack is then removed from the main stack carrier and, subsequently, the main stack carrier is moved below the auxiliary stack carrier. The auxiliary stack carrier is then withdrawn from the stacking region, transferring the subsequent flat elements on the main stack. During or after this withdrawal process, at least an upper portion of the main stack carrier is moved substantially opposite the direction of withdrawal of the auxiliary stack carrier. |
| US07651082B2 |
Media stack stop
Various apparatus and methods relating to a media stack stop are disclosed. |
| US07651073B1 |
Fence post
A high security palisade fence is formed from a plurality of vertical posts, each of which is characterized by a pair of flange sections which are joined by an intermediate flat web section having a double-walled structure. One or more cable passageways are formed in each post. Each adjacent pair of posts is interconnected by a plurality of parallel rails. Each rail is formed with an internal tray, within which a strengthening cable may extend. Vertical pickets are attached to the rails. The pickets are preferably characterized by a W-shaped profile, and preferably include longitudinal strengthening ribs. Each picket has a flat attachment surface in which a plurality of subsurface recesses are formed. |
| US07651072B1 |
Cable tightening device with a base having a lower cost of fabrication
A cable tightening device includes a fixed unit including a base, a rotation member rotatably mounted on a first end of the base, a movable unit including a movable member rotatably mounted on the rotation member and movable relative to the base, and a holding member secured on a second end of the base. Thus, the base of the fixed unit is integrally combined with the holding member without having to provide a bolt and a nut, thereby decreasing the costs of fabrication. In addition, the holding member is integrally combined with the base of the fixed unit by punching so that the holding member will not detach from the base of the fixed unit, thereby facilitating operation of the cable tightening device. |
| US07651067B2 |
Upper valve part for fittings
An upper valve part for fittings has a head piece through which a spindle passes, means for shut-off, and a seal that comes to rest on the fitting. A radially acting locking device is provided. |
| US07651056B2 |
Method of mounting support assemblies for pipes, conduits and tubes
Wall-mounted type and trapeze type support strut assemblies attach pipes, conduit, and tubes to vertical and horizontal surfaces in a sanitary manner. The strut assemblies repel contaminants, are easy to inspect, and easy to clean. Structures to provide seismic stability to trapeze type support strut assemblies may also be used. |
| US07651049B2 |
Helicopter with an auxiliary lubricating circuit
There is described a helicopter having a first member movable with respect to a second member; lubricated supporting means for supporting the first member with respect to the second member; and a primary lubricating circuit for lubricating the supporting means and in turn having primary storage means for accumulating a lubricating fluid, and primary fluid feed means for feeding the lubricating fluid to the supporting means; the helicopter also has an auxiliary lubricating circuit supplied continually by the primary storage means with a first lubricating fluid flow value, and itself continually supplying the supporting means with a second lubricating fluid flow value lower than the first value, so as to produce an auxiliary storage volume of lubricating fluid for use in the event of breakdown of the primary lubricating circuit. |
| US07651048B2 |
System and element for laterally positioning paper rolls of different width
In a receipt printer (10), suitable for printing on a paper ribbon of different widths, wound on a roll (14) arranged in a seat (15, 22, 23, 24) in the printer, a wall is provided for the lateral positioning (18, 30) of the roll of paper (14) in its seat, to keep the paper ribbons, or the respective rolls (14a, 14b) of at least two different widths in the proper printing position, independently of the width of the ribbon; the positioning wall (18) is arranged inside the seat (15) of the roll of paper, with a first surface (44) facing a side (26′) of the same roll (14a). When the roll (14a) is replaced with another roll (14b) of different width, the positioning wall (18) is repositioned in the seat (15, 22, 23, 24), rotated through 180°, to laterally retain the new roll (14b) with the second face (45), opposite the first face (44); the positioning wall (18) is suitable for being attached to the walls (22, 23, 24) of the seat (15) through flat tabs (38, 39, 40), protruding beyond the edge (32) of the positioning wall (18); the positioning tabs (38, 39, 40) are all arranged staggered on one side (44), with respect to the median plane of the wall (18) and flush with one (44) of the two faces of the positioning wall (18) and are also suitable for engaging corresponding pairs of slots (41, 42, 43) formed in the walls of the seat (15). |
| US07651047B2 |
Cable storage device
The present invention relates to an improved cable storage device. Stored cables may be of any type, form electrically conductive wires to curtain drawstrings. The cable management device includes first and second expanded regions, a medial region, and at least one channel with a resealable slit. The first and second expanded regions are respectively wider than the medial region. The at least one channel includes an opening on the first region, an opening on the medial region, and an internal cavity therebetween. The internal cavity may be intentionally exposed via a resealable slit to allow a cable to be routed between the openings. Upon release, slit automatically reseals, thereby reliably supporting the cable in the internal cavity. A second embodiment includes two such channels, one in each expanded region. |
| US07651044B2 |
Apparatus for mechanically processing dried material
An apparatus for mechanical processing of materials in the dry state is of the type having a casing, within which are set a plurality of rollers and at least one diffuser and/or contrast element for the plurality of rollers. The casing likewise has at least one input section and at least one output section for the materials. The rollers are arranged around the diffuser and/or contrast element so as to define, for each roller, a gap between the diffuser and/or contrast element and the side surface of the roller, and in that it comprises a drive for setting in rotation the diffuser and/or contrast element with respect to the plurality of rollers and/or for setting in rotation at least one roller, or the entire plurality of rollers, with respect to the diffuser and/or contrast element. |
| US07651038B2 |
Fuel injection valve for internal combustion engine
A fuel injection valve for an internal combustion engine is such that an inside wall of a nozzle hole through which fuel is injected into a combustion chamber or an intake port of the internal combustion engine is coated with a composite coating formed of a lipophilic portion and an oil repelling portion which are finely interspersed on the nano order. The inside wall of the nozzle hole is formed by multiple grooves extending in the fuel jet direction and flat portions between these grooves, and inside walls of the grooves are coated with an oil repellant coating and the flat portions are coated with a lipophilic coating. |
| US07651037B2 |
Droplet deposition apparatus
Droplet deposition apparatus including at least one droplet ejection unit having a plurality of fluid channels disposed side by side in a row, an actuator, and a plurality of nozzles, said actuator being actuable to eject a droplet of fluid from a fluid channel through a respective nozzle, a support member for said at least one droplet ejection unit, a first conduit extending along said row and to one side of both said support member and said at least one droplet ejection unit for conveying droplet fluid to each of the fluid channels of said at least one droplet ejection unit; and a second conduit extending along said row and to the other side of both said support member and said at least one droplet ejection unit for receiving droplet fluid from each of the fluid channels of said at least one droplet ejection unit. |
| US07651033B2 |
Noncontract IC tag with non-conductive metal film
A noncontact IC tag 1 comprises a base film 11, a noncontact IC circuit 2, 3 formed on the base film 11, and a plastic film or paper serving as a surfacing sheet 4, having a non-conductive, lustrous metal film 6m formed by deposition, laminated to the base film 11 on the side of the noncontact IC tag circuit 2, 3. The surface roughness of the non-conductive, lustrous metal film 6m, determined by atomic force microscopy, is more than 10 nm and 100 nm or less as indicated by the center line average height Ra. In the case where the non-conductive, lustrous metal film 6m is formed on the outer surface of the surfacing sheet 4, a concealing layer 4a may further be formed on the inner surface of the surfacing sheet 4 in order to enhance concealing properties. |
| US07651026B2 |
Article information display system and electronic shelf label
A fingerprint detecting portion which detects a fingerprint, which is a physical characteristic inherent to an individual, is provided on an electronic shelf label. A display control device has a customer database in which fingerprint data items of respective customers are formed in a database form. A customer is specified by referring to the customer database by use of fingerprint data detected by the fingerprint detecting portion of the electronic shelf label. Then, the electronic shelf label which has detected the fingerprint data acquires a user price of the customer for a corresponding article. The user price is displayed on a selling price display portion of the electronic shelf label. |
| US07651024B2 |
Reinforced bulk bin and methods for making same
A reinforced bulk bin, and methods for making same, wherein a collapsible bulk bin, preferably fabricated from paper, paperboard and/or corrugated paperboard, is provided with a reinforcing plastic sleeve, which is placed on the bin while in its collapsed configuration. When in place, and prior to the bin being deployed, the sleeve is under tension. When the bin is deployed, the sleeve exerts restraining force, distributed over the surfaces of the side walls of the bin. The sleeve may be positioned on the collapsed bin either manually or mechanically. |
| US07651018B2 |
Expandable mandrel for use in friction stir welding
A mandrel that provides a counter-force to the pressure exerted on the outside of a pipe or other arcuate surface by a friction stir welding tool, wherein the mandrel is expandable through the use of a wedge, and wherein the mandrel enables multiple friction stir welding heads to simultaneously perform welding on the arcuate surface. |
| US07651011B2 |
Microdispensing pump
Various pump features are provided. In a first aspect, a pump is provided having an actuator with a nozzle and a releasable cap having a first shield located to entrap a fixed volume of air about the nozzle. In a second aspect, a valve seat is located along a pump's internal fluid passage with deflectable spring arms extending therefrom that are deflectable in response to movement of a check valve element. In a third aspect, a compliant shut-off valve feature is provided, wherein, a first end of a tubular piston is deflectable in response to interferingly engaging the head of the poppet. In a fourth aspect, a pump includes a pump inlet, and a reservoir having a first portion and a second well portion in open fluid communication. Fluid may be trapped within the well portion at various angular orientations of the pump. |
| US07651008B2 |
System for dispensing hot and cold beverages from liquid concentrates
The invention concerns a device for dispensing a beverage comprising a mixture of liquid, e.g. water, and at least one liquid concentrate, with at least two liquid nozzles connected respectively to at least one liquid source for producing a first jet of liquid in air along first path and a second jet of liquid in air along a second path, at least one concentrate nozzle connected to at least one liquid concentrate source for delivering a stream of liquid concentrate in air along a third path, wherein the liquid nozzles and the concentrate nozzle are oriented with respect to each other so that the first, second and third paths intersect above a container at a common intersection point, whereby the mixture is formed by collision of the respective jets and the stream(s). |
| US07651005B2 |
Educational drinking device
The present invention provides a disposable educational drinking device for learning such things as the letters of the alphabet or numbers or geometric shapes. The disposable drinking device can be converted to a reusable drinking device. The disposable drinking device also has a mechanical mean to center drinking spout between handles. |
| US07651003B2 |
Venting valve-type closure for beverage container
A closure used on a beverage container has an outlet neck centered on an axis. The closure has a mount secured to the neck and a valve body formed with an outwardly open passage extending along a passage axis generally coaxial with the outlet-neck axis. This body is pivotally displaceable in the mount about a valve-body axis generally coaxial with the passage axis and outlet-neck axis between an open position and a closed position and through an intermediate position. Structure on the valve body and mount block flow through the passage in the closed position, allow free flow through the passage in the open position, and limit flow through the passage in the intermediate position. |
| US07651001B2 |
Fluid separator
An apparatus separates a first fluid from a mixture of fluids. The apparatus includes a housing that can have one or more entry openings and one or more exit openings. An endless flexible strip of a material having an affinity for the first fluid is arranged to be advanced through the housing. An advancing assembly advances the endless flexible strip through an entry opening in the housing and through an exit opening in the housing, thereby advancing successive portions of the endless flexible strip sequentially from a position out of contact with the first fluid to a position of contact with the first fluid and again to a position out of contact with the first fluid. More than one pathway can be located within the housing along which the endless flexible strip can be selectively advanced. A means for removing from the endless flexible strip quantities of the first fluid that adhere to the endless flexible strip can be provided. |
| US07650999B2 |
End cap and gasket assemblies for filter elements
A filter element is particularly suitable as a “green” filter element because all of its parts are flammable for disposal of after use by incineration. The filter element has an annular pleated filter media, hard resinous end seals and compressible gaskets bonded directly to the end seals. In accordance with one embodiment, both the end seals and gaskets are applied to the ends of the filter media by sequential steps in an injecting molding machine. In accordance with another embodiment, the gasket is molded to the end cap to form an integral assembly and the end cap is then fixed to the filter media by adhesive or by heat bonding. |
| US07650998B2 |
Apparatus of treating grinding water for processing periphery of eyeglass lens
A grinding water treating apparatus for separating a processing refuse from grinding water used for processing a periphery of an eyeglass lens, the grinding water being introduced from an eyeglass lens processing apparatus, the grinding water treating apparatus includes: a centrifugal separator that includes a dewatering tank having a bottom surface and a side surface and a drive source for rotating the dewatering tank, and springs out the grinding water to an upper portion of the dewatering tank by rotating the dewatering tank; and a drain pipe that introduces the grinding water from an upper portion of the dewatering tank. The centrifugal separator includes a filter arranged at the upper portion of the dewatering tank and having an opening inserted with the drain pipe for filtering the grinding water separated from the processing refuse by a centrifugal force generated due to rotation of the dewatering tank. |
| US07650994B2 |
Adhesive preparation package
The present invention provides an adhesive preparation package containing an adhesive preparation and a packaging film(s) enclosing said preparation, the packaging films being heat-sealed around the adhesive preparation, wherein the heat-sealed portion of the packaging film comprises an embossed heat-sealed portion and a flat heat-sealed portion, and the embossed heat-sealed portion and the flat heat-sealed portion each form a pattern surrounding the periphery of the adhesive preparation. The adhesive preparation package of the present invention is free of occurrence of pinholes in a heat-sealed portion and can maintain superior air-tightness and sterility. |
| US07650991B2 |
Surgical screw dispenser
A surgical screw container includes at least one recess which is adapted to receive therein a screw with a head and a threaded shank. The recess has an opening at one end to allow the screw to pass into or out of the recess. The recess is arranged so that the screw lies within the recess with the head of the screw facing the opening. The recess includes a detent device for retaining the screw within the container. The insertion of a screwdriver shaft into the recess releases the screw. |
| US07650990B2 |
Golf bag
A golf bag comprising a bag body, a support bracket and a tilting device. The bag body includes a top frame, a middle frame, a bottom frame, a plurality of support rod provided between the top frame and the middle frame and a joint block for stably coupling the middle frame and the bottom frame. The tilting device includes a fixed leg and a pair of steel wires extending therefrom. The fixed leg has a moveable shank therein, and a notch is formed in an inner side of the moveable shank. The moveable shank also has a support foot in a bottom thereof which can push the moveable shank to move up and down relative to the fixed leg. The middle frame has a Σ-shaped frame which can disengage with the notch by the push of the moveable shank. |
| US07650989B2 |
Leaf-folding article placing structure
A loose-leaf article placing structure is composed primarily of an unfoldable board, on which is crossly divided into four leaves. Each leaf is provided with an article emplacement seat, three linked loose-leaves are located among the four leaves, the first leaf is separated from the last leaf, and the loose-leaves are deployed as that one leaf is folded inward with the other one being folded outward, alternately. Accordingly, when the board is folded, the four leaves will be overlapped, such that every two article emplacement seats are facing toward each other to facilitate placing the articles as a kit, so as to save packaging cost and increase product texture, while at a same time, with a surface of the board also directly providing for posting a printed show page. |
| US07650984B2 |
Device for varying the separation pitch between articles conveyed
A device for carrying out a “re-pitching” operation, i.e., an operation for changing the pitch between articles included in a flow of moving articles, includes one or more elements for conveying the articles, which are able to perform an orbital movement about a principal axis between a position for pick-up and a position for release of the articles. The speed of the orbital movement is selectively variable in the passage between the position for pick-up and the position for release. Members are provided for distribution of subatmospheric pressure to the conveying elements to enable them to carry out selectively an action of suction to pick up the articles. The members include a distributor, which can turn about the aforesaid principal axis. Set between the rotating distributor and each conveying element is a respective flexible pipe or hose for transferring the subatmospheric pressure to the conveying element. The flexibility of the pipe enables relative angular orientation between the distributor and the conveying element with respect to the aforesaid principal axis. |
| US07650983B2 |
Member for removably connecting at least one vertical guide and slide wall above a conveyor, the vertical guide and slide wall, and guide and slide means for said wall
A member for removably connecting at least one vertical guide and slide wall (1A, 101A) to a support structure (2, 102), in which said at least one lateral guide and slide wall is provided above at least one flat conveyor (3) for conveying products (4), said products coming into contact with a vertical flat slide surface (S) of said at least one guide and slide wall during their movement, said at least one guide and slide wall comprising a holding structure (5, 105) arranged to support said slide surface (S), said holding structure (5, 105) being provided with at least one flat portion (11, 111A, B) parallel to said slide surface (S), in which said member comprises: an elongate body (20, 35) presenting at least a part (21, 31) of reduced thickness (L3) compared with the remaining part of said body, first means (22A, B) for connecting said body (20, 35) and said holding structure (5, 105 together while maintaining said reduced thickness part (21, 31) and said flat portion (11, 111A, B) in mutual contact, and second means (28A) enabling said reduced thickness part to be connected to said support structure (2, 102). |
| US07650981B2 |
Passenger conveyor handrail sliding layer treatment
A passenger conveyor handrail (30) includes a sliding fabric layer (36) having a low-friction coating (40) on at least one side (38) of the sliding fabric layer (36). One example includes the low-friction coating (40) on selected portions of the one side (38) of the sliding fabric layer (36). Another example includes a coating on both sides (38, 39) of the sliding fabric layer (36). |
| US07650977B2 |
Friction plate for wet-type multi-plate clutch
The present invention provides a friction plate for a wet-type multi-plate clutch, to which a wet-type friction material is secured and in which there are provided an oil passage communicated with inner and outer peripheral edges, an oil groove opened toward the inner peripheral edge and having a terminal end disposed between the inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge, and at least one circumferential groove communicated with the oil passage and extending in a circumferential direction. |
| US07650971B2 |
Safety lock for elevator landing door detecting intrusion in the shaft through the landing door and elevator thus equipped
The invention relates to a safety lock (1) for an elevator landing door detecting intrusion of a person in the shaft through the landing door, activating a bistable switch (21) through its spindle lever (11) putting the elevator into safe operation when the landing door is opened by turning the corresponding key, it being impossible to reset the switch (21) manually from the inside of the shaft, which comprises a device (17) fixing the lock in the open position with the door open, that is released when the door is closed such that the switch (21) can be reset by turning the lock (1) in the closing direction of the door in which the key is turned in the opposite direction to the opening direction, the switch (21) being reset mechanically by a mechanical means connected to the spindle lever (11). |
| US07650967B2 |
Communicating to elevator passengers re car movement to pit or overhead
One of a plurality of cars (17, 18) traveling in a hoistway (10) of an elevator system (9) may be diverted to the hoistway overhead (31) or pit (36) to enable another of the cars to gain access to a floor near or at a terminal floor (11, 14). When such car is at its last stop with doors open, visual (40) and audible (41) indicators present (57, 58) messages to the effect that this is the last stop and passengers should exit. After car doors are closed (66), visual and audible messages (68, 69) relate to the car going to the pit or overhead and that passengers may push any button (to reopen doors). Thereafter, the car moves (75, 76) to the overhead (31) or the pit (36) and presents (82, 83) visual and audible messages to the effect that passengers did not exit at the correct floor and must wait while the other car makes a stop. Once the terminal floor is clear, the diverted car will run (87-89) to that floor, presenting (92, 93) visual and audible messages to the effect that passengers should exit once the doors are open and reenter their service requests. |
| US07650963B2 |
Acoustic isolator for well logging system
An acoustic isolator for attenuating through-tool acoustic signals comprises a plurality of u-shaped link members, where each link member has two sets of ears. A plurality of yoke members are adapted to fit between cooperating sets of ears. A plurality of pins connect the plurality of u-shaped link members to the plurality of yoke members for providing limited flexural compliance. The isolator may be made from metallic and/or composite materials. |
| US07650962B2 |
Rotary actuated seismic source and methods for continuous direct-push downhole seismic testing
Remotely operated rotary actuated shear wave generating apparatus and methods that generate horizontally polarized vertically propagating shear waves for use in down-hole shear wave velocity measurements. Seismic signals are generated by an offset mass rotating in a plane perpendicular to the surface of the ground, which impacts an impact member coupled to the ground. The energy of impact is transmitted to the ground parallel to the surface of the ground. The apparatus uses a spring-loaded rotating mass that has a rotary motion. Because acceleration of the mass is not horizontal, reaction forces caused by acceleration of the mass create less horizontal shear stress in the ground prior to the desired time (impact). Reaction forces of the accelerated rotating mass does not generate undesirable waves that obscure the desirable waves caused by impact with the impact member. The source generates transient shear waves repeatedly at constant intervals. Wave motions are recorded by a probe as it is advanced into the ground, without pause. |
| US07650952B2 |
Passive vertical drilling motor stabilization
A drilling stabilization system includes a power section coupled to an upper end of a transmission housing, a bearing housing coupled to a lower end of the transmission housing, and a drill bit coupled to the bearing housing, wherein the transmission housing includes at least two radially outwardly extending blades disposed on the transmission housing. A method of drilling a substantially concentric wellbore includes drilling a formation with a directional drilling bottomhole assembly coupled to a drill string, changing a direction of the drilling of the formation being drilled, removing the directional drilling bottomhole assembly from the drill string, coupling a drilling stabilization system to the drill string, and drilling the formation with the drilling stabilization system. |
| US07650947B2 |
One trip system for circulating, perforating and treating
A well completion method and apparatus comprises a pipe string having a bottom attached boring bit and scraper. Above the bit at designated well fluid production locations, perforation assemblies are integrated into the pipe string. Each perforation assembly comprises a by-pass circulation mandrel and a perforation gun. The circulation mandrel is secured at opposite distal ends in threaded Y-adapter boxes. The perforating gun is secured in collar bores respective to the opposite end Y-adapters. |
| US07650945B2 |
Inflatable closure system
A closure device that is useful as a safety valve within a tubular member, such as production tubing and pipelines. The closure device includes an inflatable bladder that is disposed within a cavity in the wall of the tubular member. A fluid conduit interconnects a fluid source with the inflatable bladder, and a pump is associated with the fluid conduit to flow fluid between the fluid source and the bladder. |
| US07650937B2 |
Formation testing and sampling apparatus and methods
Systems and methods for downhole formation testing based on the use of one or more elongated sealing pads capable of sealing off and collecting or injecting fluids from elongated portions along the surface of a borehole. The modified sealing pads increase the flow area by collecting fluids from an extended portion along the surface of a borehole, which is likely to straddle one or more layers in laminated or fractured formations. A tester device using the elongated sealing pads can be deployed and withdrawn using an extendible element pressing the pads to the borehole. Various designs and arrangements for use with a fluid tester, which may be part of a modular fluid tool, are disclosed in accordance with different embodiments. |
| US07650926B2 |
Blade outer air seals, cores, and manufacture methods
A blade outer air seal (BOAS) casting core has first and second end portions and a plurality of legs. Of these legs, first legs each have: a first end joining the first end portion; a main body portion; and a second end. Second legs each have: a second end joining the second end portion; a main body portion; and a first portion. At least one of the second legs may have its first end joining the core first end portion and a plurality of apertures in the main body portion. Alternatively, at least one of the first legs may have its second end joining the core second end portion and a plurality of apertures in its main body portion. |
| US07650925B2 |
Identifying and reducing causes of defects in thin cast strip
The method of producing thin cast strip by continuous casting is disclosed. At least two sensors are operationally connected to at least one end of at least one of a pair of casting rolls or of a pair of brushes, to continuously measure at least two force-related parameters during casting. At least two time domain signals corresponding to the measured force-related parameters are generated. The time domain signals are continuously monitored and transformed into corresponding frequency domain spectrums. The frequency domain spectrums are analyzed and composite intensity values are continuously calculated from the intensity levels of at least a portion of the frequency component signals within the frequency spectrums. Casting parameters are adjusted in response to reduce strip defects. |
| US07650924B1 |
Adjustable-width/height window treatment overlay
A mass marketable decorative window treatment system employs adjustable-width valance pieces or overlays that can be hung from a conventional curtain rod on which a rod sleeve has been mounted. Segmented hook and loop fastener means are employed on both the valance pieces and on a curtain rod subassembly so that the decorative window treatment components need not be permanently secured to a board as required with similar custom window treatments. The width of individual valance pieces, such as, but not limited to, swags and jabots and flat overlays can be adjusted so that the standard size components can be used for different size windows. |
| US07650920B2 |
Method and arrangement for increasing safety when handling a wheel
A Method and an arrangement for increasing safety when handling a wheel. The method comprises locking a fastening bolt of the rim in the vicinity of a wheel valve in place with a locking device. The arrangement comprises a locking device which locks at least one fastening bolt in the vicinity of the wheel valve in such a way that the fastening bolt cannot be detached before the locking device is removed. |
| US07650916B2 |
Container filling element for open-filling of containers
A beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage material having a filling element and a filling machine having such filling elements. The filling elements each have a movable probe which may be moved into a bottle or container to be filled in order to detect the level of liquid, such as a beverage, in the bottle or container. |
| US07650907B2 |
Hydraulic control apparatus
A hydraulic control apparatus for a single action cylinder includes a switch valve for supplying fluid to and draining fluid from the cylinder, a cylinder side passage connected to the cylinder, a switch valve side passage connected to the switch valve, and a valve body accommodation chamber. The valve body accommodation chamber linearly extends between the cylinder side passage and the switch valve side passage. An on-off valve is located in a vicinity of a first end of the valve body accommodation chamber. The on-off valve defines a first back pressure chamber. A flow control valve is located in a vicinity of a second end that is opposite to the first end. The flow control valve defines a second back pressure chamber. The on-off valve and the flow control valve are separated from each other by a partitioning member. |
| US07650903B2 |
Fluid controller
A fluid controller that allows facilitated installment, piping and wiring connection to semiconductor manufacturing equipment and does not corrode even when a corrosive fluid is used, includes a flowmeter sensor section having a first ultrasonic transducer which transmits ultrasonic waves in a fluid and a second ultrasonic transducer which receives the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the first ultrasonic transducer and outputs the signal thereof to a flowmeter amp section. An adjustment valve that adjusts the flow rate of the fluid using operation pressure is provided, and at least the flowmeter sensor section and the adjustment valve are connected to and disposed in a casing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. |
| US07650900B1 |
System to support and service yard hydrants
This patent discloses a support structure for a yard hydrant. The support structure may include a casing, a cap, a cap clamp, a first spacer, a second spacer, and a second spacer clamp. The casing may have a first end and a second end, where the first end includes a first cutout and a second cutout that may fit about a supply line for the yard hydrant. The cap may around a riser pipe of the yard hydrant and the cap clamp may secure the cap to the second end of the casing. The first spacer and second spacer of the support both may fit within the casing and fit about a nipple of the yard hydrant. The first spacer may be supported by a joint in the supply line and the second spacer may be supported by a second spacer clamp fixed about the nipple. |
| US07650899B2 |
Universal 3-D camouflage strips with nature effects, camouflage cover formed therefrom, and outdoor enclosure incorporating same
A camouflage cover for equipping an outdoor enclosure with three-dimensional nature effects includes a plurality of elongated nature-effect strands that drape over the enclosure in a substantially vertical arrangement. The vine-like nature-effect strands help conceal hard lines and corners of the enclosure structure. The cover may include adjustment straps that allow a single cover to adapt to a number of enclosure structures. The adjustment straps, where used, may include interwoven cords and cord locks for adjusting tension of the straps. The nature-effect strands may have different camouflage patterns so that an enclosure can have an appropriate camouflage scheme no matter what season or environment. Tiebacks may optionally be used to permit horizontal adjustment of the nature-effect strands, in order to prevent allow free access to windows and doorways. Auxiliary loops may also be provided to allow attachment of additional nature effects by a user. |
| US07650890B2 |
Trash container for disposal of cigarette waste
The container for disposal of cigarette waste includes a base, a hollow stem having an outer wall that contains an interior cavity of the hollow stem. The stem further includes a top and a bottom, where the stem is coupled to the base at the bottom. The container also includes a removable cap which is detachably coupled to the top of the stem. It further includes a disposal bucket attached to the cap. Once the cap is coupled to the top of the stem, the disposal bucket is suspended in the interior cavity of the stem. At least one hole is made through the outer wall of the stem near the top. Once the disposal bucket is placed in the interior cavity of the stem, the hole is located between disposal bucket and the cap. |
| US07650887B2 |
Wound retractor
An incrementally adjustable wound retractor (100), having a first ring (102) with a diameter greater than the desired diameter of the wound incision. A second ring (104), having an annular axis and a diameter greater than the desired diameter of the wound incision. A flexible sleeve (106), disposed in a generally cylindrical form between the first and second rings (102, 104), the second ring may be rolled over itself and around the annular axis to provide a sleeve with a radical retraction force sufficient to stretch the incision to the desired diameter. |
| US07650886B1 |
Esophageal airway management device guides
And the esophageal airway management device guide insertable in a patient's trachea with minimum throat, esophageal or tracheal injury having a distal section softer than an intermediate section which also may have a proximal section softer than the intermediate section. |
| US07650885B2 |
Mouthpiece and mask for ventilation assistance and connector for joining objects
An apparatus for cooperation with associated ventilation apparatus which includes an engagement member for engaging and gripping a plurality of teeth of the user. The apparatus also includes an adjustment assembly for connecting the engagement member to associated ventilation apparatus. The adjustment assembly includes an elongated flexible member having a plurality of notches thereon and may further including a first discrete locking member and the elongated flexible member may have a bulbous axial extremity. |
| US07650882B2 |
Pot supports and burner systems including same
A pot support for a ceramic glass cooktop having integrally formed grates. The pot support is formed of a material able to withstand gas cooking temperatures without substantial alteration of its shape or composition. The pot support is configured to rest in a stable position over a gas burner head to support a relatively small diameter utensil centered over the burner head and to cooperate with the integrally formed grate to support large or small diameter utensils that are supported over the burner off-center relative to the grate. |
| US07650875B2 |
Fuel injection control apparatus and method for direct injection internal combustion engine
To quickly suppress a detected decrease in engine speed in a direct injection internal combustion engine (10), a fuel injection quantity is increased by performing a supplementary fuel injection in addition to a normal fuel injection. |
| US07650861B2 |
Camshaft adjuster
A camshaft adjuster for adjusting the relative angular positions of a camshaft and a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine in accordance with a setting shaft is provided. In which the setting shaft is driven by a setting assembly and has a driving connection with an adjusting gear through a coupling. The drive moment is transmitted in the coupling by a radial extension (21) of a first coupling half (19), which contacts a second coupling half (25) without play in a circumferential direction and which is movable in a direction of a Y-Y axis relative to a second coupling half (25). This permits compensation of eccentricities between the setting shaft of the setting assembly and the adjusting gear. |
| US07650858B2 |
Pet grooming tool and method of manufacturing pet grooming tools
A pet grooming tool comprises a pet engageable portion formed of polymeric material and having a plurality of teeth. A method of forming a pet grooming tool comprises molding a pet engageable portion out of a first polymeric material and thereafter over-molding a handle portion to the pet engageable portion. |
| US07650852B2 |
Modular painting apparatus
An apparatus for processing objects includes an elevated tubular frame rail mounting a four axis robot arm with a tool such as a painting applicator. The robot is attached to a mounting base that moves along the rail permitting painting of the top and/or side of a vehicle body. Electrical power and fluid lines can be routed through the rail to the robot. Two such rails and multiple robots can be combined as a module for installation in a new or an existing painting booth. |
| US07650847B1 |
Watercraft stabilization system
This invention relates generally to the stabilization of watercraft, such as kayaks and canoes, and especially to the stabilization of a kayak to allow an individual to stand or move in a kayak without the kayak rocking or rolling over. The pontoon assembly is mounted to a kayak which allows for extending a stabilizing pontoon individually on each side of the watercraft and locking the pontoon at an operative position. Each pontoon can be rapidly raised to a rest position for paddling the kayak or canoe. |
| US07650844B2 |
Railway wagon
The present invention relates to a railway wagon comprising a load carrier and front and rear bogies. The load carrier is releasably connected to, and laterally displaceable in relation to, the respective bogies. Supporting devices are mounted at the ends of the load carrier. They support the load carrier when it is displaced in relation to the bogie. Each supporting device comprises an abutment device which is vertically operable between a pulled-up position and an extended position. At each end of the load carrier there is also a displacing driving device for displacing the load carrier relative to the bogie, and a device that counteracts tilting tendencies of the load carrier. Each abutment device comprises a sliding member, which can slide on the base in the extended position. The railway wagon can thus be displaced, for instance pivoted outwards at one end, to allow a truck to be driven on to or off the same. |
| US07650839B2 |
Method for registering patterns on a web
A method for registering patterns on a web to provide independent scale control in both the lateral and longitudinal directions is provided. The method includes routing the web over a first roller; routing the web over a second roller and stabilizing the web; applying a pattern to the web using process hardware; measuring registration of the pattern and providing an error signal; controlling lateral position error using the error signal; controlling longitudinal position error using the error signal; controlling lateral scale error using the error signal; and controlling longitudinal scale error using the error signal. The method provides independent scale control in both the lateral and longitudinal directions. Independent scale control avoids non-linear distortions otherwise imposed by attempting to accomplish both corrections by stretching the web in both directions. |
| US07650835B2 |
Produce ripening system
A fruit ripening system wherein a continuous inflow of fresh air and ethylene gas is provided into a fruit ripening chamber in correct proportions to form a fruit ripening gas mixture that will predictably ripen fruit in a very short period of time, regardless of the previous state of ripening of the fruit. At the same time, the ripening chamber is continuously purged of carbon dioxide that is a byproduct of the ripening process so that during the ripening process a concentration of carbon dioxide sufficient to materially impede the ripening process is never allowed to build up. Critical parameters are defined for ripening temperature, the minimum ethylene gas concentration, time of exposure to the ethylene gas, and purging of carbon dioxide. |
| US07650828B2 |
Piston and a fluid operated setting device connected therewith
