Document	Document Title
US08112802B2	Verification of outsourced data streams Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to verifying query results of an untrusted server. A data owner outsources a data stream to the untrusted server, which is configured to respond to a query from a client with the query result, which is returned to the client. The data owner can maintain a vector associated with query results returned by the server and can generate a verification synopsis using the vector and a seed. The verification synopsis includes a polynomial, where coefficients of the polynomial are determined based on the seed. The data owner outputs the verification synopsis and the seed to a client for verification of the query results.
US08112793B2	Image forming apparatus and image forming system An image forming system includes a client apparatus and an image forming apparatus. The client apparatus includes an authentication data storing area defining section that produces an authentication data storing area in an external storage medium; a writing section that writes authentication data into the authentication data storing area; and an image data storing section that stores image data into the external storage medium. The image forming apparatus includes a searching section, an input section, an authenticating section, and an image processing section. The searching section reads authentication data from the external storage medium. Identification information is received from a user through the input section. The authenticating section performs authentication based on the identification information and the authentication data. The image processing section processes the image data. When the authentication has been established, the searching section reads image data from the external storage medium.
US08112791B2	Secure launching of browser from privileged process Methods and apparatus include securely launching a web browser from a privileged process of a workstation to minimize enterprise vulnerabilities. The workstation includes a web browser pointed toward a web server and a Logon API for use with a password/credential. An executable file is wrapped about the browser and imposes restrictions, such as preventing the writing to a registry or installing ActiveX controls. It also has functionality to prevent users from linking to web locations in other than an https protocol or following links beyond an original host. Upon indication of a forgotten password/credential, a DLL logs onto a user account which invokes the executable file to launch the web browser in the https protocol. Upon authentication of identity, the user changes their password/credential for later logging-on to the workstation via the Logon API, but in a capacity without the limited functionality or the imposed browser restrictions.
US08112789B2	Systems and methods for facilitating distributed authentication A method for facilitating distributed authentication includes the step of requesting, by a user of a client machine residing in a first domain, access to a resource residing in a second domain. The client machine authenticates the user to an intermediate machine. The intermediate machine impersonates the client machine. The intermediate machine impersonating the client machine requests access to the second domain from a domain controller residing in the second domain. The domain controller authorizes the requested access, responsive to a determination that the impersonated client machine is trusted for delegation. The domain controller transmits to an application server residing in the second domain, authentication data associated with the impersonated client machine. The application server transmits, to the intermediate machine, a launch ticket uniquely identifying a logon token. The client machine provides, to the application server, the launch ticket to access the resource residing in the second domain.
US08112782B1	Signal processing apparatus and methods A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming.
US08112781B2	Content delivery system having an edge resource manager performing bandwidth reclamation A method is provided for reclaiming bandwidth from an edge device. The method includes communicating a bandwidth query message to at least one session manager. The bandwidth query message specifies an amount of bandwidth that needs to be reclaimed from a single one of a plurality of edge devices in order to establish at least one additional session that delivers a digital service to a subscriber in a service group serviced by the plurality of edge devices over an access network. In response to communication of the bandwidth query message, a bandwidth query response message is received from the session manager identifying an edge device from which at least the specified amount of bandwidth can be reclaimed. A response is communicated to the session manager requesting the session manager to reclaim the specified amount of bandwidth from the edge device that has been identified.
US08112775B2	IPTV receiver and method of providing channel details information An IPTV receiver and a method of providing channel details information are provided. A network interface transmits and receives an IP packet through a network. An IP network stack checks a destination of the received IP packet and classifies the IP packet according to a protocol. A Service Information (SI) decoder parses a channel map record included in the IP packet to read a channel map instance included in the channel map record, parses a channel details record included in the IP packet to read the channel details information included in the channel details record, wherein the channel map instance includes channel details reception information. an IPTV terminal function (ITF) operation controller controls the reception of the channel details record based on the channel details reception information.
US08112774B2	On demand dynamic advertisement insertion in an internet protocol stream A computer implemented method, computer program product, and data processing system for managing advertisements in an Internet Protocol (IP) streaming environment by defining a viewership threshold, monitoring the Internet Protocol streaming environment, and responsive to reaching the viewership threshold, programming alternate advertisements.
US08112767B1	Systems, apparatus, and methods for layered execution The disclosure is directed to systems, apparatus, and methods for layered execution. In one example, a layered execution environment is provided where one or more layers are overlaid over a base operating environment in a manner that they appear to be installed on the local system. The first layer may include a resource associated with one or more resources on a second layer. The resource on the first layer may be monitored to determine when access to the resource is requested. In response to access to the resource of the first layer, the second layer, which comprises the associated resources, may be activated. By activating the second layer only in response to a request to access a resource on the first layer, associated resources may be selectively activated resulting in more efficient execution.
US08112766B2	Multi-threaded device and facility manager Techniques are provided for implementing the WS-DeviceProfile standard as a multi-threaded process (“DFM”) executing on a multi-function peripheral (“MFP”). The DFM takes care of the discovery of devices and services on a network. The DFM also acts as a facility manager. The DFM implements various web services in a single component that applications can re-use. The DFM insulates these applications from some of the more complex details of the web services that the DFM implements. The MFP may comprise several different applications, each with a different specialized function. Each of these applications uses the web services provided by the DFM. The multi-threaded nature of the DFM permits new services to be added to the MFP dynamically. The threads can handle separate tasks concurrently. For example, one thread can handle communications with processes outside the MFP, while another thread can simultaneously handle communications with processes and applications inside the MFP.
US08112760B2	System for workload balancing by resetting an average queue depth upon the start of the server instance The present invention relates to an apparatus and computer program for workload balancing in an asynchronous messaging system. The number of server instances, which process work items from a queue of messages, is controlled based upon that queue's average queue depth and one or more predetermined thresholds.
US08112758B2	Methods and apparatus for resource allocation in partial fault tolerant applications Techniques are disclosed for allocation of resources in a distributed computing system. For example, a method for allocating a set of one or more components of an application to a set of one or more resource groups includes the following steps performed by a computer system. The set of one or more resource groups is ordered based on respective failure measures and resource capacities associated with the one or more resource groups. An importance value is assigned to each of the one or more components, wherein the importance value is associated with an affect of the component on an output of the application. The one or more components are assigned to the one or more resource groups based on the importance value of each component and the respective failure measures and resource capacities associated with the one or more resource groups, wherein components with higher importance values are assigned to resource groups with lower failure measures and higher resource capacities. The application may be a partial fault tolerant (PFT) application that comprises a set of one or more PFT application components. The set of one or more resource groups may comprise a heterogeneous set of resource groups (or clusters).
US08112757B2	Apparatus and method of dynamically repartitioning a computer system in response to partition workloads A method, system and apparatus for dynamically repartitioning a partitioned computer system in response to workload demands are provided. In one embodiment, a monitoring software is used to monitor workloads on all resources in all the partitions. If a workload on a resource in a partition is determined to exceed a maximum threshold, a similar resource is allocated to the partition. The similar resource is preferentially an unassigned or unallocated resource. However, resources from other partitions may also be used. In another embodiment, a workload schedule is stored in a workload profile. If a scheduled workload in any of the resources of a partition is to exceed a maximum threshold, additional similar resources will be allocated to the partition before the scheduled workload.
US08112752B2	Method for performing a software process, controller and lithographic apparatus A method for performing a software process, such as a real time software process, is disclosed, the process having a plurality of tasks, the method including starting a task of the plurality of tasks of the process, monitoring a progress of the started task, comparing the progress with a desired progress, if the progress does not meet the desired progress, skipping at least a part of a task of the plurality of tasks, and performing the process making use of an outcome of the tasks which have been completed. The monitoring of the progress may be performed upon completion of the task or at a predetermined moment in time.
US08112748B2	Method for operating software configured for internet access on a remote computer A method of operating software configured for Internet access on a remote computer includes opening a virtual machine on a remote computer from a user computer and sending user preferences from the user computer to the virtual machine. The method includes sending a request to operate the software configured for Internet access, and receiving user preferences from the virtual machine upon shutdown. A method of operating software configured for Internet access remote from a user computer includes opening a virtual machine on a remote computer and receiving user preferences at the virtual machine from the user computer. The method further includes receiving a request from the user computer at the remote computer and requesting at least one web page from the virtual machine and receiving a close command at the virtual machine from the user computer and sending the user preferences to the user computer in response to the shutdown.
US08112741B1	Ignoring output arguments of functions in programming environments Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for ignoring one or more output arguments of a function in a programming environment. Users or programmers may designate one or more output arguments that are not desired by the users. The called function determines which output arguments are designated by the users. The one or more output arguments designated by the users are ignored by the function. The called function may reclaim memory space for the output arguments designated by the users. The called function may also avoid operations for generating values for the output arguments designated by the users. The called function does not need to return values for the output arguments designated by the users.
US08112738B2	Apparatus and method of customizable model import and export to and from XML schema formats In one embodiment the present invention includes a computer-implemented method of converting first metadata to second metadata using a mapping and custom exits. The metadata is at the M1 level and the mapping is generated based on information at the M2 level. The custom exits provide programmable mapping rules in addition to the mapping. In this manner, metadata created in one modeling environment may be used in another modeling environment.
US08112732B2	System and computer program product for diffusion based cell placement migration A system and computer program product for cell placement in an integrated circuit design that uses a calculated diffusion velocity determined from a density value in order to relocate the cells until the cell placement reduces the density below a predetermined threshold. The method acts to control the movement of different cells to reduce the density of the cells prior to legalization of the cell placement.
US08112731B1	Congestion-driven placement systems and methods for programmable logic devices Techniques are provided for reducing signal congestion in programmable logic devices (PLDs). In one example, a computer-implemented method of reducing signal congestion in a configuration of a PLD includes mapping a plurality of circuit components of a circuit design to a plurality of components of the PLD, wherein each of the mapped PLD components is associated with one of a plurality of regions of the PLD and with one or more unique signal paths entering the PLD region. The method also includes determining a cost value for each PLD region based at least in part on the number of unique signal paths entering the PLD region from other PLD regions. The method also includes selecting one of the PLD components to move from a first one of the PLD regions to a second one of the PLD regions. The method also includes updating the cost values associated with the first and second PLD regions based on a change in the number of unique signal paths entering the first and second PLD regions. The method also includes selectively accepting or rejecting the move based at least in part on the updated cost values.
US08112730B2	Various methods and apparatuses for memory modeling using a structural primitive verification for memory compilers A structural primitive verification tool for memory compilers is described. A first set of memory structural primitives are supplied by a designer by filling in fields of a presented user interface. The first set of structural primitives describe certain physical layout features of a proposed memory array in an integrated circuit. A first model of a memory instance derived from the first set of memory structural primitives supplied by the designer is compared to a second model of a memory instance derived from a memory layout file from a memory compiler under-test. The first model is verified against the second model to verify to an integrity of the first set of memory structural primitives supplied by the designer compared to the memory layout file derived from a second set of memory structural primitives configuring that memory instance from the memory compiler.
US08112711B2	System and method of playback and feature control for video players A method and a system of displaying a user interface to control playback and features that may be associated with a prerecorded media. A media player, such as a DVD player, a personal computer, a home media server, a high definition video player, an optical player, a hard drive based player, or a software DVD-ROM player receives streams of video from different media and displays its content. Simultaneously, and without interrupting the video playback, a user interface is overlaid on the video image. The user interface may include menu selections to control the playback of the video including scene selection, settings, and viewing rights. The user interface may include menu selections to control features associated with the video such as Documentaries, Games, Purchases, Activities, Commentaries, Outtakes, Karaoke, Trailers, Songs, Wishlists, and Events.
US08112702B2	Annotating video intervals A system and method is provided for managing and displaying annotations in online hosted videos. To determine related annotations associated with a video, a plurality of annotations for one or more intervals of the video are collected and organized into a plurality of groups. Each group includes annotations for intervals of the video that are similar to each other. A group having related annotations is identified, and an annotated clip of the video is formed based upon the intervals in the group. This process can be used to determine any number of groups in a given video having related annotations, forming the respective annotated intervals within a single video, and can also identify and organize annotated intervals within a large number of different videos.
US08112701B2	Reference adding behavior in formula editing mode Reference adding behavior in a formula editing mode is disclosed. In some embodiments, in response to receiving an indication of a selection of a cell, a reference to the selected cell is inserted into a formula being entered into a host cell if the host cell is not a header cell, and a reference to a row or column with which the selected cell is associated is inserted into a formula being entered into a host cell if the host cell is a header cell.
US08112698B2	High speed turbo codes decoder for 3G using pipelined SISO Log-MAP decoders architecture A baseband processor is provided having Turbo Codes Decoders with Diversity processing for computing baseband signals from multiple separate antennas. The invention decodes multipath signals that have arrived at the terminal via different routes after being reflected from buildings, trees or hills. The Turbo Codes Decoder with Diversity processing increases the signal to noise ratio (SNR) more than 6 dB which enables the 3rd Generation Wireless system to deliver data rates from up to 2 Mbit/s. The invention provides several improved Turbo Codes Decoder methods and devices that provide a more suitable, practical and simpler method for implementation a Turbo Codes Decoder in ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) or DSP codes. A plurality of parallel Turbo Codes Decoder blocks is provided to compute baseband signals from multiple different receiver paths. Several pipelined max-Log-MAP decoders are used for iterative decoding of received data. A Sliding Window of Block N data is used for pipeline operations. In a pipeline mode, a first decoder A decodes block N data from a first source, while a second decoder B decodes block N data from a second source during the same clock cycle. Pipelined max-Log-MAP decoders provide high speed data throughput and one output per clock cycle.
US08112695B2	Method for encoding data message K' for transmission from sending station to receiving station as well as method for decoding, sending station, receiving station and software Irregular LDPC codes have a construction which allows one to obtain a number of codes with different length from a single prototype code with a parity check matrix given by H=[Hz Hi], where Hz specifies the well-known zigzag pattern in the corresponding Tanner graph. The parity check matrices for longer codes are obtained as [Hz′Πdiag(Hi, . . . , Hi)], where Hz′ specifies a longer zigzag pattern depending on the number of matrices Hi used, and Π represents some permutation. This allows one to construct the decoder for a longer code by reusing hardware components developed for decoding the prototype code.
US08112689B2	ECC controller for use in flash memory device and memory system including the same An ECC (error correction code) controller of a flash memory device which stores an M-bit data (M being a positive integer equal to or greater than 2) comprises a first ECC block which generates a first ECC data from a program data to be stored in the flash memory device according to a first error correcting method and a second ECC block which generates a second ECC data from the first ECC data and the program data output from the first ECC block according to a second error correcting method, the program data, the first ECC data, and the second ECC data being stored in the flash memory device.
US08112680B2	System and device with error detection/correction process and method outputting data A system, device and related method are used to communicate data via a plurality of data lanes including a selected data lane. In a first mode of operation, payload data and related supplemental data are communicated via the plurality of data lanes including the selected data lane. In a second mode of operation, only payload data is communicated via the plurality of data lanes, except the selected data lane.
US08112677B2	Method of debugging multiple processes A method of debugging a multiple concurrent processes comprising: obtaining, from each process, a plurality of events that have been processed and, if no time information is associated with each event, associating time information therewith; causing a display to display the events such that an event that has occurred in a first portion of the display associated with a first process at a first time is aligned with an event in a second portion of the display associated with a second process that has occurred at a similar time to the first time. To be accompanied, when published, by FIG. 5 of the drawings.
US08112670B2	Gaming apparatus having memory fault detection In the information process device 1, the fault inspection program is stored in the fault inspection program area 13b of the ROM 13 provided on the mother board 11 which is independently arranged from the hard disk 24, thereby even if a fault occurs in the hard disk 24 which is inspected by the fault inspection program, it can be guaranteed that the fault inspection program properly operates.
US08112668B2	Dynamic broadcast of configuration loads supporting multiple transfer formats A method for dynamically broadcasting configuration information to controllers connected in a scan topology in a target system is provided in which a selection event followed by the configuration information is received from a signal line at each of the controllers, wherein the plurality of controllers are connected in parallel to the signal line and the configuration information is stored within each controller that matches a selection criteria following the selection event when the selection event initiates a selection sequence.
US08112664B2	Using volume snapshots to prevent file corruption in failed restore operations Restore software executing in a computer system may invoke a snapshot of a target volume before restoring a plurality of files from a backup image to the target volume. If the restore operation fails before all the files are restored to the target volume then the restore software may use the snapshot to return one or more of the files to their original states as they existed before the restore operation was initiated.
US08112661B1	Method and system for changing a protection policy for a dataset in a network storage system Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for providing, in a network storage system, a topology set to a storage administrator for selection of a topology to implement a new protection policy for a dataset. A topology includes a mapping between storage objects participating to effectuate an existing protection policy and storage objects participating to effectuate the new protection policy. When a storage administrator selects a new protection policy, a storage manager automatically generates a number of topology options including a storage object participating in the existing protection policy. According to a priority rule, the storage manager determines the priority of the topologies by computing a priority indicator for each of the topologies. In certain embodiments, the topology set is displayed to a storage administrator including the priority indicator for each topology for informing the storage administrator the relative preference of each topology. The storage administrator thereby selects a topology for configuring storage objects to participate in effectuating the new protection policy.
US08112657B2	Method, computer, and computer program product for hardware mapping A method is provided for mapping a data center to a disaster recovery site. Data center information including production hardware and production applications is retrieved from a database. Disaster recovery site information including disaster recovery hardware is retrieved from the database. A list is created of the production applications and a valid list of the production applications is automatically determined from the list based on rules in the database. A list is created of the production hardware, and a valid list of the production hardware is automatically determined from the list based on the rules in the database, which includes determining the production hardware on which the valid list of the production applications run, and removing the production hardware on which the valid list of the production applications does not run. The valid list of the production hardware is mapped to the disaster recovery hardware of the disaster recovery site.
US08112654B2	Method and an apparatus for providing timing signals to a number of circuits, and integrated circuit and a node A method of providing or transporting a timing signal between a number of circuits, electrical or optical, where each circuit is fed by a node. The nodes forward timing signals between each other, and at least one node is adapted to not transmit a timing signal before having received a timing signal from at least two nodes. In this manner, the direction of the timing skew between nodes and circuits is known and data transport between the circuits made easier.
US08112652B2	Multiprocessor system power management of shared memories powering down memory bank only when all processors indicate not powering that memory bank This invention manages power down and wakeup of shared memories in a multiprocessor system. A register for each shared memory has bits corresponding to each master. When a master wants to power down a memory, it sets its corresponding bit in the register. A hardware power down controller for the memory bank powers the memory bank if any processor signals powering the memory bank. The hardware power down controller for the memory bank powers down the memory bank only if all processor signal powering down the memory bank. The hardware power down controller waits for all masters to set their corresponding bits in the register before initiating power down of the memories. Software running on any processor has a view of the shared memory independent of the other processors and no inter-processor communication is needed.
US08112648B2	Enhanced control of CPU parking and thread rescheduling for maximizing the benefits of low-power state A system may comprise a plurality of processing units and a scheduler configured to maintain a record for each respective processing unit. Each respective record may comprise entries which may indicate 1) how long the respective processing unit has been residing in an idle state, 2) a present power-state in which the respective processing unit resides, and 3) whether the respective processing unit is a designated default (bootstrap) processing unit. The scheduler may select one or more of the plurality of processing units according to their respective records, and assign impending instructions to be executed on the selected one or more processing units. Where additional processing units are required, the scheduler may also insert an instruction to trigger an inter-processor interrupt to transition one or more processing units out of idle-state. The scheduler may then assign some impending instructions to these one or more processing units.
US08112646B2	Buffering techniques for power management Buffering techniques for power management are described. A method may comprise modifying a power state for a communications sub-system and a computing sub-system from a higher power state to a lower power state, storing packets of information in a buffer for the communications sub-system during a communications idle duration period, generating a variable receive threshold value for the buffer, and transferring the stored packets of information from the buffer to the computing sub-system based on a variable receive threshold value. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08112639B2	Methods, systems and computer program products for detecting tampering of electronic equipment based on constrained time to obtain computational result Tampering of electronic equipment may be detected by instructing the electronic equipment to perform at least one computational operation at the electronic equipment, such as hashing of at least some of the memory of the electronic equipment, to produce a result. The result is received from the electronic equipment. Tampering of the electronic equipment is detected if the result is not received within a constrained time of the instructing, even if the result is correct. Tampering also may be detected if the result is not correct.
US08112633B1	Server side verification of digital signatures in streaming environments When an executable file cannot be run on a client computer until the digital signature has been verified, the streaming server performs the verification if the entire file is not present on the client. More specifically, the client detects requests to verify digital signatures on executable files before allowing them to run. The client determines whether the entire executable file is present, and whether the server is trusted to verify digital signatures. If the entire file is not present locally and the server is trusted, the request to verify the digital signature is passed to the server. The server verifies the digital signature on its complete copy of the executable file, and returns the result to the client.
US08112631B2	Password input device, computer security system using the same and method thereof A password input device includes a detection module, a recognition module, and an output module. The detection module is configured for detecting angular velocities and accelerations of hand movement. The recognition module includes a conversion unit, a character database, and an indexing unit. The conversion unit is configured for converting the detected angular velocities and accelerations, in analog format, into usable data. The indexing unit is configured for seeking a character corresponding to user input in the character database according to the usable data, and outputting the corresponding character. The output module is configured for receiving the corresponding characters from the indexing unit and determining the password.
US08112624B2	Method and system for certificate revocation list compression Embodiments of the present invention provide a compression capability for compressing a CRL, such as an X.509 CRL, stored as a file, data structure or data object in a computer system having a certification authority (CA) and a security client. An exemplary method provides for accessing the CRL contents including a certificate revocation record and performing compression procedure, such as a lossless compression procedure on the contents of the CRL. The compressed CRL contents can be stored in another file, data structure or data object. A request for the compressed CRL is from a security client whereupon the compressed CRL is returned to the security client by transferring the compressed CRL contents to the security client. The security can client un-compress the compressed CRL contents. In some cases the uncompressed CRL contents can be transferred to the security client. The compression procedure can further compress a body portion of the CRL and modify a header portion of the CRL to indicate that the body portion is compressed. The security client can read the header portion to determine that the CRL is compressed and can un-compresses the CRL.
US08112623B2	Communication terminal apparatus, server terminal apparatus, and communication system using the same A communication terminal apparatus includes a storage section configured to store a library function in which a first specific instruction is executed a process to be executed prior to a communication with a communication target and a second specific instruction is executed before returning to a call source, a client application, an attribute value group of the client application, and an permissible address range of the first specific instruction. A communication instruction execution control section controls execution of a communication instruction based on the attribute value group of the client application, when the client application executes the communication instruction to generate an internal interruption. A security gate entering section checks whether or not an address of the first specific instruction is within a permissible address range when the client application executes the first specific instruction to generate the internal interrupt, and changes the attribute value group of the client application when the address of the first specific instruction is within the permissible address range. A security gate exiting section returns the attribute value group of the client application to an original state when the client application executes the second specific instruction to generate the internal interrupt.
US08112620B2	Method and system for discovery of a root file system A method for discovery of a root file system that includes obtaining a tag corresponding to a boot image for an operating system, identifying, by a boot loader, a location of the boot image having a predefined value matching the tag, loading a kernel of the operating system retrieved from the boot image, and transferring execution to the kernel, wherein the boot loader provides the tag for the location to the kernel. The method further includes identifying, by the kernel, the location of the root file system based on the tag provided by the boot loader, and executing the operating system on a processor using the root file system identified by the kernel.
US08112618B2	Less-secure processors, integrated circuits, wireless communications apparatus, methods and processes of making An integrated circuit (122) includes an on-chip boot ROM (132) holding boot code, a non-volatile security identification element (140) having non-volatile information determining a less secure type or more secure type, and a processor (130). The processor (130) is coupled to the on-chip boot ROM (132) and to the non-volatile security identification element (140) to selectively execute boot code depending on the non-volatile information of the non-volatile security identification element(140). Other technology such as processors, methods of operation, processes of manufacture, wireless communications apparatus, and wireless handsets are also disclosed.
US08112616B2	Reduced instruction set baseband controller In wireless communications such as in the Bluetooth communication system, an execution unit sequentially receives software instructions for execution. Prior to completing each instruction, the execution unit issues an interrupt indicating the upcoming completion of the instruction execution and awaits receipt of the next instruction. A Link Manager issues limited instructions, and a Link Controller includes a hardware execution unit for executing the limited instructions. A processing unit in the Link Manager performs remaining functions under control of a software program.
US08112606B2	Method for storing a data block containing data for controlling a technical process, and control and automation device The invention proposes a method and a control apparatus for storing a first data block containing data for controlling a technical process in a first memory area of an automation apparatus. In this case, a second data block containing data for controlling the technical process is stored in a second memory area of the automation apparatus. The first data block and the second data block are subdivided into a plurality of data areas. At least one data area which is part of the first data block is supplied to the automation apparatus and stored in the first memory area. Furthermore, at least one data area which is both part of the first data block and art of the second data block is copied from the second memory area into the first memory area. A corresponding automation apparatus is also proposed.
US08112604B2	Tracking load store ordering hazards A method and system for processing data. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a plurality of stores into a store queue, where each store is a result from a processor, and where the plurality of stores are destined for at least one memory address. The method also includes marking a most recent store of the plurality of stores for each unique memory address, comparing a load request against the store queue, and identifying only the most recent store for each unique memory address for the purpose of handling load-hit-store ordering hazards.
US08112601B2	Data storage device with security feature A data storage device is disclosed with at least two partitions and a set of switches to separately enable and disable read and write operations to each of the partitions, wherein read and/or write operations for at least one of the partitions is disabled when the data storage device is accessible by one or more potentially malicious processes. In one embodiment, there are five partitions for (1) operating systems and trusted applications, (2) applications from non-trusted sources, (3) confidential data, (4) non-confidential data, and (5) all other data. A mode switch can be used to enable and disable reading and writing for each of the partitions according to a predetermined set of rules that effectively prevent viruses and other malware from altering or accessing programs and data.
US08112599B2	Method and apparatus for increasing an amount of memory on demand when monitoring remote mirroring performance A method and storage system for increasing an amount of memory in a queuing area on. The storage system includes first and second storage subsystems connected to each other via a path. A primary volume in the first storage subsystem and a remote secondary volume in the second storage subsystem are mirrored and operated in the asynchronous mode. A queuing area having memory is provided in the second storage subsystem for temporarily storing data transferred to the second storage subsystem from the first storage subsystem in response to a write input/output (I/O) issued by a host to write data in the primary volume. Data temporarily stored in the memory is retrieved and stored in the remote secondary volume. An unused area of the queuing area is monitored and the memory increased if the unused area becomes less than a predetermined amount.
US08112598B2	Apparatus and method for controlling copying Pre-update data is copied from a first storage device onto a second storage device in response to an update instruction to update data on the backup target volume on the first storage device. A copy status of each data on the backup target volume is managed with position information of the data mapped thereto. If bad data is present in the data on the backup target volume, the position information indicating the position of the bad data is searched. In accordance with the copy status managed with the position information mapped thereto, it is determined whether the pre-update data of the bad data is stored on the second storage device.
US08112596B2	Management apparatus, management method and storage management system A management apparatus, a management method, and a storage management system that more specifically manage power consumption, making it easy to analyze problems relating to power consumption or properly relocate data are provided.A power consumption for each of a plurality of memory apparatus groups each consisting of a plurality of memory apparatuses in a storage system is computed based on a performance for each of a plurality of logical storage extents defined in a plurality of storage extents provided by each of the memory apparatus groups, and a value of the power consumption for each of one or more of the memory apparatus groups obtained by the computation is output together with information on an access status of each of the corresponding logical storage extents.
US08112593B2	System and method for improving cluster performance A system for providing improved cluster operation performance comprises a storage system and a cluster system communicatively coupled to the storage system. The cluster system comprises an active node and a plurality of passive nodes. The active node comprises a storage system interface engine and at least one initiator engine and each of the plurality of passive nodes comprises a storage system interface engine and at least one initiator engine. The storage system interface engine of the active node is configured to coordinate communication between the cluster system and the storage system, and simultaneously communicate an operation request from each of the plurality of passive nodes of the cluster system to the storage system.
US08112590B2	Methods and apparatus for reducing command processing latency while maintaining coherence In a first aspect, a first method of reducing command processing latency while maintaining memory coherence is provided. The first method includes the steps of (1) providing a memory map including memory addresses available to a system; and (2) arranging the memory addresses into a plurality of groups. At least one of the groups does not require the system, in response to a command that requires access to a memory address in the group from a bus unit, to get permission from all remaining bus units included in the system to maintain memory coherence. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US08112587B2	Shared data prefetching with memory region cache line monitoring A method, circuit arrangement, and design structure for prefetching data for responding to a memory request, in a shared memory computing system of the type that includes a plurality of nodes, is provided. Prefetching data comprises, receiving, in response to a first memory request by a first node, presence data for a memory region associated with the first memory request from a second node that sources data requested by the first memory request, and selectively prefetching at least one cache line from the memory region based on the received presence data. Responding to a memory request comprises tracking presence data associated with memory regions associated with cached cache lines in the first node, and, in response to a memory request by a second node, forwarding the tracked presence data for a memory region associated with the memory request to the second node.
US08112586B1	Predicting and optimizing I/O performance characteristics in a multi-level caching system A predictive model specifies a workload to be applied to a hierarchy of caches having multiple levels of caches. The predictive model defines a configuration for the hierarchy of caches by specifying cache characteristics of each level of the hierarchy of caches and the underlying storage pool and applies the workload to the configuration. For each level of the configuration, the predictive model computes a performance metric based on a portion of the workload satisfied at the level and the cache characteristics of the level. The predictive model computes resource allocation metrics based on the performance metric for the levels and a cost associated with the configuration. Based on the workload, the configuration, performance metrics, and resource allocation metrics, the predictive model creates a design time recommendation for the hierarchy of caches, a configuration time recommendation and run time recommendation for the hierarchy of caches.
US08112584B1	Storage controller performing a set of multiple operations on cached data with a no-miss guarantee until all of the operations are complete Disclosed are, inter alia, methods, apparatus, data structures, computer-readable media, mechanisms, and means for a storage controller (e.g., memory controller, disk controller, etc.) performing a set of multiple operations on cached data with a no-miss guarantee until the multiple operations are complete, which may, for example, be used by a packet processor to quickly update multiple statistics values (e.g., byte, packet, error counts, etc.) based on processed packets. Operations to be performed on data at the same address and/or in a common data structure are grouped together and burst so that they arrive at the storage system in contiguous succession for the storage controller to perform. By not allowing the storage controller to flush the data from its cache until all of the operations are performed, even a tiny cache attached to the storage controller can reduce the bandwidth and latency of updating the data.
US08112570B2	Pipelined buffer interconnect with trigger core controller A method and system to transfer a data stream from a data source to a data sink are described herein. The system comprises a trigger core, a plurality of dedicated buffers and a plurality of dedicated buses coupled to the plurality of buffers, trigger core, the data source and the data sink. In response to receiving a request for a data transfer from a data source to a data sink, the trigger core assigns a first buffer and a first bus to the data source for writing data, locks the first buffer and first bus, releases the first buffer and the first bus upon indication from the data source of completion of data transfer to the first buffer, assigns the first buffer and first bus to the data sink for reading data and assigns a second buffer and second bus to the data source for writing data thereby pipelining the data transfer from the data source to the data sink.
US08112559B2	Increasing available FIFO space to prevent messaging queue deadlocks in a DMA environment Embodiments of the invention may be used to manage message queues in a parallel computing environment to prevent message queue deadlock. A direct memory access controller of a compute node may determine when a messaging queue is full. In response, the DMA may generate an interrupt. An interrupt handler may stop the DMA and swap all descriptors from the full messaging queue into a larger queue (or enlarge the original queue). The interrupt handler then restarts the DMA. Alternatively, the interrupt handler stops the DMA, allocates a memory block to hold queue data, and then moves descriptors from the full messaging queue into the allocated memory block. The interrupt handler then restarts the DMA. During a normal messaging advance cycle, a messaging manager attempts to inject the descriptors in the memory block into other messaging queues until the descriptors have all been processed.
US08112547B2	Efficiently hashing packet keys into a firewall connection table A method for increasing the capacity of a connection table in a firewall accelerator by means of mapping packets in one session with some common security actions into one table entry. For each of five Network Address Translation (NAT) configurations, a hash function is specified. The hash function takes into account which of four possible arrival types a packet at a firewall accelerator may have. When different arrival types of packets in the same session are processed, two or more arrival types may have the same hash value.
US08112545B1	Distributed network address translation control A distributed network address translation (NAT) system is used to transport data packets between private and public network domains. A packet modifier substitutes public and private network address information in packets that are crossing between public and private domains to and from the end system. A network application server has an address mapping table and communicates with the packet modifier over a control protocol. The network application server generates address mappings which the packet modifier uses for modification of data packets passing through it.
US08112538B2	Method for delivery of software upgrade notification to devices in communication systems Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate providing software upgrade notifications to user devices that utilize unicast and multicast communication techniques in a wireless communication environment. Bandwidth and power consumption is minimized by permitting determination to be made regarding whether a given software update is relevant to the user device prior to attempting a download or receiving a notification thereof. Additionally, evaluation of version number and software identity facilitates determining whether to employ a unicast software check-up protocol or a multicast software check-up protocol. Software upgrade information may also be transmitted over a multicast channel for a predetermined time period, after which a user device may initiate a unicast check-up protocol to receive software upgrade information.
US08112537B2	Trickle sync protocol Among other things, techniques and systems are disclosed for providing trickle syncing. In one aspect, a system includes a data repository to store one or more data records and a server in communication with the data repository. The server is designed to access the data repository in response to a user request to perform at least one of the following: access the one or more data records, add a data record, and modify the one or more data records. The system also includes a client application in communication with the server. The client application is designed to receive the user request through a client process; encapsulate a protocol that provides communications between the client process and the server; and forward the received user request to the server using the encapsulated protocol.
US08112536B2	System and method for dynamic security provisioning of computing resources The present invention facilitates the dynamic provisioning of computing and data assets in a commodity computing environment. The invention provides a system and method for dynamically provisioning and de-provisioning computing resources based on multi-dimensional decision criteria. By employing specialized computing components configured to assess an asset and requestor of an asset, a provisioning engine is able to transform the input from the computing components into a specific configuration of computing resource provisioning and security controls. According to the rules and policies applying to a security domain, the provisioning engine may dynamically allocate computing resources in a manner that is both safe and efficient for the asset.
US08112535B2	Securing a server in a dynamic addressing environment A dynamic address router may provide dynamically updated routing to a device with a dynamic network address as well as provide a security certificate for the device. The device may be routed using a subordinate domain name. The principal domain name and a security certificate may be held by a single service provider that may enable a simple setup and configuration mechanism, as well as to guarantee the authenticity of the security holder even though the holder may connect through a dynamic address connection.
US08112534B2	Apparatus and method for remote power control An apparatus for remotely controlling power includes an information handling system platform a plurality of devices disposed on the platform, an interface in data communication with the first platform that receives a device request from a second platform, a monitor circuit that monitors one or more parameters, and a controller that controls a plurality of devices disposed on the platform, the control being based at least in part on the monitored one or more parameters and the device request. A method includes receiving at a first platform a device request from a second platform, monitoring one or more parameters, and controlling a plurality of devices disposed on the first platform using at least in part the monitored parameters and the device request.
US08112533B2	Data transmission device A data transmission device to transmit a data file to an external device is provided. The data transmission device includes a data file storing unit to store a data file to be transmitted, a communication session establishing unit, which is capable of establishing a plurality of communication sessions between the data transmission device and the external device, a data transmitting unit to transmit data included in the data file and divided in portions concurrently through the plurality of communication sessions to the external device.
US08112522B2	System and method for updating information using limited bandwidth A system and method detects an amount of data attributed to a device including reports sent to the device, and reduces the amount of data being used to provide reports to the device if the amount of data attributed to the device exceeds an amount assigned to the device. Data uploaded from the device is also minimized.
US08112518B2	Redundant systems management frameworks for network environments A redundant systems management framework and method for managing a target system includes an active agent configured to receive instructions from an active central server to perform management tasks on the target system and a plurality of meta-agents provided on the target system. Each meta-agent is an endpoint on the target system and is configured to monitor a corresponding central server, and to reassign the active agent to another central server upon failure of the active central server. The central servers may also monitor each other for proper operation. Each meta-agent also is configured to monitor the active agent and to revive or restart the active agent upon detecting a failure of the active agent.
US08112517B2	Relay system, relay program, and relay method A technique is provided to dynamically change priority, according to content of communication data, when the communication data is relayed between a client device and a host device. A communication gateway (102) is a relay system for relaying the communication data between a thin client device (101) and the host device (103). The communication gateway (102) monitors communication performed by the host device (103) in response to a request from the thin client device (101). The communication gateway (120) determines priority of the communication that is returned to the client device by the host device (103) in response to the request, based on a protocol for the communication performed by the host device (103).
US08112516B2	Selective user notification based on IP flow information An example embodiment of the present invention provides a process that uses IP flow information to selectively notify users of an application server of the server's unavailability. In the example embodiment, the process, which might run on a system comprising a router, monitors IP flow records as to dropped packets and learns that an application server has become unavailable. The process then uses the IP flow records to identify active users of the application server, for example, by passing a source IP address to a presence service. Once the process has identified an active user, the process determines a means of notification for the user, which might be through the presence service, and transmits a notification to the user as to the unavailability of the application server. In the example embodiment, the process transmits a later notification as to the availability of the application server, using reverse camp-on functionality.
US08112511B2	Network resource monitoring and measurement system and method A method and system for analyzing and measuring multiple sources of data over a communications network (18) so as to ascertain information or usage of one or more resources, such as resource servers (2). A data collection and processing means (20) collects and processes the data sources which are forwarded to a reporting server (34) as a combined data source made available to interested parties.
US08112508B1	Delivering data from device management services to devices using bulletin system A system for targeting bulletins to specific electronic devices includes a device management (“DM”) service, one or more electronic devices, and a database for storing bulletins. Generally, the DM service creates a bulletin, associating targeting criteria specifying one or more electronic devices with the bulletin. An electronic device submits a service request to the DM service identifying bulletins previously received (if any) by the device and a device identification number assigned to the device. Using the information from the service request, the DM service queries the database for bulletins available for the device. Upon locating an available bulletin, the DM service notifies the device and after receiving a request for the bulletin from the device, the DM service transmits the available bulletin. Alternately, the DM service can transmit the bulletin without first notifying and receiving a request from the device.
US08112505B1	On-demand block-level file system streaming to remote desktops Techniques are provided for desktop streaming over wide area networks. In one embodiment, a computing device comprises logic that is configured to intercept file open requests for files stored in a file system, where at least some of the files in the file system may have not yet been fully downloaded. In response to a request to open a file, the logic is configured to modify a first sharing mode specified therein and to open the file in a read-write sharing mode that allows other processes to open the file. While one or more blocks of the file are being downloaded or written into the file, the logic is configured to check whether a second sharing mode received in a subsequent request to open the file is compatible with the first sharing mode. If the second sharing mode is not compatible with the first sharing mode, the logic is configured to deny the subsequent request even though in the file system the file is opened in the read-write sharing mode.
US08112502B2	Interactive server side components Server side internet applications are created by placing interactive server side components (ISSC's) on internet pages. ISSC's encapsulate dynamic page functions including processing of user responses on the server and thus can be reused, which drastically reduces programming effort. The ISSC technique remembers information (in form of an ISSC object) about each ISSC during dynamic page generation on the server. Then, it generates HTML code in a way such that the ISSC event is sent to the server using a conventional HTTP GET or POST request. On the server, the event is then passed to the corresponding ISSC object. All components work without disturbing each other, even when nested or combined. A browser based editor can also be used to place ISSC's on pages and to modify their properties. During dynamic page generation, scripts and handles are embedded into the page that permit editing of the page itself.
US08112500B2	Technique of relaying communications between client apparatus and server apparatus A relay system for obtaining a program from a server and returning the program to a client by forwarding a message received from a client to the server.
US08112492B2	Shared object stores for a networked computer system A store of interfaced software objects are distributed between a server computer and multiple client computers to support an object oriented application communication environment that provides communication between software applications on each client computer. The application communication environment may include a central shared object store of interfaced software objects that operate on a server computer and communicate with one or more software applications on the server computer. A local shared object store of interfaced software objects operates on each client computer and communicates with the central shared object store and one or more software applications on that client computer. Changes to interfaced software objects in the local shared object stores may be automatically propagated to the interfaced software objects in the central shared object store. A local private object store of interfaced software objects may operate on a client computer and communicate with one or more software applications on the client computer.
US08112489B1	Client processing in response to managed system state changes Described are techniques for processing changes in data storage system state information. Communication are sent and received between a client and a data storage system over a network connection. The data storage system includes a plurality of service processors. A server of the data storage system communicates with the client over the network connection to perform management requests. In response to determining that there has been a change in the data storage system state information indicating that the user interface needs updating, user interface update processing is performed in accordance with said change. If at least one of the plurality of service processors is in an unhealthy state, said user interface update processing includes automatically requesting additional information from the data storage system about an unhealthy service processor, analyzing said additional information, and updating at least a portion of the user interface displayed in accordance with said analyzing.
US08112482B1	System and method for securing access to electronic mail A secure e-mail messaging system is positioned to receive an original e-mail message from a sender before the message is delivered to a recipient. To secure HTML mail, the system inserts a resource tag such as a Web bug and/or an HTML frame tag in the message, and it removes and stores a portion of the original e-mail message. The system then sends the modified e-mail message to the recipient. A reader of the message, who may or may not be the original recipient, opens the e-mail message with an e-mail client, which sends a resource request in response to the resource tag. The system receives the resource request and determines whether the reader is authorized to read the original e-mail message. If the reader is authorized to read the e-mail message, then it sends the removed portion to the authorized reader.
US08112478B2	Email and discussion forum system Systems, methods, and media associated with coordinating a discussion forum application and an email application are described. One example system includes a data store and a coordination logic. The data store may store a discussion forum message in a data structure accessible to both an email logic and a discussion forum logic. The coordination logic may provide access to the discussion forum message for the email logic and the discussion forum logic. The coordination logic may also maintain read status consistency for the discussion forum message and cause threading information associated with the discussion forum message to be honored.
US08112476B2	Cache and look ahead aggregation system Machine, method for use and method for making, and corresponding products produced thereby, as well as data structures, computer-readable media tangibly embodying program instructions, manufactures, and necessary intermediates of the foregoing, each pertaining to digital aspects of a computerized aggregation system. The system can include a user computer system interposed between a segment of a network allowing communication between the user computer system and at least one server system, and other segments allowing communication between the user computer system and a plurality of third party server systems. The one server system enables the user computer system to access the plurality of other servers. The access permits forming an aggregation of information obtained from the third party server systems.
US08112466B2	Field programmable gate array An efficient implementation of DSP functions in a field programmable gate array (FPGA) using one or more computational blocks, each block having of a multiplier, an accumulator, and multiplexers. The structure implements most common DSP equations in a fast and a highly compact manner. A novel method for cascading these blocks with the help of dedicated DSP lines is provided, which leads to a very simple and proficient implementation of n-stage MAC operations.
US08112465B2	System, device, and method for validating data structures in a storage system Validating a data structure includes (a) maintaining a tracking structure in a memory, the tracking structure including a corresponding status field for each table entry, the status fields having an unmarked state and a marked state; (b) processing the table entries sequentially and tracking the used and free table entries using the tracking structure, such tracking including marking the status fields corresponding to used table entries and marking the status fields corresponding to the next free table entries referenced in the pointer fields of free table entries; and (c) determining validity of the data structure based on the tracking structure.
US08112462B2	Distributed garbage collection in a dataflow system A method and system for distributed garbage collection in a pipelined workflow environment comprising a plurality of processing nodes that pass item references to each other. Each node maintains a reference list of local item references and a reference dictionary of remote item references, and periodically synchronizes the reference list with the reference dictionaries of other nodes in the workflow, so that item references are not marked for garbage collection while other processing nodes may still have outstanding references to them.
US08112461B2	System and method for storing item attributes in an electronic catalog An electronic catalog is provided that stores items and attributes associated with the items. One or more of the attributes may have more than one value. Items are stored in an item table with different attributes for items stored in different rows in an attribute table. Additional items may be added to a catalog by adding additional rows to the item table, with attributes related to the additional items added as rows into the attribute table. Particular attributes may have multiple values, and attributes with multiple values are associated with sub-items that correspond to different attribute trees or attribute sets associated with the item. Searching can be performed for attribute values and search results returned indicating all items and sub-items that satisfy the search criteria.
US08112437B1	Automatically maintaining an address book Techniques are disclosed for automatically generating and maintaining personal data, such as an address book, a financial portfolio, a discussion groups or blogs book, or other types of personal data stores, based on a person's structured search data and/or usage data (e.g., browsing) and/or other sources of personal data (e.g., emails the user receives). Related metadata can also be used in the generating and/or maintaining of the personal data. Dynamic personal data ranking and/or autocomplete functions are also provided, which can be used in conjunction with the automatic generation and maintenance of the user's personal data, to further ease the user's burden in managing and/or handling such data.
US08112435B2	System and method for modifying internet traffic and controlling search responses A system, method and program product for modifying data packets being communicated between a client and a Web application to enhance the Web experience of a user. A system is disclosed for enhancing searches being performed by a search engine application, and monitoring data packets passing through a network node to identify a data packet containing an original search query; modifying the data packet containing the original search query to create a modified search query; and forwarding the modified search query to the search engine application in place of the original search query.
US08112432B2	Query rewriting with entity detection A system receives a search query, determines whether the received search query includes an entity name, and determines whether the entity name is associated with a common word or phrase. When the entity name is associated with a common word or phrase, the system generates a link to a rewritten query, performs a search based on the received search query to obtain first search results, and provides the first search results and the link to the rewritten query. When the entity name is not associated with a common word or phrase, the system rewrites the received search query to include a restrict identifier associated with the entity name, generates a link to the received search query, performs a search based on the rewritten search query to obtain second search results, and provides the second search results and the link to the received search query.
US08112429B2	Detection of behavior-based associations between search strings and items A system and method are disclosed for automatically detecting associations between particular sets of search criteria, such as particular search strings, and particular items. Actions of users of an interactive system, such as a web site, are monitored over time to generate event histories reflective of searches, item selection actions, and possibly other types of user actions. An analysis component collectively analyzes the event histories to automatically identify and quantify associations between specific search strings (or other types of search criteria) and specific items. As part of this process, a decay function reduces the weight given to a post-search item selection event based on intervening events that occur between the search event and the item selection event.
US08112424B2	Flexible and resilient information collaboration management infrastructure A computer-implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for cross-silo query and data retrieval. A request to access a data object in a trusted database is received, wherein the request includes an enterprise-wide unique identifier of a data object or one or more metadata attribute value pairs. If the request comprises one or more metadata attribute value pairs, one or more enterprise-wide unique identifiers associated with the metadata attribute value pairs are identified. Using the enterprise-wide unique identifiers, metadata about the data object stored in one or more enterprise-level data stores or the trusted database is retrieved. The metadata about the data object is queried to identify related data objects in disparate trusted databases in the enterprise system. The data object and the related data objects are provided to the application.
US08112407B2	Selecting a second content based on a user's reaction to a first content Embodiments include a device, a system, a computer program product, and a method. A system embodiment includes: a display surface operable to display electronic content in a manner perceivable by a person; a sensor apparatus operable to acquire data indicative of a response by the person to a first electronic content displayed on the surface; an analytic circuit operable determine an indication of an expression by the person corresponding with the displayed first electronic content—the determination based on the data indicative of a response; a characterization circuit operable to determine an attribute of the displayed first electronic content; a query circuit operable to cause a search for a second electronic content corresponding to the indication of expression and to the attribute of the first electronic content; and a chooser circuit operable to select the second electronic content from a result of the search.
US08112402B2	Automatic disambiguation based on a reference resource A novel system for automatically indicating the specific identity of ambiguous named entities is provided. An automatic disambiguation data collection is created using a reference resource. Explicit named entities are catalogued from the reference resource, together with various abbreviated, alternative, and casual ways of referring to the named entities. Entity indicators, such as labels and context indicators associated with the named entities in the reference resource, are also catalogued. The automatic disambiguation collection can then be used as a basis for evaluating ambiguous references to named entities in text content provided in different applications. The content surrounding the ambiguous reference may be compared with the entity indicators to find a good match, indicating that the named entity associated with the matching entity indicators is the intended identity of the ambiguous reference, which can be automatically provided to a user.
US08112398B1	Methods, systems, and computer program products for selectively marking and retrieving data from an event log file Methods, systems, and computer program products for selectively marking and retrieving data from an event log file are described. One method includes providing a first syntax for user insertion of at least one bookmark into an event log file associated with a computing system, wherein the event log file records event data that pertains to the computing system. The first syntax is received and, in response, the at least one bookmark is inserted into the event log file. The method also includes providing a second syntax for retrieving a user-specified portion of the event log file using the at least one bookmark. The second syntax is received and, in response, the user-specified portion of the event log file is retrieved.
US08112396B2	Backup and recovery of integrated linked databases A programmatic method for automatically backing up and restoring an integrated database system including a Lotus Notes/Domino loosely structured database and a linked DB2 relational database that stores data mapped from the Domino database. The method includes integrated first and second client application programs running on server hosts for backup and recovery of the Domino and DB2 databases that communicate with the database managers for the databases using client application APIs. Backup and recovery of the integrated linked databases is controlled by the client application associated with the Domino database.
US08112382B2	Process for data driven application integration for B2B Aspects of the present embodiments provide an eCommerce environment adapted to accept and process various message types (e.g., cXML and mXML). In general, requests are provided from a requesting entity to an application hosting entity. Data from incoming requests are mapped to a format understandable to an appropriate application(s). Responses from the application(s) are then mapped into a response format acceptable by the requesting entity. To this end, embodiments disclosed herein provide processes for the development and execution of a data driven process for mapping multiple request/response message pairs to a single application interface or set of application interfaces. In one embodiment, these processes are driven by development time and run time documents that describe a development time view of the message pairs and the application interfaces as well as runtime instructions for providing the mappings, respectively.
US08112380B2	Situation-aware thresholding for recommendation In one embodiment, data relating to usage patterns of the user is stored, wherein the data includes information as to items which were used and the context in which they were used. The data is then clustered into clusters of data points. Then a centroid is determined for each of the clusters. A cluster similar to a current context of the user is selected by comparing a data point representing the current context of the user to one or more of the centroids. For each of one or more items, a threshold based on values for a plurality of the centroids with respect to the corresponding item, wherein a threshold is used to compare with centroid value of an item in a selected cluster to determine whether to recommend the item.
US08112376B2	Signature based system and methods for generation of personalized multimedia channels A system for generating personalized channels of multimedia content. The system comprises an interface to one or more multimedia sources, wherein the multimedia sources provide multimedia content to the personalized channels of multimedia content; and a server for receiving multimedia content from the one or more multimedia sources through the interface and for serving selected multimedia content to users of the system over one or more of the personalized channels; wherein a user of the system receives personalized multimedia content gathered by the server into the one or more of the personalized channels responsive of preferences of the user as observed by the system for the user.
US08112375B2	Wavelength selection and outlier detection in reduced rank linear models There is provided an optimization system and method for identifying useful channels. The method for selecting useful channels includes embedding a discrete predictor problem into continuous space of a predictor preweighting and executing an optimization algorithm to optimize a preweighting vector, wherein the optimization algorithm determines the relative importance of the each predictor. Also, the method includes constructing n different models, wherein a kth model comprises the k most important predictors and comparing the models using an information criterion to allow for automatic selection of a subset of the predictors. Additionally, an analytical Jacobian of the partial least squares regression vector is derived with respect to the predictor weighting to optimize the predictor weighting and select useful channels for use in the non-invasive medical device.
US08112349B2	Method, system, and storage medium for pre-screening customers for credit card approval at a point of sale An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a method, system and storage medium for pre-screening customers for a credit card at a point of sale. The method includes receiving the customer data at a point of sale system and, during a check out process: transmitting the customer data to a server; searching a database for the customer data; and based upon results of the searching, performing a credit worthiness check and providing said customer with an invitation to open a charge account. If the customer accepts the invitation, a charge account is opened before a payment method is selected whereby the customer can place the items selected for purchase on the new charge account while at the point of sale system. The system includes at least one point of sale system coupled to a communications link; a server coupled to the point of sale system via the communications link; a data storage device in communication with the server; and a link to a credit information server.
US08112346B2	System and method for processing data related to convertible financial instruments The present invention provides a system and method for administering an investment option known as a lifetime income share. Lifetime income shares mitigate survival risk, the risk that an individual will outlive his or her assets. More specifically, the purchase of a plurality of lifetime income shares certifies that an individual is entitled to receive a predetermined, periodic income payment for the life of the purchaser. Additionally, the lifetime income shares of the present invention may be purchased and distributed to participants by a third party (e.g. commingled fund). The third party wishing to provide the lifetime income shares of the present invention to participants may purchase a predetermined amount of shares of an annuity from the underwriting organization and distribute it to the participants. This plan has an investment phase, a distribution phase, and a payout phase. Once the payout phase begins, the stream of monthly income commences at a specified age or date.
US08112341B2	System and method for determining the liquidity of a credit The present invention relates to a credit index, a system and method for structuring a credit index, a system and method for operating a credit index, and a system and method for determining the liquidity of a credit.
US08112338B1	Data processing systems and method for creating efficient floater classes A method for creating investment securities structured from interest-rate derivative and mortgage pool components is described. The method includes analyzing the risk elements of the derivative and mortgage pool components, structuring one or more classes of securities, at least one of which is backed by these components in combination, and issuing the structured securities. A computer program product and data processing system for practicing the method are also described. A novel investment security is disclosed which incorporates cash flows from mortgage pool components and cash flows coming from derivative components. Finally, a method of adding value to mortgage-backed securities is described.
US08112334B2	Method and system for converting an annuity fund to a life insurance policy A method and system for converting an annuity fund to a life insurance policy at a predetermined conversion date comprising the following steps: establishing an annuity fund of a predetermined and purchasing a fixed annuity for the annuity fund, establishing an irrevocable life insurance conversion plan including selecting the predetermined conversion date, selecting a predetermined mortality death benefit at the predetermined conversion date and purchasing a guaranteed insurability option to guarantee the availability of the predetermined mortality death benefit at the predetermined conversion date, accruing fixed investment income within the annuity fund on a tax deferred basis until the predetermined conversion date, converting the annuity fund to the life insurance policy with the predetermined mortality death benefit at the predetermined conversion date, accruing income within the life insurance policy until the death of the insured under the life insurance policy and disbursing the death benefit consisting of mortality insurance and accrued cash values to the beneficiary at the death of the insured under the life insurance policy.
US08112333B2	System and method for processing payroll related insurance premiums A computer process for determining an insurance premium comprises: validating username/passwords; receiving payroll data asynchronously or scheduled in real time; extracting payroll data required for premium determination; detecting the presence or absence of fraud related to the payroll data; applying state jurisdictional inclusion and exclusion rules applicable to workers' compensation premiums; transferring premium to a billing system for debiting the customer account. The elements to the system comprise a payroll system configured with an accounting/bookkeeping software where regular payroll data resides; a utility that permits reading payroll accounts residing in the accounting/bookkeeping software; an Internet connection having a browser; a filter to allow extraction of payroll data exclusive of other payroll deductions; a rules engine customized to a particular remote payroll system that includes a mechanism to separate different occupations and a billing system.