A piston for a setting device operated by fluid power is suggested. The piston includes a support body having an annular recess with an axis coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the piston, such recess having at least one annular permanent magnet arrangement therein. The permanent magnet arrangement is segmented in its peripheral direction and consists of at least two accurate magnet segments. The annular recess is in the form of an annular groove with a radially outwardly directed groove opening into which the magnet segments are inserted radially from the outside with the formation of an annular configuration. |
| US07650819B2 |
Variable stiffness support
A variable stiffness support has a support housing that is configured to adjust the orientation of an internal elastomer assembly. The support housing includes an adjustment mechanism, and the elastomer assembly includes an outer ring that encircles an elastomeric material, a central bushing embedded in the elastomeric material, and a plurality of shims embedded in the elastomeric material in a parallel planar fashion. |
| US07650811B2 |
Shifting device
A shifting device includes a housing, a shift lever, and a sensor unit. The shift lever is moved along frontward or rearward and leftward or rightward to select one of shift positions. The sensor unit is of a non-contact type and detects the selected shift position. The sensor unit includes a plurality of sensors and a magnet. The relative positions of the sensors and the magnet are variable. The sensor unit detects the selected shift position according to the relative positions. According to movement of the shift lever, at least one of the group of the sensors and the magnet is moved along a first movement axis and a second movement axis. The first and second movement axes extend in different directions. |
| US07650804B2 |
Mechanochemical sensor
There is provided a mechanochemical sensor including a minute mechanical structure body having the functional membrane formed at least on one part of its surface, a supporting part for supporting the minute mechanical structure body; and a detection part for detecting the change of a mechanical property of the minute mechanical structure body. According to the invention, it is possible to provide improved adhesion between the functional membrane and the minute mechanical structure body since the functional membrane is integrally formed in advance on the minute mechanical structure body, which will contribute to the increase of detection signal, and improvement of measurement precision and sensitivity. |
| US07650803B2 |
Biosignal intensity distribution measuring apparatus and biosignal intensity distribution measuring method
A biosignal intensity distribution measuring apparatus, includes a supporting member for supporting a human body, a plurality of detecting portions arranged in two dimensions within a target detection area of the supporting member, the detecting portions detecting pressure fluctuations and outputting signals corresponding to the pressure fluctuations respectively, a filter extracting a biosignal having a predetermined frequency band based from the signal outputted from each of the detecting portions, an intensity calculating portion calculating an intensity value of the biosignal, and an intensity distribution producing portion producing intensity distribution in which the intensity value corresponds to a position of the detecting portion. |
| US07650802B2 |
Deformation-sensing bearing having four strain gauges
A bearing which includes at least one system for determining an amplitude of pseudo-sinusoidal deformations induced during rotation of a fixed ring within a zone, wherein the system includes four strain gauges spaced equally apart from each other within the zone, a device for measuring four signals based on time variations of a signal emitted by each gauge and for forming two signals for the same angle and amplitude, and a device for computing the time-dependent amplitude A of the zone deformations for calculating an expression such that the amplitude is derived therefrom. |
| US07650797B2 |
Tubular insert for a magnetic induction flow meter
There is described a tubular insert for a magnetically inductive flowmeter, a production method for said type of tubular insert and a flowmeter. The tubular insert is made of, essentially, an electrically-insulating material, in particular, rubber, which is reinforced by a tubular molding part made of a dimensionally stable plastic which is based on polymers, at least in a measuring section. The tubular molding part is embedded in the electrically-insulating rubber material by a press or casting method such that the electrically-insulating, rubber material essentially covers the inner surfaces of the tubular molding part. An economical to produce, robust, tubular insert is thus achieved. |
| US07650792B2 |
Load indicating member with identifying element
A load indicating member is provided with an identifying element which can be accessed and used to determine ultrasonic measurement parameters specific to the load indicating member to provide more precise and more reliable load measurements by compensating for differences resulting from manufacturing variations in individual load indicating members. The parameters specific to the load indicating member can be stored in coding applied to the load indicating member or in a database that can be accessed remotely, for example, using the Internet. |
| US07650789B2 |
Method and apparatus for examining the interior material of an object, such as a pipeline or a human body from a surface of the object using ultrasound
A method for examining the interior material of an object, such as a pipeline or a human body, from a surface of an object using ultrasound having a frequency of at least 100 KHz, wherein the ultrasound is supplied to the interior material of the object. The reflections and/or diffractions of the ultrasound from the interior material of the object are received using ultrasonic receivers which are acoustically coupled to the surface of the object at positions which are distributed in two dimensions of the surface of the object, at different points in time or not, wherein, with each of the feelers, a receiving signal is generated, wherein the receiving signals are processed in combination in order to determine, according to the principle of inverse wave field extrapolation, where in the interior material of the object reflections and/or diffractions occur. |
| US07650787B2 |
Acceleration sensor
An acceleration sensor has a semiconductor acceleration sensor chip and a case. The semiconductor acceleration sensor chip has a fixed portion, a plummet portion surrounding the fixed portion without contacting the fixed portion, and a beam portion connecting the fixed portion and the plummet portion, the thickness of the beam portion being thinner than the thickness of the fixed portion. The case has a cavity housing the semiconductor acceleration sensor chip, and a projection portion formed on the bottom face of the cavity, the bottom face of the fixed portion being fixed to the top face of the projection portion. |
| US07650784B2 |
Thermal type flow rate measuring apparatus
A flow rate sensor has a problem that a resistance value of a heat generating resistor itself varies and sensor characteristics are changed during use of the sensor for a long term. Also, the temperature of the heat generating resistor must be adjusted on a circuit substrate with a resistance constituting one side of a fixed temperature difference control circuit, and this has been one of factors pushing up the production cost. All resistances used for fixed temperature difference control are formed on the same substrate as temperature sensitive resistors of the same material. This enables all the resistances for the fixed temperature difference control to be exposed to the same environmental conditions. Hence, even when the resistances change over time, the changes over time occur substantially at the same tendency. Since the resistances for the fixed temperature difference control change over time essentially at the same rate, a resulting output error is very small. |
| US07650776B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus
A substrate processing apparatus of the present invention dilutes a sample gas by mixing the sample gas with nitrogen gas and measures the concentration of IPA gas contained in the diluted sample gas in a concentration measuring part. Then, the substrate processing apparatus calculates the concentration (C0) of IPA gas contained in the sample gas before being diluted by multiplying the measured concentration value (C1) by the reciprocal (1/P) of a dilution rate which is obtained on the basis of the amount of flow of the sample gas and that of the diluent gas, as C0=C1×(1/P). Therefore, even if IPA gas of high concentration is used, it is possible to accurately measure the concentration of the IPA gas. |
| US07650772B2 |
Rotary flaring tool and method of use
A tool and process for flaring an open end of a hollow metal tube utilizes a body having an elongated working surface which is substantially conical in shape so that one end of the working surface is a smaller end and so that the other end of the working surface is a larger end. The working surface further includes at least two outwardly-extending, smooth-surfaced protuberances which are regularly spaced around the working surface and which extend along the length thereof so that by rotating the tool about its longitudinal axis, inserting the smaller end of the working surface into an open end of a hollow metal tubing, and then urging the working surface against the open end of the metal tubing, the open end of the metal tubing is flared by the working surface. |
| US07650769B2 |
Lock device
A lock device includes a housing with a center through hole and a core that matches the center through hole. There is a center through hole engagement groove in the wall of the center through hole and there is a core engagement groove opposite this center through hole engagement groove. The lock includes a fitting ring and elastic part. The fitting ring and elastic part are between the center through hole engagement groove and the core engagement groove, within the core engagement groove. The advantages of the aforementioned lock are that assembly is convenient and use is not easily affected by assembly. |
| US07650758B2 |
Method for evaluating a non-measured operating variable in a refrigeration plant
Disclosed is a method for evaluating a non-measured operating variable in a refrigeration plant, which can be derived from at least one signal which is sensed at specific points in time, enabling early recognition of errors. An error indicator is formed by means of the following steps: a) the error indicator is set to a specified value at a first moment in time; b) a sum if formed from the error indicator of a predetermined earlier moment in time and a first variable derived from an estimated value for the operating variable taking into account at least one signal-dependent variable; c) the error indicator is set to the value of the sum if the sum is greater than the specified value, and set to the specified value if the sum is less than or the same as the specified value. |
| US07650757B2 |
Thermoelectric heat transfer system
A thermoelectric heat transfer system is provided. The thermoelectric heat transfer system comprises a coolant circuit with a pump circulating coolant through the circuit. A first heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the coolant circuit to remove heat from the coolant. At the same time, a second heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the coolant circuit. Thermoelectric modules (TEMs) are integrated into the second heat exchanger to create a temperature differential between fins and conduits of the second heat exchanger. The coolant flows through the conduits to draw heat from the TEMs, while a fan assembly conveys air through the fins into a climate-controlled area to cool the climate-controlled area to a desired temperature. In other embodiments, a sleeve acts as the second heat exchanger. The sleeve is adapted to receive and cool beverage containers and like items. |
| US07650737B1 |
Reel finger for use on a harvesting header for an agricultural machine
A reel finger for use on a harvesting header for an agricultural machine includes an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end. The elongate member has a retaining member located at the proximal end. A plate member is connected to the elongate member with the distal end of the elongate member extending beyond the plate member. The plate member has a continuous smooth front surface for engaging a crop in a direction of crop engagement that covers a portion of the elongate member not extending beyond the plate member. The plate member has a back surface opposite to the front surface. |
| US07650736B1 |
Center conveyor front coupler for a draper cutting platform
A draper cutting platform for use with an agricultural harvester includes a pair of side platform sections, with each side platform section including a side belt. A center platform section is disposed in an area between the side platform sections. The center platform section includes at least one alignment device and at least one latch. A center conveyor assembly is removably attached to the center platform section, and carries a center belt. The center conveyor assembly includes at least one mating alignment device and at least one mating latch. |
| US07650733B2 |
Method and apparatus for loading a container with a product
There is provided a method of loading a container with a defined quantity of product which comprises the steps of a) closing off a perforation (12a, 12b) in a perforated plate (10); b) directing powder (30) into said closed-off perforation; and c) transferring the contents of the perforation to said container. |
| US07650731B2 |
Belt tensioner for coupon insertion apparatus
A coupon insertion apparatus configured for sequentially inserting coupons into receiving containers, including a machine frame, at least one pair of opposed rollers mounted to the frame and adjustable between a closed position and an open position. A drive system includes a drive belt for simultaneously driving the opposed rollers in both of the positions. A tensioner is connected to the belt and is movable generally transversely to a direction of the adjustment of the drive rollers to maintain a designated tension on the drive belt. |
| US07650727B2 |
Floor panels with edge connectors
Floor covering, including hard floor panels which, at least at the edges of two opposite sides, are provided with coupling parts, cooperating which each other, substantially in the form of a tongue and a groove, wherein the coupling parts are provided with integrated mechanical locking elements which prevent the drifting apart of two coupled floor panels in a direction (R) perpendicular to the related edges and parallel to the underside of the coupled floor panels, and provide a snap-action coupling. |
| US07650726B2 |
Raised access floor system
A floor panel for a raised access floor system, including a shallow metal pan with a bottom wall and a shallow upwardly-opening compartment. The bottom wall has a plurality of first hollow projections projecting upwardly therefrom, which projections adjacent upper ends thereof having sidewardly projecting rib structure. The bottom wall also has a plurality of microfeatures which project upwardly through a lesser extent. The number of microfeatures is substantially greater than the number of projections. The pan side walls and bottom wall are free of openings therethrough. A mass of solidified concrete fills the compartment. The floor panel is supported on a pedestal having a base which has clamping and mounting features integrated thereon for engaging grounding wires and cable management members. |
| US07650719B2 |
Vehicle window seal
A seal includes a body and two lips. The body includes two walls defining a space with an opening. The lips have fixed ends respectively connected to the walls adjacent the opening. A movable end of the first lip is within the space. A movable end of the second lip extends across the opening towards the first lip fixed end. The movable end of the first lip includes a first end portion extending from the first lip fixed end along the first wall to a middle portion extending across the space to a second end portion extending along the second wall towards the second lip fixed end. The second end portion includes a hook section meeting the second wall and the second lip fixed end. The second lip movable end moves into the space and presses the hook section against the second wall to clamp the hook section. |
| US07650701B2 |
Contour measuring probe
An exemplary contour measuring probe (10) includes a tube guide (12), a tip extension (20), a pair of hollow tubes (16), a plurality of pipes (104, 106), a linear measuring scale (18), and a displacement sensor (19). The tip extension (20) is configured to touch a surface of an object (50). The hollow tubes (16) are configured to be driven by a flux of air to push the tip extension (20) to move. The pipes (104, 106) are obliquely disposed in a tube guide (12) relative to the hollow tubes (16). The pipes (104, 106) allow the flux of air to be pumped on a sidewall of the hollow tubes (16). A part of the flux of air is ejected out of the tube guide (12). The linear measuring scale (18) and the displacement sensor (19) are respectively fixed relative to one of the tube guide (12) and the tip extension (20). The linear measuring scale (18) displays values of displacements of the tip extension (20). The displacement sensor (19) detects and reads the displacement values displayed by the linear measuring scale (18). |
| US07650700B1 |
Tile installation spacer and method of use
A tile installation spacer includes a circular disk having opposed, parallel surfaces, and opposed cylindrical first and second spacers extend away from the respective surfaces of the disk. The disk, the first cylindrical spacer, and the second cylinder each have a diameter. The diameter of the disk is greater than the diameter of the first cylindrical spacer and the diameter of the second cylindrical spacer, and the diameter of the first cylindrical spacer is greater than the diameter of the second cylindrical spacer. |
| US07650698B2 |
Visual driving aid
A visual driving aid secured or projected onto a portion of the windshield of a vehicle which allows the vehicle operator to determine and project the wheel path of the vehicle in the advance road surface, the visual driving aid being an indicia on the windshield in front of the driver, the positioning or projection of the indicia taking into account the sight characteristics of the individual user so as to allow the user to determine and project the wheel path of the vehicle while in motion in order to aid the user in the avoidance of hazardous situations. |
| US07650694B2 |
Method for forming multilayer substrate
Embodiments include electronic device substrates and methods for forming the same. A method for forming a package comprising a multilayer substrate includes forming a stack of a plurality of dielectric layers comprising a ceramic material, the stack including upper and lower dielectric layers. The method also includes providing a plurality of metallization lines on the dielectric layers in the stack. The method also includes forming a plurality of vias in the dielectric layers, the vias formed to include electrically conductive material therein. A first metal layer is formed on the upper dielectric layer, and a second metal layer is formed on the lower dielectric layer. The first metal layer and the second metal layer are each formed to be at least 250 μm thick. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US07650691B2 |
Component supply head device and component mounting head device
A suction nozzle (65) of a reversing head device (22) has a distal end surface (65a) with a suction hole (65b) opened therein, and a suction passage (65c) communicated with the suction hole (65b) at one end thereof. A portion of the distal end surface (65a) outside of the suction hole (65b) abuts against bumps (39) of an electronic component (12). The suction hole (65b) is opposed with a gap to a portion of a mounting side surface (12a) where no bumps (39) are present. A vacuum pump (65) creates an air flow that flows from the gap between the suction hole (65b) and the mounting side surface (12a) into the suction passage (65c) through the suction hole (65b). The electronic component (12) is held at the distal end surface (65a) by a negative pressure generated by the air flow. |
| US07650689B2 |
Terminal inserting device
A terminal inserting device is provided, by which pulling force to pull a terminal fitting can be changed after the terminal fitting is inserted. The terminal inserting device includes an inserting unit and a control device. The inserting unit includes a front chuck unit and electric wire chuck unit, by which an electric wire is chucked and a terminal fitting attached to the electric wire is inserted into a terminal-receiving chamber of a connector housing. The electric wire chuck unit includes a pair of electric wire chucks, an insertion motor and an air cylinder. The electric wire chucks chuck the electric wire therebetween. The insertion motor pulls the terminal fitting after the terminal fitting is inserted in the terminal-receiving chamber. The air cylinder changes force which brings the pair of the electric wire chucks close to the connector housing so that pulling force to pull the terminal fitting can be changed. The control device controls the air cylinder to change the pulling force. |
| US07650683B2 |
Method of preparing an antenna
A method for manufacturing wireless communication devices for use in tracking or identifying other items comprises a number of cutting techniques that allow the size of the antenna for the wireless communication device. Further, the chip for the wireless communication device is nested so as to be flush with the surface of the substrate of the wireless communication device. Rollers cut the tabs that form the antenna elements. In a first embodiment, a plurality of rollers are used, each on effecting a different cut whose position may be phased so as to shorten or lengthen the antenna element. In a second embodiment, the rollers are independently positionable to shorten or lengthen the antenna element. |
| US07650680B2 |
Method and apparatus for bundling objects
An improved tool for locking a band clamp, and an improved lock for a band clamp is disclosed. The tool includes a knife body having a knife edge that progressively cuts the free end of the band over a period of time, rather than simultaneously cutting the entire band width. In one embodiment, this is accomplished with a knife edge that is non-linear. The tool further includes a punch with a rounded or hemispherical shaped leading tip that forms an improved locking dimple. The locking dimple forms an improved lock having side walls that are, at least in part, parallel with the walls of the surrounding aperture in the band. By varying the profile of the knife edge, the punch can more fully form an improved locking dimple. |
| US07650669B2 |
Door closer
A door closer includes a housing; an output shaft supported by the housing and rotatable in opposite door opening and closing directions; a cam disc disposed in the housing and mounted on the output shaft; a damping piston disposed in the housing; an opening piston disposed in the housing; first and second force transmission rollers; and two fixing bolts extending in the axial direction of the housing and transversely to the axis of the output shaft. The fixing bolts being disposed on two opposite sides of the output shaft, respectively. Each of the can disc and the first and second force transmission rollers has a circumferential recess or comprises two pieces, the fixing bolts being disposed in the recesses or between the respective two pieces so that each of the damping piston and the opening piston is prevented from rotating with respect to the cam disc. |
| US07650664B2 |
Disposable cleaning pad and handle therefor
The present invention discloses an economical and disposable cleaning tool which may be prepared by a simplified manufacturing process involving a reduced number of steps. The cleaning tool comprises a cleaning pad and a handle, the cleaning pad having a pocket for receiving the handle. The cleaning pad may be provided with a top sheet and a fiber bundle. The top sheet is folded over and bonded to provide a cleaning portion and a back portion, and the fiber bundle is disposed on the cleaning portion. The cleaning portion and the back portion of the folded sheet are bonded together forming the pocket for the handle to be disposed therein. The handle may include a hinge to enable the handle to be repeatedly folded over for convenient storage or easily extended for use. |
| US07650650B2 |
T-shirt with rolled sleeves
A T-Shirt is disclosed having rolled sleeves and a torso portion configured to cover a portion of a torso of the person. In one embodiment, the rolled sleeves may be secured in place. In another embodiment, the rolled sleeves may include a snugging member to assist in contouring the sleeve to the wearer's arm. In one embodiment, the T-Shirt may further include a securing member configured to secure the rolled sleeve in place, the securing member being hidden from view from an exterior of the rolled sleeve when the shirt is worn by a person. |
| US07653945B2 |
Interactive key control system and method of managing access to secured locations
An interactive method and system for managing access to one or more secured locations by one of more users via a global communication network which comprises software made up of a plurality of databases, each of the databases requiring a different level of access to the secured locations as well as being able to perform one or more functions at each different level of access, and a key or other entry control device is assigned to each user for use in gaining access to one or more of the locations at a predetermined level of access assigned to hat user, the system as described being capable of being added to, deleted in whole or in part, or modified, and the databases are capable of maintaining the status of the entry control devices, locations and users in a real time mode for instantaneous access, maintenance and control anywhere in the world. |
| US07653929B2 |
Power management apparatus, systems, and methods
An apparatus and a system, as well as a method and article, may operate to adjust the rate of a clock to be coupled to a processor, such as a video stream processor, according to a previously communicated data rate associated with a data stream selected from a number of data streams. |
| US07653928B2 |
Remote user interface for media player
A portable media player communicates with a host computer for enabling a user of the player to manage media distribution using the control software of the host computer. The host computer can send a GUI that is displayed on the otherwise “dumb” player, and the user can view the GUI and press a single button to command the control software to download a media title to the player. The host computer can periodically poll the player to determine its status. |
| US07653922B2 |
Digital television signal for receiving PSIP data, method of processing digital television signal, and digital television receiver
A digital television signal for receiving program and system information protocol (PSIP) data, a method for processing the digital television signal, and a digital television receiver are disclosed. The digital television signal used in the digital television receiver in order to receive a program system information protocol (PSIP) data from a broadcast transmitter includes a rating region table containing the PSIP data. Herein, the rating region table includes a global rating value field defining a global rating value which is valid for all graphical rating regions, a rating region field defining a specific graphical rating region to be associated with the rating region table, and at least one local rating value field identifying a local rating value which is valid for the specific graphical rating region only. |
| US07653917B2 |
Disk apparatus for limiting the vertical movement of a cam mechanism
A disk apparatus includes a chassis outer sheath with a base body and a lid. A slider mechanism is disposed on one end of a traverse, the slider mechanism includes a vertically moving cam mechanism which brings the traverse close to and away from the base body. A cam groove of the vertically moving cam mechanism has a first cam portion which moves together with the slider mechanism and a second cam portion which is displaced with respect to the first cam portion. When a vertically moving pin of the vertically moving cam mechanism exceeds a predetermined height in the cam groove, the second cam portion rises and the second cam portion limits movement of the vertically moving pin. When the vertically moving pin is equal to or lower than the predetermined height in the cam groove, the second cam portion is held at its lowered position. |
| US07653916B2 |
Uniform resource discovery
An input including information specifying criteria for selecting computer resources is processed to produce an output comprising one or more function instances associated with computer resources satisfying the criteria. Included in each of the one or more function instances are metadata and information that specifies a mechanism for accessing a computer resource associated with the function instance. |
| US07653908B2 |
Grouping processors and assigning shared memory space to a group in a heterogeneous computer environment
Grouping processors is presented. A processing unit (PU) initiates an application and identifies the application's requirements. The PU assigns one or more synergistic processing units (SPUs) and a memory space to the application in the form of a group. The application specifies whether the task requires shared memory or private memory. Shared memory is a memory space that is accessible by the SPUs and the PU. Private memory, however, is a memory space that is only accessible by the SPUs that are included in the group. When the application executes, the resources within the group are allocated to the application's execution thread. Each group has its own group properties, such as address space, policies (i.e. real-time, FIFO, run-to-completion, etc.) and priority (i.e. low or high). These group properties are used during thread execution to determine which groups take precedence over other tasks. |
| US07653901B2 |
Quick deployment method
Provided is a deployment method for a server system that includes a storage system having logical disks where disk images are stored and plural servers connected to the storage system via a storage network, the method including the step of causing a deploy management module to copy the logical disks which store the disk images to a free area of the storage system before a deployment command is received. According to this invention, disk images are quickly deployed to servers. |
| US07653900B2 |
System and method for remote application process control
A system for controlling an application process comprises an injector, redirect code operable to be placed in a memory of the application process, and a library of redirect functions operable to be referenced by the redirect code during the application process execution. The redirect code is operable to intercept a set of target function calls made by the application process and execute the redirect functions for the intercepted target function calls. |
| US07653899B1 |
Post-execution software debugger with performance display
A method for finding an error in a computer program is disclosed. A sequence of machine instructions performed by a processor is recorded as trace data. A mapping file is accessed. A source code instruction is translated into a machine code instruction according to a mapping found in the mapping file. Further, at least a portion of the trace data is searched through until the machine code instruction is found. In addition, a first execution time of the machine code instruction is determined by reviewing the trace data in a first vicinity that an address of the machine code instruction is located. Further, a second execution time of the next machine code instruction is determined by reviewing the trace data in a second vicinity that an address of the next machine code instruction is located. Accordingly, performance data is calculated by subtracting the first execution time from the second execution time. The performance data is displayed. |
| US07653896B2 |
Smart UI recording and playback framework
Techniques and tools are described for recording and reliably replicating graphical user interface (“GUI”) activity for various applications, including applications that have dynamic user interfaces. The techniques and tools may be used in combination or separately. For example, a recording tool receives internal macro data from a GUI-based application as opaque tokens, which are embedded into playback code. A playback tool executes the playback code by passing the embedded tokens back to their original application for playback by the application's internal recorder. |
| US07653883B2 |
Proximity detector in handheld device
Proximity based systems and methods that are implemented on an electronic device are disclosed. The method includes sensing an object spaced away and in close proximity to the electronic device. The method also includes performing an action in the electronic device when an object is sensed. |
| US07653882B2 |
Method for representing animated menu buttons
Optical storage media often contain data structures for a menu suitable for selection of a title, a chapter, a parameter or others. Such menus usually comprise a number of buttons to be displayed, with each button having a state. Possible states of buttons are “unselected”, “selected” or “activated”. According to the invention, the representation of a menu button may vary, depending on its state. An image or an image sequence, e.g. cartoon, may be associated to a buttons state, providing user animation. Further, a sound or sound sequence, e.g. melody or click, may be associated to a buttons state, and may be played back when the button enters this state. A data structure is disclosed which allows storage of such menu data e.g. on a Blu-ray disc. |
| US07653874B2 |
Methods and devices for generating XML expressed management transactions
New XML management transaction requests including XPath expressions are used, for example, to forward configuration changes on to a data network device. The generation and use of these new requests helps reduce the costs associated with designing or upgrading data network devices. These new requests may be generated in a novel command line interface that has been augmented to give a user access to more configuration functions. Complex management transactions may be executed substantially simultaneously by a central management module using the new requests and their associated XPath expressions. In addition to configuration changes, the new requests may be used to obtain the current configuration of data network devices. |
| US07653873B2 |
System and user interface supporting task schedule configuration
In an embodiment of the present inventions, a work flow process may be generated by decomposing functions of a clinical information system into discrete tasks including an individual task associated with a first pre-configured executable procedure for implementing the individual task and associating a user selectable image element with the pre-configured first executable procedure used in implementing the individual task. In a currently envisioned embodiment, integratable work flow processes according to the present invention may be provided to a vertical application system. |
| US07653867B2 |
Multi-source data encoding, transmission and decoding using Slepian-Wolf codes based on channel code partitioning
System and method for Slepian-Wolf coding using channel code partitioning. A generator matrix is partitioned to generate multiple sub-matrices corresponding respectively to multiple correlated data sources. The partitioning is in accordance with a rate allocation among the correlated data sources. Corresponding parity matrices may be generated respectively from the sub-matrices, where each parity matrix is useable to encode correlated data for a respective correlated data source, resulting in respective syndromes, e.g., in the form of binary vectors. A common receiver may receive the syndromes and expand them to a common length by inserting zeros appropriately. The expanded syndromes may be vector summed (e.g., modulo 2), and a single channel decoding applied to determine a closest codeword, portions of whose systematic part may be multiplied by respective submatrices of the generator matrix, which products may be added to the respective expanded syndromes to produce estimates of the source data. |
| US07653858B2 |
Low complexity decoding schemes for single-parity-check (SPC) based concatenated codes
This invention provides an iterative PCZZ data decoder that includes circuitry for utilizing all extrinsic information during iterative decoding by updating likelihood information for parity bits LPi, i=1, . . . , M during iterations. The extrinsic information for the parity bits is included in iterations by re-calculating soft values for parity bits LPi(k) for each iteration k. In one embodiment the parity bit soft values are re-calculated in a plurality of circuit blocks following Max-Log-APP (MLA) decoder blocks, based on soft values for data bits LDi(k). In another embodiment the parity bit soft values are re-calculated recursively within the plurality of MLA decoders. The decoder operates to control the convergence of the decoder by monitoring a soft value of one parity check symbol, e.g., L(k−1)[p(IM)], where p(IM) represents the last parity check bit in an I×M parity check array. A decoder iteration stopping rule may be implemented by testing a likelihood measure associated with a last parity check symbol in a parity check column. In one case the likelihood measure may be given by L(k−1)[p(IM]>threshold, and in another case the likelihood measure may be given by L(k−1)[p(I)]>threshold. The likelihood measure is given in general by: L(k−1)[p(I)]>threshold, L(k−1)[p(2I)]>threshold, . . . , L(k−1)[p(IM)]>threshold, where the value of the threshold is a function of data block size. |
| US07653857B2 |
Power control of packet data transmission in cellular network
A transmitter for a packet radio network, including means for transmitting a signal including data packets to a receiver, means for receiving acknowledgement messages from the receiver, each acknowledgement message indicating whether or not a data packet was received successfully, and means for adjusting transmit power of the signal in the transmitter on the basis of one or more acknowledgement messages. |
| US07653852B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of adding tester circuit for the same
A semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a plurality of clock domains including a plurality of logic circuits operating in accordance with a clock signal; and a control circuit selectively supplying the clock signal to a predetermined number of clock domains selected from the plurality of clock domains based on a control signal. |
| US07653845B2 |
Test algorithm selection in memory built-in self test controller
An integrated circuit chip is provided that comprises on-chip memory and test circuitry. The test circuitry is configured to perform operational testing of the on-chip memory. The test circuitry comprises a controller which is configured to perform a selection out of a plurality of test algorithms to perform the operational testing. The plurality of test algorithms includes a fault detection test algorithm to perform operational testing of the on-chip memory in order to detect whether or not there is a memory fault, without locating the memory fault. The plurality of test algorithms further includes a fault location test algorithm to perform operational testing of the on-chip memory in order to detect and locate a memory fault. Further, a method to perform a memory built-in self test and an MBIST (Memory Built-In Self Test) control circuit template are provided. |
| US07653841B2 |
Information processing apparatus and information notification method therefor, and control program
To enable the host server side to be aware of the recovery of an error when the error is recovered by the user's power off/on operation, the most recent state regarding occurrences of errors at printer 16 (steps S61 and S62) is stored in the backup RAM 12a each time a status change occurs (steps S63 and S64), and when an user performs a power off/on operation and a printing device is re-activated (step S65), if a most recent state at the time of the previous activation was in a state of service call error occurrence (step S66), the current status of the printer 16 is then sent (steps S68 and S69). |
| US07653840B1 |
Evaluating and repairing errors during servicing of storage devices
A storage management module for evaluating and repairing errors during monitoring or testing of storage devices of a storage system is described herein. When a storage device exhibits errors that reaches (in number) an error threshold, the storage management module determines whether any errors are due to damaged sectors localized in a single physical area of a predetermined size (referred to as a “patch”) of a platter of the storage device using the physical addresses of the errors. Two or more errors may be grouped as a single error if they are located within a predetermined threshold distance from each other on a platter and counted as a single error against the error threshold. A patch containing two or more damaged sectors is referred to as a “damaged” patch. In some embodiments, all sectors of a damaged patch (including undamaged sectors) are reassigned to spare sectors. |
| US07653837B2 |
Microcontroller system and operating method for secure device locking using counter and timer
A microcontroller system includes a microcontroller, a device which is controllable by the microcontroller, and a monitoring device. Under the control of a normal operation program, the microcontroller outputs a normal operation indicating signal. If the normal operation indicating signal is absent, the monitoring device transfers the device into a secured state and, if it is absent over a predefined period of time, locks the device in that state. When predefined exceptional conditions occur, the microcontroller changes to an operation preparation program, and the monitoring device increments a register. If the contents of the register reach a predefined value, the monitoring device locks the device in the secured state. |
| US07653834B2 |
Power sparing synchronous apparatus
Embodiments include a system, an apparatus, a device, and a method. An apparatus includes a synchronous circuit including a first subcircuit powered by a first power plane having a first power plane voltage and a second subcircuit powered by a second power plane having a second power plane voltage. The apparatus also includes an error detector operable to detect an incidence of a computational error occurring in the first subcircuit. The apparatus includes a controller operable to change the first power plane voltage based upon the detected incidence of a computational error. The apparatus also includes a power supply configured to electrically couple with a portable power source and operable to provide a selected one of at least two voltages to the first power plane in response to the controller. |
| US07653833B1 |
Terminating a non-clustered workload in response to a failure of a system with a clustered workload
The present invention provides for check-pointing an non-clustered workload to make room for a clustered workload that was running on a computer system that has suffered a hardware failure. |
| US07653830B2 |