US08112320B2	Multi-attribute web content auctions Embodiments may provide for multi-attribute auctioning. Bids and offers which comprise non-price attributes may be received by an auction service, such as web content bids and offers for space on webpages. The service may evaluate attributes of bids and offers in a quantitative manner, developing a value for the bid and offer that includes both price information and other non-price attributes. Valuation may be performed through the use of willingness-to-pay functions which, based on a knowledge of an agent, may determine a numerical value for that agent's willingness to pay according to the non-price attributes. The result from evaluating this function may then be used to determine which auction bids and offers may be matched. The bid or offer can include one or more probability distributions for future performance, based on the published statistics about past performance of agents. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08112318B2	System and method for managing a plurality of tires Systems, methods and computer program products are provided for managing a plurality of tires from their procurement through their disposal. An embodiment may include a method for determining all the costs of a tire over its total service life including procurement costs, repair costs, retread costs and disposal costs. An embodiment may include managing an inventory by automatically replenishing the inventory by following a set of stored inventory management rules. An embodiment may include helping to ensure that an impermissible tire is not mounted on a vehicle. A stored set of tire mounting rules automatically check the tire being mounted against requirements for the tire set by the rules, the requirements set as to by vehicle type and wheel position.
US08112316B2	Digital photograph processing and ordering system and method The disclosure presents a system and method for processing and managing customer orders for digital documents, such as digital photographs, through a network, such as the internet. The system may be implemented in a variety of ways, including a system, a method and/or a computer readable medium for processing and managing customer orders for digital documents, such as digital photographs, through a network, such as the internet.
US08112309B1	Merchant and customer interaction system using short message service for customer rewards A system and a method are disclosed for providing rewards to consumers using short message service (SMS). The system receives a text message from a consumer containing a reward keyword and a reward code and determines whether the message is a qualifying message. After receiving a certain number of qualifying messages, the system sends a reward message to the consumer enabling the consumer to receive a reward. Rewards can be based on customer referrals or merchant loyalty.
US08112308B1	Targeting using generated bundles of content sources Selections of content sources are received. Content source bundles are generated from the selected content sources, each content source bundle defined by one or more selected content sources assigned to that content source bundle, and each content source bundle having associated data indicative of users interested in content provided by the selected content sources of that content source bundle. The content source bundles are presented for use in advertising campaigns in which advertisements can be published on selected content sources of a content source bundle, and the performance of each content source bundle used in advertisement campaigns are measured.
US08112304B2	Method of risk management across a mission support network A method of risk management across a mission support network is provided, including identifying a mission of the mission support network, and identifying, by a computer processor, assets of the mission support network. The assets include a mission asset to support the mission and a support asset to provide support to the mission asset. Each of the assets is characterized by a criticality index value to measure how important the asset is to a performance of the mission, and a vulnerability index value to measure a vulnerability of the asset to a threat.
US08112303B2	Digital online exchange for pricing items to exhaust inventory by an expiration time A dynamic pricing system for pricing items for sale by a seller which items are available in a limited quantity comprises a pricing server and various types of data stored in memory. The pricing server includes memory, a processor and a clock. One type of data stored in memory is indicative of the initial quantity of an item available in a limited quantity. Another type of data stored in memory is indicative of the current remaining quantity of the item available in a limited quantity. Yet another type of data stored in memory is indicative of an expiration time at which it is desired that all of the item available in a limited quantity be sold. The processor is configured to price the item available in a limited quantity so as to deplete the inventory of the item available in a limited quantity by the expiration date based in part by accessing the memory to retrieve the data indicative of the initial quantity, the current remaining quantity and the expiration time and accessing the clock.
US08112297B2	Dual-warehouse management system and method for calculating the minimum joint cost of a supply chain A dual-warehouse management system for a supply chain and a method for calculating a minimum of a joint cost thereof are provided. A manufacturer function module and a distributor function module are used to estimate a manufacturer's total cost and a distributor's total cost respectively. Afterwards, a joint cost optimization module is used to calculate a minimum joint cost. Accordingly, a product lot and a delivery time of a deteriorating item delivered from the manufacturer to the distributor are obtained in a planning horizon.
US08112291B2	User interface for prioritizing opportunities for clinical process improvement Methods and user interfaces are provided for prioritizing opportunities for optimizing clinical processes within clinical facilities. An optimized practice process model may be defined for a particular clinical procedure, setting forth an optimal clinical process. In addition, critical levers may be identified within the optimal clinical process, representing the activities that have the greatest impact on outcomes. Clinical facilities may collect current measures for the critical levers, and the current measures may be compared against an optimal, benchmark, and/or target measure. Based on the comparison, opportunities for clinical process optimization may be identified. User interfaces are provided for prioritizing the opportunities, for example, based on benefit indexes and effort indexes determined for each opportunity.
US08112284B2	Methods and apparatus for improving high frequency reconstruction of audio and speech signals The present invention proposes a new method and a new apparatus for enhancement of audio source coding systems utilizing high frequency reconstruction (HFR). It utilizes a detection mechanism on the encoder side to assess what parts of the spectrum will not be correctly reproduced by the HFR method in the decoder. Information on this is efficiently coded and sent to the decoder, where it is combined with the output of the HFR unit.
US08112274B2	Method of determining model-specific factors for pattern recognition, in particular for speech patterns A method for recognizing a pattern that comprises a set of physical stimuli, said method comprising the steps of: providing a set of training observations and through applying a plurality of association models ascertaining various measuring values pj(k\|x), j=1 . . . M, that each pertain to assigning a particular training observation to one or more associated pattern classes; setting up a log/linear association distribution by combining all association models of the plurality according to respective weight factors, and joining thereto a normalization quantity to produce a compound association distribution; optimizing said weight factors for thereby minimizing a detected error rate of the actual assigning to said compound distribution; recognizing target observations representing a target pattern with the help of said compound distribution.
US08112272B2	Sound source separation device, speech recognition device, mobile telephone, sound source separation method, and program A sound source signal from a target sound source is allowed to be separated from a mixed sound which consists of sound source signals emitted from a plurality of sound sources without being affected by uneven sensitivity of microphone elements. A beamformer section 3 of a source separation device 1 performs beamforming processing for attenuating sound source signals arriving from directions symmetrical with respect to a perpendicular line to a straight line connecting two microphones 10 and 11 respectively by multiplying output signals from the microphones 10 and 11 after spectrum analysis by weighted coefficients which are complex conjugate to each other. Power computation sections 40 and 41 compute power spectrum information, and target sound spectrum extraction sections 50 and 51 extract spectrum information of a target sound source based on a difference between the power spectrum information.
US08112265B2	Simulating loss of logic power state due to processor power conservation state In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes creation of a randomization list that includes only a subset of the logic states of an integrated circuit (IC). The subset being selectable by signal so as to define logic states that can be randomized for specific events. The randomization list is during simulation to randomize the logic states defined therein to simulate a specific event occurring during operation of the IC. For example, the randomization list may include those signals that can be randomized upon exiting from a powered down state (e.g., deep power down, C6). The signals that can be randomized may be defined by excluding the signals that cannot be randomized (those still receiving power in the C6 mode). The contents of registers of the IC can be confirmed after the randomization and exit from the C6 mode.
US08112260B2	Methods for identifying protein specificity of brain cells that evoke a given mental state that does not contain smaller constituents The invention provides methods for identifying brain cells that determine and can evoke subjective states that do not contain smaller constituents, by establishing a correspondence between intrinsic function of a cell type with its hierarchy of constitutively-expressed proteins. The hierarchy level of a dysfunctional protein is of diagnostic value and is an effective target for therapeutic modification.
US08112256B2	Method and apparatus for computer-aided design of three-dimensional objects to be fabricated A computer-aided design apparatus generates a tree structure of coordinate systems defining the topology of a three-dimensional object to be fabricated. The coordinate systems are positioned and orientated in accordance with mathematical functions. The mathematical function positioning child coordinate systems has the identity of the parent coordinate systems as a variable so that the positions of the child coordinate systems relative to their parent coordinate systems vary in accordance with the identity of the parent coordinate systems. Data defining the coordinate systems and connections therebetween is stored in a graph. Bases having a defined relationship are identified and three-dimensional content objects are added thereto. The content objects are added using the same mathematical function to generate a three-dimensional content object in each of a plurality of coordinate systems. The mathematical function for generating the content objects has the identity of the coordinate systems as a variable thereof to generate the content object in each coordinate system with a different shape.
US08112249B2	System and methods for parametric test time reduction A parametric test time reduction method for reducing time expended to conduct a test program flow on a population of semiconductor devices, the test program flow comprising at least one parametric test having a specification defining a known pass value range characterized in that a result of the test is considered a passing result if the result falls within the known pass value range, the method including: computing an estimated maximum test range, at a given confidence level, on a validation set including a subset of the population of semiconductor devices, the estimated maximum test range including the range of values into which all results from performing the test on the set will statistically fall at the given confidence level and at least partly disabling the at least one parametric test based at least partly on a comparison of the estimated maximum test range and the known pass value range.
US08112245B2	First-point distance parameter system and method for automatic grid generation A system and method for automatically generating a computation mesh for use with an analytical tool, the computation mesh having a plurality of ξ-grid lines and η-grid lines intersecting at mesh points positioned with respect to an inner boundary and an outer boundary. The system and method includes receiving information corresponding to a shape to be analyzed, ξ-grid line mesh parameter value corresponding to a desired number of ξ-grid lines for the computation mesh, and an η-grid line mesh parameter value corresponding to a desired number of η-grid lines for the computation mesh, and generating the computation mesh from one or more mesh equations without the need for receiving additional information from a user. In one example, the solving of the one or more mesh equations includes an outer boundary distance parameter that is a function of an inner boundary distance parameter and one of a natural log of the η-grid line mesh parameter value and a square root of the η-grid line mesh parameter value.
US08112236B2	Device for accurately measuring amplifier's open-loop gain with digital stimuli A device capable of receiving one or more digital stimulus signals and accurately measuring an open-loop gain of an amplifier comprises: a digital charge converter (DCC), a charge integrator, an A/D converter, a control logic circuit and an arithmetic logic unit (ALU). The DCC and the charge integrator are composed of a plurality of switches, one or more sampling capacitor, at least one integrating capacitor and an operational amplifier under test (OPAUT) with a single-ended output or differential-ended outputs. The DCC, the charge integrator, and the A/D converter are controlled by control signals generated by the logic control circuit and can be reconfigured as a first-order Sigma-Delta modulator capable of receiving at least one of the digital input stimulus signals. The ALU calculates the open-loop gain of the OPAUT with single-ended output or differential-ended outputs according to the digital stimulus signals and the digital output of the first-order Sigma-Delta modulator.
US08112233B2	Selective resonance of chemical structures Chemical compositions may be selectively or preferentially excited by the application of scores comprising a series of at least four differing energy inputs. The differing energy inputs of the specified series are selected to resonate each of a group of resonant structures among a group of proximate atoms, including at least one bond.
US08112228B2	Statistical correction for standoff in two-terminal imager operating in oil-based mud An apparatus, method and computer-readable medium for estimating a resistivity property of an earth formation in a borehole filled with oil-based mud. The method includes conveying a logging tool into a borehole; measuring a plurality of impedance values of the earth formation, each of the plurality of impedance values being obtained at one of a plurality of measure electrodes on the logging tool; determining a coefficient related to an electrical property of the mud from a plurality of pairs of impedance values; estimating the resistivity property of the formation from the determined coefficient; and recording the resistivity property on a suitable medium.
US08112220B2	Management of traffic signals at road intersection to avoid blocking vehicles A computer controlled system for managing traffic signals at the intersection of at least two traffic lanes to avoid collisions between motor vehicles in intersecting lanes. An implementation for controlling traffic signals at the intersection to permit vehicles in each of the intersection traffic lanes a time period to pass through the intersection, detecting the presence of a vehicle in the intersection beyond the permitted time period, and responsive to a detection of the presence of the vehicle, controlling the traffic signals to stop other vehicles from passing through the intersection.
US08112213B2	Electric brake architecture with dissimilar emergency braking path A system, apparatus and method provide a means for controlling an electric brake actuator. An electromechanical actuator controller (EMAC) is configured to receive first data indicative of a desired braking force, second data indicative of a braking command generated by a brake input device, the second data different from said first data, and third data indicative of a braking mode. Based on the third data, the EMAC selectively uses the first data or the second data to control the actuator.
US08112212B2	Vehicle brake control based on learned vehicle mass A control system for a vehicle brake comprises a compensation module that determines a compensated brake value based on a vehicle mass and at least one of a pedal force and a pedal displacement, and a brake control module that selectively adjusts a fluid pressure supplied to the vehicle brake based on the compensated brake value. The compensation module determines the compensated brake value based on a comparison of the vehicle mass and a predetermined mass value. A related method for controlling the vehicle brake based on vehicle mass is also provided.
US08112211B2	Method and device for hydrostatically braking a vehicle A method and device for controlled braking of a vehicle using a hydrostatic drive is provided. Two pivotal hydraulic motors are connected to a respective axle of the drive, driven by a hydraulic pump and regulated by a respective regulating circuit. For each axle of the drive, a respective reference variable containing the difference between a set value and the actual value of a speed of the driven wheel is continuously determined and fed back to the respective regulating circuit. A displacement of the axle load of the vehicle from a current deceleration (a) of the vehicle is dynamically determined. A resultant braking force acting on the axle driven by the hydraulic motor is determined and put into effect by the hydraulic motor through adjusting a corresponding pivot angle. A deceleration-dependent distribution of the braking force is then provided to the respective axle by a control program.
US08112208B2	Engine speed reduction preparatory to an engine restart A method for restarting an engine of a vehicle includes stopping the vehicle and holding the vehicle stationary, reducing engine speed, increasing a rate of reduction of engine speed, if engine speed is less than a reference speed when a desired restart of the engine is indicated, and initiating an engine restart when engine speed is substantially zero.
US08112206B2	Method for controlling a powertrain system based upon energy storage device temperature A powertrain system includes an engine coupled to an input member of a transmission device operative to transmit torque between the input member and a torque machine and an output member. The torque machine is connected to an energy storage device. A method for controlling a powertrain system includes monitoring a temperature of the energy storage device, selecting a candidate powertrain system operating point, determining an output power from the energy storage device associated with the candidate powertrain system operating point, determining a power loss for operating the powertrain system at the candidate powertrain system operating point, and determining operating costs for operating the powertrain system at the candidate powertrain system operating point associated with the power loss and based upon the temperature of the energy storage device.
US08112202B2	Automatic control of a large bale loading apparatus A control system for managing rotation of a bale loading arm in a bale loader in which a pair of sensors combined with a purposefully designed sensor target enable loading arm position to be efficiently derived by a controller in order to direct the actuator movements based upon loading arm position necessary for automated operation of a bale loading cycle. Additional inputs to the controller enable initiation of a bale loading cycle to be automatically initiated. The controller may also determine when a complete bale wagon load is achieved and automatically direct loading arm motions necessary to configure the bale wagon for transport.
US08112201B2	Automatic control of passive, towed implements An automatic control system for passive, towed implements is described. The system provides a strategy for optimal control of a towed implement using a nudge input to an autopilot-controlled tractor. Implement path-tracking error, as measured by a GNSS receiver, is consistently corrected to zero.
US08112185B2	Remote engine start confirmation and vehicle monitoring and control system A remote engine start confirmation and vehicle monitoring and control system includes a transmitter and a controller capable of receiving and processing transmitter signals, the controller comprising a monitoring circuit for detecting a first pulsed voltage pattern and a second pulsed voltage pattern across the battery during an engine start procedure, a signaling circuit for signaling the disengagement of the starter from the engine after a detection of the termination of the first pulsed voltage pattern and the start of the second pulsed voltage pattern, and an initiation circuit for initiating the monitoring of a vehicle condition, such as overheating or low fuel, after the detection. A method for controlling the vehicle operation includes detecting an occurrence of a vehicle condition and performing an operation based on the detection, such as terminating ignition voltage or fuel supply or notifying the operator of the vehicle condition via the transmitter.
US08112173B2	Position ensuring system for oblique machining in five-axis machine tool A position ensuring system includes an A-axis calibration system which measures a displacement angle, which is an error between a target value and a measured value of the pivot angle of the spindle head about the A-axis, and corrects the pivot angle about the A-axis in such a manner that the displacement angle as measured with the corrected pivot angle as a target value fall within a tolerable range. A corrected data storage device stores the corrected pivot angle about the A-axis. An A-axis control system reads out the corrected pivot angle about the A-axis, the corrected pivot angle about the A-axis to pivot the spindle head when executing oblique machining of the inclined hole.
US08112154B2	Systems and methods for neuromodulation using pre-recorded waveforms Methods for neuromodulation using waveform signals. In certain embodiments, an input waveform is obtained from a signal source site in a source subject and an output waveform is applied to a target site in a target subject. The source subject is a human or animal and the signal source site is in the nervous system, including the brain. The source subject and target subject are the same subjects or different subjects. The output waveform is identical to the input waveform or derived from the input waveform. In some embodiments, the output waveform is modified in response to physiologic feedback. Also provided are systems for neuromodulation using waveform signals.
US08112152B2	Feedthrough apparatus with noble metal-coated leads Methods and apparatuses are provided for an electrical device that employs a feedthrough including a hermetic seal that seals an interior region of the electrical device. The electrical device includes an electrical contact disposed within the interior region of the electrical device, and a wire terminal that includes an encircled portion that is encircled by the feedthrough, and a first end that electrically connects with said electrical contact. When the electrical device is constructed, the first end of the wire terminal is coated with a conductive metal that is more resistant to oxidation than the wire terminal. The first end of the wire terminal is secured to the electrical contact using a mechanical device such as a crimping connector or a spring connector.
US08112148B2	System and method for monitoring cardiac signal activity in patients with nervous system disorders A medical device system and method for monitoring cardiac signal activity in patients with nervous system disorders. In some embodiments, a brain signal and a cardiac signal are received by a processor, brain events are identified in the brain signal, and the brain events are used to identify portions of the cardiac signal. In some embodiments, Event portions of the cardiac signal are identified corresponding to brain event time periods, and Inter-event portions are identified corresponding to time periods between brain events. An Inter-event heart-rate variability (HRV) calculation is performed using Inter-event portions of the cardiac signal, and an output of the medical device system is modified based upon the calculated Inter-event HRV according to certain embodiments of the invention. An Event HRV may also be calculated according to certain embodiments, and an output modified based on comparisons of the Event HRV to the Inter-event HRV, for example.
US08112144B2	Apparatus for determining brain atrophy, method of determining brain atrophy and program for determining brain atrophy Since cerebral atrophy does not occur only in a specific cross-section and reaches the brain in its entirety or arises prominently in a specific lobe (for example temporal lobe), for the assessment of cerebral atrophy, not only atrophy assessment for the frontal lobe but also an assessment also including atrophy of the temporal lobe, the parietal lobe and the occipital lobe is more desirable. The intracranial volume, the volume of the grey matter and the volume of the white matter are respectively extracted, computed and converted into numbers by image processing from a plurality of MRI slice images and the like. Ratios of these values from the conversions into numbers are taken to calculate the ratio of the grey matter and the ratio of the white matter with respect to the entire brain. Through comparison of a multitude of measurement data obtained by this automated computation, and a case, an objective cerebral atrophy assessment is carried out.
US08112139B2	Skin screw electrode Electrodes providing excellent recording and physical stability. Electrodes that include a plurality of small teeth that possess a novel design shape and orientation are disclosed. The shallow and relatively long teeth preferably run parallel to the rim of the electrode that presses against the patient's skin. When the electrode is twisted onto skin, the teeth penetrate nearly horizontally under the stratum corneum. The electrodes cause minimal discomfort to the patient since the teeth do not extend to the pain fibers which are located in deeper layers of the skin. The electrodes may house a diversity of electronic components to enable numerous experimental and medical implementations. The electrodes may also be used wirelessly without electrode leads. The electrodes may be fabricated using precision photo-chemical etching techniques that are well known in the art. An electrode installation device that preferably employs the electrodes is also disclosed.
US08112138B2	Method and apparatus for providing rechargeable power in data monitoring and management systems Method and apparatus for charging a power supply unit such as a rechargeable battery for use in data monitoring and management system using the ESD protection circuitry of the existing electrode contacts including guard contact and counter electrode thereby reducing system cost, complexity, and any unprotected battery contacts exposed for potential contamination is provided.
US08112137B2	Method and circuit for storing and providing historical physiological data Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods that relate to pulse oximetry. Specifically, one embodiment includes an oximeter sensor comprising a light emitting element configured to emit light, a light detector configured to detect the light, and a memory storing values of skin temperature at which a motion signal algorithm can be accurately utilized.
US08112123B2	Information processing apparatus According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus including: a first display unit configured to display on a standby screen a first indicative information indicating a first unconfirmed information having higher priority than a short-cut function of activating a predetermined function associated beforehand by being selected on the standby screen; a second display unit configured to display on the standby screen a second indicative information indicating the short-cut function; and a third display unit configured to display on the standby screen a third indicative information indicating a second unconfirmed information having lower priority than the short-cut function.
US08112119B2	Portable electronic device An electronic device includes a first housing, a second housing, a drive mechanism and a voice-activated module. The drive mechanism connects the first housing with the second housing. The voice-activated module control the drive mechanism to drive the first housing moving relative to the second housing.
US08112114B2	Multiple access communications cell phone (MAC cell phone) The MAC Cell Phone is an automated transparent programmable telecommunication multiple access call and high-speed digital data stream facilitator as a router device for use by a consumer as a facilitator for receiving or sending VoIP telephone calls, fax transmissions, Internet access, digital file sending; receiving; storage, and video streaming which via the means and function of the MAC Cell Phone, stores determined data transmission to facilitate user subscribership interconnected MAC Cell Phone feature and service completion from a plurality of service providers for group discount cost access for the service that is provided through the invention. Additionally, an intricate feature of the MAC Cell Phone is the ability to make all facilitation functions of the MAC Cell Phone securely available to the subscriber of the service for, from, or to all other digital electronic equipment in their home and office that could utilize the functions provided.
US08112109B2	Reflecting unit for a portable electronic device A reflector for a mobile terminal includes a plate having a front and rear side, such that the plate is configured to be located on a mobile terminal. The reflector further includes a recess formed in the rear side of the plate, such that the recess is shaped to form a concave portion, and reflecting material positioned along the concave portion to reflect light incident on the front side of at least a portion of the plate.
US08112108B2	Methods and apparatus facilitating and/or making wireless resource reuse decisions Methods and apparatus related to reuse of a wireless resource are described. Various methods and apparatus are well suited to wireless communications systems lacking centralized control, e.g., an ad hoc peer to peer wireless communications system. A first wireless device of a first connection generates and transmits one or more control signals to be used by a wireless device of a second connection to make a resource reuse decision. The first connection is, e.g., an existing active connection and the second connection is, e.g., a potential connection. A transmission power level of a control signal is set based upon a predetermined relationship to at least one other signal previously communicated on the first connection, e.g., a peer discovery or paging signal. In some embodiments, the control signal is a single tone signal. The transmitted control signal facilitates the estimation of an expected SINR by a device of the second connection.
US08112102B2	Method for reading dynamic system information blocks In a wireless mobile communications system, a method of controlling or updating system information included in system information blocks (SIBs). The mobile communication system allows the network (i.e., RNC) to trigger the terminal (i.e., UE) to apply new timer values and information values independently of whether the UE has read the timer and/or values of the SIBs based on a previous timer values.
US08112099B2	Anonymous positioning of a wireless unit for data network location-based services This invention concerns a process and a system for providing location information for a wireless unit in a wireless network to a location-based service provider, using a data network. In particular, the location information is provided to the location-based service provider without necessarily providing the identity of wireless unit, e.g., a subscriber's wireless identification number, to the service provider. In this regard, a subscriber's identification number may be hidden from the positioning service provider via a process in which an alias is used instead of the subscriber's normal identity. The subscriber's number may further be concealed from the service provider via a process wherein encrypted information is used instead of the subscriber's normal identity.
US08112098B2	Method of determining optimal cell configuration based upon determined device location A configuration device for configuring a wireless device within a wireless cell can include a receiving unit configured to receive a request message from a wireless device within a wireless cell. In addition, the configuration device can include a first processing unit configured to determine location information of the wireless device, and a second processing unit configured to determine a communication capacity of the wireless device, and to estimate a communication requirement based on the request message. Furthermore, the configuration device can have a transmitting unit configured to transmit optimal information to the wireless device with respect to the request message.
US08112095B2	Sum rate of broadcast channels with outdated 1-bit feedback A single-input single-output (SISO) downlink channel with K users is analyzed in the presence of Rayleigh flat fading. A limited channel state information (CSI) feedback scheme is included, where only an outdated 1-bit feedback per user is available at the base station for each fading block. A closed-form expression for the achievable ergodic sum-rate of the 1-bit feedback scheme is presented for any number of users, as a function of the fading temporal correlation coefficient, the threshold of the 1-bit CSI quantizer and the SNR. The sum-rate scales with increasing number of users as log log K, which is the same scaling law achieved by the optimal non-delayed full CSI feedback scheme.
US08112092B2	Mobile station apparatus, program for controlling thereof and data transmitting method In case that an uplink grant from a base station apparatus is detected on PDCCH, a data designated by the uplink grant, channel state information measured at the time of transmission are transmitted by PUSCH as an uplink transmission signal. Then, in case that a notice that indicates retransmission is received, the data to be retransmission and the channel state information measured at the time of retransmission are transmitted by PUSCH. Accordingly, the mobile station apparatus can transmit appropriate channel state information when designated to retransmission so that the base station apparatus can make an efficient communication control (scheduling) between the base station apparatus and the mobile station apparatus that is suitable for the current channel condition.
US08112091B2	Allocating radio resources in mobile communications system Allocating radio resources in a mobile communication system, comprises transmitting first information to a network, wherein the first information is utilized by the network to allocate radio resources to a mobile terminal for allowing communication between the mobile terminal and the network, and receiving second information from the network, wherein the second information is related to an allocation of radio resources for the mobile terminal.
US08112090B2	Channel assignment method, radio communication system and channel structure in radio section In a radio communication system, a user terminal transmits a reservation packet to a base station using a common control channel (1), and the base station assigns an uplink data channel to the user terminal according to the reservation packet, and assigns a first shared control channel (2b) to the user terminal in association with the uplink data channel, and the mobile station transmits a control signal to the base station using the associated uplink shared control channel. According to status of radio communication, the base station may assign beforehand a second uplink shared control channel (2a) for which occupation by the user terminal is permitted only while the user terminal is performing communication.
US08112089B2	Radio parameter determination method and device for a radio communication system The present invention is directed toward realizing a radio parameter determination method for improving values indicating the communication service quality of important areas in a radio communication system. The configuration of the present invention includes: a second step for determining a second radio parameter based on the first radio parameter and the weighted sum of values indicating communication service quality in, as regards the areas in which a plurality of radio base stations are arranged, a first area and second area to which first weighting values have been conferred; a third step for accepting a limitation condition related to the weighted sum; and a fourth step for determining a third radio parameter based on the limitation condition accepted in the third step, the weighted sum of the value indicating service quality of the first area and second area to which second weighting values that differ from the first weighting values have been conferred, and the second radio parameter.
US08112088B2	Method for compulsorily performing handover in broadband wireless communication system Disclosed is a method for enabling a mobile station existing in a serving cell area to perform a handover procedure in a broadband mobile communication system including the mobile station, a serving base station providing a service to the mobile station, and one or more target base stations containing at least one target cell area overlapping with the serving cell area occupied by the serving base station. The method includes transmitting a handover request message from the mobile station to the serving base station when it is detected that a performance of a handover is necessary; and transmitting a handover indication message containing handover cancel information to the serving base station when the mobile station determines a cancel of the handover while the mobile station is being handed over to one or more target base stations by the serving base station.
US08112087B2	Method and apparatus for setting up radio resource control connection A method and apparatus for establishing an RRC connection are provided, in which a UE compares the strength of a signal received from a serving cell with a threshold, upon receipt of a request for RRC connection establishment, transmits an RRC connection request message to a RAN, measures the strengths of signals from neighbor cells during a first time period and monitors a downlink channel of the serving cell to receive a response message for the RRC connection request message during a second time period, if the signal strength of the serving cell is less than the threshold, and receives the response message from the RAN on the downlink channel.
US08112081B2	Broadcast/multicast service system and method providing inter-network roaming A method of providing a broadcast/multicast (BCAST) service, the method including receiving, from a terminal, a request of access to a BCAST service, performing service authorization with a home network, delivering, to the terminal, a message including a rights object (RO) to access the BCAST service, if the terminal is authorized to receive the BCAST service as a result of the service authorization, and providing the BCAST service to the terminal that was authorized to receive the BCAST service.
US08112071B2	System and method for connecting to an audio conference service using a mobile communications device A mobile communications device for connecting to a conference call hosted by an audio conference service. After receiving a meeting invitation and storing information relating thereto, the mobile communications device dials a first sequence contained in a first link to connect to the audio conference service and, subsequent to dialing the first sequence, dials a second sequence contained in a second link associated with the first link to connect to the conference call.
US08112067B2	Profile-driven response to communication events A method includes storing a setting in a profile of a wireless device to cause an automatic message response to incoming calls. When the profile is set as the active profile and an incoming call is received, an automatic response is provided to the incoming call in accordance with the setting.
US08112066B2	System for NFC authentication based on BLUETOOTH proximity A method and apparatus for secure authentication of Near Field Communication transactions based on proximity to a mobile key device.
US08112065B2	Mobile authentication through strengthened mutual authentication and handover security A method of mobile authentication with enhanced mutual authentication and handover security is disclosed. The method of mutual authentication in a mobile network in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: generating at least one service ticket and session key corresponding to a mobile station in accordance with an authentication data request for the mobile station; encrypting the service ticket and the session key by using a user security key pre-assigned in accordance with the mobile station; sending the encrypted service ticket and session key to the mobile station by using a control message; and authenticating the mobile station by analyzing user mutual authentication information received from the mobile station. The present invention, therefore, can provide a more powerful and effective mutual authentication method in a mobile network.
US08112060B2	Electronic device with detachable audio module An electronic device includes a main body and an audio module. The main body includes a first circuit board and a first coil. The first circuit board is configured for processing electrical signals. The first coil is electrically connected with the first circuit board, and configured to convert electrical signals with electromagnetic waves. The audio module includes a second circuit, a speaker, a microphone, and a second coil. The second circuit board is configured for processing electrical signals. The speaker is electrically connected with the second circuit board, and produces a sound according to electrical signals. The microphone is electrically connected with the second circuit board and configured to detect sound wave and generate electrical signals. The second coil is electrically connected with the second circuit board, and configured to convert electromagnetic waves with electrical signal.
US08112058B2	Miniaturized dual-balanced mixer circuit based on a double spiral layout architecture A miniaturized dual-balanced mixer circuit based on a double spiral layout architecture is proposed, which is designed for use to provide a frequency mixing function for millimeter wave (MMW) signals, and which features a downsized circuit layout architecture that allows IC implementation to be more miniaturized than the conventional star-type dual-balanced mixer (DBM). The proposed miniaturized dual-balanced mixer circuit is distinguished from the conventional star-type DBM particularly in the use of a double spiral layout architecture for the layout of two balun circuit units. This feature allows the required layout area to be only about 15% of that of the conventional star-type DBM.
US08112055B2	Calibrating receive chain to reduce second order intermodulation distortion Embodiments of apparatuses, articles, methods, and systems for calibrating receive chain to reduce second order intermodulation distortion are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a reference sensing chain is used to generate reference second-order intermodulation distortion signals that may be used to adjust a calibration code. In some embodiments, a calibration code may be adjusted using one or more feedback loops of a baseband amplifier. The embodiments may be employed, e.g., to manage power in wireless networks. Other embodiments and usages may be described and claimed.
US08112052B2	Automatic gain control loop with hysteresis switching An automatic gain control system with hysteresis switching includes an error calculator for calculating the difference between a first estimation signal and a take over point (TOP) value to produce an error signal. A hysteresis comparator compares the first estimation signal and the TOP value to produce a control signal. A first gain control loop generates a first gain control signal based on the control signal to control a gain of a first variable gain amplifier. A second gain control loop generates a second gain control signal based on the control signal to control a gain of a second variable gain amplifier. As the first estimation signal leaves a hysteresis region of the hysteresis comparator, the first gain control signal is monotonically decreasing and the first gain control signal is monotonically increasing. As a result, the total gain is stable.
US08112038B2	Beamforming with imperfect channel state information Disclosed herein is a system and method for downlink beamforming that takes into account imperfect channel state information (CSI) at the transmitter when determining the steering vector used in the beamforming process. The steering vector is calculated to increase the ratio of the average power of a desired signal component to the sum of the interference power of other wireless terminals, referred to as the signal-to-leakage ratio. By accounting for imperfect CSI when calculating the steering vector, the bit-error rate for a given signal-to-noise ratio is decreased. Also disclosed is a power allocation method that improves performance of the system by increasing the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio for all of the wireless terminals currently communicating with the base station. The power allocation similarly decreases the bit-error rate for a given signal-to-noise ratio, especially at high signal-to-noise ratios.
US08112032B2	Portable media player as a remote control A portable multimedia player is used to wirelessly access and control a media server that is streaming digital media by way of a wireless interface to a media unit such as a stereo/speakers in the case of streaming digital audio. In one embodiment, the portable multimedia player is wirelessly synchronized to a selected one(s) of a number of digital media files stored on the media server in such a way that digital media file metadata (song title, author, etc.) associated with the selected digital media file(s) only is transferred from the media server to be stored in the portable media player.
US08112031B2	Information processing apparatus A view recording processing unit performs a view recording processing of a broadcast wave from a broadcast station. By using a clock circuit, at the timer view time or timer recording time, a timer view recording activation request generation unit generates an activation request for activating the view recording processing unit. On the basis of the activation request, the timer view recording activation unit activates a view recording unit at the timer view time or timer recording time. A view recording activation factor determination unit determines whether an activation factor is derived from the activation caused by the timer view recording activation unit. In a case where the activation factor is derived from the activation caused by the timer view recording activation unit, the view recording processing unit uses a timer view recording purpose audio volume value to perform the view recording processing of the broadcast wave.
US08112022B2	Fixing device, image forming apparatus, and image fixing method capable of stably applying oil for fixing without adhering oil to sheet In a fixing device, a controller switches a pressing member between a pressure application state to contact the pressing member against a fixing member and a pressure release state to separate the pressing member from the fixing member. The controller starts rotation of the pressing member before the pressing member contacts the fixing member in the pressure application state, when the pressing member switches from the pressure release state to the pressure application state. An oil applier includes an oil pan and an oil regulating member. The oil pan is provided under the pressing member to contain oil in which the pressing member is dipped. The oil regulating member is provided downstream from the oil pan in a direction of rotation of the pressing member to contact the pressing member to regulate an amount of oil adhering to the pressing member.
US08112018B2	Developing unit and an image forming apparatus A developing unit includes a developing unit body having a toner inlet and a developing roller mounted in the developing unit body. A toner feeding unit for feeding is provided to feed the toner from the toner inlet to the developing roller. A doctor blade is integrally formed with the developing unit body for controlling the thickness of the toner supplied to the developing roller.
US08112000B2	Electronic device An electronic device includes a casing having a laser light reception region on its outer surface, a receiver that receives transmission data from a partner device, and a suppression member that suppresses leakage of the laser light between the partner device and the electronic device. The partner device includes a laser light emission component and a laser light modulator. The receiver detects, in a state where the partner device and the electronic device are positioned in to communicable positions where the laser light from the partner device is made incident inside the light reception region of the electronic device, the laser light incident inside the light reception region and demodulates the transmission data from the laser light detection result. The suppression member is disposed in at least an area surrounding the light reception region.
US08111998B2	Transponder systems and methods for radio-over-fiber (RoF) wireless picocellular systems Transponder systems and methods for radio-over-fiber (RoF) wireless picocellular system are disclosed. One type of transponder system includes a RoF transponder used in combination with at least one radiation-reflector assembly to provide for enhanced antenna directivity of the transponder. Another type of transponder system is a transponder node assembly, wherein two or more transponders are integrated into a single assembly, thereby reducing cost while facilitating RoF wireless picocellular system deployment. Another type of transponder system provides one or more transponders in a RoF wireless picocellular system with radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags, and uses an RFID tag reader to locate and read information from the transponders, as well as to perform transponder mode selection. Another type of transponder system is directed to a tether cable assembly that includes a dispensible/retractable coiled tether cable housed in a protective housing for connecting the tether cable to a transponder.
US08111997B2	Multiple movable barrier operator system and method A first moveable barrier operator is actuated to move a first moveable barrier and a light beam is encoded with operational information regarding the first movable barrier operator. The encoded light beam is transmitted from an emitter associated with the first moveable barrier operator to a first detector associated with the second moveable barrier operator. The second moveable barrier operator may be subsequently operated at least in part according to the operational information encoded in the light beam.
US08111993B2	Methods and apparatus for optical transmission of digital signals A system (100) for transmitting digital information includes a transmitting apparatus (102) for generating an optical signal bearing digital information, a dispersive optical channel (104), and a receiving apparatus (110) for receiving the optical signal. The dispersive optical channel (104) is disposed to convey the optical signal from the transmitting apparatus (102) to the receiving apparatus (110). The transmitting apparatus includes an encoder (114) for encoding digital information into a series of blocks, each including a plurality of data symbols corresponding with one or more bits of digital information. A signal generator (118) generates a time-varying signal corresponding with each of said blocks. An optical transmitter (136) is arranged to apply the time-varying signal to an optical source (138) to produce an optical signal which includes an optical carrier and substantially only a single information bearing optical sideband in an optical frequency domain, the sideband corresponding with the time-varying signal. The receiving apparatus (110) includes an optical detector (146) for detecting the optical signal to produce a corresponding received time-varying electrical signal. The receiver further includes means (166) for generating a series of received data blocks from the time-varying electrical signal. An equalizer (168) performs an equalization of received data symbols included in each data block to mitigate the effect of dispersion of the optical channel, thereby enabling the transmitted data symbols to be recovered.
US08111981B2	Focus detection apparatus and focus detection method This invention includes accumulation units (102a, 102b) which accumulate signals obtained by sensing units (111a, 111b), an area determination unit (103, 100) which sets the size of an area of a sensing unit to be segmented into a plurality of areas on the basis of the information of a lens to be focus-detected, accumulation control units (104a-104c, 105) which control, for each of the areas, accumulation of signals obtained in a plurality of areas by the accumulation units, and a defocus detection unit (100) which detects defocus states in the respective areas from accumulated signals from a plurality of areas.
US08111976B2	Method of displaying sub-picture in DVD player The present invention provides a method of displaying a sub-picture in a DVD player, by which the sub-picture is displayed in trick play mode to provide more information to a user. The present invention includes optionally decoding video data within a DVD according to a play speed of a trick play mode and displaying the decoded video data and selectively decoding at least one of a plurality of sub-picture data within the video data that is being decoded and displaying the decoded sub-picture data during a predetermined time.
US08111972B2	Recording device, computer readable medium and recording method A hard disk of a recording device is registered with in-advance setting data specifying a sports genre, a detection team/player and a detection period. A sports information service server accessible via a network N from the recording device includes a winning/losing outcome database recorded with information specifying a genre to which a game belongs and an outcome of wining or losing in each game with respect to the respective games held domestically and overseas. A CPU of the recording device, when reaching the detection time defined in the in-advance setting data, specifies the defined genre and the detection team/player, then receives the winning/losing data from the sports information service server, and determines whether the detection team/player defined in the in-advance setting data lost in the game or not. Then, when determining that the detection team/player lost in the game, a scheme is to prevent the already recorded data of the broadcast program of the game from remaining on the hard disk.
US08111966B2	Wall box adapted to be mounted at a mid-span access location of a telecommunications cable A wall box includes an enclosure having a base and a cover connected to the base. The base and the cover enclose an interior region. The wall box further includes a plurality of fiber optic adapters mounted to the enclosure. The fiber optic adapters include an inner port positioned inside the interior region and an outer port positioned at an outer surface of the enclosure. A tray stack is mounted within the interior region. The tray stack includes a tray mount pivotally connected to the enclosure. The tray mount includes a top surface and an oppositely disposed bottom surface. A first splice tray mounting area is disposed on the top surface and a second splice tray mounting area is disposed on the bottom surface. A plurality of trays is disposed in the first splice tray mounting area. A tray is disposed in the second splice tray mounting area.
US08111964B2	Optical fiber The present invention provides an optical fiber in which composites constructing its coating are not complicated, so, there is also little constraint in view of production, and, moreover, delamination between a glass optical fiber and a primary layer, and a bubble in the primary layer hardly arise. The optical fiber of the present invention is an optical fiber which has a glass optical fiber which has a core 1, which passes an optical signal, in a center portion, and a cladding 2 surrounding this, a primary protective layer 3 made to coat the glass optical fiber, a secondary protective layer 4 applied on this primary protective layer 3, and a third protective layer 5 applied to an outer periphery of this secondary protective layer 4, wherein glass transition temperature of the primary protective layer 3 is made to be higher than −20° C. and 10° C. or lower, glass transition temperature of the secondary protective layer 4 is made to be −10° C. or less, and the glass transition temperature of the primary protective layer 3 is set higher than that of the secondary protective layer 4.
US08111963B2	Large diameter optical waveguide, grating and laser A large diameter optical waveguide, grating, and laser includes a waveguide having at least one core surrounded by a cladding, the core propagating light in substantially a few transverse spatial modes; and having an outer waveguide dimension of said waveguide being greater than about 0.3 mm. At least one Bragg grating may be impressed in the waveguide. The waveguide may be axially compressed which causes the length of the waveguide to decrease without buckling. The waveguide may be used for any application where a waveguide needs to be compression tuned. Also, the waveguide exhibits lower mode coupling from the core to the cladding and allows for higher optical power to be used when writing gratings without damaging the waveguide. The waveguide may resemble a short “block” or a longer “cane” type, depending on the application and dimensions used.
US08111958B2	Optical waveguide with photoelectric conversion element and optical touch panel An optical waveguide with photoelectric conversion element includes an under-cladding layer and an over-cladding layer including a thick portion having a large thickness and a thin portion having a small thickness. The optical waveguide with photoelectric conversion element is bendable in a region including the thin portion in such a direction that the under-cladding layer faces inward. This makes it possible to arrange a photoelectric conversion element of each of the optical waveguides with photoelectric conversion element and its associated circuit on the back side of a display panel of an optical touch panel, thereby reducing the size of a frame surrounding a coordinate input region of the optical touch panel and the difference in level on the surface of the frame and its vicinity.
US08111955B2	Optical chip for arrayed waveguide grating type optical multiplexer/demultiplexer circuit, waveguide substrate, and method for fabricating optical chip for arrayed waveguide grating type optical multiplexer/demultiplexer circuit An optical chip according to the present invention is formed into a projecting shape expanded toward either side at the center. A waveguide substrate has a layout in which arrayed waveguide grating type optical multiplexer/demultiplexer circuits, each having a curve direction of an array waveguide reverse to each other, are arranged in combination, and the optical chips are cut out of the waveguide substrate. A method for fabricating the optical chip according to the present invention can enhance an optical chip yield rate, and further, can fabricate an optical chip having the shape for stabilizing optical characteristics of the arrayed waveguide grating type optical multiplexer/demultiplexer circuit.
US08111941B2	Method for dynamic range editing A method of displaying a high dynamic range image, comprising receiving the high dynamic range image, calculating a first set of tone mapping parameters as a function of the high dynamic range image, sub-sampling the first set of tone mapping parameters at a first resolution to create a first sub-sampled parameter set, creating a first tone-mapped image by processing the high dynamic range image as a function of the first sub-sampled parameter set, and displaying the first tone-mapped image. A method of composting a plurality of versions of an image to create the high dynamic range image is also disclosed such that the compositing may be modified as a function of received user input.
US08111923B2	System and method for object class localization and semantic class based image segmentation An automated image processing system and method are provided for class-based segmentation of a digital image. The method includes extracting a plurality of patches of an input image. For each patch, at least one feature is extracted. The feature may be a high level feature which is derived from the application of a generative model to a representation of low level feature(s) of the patch. For each patch, and for at least one object class from a set of object classes, a relevance score for the patch, based on the at least one feature, is computed. For at least some or all of the pixels of the image, a relevance score for the at least one object class based on the patch scores is computed. An object class is assigned to each of the pixels based on the computed relevance score for the at least one object class, allowing the image to be segmented and the segments labeled, based on object class.
US08111919B2	Feature encoding system and method for connected component labeling Embodiments disclosed include methods and systems for encoding one or more region features in connected components labeling including associating one or more labels for an object with a memory structure, the memory structure including the one or more region features; storing the one or more region features in the memory structure, the one or more region features processed in raster order to provide a correspondence between one or more region properties and an original location of the object; enabling the memory structure to receive one or more extents of the one or more region properties at an adjustable precision and with an adjustable data rate, the adjustable precision and the adjustable data rate determined as a function of an amount of detail to be stored; and enabling the memory structure to receive one or more extents at an adjustable data rate determined as a function of an amount of detail to be stored independent of pixel data.
US08111902B2	Method and apparatus for inspecting defects of circuit patterns The present invention relates to a defect inspection apparatus for inspecting defects in patterns formed on a semiconductor device, on the GUI of which for the confirmation of the inspection results an area is provided for displaying any one of or facing each other the features amount of defects, and the image during inspection or the reacquired image, and on the GUI of which a means is provided for setting the classification class and importance of the defects, and based on the classification class and the importance of the defects information set by this setting means, the classification conditions or the defect judging conditions are automatically or manually set so that the inspection conditions may be set easily.
US08111900B2	Computer-implemented methods for detecting and/or sorting defects in a design pattern of a reticle Various computer-implemented methods are provided. One method for sorting defects in a design pattern of a reticle includes searching for defects of interest in inspection data using priority information associated with individual defects in combination with one or more characteristics of a region proximate the individual defects. The priority information corresponds to modulation levels associated with the individual defects. The inspection data is generated by comparing images of the reticle generated for different values of a lithographic variable. The images include at least one reference image and at least one modulated image. A composite reference image can be generated from two or more reference images. The method also includes assigning one or more identifiers to the defects of interest. The identifier(s) may include, for example, a defect classification and/or an indicator identifying if the defects of interest are to be used for further processing.
US08111897B2	Evaluation system, evaluation method, and recording medium An evaluation system includes a capture unit for capturing an image of a living tissue in which HER2 protein and cell nucleuses are dyed, a discrimination unit for identifying a cell membrane from the image of the living tissue based on dyed cell nucleuses within the image of the living tissue captured by the capture unit to discriminate a dyed state of the cell membrane, and an evaluation unit for evaluating development of the HER2 protein based on a discrimination result by the discrimination unit.
US08111895B2	Locally adaptive image enhancement for digital subtraction X-ray imaging A system and method provide local image enhancement. Internal native images of a patient may be acquired during an interventional procedure. A portion of the native images may show an interventional device or material. Subtracted images may be created by subtracting mask images from the native images, such as via either digital subtraction angiography to display vessel structures, or “roadmapping” during interventional procedures to deploy various medical devices and materials. The local level of absorption associated with the portion of the images showing a vessel structure or in which the interventional object resides may be determined from either the native images or the mask images. Subsequently, the subtracted images may be locally altered to compensate for the local level of absorption such that the visibility of a vessel structure or interventional object is enhanced. The subtracted images may be enhanced by altering the local contrast, brightness, or sharpness, or noise.
US08111894B2	Computer Tomography (CT) C-arm system and method for examination of an object A Computer Tomography (CT) C-arm system and method for examination of an object is provided. The Computer Tomography (CT) C-arm system for examination of an object of interest, the CT- C-arm system comprises an X-ray tube adapted for generating X-rays, an X-ray detection unit to acquire a set of CT slices, wherein the X-ray tube, and the X-ray detection unit are adapted to be rotatable on a C-arm around a common axis around the object under examination and a processing unit by which the following steps are executable: acquiring a first 3D data volume of the CT slices using first scan parameters; adjusting the first data volume to a second data volume (segmented volume) such that voxel values of the first data volume of at least one predefined range of Hounsfield (H) are set to an at least one predefined H-value; generating a forward projection of the second data volume using the first scan parameters; reconstructing the projection to a third data volume; generating a fourth data volume (artefact-only volume) by subtracting the third volume with the second volume; generating a fifth volume by adding the first volume with the fourth volume.
US08111893B2	Method for dynamic prior image constrained image reconstruction A method for reconstructing a high quality image from undersampled image data is provided. The image reconstruction method is applicable to a number of different imaging modalities. Specifically, the present invention provides an image reconstruction method that incorporates an appropriate prior image into the image reconstruction process. One aspect of the invention is to provide an image reconstruction method that produces a time series of desired images indicative of a higher temporal resolution than is ordinarily achievable with the imaging system, while mitigating undesired image artifacts. This is generally achieved by incorporating a limited amount of additional image data into the data consistency condition imposed during a prior image constrained image reconstruction. For example, cardiac phase images can be produced with high temporal resolution using a state-of-the-art multi-detector CT system with either fast gantry rotation speed or CT imaging system with a slow gantry rotation speed.
US08111891B2	X-ray CT apparatus, myocardial perfusion information generating system, X-ray diagnostic method and myocardial perfusion information generating method An X-ray CT apparatus has an image generating unit and a blood flow information acquiring unit. The image generating unit acquires projection data at rest and at non-rest from a myocardial part of an object into which contrast medium is injected continuously in a state in which each concentration of the contrast medium can be considered to be constant and reconstructs contrast CT image data at the rest and at the non-rest using the acquired projection data. The blood flow information acquiring unit obtains third blood flow information based in first blood flow information derived from the contrast CT image data at the rest and second blood flow information derived from the contrast CT image data at the non-rest.
US08111888B2	Method for automatically selecting a display mode for an image data record of an organ to be examined At least one example embodiment discloses a method for automatically selecting a display mode for an image data record is provided. In the at least one example embodiment, spatially resolved values of a parameter are determined in a first image data record of the organ to be examined, with the parameter allowing an evaluation of a functionality of the organ to be examined. Thereupon a deviation of the determined values of the parameter from a tolerance range is localized. The result of the localization is saved, and a display mode of a second image data record is selected on the basis of the result of localization, with the second image data record being a 3D image data record. The second image data record is shown in the selected display mode.
US08111885B2	Image processing device and method The present invention relates to an image processing device and a corresponding image processing method for processing medical image data showing at least two image objects, including a segmentation unit for detection and/or segmentation of image objects in said image data. To allow a more accurate and better segmentation of target objects which are hard to localize and detect, it is proposed that the segmentation unit comprises: a selection unit (61) for selecting a target object for detection and/or segmentation and an intermediary object in said image data, which is easier detectable than said target object and for which position information about the spatial relationship to said target object are known, an intermediary object segmentation unit (62) for segmentation of said intermediary object in said image data, a target object detection unit (63) for detection and/or segmentation of said target object in said image data using said segmented intermediary object and said position information about the spatial relationship of said intermediary object to said target object.
US08111875B2	Method of and apparatus for taking solid image and computer program for causing computer to execute the method A solid image taking apparatus includes a plurality of image taking portions which obtain a plurality of images at each sight point by taking a plurality of images of objects from different sight points, a distance measuring portion which measures object distances which are distances to the objects from the plurality of image taking portions, and a classifying portion which classifies the objects included in the images into a plurality of groups according to the object distances and outputs the result of classification.
US08111872B2	Image maze generating system and method thereof The present invention discloses an image maze generating system. The system is suitable for use with a digital camera to generate a maze of photographs. The system specially includes an image processing module and an image maze generating module. The image processing module assigns numbers to the photographs. And then the image maze generating module pieces the photographs together on a template which is attached to maze path information according to its numbers to generate the maze of photographs.
US08111869B2	Speaker device A speaker device includes a damper allowing high linearity. The speaker device includes a vibration body including a damper and a voice coil bobbin (bobbin), and a magnetic circuit having a plate. The damper has a first member arranged opposite the plate, and a second member projecting on a side of the plate from the first member. The first member has a movable part elastically supporting the bobbin. The movable part is a flat plate, and behaves with respect to a bent part provided between the movable part and the second member with movement of the bobbin in an acoustic radiation direction and reverse. Therefore, when a constant force is given to the damper via the voice coil, a displacement of the damper with respect to a rest position can be substantially similar in such a case that the damper behaves in the acoustic radiation direction and the reverse.
US08111868B2	Speaker device A drive cone 11 and a diaphragm 14 are integrally driven by a voice coil 6 movably disposed in a magnetic gap 5. Peripheral edge portions of the drive cone 11 and the diaphragm 14 are supported by a frame 12 via different edge portions 13 and 15, respectively.The drive cone 11 is provided with a rising-up portion 11a which rises up toward an acoustic radiation direction from a inner circumferential end, and a rising-down portion 11b which rises down toward a direction reverse to the acoustic radiation direction. An inner circumferential edge of the diaphragm 14 is fixed at an annular top formed between the rising-up portion and the rising-down portion. Moreover, a first rib 11c and a second rib 11d are formed on the drive cone 11 in such a manner as to rise up toward the acoustic radiation direction integrally with the drive cone. The diaphragm 14 is supported also at the tips of the ribs.
US08111861B2	Earbud that secures to the tragus and anti-tragus of the ear An earphone projects sound into an ear having an acoustic meatus, a tragus, an intertragic notch, an anti-tragus and a canal. The earphone includes a base that is positioned proximate an outer surface of the tragus and anti-tragus when the earphone is mounted to the ear. A speaker housing at least partially contacts the acoustic meatus of the ear and includes a speaker cover positioned proximate the canal when the earphone is mounted to the ear. First and second tragus lobes extend from the base generally toward the speaker housing. The first and second tragus lobes are spaced from and positioned on generally opposite lateral sides of the speaker housing. The anti-tragus being held between the first tragus lobe and the base when the earphone is mounted to the ear and the tragus being held between the second tragus lobe and the base when the earphone is mounted to the ear.
US08111858B2	Supra-aural headphone noise reducing An earphone for a supra-aural noise reducing headphone, with a front cavity that includes a foam portion and an open passageway. The foam portion supplements the volumetric dimension of the passageway to improve passive attenuation.
US08111857B2	In-ear headset and in-ear earphone The invention relates to a headset comprising at least one earphone and a headset microphone for registering voice signals of the headset wearer. The headset microphone is fixed to one of the earphones. The earphone comprises at least one electroacoustic transducer, a rear volume, and a front volume which lies in front of the electroacoustic transducer. A first channel runs from the exterior through the earphone to the front volume. In addition, at least one acoustic filter and/or a microphone is arranged inside the first channel, in which a mechanical filter which protects against dirt and/or moisture is also disposed.
US08111848B2	Hearing aid with acoustical signal direction of arrival control Acoustical signals from the acoustical surrounding (U) which impinge upon a reception unit 30 are evaluated and direction of arrival (DOA) of such signals is determined. From signals indicative of such direction of arrival (DOA) a histogram is formed in unit 32. The behavior of such histogram is classified under different aspects or criteria and dependent on classification results in a classifying unit 34 the hearing device and thereby especially its signal transfer characteristic from input acoustical signals to output mechanical signals is controlled or adjusted.
US08111837B2	Data-driven media management within an electronic device A method and apparatus for intelligently routing and managing audio signals within an electronic device is disclosed. The routing is responsive to a set of logical and physical policies which are stored in data tables which can be updated as needed.