Logical partitioning in redundant systems
A plurality of processing nodes in a storage system are partitioned into a plurality of logical processing units, wherein the plurality of logical processing units can respond to I/O requests from a host coupled to the storage system. At least two logical processing units are grouped, wherein data in a first storage coupled to a first logical processing unit of the least two logical processing units is mirrored by data in a second storage coupled to the second logical processing unit of the at least two logical processing units. In response to a failure of the first logical processing unit, an I/O request from the host is responded to via the second logical processing unit. |
| US07653828B2 |
Timeout manager
Embodiments include a timeout event management system that registers timeout events and checks for and corrects inaccuracies in timing caused by hibernation or system time changes. The timeout event management system may trigger an event after an intended delay time or at an intended expiration time. A handler program may be called in response to the triggered timeout. In an additional embodiment, the timeout system may track timeout events in a priority queue data structure. |
| US07653820B1 |
System and method for securing using decryption keys during FPGA configuration using a microcontroller
A system for securely using decryption keys during FPGA configuration includes a FPGA having a microcontroller for receiving a bitstream having an encrypted bitstream portion as well as a configuration boot program. The configuration boot program can be code that runs on an embedded hardware microcontroller or a software microcontroller. The system further includes a key storage register coupled to the microcontroller for storing key data from the microcontroller, a decryptor coupled to the key storage register, and a configuration data register in the FPGA. Preferably, only the decryptor can read from the key storage register and the configuration data register cannot be read by the microcontroller after the decryptor is used. |
| US07653816B2 |
E-mail certification service
A method is provided to handle an electronic mail message such that the receiver of the e-mail message can verify the integrity of the message. A request is provided from a sender's side to a service. The request includes information regarding the e-mail message. The service processes at least a portion of the request to generate a result. For example, the service may encrypt the portion of the request, according to a public/private key encryption scheme, to generate a digital signature as the result. The service provides the result to the sender's side. At the sender's side, the result is incorporated into the e-mail message and the result-incorporated message is transmitted via an e-mail system. At the receiver's side, the result-incorporated e-mail message is processed to assess the integrity of the received e-mail message. |
| US07653812B2 |
Method and system for evaluating confidence in a sending domain to accurately assign a trust that a communication is not unwanted
A method and system for identifying whether an electronic communication is likely to be unwanted by the recipient is provided. A trust system relies on a trust provider, such as a sending domain, to indicate whether an electronic communication is likely to be unwanted. The sending domain may assign its trust level to the electronic communications based on various factors. Upon receiving the electronic communication and the trust level assigned by the sending domain, the receiving domain may determine whether to forward the electronic communication to the recipient based on the trust level. If a sending domain consistently provides trust levels that are accurate assessments of whether electronic communications are unwanted, then the receiving domain learns to trust the trust levels assigned by the sending domain. In contrast, if the assigned trust levels are not accurate, then the receiving domain learns not to trust the sending domain and may discard all message from the receiving domain without forwarding them to the recipients. |
| US07653809B2 |
Method and system for controlling the on-line supply of digital products or the access to on-line services
The invention is concerned with enabling substantially anonymous purchases of media products or other products (or access to an on-line service) to be made on-line. In order to initiate a purchasing session, consisting of one or more purchasing transactions, the purchaser authenticates himself to a home provider computer (3) which ten allots an anonymous client identifier (clientID) to the client for the purposes of that session. The purchaser (1) contacts a vendor computer (6), using the anonymous identifier (clientID) and an anonymising HTTP proxy, in order to place an order for one or more products or services for which the vendor computer has the right to authorize delivery. In order to obtain delivery of the product or service from the repository computer (5), the purchaser (1) provides the clientID to the repository computer (3). |
| US07653806B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing improved group floating-point operations
Systems and apparatuses are presented relating a programmable processor comprising an execution unit that is operable to decode and execute instructions received from an instruction path and partition data stored in registers in the register file into multiple data elements, the execution unit capable of executing a plurality of different group floating-point and group integer arithmetic operations that each arithmetically operates on multiple data elements stored registers in a register file to produce a catenated result that is returned to a register in the register file, wherein the catenated result comprises a plurality of individual results, wherein the execution unit is capable of executing group data handling operations that re-arrange data elements in different ways in response to data handling instructions. |
| US07653795B2 |
Control of metastability in the pipelined data processing apparatus
A method and integrated circuit for accessing data in a pipelined data processing apparatus in which the operating conditions of the pipelined data processing apparatus are such that metastable signals may occur on at least the boundaries of the pipelined stages is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: receiving an indication that an instruction is to be processed by the pipelined data processing apparatus; generating a memory access prediction signal, the memory access prediction signal having a value indicative of whether or not the instruction is likely to cause a read access from a memory; generating a predicted memory access control value from the memory access prediction signal, the predicted memory access control value being generated to achieve and maintain a valid logic level for at least a sampling period thereby preventing any metastability in the predicted memory access control value; and in the event that the predicted memory access control value indicates that a read access is likely to occur, causing a read access to be initiated from the memory. Through this approach, an indication that an instruction is to be processed by the pipelined data processing apparatus is received and a memory access prediction signal indicative of whether or not the instruction is likely to cause a read access from a memory is then generated. The predicted memory access control signal is generated in a way which prevents any metastability being present in that signal. Hence, the signals used in a read access are prevented from being metastable which removes the possibility that metastable signals are used directly in the arbitration of data accesses. Also, the metastable signals may be prevented from being propagated from stage to stage. |
| US07653794B2 |
Converting physical machines to virtual machines
Physical (or prior virtual) machine volumes can be converted to virtual machines at a virtual machine host while the physical machines are running. In one implementation, a volume shadow copy service can be used to create an application (and/or file system)-consistent snapshot of one or more physical machine volumes while the one or more volumes are running. The snapshot data can then be transferred to a mounted virtual hard disk file (dynamic or fixed) at a virtual machine host. Operational information (e.g., boot record, system registry, drivers, devices, configuration preferences, etc.) associated with the virtual hard disk file and the operating system(s) within the virtual machine can then be modified as appropriate to ensure that the corresponding virtual machine is bootable and functional at the virtual machine host. The virtual hard disk file can then be un-mounted, and used as a new virtual machine. |
| US07653790B2 |
Methods and apparatus for responding to a request cluster
According to the present invention, methods and apparatus are provided for increasing the efficiency of data access in a multiple processor, multiple cluster system. A home cluster of processors receives a cache access request from a request cluster. The home cluster includes mechanisms for instructing probed remote clusters to respond to the request cluster instead of to the home cluster. The home cluster can also include mechanisms for reducing the number of probes sent to remote clusters. Techniques are also included for providing the requesting cluster with information to determine the number of responses to be transmitted to the requesting cluster as a result of the reduction in the number of probes sent at the home cluster. |
| US07653786B2 |
Power reduction for processor front-end by caching decoded instructions
A power aware front-end unit for a processor may include a UOP cache that disables other circuitry within the front-end unit. In an embodiment, a front-end unit may disable instruction synchronization circuitry, instruction decode circuitry and, optionally, instruction fetch circuitry while instruction look-ups are underway in both a block cache and an instruction cache. If the instruction look-up indicates a miss, the disabled circuitry thereafter may be enabled. |
| US07653767B2 |
Hierarchical enclosure management services
A configuration of an array of storage devices compliant with a fiber-channel arbitrated loop (FC-AL) specification includes first and second controllers having integrated first and second SCSI enclosure services (SES) processing devices acting as leader processors. Third and fourth controllers are coupled to the first and second controllers and act as subordinate processors. The third and fourth controllers have integrated third and fourth SCSI enclosure services (SES) processing devices. Each of the SES processing devices synchronizes and merges data to create a single control image for the entire configuration, presenting a single SES instance to a storage device interconnect network and to host controller software. |
| US07653766B1 |
Time-gap defect detection apparatus and method
A programmatic time-gap defect correction apparatus and method corrects errors which may go undetected by a computer system. Buffer underruns or overruns, which may incur errors in data transfers, yet remain undetected and uncorrected in a computer system, are corrected by an error avoidance module in accordance with the invention. Bytes transferred to and from buffers, used by an I/O controllers to temporarily store data while being transferred between synchronous and asynchronous devices, are counted and an error condition is forced based on the count. If the count exceeds the capacity of the buffer, an error condition is forced, thereby reducing chances that errors are incurred into the data transfer. |
| US07653764B2 |
Fault-tolerant computer and method of controlling data transmission
A fault-tolerant computer is capable of performing a data flow control process in a short period of time. The fault-tolerant computer includes a pair of duplicate systems each having a CPU subsystem and an IO subsystem. The IO subsystems of the duplicate systems are connected to each other through a cross link. The CPU system has an inbound reception buffer which receives data sent from the IO subsystem, and when the amount of the received data reaches a first threshold value, sends a first signal to the IO subsystem, and when the amount of the received data reaches a second threshold value greater than the first threshold value, sends a second signal to the IO subsystem. The IO subsystem has an IO I/F controller to stop sending data to the CPU subsystem when the IO I/F controller receives the first signal and the second signal, and a flow controller to send the second signal to the IO I/F controller of the paired IO subsystem through the cross link after the flow controller receives the second signal. |
| US07653759B2 |
Wireless communications unit, wireless communications method, wireless communications system, and computer program
There is provided a wireless communications unit that performs wireless communications with a USB host in a Wireless USB system. The wireless communications unit includes an address setting portion and a beacon creation portion. The address setting portion sets an assigned address assigned by the USB host as the wireless communications unit's own address. The beacon creation portion starts to create a beacon after the assigned address is set as the wireless communications unit's own address. |
| US07653758B2 |
Memory system with memory controller and board comprising a digital buffer wherein input/output data and clock signals are applied in parallel
A digital registered data buffer is disclosed that has data paths each with a data input for receiving a digital data input signal (Dn), a clock input for receiving a clock input signal (CLK) and a data output providing a digital data output signal (Qn) for application to a data destination device such as memory devices. The buffer further has a clock output for providing an output clock signal (QCLK) to the data destination device and a phase-locked loop (PLL) with a clock input, a feedback input, a feedback output and a plurality of clock outputs. The buffer uses a pair of data registers, i.e. flip-flops (FF1, FF2) connected in series in each data path. The first data register in each data path is clocked by the clock input signal (CLK) and the second data register in each data path is clocked by one of the clock outputs (PDCLK) from the PLL. |
| US07653757B1 |
Method for using a multi-master multi-slave bus for power management
In one set of embodiments, a power management system comprises two or more devices, such as POL devices, configured to transmit and receive data over a shared bus, such as an I2C bus, according to the bus protocol of the shared bus. Each device may be configured with at least one respective address register, which may be programmed with an address uniquely identifying the device, and a mask register that may be configured to mask select bits of the respective address register, thereby enabling the device to identify device groups. In one embodiment, one of the devices identifying itself as a master device may distribute information to any of the other devices by transmitting the information, which may include commands and/or data, to itself, in effect targeting the address programmed into its own address register. The devices on the shared bus may be configured to monitor the bus for events, and respond to each event according to the requirements inherent within a transmitted command, thereby performing the necessary tasks to enable power management functions without the need for interconnecting analog signal lines. |
| US07653752B2 |
Distribution contents forming method, contents distributing method and apparatus, and code converting method
A script is scanned to detect character strings that match predetermined criteria. The detected character strings are sorted in order of their appearance frequency and are associated with substitute characters or character strings such that a character string having a greater appearance frequency than another character string is associated with substitute characters or character string having a same or smaller number of characters. The script is searched for a given character string, and the given character string is replaced with its associated substitute characters or character strings. The content is unidirectionally distributed whereby the plurality of character strings is not distributed. |
| US07653751B2 |
Methods of providing published content
Methods of providing published content are presented. Content providers, including advertisers, can have their network addresses become black listed through no fault of their own. Content providers can utilize one or more intermediary providers each having their own distinct network address, possibly a registered domain name. An advertiser or other content provider can engage members of a distribution channel to disseminate promotional information to consumers where the promotional information comprises a network address of the intermediary provider. Upon a request directed toward the network address, the intermediary transforms published content obtained from the primary provider to make the content appear as though it originated from the intermediary provider. Should a black listing event occur, only the intermediary provider would be affected. An updated or new intermediary provider having a new, distinct network address can be instantiated to replace the black listed provider. |
| US07653738B2 |
Network management method, program, and system
An interconnection network is provided with switch devices for computers for a plurality of computers, respectively, a predetermined number of physical lines for switch devices for computers are bound to form each of logical lines, the physical lines forming the logical lines interconnect the other switch devices for computer via a plurality of switch devices for relay to form a parallel computer system. When a data transmission speed required between the computers is judged to be lower than a line transmission speed determined by the number of physical lines of any switch device for relay, switch setting-off unit turns off power of the whole switch device for relay that has been judged to shut off the switch device for relay from the interconnection network. |
| US07653736B2 |
Data processing system having multiple processors and a communications means in a data processing system
Aspects involve effectively separating communication hardware in a data processing system by introducing a communication device for each processor. By introducing this separation the processors can concentrate on performing their function-specific tasks, while the communication device provide the communication support for the respective processor. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, a data processing system is provided with a computation, a communication support and a communication network layer. |
| US07653732B1 |
Providing session services with application connectors
Providing session services is disclosed. An indication is received that a session established to provide access to a resource from within an application environment not provided by the resource is about to expire. A response is provided, automatically and in a manner transparent to a user of the application environment, to maintain the session. |
| US07653726B2 |
Online forecasting system and method
System and method for real-time on-line interactive forecasting of an element, the method comprising: receiving a user input for a forecast element; and capturing at least one forecast of an element or event, storing that at least one forecast of an element or event, and sending collective contributed forecast information back to the user who originally sent the input in response to the receipt of the user input for optional display. The method may optionally also include either or both of providing a minimal input forecast interface, and/or pre-queuing a list of elements for fast forecasting; receiving a user input for a forecast element. Computer program product for execution on a single computer or plurality of computers to implement the inventive method and system. |
| US07653722B1 |
Server monitoring framework
A novel software framework monitors server statistics for a plurality of software modules and makes its collected statistics available to those modules. Unlike prior implementations, the framework provides shared server-monitoring code through which the plurality of software modules can monitor various types of servers, such as authentication servers, ICAP servers, origin servers, hierarchical proxy servers and so forth. Because the same server-monitoring code is accessed by each of the software modules, the overall amount of code that is written, compiled and executed may be reduced. Moreover, the shared server-monitoring code is not protocol-dependant and therefore may be coded outside of the kernel-level protocol engines. Preferably, the shared server-monitoring code is implemented as a user-level thread or process. |
| US07653719B1 |
Automatic detection of channel bandwidth
A step-wise approach to automatically determining the bandwidth of a communication channel includes dividing the channel's potential bandwidth into a number of ranges. An initial range is then selected and a series of data packets specific to the selected range are transmitted from a first endpoint to a second endpoint, with the second endpoint determining one or more channel metrics based on the transmitted packets (e.g., measured transmission rates). If the metrics indicate the current range accurately reflects the channel's bandwidth, a measured transmission rate of the transmitted data packets is used as the channel's bandwidth. Otherwise, another range is selected and the process is repeated. The described approach rapidly determines channel bandwidth, even when the channel between the two endpoints is asymmetric. Techniques described herein are particularly beneficial when used in conjunction with multimedia conferencing applications. |
| US07653714B2 |
Computer-readable recording medium with system managing program recorded therein, system managing method and system managing apparatus
A computer-readable recording medium stores therein a system managing program for assisting in constructing an environment for efficiently operating a system depending on the access to data from an application. An application information collecting unit acquires management information representing access to data from an application function which is realized when a server of a network system executes an application program, and registers the acquired management information in a system management table. A system information collecting unit acquires resource management information owned by an operating system of the server, and registers the acquired resource management information in the system management table. An information analyzing unit refers to the system management table and determines whether the management of resources depending on the access to the data from the application function is adequate or not. |
| US07653711B2 |
Method and system for information distribution
A method and system for information distribution. A response to a message is received from a first member of a group G of a cascade of groups. The cascade of groups includes at least two groups. The message originated from a member of an originating group. The message was adapted to be sent one group at a time in accordance with a specified delivery sequence to each group of the cascade of groups. The message was received by the group G. The originating group does not include the first member. The response falls into a first response class of a plurality of response classes. A category of membership in the originating group is assigned to the first member. The category of membership is based on the first response class. |
| US07653708B2 |
System and method for streaming of dynamic weather content to the desktop
A method, system and program product for streaming of dynamic information content over an interactive media such as the Internet. The dynamic content, such as dynamic weather data, is collected from a plurality of collection sources such as geographically distributed local weather reporting stations. The data information can be relatively static or dynamic, constantly changing data. The dynamic content is stored in databases maintained on a direct access storage device at the dynamic content server. The selection of dynamic content to be transmitted to the end user client is based on a demographic profile that is completed at the time of end user client registration and which precedes delivery of any selected content in response to end user client requests. An application resident on the dynamic content server streams selected content simultaneously to a plurality of end user client devices for each end user client request. An application resident on each end user client device generates a plurality of processing threads for a series of independent commands, each of which is transmitted to the dynamic content server at specified preset intervals and generates a server-selected response. In a weather content collection and delivery embodiment, local, real-time weather data can be received continuously from thousands of weather reporting stations, and transmitted simultaneously by the weather content server to millions of end user desktop clients, with each user receiving current weather data that is generated from a nearby weather collection station. |
| US07653705B2 |
Interactive recording and playback for network conferencing
The present interactive recording and playback technique provides the ability to archive the content, the discussions and the metadata of a meeting or similar event; then aggregate, search and annotate across this data; and finally edit, combine, or split various recordings to create new presentations. This interactive recording and playback technique provides rich productivity and innovation that is unavailable today. |
| US07653701B2 |
Network system and method for automatically transferring data in a plurality of input and output formats to a computer network
A network device configured to be coupled to a network includes a plurality of input/output ports configured to be coupled to a plurality of input sources and receive a plurality of input data items. The network device includes an input device for entering destination information and output format information for each of the plurality of input data items. An interface bridge coupled to the plurality of input/output ports receives the plurality of input data items from the plurality of input/output ports and outputs the plurality of input data items using a single output protocol. A controller coupled to the interface bridges receives the plurality of input data items. The controller automatically converts each of the input data items to an output data item based on the entered destination and output format information, and automatically outputs the output data items to the network. |
| US07653697B2 |
System, method and apparatus for communicating via sound messages and personal sound identifiers
A system, method and apparatus for facilitating communication among a number of distributed clients in a distributed network is disclosed. A user, such as through a personal digital assistant device, may select one or more sound messages for transmission to one or more other users in the network. Each sound message may be preceded by a sound identifier which identifies the sending user. Users may select or create their sounds message and/or person sound identifiers. The sound messages will typically be abbreviated melodies or note strings which are associated with certain conversational messages. |
| US07653696B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing digitally signed messages to determine address mismatches
A method and apparatus for processing digitally signed messages in which address mismatch errors are detected. In at least one aspect, the number of address mismatch errors reported to a user for a message may be minimized for messages that properly incorporate message portions signed by someone other than the sender of the message, as may be the case where the message contains a conversation thread for example, by performing at least one predetermined action for digital signatures corresponding to signed data appearing after a message separator. The message separator may indicate that the message contains data from an older forwarded message or from an older message that has been replied to, for example. The at least one-predetermined action may comprise bypassing verification of address matches for those digital signatures, or verifying address matches for those digital signatures but suppressing user notification of any address mismatch errors, for example. |
| US07653684B2 |
Enabling inter-subsystem resource sharing
Techniques for enabling inter-subsystem resource sharing are provided. A subsystem executing an application (“app subsystem”) receives resources from another subsystem providing a resource (“resource subsystem”), such as a DLL. Then, when an application of the app subsystem is executed, the application may request a resource from the app subsystem, such as a DLL. The app subsystem, upon determining that the requested resource is associated with the resource subsystem, may communicate with the resource subsystem to request the resource. The resource subsystem may then load the resource. When the application utilizes the resource to perform an activity, such as by invoking a method of the DLL, the app subsystem may communicate with the resource subsystem to request the resource to perform the activity. The resource subsystem may provide an indication of a result to the resource subsystem upon completing the activity. |
| US07653681B2 |
Software architecture for managing a system of heterogenous network processors and for developing portable network processor applications
A method for developing portable network processor applications and/or managing heterogeneous network processors in a network is disclosed. The network includes host processor(s) utilizing system configuration application(s) that are network processor independent. In one aspect, the method and system include using standardized interface(s) for each network processor, using a standardized transport layer compatible with the interface(s), and providing a generic message application layer. The generic message application layer defines generic payload(s) and message type(s) for configuration communications between the network and host processors. In another aspect, the method and system include providing packet processing shell(s) and generic protocol software that is coupled with the packet processing shell(s) through standard interface(s), network processor independent, and performs operations for packet processing. The method also include providing a library that includes network processor specific information for performing the operations and providing block(s) for performing other network processor specific operations. |
| US07653676B2 |
Efficient mapping of FFT to a reconfigurable parallel and pipeline data flow machine
A system comprises first and second local memory banks; and a reconfigurable ALU array having multiple configurations including: a first for performing an inverse butterfly operation, a second for performing a multiplication operation, a third for performing parallel subtraction and addition, and a fourth for performing an inverse N-point shuffle. The ALU array may obtain input for the inverse butterfly operation from the first bank and store output in the second bank. The ALU array may obtain input for the multiplication operation from the second bank and store output in the first bank. The ALU array may obtain input for the parallel subtraction and addition operation from the first bank and store output in the second bank. The ALU array may obtain input for the N-point inverse shuffle from the second bank and store output in the first bank. The system may further comprise a bit reversal block. |
| US07653673B1 |
Efficient method for identifying few largest differences from a list of numbers
A method is provided that finds the largest ‘k’ difference values in decreasing order from a list of ‘n’ arbitrary numbers. The method uses the property of sorted numbers to organize the list of all the differences in a way that reduces the size of the solution space. The time complexity of the solution space using the method is O(k2), as compared to O(n2) in the conventional exhaustive method. The overall time complexity of the method is bound by the complexity of the algorithm used to sort the input list of numbers. The memory complexity of the method is less than the exhaustive method when k< |
| US07653657B2 |
Strategies for discovering media resources
Strategies are described for navigating through a database of media resources. The strategies present a user interface presentation that employs different display paradigms depending on the type of media resource being investigated. If the consumer is interrogating a media resource that has different associated “child” resources associated therewith, then a first kind of user interface presentation may be appropriate. If the consumer is interrogating a media resource that is a standalone resource having no child resources, then a second kind of user interface presentation may be appropriate. Still other kinds of display paradigms are possible. |
| US07653650B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for synchronizing change histories in enterprise applications
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for synchronizing change histories in enterprise applications. An access module accesses a source data object container provided by a source EIS and a destination data object container provided by a destination EIS. The source data object container comprises a source change history, and the destination data object container comprises a destination change history. A transformation module may retrieve a transformation definition from an integration server, or the transformation definition may be provided in some other fashion. An interpretation module interprets the transformation definition to determine the relationships between the source data object container and the destination data object container. A copy module may copy select portions of the source change history to the destination change history. |
| US07653643B2 |
Method and apparatus for compressing a data set
A configuration management system that uses a data compression method to compress entries in a data set. An entry is selected as a prefix value and prefix compression of the data set is performed. The entry to serve as the prefix value is quickly selected using an iterative approach. In each iteration, subgroups of entries are formed from groups formed in prior iterations based on the values of characters at successive positions in the entries. The approach is readily implemented using data structures represented as lists. |
| US07653632B2 |
File system for storing multiple files as a single compressed file
A file archive system for storing multiple files and directories as a single file. The file archive system could be used on a hand-held computer or other computing device. The file archive system in a preferred embodiment has an operating system with a loadable file system. In another embodiment, the file archive system includes a file archive structure for storing multiple files as a single file. |
| US07653627B2 |
System and method for utilizing the content of an online conversation to select advertising content and/or other relevant information for display
Systems and methods for analyzing the content of online conversations using data mining technologies are provided. Methods and systems for utilizing the results of data mining technology implementation to retrieve relevant advertising content and/or other relevant information for display in association with the content of an online conversation are also provided. |
| US07653623B2 |
Information searching apparatus and method with mechanism of refining search results
An information searching apparatus and method capable of producing good search results even in the case where specified search keywords are found separately on a plurality of documents. Upon receipt of a search request from a client, a first search process searches an index memory to find tentative search results. According to predetermined rules, it is determined to which group each tentative search result should belong. A second search process then searches documents at an upper hierarchical level in the same group, thus finding keyword hits in an upper-level document. A higher priority is then given to a group of documents in which the second search process has found keyword hits. Finally a list of locators is compiled and sent back to the requesting client to indicate the locations of relevant documents, where the locators are arranged in descending order of the display priority of corresponding groups. |
| US07653618B2 |
Method and system for searching and retrieving reusable assets
A method and system for searching and retrieving reusable assets is disclosed. An index file in a database stores reusable assets. A search request history in the database stores past search requests and corresponding past search results. A search program performs a search upon receiving a new search request within the index file and generates a new search result. The search program correlates past search requests to the new search request by comparing search terms in past search requests to search terms in the new search request. Search terms in past search requests are replaced with semantically similar terms based on taxonomy level and synonyms and results of highly correlated past search requests are added to the new search result. Reusability of each reusable asset in the new search result is appraised. |
| US07653616B2 |
Source and destination determination system and method
In a first general aspect, a computer program product tangibly embodied in an information carrier is described. The computer program product includes instructions that, when executed, perform operations for identifying a source or destination for stock. The operations include receiving an electronic request to determine a source or destination for stock, identifying, using a primary rule, a logistic area database object that represents a storage location at one of multiple levels of a hierarchy of storage locations. The logistic area database object is associated with a value that indicates an amount of stock that is associated with the storage location. The operations also include transmitting an identifier specifying the logistic area database object if the value indicates that associated storage location is available as a source or destination. The identifier is used to assign the storage location as the source or destination for the stock. |
| US07653610B2 |
System for facilitating problem resolution
Disclosed is a data processing system for facilitating problem resolution. The data processing system-implemented system includes a configuring module for configuring a system pathway that leads to a solution, and an associating module for associating a usage indicator with the symptom pathway, the usage indicator indicating a frequency in which the symptom pathway was previously implemented for successfully resolving previously experienced problems. |
| US07653598B1 |
Payment processing with selection of a processing parameter
A technique for making a payment to a payee on behalf of a payor is provided. A selection is made, based upon a received payment request, of a processing parameter from a group of processing parameters. The group of processing parameters consists of at least two of three processing parameters. The three processing parameters are a speed of processing, cost of processing, and a risk of processing. The payment is made according to the selected processing parameter. |
| US07653589B1 |
System and method for randomizing orders in an electronic trading environment
When a trading application on a client terminal receives a trade order, a randomizer application may automatically randomize one or more order parameters to generate a randomized order. For example, an order quantity, a price level, and/or a time period between sending any two consecutive orders may be randomized. In another example, in a thin market randomized order quantities may be decreased and in a heavy market randomized order quantities may be increased. The randomized order is then automatically placed on the market. |
| US07653576B2 |
Method for pricing items
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code are provided for real time pricing of items by a customer located in a store. A customer sends a request to price an item using a mobile device to a Web service server. The Web service server identifies the customer's location and queries a set of information sources for prices from several vendors within a selected distance of the customer's location. The Web service server may include price information for items comparable to the item requested by the customer. The Web service server applies competitive rules defined by a vendor to determine pricing for the item from that vendor. The Web service server may also create special price quotes based on the verified location and identity of the customer. The Web service server sends the result to the customer and enables a real time purchase from the result displayed on the mobile device. |
| US07653572B1 |
Methods and systems for providing a rebate program
The present invention relates to methods and systems for funding a college education by accumulating and managing merchant rebates. The present invention also relates to methods and systems for enrolling and registering members in an organization through the organization provision of topical information and materials, useful links to, and information on, Internet and non-Internet based merchants, related to a college education. In particular, the present invention relates to facilitating retail transactions between an organization registered members and selected merchants who offer rebates on the transactions between themselves and the organization members so that the rebates are accumulated and provided for funding a college education. |
| US07653570B2 |
Systems and methods for intelligent communicating storage of condition monitorable replaceable components
An intelligent communicating supply storage unit is provided, tailored to storing one or more replaceable components for one or more supply-consuming devices. The storage unit may provide capabilities: (a) to sense a presence or absence of replaceable components for associated devices, which may include determining that the correct components are available, and to monitor a status of an internal characteristic of a stored replaceable component by accessing information stored on an externally readable component monitoring module attached to the stored replaceable component; (b) to maintain an updated inventory of the status of supplies on hand to include introduction of supplies into the storage unit for storage, and removal of supplies from the storage unit for use of disposal; and/or (c) to communicate storage unit supply status or inventory from the storage unit to an external source such as, for example, a supply providing organization. |
| US07653566B2 |
Systems and methods for automating a process of business decision making and workflow
A system and method for automating a business procedure is disclosed. The workflow management system includes an administrator, a process designer, a workflow database, a process engine and a web client. The system may interact with a form generator and a business application program. The system first analyzes the business process and models the process as a combination of detailed activities. The system assigns the properties to each activity according to the business rules. After modeling the business process and after the business process is initiated, the process engine allocates the workitems to the participant. The system can automate a very complicated business process and can be expanded and adapted to ever-changing business environments. |