US08111835B2	Active noise control apparatus A subtractor subtracts an echo canceling signal from a canceling error signal to estimate the resonant noise to be silenced at a position of a microphone, and outputs a first basic signal representing the estimated resonant noise as an input signal supplied to a controller. In the controller, a delay filter generates a second basic signal by delaying the first basic signal by a time value. The controller generates a control signal based on the first basic signal and the second basic signal.
US08111828B2	Management of cryptographic keys for securing stored data A management system generates a sequence of keys and an identifier of each key in the sequence. A current key in the sequence and the identifier of the current key are transferred from the management system to a storage system. The storage system encrypts the data into encrypted data using the current key. The storage system stores the identifier and the encrypted data. The identifier and the encrypted data are retrieved from the storage system. The key in the sequence identified by the identifier is transferred from the management system to the storage system. The storage system decrypts the encrypted data using the decryption key.
US08111825B2	Encryption apparatus and method therefor A modified implementation of the Kasumi algorithm executes on a 32-bit processor using full 32-bit operations. The implementation comprises a series of four rounds, each round including an intermediate sub-function executed between two executions of an FL sub-function. The intermediate sub-function is functionally equivalent to two consecutive 16-bit FO sub-functions.
US08111816B2	Methods and systems for enabling return to same position in a review of messages in a voice mail system using tag or identifier stored in the voice mail system Methods and systems for enabling a subscriber to interrupt a review of messages in a voice mail system (VMS), to make a call or take some other action, and to return to the same position as occupied at the time of interruption in the review of messages in the VMS. In response to an indication from the subscriber's communication to leave the review, an identifier is created to mark the position of the subscriber's communication in the review. The identifier is stored in the VMS. The VMS transmits a release message with respect to the subscriber's communication, the message including a copy of the identifier. The message may be a GR-1120 message including a remote operations (RO) parameter with the copy of the identifier. In response to the release message, a service control point (SCP) stores the copy of the identifier and causes whatever action is indicated in the message to be taken with respect to the subscriber's communication. In response to the receipt of the release message from a network element other than the VMS, the SCP routes the subscriber's communication including the copy of the identifier to the VMS. The VMS uses the copy of the identifier with the identifier to place the subscriber's communication in the same position occupied previously in the review.
US08111814B2	Extensible alert types A facility for providing extensible alert types is described. The facility includes an endpoint component that has an associated application, an alert handler component provided by the application for handling received messages and providing alerts to the application, and a message transport component that receives a message, determines whether the message contains an alert, locates an alert handler to handle the alert, and provides a portion of the received message to the alert handler component so that the alert handler component can handle the alert. The facility can receive a request to register an alert handler, add an indication of the alert handler in a mapping data structure and, upon receiving a message containing an alert, identify an alert handler to handle the alert contained in the message.
US08111806B2	Charged particle beam therapy system having an X-ray imaging device Therapy system (100) for irradiating a target volume (2) of a patient (1) with a charged particle beam (6), including a beam generator (3), a beam transport system (4), and a nozzle (5) for distributing the beam to the target volume (2), the nozzle (5) being, when in operation, under vacuum. The therapy system comprises an X-ray device (10) which is rotatably mounted inside the nozzle (5) between a first position and a second position. In the first position, an X-Ray source (12) within the X-Ray device is able to emit X-Rays along a charged particle beam path for generating an X-Ray image on a corresponding X-Ray receiving device (11) arranged opposite to the patient (1), said X-Ray image serving to determine a correct position of the target volume (2) with regard to the charged particle beam (6). In the second position, the X-Ray device (10) is set outside of a charged particle beam treatment path envelope (23), so that the charged particle beam (6) can reach and irradiate the target volume (2).
US08111801B2	Radioisotope production gas target having fin structure A radioisotope production gas target for producing gas isotopes such as C-11. The radioisotope production gas target includes a target chamber that is in the shape of a hollow cylinder and has a plurality of inner fins protruding from an inner surface thereof along a length thereof, and a body that is shaped of a hollow cylinder enclosing the target chamber, and has a target gas inlet for feeding target gas to a hollow region of the target chamber, a target gas outlet for collecting the target gas after a nuclear reaction occurs, and a first coolant inlet and a first coolant outlet respectively feeding and discharging a coolant flowing along an outer surface of the target chamber, and includes a thin metal sheet in front thereof through which a beam of protons passes.
US08111798B2	Phase synchronization circuit and receiver having the same A phase synchronization circuit includes a controlled oscillator configured to generate a first oscillation signal and a second oscillation signal that have a common frequency but different phase controlled by a combination of a first control signal and a second control signal, a digital phase frequency detector configured to detect a frequency difference and a first phase difference between a reference signal and the first oscillation signal to generate the first control signal, an analog phase detector configured to detect a second phase difference between the second oscillation signal and the reference signal to generate the second control signal, and a lock detection unit configured to detect a lock of the first oscillation signal with the reference signal in terms of frequency and phase, in order to set the analog phase detector in an active state.
US08111793B2	System and method for adjacent channel power detection and dynamic bandwidth filter control A system for detecting and minimizing interference in a radio receiver includes a plurality of bandpass filters having different response characteristics, a power detector configured to compare a power output of a first bandpass filter and a second bandpass filter, and logic to cascade a third bandpass filter when the difference in power output between the power output of the first bandpass filter and the power output of the second bandpass filter exceeds a threshold amount.
US08111785B2	Auto frequency acquisition maintenance in a clock and data recovery device A system and method are provided for automatic frequency acquisition maintenance in a clock and data recovery (CDR) device. In an automatic frequency acquisition (AFA) mode, the method uses a phase detector (PHD) to acquire the phase of a non-synchronous input communication signal having an initial first frequency. In the event of a loss of lock/loss of signal (LOL/LOS) signal being asserted, a frequency ratio value is retrieved from memory. Using a phase-frequency detector (PFD), the reference signal, and the frequency ratio value, a synthesized signal is generated. In response to using the PFD to generate the synthesized signal and the LOL/LOS signal being deasserted, a rotational frequency detector (RFD) is used to generate a synthesized signal having a frequency equal to the frequency of the input communication signal. With the continued deassertion of the LOL/LOS signal, the PHD is enabled and the phase of the input signal is acquired.
US08111774B2	Method for transmitting/receiving signal in MIMO system Disclosed is a method for transmitting a signal in a mobile communications system using a plurality of transmit/receive antennas. A method for transmitting a signal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: a receiving end's calculating a signal to interference noise ratio (SINR) with respect to every antenna pairs configuring STTD pairs to be transmittable from a transmitting end; feedbacking information indicating an antenna pair having the greatest SINR to the transmitting end; and the transmitting end's performing a D-STTD transmission through the antenna pair determined by the feedbacked information. A method for transmitting a signal in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: a receiving end's feedbacking information of an antenna pair and/or an eigenvector (weight vector) of a channel matrix with respect to transmit antennas included in the space-time multiplexing (STTD) pair to a transmitting end; and the transmitting end's forming beam by multiplying a symbol with respect to each STTD pair by the eigenvector, and thereafter transmitting the beam through each transmit antenna (in case of using two antennas) or a transmit antenna pair (in case of using more than four antennas) determined by the information of the antenna pair.
US08111757B2	Method and apparatus for video signal processing A first video signal processor (103) receives a first encoded video signal from which a video unit (201) generates a second encoded video signal, where the second encoded video signal is a reduced data rate version of the first encoded video signal. An error encoder (203) generates error redundancy data for the second encoded video signal and a multiplexer (207) generates output video data comprising the first encoded video signal and the error correcting data but not comprising the second encoded video signal. A second video processor (105) receives the output video data and a video unit (303) regenerates the second video signal from the first video signal. An error unit (305) detects errors for at least a first segment of the second video signal in response to the error redundancy data. A combiner (307) then generates combined video data by combining corresponding segments of the first encoded video signal and the second encoded video signal.
US08111752B2	Encoding mode pruning during video encoding A method for encoding a first set of pixels in a first image in a sequence of images is described. From a set of encoding modes, the method selects a first mode for encoding the first set of pixels. The method then determines whether encoding the first set of pixels in the first mode satisfies a set of quality criteria. The method foregoes encoding the first set of pixels in a second mode from the set of encoding modes, when the first mode encoding satisfies the set of quality criteria. The method also provides a video encoding method that examines several different methods for encoding a set of pixels in a first image. From a list of possible encoding modes, the method eliminates a set of encoding modes that are not likely to provide a suitable encoding solution. The method then examines different encoding solutions based on the remaining encoding modes in the list.
US08111748B2	Method and apparatus for video coding In uniform superposition of two predictions toward a weighted superposition, such as in coding B frames, weighting is based on reliability of a reference picture used for determination of the prediction. Since there is a relationship between the reliability and the respective quantization parameter, coupling to the quantization parameter that is also known in the receiver also can be effected advantageously.
US08111745B2	Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding video signal according to directional intra-residual prediction A method and apparatus for encoding and decoding a video signal according to directional intra-residual prediction. The video encoding method of the present invention includes calculating first residual data by performing directional intra-prediction on a first block of a base layer with reference to a second block of the base layer, calculating second residual data by performing directional intra-prediction on a third block of an enhancement layer that corresponds to the first block of the base layer with reference to a fourth block of the enhancement layer that corresponds to the second block of the base layer, and encoding the third block according to the directional intra-residual prediction by obtaining third residual data that is a difference between the first residual data and the second residual data.
US08111744B2	Method and apparatus for converting photo slides into motion pictures in a mobile terminal A method and apparatus for converting a photo slide into a motion picture in a mobile terminal by which the photo slide including a plurality of photos is converted into the motion picture for MMS (Multimedia Message Service) message transmissions, thereby being able to be transmitted at a time, the method comprising: selecting a plurality of photos and storing the photos as a photo slide; establishing a transmission for the photo slide; automatically establishing an optimal combination of image quality and resolution according to the number of photos composing the photo slide; automatically converting the photo slide into a motion picture according to the optical combination; and transmitting the motion picture to a destination which a user selects.
US08111742B2	Data processing method, equalizer, receiver, communication system, network element, and terminal using simplified channel matrix inversion The invention is related to a communication terminal, comprising: means (618) for creating at least one channel matrix assuming predetermined interfering signals as a part of a desired signal; means (618) for dividing the at least one channel matrix into multiple sub-matrices; means (618) for diagonalizing the sub-matrices by using a transformation matrix; means (618) for forming at least one block-diagonalized matrix using diagonalized sub-matrices; means (618) for inverting the at least one block-diagonalized matrix; and means (618) for generating channel equalizer coefficients by using at least one inverted block-diagonalized matrix.
US08111736B2	Rapid acquisition methods and apparatus for GPS signals A method and apparatus for receiving a signal from transmitters such as GPS satellites, for fixing the location of the receiver. Each of the transmitted signals includes a unique periodically-repeating sequence. A received signal is stored by the receiver for at least two repetitions of the periodically-repeating sequence. FFT operations are performed, and the resulting data frequency samples are pruned responsive to a hypothesized residual frequency, a procedure which significantly reduces the total number of subsequent calculations and therefore significantly reduces processing time. A correlation series is determined from the pruned samples and reference frequency samples corresponding to a hypothesized transmitter. If a match is found in the examination of this series, a code phase offset is determined; if not the process is repeated with another hypothesized residual frequency. Multiple correlation series similarly obtained may also be incoherently combined prior to this examination. The apparatus and method disclosed herein is particularly useful for combined position location and communication systems, especially those that are unsynchronized, such as assisted GPS (“A-GPS”) utilized on GSM and UMTS cellular telephone systems.
US08111735B2	GNSS data/pilot correlator and code generator thereof A correlator for a GNSS receiver and a code generator used in the correlator as well as a correlation method are disclosed. In the GNSS, each satellite transmits a data signal and a pilot signal. The correlator is adaptable for executing correlation to the data signal, the pilot signal and various combinations thereof, such as non-coherent and coherent combinations. The code generator generates primary ranging codes of the data and pilot signals as well as various combinations thereof, such as sum or difference of the primary ranging codes of the data and pilot signals. By using the various codes, the correlator is adaptable and flexible for different correlation requirements.
US08111731B2	Block scrambling for orthogonal frequency division multiple access A method of transmitting signals in a communication system over at least two time periods including generating a base signal comprising of at least two samples in each time period, selecting a scrambling sequence of length equal to or greater than the number of time periods, scaling all samples in said signal in a time period with one element of said scrambling sequence and transmitting the scaled signal in said time period. Different elements of the scrambling sequence are used to scale the base signal in different time periods. The signal in each time period is obtained by scaling a base signal. The scrambling sequence is preferably a pseudo-random sequence. The step of scaling all samples in said signal in a time period consists of multiplying all samples of said signal with an element of said scrambling sequence.
US08111729B2	Multi-wavelength hybrid silicon laser array A multi-wavelength array of hybrid silicon lasers and a method of fabricating such a device. The method may include providing a silicon-on-insulator wafer; patterning waveguides in the silicon-on-insulator wafer; providing a III-V wafer comprising multiple layers; applying quantum well intermixing to obtain a plurality of regions of different bandgaps within the III-V wafer; and bonding the silicon on insulator wafer with the III-V wafer.
US08111726B2	Semiconductor laser device A semiconductor laser device includes: an n-type cladding layer, a p-type cladding layer, an active layer located between the n-type cladding layer and the p-type cladding layer, an n-side guiding layer located on the same side of the active layer as the n-type cladding layer, and a p-side guiding layer located on the same side of the active layer as the p-type cladding layer. The n-side guiding layer, the active layer, and the p-side guiding layer are undoped or substantially undoped. The sum of the thicknesses of the n-side guiding layer, the active layer, and the p-side guiding layer is not less than 0.5 times the lasing wavelength of the semiconductor laser device and is not more than 2 μm. The p-side guiding layer is thinner and has a lower refractive index than the n-side guiding layer.
US08111725B2	Surface-emitting laser, surface-emitting laser array, optical scanning device, and image forming apparatus A disclosed surface-emitting laser includes a substrate and multiple semiconductor layers stacked on the substrate. A normal of the principal plane of the substrate is inclined with respect to one of crystal orientations <1 0 0> toward one of crystal orientations <1 1 1>. The semiconductor layers include a resonator structure including an active layer; and a semiconductor multilayer mirror stacked on the resonator structure. The semiconductor multilayer mirror includes a confined structure where a current passage area is surrounded by an oxidized area including at least an oxide generated by oxidation of a part of a selective oxidation layer containing aluminum. A strain field caused by the oxidation is present at least in a part of the vicinity of the oxidized area. In the strain field, the amount of strain in a first axis direction is different from the amount of strain in a second axis direction.
US08111720B2	Method and apparatus to indicate maximum scheduling delay for jitter buffer implementations In VoIP systems, there is a tradeoff between reducing number of lost packets and end-to-end delay when dealing with jitters. Increasing the jitter buffer space on a mobile wireless terminal reduces the likelihood of lost packets but increases the end-to-end delay. Decreasing the jitter buffer space shortens the end-to-end delay, but there is a greater likelihood of retransmissions and dropped packets. Optimum solution can be arrived at if the jitter buffer space on the mobile wireless terminal can be matched to the scheduling delay. This is difficult to achieve in conventional system because the scheduling delay introduced by the network is unknown to the mobile wireless terminal. Thus, constant adjustment is required. One way to overcome this problem is to apprise the mobile wireless terminal of the maximum scheduling delay.
US08111718B1	Communication system and method that reduces interference A method of operating a communication system is disclosed. The method comprises acquiring a first frequency band for a first device to wireles sly communicate a first data stream. The center frequency of the first frequency band is f1. A second frequency band for a second device to wirelessly communicate a second data stream is acquired. The center frequency of the second frequency band is f2. A third frequency band that is below the first frequency band and is available is found. The center frequency of the third frequency band is f3. A fourth frequency band that is above the first frequency band and is available is found. The center frequency of the fourth frequency band is f4. If a frequency determination factor of (f1−f3)/(f4−f1) is greater than one, the third frequency band is acquired for the second device.
US08111711B2	Multi-channel ranging for a cable modem In one example, a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) sends first bandwidth allocation messages to a first upstream transmit interface on a cable modem and send second bandwidth allocation messages to a second upstream transmit interface on the cable modem. The bandwidth allocation messages indicate transmit windows for the cable modem to range over the interfaces. The transmit windows included in the first bandwidth allocation messages are spaced based on receipt of ranging requests from the second upstream transmit interface, and the transmit windows included in the second bandwidth allocation messages are spaced based on receipt of ranging requests from the first upstream transmit interface.
US08111699B2	Base station access system and base station data transmission method A base station access system and a base station data transmission method. The system includes a base station and a broadband access point. An embodiment of base station data transmission method includes: a base station assigns sequence number identifications to uplink data packets, the base station sends the uplink data packets with the sequence number identifications out via multiple xDSL links; by the broadband access point arranges the uplink data packets according to the sequence number identifications of the received uplink data packets, broadband access point extracts the arranged uplink data packets, the broadband access point sends the extracted uplink data packets out. The embodiment of the present invention improves the transmission band of the base station accessing while ensuring the transmission distance of the base station accessing.
US08111695B2	Resource admission control for customer triggered and network triggered reservation requests Customer triggered resource reservation requests (131) are granted or refused in an access node (104) on the basis of available resources on downlinks (102) between the access node (104) and customer premises, and eventually uplinks (105) between the access node (104) and an aggregation network (106). Network triggered resource reservation requests (121) are granted or refused in a central resource admission control device (108) on the basis of knowledge of available resources in the aggregation network (106) and the contents of an admission control report (123) received from the access node (104). The admission control report (123) is generated by the access node (104) on the basis of available resources on downlinks (102) between the access node (104) and customer premises, and eventually uplinks (105) between the access node (104) and an aggregation network (106). The access node (104) thus coordinates the granting and refusing of customer triggered resource reservation requests (131) and network triggered resource reservation requests (121) for the downlinks (102) and eventually the uplinks (105) extending from this access node (104).
US08111691B2	Graceful network merge by performing a graceful transition of conflicting routing identifiers Methods and apparatus for merging two or more networks are disclosed. In one embodiment, a first switch of a first network receives a second set of information including routing identifiers associated with a second network, wherein the first switch of the first network is connected to a second switch of the second network. The first switch of the first network transmits a first set of information including routing identifiers associated with the first network. The first switch determines whether a conflict exists between the second set of information and the first set of information. A conflicting one of the routing identifiers associated with the first or second network may be transitioned to a non-conflicting routing identifier according to the determination of whether a conflict exists between the first set of information and the second set of information, thereby enabling data to flow between the first network and the second network via a link between the first switch and the second switch.
US08111687B2	Communication system and method A method of establishing communication between a first and second terminal, the first terminal being arranged to communicate with a first communication system and the second terminal being arranged to communicate with a second communication system. The method comprises the steps of: a user of the second terminal selecting an identity to represent the second terminal in the first communication system and registering a network address of the second terminal at a first storage means; allocating to the second terminal a calling identifier from a set of available calling identifiers and mapping the network address to the calling identifier at the first storage means and mapping the identity to the calling identifier at a second storage means; a user of the first terminal initiating communication with the second terminal using the identity; the first terminal translating the identity to the calling identifier using the second storage means and transmitting a message to the first communication system to initiate communication with the second terminal using the calling identifier; responsive to receiving the message at a network node of the first communication system, the network node translating the calling identifier to the network address using the first storage means; and establishing a connection between the first terminal and the network node over the first communication system, and between the network node and the second terminal over the second communication system.
US08111684B2	Path shortening in a wireless mesh network In one embodiment, a method includes a mesh point receiving mesh advertisement messages from advertising mesh points of a wireless mesh network having a mesh portal with a wired connection to a wired network. Each mesh advertisement message specifies a corresponding metric for reaching the mesh portal and has a corresponding signal strength indicator. An ordered group of parent access points, ordered based on the respective metrics, is generated from among the advertising mesh points, starting with a first parent access point having a corresponding optimum metric for reaching the mesh portal and independent of the corresponding signal strength indicator. A registration message is sent to each of the parent access points identifying a corresponding specified priority based on a corresponding position in the ordered group, for use by the corresponding parent access point in selecting a minimum interframe spacing for forwarding a wireless packet received from the mesh point.
US08111675B2	Channel search method and system for vertical handoff in wireless network environment A channel search method for a vertical handoff in a wireless network environment is provided, the channel search method including: collecting channel information from a first terminal which is provided with a wireless local area network (WLAN) service via a channel connection with a WLAN node; and determining a channel search order for a channel connection between a second terminal and the WLAN node by using the collected channel information. A channel search system for a vertical handoff in a wireless network environment is also provided, the channel search system including: a channel information collection unit for collecting channel information from a first terminal which is provided with a WLAN service via a channel connection with a WLAN node and a search order determination unit for determining a channel search order for a channel connection between a second terminal and the WLAN node by using the collected channel information.
US08111674B2	Maintaining network availability for wireless clients in a wireless local area network In an example embodiment, there is described herein a technique that provides network availability to wireless clients (e.g. wireless clients running mission critical applications such as voice applications or medical devices) when a portions of a network is unavailable, such as when performing an image upgrade. One or more access points are switched to a standalone mode of operation, for example an AP that can operate using HREAP (Hybrid Remote Edge Access Point) mode, for maintaining network availability while a portion of the network is unavailable.
US08111672B2	Method for data communication between a base station and a transponder A method for wireless data communication between a base station and at least one transponder by a high-frequency electromagnetic carrier signal, onto which information packets are modulated, wherein each information packet has a header section, a middle section, and a terminating end section, wherein the middle section has a data field, which contains the data necessary for the data communication, wherein at least one additional control field is inserted into the data field by which the structure of the information packets can be variably adjusted within the region of the data field. The invention relates further to a transponder, a base station, and a data communication system.
US08111665B2	Methods and devices for determining if a handover has to be executed for a terminal A method for determining if a handover of a half-duplex terminal has to be executed from a first base station to a second base station, the half-duplex terminal not transferring and not receiving signals during a period of time, called an idle period. The first base station transfers to the half-duplex terminal a downlink signal in the cell of the first base station. The first base station receives a message in response to the downlink signal including information relative to quality measurements on the downlink signal transferred by the first and the second base stations. The first base station determines the round trip delay between the half-duplex terminal and the second base station. The first base station further transmits a handover notification message to the half-duplex terminal instructing the half-duplex terminal to execute a handover procedure from the first base station to the second base station.
US08111663B2	Methods and systems for variable rate broadcast with soft handoff Embodiments described herein relate to providing variable rate broadcast services with soft handoff in wireless communications. In an embodiment, a plurality of access points (e.g., servicing various cells in a broadcast area) may transmit a broadcast content in accordance with a rate set. The rate set may include a plurality of distinct data rates each associated with a transmission format, configured to allow the broadcast packets transmitted by the access points to be incrementally combined (e.g., on a per-slot basis at a subscribing AT). The data rates and corresponding transmission formats in the rate set may be selected in relation to the supportable data rates of the cells in the broadcast area, as well as the requirements for supporting soft handoff in these cells.
US08111662B2	Method for mode adaptation in MIMO system A mode adaptation method for performing mode switching between a single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO) mode and a multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) mode includes reporting, by a base station, a MIMO feedback mode to a mobile station, receiving a feedback information determined on the basis of the MIMO feedback mode from the mobile station; and determining a MIMO feedback mode based on the feedback information. The MIMO feedback mode indicates whether it is single-user MIMO or multi-user MIMO and includes a number of mobile stations (MSs) transferred at one time. As a result, the method maximizes a system throughput simultaneously while effectively reducing an amount of feedback information.
US08111660B2	Method and transmitter for transmitting data in a multi-carrier system via a number of transmitting antennas A method transmits data by radio during which a frequency band is split into a plurality of subcarriers, and a plurality of antennas are used for transmitting. The data are split into a number of elements, which are to be respectively transmitted by each antenna, said number of elements corresponding to the number of subcarriers, whereby for each antenna, each element is respectively assigned to a subcarrier for transmitting, and at least two antennas on at least one subcarrier transmit different elements. Before an OFDM modulation for each antenna, each element is multiplied by an antenna-specific and element-specific factor. Alternatively, after an OFDM modulation for at least one antenna, the time sequence of the time-dependent signal generated on the basis of the OFDM modulation is reordered. A transmitter carries out the method.
US08111659B2	Method and apparatus for efficient bandwidth utilization for subscriber unit initialization and synchronization in a time-synchronized communication system A bandwidth efficient subscriber unit initialization and synchronization method and apparatus is described. The inventive subscriber unit initialization and synchronization method and apparatus uses a combination of an access burst format and a data transportation technique to efficiently use bandwidth when initializing and synchronizing subscriber units in a time-synchronized communication system. Advantageously, the present invention provides a mechanism for a base station to receive multiple access bursts from multiple subscriber units in a single contiguous time period. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, bandwidth is efficiently utilized by searching for multiple initial access bursts from multiple mobile stations during a single time period known as a new access opportunity. The preferred embodiment of the present invention initializes and synchronizes subscriber units in a “contention-based” manner.
US08111656B2	Method and apparatus for providing random access window configuration An approach is provided for providing random access window configuration by estimating a processing time margin for processing random access preambles received in one or more random access channels. The estimated processing time margin is then used to offset the respective random access window configuration.
US08111655B2	System and method of base station performance enhancement using coordinated antenna array In wireless system, a group of Basestations (BTSs) can be managed by a centralized network management identity or can be self-organized by communicating with each other via wireless air-interfaces or wired interfaces. One such example are Femtocell systems. When the BTSs are using the same frequency for transmitting and receiving with relatively large transmitting power and when they are closer to each other, performance of such a system and user throughput or QoS (Quality of Service) gets degraded due to the interference between the BTSs and among the users. Smart antenna technique can be used in a coordinated way among a group of BTSs, such as Femtocells, to avoid or reduce interference or manage how interference happens to achieve performance enhancement such as higher system throughput or better QoS to individual applications.
US08111648B2	Heterogeneous MAC protocol for forwarding VoIP traffic on wireless networks This disclosure describes a new Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol that combines contention-free and contention-based MAC protocols into a heterogeneous MAC protocol used for forwarding VoIP traffic in VoIP systems on wireless networks which addresses the need to transport high bit-rate data to multiple users over wired and wireless means.
US08111645B2	Wireless local area network repeater with detection A frequency translating repeater (200) for use in a time division duplex radio protocol communications system includes an automatic gain control feature. Detection is performed by comparators (401, 411) ADCs (402, 412); DACs (404, 414) and a processor (315). Detection can be overridden by processor (315) using logic elements (406, 416, 407, and 417) to control the generation of a Channel A/Channel B signal and a PA_ON signal for controlling a power amplifier associated with the transmitter.
US08111637B2	Method, arrangement and device for precompensation of crosstalk in a DSL MIMO system A method, an arrangement and a device for transmitting data via a plurality of channels. Additional data d are transmitted via at least one channel, and the transmission of the additional data d influences the transmission of the data in at least one of the further channels. The transmission of the data in the at least one of the further channels is influenced for example in such a way as to reduce interference, such as crosstalk, for instance, in the at least one of the further channels. The additional data d are advantageously transmitted during pauses in the user data transmission of the at least one channel.
US08111633B1	Multicast trees for virtual private local area network (LAN) service multicast Principles of the invention are described for providing virtual private local area network service (VPLS) multicast instances across a public network by utilizing multicast trees. In particular, the VPLS multicast instances transport layer two (L2) multicast traffic, such as Ethernet packets, between customer networks via the public network. The principles described herein enable VPLS multicast instances to handle high bandwidth multicast traffic. The principles also reduce the state and the overhead of maintaining the state in the network by removing the need to perform snooping between routers within the network.