| US07653564B2 |
Methods and systems for providing a measure of supervision over the activities of representatives of a business
Systems and methods are provided for helping businesses provide a measure of supervision over the activities of their representatives without requiring a significant amount of manual data sorting and/or cross-correlation. This is accomplished by providing a database in which each representative records his/her activities. Predefined reports are then run against the database, preferably at preset intervals, which identify potentially unacceptable activity. The reports generate one or more alerts that flag the unacceptable activity, and each alert is reviewed and/or investigated as desired. The systems and methods preferably are arranged to be consistent with industry hierarchies, allowing each supervisor in the hierarchy to maintain unique report parameters. |
| US07653562B2 |
Workflow management architecture
A workflow model is described. In one example of the workflow model, a first workflow is associated with a first party, and a first workflow view is used to represent an abstraction of the first workflow. Similarly, a second workflow is associated with a second party, and a second workflow view is used to represent an abstraction of the second workflow. Then, a coalition workflow view referencing the first workflow view and the second workflow view provides a collaborative workflow that specifies tasks that the first party and the second party are required to perform. In this way, multiple parties may easily partner with one another to accomplish a business objective, while maintaining a level of confidentiality of their workflow processes. |
| US07653558B2 |
Consolidation of consumer interactions within a medical brokerage system
In general in one aspect, agenda items are generated based on a consumer's one or more interactions with a system. The agenda items are consolidated into an agenda, a graphical user interface is produced that when rendered on a display displays the agenda, and a request from the consumer to interact with one or more of the agenda items is received. |
| US07653554B2 |
System and method for developing and implementing intellectual property marketing
The present invention relates to methods for the development and implementation of intellectual property marketing. A targeted innovation to fulfill an internal need is developed. Actions are taken to legally protect the targeted innovation as an intellectual property asset. The intellectual property asset is analyzed to determine a marketing assessment. A decision is made whether to market the intellectual property asset based at least in part on the marketing assessment. If the marketing assessment meets a predetermined threshold, the intellectual property asset is marketed. |
| US07653543B1 |
Automatic signal adjustment based on intelligibility
The present invention is directed toward a method, device, and system for providing a high quality communication session. The system provides a way of determining speech characteristics of participants in the communication session and adjusting, if necessary, signals from a speaker to a listener such that the listener can more intelligibly understand what the speaker is saying. |
| US07653532B2 |
Content recording/reproducing apparatus, storage medium and computer program
If there is a limitation imposed to the time period within which recording of certain content such as broadcast content is permitted, with the purpose of protection of copyrights of such content, a relationship between the accessible time and a current time is indicated so that a user can be informed of the remaining time before the deadline or the elapsed time since the deadline. In this way, the user can verify how a system is currently working to manage recording operation regarding the information having restricted or limited accessible time. In addition, automatic reproduction of digital material performed immediately before the deadline can help the user to avoid careless failure to access the provided content. |
| US07653515B2 |
Expert knowledge methods and systems for data analysis
A method for adjusting a data set defining a set of process runs, each process run having a set of data corresponding to a set of variables for a wafer processing operation is provided. A model derived from a data set is received. A new data set corresponding to one process run is received. The new data set is projected to the model. An outlier data point produced as a result of the projecting is identified. A variable corresponding to the one outlier data point is identified, the identified variable exhibiting a high contribution. A value for the variable from the new data set is identified. Whether the value for the variable is unimportant is determined. A normalized matrix of data is created, using random data and the variable that was determined to be unimportant from each of the new data set and the data set. The data set is updated with the normalized matrix of data. |
| US07653513B2 |
Sensor registration by global optimization procedures
Disclosed are method and apparatus for registering multiple sensors collecting data from multiple objects. Sensor registration is decomposed into a two-step procedure. The first step corrects systematic errors. The second step assigns objects measured by one sensor to objects measured by a second sensor. Systematic errors are corrected by generating the global minimum of a systematic error function. One embodiment for generating the global minimum uses a Continuous Greedy Randomized Adaptive Search Procedure. |
| US07653511B2 |
Thermoconductimetric analyzer for soldering process improvement
Performance of a flux in a soldering process is assessed by monitoring the activity of the flux via its electrical conductance measured using a probe having interdigitated metallic traces and a temperature sensor. The measured conductance-temperature time profile provides information useful for selecting a suitable flux formulation and soldering conditions for a given application, for determining the cause of soldering process problems, and for developing improved flux formulations. |
| US07653510B2 |
Load calculating device and load calculating method
A device and method for providing a load calculating device is presented. In one embodiment, a load calculating device can include a variable acquiring unit configured to acquire monitoring variables. The monitoring variables can include in a detected value by a sensor monitoring a state of a circuit board and a performance characteristic obtained by a tool monitoring performance of the circuit board. The device can also store a first statistical model that is one of a regression model, an occurrence frequency distribution and a probability distribution; a second storage configured to store a second statistical model that is one of a regression model, an occurrence frequency distribution and a probability distribution. An arithmetic processor can then be used to calculate the intermediate variable from the monitoring variables according to the first statistical model and calculate the physical quantity from calculated intermediate variable according to the second statistical model. |
| US07653506B2 |
Tensile support strength monitoring system and method
A system and method monitoring the health of a support structure for an elevator based on an electrical characteristic, such as resistance, of the support structure and not the temperature of the structure. The resistance of a virgin support structure under the same temperature conditions as the support structure being monitored is calculated and subtracted from the measured resistance of the monitored support structure. The resistance value of the virgin support structure and the monitored support structure may be translated to a reference temperature to simplify calculations and monitoring of the support structure. |
| US07653499B2 |
Method and system for automated energy usage monitoring within a data center
An automated method and system are provided for facilitating monitoring of energy usage within a data center. The method includes automatically determining energy usage of one or more electronics racks of a data center by automatically ascertaining time-based energy usage of the electronics racks. The automatically ascertaining includes obtaining multiple measurements of instantaneous energy usage by each of the electronics racks in the data center over a period of time, and then separately averaging the multiple measurements for each electronics rack to obtain the time-based energy usage of each electronics racks. The method also includes outputting the time-based energy usage of the electronic(s) racks to facilitate monitoring of the data center. |
| US07653498B2 |
Apparatus for and method of calculating many-body problem
An address generator holds a cell list of cell data of a central cell containing a central particle and a predetermined number of surrounding cells located around the central cell in a system. The address generator designates particle data of a central particle and particles that are present around the central particle, from the cell data of the cell list, and successively updates the cell list according to predetermined rules until all the cells in the system will serve as a central cell. A memory controller reads particle data of particles that are used to calculate short-range forces that have been designated by the address generator, from a storage unit, and transfers the read particle data to a force calculator for calculating short-range forces between particles. |
| US07653495B1 |
Cavity induced allosteric modification of intermolecular interactions and methods of identifying compounds that effect the same
Method of identifying compounds that modulate intermolecular interactions between a target protein and a modifier are disclosed. Pharmaceutical composition comprising compounds that inhibit intermolecular interactions between a target protein and a modifier are disclosed. Methods of treating individual suffering from inflammatory conditions, undesirable immune responses, immunological conditions and bacterial infections are disclosed. |
| US07653491B2 |
Computer systems and methods for subdividing a complex disease into component diseases
A method for identifying a quantitative trait loci for a complex trait that is exhibited by a plurality of organisms in a population. The population is divided into a plurality of sub-populations using a classification scheme. Depending on what is known about the population, either a supervised or unsupervised classification is used. The classification scheme is derived from a plurality of cellular constituent measurements obtained from each organism in the population. For each sub-population in the plurality of sub-populations, a quantitative genetic analysis is performed on the sub-population in order to identify one or more quantitative trait loci for the complex trait. |
| US07653489B2 |
Method of measuring gas flow
A method of measuring a dry gas flow from hydrocarbon wells. The hydrocarbon wells produce a stream which contains liquids and natural gas. The method comprises providing an differential flow measurement device (orifice) located at a well site containing the hydrocarbon wells. The method further includes testing the stream for gas composition and physical characteristics. Additionally, the method comprises measuring a static temperature (T) of the stream, measuring a static pressure (Ps), and measuring a pressure differential (dP) in the differential flow measurement device (orifice). The method includes computing the liquid-gas ratio (LGR) of the stream, computing the wet gas flow rate (Qw) of the stream, computing a first dry gas flow rate (Qd1) and a second dry gas flow rate and utilizing a iterative process to correct and obtain the dry gas flow rate. The data may be transmitted to another location. |
| US07653485B2 |
Route guidance system and method
A routing guide system includes route calculating means for calculating the route of a vehicle to a destination, image providing means for reading from storage means scenery images on the route calculated by the route calculating means, and display means for displaying the scenery images on the calculated route generated by the image providing means. The routing guide system also includes route confirming means for confirming as a set route the route calculated by the route calculating means, according to an operation, during or after display of the scenery images on the calculated route by means of the display means. |
| US07653483B2 |
System and method for determining a position of a vehicle
A method and system for determining the position of a vehicle comprises a transmitter or transceiver for transmitting a transmission signal from a vehicle to beacons associated with the work area. A data processor determines an elapsed time including at least one of a first propagation duration and a second propagation duration. The first propagation duration refers to a propagation time of the transmission signal from the vehicle to the particular beacon; the second propagation duration refers to a propagation time of a return signal from the particular beacon to the vehicle. A compensator compensates for the following associated with the transmitter and the particular beacon: bias delay, noise, and measurement error. A data processor processes the elapsed times into corresponding position curves or temporal curves to estimate a position of a vehicle at a confluence or intersection of the position curves or temporal curves. |
| US07653482B2 |
On-vehicle navigation apparatus and subject vehicle position correction method
An on-vehicle navigation apparatus comprises a subject vehicle position detection unit that detects a position of a subject vehicle and a direction along which the subject vehicle is advancing, a road marker line detection unit that detects a road marker line in an image of a road captured with a camera, a map matching candidate identifying unit that identifies a road to be designated as a map matching candidate, a decision-making unit that makes a decision as to whether or not the subject vehicle is traveling on the road identified by the map matching candidate identifying unit, a map matching unit that correct the detected subject vehicle position so as to set the subject vehicle position onto the road on which the subject vehicle is determined to be traveling, and a subject vehicle position indicating unit that indicates the subject vehicle position having been corrected. |
| US07653479B2 |
Control device of internal combustion engine
A fuel cut failsafe function monitoring section of a microcomputer sets a fuel cut failsafe function diagnosis period in a period, in which an operation of an engine is stopped (e.g., a period before engine start), and sends a fuel cut failsafe execution command signal to a fuel cut failsafe execution section of an abnormality monitoring device during the fuel cut failsafe function diagnosis period. Thus, the fuel cut failsafe execution section is caused to output a fuel cut failsafe signal to an injector driver to stop an operation of the injector driver. The fuel cut failsafe function monitoring section monitors an output level of a disablement port of the injector driver at the time, thereby performing abnormality diagnosis of a fuel cut failsafe function. |
| US07653476B2 |
Method and system for continuously controlling an internal combustion engine on an engine bench testing unit
The present invention relates to a system and a method for continuous operation of an internal-combustion engine (2), comprising at least an actuator connected to a working device of the engine, an electronic circuit board or card (3) comprising a programmable logic FPGA component, means (9, 10) for synchronizing the card according to the engine cycle, and a central processing unit (CPU). The invention comprises: generating, through the component, a plurality of actuator control pulses, the pulses being parameterizable in phase and in duration, being independent, linked with a single cylinder and synchronized by an angular reference point in the engine cycle for each cylinder; determining pulse parameters and assigning these parameters to the pulses by means of a computing program included in the CPU of the microcomputer at each physical output; and controlling at least one of the actuators by a logic output signal of the circuit board corresponding to at least one of the control pulses. |
| US07653475B2 |
Fuel injection control apparatus and control method of internal combustion engine
A fuel injection correction coefficient for a first fuel injection valve and a second fuel injection valve with respect to a second fuel injection proportion in a second combustion is learned (step 107) in each of learning regions based on the fuel supply amount supplied into a cylinder, by carrying out a first combustion whose fuel injection proportion is set to the second fuel injection proportion, in the operation region of the second combustion (step 106). |
| US07653472B2 |
Devices, systems and methods for prohibition of acceleration for cooperative speed control system
A device for automatically controlling vehicle speed, including a processor. In one embodiment, the processor includes logic to automatically determine whether a first local required speed is greater than a second local required speed, and only if the first local required speed is greater than the second local required speed, automatically initiate output of a signal to a vehicle speed controller to change vehicle speed to a new set vehicle speed. In another embodiment, the processor includes logic to automatically determine a new set vehicle speed based at least on a change in local required speed and a current set vehicle speed, and only if the current set vehicle speed is greater than the determined new set vehicle speed, automatically initiate output of a signal to a vehicle speed controller to change vehicle speed to the determined new set vehicle speed. |
| US07653467B2 |
Method for pre-setting a passenger protection system for a vehicle
A vehicle occupant protection system of a vehicle having a plurality of adaptive protection system components assigned to a seat in the vehicle, is preset using data relating to the individual occupant of the seat. The identity of the occupant is determined for at least one seat, and a stored safety profile which is assigned to the identified person is retrieved. The protection system components which are assigned to the seat are then set using the safety profile. |
| US07653461B2 |
Electric device with control means for calculating food poisoning index or degree based on weather information received through pager network
The present invention discloses an electric device with a wireless communication module which receives weather information through a pager network, calculates well-being indexes from the weather information, and provides the well-being indexes to the user by itself and through the other electric devices in a real time. The electric device with the wireless communication module includes a pager receiving module for receiving weather information signals through a pager network, and demodulating weather information from the weather information signals, a storing means for storing well-being index calculation data for calculating well-being indexes from the weather information, a ZigBee transmitting/receiving module for transmitting the weather information or the well-being indexes to the other electric devices by wireless, and a control means for performing an intrinsic function of the electric device, receiving the weather information from the pager receiving module, reading the well-being index calculation data, calculating the well-being indexes according to the well-being index calculation data, and transmitting at least one of the weather information and the well-being indexes to the other electric devices through the ZigBee transmitting/receiving module. |
| US07653457B2 |
Method and system for efficient package delivery and storage
A method and system for efficient package delivery in bulk to pickup locations for recipients in which items ordered by different customers from one or more different retailers, suppliers, manufacturers, and the like can be sorted within and picked from an on-hand inventory at a distribution center and packed into a package for delivery to a specific pickup location for a specific recipient. A replenishment order for items to replace the on-hand inventory at the distribution center can be made to a fulfillment location to maintain inventory levels defined for an item at a distribution center. The items to replenish the on-hand inventory at the distribution center can be shipped in bulk from a fulfillment location in containers organized by item identifier. The items can be sorted at a different distribution center, still organized within containers of all the same item identifier, to reach the distribution center placing the replenishment order for the items. |
| US07653454B2 |
Electronic parts installation device and cassette control device
A cassette control device by which high-speed processing can be expected even by using an arithmetical unit with current processing capability, even when the number of cassettes increases simultaneously with an increase in the number of nozzles which can suck electronic parts. There is provided storage unit (18) having storage regions in which programs for respective operation patterns of the cassettes (3-1 to 3-M) are set for each of the nozzles. An arithmetic unit (19) extracts a specific program required for driving in a specific operation pattern based on a command (17) inputted according to the content of packaging, from a specific region which is provided in the storage unit (18) to correspond to a specific nozzle to be used, and the arithmetic unit (19) operates the specific cassette using the specific program. |
| US07653448B2 |
NICAM processing method
A NICAM processing method includes receiving and temporarily storing a current frame of A-channel and B-channel input data into a first memory at a first clock rate. Companded A-channel and B-channel data of a previous frame are read from a second memory at a second clock rate and in a manner for interleaving the previous frame companded A-channel and B-channel data into the NICAM standard required interleaved format, wherein the companded A-channel and B-channel data of the previous frame was temporarily stored during a previous frame into the second memory in a format other than an interleaved format according to NICAM standard requirements. The A-channel and B-channel input data of the current frame is companded and stored into the second memory and in the format other than the interleaved format, wherein the companding and storing are performed at a third clock rate during an interval within the current frame that occurs subsequent to both the storing into the first memory and the reading from the second memory. |
| US07653441B2 |
Intravenous pacemaker electrode
An intravenous pacemaker electrode comprises an electrode tip provided for transmission of stimulation pulses to the heart as well as at least one fixing element provided for fixing the electrode tip to the heart, of which the form and/or arrangement can be changed relative to the electrode tip, as well as a suitable actuation element for magnetic actuation of the fixing element. |
| US07653440B1 |
Stimulation lead and methods of stimulating
An exemplary method includes passing a lead through a wall of an epicardial vein, an epicardial venous structure and/or a cardiac chamber wherein the lead includes an electrode portion; positioning the electrode portion proximate to an autonomic nerve and/or other tissue region; and delivering an electrical signal to the electrode portion to stimulate the autonomic nerve and/or other tissue region and thereby change cardiac function. |
| US07653429B2 |
Techniques for identifying molecular structures and treating cell types lining a body lumen using fluorescence
Techniques for detecting fluorescence emitted by molecular constituents in a wall of a body lumen include introducing an autonomous solid support into the body lumen. Cells in a lumen wall of the body lumen are illuminated by a light source mounted to the solid support with a wavelength that excites a particular fluorescent signal. A detector mounted to the solid support detects whether illuminated cells emit the particular fluorescent signal. If the particular fluorescent signal is detected from the illuminated cells, then intensity or position in the lumen wall of the detected fluorescent signal, or both, is determined. These techniques allow the information collected by the capsule to support diagnosis and therapy of GI cancer and other intestinal pathologies and syndromes. For example, these techniques allow diagnostic imaging using endogenous and exogenous fluoroprobes, treating diseased sites by targeted release of drug with or without photoactivation, and determining therapeutic efficacy. |
| US07653428B2 |
Methods for diagnosing a neurodegenerative condition
The invention provides a method of diagnosing, prognosing, staging, and/or monitoring a mammalian amyloidogenic disorder or a predisposition thereto by detecting a protein or polypeptide aggregate in the cortical and/or supranuclear regions of an ocular lens of the mammal. |
| US07653425B2 |
Method and system for providing calibration of an analyte sensor in an analyte monitoring system
Method and apparatus for providing calibration of analyte sensor including applying a control signal, detecting a measured response to the control signal, determining a variance in the detected measured response, and estimating a sensor sensitivity based on the variance in the detected measured response is provided. |
| US07653419B2 |
Mobile phone with power saving function
A mobile terminal includes a battery; a power supply block which supplies power of the battery; and a radio communication block which communicates with a base station when the power is supplied from the battery through the power supply block. The mobile terminal further includes a first switch which is interposed between the power supply block and the radio communication block; and a key operation section to which the power is always supplied from the battery through the power supply block. A control unit controls the first switch to stop the power supply from the battery to the radio communication block in response to a manual operation of the key operation section. |
| US07653416B2 |
Wireless communication system, transmitter and receiver used therefor, and wireless communication method
A wireless communication system has a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter includes a transmission-data-processing device that generates items of data for a first series and items of data for a second series, a transmission-processing device that generates transmission signals for each series based on these items of data, and a wireless-signal-transmitting device that transmits the transmission signals generated by the items of data for the first series and the items of data for the second series as wireless signals of an anti-clockwise polarized scheme and of a clockwise polarized scheme, respectively. The receiver includes a wireless-signal-receiving device that receives the wireless signals of the anti-clockwise polarized scheme and the clockwise polarized scheme, a reception-signal-processing device that generates the items of data for the first series based on the received wireless signal of the anti-clockwise polarized scheme and that generates the items of data for the second series based on the received wireless signal of the clockwise polarized scheme, and a received-data-outputting device that reconfigures the generated items of data. |
| US07653405B2 |
Communicating application control and data information using a traffic flow over a wireless link
To communicate information relating to an application over a wireless link, application control information and application data information are communicated over the wireless link between a mobile station and a base station system. The application data information is communicated over a traffic flow over the wireless link, and the application control information is communicated in a wireless control message carried in wireless signaling associated with the traffic flow. |
| US07653390B2 |
Apparatus and method for making measurements in universal mobile telecommunications system user equipment
A method and apparatus for taking measurements in a mobile telecommunications system is disclosed, the system comprising a network of a plurality of cells and at least one user equipment device. The user equipment device scans frequency bands to generate measurement data for signals received from cells of the network; and when the signals received from cells of the network include more than one signal in a frequency band, measurement data is generated for more than one signal in the frequency band. |
| US07653385B2 |
Wireless telecommunications signal inhibition
Wireless telecommunications is inhibited within a limited region by generating a noise signal within a frequency range of the wireless telecommunications and broadcasting the noise signal into the limited region. A system for inhibiting wireless communications includes a radio frequency noise generator generating a noise signal within a frequency range of the wireless telecommunication. At least one antenna broadcasts the noise signal into the region. Control logic initiates or suspends broadcasting of the noise signal based on at least one control input. |
| US07653382B2 |
Radiocommunication module executing a main software and a client software comprising several client applications
The invention concerns a radiocommunication module, of the type hosting and executing a main software providing in particular radiocommunication functions and comprising means for executing drive controls, sent to it by at least a driver client software. The invention is characterised in that the radiocommunication module further hosts and executes at least a client software comprising a main client application and at least a secondary (slave) client application. The processing operations carried out by the onboard client software are distributed between the main and secondary client applications. The onboard client application acts: as a driver client software, sending drive controls to the main software, and receiving from it responses, resulting from the execution of some of the drive controls; and/or as a supervising client software, managing the execution of the drive controls sent by an (external) driver client software hosted and executed by a third party equipment co-operating with the radiocommunication module. |
| US07653372B2 |
Communication device, mixer and method thereof
An IQ mixer and a method thereof. The IQ mixer comprises a pair of Gilbert cells and a degeneration inductor. Each pair of Gilbert cells comprises a pair of first current generators and a pair of switching networks. The pair of first current generators converts an RF signal pair to currents respectively. The pair of switching networks, coupled to the first current generator, modulates the converted RF signal pair with an oscillation signal pair to generate a mixed signal pair. The degeneration inductor is coupled to all pairs of the first current generators, such that it is shared by the pair of Gilbert cells. |
| US07653368B2 |
Radio receiver and a method thereof
Briefly, a radio receiver architecture and a method of measuring a power of a received signal to provide a first measurement, measuring a power of an assigned channel signal to provide a second measurement and adjusting a power of an input signal of an analog to digital converter according to a difference between the first and second power measurements. |
| US07653366B2 |
Hybrid switched mode/linear power amplifier power supply for use in polar transmitter
In one aspect this invention provides a DC-DC converter that has a switch mode part for coupling between a DC source and a load, the switch mode part providing x amount of output power; and that further has a linear mode part coupled in parallel with the switch mode part between the DC source and the load, the linear mode part providing y amount of output power, where x is preferably greater than y, and the ratio of x to y may be optimized for particular application constraints. In a further aspect there is a radio frequency (RF) transmitter (TX) for coupling to an antenna, where the TX has a polar architecture having an amplitude modulation (AM) path coupled to a power supply of a power amplifier (PA) and a phase modulation (PM) path coupled to an input of the PA, where the power supply includes the switch mode part for coupling between a battery and the PA and the linear mode part coupled in parallel with the switch mode part between the battery and the PA. |
| US07653363B2 |
System and apparatus for performing broadcast and localcast communications
Described is a communication system including mobile communication devices. In the described system, the mobile devices may be wrist-worn watches such as are in common use today, except that the watches are specially configured to receive data in a “broadcast” mode and transmit and/or receive data in a “localcast” mode. The localcast mode includes the ability to transmit and receive data in a peer-to-peer fashion, allowing mobile devices to communicate directly with each other. The ability to combine two of these communication modes in a small, integrated and hence inexpensive and low-power package provides many advantages over existing personal communication device solutions. |
| US07653356B2 |
System and method for reducing spurious emissions in a wireless communication device including a testing apparatus
A wireless communication device is disclosed wherein isolation buffers couple to respective active circuits or stages of the device to convey test information regarding such active circuits to a test data line from which status information may be collected. The communication device operates in two modes, namely a normal operational mode wherein the isolation buffers effectively short spurious emissions from the active circuits to a ground, and a test mode wherein the isolation buffers may convey test information from a selected active circuit to the test data line. The isolation buffers prevent spurious emissions from escaping the active circuits to which they are coupled and prevent spurious emissions from traveling from active circuit to active circuit over the test data line throughout the wireless device. |
| US07653347B2 |
Doppler compensation control for radio transmission
A Doppler compensation method is used for radio transmission between a mobile body possibly but not exclusively a train and some base station, both mobile body and base station comprise respectively a transceiver connected to an antenna for the radio transmission. The method comprises the step of determining the direction of motion of the mobile body with respect to the active base station i.e. the base station to which a radio transmission link is just built. The method is then followed by the step to apply a constant Doppler compensation corresponding to the cancellation of the Doppler effect for a mobile body moving in the same direction at predefined limiting speed of motion (vlimit) at which a quality threshold is reached with the used radio transmission technology in the case without a Doppler compensation. |
| US07653326B2 |
Image formation device with belt mounted pivoting cover
A plurality of process cartridges are provided at a device main body. The process cartridges are arranged in tandem in a vertical direction, and are each mountable/removable by being withdrawn in a horizontal direction. A transport belt is disposed near side portions of the process cartridges. The transport belt transports paper between the transport belt and each of the process cartridges. A cover covers the side portions of the process cartridges and is axially supported at the device main body, below the process cartridges, to be swingable. The cover is attached to be capable of opening and closing a process cartridge side portions side of the device main body. The belt is mounted at the cover so as to be disposed between the process cartridges and the cover, and operates integrally with the cover. |
| US07653323B2 |
Fixing apparatus and image processing apparatus
According to an embodiment, a heating device having a plurality of heating members which heat the heating roller, a first thermoelectric converting section having a plurality of thermoelectric converting elements, each of which has a heat-absorbing surface and a cooling surface and generates electromotive force by difference in temperature between the heat-absorbing surface and the cooling surface, and formed along a curved surface of the heating roller, in which the heat-absorbing surface is disposed with a predetermined space from an outer circumferential surface of the heating roller, an auxiliary power supply charged with electric power generated by the first thermoelectric converting section, and a switching section which switches the apparatus between a first state in which electric power is supplied from utility power to the heating members and a second state in which electric power is supplied from the auxiliary power supply to the heating members, based on a predetermined signal. |
| US07653321B2 |
Image forming apparatus, fixing device, and image forming method
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device configured to form a toner image on a sheet and a fixing device configured to fix the toner image on the sheet. In the fixing device, a heater heats a fixing belt. A pressing roller applies a pressure to a fixing roller via the fixing belt to form a nip between the pressing roller and the fixing belt. A controller switches the fixing device between an increased pressure mode and a decreased pressure mode in a state in which the fixing roller and the pressing roller rotate. In the increased pressure mode, the pressing roller applies an increased pressure capable of fixing the toner image on the sheet to the fixing roller. In the decreased pressure mode, the pressing roller applies a decreased pressure incapable of fixing the toner image on the sheet to the fixing roller. |
| US07653320B2 |
Image forming system and control method that change sequence of image formation based on fixation method
An image forming system includes an image forming unit which forms an image as a toner image on a printing medium, a first fixing unit which fixes, on the printing medium, the toner image formed by the image forming unit, a second fixing unit arranged at a position different from the first fixing unit and used when a larger amount of heat is necessary for fixing the toner image on the printing medium, and a changing unit which changes the sequence of image formation by the image forming unit when the second fixing unit is used during image formation. |
| US07653317B2 |
Semiconductor laser device
A first light feedback element is arranged at an optical distance L1 from a front facet of a semiconductor laser from which an output light is emitted on an optical path of the output light. An i-th light feedback element is arranged at an optical distance Li from the front facet on the optical path of the output light, where i=2 to n, n is a positive integer not less than 2, and Li>L1. L1 and Li satisfies ((M−1)+0.01)<(Li/L1)<(M−0.01), where M is a positive integer not less than 2, satisfying (M−1)<(Li/L1)≦M. |
| US07653316B2 |
Discretely ITU-T channel grid wavelength tunable single longitudinal mode erbium-doped fiber ring laser
Provided is a fiber ring laser capable of obtaining a back-up laser light and standard light having a wavelength continuously tuned in a single mode with equal spacing of 12.5 GHz, 25 GHz, 50 GHz or 100 GHz recommended by ITU-T Recommendation G. 692 & G. 694.1 in a C-band and an L-band using a fiber tunable etalon filter, an air gap etalon filter and a saturable absorber in an optical fiber laser resonator having a serial ring shape using a C-band optical amplifier and an L-band optical amplifier. The fiber ring laser can generate laser light having a wavelength tuned by more than 70 nm, excellent output power flatness and a source spontaneous emission ratio of more than 70 dB in 361 channels with equal spacing of 25 GHz by applying a bias voltage to a voltage-operated piezoelectric element of a tunable etalon filter. A single longitudinal mode operation of the fiber ring laser can be obtained by using a saturable absorber serving as a narrow-bandwidth filter. |
| US07653310B2 |
Wavelength division multiplex (WDM) transmission system
A low-cost configuration of, and at the same time to control the variable dispersion compensator at a high speed in a variable dispersion compensator for compensating the wavelength dependent accumulated dispersion resulting from the wavelength dependency of the transmission fiber and fixed dispersion compensator in a long-distance high-speed WDM transmission system. In order to achieve the object mentioned above, the wavelength dependent representative characteristic of the transmission fibers 4-1 . . . n, and the wavelength dependent representative characteristic of the DCFs 13-1 . . . n are recorded and maintained in advance in the dispersion control circuit 5-1 . . . n of the variable dispersion compensator 16, and based on the input of dispersion amount at the representative length of the transmission fiber and the fiber length, the dispersion amount at the representative wavelength of the DCF, the accumulated dispersion amount is computed from the wavelength dependent representative characteristic recorded and maintained in advance, and the dispersion amount of the variable dispersion compensator 16 is determined by taking this as the reference. |
| US07653309B2 |
System and method for distributing traffic in an optical network
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a system and method for distributing traffic in an optical network is provided. In a particular embodiment, an optical network includes an upstream terminal, a distribution node, and a plurality of downstream terminals. The distribution node in the optical network includes a wavelength router configured to receive wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) traffic in a plurality of wavelengths from the upstream terminal, route the traffic in at least one wavelength to a primary power splitter, and route the traffic in a plurality of other wavelengths for distribution to particular downstream terminals. The distribution node also includes a primary power splitter configured to receive the traffic in the at least one wavelength from the wavelength router, split the received traffic in the at least one wavelength into a plurality of copies, and forward the copies for distribution to all of the downstream terminals. |
| US07653300B2 |
Image recording apparatus for microscopes
An image recording apparatus for a microscope having a still camera function and/or a video photography function is disclosed. Automatic exposure (AE) adjustment is performed at appropriate time intervals in the photographic period so as to obtain sample images of roughly uniform brightness. Also, image data and data of plural photographic conditions are recorded in a single photographic session by setting up an AE adjustment time (Tae) and an exposure time (Texp) so as not to exceed a photographic interval (Tint) that is constant. |
| US07653297B2 |
AF lens position determination systems and methods and anti-dazzling screens thereof
AF lens position determination systems and methods. The system comprises an anti-dazzling screen, a sensor and a processing module. The anti-dazzling screen comprises first and second areas. The length of a respective covered sub-area in the first area is a first distance, and the length of a respective uncovered sub-area in the first area increases progressively from the center to a first border of the anti-dazzling screen. The length of a respective uncovered sub-area in the second area is a second distance, and the length of a respective covered sub-area in the second area increases progressively from the center to a second border of the anti-dazzling screen. The sensor moves within a range, and generates high and low signals based on the anti-dazzling screen. The processing module determines the position of an AF lens according to the signals generated by the sensor. |
| US07653293B2 |
Camera system with image stabilizing function, camera body thereof, and interchangeable lens thereof
A camera system used for shooting an image, determines whether or not a predetermined shake component due to a mechanical shutter is added to a shake component detected by a shake sensor in dependence upon the type of a shutter (a mechanical shutter or an electronic shutter), and selects the determined component accordingly. |
| US07653290B2 |
Information outputting apparatus and information outputting method, information recording apparatus and information recording method, information outputting recording system and information recording medium
An example outputting apparatus repeatedly transmits contents such as music or movies reproduced a player while attaching order information such as sector address numbers to the contents. An example recording apparatus records the contents on a recording medium such as a DVD based on the transmitted order information. |
| US07653287B2 |
Information storage medium storing multi-angle data and method and apparatus for reproducing the multi-angle data
An apparatus and method for reproducing multi-angle data in a seamless manner, even during a change of angle, and an information storage medium on which the multi-angle data is recorded. AV data divided into clips, which are recording units, is recorded on the information storage medium. Additional information regarding jump points is recorded on a space of the information storage medium other than where the clips are recorded. The apparatus for reproducing the multi-angle data includes a reading unit which reads data from the information storage medium, and a reproducing unit which reproduces the data read by the reading unit by searching for and reproducing clips corresponding to the read data when the read data is multi-angle data, and, if there is an angle change command, reproducing clips for a new angle from a jump point of the clip for the new angle. |
| US07653283B2 |
Light pipe mounting interface
In an example embodiment, a light pipe mounting interface may include a support strip and at least one light pipe projecting from the support strip. The light pipe is to extend through a housing. A hook projects from the support strip to engage with the housing, and a cantilever snap head projects from an extension of the support strip to engage with the housing. The cantilever snap head and the hook lock the light pipe in a predetermined position with respect to the housing. |
| US07653282B2 |
Multi-port optical connection terminal
A multi-port optical connection terminal for use as a branch point in a fiber optic communications network at a distance from a mid-span access location provided on a distribution cable having a plurality of optical fibers. The multi-port terminal includes a base and a cover affixed to the base. A stub cable port formed through one of the base and the cover receives a stub cable having at least one optical fiber extending continuously from the multi-port terminal to the mid-span access location. A first end of the optical fiber is optically connected to a respective optical fiber of the distribution cable at the mid-span access location and a fiber optic connector is mounted upon the second end. At least one connector port is provided on the multi-port terminal for receiving the fiber optic connector and a connectorized end of a fiber optic drop cable extending from the multi-port terminal. |
| US07653277B2 |
Locatable dielectric optical fiber cable having easily removable locating element
An optical fiber cable having a locating element and extending from a distribution enclosure to a premise is provided. The optic fiber cable includes a core having at least one optical fiber transmission medium disposed within a tubular member that has a jacket system disposed thereabout. A longitudinally extending detectable element is provided that does not function as a communications cable and that is detachably connected to said tubular member by the jacket system which is also disposed about the detectable element so as to define a web between the tubular member and the detectable element. The detectable element terminates before at least one of the distribution enclosure or the premise. The web defines a notch between the tubular member and the detectable element which serves as a shear plane to facilitate the propagation of a tear between the tubular member and the detectable element. |
| US07653276B1 |
Composite structures for storing thermal energy
A composite structure for storing thermal energy. In one embodiment, an apparatus for storing thermal energy includes: a thermal storage material and a three-dimensional structure. The three-dimensional structure includes: a plurality of first truss elements defined by a plurality of first self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a first direction; a plurality of second truss elements defined by a plurality of second self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a second direction; and a plurality of third truss elements defined by a plurality of third self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a third direction. The first, second, and third truss elements interpenetrate each other at a plurality of nodes to form a continuous material. The first, second, and third truss elements define an open space. The thermal storage material occupies at least a portion of the open space, and the three-dimensional structure is self-supporting. |
| US07653272B2 |
Highly parallel optical communication system with intracard and intercard communications
An optical communications system including a method and apparatus with an electro-optical chip which includes optical interface elements in optical interface array configuration on a first side of the electro-optical chip, attached to or integrated with an optical circuit board which includes a plurality of layered optical wave guides, a plurality of coupling elements disposed relative to the electro-optical chip such that the plurality of coupling elements optically communicate with the first plurality of optical interface elements on the electro-optical chip, and wherein the coupling elements are further disposed to optically communicate with the plurality of optical wave guides. |
| US07653266B2 |
Image pickup apparatus, solid-state imaging device, and image generating method
In an image pickup apparatus of the present invention, a CCD 11 in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a two-dimensional array, thereof the number of effective horizontal pixels is H and the number of effective vertical pixels is V; a aspect switching operator 18 that sets one of a plurality of aspect modes including a first aspect mode and a second aspect mode; an image processor 141 that generates first image data for recording in the first aspect mode, and generates second image data for recording in the second aspect mode, wherein the first image data for recording is generated using image data that is generated with pixels being H1 horizontal pixels by V1 vertical pixels included in the pixels on the CCD 11 or image data that is obtained by subjecting said image data to predetermined processing, the second image data for recording is generated using image data that is generated with pixels being H2 horizontal pixels by V2 vertical pixels included in the pixels on the solid-state imaging device or image data that is obtained by subjecting said image data to predetermined processing, and the first image data for recording and the second image data for recording satisfy the following relationships: H2 |
| US07653261B2 |
Image tapestry
An output image formed from at least a portion of one or more input images may be automatically synthesized as a tapestry image. To determine which portion or region of each input image will be used in the image tapestry, the regions of each image may be labeled by one of a plurality of labels. The multi-class labeling problem of creating the tapestry may be resolved such that each region in the tapestry is constructed from one or more salient input image regions that are selected and placed such that neighboring blocks in the tapestry satisfy spatial compatibility. This solution may be formulated using a Markov Random Field and the resulting tapestry energy function may be optimized in any suitable manner. To optimize the tapestry energy function, an expansion move algorithm for energy functions may be generated to apply to non-metric hard and/or soft constraints. |
| US07653257B2 |
Enhancing video sequence sharpness by adaptive peaking
A method of selectively sharpening video data may include, for at least some pixels in the video data, generating a sharpening value for a pixel value in an image. The sharpening value may be amplified in a non-linear manner to produce an amplified value. The pixel value and the amplified value may then be combined. |
| US07653255B2 |
Image region of interest encoding
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for compression include decomposing an image into wavelet transform coefficients, applying a first quantizer to the wavelet transform coefficients, and applying a second quantizer to a set of wavelet transform coefficients representing a background of the image. The method can include rounding the wavelet transform coefficients and rounding the wavelet transform coefficients can include rounding to a nearest integer value. The method can include multiplying the set rounded quantized background wavelet transform coefficients by the second quantizer and rounding all wavelet transform coefficients. Rounding all wavelet transform coefficients can include rounding to a nearest integer value. |
| US07653254B2 |
Image coding apparatus and image coding method
A variable c1 is counted up by one for the Nth bit in attribute information=“1”, and a variable c0 is counted up by one for the Nth bit=“0” (S402). When the total code amount of the coding results of pieces of attribute information which have been coded up to now has exceeded a predetermined threshold, a value held by the variable c0 at this time and that held by the variable c1 are compared with each other to determine which of “1” or “0” is set for the Nth bit of subsequently input attribute information (S405). |
| US07653250B2 |
Adjusting sampling rate for encoding
Some embodiments provide a method for adjusting a video sampling rate during an video encoding operation. The method receives a metric that quantifies the usage of a computer that performs the video encoding operation. The method computes an adjustment factor based on the metric. In some embodiments the metric is a system idle time. The method defines the video sampling rate based on the adjustment factor. Some embodiments compute the adjustment factor by performing a non-linear operation based on the metric. In some embodiments, the non-linear operation includes performing an integral operation based on the metric. In some embodiments, the non-linear operation includes performing a derivative operation based on the metric. Some embodiments perform more than one operation to compute the adjustment factor. In some embodiments, each operation is assigned a weight. |
| US07653238B2 |
Image filtering based on comparison of pixel groups
Picture elements of a digitally coded image are each represented by a color value. The value of an element x is adjusted by firstly making a number of comparisons between elements elsewhere in the image. This comparison involves comparing a first picture element group (which may comprise the picture element x under consideration and at least one further picture element in the vicinity thereof) with a second picture element group. The second picture element group comprises a base picture element y and at least one further picture element, the number of picture elements in the second group being the same as the number of picture elements in the first group and the position of each further element of the second group relative to the base picture element of the second group being the same as the position of the respective further element of the first group relative to the picture element under consideration. The comparison determines whether the two groups match in the sense that they meet a criterion of similarity. When at least one comparison results in a match, a replacement color value for the picture element under consideration is generated, as a function of the color value for the base picture element of the second group for which a match was obtained. |
| US07653235B2 |
Surface anomaly detection system and method
A system and method is provided to detect surface anomalies. The detection system and method provides the ability to automatically detect and characterize anomalies on a surface, such as detecting and characterizing pitting corrosion on metal surfaces. The surface anomaly detection system and method uses an image of the surface under evaluation. The image data is passed to a noise filter. The noise filter uses an estimated characterization of the background noise to remove the background noise from the image data. The smoothed pixel intensity is then compared to a threshold to identify significant departures. The detected anomalies are then passed to a contour detector, which determines the contours of anomalies in the surface to provide more precise characterization of the detected anomalies. The detected closed contours of anomalies may then be passed to a defect severity estimator that provides an anomaly factor metric. |
| US07653225B2 |
Method and system for ground glass nodule (GGN) segmentation with shape analysis
A method for segmentation of a ground glass nodule included in a volume of interest in a medical image and segmented by a process such as a Markov random field process, includes: identifying vessels in the volume of interest; segmenting the vessels; and removing segmented vessels from the segmented ground glass nodule. |
| US07653217B2 |
Image data processing apparatus and method using attribute information
An image processing apparatus for processing image data having attribute information for every pixel of the image data, includes a combining unit that combines component image data, which corresponds to each of a plurality of component images, into composite image data that corresponds to a single composite image, and an attribute appending unit that appends identification information, which indicates the component image data to which each pixel belongs, as attribute information of pixels of the composite image data. In addition, a processing unit applies common image processing to pixels having identical values as the identification information based on the attribute information. |
| US07653211B2 |
Digital watermark embedding apparatus and digital watermark detection apparatus
A digital watermark embedding apparatus includes a scaling unit configured to scale at least a specific frequency component of an input image signal to generate a scaled image signal, a control unit configured to control at least one of a phase and amplitude of the scaled image signal in accordance with watermark information to generate a controlled image signal, and a combiner to combine the input image signal and the controlled image signal to generate an output image signal embedded with the watermark information. |
| US07653209B2 |
Speaker apparatus
A speaker apparatus includes at least one of an inner flux applicator and an outer flux applicator includes an annular first member and an annular second member. The first member having a first surface that faces toward the magnetic gap, the first member satisfying L1>W1 where L1 is a length of the first surface in a direction parallel to the central axis and W1 is a width of the first member in a direction orthogonal to a central axis. The second member is magnetically coupled with the first member and arranged on an outer side of the first member, the second member satisfying W2>L2 where W2 is a width of the second member in a direction orthogonal to a central axis and L2 is a length of the second surface in a direction parallel to the central axis, and L1>L2. |
| US07653208B2 |
Loudspeakers and systems
The invention provides, in one aspect, a loudspeaker that has electrodynamically-driven piston mounted in one external wall and that has movable panels in one or more other external walls. Those panels are air-coupled to the piston, e.g., via air within the enclosure, such that vibrational motion of the piston causes the vibration of the panels, thereby, improving the overall air coupling of the piston to the external environment, e.g., the listening room. Further aspects of the invention provide an improved driver for use, e.g., in the aforementioned loudspeaker. The driver comprises a three-part piston having first and second diaphragms coupled back-to-back with one another and having a voice coil face-mounted (or front-mounted) within the second diaphragm. |
| US07653201B2 |
Implicit certificate scheme
A method of a trusted entity CA facilitating generation of a public key by an entity A in an electronic data communication system using implicit certificates. The trusted entity CA selects a unique identity distinguishing the entity A. The trusted entity CA then generates a public key reconstruction public data of the entity A by mathematically combining a private value of said trusted entity CA and information made public by said trusted entity CA. The unique identity and public key reconstruction public data of file entity A serve as A's implicit certificate. The trusted entity CA generates a private key for said entity A using said implicit certificate and said private value of said trusted entity CA. The trusted entity CA then transmits the unique identity, public key reconstruction public data, and private key to the entity A to permit A to generate a public key from the public key reconstruction public data and the private key. |
| US07653199B2 |
Quantum key distribution
Apparatus and methods for establishing a secret key to encrypt and share data using quantum signals represented by an equiangular spherical code and using classical signals in authenticating the key. |
| US07653192B1 |
Multimedia augmented conference bridge
The present invention provides an effective and efficient way to link multimedia sessions involving multimedia clients with a conference call involving telephony devices associated with the multimedia clients. In operation, the telephony system will recognize a call directed to an audio bridge, as well as trigger a message indicating the same. The message includes the telephony device's directory number, which is used to access an address for an associated multimedia client. The address for the multimedia client is sent to a multimedia bridge, which is associated with the audio bridge. The multimedia bridge will use the multimedia client's address to send the multimedia client the address for the multimedia bridge, addresses for other participating multimedia clients, and various types of information bearing on the multimedia aspect of the conference call. |
| US07653191B1 |
Voice call routing by dynamic personal profile
Dynamic telephone call routing. A voice service initiates a voice call session on a data communication network in response to an incoming telephone call directed to a user and generates a notification of the telephone call. An alerts service receiving and responsive to the notification executes a set of routing rules to select a computing device associated with the user. The alerts service also generates an alert directed to the computing device. If the computing device is online, a messaging service sends the alert to the computing device and receives a user request from the computing device in response thereto. The messaging service communicates the user request to the voice service for completing the voice call session to the computing device if specified by the user request. If the computing device is not online, the telephone call is routed to a telephone device. |
| US07653189B1 |
Telecommunications service negotiation
A service tender node functions as an intermediary between subscribers and adjunct telecommunications services from multiple service providers to facilitate negotiation of services in real-time. The service tender node includes an index of services which is maintained and employed to search for applicable services in response to a tender request generated by a subscriber. Records in the index are described with an adaptive service definition which includes standard parameters and subjective parameters. The standard parameters identify types of service pursuant to telecommunications industry standards. The subjective parameters may be specified by individual service providers in order to differentiate their services within the service type defined by the standard parameters. Services generated from a search of the index pursuant to the standard parameters may be further sorted and filtered according to a comparison between a subscriber profile and the subjective parameters. |
| US07653183B2 |
Method and apparatus to provide data to an interactive voice response (IVR) system
A method and system is described to provide data to an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) System. The method may comprise accessing an image communicated from a voice-communication device and communicating the image to an optical character recognition (OCR) module. Thereafter, data extracted from the image by the OCR module may be accessed and communicated for use in one or more IVR processes. The extracted data may be communicated to the device and confirmation that the extracted data corresponds to data in the image may be monitored. For example, the method may discover capabilities of the device to identify different communication options to communicate the image from the device. The options may be communicated to the device for presentation to a user. Upon receiving an indication of an option selected by the user, the IVR system may be configured to allow receipt of the image via the user selected option. |
| US07653176B2 |
Inspection system with material identification
An angular analysis system that can be controlled to receive radiation at a defined angle from a defined focus region. The angular analysis system is used for level 2 inspection in an explosive detection system. Level 2 inspection is provided by a three-dimensional inspection system that identifies suspicious regions of items under inspection. The angular analysis system is focused to gather radiation scattered at defined angles from the suspicious regions. Focusing may be achieved in multiple dimensions by movement of source and detector assemblies in a plane parallel to a plane holding the item under inspection. Focusing is achieved by independent motion of the source and detector assemblies. This focusing arrangement provides a compact device, providing simple, low cost and accurate operation. |
| US07653174B2 |
Inspection of small features using X-ray fluorescence
A method for inspection includes irradiating a sample using an X-ray beam, which is focused so as to define a spot on a surface of the sample. At least one of the sample and the X-ray beam is shifted so as to scan the spot along a scan path that crosses a feature on the surface. Respective intensities of X-ray fluorescence emitted from the sample responsively to the X-ray beam are measured at a plurality of locations along the scan path, at which the spot has different, respective degrees of overlap with the feature. The intensities measured at the plurality of the locations are processed in order to compute an adjusted value of the emitted X-ray fluorescence over the scan path. A thickness of the feature is estimated based on the adjusted value. |
| US07653172B2 |
Method for generating tomographical recordings of a partially cyclically moving examination object
The invention relates to a method for generating tomographical recordings of a partially cyclically moving examination object by a tomography system and a tomography system, comprising the steps of: a spatial scanning of the examination object taking place using at least one detector, which generates detector output data; movement information of the moving subarea of the examination object being recorded during the scanning and being assigned to the detector output data or stored in a manner which correlates to the detector output data; and tomographical image data being reconstructed from the measured detector output data in a number of iteration steps. The invention is characterized in that iteration takes place in at least two iteration stages, with data records being used from the detector output data of different cycle phase regions in at least two iteration stages. |
| US07653168B2 |
Digital clock dividing circuit
Disclosed is a digital dividing circuit for dividing a timing signal. Memory elements are disposed in opposed pairs at opposed sides of a data loop. Each memory element is clocked to change the data bit it stores on each clock pulse. At least two opposed nodes along the data loop are coupled to one another by a memory content check MCC sub-circuit. The MCC checks for a desired relation between nodes. If the desired relation exists, then data values and phases rotate a step around the data loop during each clock cycle. If the desired relation does not exist, then the data value on one node is used to correct the data value on the opposed node so to achieve the desired relation. The clock signal is divided based on the number of memory elements around the data loop, and some or all pairs of opposed memory elements may be coupled through the MCC. |
| US07653165B2 |
Pulse amplitude modulated system with reduced intersymbol interference
A system and method for encoding and receiving data is provided. The data is encoded as a pulse amplitude modulated signal such that the amplitude signals do not transition from the highest signal level to the lowest signal level and do not transition from the lowest signal level to the highest signal level. The encoding and decoding is performed in some embodiments via a lookup table, and in further embodiments is designed to minimize the step between sequential pulse amplitude modulated symbols. |
| US07653162B2 |
Receiving apparatus and receiving method
An average power indicating channel characteristics is outputted from a reference value calculation unit as a reference value. An interference level corresponding to the degree of influence by frequency selective interference is outputted from an interference detection unit. A reliability determination unit determines a carrier that has been subjected to interference on the basis of the reference value and the interference level, to decide a reliability level. An error correction unit performs error correction of a demodulation signal on the basis of the reliability level. |
| US07653156B2 |
Method for fine timing acquisition
A method of processing a timing synchronization signal includes selecting an initial sequence of complex numbers and modifying the initial sequence based upon a metric applied to the autocorrelation function to enhance its autocorrelation properties within a predetermined window about the main autocorrelation peak determined by the timing uncertainty of the system. This two-step optimization process produces a new complex sequence used for timing acquisition. It is applied by transmitting the sequence through a medium and correlating the received signal against a known error-free sequence. Only correlation within the window of the bounded timing uncertainty is performed, thus saving valuable computational cycles. Also, because the sidelobe levels of the autocorrelated function are significantly lower within the timing uncertainty window than the sidelobe levels of a non-optimized autocorrelation function of a signal, the likelihood of finding a peak for the wrong timing signal is greatly reduced. |
| US07653155B1 |
Using convolutional decoding to improve time delay and phase estimation in digital communications
The time delay and/or phase of a communication signal received by a digital communication receiver can be estimated based on a convolutional decoding operation that the communication receiver performs on the received communication signal. If the original transmitted communication signal has been spread according to a spreading operation, a corresponding despreading operation can be integrated into the convolutional decoding operation. |
| US07653154B2 |
Method and apparatus for precomputation and pipelined selection of intersymbol interference estimates in a reduced-state Viterbi detector
A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving the maximum data rate of reduced-state Viterbi detectors with local feedback. The maximum data rate that may be achieved by the disclosed reduced-state Viterbi detectors is improved by precomputing a number of candidate intersymbol interference estimates and performing pipelined selection of an appropriate intersymbol interference estimate. A reduced-state Viterbi detector is thus disclosed that precomputes intersymbol interference estimates for speculative sequences of one or more channel symbols; selects one of said precomputed intersymbol interference estimates based on at least one decision from at least one corresponding state using at least two pipeline registers; and selects a path having a best path metric for a given state. In an alternative implementation, intersymbol interference estimate-free signal estimates are selected among precomputed ones. |
| US07653151B2 |
Communication system with demodulation of two-level differential amplitude-shift-keying signals
A structure and method for demodulating two-level differential amplitude-shift-keying signals using simple adding operations are provided. Threshold values are dynamically adjusted according to the channel response. By comparing the threshold values and the differential amplitude values, it can be found whether the amplitude of the received signal is changed. Furthermore, it no needs to know the changed value of received signal amplitudes and the differential two-level amplitude-shift-keying signals can be demodulated by just detecting whether the amplitude of the received signal is changed. By this idea, the complexity of the receiver implementation is simplified and the demodulator can get better performance. |
| US07653146B2 |
System and method for delivery of video, content on demand and IP packets
The present application describes a method and filter for shaping a series of pulses spaced in time for subsequent transmission in a communications system, each of the pulses having a magnitude comprising the steps of providing a generic shaped pulse, for each pulse in the series, generating a shaped pulse by scaling the generic shaped pulse by an amount proportional to the magnitude, wherein at least a portion of each generated pulse overlaps in time with at least a portion of at least one subsequent generated pulse, and combining the overlapping portions of the generated pulses.The present application also describes a method and apparatus for modulating an input signal comprised of an ordered series of samples separated by a substantially constant period T comprising the steps of providing a carrier signal, the carrier signal comprised of a series of samples separated by a substantially constant period T, wherein one of the carrier samples corresponds to each of the input signal samples, selecting a plurality of N successive samples from the series of input signal samples, the series of samples having an input order, for each of the N selected samples in parallel, multiplying the selected sample by the corresponding carrier sample and recombining the N multiplied samples while maintaining the input order. |
| US07653144B2 |
Gaussian FSK modulation with more than two modulation states
A wireless data transmission system uses modulation onto a multi-level symbol, so that a multi-level frequency shifted signal can be generated. By using a Gaussian filter, inter-symbol interference can be introduced. The demodulation process makes use of templates corresponding to each of the possible symbol transitions, so that knowledge of previously decoded symbols can be used to decode the next one. |
| US07653142B2 |
Channel estimation and spatial processing for TDD MIMO systems
Channel estimation and spatial processing for a TDD MIMO system. Calibration may be performed to account for differences in the responses of transmit/receive chains at the access point and user terminal. During normal operation, a MIMO pilot is transmitted on a first link and used to derive an estimate of the first link channel response, which is decomposed to obtain a diagonal matrix of singular values and a first unitary matrix containing both left eigenvectors of the first link and right eigenvectors of a second link. A steered reference is transmitted on the second link using the eigenvectors in the first unitary matrix, and is processed to obtain the diagonal matrix and a second unitary matrix containing both left eigenvectors of the second link and right eigenvectors of the first link. Each unitary matrix may be used to perform spatial processing for data transmission/reception via both links. |
| US07653132B2 |
Method and system for fast implementation of subpixel interpolation
A subpixel interpolator includes an input memory capable of storing video information formed from full pixels. The subpixel interpolator also includes at least one interpolation unit capable of performing subpixel interpolation to generate half-pixels and quarter-pixels in parallel. Multiple half-pixels and multiple quarter-pixels are generated concurrently during the subpixel interpolation. In addition, the subpixel interpolator includes an output memory capable of storing at least some of the full pixels, half-pixels, and quarter-pixels. In some embodiments, the at least one interpolation unit includes a horizontal half-pixel interpolation unit, two vertical half-pixel interpolation units, and a quarter-pixel interpolation unit, all of which may operate in parallel. In particular embodiments, the interpolation units are formed from adders and shifters and do not include any multipliers. |
| US07653120B2 |
Channel-adaptive waveform modulation
A method for transmitting a sequence of data blocks of equal length includes obtaining part of a matrix for the impulse response function of a communication channel between a transmitter and a receiver. The part relating to channel-induced interference between sampling intervals of adjacent ones of the data blocks. The method includes designing a set of one or more linearly independent waveforms based on the obtained part of the matrix for the impulse response function and transmitting a sequence of the data blocks over the channel from the transmitter to the receiver. Each data block of the sequence is a weighted linear superposition of the one or more waveforms of the designed set. |
| US07653116B2 |
Portable laser head
A portable laser head has a single-piece holder configured with a plurality of spaced-apart nests. The nests are arranged to receive at least a non-linear frequency converter, a V-shaped beam splitter and a dump collimator. Alternatively, the holder has multiple nests configured to receive an input collimator and output focusing optics unit in addition to the non-linear frequency converter, V-shaped beam splitter and dump collimator. The holder is characterized by small dimensions allowing for self-alignment of the above-referred components. |
| US07653113B2 |
Pump laser integrated vertical external cavity surface emitting laser
Provided is a pump laser integrated vertical external cavity surface emitting laser (VECSEL). The VECSEL may include a surface emitting laser unit including a first active layer having a multiple quantum well structure emitting light having a first wavelength, a reflective layer may be formed on the first active layer, and an external mirror may be disposed opposite to a lower surface of the first active layer and defining a cavity resonator together with the reflective layer. A pump laser unit may be formed on a part of the surface emitting laser unit and may have a perpendicular light emissive surface emitting a pump beam having a second wavelength for exciting the first active layer. A beam reflector may be formed on the light emissive surface of the pump laser unit and reflecta pump beam that is incident from the pump laser unit to the first active layer. |
| US07653112B2 |
Line narrowing module
A line narrowing method and module for a narrow band DUV high power high repetition rate gas discharge laser producing output laser light pulse beam pulses in bursts of pulses, the module having a nominal optical path are disclosed which may comprise: a dispersive center wavelength selection optic moveably mounted within an optical path of the line narrowing module, selecting at least one center wavelength for each pulse determined at least in part by the angle of incidence of the laser light pulse beam containing the respective pulse on the dispersive wavelength selection optic; a first tuning mechanism operative in part to select the angle of incidence of the laser light pulse beam containing the respective pulse upon the dispersive center wavelength selection optic, by selecting an angle of transmission of the laser light pulse beam containing the pulse toward the dispersive center wavelength selection optic. |
| US07653100B2 |
Solid laser module, optical amplifier, and laser oscillator
The present invention relates to a solid-state laser module, and so on, having a structure for enabling optical output of high quality to be obtained. The solid-state laser module includes a vacuum container with windows, and a heat sink, a solid-state laser medium, and a pair of transparent members are housed in the vacuum container in an integrally assembled state. The solid-state laser medium and the pair of transparent members respectively have disk shapes, and the pair of transparent members sandwich the solid-state laser medium. The thermal conductivity of each of the pair of transparent members is higher than the thermal conductivity of the solid-state laser medium. The heat sink has a shape that simultaneously clamps portions of the pair of transparent members that sandwich the solid-state laser medium in between, and a heat insulating region, with a thermal conductivity that is lower than the thermal conductivity of the solid-state laser medium, is provided between the heat sink and the solid-state laser medium. |
| US07653095B2 |
Active bandwidth control for a laser
In a first aspect, a lithography apparatus may comprise a mask designed using optical proximity correction (OPC), a pulsed laser source, and an active bandwidth control system configured to increase the bandwidth of a subsequent pulse in response to a measured pulse bandwidth that is below a predetermined bandwidth range and increase a bandwidth of a subsequent pulse in response to a measured pulse bandwidth that is above the predetermined bandwidth range. In another aspect an active bandwidth control system may include an optic for altering a wavefront of a laser beam in a laser cavity of the laser source to selectively adjust an output laser bandwidth in response to the control signal. In yet another aspect, the bandwidth of a laser having a wavelength variation across an aperture may be actively controlled by an aperture blocking element that is moveable to adjust a size of the aperture. |
| US07653094B2 |
External cavity laser with flexure tuning element
An external cavity diode laser may have an output wavelength that is tuned by an end mirror mounted on an element having a flexure hinge. The flexure hinge may be designed to exhibit a stationary pivot point over a desired tuning range, and may allow the external cavity to be tuned without the laser hopping between longitudinal modes. Chromatic dispersion of the laser medium may be accommodated by adjusting a distance between a laser diode and a grating included within the external cavity. The position may be adjusted to find an operating configuration which allows mode-hop-free tuning over the entire desired tuning range. |
| US07653087B2 |
Methods of synchronizing subscriber stations to communications networks
A method for operating a media-access control unit in communications network includes placing the unit in a scan mode where the cyclic-prefix length and frame length of frames of data transmitted by a base station are ascertained and one or more parameters relating to the signal quality of the base station are collected. Data is not exchanged with a higher protocol-layer unit during this scan mode. The method also includes the unit remaining in the scan mode until at least a point in time when the unit is receiving frame control headers at an interval equal to the ascertained frame length. The unit is thereafter placed in a run mode in which the unit processes at least one flow of data to the higher protocol-layer unit once the cyclic-prefix length and the frame length are ascertained. |
| US07653085B2 |
Methods and apparatus for enhanced delivery of content over data network
Methods and apparatus for enhanced delivery of content over a data network. In an aspect, a method is provided for transmitting services over a network. The method includes receiving one or more services having associated delivery requirements, determining that network bandwidth is available to meet the delivery requirements, and allocating the network bandwidth to the one or more services based on the delivery requirements to produce network bandwidth allocations. In an aspect, an apparatus is provided that includes receiving logic configured to receive one or more services having associated delivery requirements, and multiplexer logic configured to determine that network bandwidth is available to meet the delivery requirements, and to allocate the network bandwidth to the one or more services based on the delivery requirements to produce network bandwidth allocations. |
| US07653076B2 |
Method and apparatus for gateway control protocol message transmission
A method of interface communication between entities in soft switch system in NGN, and a method and apparatus for Gateway Control Protocol (GCP) message transmission are disclosed, so that H.248 messages can be transmitted between Media Gateway Controller and Media Gateway over MTP3B/ATM, hence full advantages of resources are taken in existing optical fiber networks and E1/T1 networks, so as to improve the networking flexibility and reduce the cost. The internal data transmission mechanism between MTP3B protocol layer and H.248 protocol layer is established via an M3H adaptation layer; load sharing between H.248 processing modules is enabled by establishing mapping between H.248 links and MTP3B signaling points; the adaptation relationship between MTP3B layer and H.248 layer is implemented by configuring and maintaining logic relationship between table of LinkSets, H.248-MTP3B mapping table, and table of H.248 processing modules, thus implementing the mechanism of bearing H.248 messages over MTP3B. |
| US07653069B2 |
Two stage queue arbitration
In a node to forward data on a switch fabric, a method that includes scheduling the forwarding of data associated with one of a plurality of traffic classes. The data is to be transmitted through one of a plurality of ports coupled to the switch fabric, each port to be associated with a queue to store data to be forwarded from that port. The scheduling is to include a two stage arbitration scheme. The first stage is to select one queue associated for each traffic class. The second stage is to select one queue from among the queues selected for each traffic class selected in the first stage. |