US08111632B2	Method for logical deployment, undeployment and monitoring of a target IP network The method is applied to configure, reconfigure and monitor globally a plurality of network elements (NE1, . . . , NEi, . . . , NEj, . . . , NEN) connected to an IP Network (10) through multiple interfaces (A1, . . . , AN), with several Network Elements Controllers (NEC1, . . . , NECk, . . . , NECQ) connected to the same IP Network (10) through respective interfaces (B1, . . . , BQ). The IP Network (10) also provides a plurality of preconfigured IP functional interfaces (Cik) from each network element (NEi) to the at least one network elements controller (NECk). Each network element (NEi) has an IP networking layer (9) and runs/executes several network-related processes (P1, . . . , PL) managed and monitored by this method. The method also provides configuration and monitoring of IP interfaces (Dij) among network elements. The existing IP functional interfaces (Cik) are used to perform such managing and monitoring. To get these aims, the method performs high-level actions instead of atomic “get/set” operations. Neither the method neither requires explicit agents-manager paradigm nor depends on a particular communication protocol for network management.
US08111629B2	Media session identification method for IP networks A method of allocating, restricting or refusing communication resources to media sessions in accordance with individual session or session type, comprises: categorizing passing packets using packet traffic characteristics such as packet length or inter-arrival period; grouping together those packets having similar traffic characteristics, and analyzing the grouped packets for session characteristics, thereby to identify a session type and allocate resources to the session or provisioning or like actions or services.
US08111627B2	Discovering configured tunnels between nodes on a path in a data communications network An apparatus and method are described for discovering a configured tunnel between nodes on a path in a data communications network. In an embodiment, an apparatus is arranged to remotely access at least one node on the path, identify whether a tunnel is configured on the access node and, if so, identify whether the identified tunnel has a fault.
US08111626B2	Method and apparatus for providing statistical event correlation in a network A method and apparatus for providing event correlation in a network are disclosed. For example, the method extracts a plurality of events of interest from a database, and creates one or more event time series from the plurality of events of interest, wherein each of the one or more event time series comprises a set of events of a same type and of a same location that occur within a given time period. The method forms one or more composite events from the one or more event time series, and performs one or more pair-wise correlations for at least one of: the event time-series, or the one or more composite events. The method then identifies one or more pair-wise correlations that are statistically significant.
US08111622B2	Signal routing dependent on a node speed change prediction A device, method, computer program product, and network subsystem are described for determining a node-speed-change-prediction-dependent signal route and routing wireless data along the determined node-speed-change-prediction-dependent signal route.
US08111621B2	Method for configuring a telecommunication system The invention relates to a method for configuring a telecommunication system comprising at least one sending entity and one receiving entity between which the same link transmits several transport channels with different qualities of service. The sending entity matches the rate between the different coded transport channels with separate qualities of service, and the different coded transport channels are then multiplexed. The matching rate specific to each coded transport channel is determined from at least one first parameter representative of the expected Eb/I ratio and a second parameter representative of the capacity of the physical channel.
US08111617B2	Multiple independent pathway communications A system and method for utilizing multiple independent communication pathways for communication. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise receiving a first signal directly from a first communication network, where the first signal communicates a unit of information. A second signal may be received from a second communication network, where the second signal communicates the unit of information. The received first and second signals may be processed to determine the unit of information. For example, respective indications of reliability may be determined and utilized to select between the units of information determined from the first and second signals. Also for example, such indications of reliability may be utilized to calculate the unit of information (e.g., based on a weighted averaging technique). Also for example, the unit of information determined from the first signal may be utilized to determine the unit of information from the second signal.
US08111608B2	Radio-communication device and radio-communication method A radio-communication device performs processing in a communication environment in which an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) modulation method is used. The radio-communication device includes a signal-reception unit that receives a MIMO (Multi Input Multi Output) signal, a data-decoding unit that decodes the MIMO signal, and a data-processing unit that processes data decoded by the data-decoding unit. The radio-communication device also includes a format-determination unit that determines, based on a relative phase difference between a previous packet field and a subsequent packet field adjacent to the previous packet field, a packet format of the MIMO signal. Further, the radio-communication device includes a control unit that stops an operation of the data-decoding unit when the data-processing unit does not support the packet format, which is determined by the format-determination unit. The operation is performed in a field that comes after a field at which the format-determination unit determines the packet format.
US08111607B2	Frequency division multiplexing system with selectable rate An OFDM system uses a normal mode which has a symbol length T, a guard time TG and a set of N sub-carriers, which are orthogonal over the time T, and one or more fallback modes which have symbol lengths KT and guard times KTG where K is an integer greater than unity. The same set of N sub-carriers is used for the fallback modes as for the normal mode. Since the same set of sub-carriers is used, the overall bandwidth is substantially constant, so alias filtering does not need to be adaptive. The Fourier transform operations are the same as for the normal mode. Thus fallback modes are provided with little hardware cost. In the fallback modes the increased guard time provides better delay spread tolerance and the increased symbol length provides improved signal to noise performance, and thus increased range, at the cost of reduced data rate.
US08111603B2	Optical disk apparatus and its reproducing method Amplitude and frequency of a high-frequency signal superposed on a reproduction laser beam are changed in accordance with a reproduction spot diameter on the surface of the recording layer upon discrimination of an optical disk in initial adjustment after insertion of the optical disk and change of a layer of a multi-layer optical disk. Further, the high-frequency signal is not superposed on the reproduction laser beam until end of the discrimination and change to a target layer upon discrimination of the optical disk and change of a layer of a multi-layer optical disk.
US08111591B2	Heat-assisted magnetic recording head having laser diode overlaping two recording wiring layers A heat-assisted magnetic recording head includes a slider, and an edge-emitting laser diode fixed to the slider. The slider includes: a substrate; and an MR element, two reproduction wiring layers, a coil, two recording wiring layers, a magnetic pole, a near-field light generating element, and a waveguide that are stacked above the top surface of the substrate. The two reproduction wiring layers supply a sense current to the MR element. The two recording wiring layers supply a coil current to the coil, The laser diode has an emitting end face including an emission part for emitting laser light, and a bottom surface, The laser diode is arranged so that the bottom surface faces the top surface of the slider. As viewed from above, the laser diode does not overlap the two reproduction wiring layers but overlaps at least one of the two recording wiring layers.
US08111571B2	Semiconductor memory device A semiconductor memory device comprises a plurality of word lines, a plurality of bit lines intersecting the word lines, a memory cell array having a plurality of memory cell each provided at an intersection of the word line and the bit line, a plurality of sense amplifier each of which detects and amplifies a signal level of the bit line, a replica word line, a replica bit line intersecting the replica word line, a replica memory cell provided at each intersection of the replica word line and the replica bit line, a replica circuit which simulates reading out of the memory cell, and a timing generating circuit which quantizes a replica delay time that is a time until the replica bit line changes from a reference timing, and which generates an activation timing for the sense amplifier based on a quantization result.
US08111568B2	Semiconductor memory device having bit test circuit with ignore function A semiconductor memory device including a bit test circuit with an ignore function is provided. The semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array and a bit test circuit. The memory cell array includes a plurality of memory cells. The bit test circuit is configured to perform a parallel bit test to determine defective memory cells based on bits received from the plurality of memory cells, a tester signal for each of the plurality of memory cells, and a mode register set signal for each of the plurality of memory cells. The bit test circuit is also configured to output a non-defective pass signal for at least one of the plurality of memory cells based on at least one of the at least one bit received from the at least one memory cell, the tester signal for the at least one memory cell and the mode register set signal for the at least one memory cell.
US08111566B1	Optimal channel design for memory devices for providing a high-speed memory interface A system is provided for high-speed communication between a memory controller and a plurality of memory devices. A memory controller, and a plurality of memory devices are provided. Additionally, at least one channel is included for providing electrical communication between the memory controller and the plurality of memory devices, an impedance of the channel being at least partially controlled using High Density Interconnect (HDI) technology.
US08111565B2	Memory interface and operation method of it A memory interface includes a first delaying circuit configured to delay write data to be supplied to an input buffer; a second delaying circuit configured to delay read data read out from an output buffer; a data write circuit configured to supply said write data to a memory through said first delaying circuit; and a data read circuit configured to read said write data written in said memory, as said read data through said second delaying circuit. A control circuit is configured to detect positions of a start edge and end edge of an eye opening which is formed based on fluctuation of said write data or said read data, to specify an intermediate position of the start edge and the end edge, and to determine a phase of a data strobe signal based on a difference between the intermediate position and one of the start edge and the end edge.
US08111555B2	NAND step voltage switching method Methods and memories having switching points for changing Vstep increments according to a level of a multilevel cell being programmed include programming at a smaller Vstep increment in narrow threshold voltage situations and programming at a larger Vstep increment where faster programming is desired.
US08111554B2	Starting program voltage shift with cycling of non-volatile memory A system is disclosed for programming non-volatile storage that improves performance by setting the starting programming voltage to a first level for fresh parts and adjusting the starting programming voltage as the memory is cycled. For example, the system programs a set of non-volatile storage elements during a first period using an increasing program signal with a first initial value and subsequently programs the set of non-volatile storage elements during a second period using an increasing program signal with a second initial value, where the second period is subsequent to the first period and the second initial value is different than the first initial value.
US08111546B2	Optical ovonic threshold switch A method and device for accomplishing transformation of a switching material from a resistive state to a conductive state. The method utilizes a non-electrical source of energy to effect the switching transformation. The switching material may be a chalcogenide switching material, where the non-electrical source of energy initiates switching by liberating lone pair electrons from bound states of chalcogen atoms. The liberated lone pair electrons form a conductive filament having the characteristics of a solid state plasma to permit high current densities to pass through the switching material. The device includes a switching material with electrical contacts and may be interconnected with other elements in a circuit to regulate electrical communication therebetween.
US08111542B2	8T low leakage SRAM cell This invention discloses a static random access memory (SRAM) cell comprising a pair of cross-coupled inverters having a storage node, and a NMOS transistor having a gate terminal, a first and a second source/drain terminal connected to the storage node, a read word-line (RWL) and a read bit-line (RBL), respectively, the RWL and RBL being activated during a read operation and not being activated during any write operation.
US08111538B2	Semiconductor memory device A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array having a plurality of memory cells which are set into low-resistance states/high-resistance states according to “0” data/“1” data. An allocation of the “0” data/“1” data and the low-resistance state/high-resistance state is switched when a power source is turned on.
US08111530B2	3-level power converter A 3-level power converter is provided, which is reduced in size of the converter, reduced in floating inductance of each of wirings interconnecting between respective elements, and easily attached with a snubber circuit. The 3-level power converter performs on/off control of first to fourth switching elements 1 to 4 so as to output a 3-level voltage from an AC output terminal AC, wherein the power converter has a first module 11 including the first and fourth switching elements 1 and 4 as a configuration unit, a second module 12 including the second and third switching elements 2 and 3 as a configuration unit, a third module 14 including a first coupling diode 5 as a configuration unit, and a fourth module 13 including a second coupling diode as a configuration unit, and the second module 11, the fourth module 14, the third module 13, and the first module 11 are sequentially arranged in a line from a position near the AC output terminal AC.
US08111518B2	Electronic device An electronic device. The electronic device comprises housing, a positioning member and a circuit board. The positioning member, disposed on the housing, comprises a first protruding portion. The circuit board engages with the positioning member. The first protruding portion is a resilient member contacting with the circuit board to constrain the circuit board between the first protruding portion and the housing by an elastic force.
US08111514B2	Removable hard drive module for a computer with improved thermal performance A removable hard drive magazine for a computer with improved thermal performance has been developed. The invention includes a hot pluggable magazine module for organizing multiple hard drives in a computer that includes multiple of hard drives and a sleeve with a plurality of rail slots in the side of the sleeve. A slide rail is attached to the side of each hard drive, where the slide rail is inserted into a rail slot of the sleeve so that the slide rail is exposed externally to the sleeve and is in contact with a thermally conductive elastomeric coupler. A hard drive receptacle that is mounted in the computer is included. The receptacle includes guide slots that mate with the exposed slide rails of the hard drives. A heat sink is mounted on the receptacle that receives heat transferred from the plurality of hard drives through the thermally conductive elastomeric coupler. Finally, a backplane located in rear of the hard drive receptacle, where the backplane attaches the module to the computer.
US08111513B2	Industrial computer An industrial computer includes a first casing, a second casing, a storage unit, a cover, and a heat dissipation unit. The second casing and the first casing form a closed casing, and the outside of the second casing has a containing area. The storage unit is disposed at the containing area. The cover is removably assembled at the second casing to cover the containing area and contact the storage unit. The heat dissipation unit is disposed at the cover.
US08111503B2	Gas-insulated switchgear A gas-insulated switchgear allowing reduction in layout dimension in a direction of axis lines of circuit breakers and also reduction in layout dimension in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the axis lines of the circuit breakers, thereby allowing reduction in installation area. Between two main buses disposed in parallel, first, second and third circuit breakers are disposed as being aligned so that each axis line is orthogonal to a direction of axis lines of the main buses. A branch line drawn from a portion between the first and second circuit breakers and a branch line drawn from a portion between the second and third circuit breakers are connected to respective cable heads. The centers of the cable heads are configured so as to be positioned on a straight line orthogonal to the direction of the axis lines of the main buses.
US08111483B2	Disk drive flexure A first conductor member includes an amplifier-side first conductor, a head-side first conductor, and first and second interleaved conductors. A second conductor member includes an amplifier-side second conductor, a head-side second conductor, and third and fourth interleave conductors. The second interleaved conductor is connected to the amplifier-side first conductor through a first jumper conductor. The fourth interleave conductor is connected to the head-side second conductor through a second jumper conductor. The jumper conductors are formed by partially etching a metal base. The jumper conductors are individually inclined at angles of 45° or less to an axis which extends in a wiring direction of each of the interleaved conductors.
US08111480B2	Electronic component and tape head having a closure An electronic component, comprising: a portion of a row cut from a wafer; and a closure coupled to the portion of the row of the wafer towards a first edge of the portion of the row of the wafer; the portion of the row of the wafer having a bonding area positioned adjacent a second edge of the portion of the row of the wafer, the second edge of the portion of the row of the wafer being positioned opposite the first edge of the portion of the row of the wafer and along a same side thereof, wherein the bonding area includes a layer of adhesive thereon.
US08111479B2	Perpendicular magnetic recording head having a notched trailing shield A magnetic write head for perpendicular magnetic data recording having a trailing shield with a two step throat height. The trailing shield is formed over a non-magnetic bump that forms a notch in the leading edge of the trailing shield. This notch defines a first, smaller throat height closest to the write pole and a larger throat height away from the write pole. The smaller throat height near the write pole prevents excess magnetic flux from leaking to the write pole, thereby ensuring efficient strong write field. The larger trailing shield throat height away from the write pole prevents magnetic saturation of the trailing shield and also greatly facilitates manufacturing avoiding problems related to variations and deviations in manufacturing processes used to define the trailing shield.
US08111467B2	Compact zoom lens A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image plane side, a first lens group fixed to the image plane during zooming, having a positive refractive power, and including a single lens having a negative refractive power, an optical path change member for changing an optical path, and a positive lens group having a positive refractive power, which are arranged in order from the object side, a second lens group having a negative refractive power and including a negative lens group and a positive lens group which are arranged in order from the object side with an air gap, a third lens group fixed to the image plane during zooming and having a positive refractive power, and at least one lens group having a positive refractive power. The zoom lens satisfies the conditions the 1.4<\|fLG1/fw\|<5.8 and −4.8
US08111465B2	Electrofluidic devices, visual displays, and methods for making and operating such electrofluidic devices Electrofluidic devices, visual displays formed from the electrofluidic devices, and methods for making and operating such electrofluidic devices Each electrofluidic device has a fluid vessel with first and second regions that contain an electrically conductive polar fluid and a non-polar fluid The polar and/or the non-polar fluids are externally visible external through a viewable area of the second region A voltage source is electrically connected to a capacitor having a hydrophobic surface that contacts the polar fluid and provides a first principal radius of curvature of the polar fluid that is convex and smaller than a second principal radius of curvature of the polar fluid in the first region The voltage source applies an electromechanical force to the polar fluid, thereby transferring the polar fluid from the first region to the second region and causing a spectral property of light transferred through the viewable area to change.
US08111456B2	Stage drive for microscopes A stage drive for moving a microscope stage designed as a mechanical stage including a first drive element linked to a first output element, and a second drive element, which is linked to a second output element. Through first and second transmission elements, the first output element is linked to a first stage element and the second output element is linked to a second stage element of the mechanical stage supported by the first stage element. The stage elements are supported so as to be displaceable relative to a fixed base element in orthogonal directions X, Y in a plane extending normal to the optical axis of the microscope beam path. The at least one stage drive includes at least one drive element and at least one output element and is arranged in the base element so as to be displaceable in X direction and/or Y direction within an adjustment range and lockable.
US08111455B2	Light source apparatus and laser scanning microscope A light source apparatus is provided which includes semiconductor laser elements that emit laser light according to an inputted current signal, a light receiving element that receives the laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser elements, and a controller that controls light emission of the semiconductor laser elements. The controller includes a first semiconductor laser element drive circuit that outputs a current signal to the semiconductor laser elements according to an instruction signal, a second semiconductor laser element drive circuit that adjusts the current signal based on a light quantity of the laser light received by the light receiving element, and outputs the adjusted current signal to the semiconductor laser elements, and a circuit switching section that switches between the first and the second semiconductor laser element drive circuits according to an instruction signal.
US08111452B2	Wavelength conversion device with microlens and optical package incorporating the same An optical package is provided comprising a laser diode and a wavelength conversion device. The laser diode and the wavelength conversion device define an external laser cavity and the wavelength conversion device is tilted relative to the output face of the laser diode to define a tilt angle φ that is less than approximately 85°. The input face of the wavelength conversion device comprises a pair of tapered facets and a microlens. The pair of tapered facets and the microlens are defined on the input face such that they share respective portions of the facial waveguide region on the input face, with the tapered facets occupying peripheral portions of the facial waveguide region on the input face and the microlens occupying an interior portion of the facial waveguide region on the input face. Each of the pair of tapered facets define a facet angle α within the facial waveguide region that is less than the facet angle α and is greater than approximately 45°. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
US08111446B2	Optical films for controlling angular characteristics of displays In various embodiments of the invention, an interferometric display device is provided having an external film with a plurality of structures that reduce the field-of-view of the display. These structures may comprise, for example, baffles or non-imaging optical elements such as compound parabolic collectors. The baffles may comprise a plurality of vertically aligned surfaces arranged, e.g., in a grid. In certain preferred embodiments these baffles are opaque or reflective. These vertical surfaces, therefore, can substantially block light from exiting the interferometric display device in a substantially non-perpendicular direction. These vertical surfaces may, however, permit light directed in a substantially vertical direction to exit the display. The non-imaging optical elements, e.g., compound parabolic collectors, redirect light from large incident angles into more normal angles towards the display. As a result, the light reflected by the display to the user is also at a more normal angle.
US08111439B2	Optical switch and optical switch device having the same Provided is an optical switch member including a bi-stable mechanism, and first and second electro-thermal actuators. The bi-stable mechanism includes a curved-beam disposed on a bending portion of a first cantilever, one end of the first cantilever having a driven portion disposed thereon. The first electro-thermal actuator includes a first beam of a first driven arm disposed on the bending portion. The second electro-thermal actuator includes a second beam of a second driven arm disposed on the bending portion. The ends of the first and second driven arms are adjacent to first and second sides of the driven arm, respectively. Also proposed is an optical switch device including a substrate, a third thermal actuator, and the optical switch member disposed on the substrate to form an optical switch device to thereby integrate the optical switch with variable optical attenuators on the substrate.
US08111436B2	Image-forming method and image-forming apparatus An image-forming method of recording an image of plural pixels by a recording means using an image-forming material not completely permeating into a recording medium and capable of forming an image with a thickness is provided. An image-forming material which is scarcely absorbed by a recording medium and which can be cured with keeping a certain thickness after formation of an image is used, and the existing thickness calculated in the step of existing thickness-calculating step is brought close to the intended thickness set in the intended thickness-setting step by the step of determining an application amount for each color. In the case of increasing a color (e.g., black) less influencing the color balance, the thickness is reduced and, in the case of decreasing a color (e.g., black) less influencing the color balance, the thickness is increased.
US08111435B2	Document reader having a document registration and retention system A document scanning device and method of use are disclosed. The document scanning device includes a document bed and one or more document retention devices positioned along the document bed to define a document positioning surface. The document scanning device also includes a scanning module slidably attached to the document bed to pass over the document positioning surface. The document retention device retains a document in place on the document positioning surface as the scanning module slides over the document.
US08111432B2	Infrared watermarking of photographic images by matched differential black strategies A system and method for infrared watermarking using gray component replacement and other color removal schemes is shown. This method includes providing a substrate and implementing two infrared absorption strategies, one with low infrared absorption and the other with high infrared absorption. These two strategies are then combined in order to form two gamuts with substantially similar shapes. This combination can be made by blending the gamuts at areas where one of the strategies do not meet or implementing the intersection of the two gamuts. A watermark is then printed along with an image. The resultant image with watermark is void of artifacts while still having a consistent watermark signal.
US08111429B2	Apparatus and method for dithering for multi-toning A method and apparatus for dithering for multi-toning are provided. The apparatus includes a mask-pattern-generating unit that generates a mask pattern on R channel, G channel and B channel by selecting pattern values constituting the mask pattern on the channels based on randomly-determined seed values; a spatial-weight-determining unit that determines the weight for spatial dithering by using the pattern values and K-bit LSB data of the high-tone input image; and an output unit that outputs an M-bit image by applying the weight to M-bit input image data, exempting the K-bit LSB data, in a dithering apparatus for expressing an M+K bit high-tone input image in an M-bit low-tone output device.
US08111428B2	Halftone image generation method, threshold matrix generation method, threshold matrix, printing plate manufacturing method, and printing plate In a halftone image formed on a printing plate for letterpress printing, a minimum halftone dot has a square main cluster consisting of 9 pixels and four sub-clusters located around the main cluster radially, each of which is one pixel. Each sub-cluster contacts with only a vertex of the main cluster. Convex portions corresponding to the minimum halftone dots in the halftone image are formed on the printing plate. A convex portion corresponding to the main cluster is supported by convex portions corresponding to the sub-clusters to increase the strength of relief corresponding to the minimum halftone dot. Reliefs corresponding to the minimum halftone dots are normally formed regardless of a dot area rate of highlight area to thereby improve reproduction in printing of the halftone image.
US08111427B2	Information processing apparatus for outputting image-forming print data to an external image-forming apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus through an interface among a plurality of interfaces with different data transfer speeds In an image forming system, an information processing apparatus (host computer) outputs print data to a printer connected to the apparatus through an interface. The apparatus includes an interface identifying module for identifying the type of the interface, a query module for determining, based on the identified interface type, a quantization method for quantizing print data and/or a compression method, and an image processing module for performing quantization and/or compression on the print data by the determined quantization method and/or compression method. The apparatus outputs, to the printer, the print data processed by the image processing module.
US08111426B2	Head unit, droplet discharging apparatus, droplet discharging system, information processing apparatus, information processing method, status information notifying method, status information updating method, faulty position detecting method, and programs The present invention provides a droplet discharging apparatus including a discharge head for deflectively discharging droplets through one discharge port at a plurality of pixel areas in adaptive fashion. The discharge head is controlled to discharge droplets at an object. A storage unit stores status information about the discharge head. A communication unit communicates with an information processing apparatus located outside so as to transmit the status information to the information processing apparatus.
US08111422B2	Information processing apparatus and method of generating print data and non-transitory computer readable medium in which a program is stored for causing a computer to perform a method of generating print data An information processing apparatus that includes a first graphics processing unit for converting graphics data output from an application to first print information, and a conversion unit for converting the first print information to a second print information configured to be processed by a second type printer driver that is not a first type printer driver. The information processing apparatus further includes a setting unit, a recommendation unit, and a generation unit. The setting unit sets print setting information per an instruction received through a setting window when the second type printer driver is called for printing, for which a conversion processing by the conversion unit is required. The recommendation unit recommends the first type printer driver when the second type printer driver is called for printing. The generation unit generates print data in accordance with the first type printer driver and the print setting information.
US08111420B2	Printer control apparatus and method of controlling the same, printer and method of controlling the same, reader and method of controlling the same, and image forming system A printer control apparatus can be applied to an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of types of readers and a plurality of types of printers can be connected to a single controller, and which enables efficient transfer of image data from the reader to the printer via an image memory of the controller. The controller receives image data from a reader and temporarily stores the same in an image memory, and transmits the stored image data to a printer. The controller acquires a reader processing speed from the reader and a printer processing speed from the printer, and determines, while the image data is being written to the image memory, timing for transmitting the image data written in the memory to the printer according to a difference between the reader processing speed and the printer processing speed and a sub-scan size of the image data.
US08111416B2	Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and image processing program for processing a predetermined code image In printing an electronic document on a paper, an MFP prints a code image created by encoding a paper ID including a local ID issued to the paper and stores paper information with the paper ID. The MFP determines a type of data format, creates a paper ID in the data format, and prints a code image created by encoding the paper ID. In copying a printed paper, the MFP decodes the code image printed on the paper to acquire the paper ID and retrieves paper information associated with the paper ID according to the data format. The MFP specifies the electronic document as a print source from retrieved paper information and performs printing using the electronic document.
US08111415B2	Image forming apparatus and method of controlling the same to correct image forming position in an amount smaller than one pixel An image forming apparatus of this invention includes an image forming position correction unit which corrects an inclination or curve of an image in the main scanning direction by converting coordinates designating pixel positions of a bitmap image in the sub-scanning direction. It is discriminated whether image formation is normal image formation or formation of the toner image for detection by an image forming condition correction unit. Based on the discrimination result, the image forming apparatus is controlled so as to correct the image forming position by using the image forming position correction unit in a case in which the image formation is discriminated as the normal image formation, but so as not to correct the image forming position by using the image forming position correction unit in a case in which the image formation is discriminated as formation of the toner image for detection.
US08111403B2	Method and device for non-contact oscillation measurements A method and a device for non-contact vibration measurement of an object. Method steps include: Moving at least one laser interferometer, which emits at least one measuring beam to at least one measuring point on the object, detecting the measuring beam reflected by the object, determining the vibration data from the emitted and reflected measuring beam, allocating the vibration data to the measuring point, as well as evaluating the vibration data and displaying the vibration data of the measuring point, with at least one comparison of a position of the laser interferometer being performed using at least one position of a known freely predetermined point on the object and a transformation rule being prepared to determine the position of the laser interferometer in reference to the object for arbitrary measuring positions based on the comparison. The device for measuring vibrations is also disclosed.
US08111399B2	System and method for performing photothermal measurements and relaxation compensation A device and methods for performing a photothermal measurement and relaxation compensation of a sample are disclosed. The device may include a probe beam source, a pump beam source, a sample, and a detector array. A method may include adjusting an intensity modulated pump beam power, adjusting a probe beam power to increase a response measurement location temperature and increase a modulated optical reflectance signal, directing the intensity modulated pump beam and the probe beam along a measurement path to a response measurement location on a sample for periodically exciting a region on the sample, detecting a reflected portion of the probe beam, and calculating an implantation dose.
US08111396B2	Spectrometric measurement system and method for compensating for veiling glare The present solution is directed to a measuring system and a method for determining spectrometric measurement results with high accuracy. The spectrometric measuring system, comprises a radiation source, an entrance slit, a dispersion element, and a detector with detector elements arranged in a linear or matrix-shaped manner in one or more planes. The detector has an even distribution of at least two different wavelength-selective filters on its detector elements. While detectors from photography and video applications are used for this purpose, use of the invention is not limited to the visible spectral region. Further, color filters on the pixels may be omitted or modified in the manufacturing process. It is also possible to use other types of detectors in which the wavelength-selective filters and associated detectors are arranged one behind each other in a plurality of planes in which complete color information is available to each individual picture point.
US08111393B2	Structure for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy A structure for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy is disclosed herein. The structure is made up of a substrate, a self-assembled layer of first metal particles established on the substrate, and a self-assembled layer of second metal particles established such that the second metal particles are positioned at interstitial spaces between the first metal particles. The first metal particles have a first predetermined diameter, and the second metal particles have a second predetermined diameter that is smaller than the first predetermined diameter.
US08111379B2	Automated determination of height and tilt of a substrate surface within a lithography system Method and apparatus are provided for automated determination and adjustment of height and tilt of a substrate surface within a lithography system. The method includes: directing a beam of light onto the substrate surface, which reflects off the substrate surface as a reflected beam; optically splitting the reflected beam into a first reflected beam portion and a second reflected beam portion; impinging the first reflected beam portion onto a first detector plane of a first optical detector to generate intensity data, and impinging the second reflected beam portion onto a second detector plane of a second optical detector to generate intensity data, and utilizing the generated data in determining height and tilt of the substrate surface relative to a nominal writing plane of the lithography system. Responsive to the determination, focus or tilt of the system's writing beam, or position of the substrate surface within the system, is adjusted.
US08111377B2	Lithographic apparatus with an encoder arranged for defining a zero level A lithographic apparatus includes a position measuring system configured to measure a position of a moveable object with respect to a reference frame of the lithographic apparatus, in at least one direction of an orthogonal x-y-z coordinate system of the moveable object. The position measuring system includes an optical x-z-encoder configured to measure a displacement of a radiation source, a first grating, and a detector with respect to a second grating of the encoder. The first grating includes an alignment marker. A controller is configured to define a zero level of the moveable object with respect to the reference frame in at least one of the x- and z-direction by performing the scanning along the first grating, the alignment marker during the scanning step causing changes in the phase of the response of both the first positive and negative orders.
US08111366B2	Liquid crystal display and method of driving the same A liquid crystal display includes; a first substrate, a plurality of pixels arranged substantially in a matrix-shape on the first substrate; a plurality of gate lines disposed on the first substrate and which transmit gate signals to the pixels, and a plurality of data lines which intersect the gate lines and which transmit data voltages to the pixels, wherein at least two adjacent gate lines are electrically connected to each other.
US08111355B2	Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal transflective LCD and method for designing the same A method for designing a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) transflective liquid crystal display (LCD) is provided. The method includes mixing liquid crystal (LC) molecules and polymer monomers to obtain a mixture. The method further includes injecting the mixture into an LC layer of a transflective LCD in a vacuum. And then polymer dispersed LC can be generated. The generated polymer dispersed LC and the transflective LCD can form a PDLC transflective LCD.
US08111353B2	Lens array sheet, light source and liquid crystal display device A lens array sheet includes a lens layer having a lens surface on which a plurality of lenses are formed in an array, a light reflection layer arranged at an opposite side to the lens surface of the lens layer and having an opening within a light focusing region in the lenses to transmit light, for reflecting light at a site other than the opening, and a light diffusion layer arranged between the lens layer and the light reflection layer, for diffusing light, which passes through the opening and is directed toward the lens layer.
US08111352B2	Anisotropic optical device with varying local imagewise and method for making same The present invention relates to a new optical component comprising an anisotropic diffuser (5,10) with patterned anisotropy; and means (9, 11, 14, 16, 17, 20, 21, 30, 32) for providing a colorshift observable upon changing viewing angle (6) and/or changing angle of incident light (2). It also relates to methods for making such an optical component and uses of such optical components as security elements with a very high level of security.
US08111347B2	Liquid crystal display device A liquid crystal display device which can prevent lowering of characteristics thereof when a liquid crystal display panel is bent is provided. A liquid crystal display device includes: a bent liquid crystal display panel which includes a first substrate and a second substrate which are fixed to each other by a sealing material, and liquid crystal which is hermetically filled in a space defined between the first substrate and the second substrate; and pressing members which press the first substrate and the second substrate in the direction that the first substrate and the second substrate come closer to each other. The liquid crystal display panel includes a straight line on a surface thereof and is bent along a bent line which surrounds an axis arranged parallel to the straight line. The sealing material includes non-bent portions which extend along the straight line and are not bent, and bent portions which extend along the bent line. The pressing members press the first substrate and the second substrate in regions defined between the non-bent portions of the sealing material and a display region of the liquid crystal display panel.
US08111338B2	Beam shaping device A beam shaping device (1; 50; 60) comprising first (3) and second (4) substrates, a liquid crystal layer (2) sandwiched between the substrates, and a first electrode layer (5; 51) provided on a side of the first substrate (3) facing the liquid crystal layer (2). The beam shaping device is controllable between beam shaping states, each permitting passage of light through the beam shaping device, and further comprises an insulating layer (7) covering the first electrode layer (5; 51) and a second electrode layer (6; 53) provided on top of the insulating layer. The second electrode layer (6; 53) comprises a conductor pattern exposing a portion of the insulating layer (7). The beam shaping device is configured in such a way that application of a voltage (V) between the first (5; 51) and second (6; 53) electrode layers causes liquid crystal molecules comprised in a portion of the liquid crystal layer (2) corresponding to the exposed portion of the insulating layer to tilt in a plane perpendicular to the liquid crystal layer, resulting in a local refractive index gradient, thereby enabling shaping of a beam (8) of light passing through the beam shaping device.
US08111337B2	Liquid crystal projector An LCD projector has LCD panels, each including polarization plates one on the light incidence side and another on the light emitting side of each LCD panel. The LCD panel is provided with a highly transparent auxiliary polarization plate between the LCD panel and the polarization plate on the light emitting side. The LCD panel is further provided with an optically anisotropic transparent substrate for supporting the highly transparent auxiliary polarization plate. The transparent substrate is arranged such that one of its anisotropic optical axes is inclined at an angle not more than 0.5 degrees with respect to the face of the auxiliary polarization plate when the face is parallel to the direction of light propagation. This arrangement ensures longer lives of the polarization plates on the light emitting sides while suppressing color irregularity on a black screen and degradation of picture contrast of the LCD projector.
US08111330B2	Method and apparatus for analog graphics sample clock frequency offset detection and verification A method and apparatus for an analog-to-digital video signal converter. The converter is controlled by a clock with controllable frequency and phase for sampling an analog signal. A circuit corrects the clock frequency using a period of a columnar frame differences as a function of columnar location. The sampling clock frequency is changed by an amount dependent on the period of the columnar differences. A second measure of the difference between successive frames is computed for a sequence of clock phases. The frequency of the clock is verified using a characteristic of the second measure. The characteristic can be the ratio of the maximum to the minimum of the second measure over selected clock phases. Other characteristics can be used such as a difference of a maximum and a minimum measure.
US08111327B2	Method and apparatus for audio/video synchronization A method for audio/video synchronization and an apparatus thereof are provided. At least one dynamic synchronization checkpoint is disposed on the playback sample number axis of a video. Whether or not the audio and the video are synchronized is checked when the playback sample number of the video is set the dynamic synchronization checkpoint. The video is paused playing if the playback speed of the video is too fast, and those delayed playback sample number of the video having not been played are skipped if the playback speed of the video is too slow. Furthermore, the location of the dynamic synchronization checkpoint and the frequency of performing synchronization detection are adjusted according to the playback time jitter between the audio and the video.
US08111325B2	Image processing apparatus and method and program An image processing apparatus includes an interlace-progressive converter converting an interlace input image into a progressive intermediate image, a motion-vector detector detecting motion vectors of the input image by using a distance shorter than the pixel interval of the intermediate image, a cyclic-coefficient setting unit setting, on the basis of a vertical motion, a first cyclic coefficient for a first type of pixel and a second cyclic coefficient for a second type of pixel, a motion compensator motion-compensating, on the basis of the motion vectors, a past progressive output image to generate a motion-compensated image, and an output image generator generating a progressive output image by adding pixel values of the first type of pixels and the second type of pixels of the progressive intermediate image and the motion-compensated image by using the first cyclic coefficient and the second cyclic coefficient as weights.
US08111321B2	Imaging device and method for its image processing, with face region and focus degree information An imaging device, such as a camera, may be provided with a focus-shift structure configured to shift a focal position; a solid-state image sensing element configured to convert an optical image of a photographing subject to image data; and an image processing unit including a face region detecting unit and a photographing subject frequency information capturing unit. The detecting unit may be configured to detect a face region from the image data and obtain face region information indicating the detected face region, and wherein the information capturing unit is configured to capture focus degree information indicating a degree of focus for each detected face region. Plural image data, the face region information, and the focus degree information may be stored in the imaging device as a single file.
US08111320B2	Multi-image capture system with improved depth image resolution The multi-image capture system comprises an imaging lens, a beamsplitter directing a first portion of light on an array of micro-imaging elements and a first photodetector array divided into a plurality of macropixels providing a set of depth images, and another portion of light on a second photodetector array 6 providing a main image with a resolution being higher than the resolution of each basic depth image. According to the invention, the resolution of the depth images is increased by using the image data of the main image.
US08111314B2	Camera-enabled portable terminal and method for taking multi-image photograph using the same The present invention relates to a camera-enabled portable terminal having a function for taking a multi-image photograph. The camera-enabled portable terminal includes a camera module for capturing one or more images of an object; a display unit for displaying a frame partitioned into a preset number of windows in the multi-image photographing mode, each window being in any of a blank status, a preview status, and a filled-out status; a video processing unit for processing the image taken by the camera module to be fit to one or more of the windows; and a control unit for controlling the camera module, video processing unit, and the display unit such that the frame is displayed on the display unit together with information on the status of the windows.
US08111311B2	Image sensing device and image sensing system An image sensing device includes a multilayer wiring structure comprising a first wiring layer and a second wiring layer. The second wiring layer comprises a plurality of vertical signal lines extending in the vertical direction among a plurality of photoelectric conversion units of a pixel unit to transfer the signal output by an amplification transistor and a plurality of vertical power supply lines extending in the vertical direction between two pixel units adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction to supply a power supply voltage to the amplification transistor or the reset transistor. The vertical power supply lines supply the power supply voltage to the reset transistor of the adjacent pixel unit on a first side in the horizontal direction and supply the power supply voltage to the amplification transistor of the adjacent pixel unit on a second side in the horizontal direction.
US08111304B2	Image capturing apparatus, image capturing method, and computer readable medium in which an image extracted in association with selected object information is displayed There is provided an image capturing apparatus that automatically registers a taken object. The image capturing apparatus according to the present invention includes an object extracting section that extracts an object included in a captured image, a characteristic amount computing section that computes an amount of characteristic of the object based on the image with the object extracted from the object extracting section, a characteristic amount storing section that stores the amount of characteristic of the object computed from the characteristic amount computing section in association with object identification information identifying the object, a characteristic amount comparing section that compares an amount of characteristic of an object included in an image newly taken by an image capturing section and the amount of characteristic of the object stored on the characteristic amount storing section to compute a degree of coincidence of the objects, and an object identification information storing section that stores the object identification information stored on the characteristic amount storing section in association with the image newly taken by the image capturing section when it is judged that the degree of coincidence of the objects computed from the characteristic amount comparing section is not less than a predetermined reference value.
US08111298B2	Imaging circuit and image pickup device An imaging circuit includes a photoelectric conversion section and a transferring section. The photoelectric conversion section in which pixels each having a color filter attached thereto are arranged in an oblique direction in a lattice manner. The color filter is formed of: a GR line on which G and R pixels are alternately arranged in a horizontal direction; a GB line on which the G and B pixels are alternately arranged in a horizontal direction; and a G line on which only the G pixel is arranged in a horizontal direction, and having a combination of: the GR and G lines; and the GB and G lines being placed alternately in a vertical direction to arrange the G pixel at a position adjacent to the R and B pixels. The transferring section for transferring only an electrical signal associated with pixels included on the GR line and the GB line.
US08111286B2	Image processing apparatus, endoscope, and computer readable medium An image processing apparatus includes a color image data generation section 54 that generates color image data from an image pickup signal of a red component, an image pickup signal of a green component, and an image pickup signal of a blue component which are output from an image pickup device 100; an infrared image data generation section 53 that generates infrared image data from an image pickup signal of an infrared component output from the image pickup device 100; and a high-contrast infrared image data generation section 55 that generates high-contrast infrared image data using the color image data and the infrared image data. Contrast of the high-contrast infrared image data is more enhanced than that of the infrared image data.
US08111284B1	System and method for 3D space-dimension based image processing An apparatus for 3D representation of image data, comprising: a structure identifier for identifying structures in motion within image data, and a skeleton insertion unit, which associates three-dimensional skeleton elements with the identified structures. The skeleton elements are able to move with the structures to provide a three-dimensional motion and structural understanding of said image data which can be projected back onto the input data. As well as individual elements, complex bodies can be modeled by complex skeletons having multiple elements. The skeleton elements themselves can be used to identify the complex objects.
US08111283B2	Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding video data to implement local three-dimensional video Provided are a method and apparatus for encoding/decoding video data. The video data decoding method includes decoding a first video stream to generate 2D video data for two-dimensionally displaying video content and decoding a second video stream to generate 3D video data for three-dimensionally displaying at least one part of the display section of the video content.
US08111280B2	Video conference system and method in a communication network Image concealment video conference allows the user to conceal their image with an overlay image that will be shown in real-time to a peer during video conference. The real-time video concealment processes an image in a video stream, where the video stream is communicated from one video conference unit to a second video conference unit over a communication network. The real-time concealment is performed by first determining the prominent biometric features of the users image to recognize nodal points on a human face. The system then modifies the users image using a second image, so that at least one of the nodal points in the users image is covered by the second image. This modified image is then transmitted in real time to a peer in a video conference session.
US08111273B2	Thermal head, printer, and manufacturing method for thermal head To achieve improvements in heating efficiency and strength against external load, provided is a thermal head (1), comprising: a supporting substrate (3) having a surface in which a concave portion (2) is formed; a heat storage layer (5) bonded onto the surface of the supporting substrate (3); a heating resistor provided in a region, which is opposed to the concave portion (2) of the supporting substrate (3), on the heat storage layer (5); and a protruding portion (2A), which is provided inside a hollow portion formed between the supporting substrate (3) and the heat storage layer (5) by the concave portion (2), and comes into contact with the heat storage layer (5) and limits deflection of the heat storage layer (5) when the heating resistor is pressurized by predetermined load or more.
US08111266B2	Display device and method for editing images A method for editing image is provided. The method includes steps of: reading a to-be-displayed image; determining whether the display ratio of the image is with the same as the aspect of the display unit; editing the image if the display ratio of the image is not with the same as the aspect ratio of the display unit, and displaying the cropped image on the display unit. A display device for editing images is also provided.
US08111265B2	Systems and methods for brightness preservation using a smoothed gain image Embodiments of the present invention comprise methods and systems for brightness preservation using a smoothed gain map.
US08111252B2	Determining apparatus and method for controlling the same There is provided a method for controlling a determining apparatus including: a first pixel for displaying a first image; a second pixel for displaying a second image; a light shielding member that allows the first image to be viewed from a first direction and blocks the first image from a second direction, and allows the second image to be viewed from the second direction and blocks the second image from the first direction; a first sensor provided for the first pixel and detecting the quantity of light coming from the first direction; and a second sensor provided for the second pixel and detecting the quantity of light coming from the second direction. The method includes: storing at least one frame of the results of detection of the first and second sensors; and after obtaining the present results of detection of the first and second sensors, determining whether an object approaches from the first direction or the second direction from the result of comparison between the stored detection results of one frame and the results of detection of present one frame.
US08111246B2	Touch panel integrated flat display device A touch panel integrated flat display device capable of improving reliability is disclosed.The touch panel integrated flat display device includes a display panel, a touch panel disposed on the display panel, and a flexible circuit board electrically connecting a drive PCB and the touch panel to supply a drive signal of the touch panel. In the touch panel integrated flat display device, a plurality of touch panel pads contacting a plurality of flexible circuit board pads are formed at a side of the touch panel, and each of the touch panel pads has at least two contact areas with each of the flexible circuit board pads.
US08111234B2	Liquid crystal display apparatus, liquid-crystal-display controlling method, and computer program A liquid crystal display apparatus including a liquid crystal display as a display unit, including the following elements: a backlight configured to illuminate the display unit from the back; and a controller configured to receive display-unit-brightness specifying information input from a user input unit and to adjust output of the backlight and contrast or Y gain of display data for the display unit in accordance with the brightness specifying information. The controller is configured to compare the brightness specifying information input by a user with a predetermined threshold, and, in the case where the brightness specifying information specifies brightness less than or equal to the threshold, adjust the contrast or the Y gain of the display data for the display unit.
US08111233B2	Liquid crystal display driver and liquid crystal display device A driver includes a delay-time adjuster. A data clock is inputted to the delay-time adjuster through a data-clock signal line. While receiving input of a load signal that is a sampling signal of a second register, the delay-time adjuster adjusts a delay time of the data clock so that a phase difference between the data clock and gradation data inputted into a first register through a gradation-data signal line can be set to a predetermined value. After the completion of the input of the load signal, the delay-time adjuster holds a data clock for the adjusted delay time, and outputs the delayed data clock as a shift clock for a shift register.
US08111216B2	Display system and pixel driving circuit thereof A pixel driving circuit comprises a storage capacitor, a transistor, a transfer circuit, a driving element, and a switch circuit. The storage capacitor comprises first and second nodes. The transistor has a gate coupled to a discharge signal and is coupled between the first and second nodes. The discharge signal turns on the transistor in first and second discharge periods to discharge the storage capacitor. The transfer circuit outputs a data signal or a reference signal to the first node of the storage capacitor. The switch circuit is coupled to the driving element, a first display element and a second display element. The switch circuit can make the driving element diode-connected in first and second data load periods, and allow a driving current through a first display element in a first light-emitting period and a second display element in a second light-emitting period.
US08111212B2	Method for driving plasma display panel A plasma display driving method in which, in an erase stage of a last sub-field of a one-field display period, a scanning pulse is sequentially applied to one row electrode of each of the row electrode pairs for each scanning line or for each scanning line group having a plurality of scanning lines, while an erase pulse is applied to column electrodes simultaneously with the application of the scanning pulse, to cause an erase discharge between the one row electrode and each of the column electrodes to which the erase pulse is applied.
US08111207B2	Antenna structure and related expansion card and computer apparatus An antenna structure includes an expansion card connector, an antenna, and a plurality of metal pins. The antenna is disposed on the expansion card connector. The plurality of metal pins is disposed on the expansion card connector, whereof the plurality of metal pins includes a first designated pin to be a feeding point of the antenna. The plurality of metal pins further includes a plurality of second designated pins, whereof the plurality of second designated pins is electrically connected to each other to be a radiator of the antenna.
US08111206B2	High electromagnetic transmission composite structure The invention discloses a high electromagnetic transmission composite structure for reducing the transmission loss of an electromagnetic wave. The high electromagnetic transmission composite structure includes a first composite structure layer, a second composite structure layer, and a first buffer layer. The first composite structure layer has a first thickness and a first dielectric constant. The second composite structure layer has a second thickness and a second dielectric constant. The first buffer is disposed between the first composite structure layer and the second composite structure layer and has a third thickness and a third dielectric constant. The transmission loss of the electromagnetism wave can be adjusted by adjusting the first thickness, the first dielectric constant, the second thickness, the second dielectric constant, the third thickness, and the third dielectric constant.
US08111204B2	Slot antenna for a circuit board ground plane In one embodiment, the present invention includes a slot antenna that is formed on a ground plane of a circuit board. The slot antenna may be connected to radio circuitry adapted on the circuit board by way of a feedline, which is coupled to the radio circuitry and across a portion of the slot antenna.
US08111202B2	High frequency wave glass antenna for an automobile and window glass sheet for an automobile with the same A high frequency wave glass antenna for an automobile includes an antenna conductor formed in a loop shape and disposed in or an automobile window glass sheet, the antenna conductor having a discontinuity and feeding portions at both ends of the discontinuity or in the vicinity of said both ends, the discontinuity being formed of a portion of the loop shape cut by a length. The antenna conductor includes a detour in a portion of the loop shape, the detour being formed of a single or a plurality of detour elements, the detour being disposed in a position, which satisfies that a rate of a distance from a center of the discontinuity of the original loop shape to a center of the detour of the original loop shape with respect to a length of an inner peripheral edge or an outer peripheral edge of the original loop shape ranges from 0.18 to 0.4.
US08111199B2	Slotted ground-plane used as a slot antenna or used for a PIFA antenna A wireless device includes a ground plane with at least two portions. On each of the at least two portions at least one connecting means is provided. The two connecting means are connected with an electric component for connecting the at least two portions of the ground plane. The ground plane is partially covered with an insulating material and the connecting means are given by a part of the ground plane which is not covered by any insulating material.
US08111198B2	Semiconductor device An object of the present invention is to prevent electrical characteristics of circuit elements from being adversely affected by copper diffusion in a semiconductor device having an integrated circuit and an antenna formed over the same substrate, which uses copper plating for the antenna. Another object is to prevent a defect of a semiconductor device due to poor connection between an antenna and an integrated circuit in a semiconductor device having the integrated circuit and the antenna formed over the same substrate. In a semiconductor device having an integrated circuit 100 and an antenna 101 formed over one substrate 102, when a copper plating layer 108 is used for a conductor of the antenna 101, it is possible to prevent copper diffusion to circuit elements and decrease an adverse effect on electrical characteristics of circuit elements due to the copper diffusion because a base layer 107 of the antenna 101 uses a nitride film of a predetermined metal. Moreover, by the use of nickel nitride as a metal nitride for the base layer of the antenna, poor connection between the antenna and the integrated circuit can be decreased.
US08111197B2	Antenna apparatus Disclosed is an antenna apparatus, including: a multi-layer substrate having at least two substrates in a stacking manner and having a first through hole; an amplifying circuit on one face of the multi-layer substrate; a ground pattern formed between two adjacent substrates of the multi-layer substrate; an antenna pattern formed on the other face of the multi-layer substrate; and a first comb electrode having comb teeth and a second comb electrode having comb teeth, both of which are formed around the antenna pattern on the other face of the multi-layer substrate. The first comb electrode is electrically connected to the antenna pattern. The second comb electrode is electrically connected to the ground pattern through the first through hole. The comb teeth of the first comb electrode and the comb teeth of the second comb electrode are spaced from one another at predetermined intervals in a staggered manner.
US08111189B2	Method and system for sharing an oscillator for processing cellular radio signals and GNSS radio data signals by deferring AFC corrections A global navigation satellite system (GNSS) enabled mobile device comprising a crystal oscillator and an automatic frequency correction (AFC) circuit may be operable to share the crystal oscillator between processing of cellular radio signals and processing of GNSS data messages. The GNSS enabled mobile device may be operable to enforce an AFC correction when the crystal oscillator drifts beyond a specific frequency error. The AFC correction may be allowed during time intervals corresponding to GNSS words at which decoding of these words is not required. The GNSS enabled mobile device may be operable to disable the AFC correction during time intervals associated with decoding of words while the crystal oscillator may drift within the specific frequency error range. After the decoding of one or more of words is completed, the AFC correction may be allowed during the time intervals corresponding to these words.
US08111178B2	Calibration method and related calibration apparatus for capacitor array A capacitor array includes a plurality of capacitor components each having a first node and a second node, and first nodes of the capacitor components are coupled to each other. A calibration method for the capacitor array utilizes a calibration capacitor component to couple the first nodes. Then, the calibration method determines a capacitance indication value regarding the specific capacitor component by coupling different references voltage to a second node of the specific capacitor component and coupling different test voltages to a second node of the calibration capacitor component. Accordingly, the calibration method calibrates the capacitance mismatches of the capacitor array in the digital domain.
US08111175B2	Reduced keyboard character selection system and method A system and method of selecting a character for display in a communication device having a display and a reduced-key keyboard is provided. One of the plurality of keys on the reduced-key keyboard is selected and a default letter associated with the selected key is displayed. A backspace key is selected to display a cursor in the position of the character on the display. The key associated with the default character is selected again and an alternate character associated with the selected key is displayed in place of the default letter.
US08111172B2	Navigation apparatus and computer program A vehicle guidance device is configured such that, in a case where a vehicle is parked in an on-street parking zone, the vehicle guidance device specifies a parking meter from among the parking meters for the on-street parking zone in which the vehicle is parked, then provides guidance to the position where the specified parking meter is installed. In a case where an on-street parking zone is located in the vicinity of the vehicle's current position while the vehicle is in motion, the vehicle guidance device provides guidance to the position of a parking meter for the on-street parking zone.
US08111171B2	Wellbore telemetry and noise cancellation systems and methods for the same A method of signal processing includes providing at least a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor spaced in a drilling system and using an algorithm to separate the downwardly propagating waves from the upwardly propagating waves. In one or more examples, an algorithm may include determining a velocity of pressure signals in a wellbore, time-shifting and stacking pressure signals from at least the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor to determine a downwardly propagating noise signal, and subtracting the downwardly propagating noise signal from at least the signal from the first pressure sensor.
US08111170B2	Remote area sensor system A communications system comprises a primary wireless network and at least one secondary wireless networks, the primary and secondary wireless networks differing in at least one characteristic, at least one sensor unit comprising a means for sensing a parameter and a node of that secondary network adapted to transmit data relating to the parameter via that secondary network, at least one local data gathering point associated with the at least one secondary wireless network, incorporating a node of that secondary wireless network, a node of the primary network, and a control unit adapted to receive data signals from the at least one sensor unit via the secondary network, construct an outgoing data signal incorporating information from the received data signal, and transmit the outgoing data signal via the primary network, the primary wireless network being a multipoint radio network. The primary wireless network is optimized for relatively long distance communications, of the order of 10 kin, and the secondary network or networks are optimized for relatively short distance communications of the order of 100 m, the radio power of each network being different and appropriate for each transmission distance required. The nodes of the primary network may contain GPS receivers, to synchronize the sensors with which the nodes communicate, and aid routing performance of the primary wireless meshing network.
US08111165B2	Active on-patient sensor, method and system A sensor (which could be detachable) to sense a condition (including pressure from body weight or moisture from incontinence; applied by adhering to skin of a human body or by putting a diaper on the human body, for example), a signal processing circuit, a periodic or continuous transmitter, and a power supply (typically including a battery) are associated with a flexible substrate in low profile enabling disposition adjacent the human body. A transmitter antenna is on the substrate. Insulator film between battery contacts and a switch-and-transistor combination are two power-on techniques. A bedside monitor, a transceiver configured to receive signals from and transmit signals to the bedside monitor, and a computer connected with the transceiver can be included. Other features include: notification signaling; differently responsive antennas; unique identification; low battery detection; anti-collision transmission; patient protocol scheduling; local data transfer from the bedside monitor; and out-of-range transmission detection.
US08111158B2	Intrusion detection system An intrusion detection system includes an intrusion detection device, and a pair of leaky transmission paths including a leaky transmission path of a sending side which is connected to the intrusion detection device and outputs a leaky electric wave on the basis of an output from the intrusion detection device and a leaky transmission path of a receiving side which receives the leaky electric wave output from the leaky transmission path of the sending side, and the intrusion detection device detects that the leaky electric wave received in the leaky transmission path of the receiving side varies to detect the presence or absence of intrusion and an intrusion point.
US08111149B2	Measurement-based wireless device system level management A method and apparatus for system level management to a wireless device using measurements. In various embodiments, a system level manager independent of the operating system of a wireless device may be configured to determine relevant metrics to obtain measurements, based at least in part on the quality of service needs and performance/resource consumption models of the wireless device. In various embodiments, the system level manager may be further configured to determine management actions to be taken by the operating system based at least in part on the measurements obtained.
US08111127B1	Thermistor A thermistor comprises a main body, two electric plugs, a metallic fixing piece, and a cover. The electric plugs are located on one end of the main body, and the metallic fixing piece is located on the side of the main body. The metallic fixing piece has a connecting portion up against one side of the main body, and a soldering portion located on the other end of the main body, opposite to the electric plugs and protruding from the main body. The cover is over the main body and the connecting portion of the metallic fixing piece, thereby securing the metallic fixing piece to the main body. The soldering portion of the metallic fixing piece can be soldered directly onto the printed circuit board, thereby anchoring the thermistor to the printed circuit board more securely.