| US07653063B2 |
Source address binding check
In one embodiment, a method can include: (i) receiving a packet in a switch, where the packet includes a plurality of fields that forms a binding; (ii) performing a first lookup of a first table using a first lookup key, where the first lookup key includes a first subset of the plurality of fields; (iii) performing a second lookup of a second table using a second lookup key, where the second lookup key includes a result of the first lookup and a second subset of the plurality of fields; and (iv) indicating a check of the binding by using a result of the second lookup. The plurality of fields can include a media access control (MAC) source address, an internet protocol (IP) address, a receive port, and a receive virtual local area network (VLAN), while the result of the first lookup can include a layer-2 source index, for example. |
| US07653055B2 |
Method and apparatus for improved multicast streaming in wireless networks
The invention includes a method and apparatus for providing media content. The method includes duplicating each packet of an original packet stream for which an associated importance level satisfies an importance condition, inserting each duplicate packet within the original packet stream to form thereby a modified packet stream, and transmitting the modified packet stream toward a wireless terminal adapted for processing the modified packet stream for presenting the media content conveyed by the original packet stream. The duplicate packets may be inserted within respective windows associated with the duplicate packets, wherein each window is determined according to an original packet position associated with the original packet from which the duplicate packet is formed. |
| US07653053B2 |
Programmable bit rates in a constant bandwidth TDM switch
A method and a TDM digital switch are provided for switching data at a variety of data rates. Input streams having a data rate less than the maximum data rate of the switch are grouped and multiplexed to form multiplexed streams carrying data at the maximum data rate. A switching state machine switches the data from each input stream to form grouped output streams comprising multiplexed output streams, each grouped output stream carrying data at the maximum data rate. The grouped output streams are demultiplexed, and the output streams transmitted through respective output shift registers. The method and TDM digital switch allow streams with programmable data rates to be switched while still maximizing use of resources, including memory, within the switch. |
| US07653050B2 |
Technique for implementing a multi-service packet and optical/TDM virtual private cross-connect
A technique for implementing an automatic port discovery protocol in a virtual private network cross-connect is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized by a method comprising the steps of implementing a virtual private cross-connect for supporting a plurality sites associated with at least one virtual private network; providing at least one connection between the virtual private cross-connect and each site; and supporting a combination of at least two of layer-3, layer-2 and layer-1 services. |
| US07653046B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing multiple simultaneous VOIP call sessions for a single directory number
A system and method for providing a plurality of separate Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) call sessions for a single Directory Number (DN). The method includes associating a plurality of IP addresses with a single DN, communicating the association to a Switching Center responsible for routing calls between the DN and the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), determining that an existing VOIP call session associated with the DN is in progress, and creating another separate simultaneous VOIP call session for the DN. A communications system includes a switching center receiving an association between a plurality of IP addresses and a single DN for providing a plurality of separate simultaneous VOIP call sessions for the DN. |
| US07653035B2 |
Interference rejection in wireless receivers
The effects of interference are mitigated in a wireless system through update noise variance estimates. Noise variance estimates may be update after the reception of a preamble in an OFDM receiver. Noise variance estimates may include averages of signal energy over multiple symbols in one OFDM tone and over multiple OFDM tones. A co-located wireless personal area network (WPAN) interface may signal its presence a wireless local area network (WLAN) interface, which may select a noise variance estimate algorithm based therein. |
| US07653033B2 |
Infrastructure for wireless LANs
A wireless data communications system includes simplified access points which are connected to ports of an intelligent switching hub. The switching hub relays data packets to the access points in accordance with destination address data in the data communications. In a preferred arrangement the access points are provided with power over the data cable from the switching hub location. |
| US07653031B2 |
Advance notification of transmit opportunities on a shared-communications channel
A technique is disclosed that enables both an IEEE 802.11 transceiver and a Bluetooth transceiver to be employed in a single wireless telecommunication station (e.g., a device supporting a wireless telephone, personal digital assistant, etc.) without interfering on each other. In particular, the illustrative embodiment enables standard “off-the-shelf” IEEE 802.11 and Bluetooth transceivers to work in a coordinated fashion in a single telecommunications terminal. In the illustrative embodiment, an IEEE 802.11 transceiver that uses a shared-communications channel notifies a Bluetooth transceiver that a transmit opportunity exists and that the Bluetooth transceiver has permission to use the shared-communications channel. The technique disclosed is also applicable to communications protocols other than IEEE 802.11 and Bluetooth. |
| US07653028B2 |
Scheduling techniques for a packet-access network
Multiple access interference may be substantially removed by introducing a near-far situation in which a near mobile and a far mobile (“near” and “far” based on signal strength) are selected, resources allocated among these and other mobiles, and the data is packetized for transmission during a transmission interval such that the data intended for the far mobile is transmitted along with the data intended for the near mobile. Forward link signals are then appropriately scheduled. Signals intended for the far mobile and the near mobile are decoded from the composite signal received at the near mobile. The signal intended for the far mobile is then removed from the composite signal received at the near mobile. |
| US07653023B2 |
Assigning channel access
A system and method for assigning channel access is described. At least one of a terminal or an access point transmits a message to other entities where the message assigns access to an assignee and includes a duration field of a specified length. The unassigned terminals or access point remain silent for a duration specified in the duration field while the assignee has access to the channel. |
| US07653018B2 |
Differential update for data broadcasting
Systems and methods for differential updates in a data broadcasting environment are disclosed. A data broadcasting system receives profile information representative of information desired by subscribers to the data broadcasting system. Broadcast content may be adjusted in response to changes in the aggregate status of document versions stored on subscriber units. |
| US07653017B2 |
Bluetooth sniff mode power saving
A Bluetooth master radio frequency unit addresses a slave radio frequency unit, to enable the slave to synchronize to the master, by sending poll packets and optionally null packets over an active link, the master being arranged so that receipt of a response from the slave unit to a poll packet is sufficient to maintain the active link. The slave unit does not have to respond to all of the poll packets. This approach can allow the slave to preserve more (transmit) power by going into a deep sleep mode in which a low power oscillator may be used while still allowing the master unit to detect whether the slave has resynchronized or not (and thus to update a Link Supervision Timer, for example). |
| US07653015B2 |
Local area network of serial intelligent cells
A device for coupling signals between first and second coaxial cables, the first coaxial cable being connected to carry a first bi-directional digital data signal in a first digital data frequency band, and the second coaxial cable being connected to carry a second bi-directional digital data signal in a second digital data frequency band, and each of the coaxial cables being connected to carry, multiplexed with the respective digital data signal, an analog video signal in an analog video signal frequency band distinct from each of the first and second digital data frequency bands. |
| US07653011B2 |
Spanning tree protocol for wireless networks
A method of implementing a spanning tree protocol for a wireless network conforming to a wireless network standard, the spanning tree protocol substantially conforming to the IEEE 802.1 standard, including a first wireless bridging node wirelessly transmitting BPDU information to other wireless bridging nodes of the network or wirelessly receiving BPDU information from other wireless bridging nodes, the BPDU information encapsulated in one or more control/management frames, e.g., beacon or probe response frames of the wireless network standard, the BPDU information relating to a spanning tree topology containing the first and other wireless bridging nodes. |
| US07653001B2 |
Managing differences in user devices when sharing content on mobile devices
Sharing content among users of mobile devices is facilitated and controlled by a system and method that employs a content sharing application to receive and process requests to share content amongst users of devices such as mobile devices and personal computers. Recipients receive share content messages from the content sharing application. The messages may contain links to shared content. The content sharing application is associated with an application program interface made available to content providers so that they can create user-selectable share content links or options displayed on display descriptions associated with the content. The content sharing application performs device capability checks so that selected recipients do not receive share content messages that contain links to content that is not compatible with their devices. In this way, users can select to share both device-dependent and device-independent content, even if the content provider does not always perform device compatibility checks. |
| US07652996B2 |
Method for adjusting transmission rate of MPEG-2 data and apparatus therefor
An apparatus and a method for adjusting a transmission rate of data, in particular a moving picture experts group 2 (MPEG-2) data is disclosed The apparatus includes a receiving buffer for buffering multi program transport stream (MPTS) packets received at various transmission rates, and a packet storage for storing MPEG-2 null packets. A signal processing section reads data buffered in the receiving buffer at a predetermined output transmission rate, wherein the signal processing section stops an operation of reading data buffered in the receiving buffer, and reads and transmits the MPEG-2 null packets stored in the packet storage when a predetermined underflow occurrence forecast situation is caused in the receiving buffer. |
| US07652990B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing quality of service level in broadband communications systems
An access terminal having user applications identified by product keys used to determine a QoS level to be granted to invoked user applications for the establishment of connections by an access network. The access terminal invokes the user applications, identifies the product key of the invoked user applications and determines a quality of service (QoS) level to which the invoked user applications are to be granted. The user applications may be formed into preferred and non-preferred categories with preferred user applications generally having a higher QoS than the non-preferred user applications. Access network connections using a high QoS are established from the preferred user applications to preferred servers of the access network. Connections from the non-preferred user applications are extended, using a lower QoS, by the access network to servers of a public data network. |
| US07652979B2 |
Cognitive ultrawideband-orthogonal frequency division multiplexing
The present invention provides a system and method for transmitting an ultrawideband (UWB) signal that is composed of an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) based signal that is transmitted in an underlay manner and an impulse radio based signal that is transmitted in an overlay manner. The system and method are effective in determining an interference temperature for each of multiple carriers within the UWB signal and classifying each one of the multiple carriers of the channel as being an interfered carrier or a non-interfered carrier based on the interference temperature for each one of multiple carriers. The desired signal is then transmitted on the interfered carriers at a signal power that is not greater than the power limit of the underlay UWB policy and on the non-interfered carriers at a signal power that is greater than the power limit of the underlay UWB policy. |
| US07652976B2 |
Method for estimating and compensating IQ imbalance in OFDM systems
A method for compensating IQ imbalance is disclosed. First, an OFDM signal is received. The OFDM signal is translated into frequency domain, wherein the translated OFDM signal has N sub-carriers noted as Y(1)-Y(N). The IQ imbalance compensation factor is generated according to the k-th sub-carrier of the translated signal Y(k), the (N−k+2)-th sub-carrier of the translated signal Y(N−k+2), and the complex conjugates thereof. |
| US07652966B2 |
Information recording method and apparatus, information reproducing method and apparatus, and recording medium
A clock mark for extracting a clock when reproducing information from a recording medium and a synchronization mark for detection a bit-slip are recorded so that a part of the synchronization mark is identical to a pattern of the clock mark. A bit-slip detection and a clock detection are performed simultaneously with a single mark by multi-value recording. |
| US07652953B1 |
Stretching and exercise apparatus
The invention is a stretching apparatus comprised of first and second elongate handles having first and second ends for being held by an individual during use and a strap carried by both the first and second handles such that at least a portion of the strap is exposed for engaging the foot of an individual during use. A timer carried by the second end of at least one of the first and second handles determines the time elapsed during use. A timer actuator disposed between the strap and the timer actuates the timer upon a movement of the strap. An audible indicator, carried by at least one of the first and second handles in communication with the timer, audibly indicates the elapsing of a predetermined period of time. The apparatus further consists of a visual indicator for visually indicating the elapsing of a predetermined amount of time. |
| US07652946B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device comprises multiple memory cell blocks including multiple memory cells for storing a predetermined amount of data. Each of the memory cell blocks having three or more inputs and three or more outputs includes two readout address decoders as to the memory cells internally, stores truth table data for outputting a desired logical value as to predetermined address input, and is configured so as to operate as a logic circuit. Also, the memory cells include two readout word lines corresponding to the two readout address decoders, and in the case of the voltage of both of the two readout word lines being applied, the data held at this time is read out from readout data lines. Further, between the memory cell blocks is connected such that the three or more outputs from one memory cell block are input to three or more other memory cell blocks. |
| US07652943B2 |
Semiconductor memory device, test circuit and test method
Disclosed is a semiconductor memory device having memory cells that are in need of refresh for data retention, includes control circuits for necessarily generating the refresh immediately before the read/write operation, and for setting the latency to a first fixed value at all times, for the first mode during the testing, and for necessarily generating the refresh immediately after the read/write operation, and for setting the latency to a second fixed value at all times, for the second mode during the testing. |
| US07652934B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
In addition to a booster power supply circuit boosting a power supply voltage to supply a boost voltage VPP to a memory core, cell capacitors composing a stabilization capacitor, and a bias generation circuit supplying a midpoint potential to a connection point of the cell capacitors, further, a clamp circuit reducing the boost voltage to a set value is provided, in which when the booster power supply circuit stops a boosting operation, the clamp circuit cramps the boost voltage to the set value, so that the midpoint potential can be prevented from largely deviating to a boosting voltage side and a ground potential side in a transition to a normal operation thereafter. |
| US07652929B2 |
Non-volatile memory and method for biasing adjacent word line for verify during programming
Various programming techniques for nonvolatile memory involve programming a memory cell relative to a target threshold level. The process includes initially programming relative to a first verify level short of the target threshold level by a predetermined offset. Later, the programming is completed relative to the target verify level. For verifying with the first verify level, a virtual first verify level is effectively used where the target threshold level is used on a selected word line and a bias voltage is used on an adjacent unselected word line. Thus, the verify level in a first programming pass or programming phase is preferably virtually offset by biasing one or more adjacent word line instead of actually offsetting the standard verify level in order to avoid verifying at low levels. |
| US07652926B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device including a cell string with dummy cells
A non-volatile semiconductor memory device includes a memory array having a cell string. The cell string includes a plurality of normal memory cells, a ground selection transistor gated so as to provide a source voltage to the normal memory cells, at least two dummy cells connected between a normal memory cell on one side end of the cell string and the ground selection transistor, wherein the normal memory cells are configured to store data and the dummy cells are configured to not store data. The memory device also includes a word line selection block which controls normal word lines to gate the normal memory cells and dummy word lines to gate the dummy cells, wherein the dummy word lines are controlled as sequential voltage levels during a program operation to select the normal memory cell on the one side end. |
| US07652920B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device
A programmable logic device unit, a non-volatile memory unit which stores data for programming the programmable logic device unit in a part of data storage area thereof and a control circuit which controls the non-volatile memory unit to allow the data stored in a part of the data storage area to be read at power-on time and supplied to the programmable logic device unit are integrally provided on a semiconductor chip. Based on the program data, the programmable logic device unit forms an interface for allowing the non-volatile memory unit to operate as at least one of a register, a flash memory, a random access memory, and a read-only memory. |
| US07652914B2 |
Memory including two access devices per phase change element
A memory includes a bit line and a phase change element. A first side of the phase change element is coupled to the bit line. The memory includes a first access device coupled to a second side of the phase change element and a second access device coupled to the second side of the phase change element. The memory includes a circuit for precharging the bit line and one of selecting only the first access device to program the phase change element to a first state and selecting both the first access device and the second access device to program the phase change element to a second state. |
| US07652905B2 |
Flash memory array architecture
A memory device comprises a memory array of memory cells for storing data and an information array of information cells for storing operating information. The information array is coupled to the memory array so that the information array and the memory array share the same data path circuitry for reading, erase or programming operations. A power-on control circuit controls the operation of the information array. |
| US07652903B2 |
Hit ahead hierarchical scalable priority encoding logic and circuits
In this invention a hit ahead multi-level hierarchical scalable priority encoding logic and circuits are disclosed. The advantage of hierarchical priority encoding is to improve the speed and simplify the circuit implementation and make circuit design flexible and scalable. To reduce the time of waiting for previous level priority encoding result, hit signal is generated first in each level to participate next level priority encoding, and it is called Hit Ahead Priority Encoding (HAPE) encoding. The hierarchical priority encoding can be applied to the scalable architecture among the different sub-blocks and can also be applied with in one sub-block. The priority encoding and hit are processed completely parallel without correlation, and the priority encoding, hit generation, address encoding and MUX selection of the address to next level all share same structure of circuits. |
| US07652899B2 |
Switching sequence control method for a PS-ZVT bridge converter
The switching sequence of a phase-shifted zero-voltage-transition (PS-ZVT) full bridge converter circuit is alternated between two modes by periodically reversing the switching sequence for diagonally opposed switching devices of the bridge. Over a period of operation, each of the switching devices periodically conduct the entire free-wheeling current that occurs during load current reversal transitions so as to balance their average power dissipation and reduce the overall power dissipation of the converter circuit. |
| US07652893B2 |
Single or dual electronic package with footprint and pin sharing
A 6-pin electronic package includes a first side including a pair of first outer pins and a first middle pin, and a second side including a pair of second outer pins and a second middle pin. The first outer pins and the second middle pin are operatively coupled to a first circuit to provide a first function. The second outer pins and the first middle pin are operatively coupled to a second circuit to provide a second function. The 6-pin electronic package can be replaced on a circuit substrate with a first electronic package and a second electronic package that collectively include at least six pins. The 6-pin electronic package and the first and second electronic packages can be interchangeably used on a circuit substrate of an electronic device. The circuit substrate may include any one of the 6-pin electronic package mountable to the circuit substrate, and the first and second electronic packages. The first electronic package is mountable on the circuit substrate on a same footprint as the 6-pin electronic package. The second electronic package is mountable on the circuit substrate adjacent the first electronic package such that six pins of the first and second electronic packages share the same footprint as the pins of the 6-pin electronic package. |
| US07652886B2 |
Heat sink assembly having a fastener assembly for fastening the heat sink to an electronic component
A heat sink assembly for dissipating heat from an electronic component (12) mounted on a printed circuit board (10) includes a heat sink (20) resting on the electronic component, and a fastener assembly (30) for securing the heat sink to the electronic component. The fastener assembly includes a hollow post (36) having a threaded hole (360) defined therein, a screw (32) threadedly engaged in the threaded hole, a coil spring (34) compressibly disposed between the heat sink and a top portion of the screw, and a latch (38) pivotably engaging with a bottom portion of the post. When the screw moves downwardly towards the printed circuit board, the latch is pushed by the screw to rotate and press the heat sink towards the printed circuit board, thus securing the heat sink to the electronic component. |
| US07652884B2 |
Electronic apparatus including liquid cooling unit
A liquid cooling unit includes components such as first and second heat receivers, a heat exchanger, a tank and a pump in an electronic apparatus. The electronic apparatus includes a first enclosure and a second enclosure coupled to the second enclosure for relative movement. The liquid cooling unit is enclosed in the first enclosure. No component of the liquid cooling unit is enclosed in the second enclosure. The liquid cooling unit is thus incorporated in the first enclosure in a facilitated manner. This results in a reduced production cost. The liquid cooling unit can also be removed from the first enclosure in a facilitated manner. |
| US07652882B2 |
Method and apparatus for dissipating heat from an electronic device
A method and apparatus for dissipating heat from an electronic device is described. The method and apparatus provides a scalable, cost effective, highly efficient, universally applied thermal solution for high heat generating electronic components. In one embodiment, a housing attaches over a heat sink for an electronic device. Various cooling attachments can be attached to this housing to provide a multitude of air flow enhancers. The cooling attachments are designed to provide a thermal engineer or a system integrator with several options for cooling an electronic component. The cooling attachments can be placed in multiple configurations to provide unique thermal solutions. In another embodiment, a kit of parts for a cooling system is provided. The kit of parts includes a housing and a variety of cooling attachments. |
| US07652874B2 |
Keyboard height adjustment system
Keyboards comprise mechanisms to raise a portion of the keyboard to angle the keyboard for more ergonomically efficient usage. A first embodiment includes a system of gears that rotates cylindrical feet out of the bottom of the keyboard. The gear system transforms a small amount of user input into a relatively large height extension. Another embodiment includes a plinth of the keyboard housing that rests on the table while the upper portion of the keyboard is raised or lowered to the desired height. |
| US07652868B2 |
Electropyrotechnic initiator
The invention relates to an electropyrotechnic initiator whose circuit board (15) supports on a first face (18) a resistance element (21) for heating a pyrotechnic charge (22, 23). According to the invention, the second face (19) of the circuit board (15), opposite the first face (18), supports means (30) of protection against the electrostatic discharges, housed between the two electrodes (10, 11) powering the element (21) in a recess (91) of an insulating structure (9) through which the electrodes (10, 11) pass. |
| US07652864B2 |
Thermal protection of a switch
A method and a circuit for detecting an overheating of an electronic switch of power supply of a load by an A.C. voltage, in which a voltage representative of the temperature in the vicinity of the switch is compared with a threshold, the result of this comparison being sampled at frequency corresponding to an even multiple of the frequency of the A.C. power supply voltage, to provide a signal indicative of the fact that a temperature threshold has been exceeded. |
| US07652863B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit
In order to set with a high precision the value of rush current flowing in the power switch circuit at the time of turning “on” the power, the internal circuit Int_Cir of the LSI is supplied with the internal source voltage Vint from the output transistor MP1 of the regulator VReg of the power switch circuit PSWC. The power switch circuit PSWC includes a control circuit CNTRLR and a start-up circuit STC. During the initial period Tint following the turning “on” of the power supply, the start-up circuit STC controls the output transistor MP1 and reduces the primary rush current so that the output current Isup of the output transistor MP1 may represent an approximately constant increment as the time passes. The difference ΔV between the internal current voltage due to the charge of load capacitance C with the output current Isup controlled by the start-up circuit STC and the current voltage Vint from the regulator VReg is set within the predetermined limit to reduce the secondary rush current. |
| US07652854B2 |
Magneto-resistive or tunneling magneto-resistive element having a shielding film of an amorphous layer above a crystalline layer, and method for manufacturing the same
A tunneling magneto-resistive element includes: a tunneling magneto-resistive film including an antiferromagnetic layer, a pinned layer, a barrier layer and a free layer; and a lower magnetic shielding film disposed below the tunneling magneto-resistive film with respect to a lamination direction. The barrier layer is constituted of magnesium oxide. The lower magnetic shielding film has a multi-layer structure including a crystalline layer and an amorphous layer disposed above the crystalline layer with respect to the lamination direction. The crystalline layer contains at least one crystal grain having a grain size of 500 nm or more. |
| US07652819B2 |
Projection-type image display apparatus
A Fresnel lens collimates a light modulated by an image signal and outputs a collimated light. A diffusion member diffuses the collimated light and outputs a diffused light. A driver continually moves the Fresnel lens or the diffusion member on a predetermined trajectory within a plane parallel with a screen. A spring member couples the Fresnel lens or the diffusion member with a casing, including a first deformation plane flexible in a first direction within the plane, and a second deformation plane flexible in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction within the plane, while it is not flexible in a direction perpendicular to the plane. |
| US07652815B2 |
Mobile charge induced periodic poling and device
Devices and methods are disclosed for realizing a high quality bulk domain grating structure utilizing mobile charges that are generated by means of photo-excitation in a substrate. An effect of light exposure (UV, visible, or a combination of wavelengths) is to generate photo-induced charges. The application of a voltage across the substrate combined with the application of light exposure causes a photo-induced current to flow through the substrate. The photo-induced charges (behaving like virtual electrode inside the material) and the photo-induced current result in both reduction of the coercive field required for domain inversion in the material and improve realization of the domain inversion pattern, which previously has not been possible at room temperature. |
| US07652813B2 |
Mirror device
A mirror device comprises: an electrode which is covered with a protective film made of a material containing a semiconductor material and is placed on a substrate; a mirror placed above the electrode; and an electrically conductive hinge placed between the mirror and the electrode, wherein an opening part is formed in a part of the protective film, and the hinge penetrates the protective film in the opening part thereof. |
| US07652810B2 |
High speed, high efficiency optical pattern generator using rotating optical elements
An optical pattern generator includes one or more multi-faceted rotating optical elements that introduce an offset that is rotation insensitive. The component that generates the offset is rotationally symmetric around the rotational axis of the optical element. Thus, as the optical element rotates, the effect of the offset component does not change. In addition, rotating optical elements may be designed to counteract unwanted optical effects of each other. |
| US07652803B2 |
Driving device of light source
The object of the invention is to extend the life of the light source while uniformizing the illuminance intensity in the main scanning direction. The invention is based on a light source of image reading apparatus comprised of film layers laminated on a transparent substrate in the order of a transparent electrode, an area light emitter and a metal electrode, and emitting light by impressing a specific voltage on these two electrodes. And an area light emitter column configured by arranging area light emitters corresponding to each color of R (red), G (green) and B (blue) in the sub scanning direction, or a monochrome area light emitter is arranged repeatedly in the main scanning direction. Accordingly, even when somewhere in the light emitting element has a defect like the film thickness is thin, the current gathering at this point with the low resistance value becomes a very small volume. Therefore, it would not occur that the film burns out from here. |
| US07652801B2 |
Duplex detection imaging system and method
A duplex detection imaging system comprises a scanning device having a photosensitive element disposed therein for receiving light reflected from a front surface of a document. The photosensitive element is also adapted to receive light reflected from a back surface of the document while the front surface of the document is oriented toward the photosensitive element for determining whether an image resides on the back surface of the document. |
| US07652800B2 |
Apparatus and method for image forming
An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention reads an original by mechanically moving an axial light source in a subscanning direction perpendicular to the axis. The image forming apparatus includes: a sensor whose resolution in a main scanning direction parallel to the axis of the axial light source is higher than a designated resolution; a controller that controls the driving speed of the axial light source so that the resolution in the subscanning direction is higher than the designated resolution; an original-image-data generating unit that generates original image data with a resolution higher than the designated resolution in response to the output from the sensor; and an image reducing unit that generates reduced pixels fewer than a specified number of pixels in the original image data to generate a reduced image with a resolution equal to the designated resolution. |
| US07652798B2 |
System and method for storing of print job data
This invention is directed to a system and method for storing print jobs. The system and method comprise acquiring print job data representative of a desired print job, which print job data is comprised of a PDL format associated with a selected printer device and selectively storing the print job data in a selected storage location or cabinet in a storage medium. The system and method further comprises acquiring print status information including data representative of a name associated with the print job data and data representative of a size of the print job data and selectively storing the print status information associatively with the print job data. The system and method also comprises selectively communicating the print job data to generate an image for display in an associated display device and selectively communicating the print job data to the selected printer device to obtain a printout thereof. |
| US07652797B2 |
Image processor
From a moving image selected by a user, moving image information including a time length of the moving image and the number of change points of clips in the moving image is acquired. Layout data showing a design (the number, size, layout and the like of plural frame images configuring moving image) of a still image to be generated is selectively read from a memory based on the acquired moving image information. A still image in which predetermined frame images are arranged based on the layout data is generated and output. The predetermined frame images are automatically set in accordance with setting rules that are different depending on whether or not there is data concerning a highlight frame whose size is larger than that of other frame images in the layout data. The highlight frame may be also designated. |
| US07652790B2 |
Image forming apparatus, gradation correction method and control method of image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit for forming a correcting image for correcting gradations of an output image, on a bearing body; a sensor for measuring reflected light quantity of the correcting image formed on the bearing body; a gradation correcting unit for correcting the gradations of the output image, based on a measurement result of the measured reflected light quantity of the correcting image; and a timing correcting unit for detecting a shift of measurement timing, based on the measurement result by the sensor, and for correcting the detected shift of the measurement timing. |
| US07652789B2 |
Production of color conversion profile for printing
A spectral printing model converter is used to convert ink amount data to spectral reflectance of a color patch to be printed according to the ink amount data. A plurality of sample ink amount data each representing a set of ink amounts of plural inks is provided, and each sample ink amount data is converted into spectral reflectance of a virtual sample patch to be printed with the ink amounts represented by the sample ink amount data using the spectral printing model converter. An evaluation index is calculated for each sample ink amount data, where the evaluation index includes a color difference index and an image quality index of the virtual sample patch to be printed according to the sample ink amount data. The color difference index represents a color difference between a sample color which is calculated from the spectral reflectance and a comparative color which is selected as a basis for comparison. Plural sample ink amount data is then selected based on the evaluation index, and a profile defining correspondence between colorimetric value data and ink amount data is produced based on the selected plural sample ink amount data. |
| US07652786B2 |
Device adapted for adjustment of scan position of light beam
An optical scanning device 65 is adapted to bring a deflector mirror plane 651 into independent pivotal motions about a first axis and a second axis perpendicular to each other. A mirror driver section including a first axis driver and a second axis driver is so controlled as to bring the deflector mirror plane 651 into pivotal motion about the first axis thereby deflecting a light beam L for scanning along a main scan direction. On the other hand, the deflector mirror plane 651 is pivotally moved about the second axis thereby to adjust the scanned beam L for its position on a photosensitive member 2 with respect to a subscan direction. Thus, even if the scanned beam is deviated from a reference scan position with respect to the subscan direction due to component tolerances or assembly errors, such a deviation can be corrected. |
| US07652785B2 |
Camera and printer system and method allowing capturing and formatting multiple images based on the number received
When a plurality of image data are received, a form data from among at least one form data and a format data from among at least one format data are selected based on number of the image data. The image data, selected form data and format data are combined to generate an output image. |
| US07652779B2 |
Image-forming system with a graphical user interface having an interconnection architecture
An image-forming system with a graphic user interface having an interconnection architecture where software applications share one or more plug-in packages. One of the software applications may be used as a plug-in. |
| US07652778B2 |
Obtaining a digital image of a physical object
Selecting a digital image. A method embodiment includes obtaining a first digital image of the first side of a physical object and obtaining a second digital image of a second side of the physical object. The first digital image is examined to determine if it is substantially blank. If the first digital image is determined to be blank, the second digital image is sent for processing. Otherwise, the first digital image is sent for processing. |
| US07652777B2 |
Method in a copying apparatus for controlling image orientation of a document
A copying apparatus includes first and second original placement sections with a predetermined orientation of long and short sides of the original to be placed, an image read section for reading the image from the original that has been transported from the first original placement section while the image read section is stationary or from the original that has been placed on the second original placement section while the image read section is moved relative to the original. The copying apparatus causes an image formation section to form the images of a plurality of originals read by the image read section on one side of one recording medium in a predetermined layout based on a detection result of a detection section and a specification of an image orientation specifying section. |
| US07652775B2 |
Optical near-field generator and recording and reproduction apparatus
Provided is an optical near-field recording and reproduction apparatus capable of adjusting the intensity of optical near-field and the amount of light bouncing off on the bottom of a slider around a scatterer and the surface of a medium and traveling back to a light source. A reflecting layer is formed above a structure for generating an optical near-field, and multiple beam interference is caused between the reflecting layer and the surface of the medium. The amount of returning above an optical near-field generator element is adjusted by adjusting the distance between the reflecting layer and the surface of the medium. |
| US07652773B2 |
Enhanced detection of acousto-photonic emissions in optically turbid media using a photo-refractive crystal-based detection system
A system and method of detecting acousto-photonic emissions in optically turbid media that provide increased levels of detection sensitivity. The detection system includes an ultrasonic transducer, a laser, a photo-detector for detecting ultrasound-modulated laser light, and circuitry for processing the detected signals for subsequent analysis. The ultrasonic transducer generates an ultrasonic wave that propagates within an optically turbid medium. The laser generates a coherent light beam, which is split to form signal and reference beams. The signal beam is sent through the turbid medium, where it is phase modulated by the ultrasound. The ultrasound-modulated signal beam is provided to a photo-refractive crystal for subsequent interference with the reference beam to convert the phase modulation to intensity modulation. The DC offset of the signal beam intensity provides a measure of the magnitude of the mean phase shift induced by the ultrasound on the multiply scattered optical field within the turbid medium. |
| US07652763B2 |
Apparatus for depth-selective Raman spectroscopy
Apparatus and methods for detecting Raman spectral features non destructively from sub-surface regions of a diffusely scattering sample are disclosed. Incident radiation is supplied at one or more sample surface entry regions, and light is collected from one or more collection regions spaced from the entry regions. Raman features are detected in the collected light, and depth information is derived according to the entry-collection spacings. |
| US07652756B2 |
Method and apparatus for centering an ophthalmic lens
An ophthalmic lens , e.g. a contact lens, is centered in a concave trough (10) of an inspection cell (1) which is filled with liquid (W). The inspection cell (10) has a channel (11) which is in communication with the concave trough (10). Centering of the ophthalmic lens is achieved by applying a pulse (P) of a fluid to the liquid (W) so as to whirl up the ophthalmic lens (CL) and by allowing the ophthalmic lens (CL) to settle down in the center of the concave trough (10). |
| US07652752B2 |
Ultraviolet, infrared, and near-infrared lidar system and method
Pushbroom and flash lidar operations outside the visible spectrum, most preferably in near-IR but also in IR and UV, are enabled by inserting—ahead of a generally conventional lidar receiver front end—a device that receives light scattered from objects and in response forms corresponding light of a different wavelength from the scattered light. Detailed implementations using arrays of discrete COTS components—most preferably PIN diodes and VCSELs, with intervening semicustom amplifiers—are discussed, as is use of a known monolithic converter. Differential and ratioing multispectral measurements, particularly including UV data, are enabled through either spatial-sharing (e. g. plural-slit) or time-sharing. |
| US07652751B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A lithographic apparatus and method, in an embodiment for immersion lithography, are disclosed with a single stage in which leveling and exposure are performed simultaneously. |
| US07652743B2 |
Liquid crystal display element
A liquid crystal display element includes two substrates divided into a display region and a non-display region, between which liquid crystals are sandwiched, and first columnar spacers, disposed between the two substrates in the display region, which make contact with the two substrates. The liquid crystal display element also includes second columnar spacers, disposed between the two substrates in the non-display region, which make contact with the two substrate by a contact area that is smaller than a contact area by which the first columnar spacers make contact with the two substrates. Therefore, generation of vacuum bubbles in the display region due to a temperature drop or a substrate deformation causes the substrates in the non-display region to be concaved, so that the liquid crystals move from the concaved portion of the non-display region to a portion of the display region which contains the vacuum bubbles. As a result, the vacuum bubbles in the display region can be filled with the liquid crystals, so that the vacuum bubbles can be eliminated from the display region. |
| US07652729B2 |
Display device including a flexible guide member between the display device and a cushioning member
An electronic apparatus includes a cover, a rib, an elastic member, and a mask. A non-display surface of a display device is covered with the cover. The cover has a bottom wall and an side wall. The rib is disposed between a side portion of the display device and the side wall of the cover so as to be located in a position separate from the side wall. The rib rise out of the bottom wall of the cover. The elastic members is attached to at least one of an inner surface of the bottom wall and an inner surface of the rib facing the side portion of the display device. The elastic members retain the display device. The mask is fixed to the cover while exposing a display surface of the display device. |
| US07652728B2 |
Liquid crystal display device comprising a first conductive film surrounding reflective electrodes and a second conductive film surrounding the first conductive film and projector having the same
A liquid crystal display device prevents an abnormal picture-frame-like frame being displayed outside an effective display region of a liquid crystal display panel even when burrs are generated in a dicing step. A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel having a first substrate and a second substrate and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the substrates. The first substrate includes a common electrode on a surface thereof which faces the second substrate in an opposed manner. The second substrate includes reflective electrodes, a first conductive film arranged to surround a periphery of the reflective electrodes, and a second conductive film arranged to surround a periphery of the first conductive film, a common voltage applied to the common electrode is applied to the first conductive film, and a reference voltage (GND) is applied to the second conductive film. |
| US07652716B2 |
Computer-controlled lighting for video communication
A video communication system may include a computer program that implements a feedback control process for automatically controlling a light. The feedback control process may include receiving an image from a video camera and determining an initial difference between the received image and a stored image. For example, the feedback control process may determine, on a pixel-by-pixel basis, whether the color and intensity of a facial region in the captured image is sufficiently close to the color and intensity of a facial region in the stored image. If the difference between the captured image and the stored image exceeds a threshold, the feedback control process includes transmitting an optimization instruction to the light. This optimization instruction, when performed by the light, decreases the difference between the received image and the stored image. |
| US07652714B2 |
Imaging device and image processing method
An imaging device is provided. The imaging device can maintain a constant angle of view even if a focal distance of an entire lens system changes as a focusing lens moves. The imaging device includes an image sensor, a focusing lens, a lens driver, an image generator, a magnification changing rate obtaining unit, and a size changer. The image sensor shoots a snap shot of an object, and the focusing lens performs focusing on the object. The lens driver drives the focusing lens to a plurality of focal points for the object, and the image generator generates an image on the basis of a photograph signal from the image sensor. The magnification changing rate obtaining unit obtains a magnification changing rate for each focal point such that an angle of view for each image photographed at each focal point of the focusing lens is maintained constant. The size changer changes the size of the image on the basis of the magnification changing rate. |
| US07652711B2 |
Lens control system, lens controller, and operating apparatus
In relation to a lens control system where a control signal indicating a target zooming speed is delivered to a lens controller in accordance with operation of a zoom demand and where the lens controller subjects the control signal to non-linear processing to thus effect zoom control, thereby facilitating operation required when a zoom lens is moved at low speed, the lens control system includes a lens controller switching the linear processing between valid and invalid, whereby the lens control system does not excessively perform non-linear processing when the zoom demand outputs a non-linear control signal. |
| US07652710B2 |
Camera with photometric function and optical element for camera
Optical system for guiding subject light incident through a photo-taking lens 20 toward a finder 100 through a prism 90 is prepared and a plate-like diffractive element 50 is provided on the optical path. Light from an LED 70 to be turned on when a focusing state is achieved is introduced into the plate-like diffractive element 50 via a light guide member 60, and “auxiliary light indicating a focusing state” to travel upward in the drawing from the plate-like diffractive element 50 is generated and synthesized with the subject light. The auxiliary light shall have a linear polarization property. The subject image and the focusing state indication can be visually recognized on the finder 100. Part of the light toward the finder 100 is branched through a mirror 110 and then guided toward photometric unit 140. Auxiliary light separating unit 130 for excluding auxiliary light based on the difference in polarization property is provided in front of the photometric unit 140. |
| US07652702B2 |
Solid state imaging device and imaging device
A solid state imaging device includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, a plurality of vertical signal lines VL arranged to correspond to columns of the pixels, respectively, such that each of them is connected to the pixels in each column and a column amplifier including a plurality of amplifiers AP. Each of the amplifiers AP includes a current source MOS transistor T1, an amplifying MOS transistor T2 for amplifying an image signal and a cascode MOS transistor T3 which is cascode-connected to the amplifying MOS transistor and outputs an amplified image signal between the cascode MOS transistor T3 and the current source MOS transistor T1. Gate terminals of the cascode MOS transistors T3 of the amplifiers AP are connected to each other. |
| US07652694B2 |
Image pick-up apparatus
An image pick-up apparatus loaded in a body of the apparatus with a monitor for displaying a captured image is provided. The image pick-apparatus includes an input device which inputs a character and an image to be combined with an image displayed on the monitor, a composition device which combines the character and the image input through the input device with the image displayed on the monitor, and generates a composite image, an instruction device which instructs a record of the composite image generated by the composition device, and a record control device which records a composite image generated by the composition device in accordance with an instruction of the instruction device in a record medium, and adds an identification symbol for identifying that the image recorded in the record medium is a composite image to a part of a file name, thereby recording data in the record medium. |
| US07652693B2 |
Portable telephone capable of recording a composite image
An object of the invention is to provide a mobile telephone capable of generating a highly flexible composite image for the user. The mobile telephone of the invention includes image memory (16) for recording a base image, mask image memory (17) in which a plurality of types of mask image data representing mask images to specify the combining positions of combination object images with each base image and the image pickup areas when the combination object images are picked up by a camera section (11) are stored corresponding to the base images, and a CPU (12) for reading the mask image data selected by the user from the mask image memory (17), displaying the mask image based on the read mask image data on a display section (15), recording the image to be combined, picked up based on the displayed mask image in RAM (14), combines the recorded image to be combined at the combining position of the base image specified by the selected mask image data, and recording a composite image resulting from the combining in the image memory (16). |
| US07652687B2 |
Still image queue analysis system and method
A system and method for analyzing a queue. The method may comprise defining a queue and evaluating a series of still images of the queue zone at periodic intervals over a predefined period of time. The method may further comprise approximating an estimated average number of people in the queue over the interval during which the still image was taken to be a number of people counted in the queue zone minus one person who is assumed to be engaged in a transaction. The method may further comprise calculating an estimated average number of the people in the queue over the predefined period by averaging estimated average number of people over intervals within the predefined period. The method may further comprise determining a measure of a queue length based on the estimated average number of people in the queue over the predefined period. |
| US07652684B2 |
Image forming apparatus and control method thereof having main scan length correcting feature
An image forming apparatus forms an image by scanning on a photosensitive member in the main-scanning direction with a plurality of beams aligned in the sub-scanning direction. To detect differences in the main-scanning length of each beam on a photosensitive member, patterns for correction are formed on the photosensitive member using first and second beams at both ends among the plurality of beams. The positions of a first pixel and a last pixel in the main scanning direction on the photosensitive member, which pixels are to be formed by a third beam arranged between the first and second beams, are determined based on the detected first and second locations of the first and second test patterns respectively formed by the first and second beams, without forming a third test pattern by the third beam. |
| US07652677B2 |
Graphics system employing pixel mask
The system includes a bounds primitive rasterizer that rasterizes a bounds primitive into a selection of primitive pixels. The selection of primitive pixels bounds a shape to be rendered to a screen. The system also includes a pixel mask generator that generates a pixel mask for the shape. The pixel mask includes mask pixels that each corresponds to one of the primitive pixels. A mask pixel is a covered pixel when the shape covers at least a threshold portion of the mask pixel and is an uncovered pixel when the shape does not cover the mask pixel. The system also includes a pixel screener configured to retain primitive pixels that correspond to covered mask pixels and to discard primitive pixels that correspond to uncovered mask pixels. |
| US07652662B2 |
Portable electronic device and a method of controlling the same
A portable communication device. The portable communication device comprises a touch screen, a key code generator, and a controller. The touch screen generates event information in response to a manipulation on the screen, wherein the event information specifies position information corresponding to the manipulation. The key code generator generates a key code corresponding to the event information according to the position information thereof, wherein the key code indicates an upward, downward, leftward, or rightward key code, and the key code does not correspond to any visual item displayed on the touch screen. |
| US07652638B2 |
Display control apparatus, system, and display control method
A display control apparatus having capabilities of converting multiple images to be displayed in a first site to display said multiple images in a second site. The display control apparatus includes a receiver that receives information on a noteworthy image selected from said multiple images and setup information on at least one display device installed in the second site, a determination potion that determines a difference in number of display devices installed in the first site and the number of the display devices installed in the second site, on the basis of the setup information on said at least one display device, and a conversion portion that converts the information on said multiple images to display the noteworthy image in priority, on the basis of a result determined by the determination portion and the information on the noteworthy image. |
| US07652636B2 |
RFID devices having self-compensating antennas and conductive shields
A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag includes an antenna configuration coupled to an RFID chip, such as in an RFID strap. The antenna configuration is mounted on one face (major surface) of a dielectric material, and includes compensation elements to compensate at least to some extent for various types of dielectric material upon which the antenna configuration may be mounted. In addition, a conductive structure, such as a ground plane or other layer of conductive material, may be placed on a second major surface of the dielectric layer, on an opposite side of the dielectric layer from the antenna structure. |
| US07652634B2 |
Antenna with integrated parameter storage
An antenna identifier is coupled to the antenna. The antenna identifier is a memory device that stores at least one attribute to identify the antenna. The antenna includes an electromagnetic radiation element coupled to a signal port and a coupling device coupled in-between the signal port and the antenna identifier. A data signal received at the signal port is isolated by the coupling device and provided to the antenna identifier. The data signal is provided by a radio device and/or an information handling system (IHS) coupled to the antenna via the signal port. The radio device and/or the IHS is operable to read one or more values for the attribute stored in the antenna identifier. |
| US07652622B2 |
Transfer of position information of mobile terminal
The invention provides a method of combining satellite positioning system signals and position information derived from such signals in a mobile terminal, when these are available at a first location, with cellular communication signals and a method, system and apparatus for determining the approximate position information for the said mobile terminal when SPS signals are not available at a second location. The approximate position is determined in the mobile terminal only using a position difference vector derived from the cellular communication signals using time offsets in a method based on the observed time difference of arrival. The computations of cellular position and position difference information are made within the network infrastructure. The invention provides for the security of the user as only position difference information is communicated over the air interface, or transmission time offset measurements which require non-transmitted information to determine a solution. In a further aspect of the invention, the approximate position information is used to provide position assistance information to an SPS receiver for the purposes of (a) satellite signal acquisition with reduced search time and/or (b) initial position information for the calculation of SPS location which thereby avoids the ‘integer ambiguity’ problem resulting from the repetitive nature of the SPS ranging signals. In a further aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed whereby a plurality of cellular positioning measurements are combined, initially with SPS measurements and then without such measurements, to provide a combined cellular position information with improved accuracy and a dynamic model. |
| US07652618B2 |
Method and system for determining velocity by using variable or distinct sampling rates
A data processor applies transform processing to a first group of samples at a primary sampling rate, where the first group of samples is within a data window associated with at least one of the data blocks. A detector detects an estimated frequency shift between the transmitted signal and the reflected signal based on a primary peak frequency determined by the transform processing at the primary sampling rate. The data processor applies transform processing to a second group of samples at a secondary sampling rate, where the data window contains previously read samples and at least one new sample, if the estimated frequency shift falls within a target response frequency band. The detector detects an observed frequency shift between the transmitted signal and the reflected signal based on a secondary peak frequency determined by the transform processing at the secondary sampling rate. A velocity estimator for estimating a velocity of at least one of the object and the transmitter based on the estimated frequency shift, the observed frequency shift, or both. |
| US07652605B2 |
Semiconductor device and audio processor chip
An audio processor chip includes a DSP for decoding audio data, a first DAC for performing a D/A conversion to the digital data obtained from the DSP, a PLL circuit for generating a clock signal for the first DAC to supply it to the first DAC and a clock output external terminal for outputting the clock signal obtained from the PLL circuit to a second DAC of an AFE. The first DAC 142 outputs an analog signal obtained from the D/A conversion to an analog mixer and the analog mixer performs a mixing process to the analog signal to output. |
| US07652597B2 |
Multimode decoder
A decoder comprising a decoding element arranged to operate in a first mode for decoding a turbo encoded data stream and in a second mode for decoding a viterbi encoded data stream, wherein the decoding element is responsive to a first control signal for switching from the first mode to the second mode during decoding of a turbo code block and responsive to a second control signal for switching from the second mode to the first mode to allow continued decoding of the turbo code block. |
| US07652591B2 |
Device for detecting the position of a mobile element to which it is coupled and related mobile element
A device for detecting the position occupied by a mobile element operatively associated therewith in relation to a reference position, comprising at least one container containing a fluid and a detector device operatively connected to said container, said detector device being configured so as to provide a signal to indicate the actual position of said mobile element as a function of at least one parameter recorded thereby and indicative of an operative condition of the fluid, or of a condition of operative interaction between the fluid and the detector device. |
| US07652580B2 |
Hit detection sensor module for battlefield simulations
A sensor module detects light beam hits on a participant during battlefield simulations. The sensor module includes an infrared sensor for sensing infrared light and generating signals based on the sensed infrared light; a short-range radio transmitter associated with the infrared sensor; an electrical voltage source for supplying electrical capacity to the sensor module; and a device for attaching the sensor module to a participant. |
| US07652574B2 |
Article surveillance tag having a vial
An electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag having an attaching member 34 located therein and adapted to securely and releasably receive a shaft of a pin therein, whereby a predetermined arcuate probe is inserted through an opening and applies a requisite force to the attaching member to release the shaft. At least one frangible vial containing a detrimental substance positioned within the tag body to deter unauthorized manipulation of the tag. |
| US07652571B2 |
Graphical user interface for emergency apparatus and method for operating same
A communications system for emergency services personnel can include portable devices to be carried by emergency services personnel while at an emergency site. The portable devices each may have at least a first transceiver configured to communicate over a first network and the portable devices are configured to communicate with one another. The system may also include a portable gateway apparatus. The portable gateway apparatus may have a portable computer having a graphical user interface (GUI) and a PCMCIA or smaller card that itself includes at least a first radio. The first radio is configured to communicate over the first network to obtain status information from the portable devices carried by the emergency services personnel. The GUI is configured to communicate with the PCMCIA card to display a node map indicating communication links between the portable devices carried by the emergency services personnel. |
| US07652570B2 |
Information processing device, organizational analysis system, computer readable medium and method
An information processing device includes: a detecting unit that detects the electric field intensity of information received from a portable transmission device that transmits information through radio waves; and a determining unit that determines whether the transmission device is being carried, based on a change in the electric field intensity detected by the detecting unit. |
| US07652562B2 |
Vehicle temperature warning system and method
A temperature warning system for a heavy-duty vehicle, having at least one axle formed with an inner diameter. The axle includes a pair of spindle ends, and a wheel end assembly rotatably mounted on each spindle end. A thermal switch is disposed in the inner diameter of at least one of the axle spindle ends. The switch is electrically connected to a control module to form a closed electrical circuit, and the control module is electrically connected to an indicator device. When the temperature of the switch reaches a predetermined minimum temperature, such as from undesirable increased temperature in the axle spindle end and/or the wheel end assembly, the switch opens, breaking the closed electrical circuit, and causing the control module to activate the indicator device. The indicator device is viewable by the vehicle operator during its operation, thus warning the operator of the undesirable high temperature condition. |
| US07652559B2 |
Vehicle surroundings display unit and a method of displaying vehicle surroundings
A vehicle surroundings display unit, including: 1) a pick-up unit for picking up a video of vehicle surroundings; 2) an approaching vehicle sensor for sensing, based on the video picked up by the pick-up unit, an approaching vehicle which is approaching a subject vehicle; 3) a display processor for displaying the approaching vehicle sensed by the approaching vehicle sensor while distinguishing the approaching vehicle from an obstacle which is not approaching the subject vehicle; 4) a display unit for displaying the video which has undergone the displaying operation by the display processor; and 5) a frequency decomposing unit to make the following operations: decomposing a time-varying component of a pixel of the picked-up video for each frequency, extracting the pixel having a frequency of the time-varying component higher than a certain frequency, and of the thus extracted pixels of the picked up video, displaying the pixels in a vehicle area. |
| US07652556B2 |
Method for activating a communication mode of a peer communication unit
When activating a desired communication mode of an ID communication partner device (2) from a group of possible communication modes, which group comprises at least a TTF mode and an RTF mode, the ID communication partner device (2) and at least one other ID communication partner device (4) are brought into a communication connection, wherein a carrier signal (CS) is output by the at least one other ID communication partner device (4), which carrier signal (CS) is received by the ID communication partner device (2), and wherein the carrier signal (CS) is repeatedly designated by at least one mode activation signal (AS) by means of the at least one other ID communication partner device (4), and wherein the presence of the mode activation signal (AS) is recognized by the ID communication partner device (2), giving a recognition result signal (RRS), and wherein, as a function of the recognition result signal (RRS), the desired communication mode of the ID communication partner device (2) is activated. |
| US07652547B1 |
Microelectromechanical resonator and method for fabrication
A method is disclosed for the robust fabrication of a microelectromechanical (MEM) resonator. In this method, a pattern of holes is formed in the resonator mass with the position, size and number of holes in the pattern being optimized to minimize an uncertainty Δf in the resonant frequency f0 of the MEM resonator due to manufacturing process variations (e.g. edge bias). A number of different types of MEM resonators are disclosed which can be formed using this method, including capacitively transduced Lamé, wineglass and extensional resonators, and piezoelectric length-extensional resonators. |
| US07652545B2 |
System and method of calibrating real time clock utilizing average calibration
A system for real time clock (RTC) calibration includes: a timer counter; a clock generator; and a clock calibration unit coupled between the clock generator and the timer counter. The clock calibration unit receives calibration parameters comprising an average calibration value, a remainder calibration value and a calibration period, counts a plurality of clock cycles generated by the clock generator, calibrates a number of the counted clock cycles according to the average calibration value and remainder calibration value in the calibration period, and increments the timer counter by one second when a predetermined number of clock cycles have been reached. |
| US07652534B1 |
Rail-to-rail operational amplifier capable of reducing current consumption
A rail-to-rail operational amplifier capable of reducing current consumption includes an amplification stage circuit including a first compensation output terminal and a second compensation output terminal, for generating an amplified signal according to an input signal, an output stage circuit coupled to the amplification stage circuit, for outputting the amplified signal, and a compensation circuit coupled to the amplification stage circuit and the output stage circuit. The compensation circuit includes a first voltage generator for generating a first voltage, a second voltage generator for generating a second voltage, a first compensation capacitor, a second compensation capacitor, and four switches named from a first switch to a fourth switch, wherein the first voltage is approximately a steady state voltage of the first compensation output terminal and the second voltage is approximately a steady state voltage of the second compensation output terminal. |
| US07652532B2 |
Correlation method for monitoring power amplifier
The invention provides methods and devices for estimating power amplifier nonlinearity using simple correlation techniques. Methods and devices of the invention can monitor a power amplifier that has digitally modulated inputs and an output containing more than one signal stream. A preferred method of the invention creates a test signal by forming the products of several pseudorandom noise sequences from the digitally modulated inputs to the power amplifier. Nonlinear contributions of the power amplifier output are determined by cross-correlating the test signal and the total output signal of the power amplifier. In preferred embodiments, the determined nonlinear contributions of the power amplifier are used to introduce corrective predistortion in the power amplifier. |
| US07652530B2 |
Amplifier circuit and method of generating bias voltage in amplifier circuit
Provided are a differential amplifier circuit and a method of generating a bias voltage in a differential amplifier circuit. The differential amplifier circuit is turned on or turned off in response to an input voltage and includes a differential amplifier and a bias circuit. The bias circuit provides a first bias voltage to a gate of a pull-down transistor included in the differential amplifier when the differential amplifier is turned on and provides second bias voltage which is lower than the first bias voltage to the gate of the pull-down transistor when the differential amplifier is turned off. |
| US07652526B2 |
Narrow band pass filter
A switched capacitor narrow band pass filter includes a first switch including a first pole movable between two first switch terminals, a second switch including a second pole moveable between second switch terminals, and a third switch including additional poles movable between third switch terminals. The filter further includes an effective capacitor coupled to the first pole and a plurality of matchinq capacitors coupled respectively to the second and third switch terminals. The additional poles are coupled to the third switch terminals according to a first predetermined sequence and to the third switch terminals at a predetermined frequency. A differential amplifier assembly includes two positive and two negative terminals coupled to the additional poles in a second predetermined sequence wherein two of the additional poles are coupled to the positive terminals and two others of the additional poles are coupled to the negative terminals for signal summation. |
| US07652518B2 |
Bus switch with level shifting
A bus switch with level shifting may include a first terminal configured to receive and output a first power supply voltage higher than a reference voltage, a second terminal configured to receive and output a second power supply voltage higher than the first power supply voltage, an output control terminal to which a control signal for controlling a switching between an output permitted state and an output prohibited state is inputted, a first switching element provided between the first terminal and the second terminal and having a gate, a gate control circuit to which signals are inputted from the output control terminal and the second terminal, which supplies gate voltage to the gate of the first switching element, and which controls the first switching element to be conducting or to be non-conducting, and a second switching device provided between a power source of the second power supply voltage and the second terminal, and configured to switch between conducting and non-conducting in accordance with the electric potential of the second terminal. |
| US07652511B2 |
Slew-rate control circuitry with output buffer and feedback
The present invention proposed a slew-rate control circuitry without the use of external components such as amplifiers. Therefore slew-rate control circuitry of the present invention not only provides an IC with build-in slew-rate control, but also reduces number of transistors used externally which will increase gate-oxide reliability of the IC. The slew-rate control circuitry of the present invention is primarily comprised by an output buffer and feedback circuitry, the output buffer mainly consisted four transistors and depends on output of the IC, these four transistors will interact with each other to control the slew-rate of IC output. Additional feedback circuitry and gate-tracking circuitry are also disclosed to enhance the performance of the slew-rate control circuitry. |
| US07652497B2 |
Sequential semiconductor device tester
A sequential semiconductor device tester, and in particular to a sequential semiconductor device tester is disclosed. In accordance with the sequential semiconductor device tester, a function of generating a test pattern data for a test of a semiconductor device and a function of carrying out the test are separated to sequentially test the semiconductor device, to maintain a signal integrity and to improve an efficiency of the test by carrying out a test under an application environment or an ATE test according to the test pattern data. |
| US07652490B2 |
Measuring device for measuring the state of oils or fats
A measuring device is used to measure the state of a liquid product which is to be measured, in particular oil or fat. Said measuring device comprises a housing, a hollow connecting element which is secured therein and a carrier which is applied to the opposite end of the connecting element, said carrier being used to receive a sensor which can be used to measure the electric property of a product which is to be measured. The sensor is in contact with the measuring unit by means of at least one electric line, which is arranged in the region of the housing and/or with the end of the connecting element oriented towards the housing. The measuring device comprises means which can be used to minimize the falsifying effect of the water content in the product, which is to be measured, on the measuring result. |
| US07652483B2 |
Network device, network connection detector and detection method thereof
A network device, a network connection detector and a detection method thereof are disclosed. The network device comprises a socket, a waveform generator and a reflected wave detector. The waveform generator sends a first test wave to at least a first contact of a plurality of contacts of a socket and then the reflected wave detector detects a first reflected wave that is corresponding to the first test wave and is reflected from the first contact. Thus a first control signal is generated according to detection result of the first reflected wave. |
| US07652479B2 |
Electrolyte measurement device and measurement procedure
A method and apparatus for measuring the through-thickness resistance or conductance of a thin electrolyte is provided. The method and apparatus includes positioning a first source electrode on a first side of an electrolyte to be tested, positioning a second source electrode on a second side of the electrolyte, positioning a first sense electrode on the second side of the electrolyte, and positioning a second sense electrode on the first side of the electrolyte. current is then passed between the first and second source electrodes and the voltage between the first and second sense electrodes is measured. |
| US07652476B2 |
Integrated capacitor shield for balun in MRI receivers
A balun is included in a magnetic resonance imaging system. The balun conditions electromagnetic signals received from at least one RF receiver coil. The balun includes a balun shield having an integrated capacitor therein. The balun blocks unwanted feedback from effecting performance of any components contained within the balun shield. |
| US07652473B2 |
Magnetic field measuring optically pumped magnetometer apparatus
Providing: quickly brining a vapor cell 119 to a desired temperature when retaining the heat of the vapor cell 119 to enhance the magnetic field detection performance of an optically pumped magnetometer; preventing adherence of atoms in the vapor cell 119 to a laser irradiation light passing-through part of the vapor cell 119; downsizing the periphery of the vapor cell 119; and suppressing the effect of a magnetic field from a heater used to retain the heat of the vapor cell 119. The present invention includes: a transparent film heater 118 provided to a laser irradiation light passing-through part of a vapor cell 119, the vapor cell 119 being a magnetic detection part of the optically pumped magnetometer; a temperature detector 115 provided at a center part of a side of the vapor cell 119; a temperature regulator 111 that sets a desired temperature for heat retention of the vapor cell 119 and compares the desired temperature and the actual temperature of the vapor cell measured by the temperature detector 115; an operation unit 112 that upon receipt of a PID control signal for temperature control from the temperature regulator 111, performs a temperature adjustment and switches on/off, in a pulsed manner, current applied to the transparent film heater 118 after the desired temperature is reached; and a heater power supply 113 that upon receipt of an operation signal from the operation unit 112, applies current to the transparent film heater 118. |
| US07652468B2 |
Correction of measured values for a magnetic localization device
The invention relates to a device and a method for correction of the position (x) of a field sensor (4) measured by means of a magnetic localization device. External field distortions, such as caused for example by the rotating components (1a, 1b) of a computer tomograph (1), are then determined with the help of reference sensor (3) placed at a known position. It is possible to deduce, for example, the current angle of rotation (Φ) of the computer tomograph (1) from the measurement signals of the reference sensor (3). Based on an empirically determined correction (δ(x, Φ)), the uncorrected determined positions (x) of the field sensor (4) can then be converted to corrected positions (x′) in relation to the field distortions. The field generator (2) and the reference sensor (3) are preferably fastened to the gantry in order to eliminate the dependency of the field distortions on an inclination of the gantry. |
| US07652464B2 |
RF power sensor with chopping amplifier
An RF power detector having a wide dynamic range may comprise a chopping amplifier and is configured to detect pulsed high frequency RF signals. The chopping amplifier controlled by a bias current regulator amplifies and chops an RF signal by periodically enabling and disabling the amplifier according to a system clock. The chopped high frequency RF signal feeds a Schottky diode biased to operate in the square law region for weak signals. The Schottky diode voltage is tapped and high pass filtered. The voltage drives a logarithmic and linear converter. The converter outputs are summed to produce an output voltage that is a repeatable and stable monotonically increasing function of the RF power. |
| US07652456B2 |
Current direction detection circuit and switching regulator having the same
A current direction detection circuit includes a monitoring transistor having a control terminal and an output terminal respectively connected with a control terminal and an output terminal of a ground side output transistor; an impedance element having one terminal connected with an input terminal of the monitoring transistor and the other terminal grounded; first and second constant-current sources; a diode-connected reference transistor interposed between the first constant-current source and ground potential; and a sensing transistor interposed between the second constant-current source and the impedance element and having a control terminal connected with the control terminal of the reference transistor. The current direction detection circuit is small yet capable of minimizing power loss of a switching regulator. |
| US07652454B2 |
Electronic equipment having a boost DC-DC converter
Provided is an electronic equipment including: a boost DC-DC converter and an electric power storage device, in which the electric power storage device is charged with a electric power outputted the DC-DC converter with efficiency, and in which stored electric power of the electric power storage device is not wastefully consumed even when supply of the electric power is stopped. The electronic equipment including the power supply, the boost DC-DC converter, a rectifier rectifying a pulse-like boosted electric power outputted the DC-DC converter to a second boosted electric power, and the electric power storage device for charging a first boosted electric power from the boost DC-DC converter, wherein an operation of the boost DC-DC converter is maintained by the second boosted electric power. |
| US07652453B2 |
Topology for a positive buck-boost switching regulator
A new topology for a buck-boost switching regulator is provided herein. Embodiments provide an efficient buck-boost switching regulator that provides a regulated output voltage from an unregulated input voltage. Embodiments include a buck-boost switching regulator topology, where the operating mode is determined separately from the pulse-width modulated (PWM) control signal. This topology, in one embodiment, provides a better transient response than typical buck-boost switching regulator topologies, where PWM control circuitry and operating mode circuitry are combined. Furthermore, embodiments provide a buck-boost switching regulator that allows for high efficiency when the output voltage is close to the input voltage. |
| US07652452B2 |
Multi-component charging station with surge protector
A charging station is provided for charging portable electronic devices. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the charging station includes a surge protector located within the charging station. The charging station includes a base for housing the surge protector, a removable base cover that can be placed over the base and a removable tray that can be placed over the base or over the base cover if the base cover is in place over the base. If desired, the charging station can be used in a disassembled form by placing the tray on one surface and the base on another. If the charging station is used in this manner, the base cover can be placed over the base. |
| US07652449B2 |
Battery management system and driving method thereof
In a battery management system and a driving method thereof, the system includes a sensor and a micro control unit (MCU). The sensor senses a voltage and a current of a battery, and generates an estimation current of the battery using a result of cumulatively calculating the battery current by a unit of a predetermined period. The MCU receives the battery voltage and the estimation current, sets a voltage of the battery in a key-on state as a first voltage, sets a voltage of the battery after a first period as a second voltage, and calculates an internal resistance of the battery using a difference between the first and second voltages and an average value of the estimation current. |
| US07652438B2 |
Drive arrangement for a portable working machine
A drive arrangement for a hand-guided working machine for agriculture, forestry and horticulture applications. The drive arrangement comprises an electric motor, a DC power source for electrical energy, and a control apparatus for the electric motor which is fed from the DC power source. The electric motor has a specific, in particular linear, characteristic curve between the electric current which is consumed by the electric motor and the rotational speed of an output shaft of the electric motor. The control apparatus has current-limiter which limits the current which flows through the electric motor to a maximum value in order to protect the electric motor against overloading. The control apparatus limits the current consumption of the electric motor in a range of low rotational speeds to values which are considerably smaller than the characteristic curve values which are given for these rotational speeds by the characteristic curve of the electric motor, as a function of the rotational speed. |
| US07652429B2 |
Electrodes with cermets for ceramic metal halide lamps
This invention is about a CMH lamp arc tube seal construction where the feedthrough electrode contains a cermet in such a manner that the said cermet is either not exposed outside the ceramic capillary (which in most cases is polycrystalline alumina, PCA) or if it is exposed to the outside of the arc tube, the part that is exposed has no current carrying function. The invention provides safe ways of assembling the cermet so as to avoid breakage of the said cermet due to mechanical stresses in the electrical connections. |
| US07652424B2 |
Organic light emitting device
An organic light emitting device is disclosed. The organic light emitting device includes a first substrate, a display unit that is positioned on the first substrate and includes a plurality of subpixels, a second substrate facing the first substrate, a seal member attaching the first substrate to the second substrate, and at least one projection. The seal member substantially has a water vapor permeation rate of 100 g/m2 day to 103 g/m2 day. The projection is positioned at a location corresponding to a bezel area of at least one of the first and second substrates. |
| US07652421B2 |
Organic EL display
An organic EL display of the present invention includes a plurality of organic EL devices, each including a first electrode, an intermediate insulating film disposed on the first electrode so as to have an exposed portion in which the first electrode is partially exposed, an organic layer disposed on the exposed portion, and a second electrode disposed on the organic layer. The organic layer has, on a part disposed on the exposed portion, a thick film portion disposed around the center of the exposed portion and a thin film portion disposed around the end of the exposed portion and having a smaller thickness than the thick film portion, and the thin film portions of the adjacent organic EL devices are substantially equal in width. |
| US07652419B2 |
Electron emission device and electron emission display using the same
An electron emission device includes a substrate, first electrodes formed on the substrate, electron emission regions electrically connected to the first electrodes, and second electrodes placed over the first electrodes such that the second electrodes are insulated from the first electrodes. The second electrodes have openings to expose the electron emission regions. A third electrode is placed over the second electrodes such that the third electrode is insulated from the second electrodes. The third electrode has openings communicating with the openings of the second electrodes. Each of the electron emission regions and the second electrodes simultaneously satisfy the following conditions: D2/D1≦0.579 (1), and D2≧1 μ (2) where D1 indicates the width of each of the openings of the second electrode, and D2 indicates the width of each of the electron emission regions. |
| US07652414B2 |
Spark plug having an inductive upper portion incorporating a coil wound around an elastically deformable core element
A spark plug for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle; the spark plug is embodied with a generally essentially long shape and includes: an essentially capacitive lower part including two coaxial electrodes, one of which is a central electrode, and the other a threaded shell for screwing in the spark plug on the engine; and an essentially inductive upper part including a central winding including a plurality of coils wound around a coaxial mandrel, an envelope, and an insulator inserted between the envelope and the winding. The essentially capacitive part and the essentially inductive part are mechanically interconnected as to enable transmission of a clamping couple applied to the envelope to the essentially capacitive lower part. The mandrel can be elastically deformed as to compensate effects of dilation of the insulator. |
| US07652410B2 |
Ultrasound transducer with non-uniform elements
An ultrasound transducer comprises a multiplicity of piezoelectric transducer elements attached to a backing layer and forming a two-dimensional array, the transducer elements each comprising one or more piezoelectric members that collectively form an energy transmitting surface of the respective transducer element, the energy transmitting surface having a geometric center, wherein the respective transducer element geometric centers are in an irregular formation. |
| US07652403B2 |
Motor assembly usable for an outer motor of a vehicle
A motor assembly includes a motor, a circuit board on which a control circuit to control the motor and a plug unit are mounted, and a supporting member which supports the motor and the circuit board. The motor is provided with a socket unit in which the plug unit is fitted. The supporting member has a board supporting portion to support the circuit board, a motor supporting portion to support the motor, and a supporting member engagement portion. The plug unit has a plug unit engagement portion which is engaged with the supporting member engagement portion. The plug unit engagement portion is engaged with the supporting member engagement portion when the plug unit is fitted in the socket unit. |
| US07652398B2 |
Magnetic logic device
A method for operating a magnetic logic device (10) is described wherein at least one output variable O=F (IA, IB) is formed from input variables (IA, IB) by at least one logic operation with an operator function F of the magnetic logic device (10), whereby the logic device (10) is set at a starting state for executing the operator function F with a certain operator control signal (SET) before the operation, whereby the operator control signal is selected from a group of control signals with which various non-volatile starting states can be set in a controlled manner, each state being characteristic of a different logic function. Furthermore, a magnetic logic device (10) equipped for implementation of this method is also described. |
| US07652396B2 |
Systems and methods for improving the ability of a power delivery system to withstand multiple failure events
The invention is directed to systems and methods for enhancing the ability of a power delivery system to withstand the occurrence of multiple failure events. Specifically, the invention is directed to a power delivery system employing a web-type network topology for a generator bus where at least two power generating sources, such as generators, are connected by an external ring, wherein the external ring is comprised of a plurality of ring segments. A first set of cables connects each power generating element with a central point and a second set of cables connects the center of each ring segment with the central point, wherein power is deliverable to the central point via at least one of the external ring, first set of cables and the second set of cables. Additional internal rings of cables may also be utilized to connect the first and second sets of cables. |
| US07652388B2 |
Wave-flow power installation
A wave-flow power installation comprises a float, a convergent-divergent water passage, attached to the float by an arm furnished with a hinge to turn the passage perpendicularly to a water stream, two turbines coaxially mounted in the passage, oriented orthogonally to the stream, each having a shaft oriented across the passage, an end of the shafts is attached to the wall of passage, supplied with hydro-dynamical blades, providing opposite rotation of the turbines, and an electro-generator including two rotors kinematically coupled with the shafts of the first turbines, providing rotation of the rotors in the opposite directions, and a stationary inductor disposed between the rotors. In some embodiments, the electro-generator is enclosed in a cavity of a hermetic capsule. The present invention can be used for building non-polluting power plants on rivers, in coastal areas of sea, and in proximity to platforms for underwater extraction of minerals. |
| US07652387B2 |
Stator controlled induction generators with short-circuited rotor
A generator is connectable to a turbine for generating electric power or a motor. An electric power generator system or a motor comprises an asynchronous short-circuited rotor generator or motor comprising a stator, a rotor, and a transformer having a first winding and a second winding, the first winding having a first end and a second end. The stator and the transformer are connectable in series with an electric power distribution grid. |
| US07652383B2 |
Semiconductor package module without a solder ball and method of manufacturing the semiconductor package module
A semiconductor package module having no solder balls and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor package module are provided. The semiconductor package module includes a module board on which a plurality of semiconductor devices are able to be mounted, a semiconductor package bonded on the module board using an adhesive, being wire-bondable to the module board, and having already undergone an electrical final test, second wires electrically connecting second bond pads of the semiconductor package to bond pads of the module board; and a third sealing resin enclosing the second wires and the semiconductor package. Because the semiconductor package module does not use solder balls, degradation of solder joint reliability (SJR) can be prevented. Further, the use of a semiconductor package that has already undergone an electrical test can reduce degradation of the yield of a completed semiconductor package module. |
| US07652382B2 |
Micro chip-scale-package system
A micro chip-scale-package system including providing a metal pattern on an adhesion material, attaching an integrated circuit die to the metal pattern, and molding an encapsulant over the integrated circuit die and the metal pattern. |
| US07652379B2 |
Bond pad stacks for ESD under pad and active under pad bonding
A combination of layout improvements and inner layer dielectric (ILD) material improvements provides a bond pad stack that is robust for both gold (Au) and copper (Cu) wires in circuits with only one or two pad metal layers. The layout improvements involve removing all vias between the top metal layer and the metal layers below top metal in the area under the passivation opening (where probe tips and the bond wire are placed). This allows for a more homogenous material without via discontinuities, thereby reducing stress concentration points in the ILD. The ILD material improvement involves adding a layer of silicon nitride in addition to the silicon oxide layer. Traditionally, the ILD consists of either spun-on or high density plasma (HDP) oxides. The growth of the thin layer of silicon nitride over the oxide on the topmost ILD layer provides a composite of significantly increased toughness and prevents cracks or other damage from propagating into the underlying active circuits and routing. |
| US07652375B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A first electronic circuit component and a second electronic circuit component are electrically connected to an electro-conductive member via a first solder and a second solder, respectively. The electro-conductive member is formed in a resin film. The electro-conductive member is configured as containing a second diffusion barrier metal film. The second diffusion barrier metal film prevents diffusion of the second solder. Between the electro-conductive member and the first solder, a first diffusion barrier metal film is provided. The first diffusion barrier metal film prevents diffusion of the first solder. On the first surface of the resin film and on the electro-conductive member, an adhesive metal film is formed so as to contact with the resin film and the electro-conductive member. The adhesive metal film has stronger adhesiveness to the resin film than either of those of the first solder and the first diffusion barrier metal film. |
| US07652373B2 |
Power delivery using an integrated heat spreader
An integrated heat spreader (IHS) having a groove and a cavity formed therein is disclosed. In one embodiment, the groove has an insulating layer formed therein, and a power conduit is mounted in the groove, the power conduit is electrically isolated from the IHS by the insulating layer, and the power conduit conducts a voltage relative to the IHS to deliver power to the cavity. In another embodiment, the IHS is soldered to a semiconductor die and a package substrate. In a further embodiment, the power conduit comprises an edge connector. |
| US07652367B2 |
Semiconductor package on package having plug-socket type wire connection between packages
A semiconductor package on package includes a tower package, an upper package stacked over the lower package, a plug wire combined to any one of an upper portion of the tower package and a lower portion of the upper package, and a socket wire combined to any one of the upper portion of the lower package and the lower portion of the upper package. The plug wire is plugged into the socket wire to electrically connect the upper and lower packages. |
| US07652366B2 |
Pad arrangement of driver IC chip for LCD and related circuit pattern structure of tab package
Output pads on an integrated circuit (IC) chip are arranged along a first longer side and are arranged along a second longer side with input pads. The output pads are connected to respective output patterns formed on top and bottom surfaces of a base film. All the output patterns may pass over the first longer side. Alternatively, the output patterns connected to the output pads at the second longer side may pass over a shorter side. These pattern structures establish an effective pad arrangement without increasing the size of a TAB package, yet allowing reduced the chip size. |
| US07652365B2 |
Microelectronic component assemblies and microelectronic component lead frame structures
The present invention provides microelectronic component assemblies and lead frame structures that may be useful in such assemblies. For example, one such lead frame structure may include a set of leads extending in a first direction and a dam bar. Each of the leads may have an outer length and an outer edge. The dam bar may include a plurality of dam bar elements, with each dam bar element being joined to the outer lengths of two adjacent leads. In this example, each dam bar element has an outer edge that extends farther outwardly than the outer edges of the two adjacent leads. The outer edges of the leads and the outer edges of the dam bar elements together define an irregular outer edge of the dam bar. Other lead frame structures and various microelectronic component assemblies are also shown and described. |
| US07652354B2 |
Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices
Disclosed is a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device. A semiconductor device may include an insulating layer and a metal interconnection. An insulating layer may include a first layer including fluorine and a second layer including SRO (silicon rich oxide) having a dangling bond. A metal interconnection may be formed over the insulating layer. |
| US07652353B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device for improving performance of a p-channel transistor and an n-channel transistor having multi-finger structures. Gates of the n-channel transistor are arranged so that their gate width direction is parallel to one side of a first region. Gates of the p-channel transistor are arranged so that their gate width direction extends at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to one side of a second region. The ratio of a maximum gate width of the p-channel transistor arranged in the second region to the pitch between the gates of the p-channel transistor is set in accordance with the ratio of the area of an ineffective region to the area of the second region. |
| US07652349B2 |
Thin-film device and method of manufacturing same
A thin-film device comprises a substrate and a capacitor provided on the substrate. The capacitor incorporates: a lower conductor layer; a dielectric film a portion of which is disposed on the lower conductor layer; and an upper conductor layer disposed on the dielectric film. The lower conductor layer has a top surface, a side surface, and a corner portion formed by the top and side surfaces. The upper conductor layer incorporates an upper electrode portion having a bottom surface opposed to the top surface of the lower conductor layer with the dielectric film disposed in between. When seen from above the upper conductor layer, the periphery of the bottom surface of the upper electrode portion is located inside the periphery of the top surface of the lower conductor layer without touching the periphery of the top surface of the lower conductor layer. |
| US07652348B1 |
Apparatus and method for wafer level fabrication of high value inductors on semiconductor integrated circuits
An apparatus and method for wafer level fabrication of high value inductors directly on top of semiconductor integrated circuits. The apparatus and method includes fabricating a semiconductor wafer including a plurality of dice, each of the dice including power circuitry. Once the wafer is fabricated, then a plurality of inductors are fabricated directly onto the plurality of dice on the wafer and are in electrical contact with a switching node of the power circuitry on each die respectively. The inductors are fabricated by forming a plurality of magnetic core inductor members on an interconnect dielectric layer for each die on the wafer. An insulating layer and then inductor coils are then formed over the plurality of magnetic core inductor members over each die. A layer of magnetic paste is also optionally provided over each inductor coil to further increase inductance. |
| US07652340B2 |
Fin field effect transistor and method of manufacturing the same
In a fin field effect transistor (FET), an active pattern protrudes in a vertical direction from a substrate and extends across the substrate in a first horizontal direction. A first silicon nitride pattern is formed on the active pattern, and a first oxide pattern and a second silicon nitride pattern are sequentially formed on the substrate and on a sidewall of a lower portion of the active pattern. A device isolation layer is formed on the second silicon nitride pattern, and a top surface of the device isolation layer is coplanar with top surfaces of the oxide pattern and the second silicon nitride pattern. A buffer pattern having an etching selectivity with respect to the second silicon nitride pattern is formed between the first oxide pattern and the second silicon nitride pattern. Internal stresses that can be generated in sidewalls of the active pattern are sufficiently released and an original shape of the first silicon nitride pattern remains unchanged, thereby improving electrical characteristics of the fin FET. |
| US07652339B2 |
Ambipolar transistor design
An ambipolar transistor, including a p-type semiconductor region and an n-type semiconductor region near the p-type semiconductor region. Also a first terminal and second terminal contact both the p-type semiconductor region and the n-type semiconductor region. Furthermore, the p-type semiconductor region and the n-type semiconductor region substantially do not overlap each other. A method of manufacturing an ambipolar transistor is also disclosed, including forming a p-type semiconductor region, forming an n-type semiconductor region near the p-type semiconductor region, forming a first terminal contacting both the p-type semiconductor region and n-type semiconductor region, forming a second terminal contacting both the p-type semiconductor region and n-type semiconductor region; and wherein the p-type semiconductor region and the n-type semiconductor region substantially do not overlap, and have substantially no interfacial area. |
| US07652332B2 |
Extremely-thin silicon-on-insulator transistor with raised source/drain
An extremely-thin silicon-on-insulator transistor is provided that includes a buried oxide layer above a substrate, a silicon layer above the buried oxide layer, a gate stack on the silicon layer, a nitride liner on the silicon layer and adjacent to the gate stack, an oxide liner on and adjacent to the nitride liner, and raised source/drain regions. The gate stack includes a high-k oxide layer on the silicon layer and a metal gate on the high-k oxide layer. Each of the raised source/drain regions has a first part comprising a portion of the silicon layer, a second part adjacent to parts of the oxide liner and the nitride liner, and a third part above the second part. Also provided is a method for fabricating an extremely-thin silicon-on-insulator transistor. |
| US07652327B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method for semiconductor device
To provide a semiconductor device capable of reducing a gate capacitance, and preventing breakdown of a gate oxide film if a large amount of current flows. A semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: an epitaxial layer; a channel region formed on the epitaxial layer; a trench extending from a surface of the channel region to the epitaxial layer; a gate oxide film that covers an inner surface of the trench; a gate electrode filled into the trench; and a buried insulating film formed below the gate electrode and away from the gate oxide film. |
| US07652321B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method of the same
In a process of manufacturing elements of different structures and characteristics on the same substrate at the same time, the number of steps is increased and complicated. In view of this, the invention provides a semiconductor device and a manufacturing process thereof in which elements of different structures are formed on the same substrate while reducing the number of steps. According to the invention, in accordance with a memory transistor that requires the largest number of steps when being formed among elements that forms a semiconductor memory device, other high speed transistor and high voltage transistor are efficiently manufactured. Thus, the number of steps is suppressed and a low cost semiconductor memory device can be manufactured. |
| US07652320B2 |
Non-volatile memory device having improved band-to-band tunneling induced hot electron injection efficiency and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type. The semiconductor substrate includes a first diffusion region having the first conductivity type, a second diffusion region having the first conductivity type, and a channel region between the first diffusion region and the second diffusion region. The device further includes a control gate over the channel region and at least one sub-gate over the first and second diffusion regions. |
| US07652319B2 |
Semiconductor memory device including a stacked gate having a charge storage layer and a control gate, and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor memory device includes a source region, a drain region, a channel region, a charge storage layer, and a control gate electrode. The source region and drain region are formed separately from each other in a surface of a semiconductor substrate. The channel region is formed in the semiconductor substrate and located between the source region and the drain region. The charge storage layer is formed on the channel region with a first insulating film interposed therebetween. The control gate electrode is formed on the charge storage layer with a second insulating film interposed therebetween. The control gate has an upper corner portion rounded with a radius of curvature of 5 nm or more. |
| US07652318B2 |
Split-gate memory cells and fabrication methods thereof
Split-gate memory cells and fabrication methods thereof. A split-gate memory cell comprises a plurality of isolation regions formed on a semiconductor substrate along a first direction, between two adjacent isolation regions defining an active region having a pair of drains and a source region. A pair of floating gates are disposed on the active regions and self-aligned with the isolation regions, wherein a top level of the floating gate is equal to a top level of the isolation regions. A pair of control gates are self-aligned with the floating gates and disposed on the floating gates along a second direction. A source line is disposed between the pair of control gates along the second direction. A pair of select gates are disposed on the outer sidewalls of the pair of control gates along the second direction. |
| US07652311B2 |
III-nitride device with reduced piezoelectric polarization
A III-nitride based field effect transistor obtains improved performance characteristics through manipulation of the relationship between the in-plane lattice constant of the interface of material layers. A high mobility two dimensional electron gas generated at the interface of the III-nitride materials permits high current conduction with low ON resistance, and is controllable through the manipulation of spontaneous polarization fields obtained according to the characteristics of the III-nitride material. The field effect transistor produced can be made to be a nominally on device where the in-plane lattice constants of the material forming the interface match. A nominally off device may be produced where one of the material layers has an in-plane lattice constant that is larger than that of the other layer material. The layer materials are preferably InAlGaN/GaN layers that are particularly tailored to the characteristics of the present invention. |
| US07652309B2 |
Solid state imaging module
A CCD solid state imaging module comprises a CCD area sensor, a substrate bias voltage setting device formed on said CCD area sensor for outputting a voltage, and a substrate bias voltage outputting device formed on a chip other than said CCD area sensor for outputting a substrate bias voltage of said CCD area sensor by selecting one voltage level from a plurality of voltages based on the voltage output by said substrate bias voltage setting device. A solid state imaging module suitable for a CCD area sensor having multiple driving modes can be provided. |
| US07652304B2 |
Contacting scheme for large and small area semiconductor light emitting flip chip devices
A light emitting device includes a layer of first conductivity type, a layer of second conductivity type, and a light emitting layer disposed between the layer of first conductivity type and the layer of second conductivity type. A via is formed in the layer of second conductivity type, down to the layer of first conductivity type. The vias may be formed by, for example, etching, ion implantation, diffusion, or selective growth of at least one layer of second conductivity type. A first contact electrically contacts the layer of first conductivity type through the via. A second contact electrically contacts the layer of second conductivity type. A ring that surrounds the light emitting layer and is electrically connected to the first contact electrically contacts the layer of first conductivity type. |
| US07652302B2 |
Method of making light emitting diode
A light emitting diode and the method of the same are provided. A light emitting diode epitaxy structure is formed on a substrate, and then the light emitting diode epitaxy structure is etched to form a recess. The recess is then filled with a transparent dielectric material. An ohmic contact layer and a reflective layer are formed sequentially, and then are etched to expose the transparent dielectric material. Finally, forming an adhesive conductive complex layer to fix the ohmic contact layer and the reflective layer on the light emitting diode epitaxy structure. |
| US07652301B2 |
Optical element coupled to low profile side emitting LED
A low profile, side-emitting LED with one or more optical elements, such as a reflector or lens, optically coupled to each light emitting sidewall is described. In one embodiment, a reflector is used to redirect the light emitted from each sidewall to a forward direction, e.g., in a flash configuration. In another embodiment, a lens is used to collimate the side emitted light in the horizontal plane, e.g., for backlighting. Each entrance surface of the lens is positioned so that the bottom edge is at or below the bottom of the light emitting sidewall so that the base of the lens does not block light that is emitted by the LED. |
| US07652292B2 |
Flexible electronic device and production method of the same
A flexible electronic device excellent in heat liberation characteristics and toughness and a production method for actualizing thereof in low cost and with satisfactory reproducibility are provided. A protection film is adhered onto the surface of a substrate on which surface a thin film device is formed. Successively, the substrate is soaked in an etching solution to be etched from the back surface thereof so as for the residual thickness of the substrate to fall within the range larger than 0 μm and not larger than 200 μm. Then, a flexible film is adhered onto the etched surface of the substrate, and thereafter the protection film is peeled to produce a flexible electronic device. |
| US07652287B2 |
Thin film transistor, light-emitting display device having the same and associated methods
A thin film transistor (TFT) includes an N-type oxide semiconductor layer on a substrate, a gate electrode spaced apart from the N-type oxide semiconductor layer by a gate dielectric layer, a source electrode contacting a first portion of the N-type oxide semiconductor layer, and a drain electrode contacting a second portion of the N-type oxide semiconductor layer. The first and second portions each have a doped region containing ions of at least one Group 1 element, and the ions of the at least one Group 1 element in the doped region may have a work function that is less than that of an N-type oxide semiconductor material included in the semiconductor layer. |
| US07652285B2 |
Thin film transistor structure and method of fabricating the same
In a thin film transistor (TFT) structure, formation of a spacer layer is used for isolating the NI junction from an insulating layer comprising a nitride, so as to decrease the amount of current leakage and improve the electric characteristics of TFT. In a back-channel etching (BCE) type TFT device, the spacer layer (comprising an oxide layer) is substantially formed at the sidewalls of the channel regions to isolate the insulating layer (comprising silicon nitride) from the NI junctions. In an etch-stop TFT device, the spacer layer (comprising an oxide layer) is substantially formed at the sidewalls of the etch-stop layer to isolate the insulating layer (i.e. etch-stop layer) from the NI junctions. |
| US07652284B2 |
Process monitor mark and the method for using the same
The invention is directed to a mark pattern for forming a process monitor mark in a patterned underlayer to monitor a patterning result of a photoresist layer over the patterned underlayer around the boundary between a peripheral region and a device region of a die, wherein the patterned underlayer is formed by using a first mask having a first pattern in a main region of the first mask and the mark pattern at an unused region of the first mask and the first pattern possesses a first mask critical dimension. The mark pattern comprising: a second pattern and a frame pattern. The second pattern has a second mask critical dimension, wherein the second mask critical dimension is as same as the first mask critical dimension. The frame pattern encloses the second pattern. |
| US07652276B2 |
Defect inspection method, defect inspection apparatus having a mounting table with a substrate thereon and an image pickup device are relatively moved for capturing the image of the substrate, and computer readable storage medium storing a program for performing the method
In the present invention, an image pickup device moving by drive of a drive unit picks up an image of a substrate on a mounting table. The drive unit is controlled by a driving signal from a first controller. The driving signal outputted to the first controller is outputted also to a second controller, so that the second controller controls the image pickup device based on the driving signal. The movement of the image pickup device itself is synchronized with the image pickup by the image pickup device. According to the present invention, at the time when the mounting table mounting the substrate thereon and the image pickup device are relatively moved to capture the image of the substrate, a precise image without image distortion can be captured for accurate inspection. |
| US07652260B2 |
Particle detection circuit comprising basic circuits forming subpixels
The particle detection circuit comprises a plurality of basic circuits. Each basic circuit comprises a particle detector element connected to an associated counter and a summing circuit having a first input connected to the output of the counter. Basic circuits, each forming a subpixel, are grouped together by series connection of their summing circuits to form a pixel. The output of the pixel, formed by the output of the summing circuit of a last basic circuit of the pixel, supplies counting signals representative of the number of particles detected by the set of basic circuits of the pixel. Disabling certain basic circuits of the pixel, by selective zero resetting of the first input of their summing circuit, can enable only the particles detected by certain zones of the pixel to be counted. |
| US07652253B2 |
Method and system for plasma-induced terahertz spectroscopy
A method of analyzing a remotely-located object includes the step of illuminating at least a portion of a targeted object with electromagnetic radiation to induce a phase transformation in the targeted object, wherein the phase transformation produces an emitter plasma, which emits terahertz radiation. The method also includes the step of ionizing a volume of an ambient gas to produce a sensor plasma by focusing an optical probe beam in the volume and the step of detecting an optical component of resultant radiation produced from an interaction of the focused optical probe beam and the terahertz radiation in the sensor plasma. Detecting an optical component of the resultant radiation emitted by the sensor plasma facilitates detection of a characteristic fingerprint of the targeted object imposed onto the terahertz radiation produced as a result of the induced phase transformation. |
| US07652243B2 |
Amplification with feedback capacitance for photodetector signals
Signals from an imager pixel photodetector are received by an amplifier having capacitive feedback, such as a capacitive transimpedance amplifier (CTIA). The amplifier can be operated at a low or no power level during an integration period of a photodetector to reduce power dissipation. The amplifier can be distributed, with an amplifier element within each pixel of an array and with amplifier output circuitry outside the pixel array. The amplifier can be a single ended cascode amplifier, a folded cascode amplifier, a differential input telescopic cascode amplifier, or other configuration. The amplifier can be used in pixel configurations where the amplifier is directly connected to the photodetector, or in configurations which use a transfer transistor to couple signal charges to a floating diffusion node with the amplifier being coupled to the floating diffusion node. |
| US07652240B2 |
Image sensor with a plurality of pixels, pixel circuit and method
An image sensor has a plurality of pixels, each pixel having a photodiode (12), a voltage amplifier (16) having gain magnitude greater than 1 and a sampling capacitor (18) charged by the voltage amplifier. In this arrangement, each pixel provides gain through voltage amplification. This enables the sampling capacitor to be kept to a low size, so that the pixel circuitry occupies the smallest possible space, thereby enabling large aperture pixels to be formed. A source-follower buffer transistor (49) is provided at the input to the voltage amplifier. This overcomes the effect of charge sharing resulting from the parasitic capacitances of the output transistor of the voltage amplifier. |
| US07652236B2 |
Lighting system for color control
A lighting arrangement provides light of a desired color. The arrangement includes light sources that each emit light of a respective color that, when mixed, is perceivable as the desired color. A light detector is configured to receive light reflected by a color reference surface having a specific reference color. A controller is configured to analyzes a signal from the light detector and recognizes the color of the received light as the color of the reference surface. The controller controls the light sources such that the desired color corresponds to the color of the color reference surface. |
| US07652233B2 |
Microwave interactive display package
Various microwave energy interactive display packages, blanks for forming such packages, and methods of displaying and heating a food item are provided. |
| US07652231B2 |
Apparatus for delivering harmonic inductive power
Method and apparatus for providing harmonic inductive power, and more particularly for delivering current pulses providing a desired amount of pulse energy in high frequency harmonics to a load circuit for inductive heating of an article. By controlling the shape and/or frequency of such current pulses, the apparatus and method can be used to enhance the rate, intensity and/or power of inductive heating delivered by the heater coil and/or to enhance the lifetime or reduce the cost and complexity of an inductive heating power supply. Of particular significance, the apparatus and method may be used to significantly increase the power inductively delivered to a ferromagnetic or other inductively heated load, without requiring an increase of current in the heater coil. This enables new heating applications, and in some known applications, decreases the energy consumption or cooling requirements and/or increase the lifetime of the heater coil. |
| US07652226B2 |
Electrically heated window glass
An electrically heated window glass is provided, in which an electric power load may be suppressed by causing a consumed electric power for energizing a heater to be variable depending on the purpose of heating. The electrically heated window glass in accordance with the present invention comprises two glass panels laminated to each other; a plurality of heaters sandwiched between the two glass panels for heating the glass panels, the heaters being positioned in such a manner that the heaters divide the surface of the laminated glass panels into plural parts; a plurality bus bars each provided at the end portions of each of the plurality of heaters for feeding thereto; and a changeover means for switching the connection between selected one of the plurality of bus bars and a DC power supply to heat the plurality of heaters in a series connected manner or parallel connected manner. |
| US07652225B2 |
Method and device for machining composite parts formed from a carrier device and a stamping pad
A processing device for processing a composite component with at least a support device and a stamp pad having at least one operating head of a material-removing unit. The material-removing unit and the composite component are moved relative to one another by means of a handling unit controlled by a control unit whereby material is removed from the composite component. The stamp pad of the composite component is divided into several mutually spaced pad parts by means of a dividing gap, whereby the operating head together with a dispensing unit of an ink dispenser unit is incorporated in an effector unit. |
| US07652214B2 |
Electronic component package
In an electronic component package in which an electronic component mounted on a mounting substrate via external electrodes placed on the mounting substrate is covered by a mold resin, the electronic component has a component cover which covers elements placed on the lower face of a component substrate, and which forms cavities, and a protective member which is lower in elastic modulus than the mold resin is disposed in a portion which excludes portions joined with the external electrodes in a lower face of the component cover, and which is opposed to the cavities. |
| US07652209B2 |
Method of junction formation for CIGS photovoltaic devices
Sulfur is used to improve the performance of CIGS devices prepared by the evaporation of a single source ZIS type compound to form a buffer layer on the CIGS. The sulfur may be evaporated, or contained in the ZIS type material, or both. Vacuum evaporation apparatus of many types useful in the practice of the invention are known in the art. Other methods of delivery, such as sputtering, or application of a thiourea solution, may be substituted for evaporation. |
| US07652200B1 |
Soybean variety XB35J08
According to the invention, there is provided a novel soybean variety designated XB35J08. This invention thus relates to the seeds of soybean variety XB35J08, to the plants of soybean XB35J08 to plant parts of soybean variety XB35J08 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing plants of the soybean variety XB35J08 with another soybean plant, using XB35J08 as either the male or the female parent. |
| US07652196B2 |
Cos for mechanical harvest
The present invention relates to a Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia Lam seed which has a solid main vein and narrow base leaves, dark green outer leaves, short core, absence of fringe burn, and absence of tipburn. A specific embodiment is designated 41-69 RZ, referred to as Actarus. The present invention also relates to a Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia Lam plant produced by growing the “41-69 RZ” (“Actarus”) seed. The invention further relates to methods for producing the lettuce cultivar, represented by lettuce variety 41-69 RZ. |