US08111123B2	Disc wound transformer with improved cooling A method of manufacturing a transformer that includes forming a disc-wound coil using a plurality of pre-formed cooling ducts. Each cooling duct may be supported by a support pipe secured between walls of the cooling duct, or by a removable insert. First and second conductor layers are formed, each of which include plurality of disc windings arranged in an axial direction of the disc-wound coil. A spacer layer is formed between the first and second conductor layers to form a plurality of axially-extending passages. The cooling ducts are slid into the axially-extending passages so as to be disposed between the first and second conductor layers.
US08111113B2	Semiconductor device and method of forming thin film capacitor A semiconductor device has a first coil structure formed over the substrate. A second coil structure is formed over the substrate adjacent to the first coil structure. A third coil structure is formed over the substrate adjacent to the second coil structure. The first and second coil structures are coupled by mutual inductance, and the second and third coil structures are coupled by mutual inductance. The first, second, and third coil structures each have a height greater than a skin current depth of the coil structure defined as a depth which current reduces to 1/(complex permittivity) of a surface current value. A thin film capacitor is formed within the semiconductor device by a first metal plate, dielectric layer over the first metal plate, and second and third electrically isolated metal plates opposite the first metal plate. The terminals are located on the same side of the capacitor.
US08111109B2	Temperature compensated piezoelectric oscillator An oscillator that includes a movable element formed of silicon, the movable element vibrating by electrostatic force, a stationary element supporting the movable element, a temperature detector located in contact with the stationary element, the temperature detector detecting the temperature of the stationary element, a supporting element joined to a joint surface between the movable element and the stationary element, the supporting element supporting the movable element, the stationary element, and the temperature detector on a surface opposite to the joint surface, a surrounding element contacted with the supporting element, the surrounding element and the supporting element surround the movable element, and electrodes provided on a surface of the surrounding element opposite to a surface of surrounding element contacted with the supporting element.
US08111097B1	Device with reconfigurable continuous and discrete time functionality A programmable system includes a programmable analog device including an operational amplifier to generate an output voltage based on input voltages at terminals of the operational amplifier. The programmable system also includes a system controller to direct the programmable analog device to reconfigure analog circuitry providing the input voltages to the operational amplifier. The reconfiguration of the analog circuitry allows the programmable analog device to implement discrete-time or continuous-time functions.
US08111095B2	Temperature compensation for internal inductor resistance An integrated receiver with channel selection and image rejection substantially implemented on a single CMOS integrated circuit is described. A receiver front end provides programmable attenuation and a programmable gain low noise amplifier. Frequency conversion circuitry advantageously uses LC filters integrated onto the substrate in conjunction with image reject mixers to provide sufficient image frequency rejection. Filter tuning and inductor Q compensation over temperature are performed on chip. The filters utilize multi track spiral inductors. The filters are tuned using local oscillators to tune a substitute filter, and frequency scaling during filter component values to those of the filter being tuned. In conjunction with filtering, frequency planning provides additional image rejection. The advantageous choice of local oscillator signal generation methods on chip is by PLL out of band local oscillation and by direct synthesis for in band local oscillator. The VCOs in the PLLs are centered using a control circuit to center the tuning capacitance range. A differential crystal oscillator is advantageously used as a frequency reference. Differential signal transmission is advantageously used throughout the receiver.
US08111093B2	Power supply noise rejection in PLL or DLL circuits A phase controller can be part of a phase-locked loop (PLL) or a delay-locked loop (DLL). The phase controller includes first and second regulators. The first regulator provides power supply noise rejection while the second regulator provides phase and frequency lock.
US08111082B2	Test apparatus A test apparatus is configured such that two adjacent channels form a pair. Timing comparators determine the level of first output data fed from a DUT, respectively, timed in accordance with strobe signals, respectively. Clock envelope extractors extract envelopes of a clock, respectively. A clock recovery circuit recovers a strobe signal. A first main latch latches an output from the first timing comparator, timed by the first strobe signal. A first sub-latch latches the envelope of the clock, timed by the first strobe signal. An output from the sub-latch is supplied to a second main latch of the second channel. A signal dependent on the strobe signal is assigned an adjustable delay by a first delay circuit and is supplied to a clock terminal of the second main latch.
US08111074B2	Method and apparatus to measure differential phase and frequency modulation distortions for audio equipment A testing method or apparatus utilizes multiple frequencies applied to a device under test for measuring newly discovered frequency modulation effects. An embodiment may include a lower frequency signal with a smaller amplitude higher frequency signal to test a dynamic change in frequency response, gain, and or phase. This dynamic test can reveal frequency modulation effects. Another embodiment may include the use of a multiple frequency signal to dynamically induce a time varying phase or frequency distortion for the device that has differential phase distortion. The device's output is then measured with an FM detector to measure a shift in one of the frequencies used in the test signal or to measure frequency modulation effects of any signals, including distortion products, from the device. Yet another embodiment of the invention may include biasing a device with a voltage to span the output voltage range of the device while measuring harmonic or intermodulation distortion or phase or frequency response at the various operating points.
US08111072B2	Steam cooker and related superheater A steam cooker includes a steam generator including a heating chamber defining a volume for holding water. A heat exchanger is associated with the heating chamber so as to generate steam. A steam superheater superheats steam traveling from the heating chamber to a steam cooking chamber.
US08111071B2	Battery management system and driving method thereof A sensing and control apparatus for a battery management system is provided. The sensing and control apparatus includes: a sensing unit and a main control unit. The sensing unit includes: a cell relay of a plurality of cell relays and a voltage detection unit. The cell relay is configured to be coupled to at least one of a plurality of cells. The voltage detection unit is coupled to a cell relay. The voltage detection unit is configured to: receive a reference voltage when each of the plurality of cell relays is turned off; and generate a second voltage by amplifying by a gain a first voltage that corresponds to the reference voltage. The main control unit is configured to calculate a valid gain corresponding to a ratio of the second voltage to the reference voltage when the temperature of the voltage detection unit is within a threshold temperature range.
US08111061B2	Multi-output determination circuit An embodiment of the present invention provides a multi-output determination circuit that determines whether or not any one input voltage of a plurality of input voltages is equal to or higher than an upper-limit voltage value. This multi-output determination circuit includes a first diode-OR, upper-limit reference voltage generation means, and a first comparator. The first diode-OR includes a plurality of first diodes whose anodes are each connected to a respective one of the plurality of input voltages and whose cathodes are connected in common. The upper-limit reference voltage generation means has a first resistor, the first diode, and a second resistor that are connected in series between first and second power supply potentials, and generates an upper-limit reference voltage based on the voltage of the cathode of the first diode. The first comparator compares the output voltage of the first diode-OR with the upper-limit reference voltage.
US08111054B2	Voltage conversion device capable of enhancing conversion efficiency A voltage conversion device capable of enhancing conversion efficiency includes a charge pump for generating output voltage linear to input voltage according to the input voltage, a feedback unit for generating a feedback signal according to the output voltage generated by the charge pump, and a regulating unit for outputting and adjusting the input voltage according to the feedback signal provided by the feedback unit, so as to keep the output voltage unchanged.
US08111052B2	Zero voltage switching A method for providing non-resonant zero-voltage switching in a switching power converter. The switching power converter converts power from input power to output power during multiple periodic switching cycles. The switching power converter includes a switch and an auxiliary capacitor adapted for connecting in parallel with the switch, and an inductor connectable to the auxiliary capacitor. The main switch is on. A previously charged (or previously discharged) auxiliary capacitor is connected across the main switch with auxiliary switches. The main switch is switched off with zero voltage while discharging (charging) the auxiliary capacitor by providing a current path to the inductor. The auxiliary capacitor is disconnected from the switch. The voltage of the auxiliary capacitor is charged and discharged alternatively during subsequent switching cycles. The voltage of the auxiliary capacitor stays substantially the same until the subsequent turn off of the main switch during the next switching cycle with substantially no energy loss in the auxiliary capacitor.
US08111042B2	Integrated wireless resonant power charging and communication channel A power delivery system wirelessly deliver electric power and a communication signal to a target device. The power delivery system includes a power transmitting unit having a power source operable to source alternating current power and a sending resonant coupling component operable to couple the alternating current power to a coil for wireless power transmission by a non-radiated magnetic field at a target resonant frequency. The power transmitting unit is capable of dynamically tuning the wireless power transmission to the target resonant frequency wherein the target resonant frequency is specified dynamically. A communication module couples to the power transmitting unit and is operable to couple the communication signal to the non-radiated magnetic field. Operations may include target device authentication, target resonant frequency information communication, billing, and device management.
US08111040B2	Method and apparatus for handling a charging state in a mobile electronic device In accordance with the teachings described herein, a method and apparatus for handling a charging state in a mobile electronic device is provided. A universal serial bus (USB) interface may be used for connecting the mobile device to a USB host. A processing device may be used to control operation of the mobile device and receive an enumeration acknowledgement signal from the USB host via the USB interface and generate an enable signal upon receiving the enumeration acknowledgement signal. The method and apparatus may further include a rechargeable battery, a battery charger, a timing circuit, and a battery charger enabling circuit.
US08111038B2	Vehicle electronic systems with battery management functions An electronic system in a vehicle includes a motor, a charger, a battery pack, and a bus. The motor drives wheels and propellers of the vehicle. The charger generates charging power according to a control signal. The battery pack coupled to the charger and the motor is operable for generating the control signal based upon a status of each cell of multiple cells in the battery pack, for receiving the charging power via a charging path when the vehicle is stalled, and for powering the motor via a discharging path when the vehicle is started. The bus coupled to the charger and the battery pack is operable for transmitting the control signal from the battery pack to the charger.
US08111032B2	Indicating instrument for vehicle An indicating instrument for a vehicle includes a step motor including a field winding, a pointer, a stopper device for stopping the pointer, which is rotating in a zero-reset direction, at a stopper position, a detecting device for detecting induced voltage of the field winding at each of detecting points, a control device for performing zero-reset control, whereby a drive signal is controlled to rotate the pointer in the zero-reset direction. In a state of abnormal detection in which the induced voltage larger than a predetermined set value is detected at a zero point; and the induced voltage equal to or smaller than the set value is detected at a next detecting point to the zero point, the control device assumes synchronization loss of the step motor and continues the zero-reset control until an assumptive electrical angle corresponding to a rotational position of the pointer reaches the zero point.
US08111025B2	Charged particle accelerators, radiation sources, systems, and methods Man-portable radiation generation sources and systems that may be carried by hand to a site of interest by one or two people, are disclosed. Methods of use of such sources and systems are also disclosed. Battery operated radiation generation sources, air cooled radiation generation sources, and charged particle accelerators, are also disclosed. A radiation generation source with a target less than 0.20 mm is also disclosed.
US08111023B2	Control system for different colors of light emitting diodes A control system includes a clock unit for providing a first clock signal, and a second clock signal having a frequency lower than that of the first clock signal. Three control units are coupled respectively to three light emitting diodes (LED) emitting respectively three different colors. Each control unit is operable based on the clock signals and a corresponding set of first and second reference values to output a driving pulse signal to a corresponding LED such that the corresponding LED is driven by the driving pulse signal to emit light during a corresponding one of first, second and third time periods of a control cycle of the control system.
US08111020B2	Apparatus and method for driving backlight unit The present invention is directed to a drive apparatus for a backlight unit (20) in which plural LED (Light Emitting Diode) elements are cascade-connected every three primary colors, which comprises a signal generating unit (44) for generating a signal having an arbitrary amplitude, an adjustment unit (50) for adjusting light emission quantities of groups of LED elements (30) on the basis of the signal which has been generated by the signal generating unit (44), a voltage applying unit (41) for applying a predetermined voltage every the groups of LED elements (30), light emission quantity detecting units (33) for detecting quantities of rays of light which have been emitted from the groups of LED elements (30), calorific value detecting units (32) for detecting calorific values emitted from the groups of LED elements in accordance with the voltage which has been applied to the voltage applying unit (41), and a control unit (50) for controlling the signal generating unit (44) on the basis of light emission quantities which have been detected by the light emission quantity detecting units (33) and calorific values which have been detected by the calorific value detecting units (32).
US08111015B2	Brightness-adjustable illumination driving system An illumination driving system includes a control unit and at least one base. The control unit includes a first converter and a brightness-adjustable circuit. An input AC voltage is converted into a regulated DC voltage by the first converter. The brightness-adjustable circuit is connected to the first converter. The base is separated from the control unit for supporting the at least one light-emitting device. The base includes a second converter. The second converter is connected with the first converter and the light-emitting device for converting the regulated DC voltage into an output voltage. The light-emitting device is driven to illuminate by the output voltage. The brightness-adjustable circuit generates a brightness adjusting signal to the first converter. The magnitude of the regulated DC voltage is adjusted according to the brightness adjusting signal, thereby adjusting the brightness value of at least one light-emitting device.
US08111014B2	Drive circuit for driving a load with constant current A drive circuit (1) for driving a load (3) comprises: a switched mode power supply (10) for supplying at the output (2a, 2b) a switched output current (IL); a controller (20) for controlling the power supply; a current sensor (15) for generating a current sense signal (Vi 5) representing the output current (IL); a voltage sensor (30) for generating a voltage sense signal (Sy) representing the output voltage (Vp; Vp+Vis) of the circuit. The controller receives the current sense signal, and generates a switching time control signal (Sc) for the switched mode power supply (10) on the basis of the current sense signal. The controller further receives the voltage sense signal. In response to a change in the voltage sense signal, the controller changes the switching time control signal such as to effectively compensate an effect of the output voltage change on the average value of the output current.
US08111013B2	Method and firmware for controlling voltage and current in a fluorescent lamp array A method and firmware for controlling voltage and current in an electrical load includes steps of calculating a numerically quantized duty cycle of a pulse-width modulated, digital switch control signal by firmware in an inverter voltage microcontroller as a function of an inverter voltage and controlling the inverter voltage by adjusting the duty cycle of the digital switch control signal to generate a load current in the electrical load.
US08111009B2	Light adjustment circuit for alternating-current light emitting diodes (AC-LED's) A light adjustment circuit for alternating-current light emitting diodes (AC-LED's) connected to an AC power supply and a plurality of AC-LED's comprises: a light adjustment unit, being capable of modulating AC power from the AC power supply while providing the plurality of AC-LED's with the modulated AC power; and a pulse width modulation (PWM) control circuit, being capable of modulating an external voltage signal in correspondence to variation in input AC power to enable each of the AC-LED's to achieve a predetermined brightness; wherein the AC-LED's are turned off by modulating the external voltage signal to prevent the AC-LED's from being burnt out when the input AC power is too high.
US08111008B2	Multiple-input electronic ballast with processor A ballast having a microprocessor embedded therein is controlled via four inputs. The ballast includes a high-voltage phase-controlled signal provided by a dimmer and an infrared (IR) receiver through which the ballast can receive data signals from an IR transmitter. The ballast can also receive commands from other ballasts or a master control on the serial digital communication link, such as a DALI protocol link. The fourth input is an analog signal, which is simply a DC signal that linearly ranges in value from a predetermined lower limit to a predetermined upper limit, corresponding to the 0% to 100% dimming range of the load. The output stage of the ballast includes one or more FETs, which are used to control the current flow to the lamp. Based on these inputs, the microprocessor makes a decision on the intensity levels of the load and directly drives the FETs in the output stage.
US08111007B2	Electronic device capable of controlling LED brightness and method thereof An electronic device capable of controlling light-emitting diode (LED) bright is provided. The electronic device includes a signal producing unit for producing an operation signal; a Micro Control Unit (MCU) configured for outputting a normal brightness control signal according to the operation signal, and outputting a ultra brightness control signal according to the operation signal when an actual idle time of the electronic device reaches or exceeds a predetermined idle time; a pulse current control unit for controlling an output current according to the normal brightness control and the ultra brightness control signal; and a LED illuminator array for emitting light based on the output current. The MCU terminates the output of the ultra brightness control signal when an actual time of outputting the ultra brightness control signals reaches a predetermined time, and then the LED illuminator array resumes its normally bright. A control method is also provided.
US08110993B2	Methods for inductively-coupled RF power source A method for tracking a variable resonance condition in a plasma coil during creation of plasma from a gas flowing in a plasma torch adjacent to the plasma coil comprises: providing a radio-frequency (RF) power source comprising a power amplifier that generates a radio-frequency power signal with an adjustable operating frequency; providing a high-voltage ignition charge from said RF power source to the gas in plasma torch so as to create an electrical discharge through said gas so as to create a test sample comprising a partial plasma state within said plasma torch; and applying an RF power signal from said plasma coil to said test sample in said plasma torch, wherein said adjustable operating frequency of said power amplifier tracks said variable resonance condition of said plasma coil such that said test sample in the plasma torch achieves a full plasma state.
US08110992B2	Controlled plasma power supply A plasma power supply system for producing electrical power in the range between 1 kW and 100 kW for a plasma processing system and supplying the power to a plasma chamber through a power line connection, the plasma power supply system includes a power converter, a monitoring section, an arc diverter, a control section with an arc diverter control section and an arc detection section, and an input device wherein the input device is connected to the arc diverter.
US08110989B2	Lighting controller of lighting device for vehicle A lighting controller of a lighting device for a vehicle includes M (M is an integer of one or more) switching regulators for supplying driving currents to first to Nth (N is an integer of one or more) semiconductor light sources; first to Nth current driving portions; a temperature detector; and a control circuit. The first to Nth current driving portions include first to Nth current detecting portions connected to the semiconductor light sources and serving to detect the driving currents respectively; and first to Nth switching portions connected to the semiconductor light sources respectively. The first to Nth current driving portions operates the switching portions corresponding to magnitudes of the driving currents detected by the current detecting portions respectively. The temperature detector detects a temperature and sends a temperature detecting signal when the detected temperature is equal to or higher than a pre-specified temperature. The control circuit controls the current driving means in order to decrease the driving currents to be supplied to the semiconductor light sources upon receipt of the temperature detecting signal. The control circuit sets a priority of each of the semiconductor light sources for decreasing the driving current and decreases the driving current in order from the semiconductor light source having a highest priority.
US08110976B2	Method of preparing field electron emitter and field electron emission device including field electron emitter prepared by the method A method of preparing a field electron emitter includes preparing an aqueous solution including a carbon nanotube-nucleic acid composite, preparing a substrate to receive the carbon nanotube-nucleic acid composite, and electrophoresis-depositing the carbon nanotube-nucleic acid composite onto the substrate.
US08110964B2	Energy harvesting device A piezoelectric energy harvesting device (PEHD) comprising a driving element, conducting element, piezoelectric layer and non-piezoelectric layer capable of converting ambient mechanical energy into electrical energy. The piezoelectric layer may be constructed from PMN-PT or PZT having a thickness of about 1-150 ?m. The PEHD may be used to generate about 1 W. The harvested energy may be stored and used to power microelectronic devices and rechargeable battery technologies.
US08110960B2	Electromotor with a stator having cooling conduits An electromotor including a rotor rotatably running on bearings on a rotor shaft and a stator surrounding the rotor. The stator has a short-circuit body and a winding which can be impinged by current. The short-circuit body receives at least partly the medium line(s).
US08110957B2	Permanent magnet motor There is provided a permanent magnet motor capable of reducing cogging torque and torque ripple while suppressing a decrease in motor output. In a permanent magnet motor 1 including a rotor 3 in which a plurality of permanent magnets 5 are arranged in a ring shape as a magnetic field unit, the transverse cross section of the permanent magnet 5 has an inside periphery 51 formed by a first arc 511 having the center of curvature O1 and the radius of curvature R1, and an outside periphery 52 formed by a second arc 521 having the center of curvature O2 and the radius of curvature R2, a third arc 522 having the center of curvature O3 and the radius of curvature R3 and joined to one end of the second arc 521, and a fourth arc 523 having the center of curvature O4 and the radius of curvature R4 and joined to the other end of the second arc 521. The above-described centers of curvature are disposed at different positions.
US08110947B2	Uninterruptible power supply watchdog system and auto recovery method using the system According to the present invention, provided is a watchdog system for Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), and auto recovery method using the same. In case the power supply path of UPS is switched from the normal power line to the bypass line, the UPS watchdog system of the present invention is firstly compulsively recovers again the power supply path to the normal power line for given times and, nevertheless, in case it is not recovered, the power is supplied through the bypass line. Accordingly, in case the power supply path is switched to the bypass line due to the temporary disorder of UPS, it can be rapidly recovered to the normal power path, so that the power supply by the UPS apparatus can be more stably performed.
US08110941B2	Power demand management method and system A power demand modification method and system. The method includes detecting and monitoring by a computing system, a frequency signal associated with an input voltage signal used for powering a plurality of power consumption devices at a specified location. The computing system compares the frequency signal to a predetermined frequency value. The computing system determines that the frequency signal comprises a first value that is not equal to the predetermined frequency value. The computing system calculates a difference value between the first value and the predetermined frequency value. The computing system compares the difference value to a second value. The computing system enables a connection to an uninterruptable power supply (UPS) and performs a power demand modification process associated with the UPS. The computing system generates and stores a report associated with the load adjustment modification process.
US08110939B2	Engine starting apparatus The engine starting apparatus operates on battery voltage when the battery voltage is higher than a predetermined voltage to control starting of an engine of a vehicle. The engine starting apparatus includes a relay control section configured to output a drive signal individually to first and second relays of a starter of the vehicle engine to drive the first and second relays when predetermined engine start conditions are satisfied, the starter being configured to operate when the first and second relays are driven, and an inter-relay switch configured to make electrical connection between the first and second relays when the first relay is applied with the battery voltage, the second relay being applied with the battery voltage when the electrical connection is made. The first relay is configured to be applied with the battery voltage when a manual start switch is operated.
US08110930B2	Die backside metallization and surface activated bonding for stacked die packages Methods and apparatus to provide die backside metallization and/or surface activated bonding for stacked die packages are described. In one embodiment, an active metal layer of a first die may be coupled to an active metal layer of a second die through silicon vias and/or a die backside metallization layer of the second die. Other embodiments are also described.
US08110928B2	Stacked-type chip package structure and method of fabricating the same A stacked-type chip package structure including a first package structure, a second package structure, and a first molding compound is provided. The first package structure includes a first substrate, and a first chip stacked thereon and electrically connected thereto. The second package structure is stacked on the first package structure, and includes a second substrate, a second chip, and a plurality of solder blocks. The second chip is electrically connected to the second substrate, and the second substrate is electrically connected to the first substrate. The second chip is fixed on the first chip through an adhesive layer. The solder blocks are disposed on the back of the second substrate. The first molding compound is disposed on the first substrate and encapsulates the first package structure and the second package structure. The first molding compound has a recess for exposing the solder blocks.
US08110927B2	Explosion-proof module structure for power components, particularly power semiconductor components, and production thereof A power module having at least one electric power component, such as a power electronic semiconductor component. An electrical contact for a load current is formed on a lower surface and also on an upper surface of the power semiconductor component. To reduce an explosion pressure and accept power when the power electronic semiconductor component is overloaded, a hollow space filled with at least one electrically conducting particle is formed on an electrical contact surface of the electrical contact. In case of a short circuit, an arc is initially generated above the semiconductor element thickness of the power semiconductor component, whereupon the filling in the hollow space takes over current conduction. Preferably, the filling in the hollow space is a plurality of spherical electrically conducting particles. The explosion pressure can escape into interstices in the filling if there is a short circuit. Furthermore, metal vapors are cooled and are condensed. A duct extending from and out of the hollow space can additionally be provided to reduce the explosion pressure, thus preventing power components from demolishing the surroundings during an electrical overload. The foregoing power module may be an improved thyristor.
US08110913B2	Integrated circuit package system with integral inner lead and paddle An integrated circuit package system includes: fabricating a lead frame including: providing inner leads having an inner lead pitch of progressive length, forming a lead shoulder, on the inner leads, having a shoulder height of a progressive height, and forming outer leads coupled to the lead shoulder and the inner leads; mounting an integrated circuit die on the lead frame; and molding a package body on the lead frame and the integrated circuit die.
US08110902B2	Chip package and manufacturing method thereof A chip package including at least a shielding layer for better electromagnetic interferences shielding is provided. The shielding layer disposed over the top surface of the laminate substrate can protect the chip package from the underneath EMI radiation. The chip package may further include another shielding layer over the molding compound of the chip package.
US08110897B2	Semiconductor device with carbon-containing region The semiconductor device of the present invention includes: a gate insulating film formed on a semiconductor region of a first conductivity type; a gate electrode formed on the gate insulating film; and a channel doped layer of the first conductivity type formed in the semiconductor region beneath the gate electrode. The channel doped layer contains carbon as an impurity.
US08110886B2	Photodiode with integrated semiconductor circuit and method for the production thereof A semiconductor circuit in a semiconductor body and a wafer bonding method for connecting the semiconductor circuit to another substrate, in which a diode is realized in a laminar structure. The semiconductor circuit is connected to the terminals of the diode by means of feedthroughs that extend through the semiconductor body.
US08110884B2	Methods of packaging imager devices and optics modules, and resulting assemblies A method of packaging imager devices and optics modules is disclosed which includes positioning an imager device and an optics module in each of a plurality of openings in a carrier body, introducing an encapsulant material into each of the openings in the carrier body and cutting the carrier body to singulate the plurality of imager devices and optics modules into individual units, each of which comprise an imager device and an optics module. A device is also disclosed which includes an imager device comprising a plurality of photosensitive elements and an optics module coupled to the imager device, the optics module comprising at least one lens that, when the optics module is coupled to the imager device, is positioned a fixed, non-adjustable distance from the plurality of photosensitive elements.
US08110864B2	Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device In one aspect of the present invention, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device may include a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of tunnel insulating films formed on the semiconductor substrate at predetermined intervals in a first direction; a plurality of floating gate electrodes each having a first portion and a second portion, the first portions being formed on the respective tunnel insulating films, the second portions being formed on the respective first portions and having smaller width than the first portions in the first direction; an inter-gate insulating film formed on the floating gate electrodes; and first and second control gate electrodes respectively formed on sidewalls, in the first direction, of the second portion of each of the plurality of floating gate electrodes with the inter-gate insulating film interposed therebetween.
US08110860B2	Imaging device First diffusion region constituting a photodiode in each pixel stores carriers generated according to incident light. Second diffusion region is formed at a surface of the first diffusion region to cover a peripheral part of the first diffusion region. In the peripheral part of the first diffusion region, crystal defects tend to occur by a process of forming an isolation region and a gate electrode, so that dark current noise tends to occur. The second diffusion region functioning as a protection layer prevents crystal defects in a manufacturing process. The second diffusion region isn't formed on a center of the surface of the first diffusion region where crystal defects don't tend to occur. In the first diffusion region where the second diffusion region isn't formed, the thickness of a depletion layer increases, which improves light detection sensitivity. This improves detection sensitivity of the photodiode without increasing the dark current noise.
US08110854B2	Integrated circuit device with linearly defined gate electrode level region and shared diffusion region of first type connected to shared diffusion region of second type through at least two interconnect levels A semiconductor device includes a substrate portion having a plurality of diffusion regions defined therein. The semiconductor device includes a gate electrode level region including a number of conductive features defined to extend in only a first parallel direction. Adjacent ones of the number of conductive features that share a common line of extent in the first parallel direction are fabricated from respective originating layout features that are separated from each other by an end-to-end spacing having a size that is substantially equal across the gate electrode level region and is minimized to an extent allowed by a semiconductor device manufacturing capability. Some of the conductive features within the gate electrode level region extend over the plurality of diffusion regions to form PMOS or NMOS transistor devices. A number of the PMOS transistor devices is equal to a number of the NMOS transistor devices in the gate electrode level region.
US08110844B2	Semiconductor substrate and light emitting device using the same There are provided a semiconductor substrate configured to improve the light extraction efficiency of a light emitting device, and a light emitting device using the substrate. The light emitting device includes the substrate, a buffer layer, and a light emitting structure, and the buffer layer and the light emitting structure being sequentially stacked on the substrate. The substrate includes a plurality of lenses disposed on a top surface thereof, and the lenses have a horn shape and are configured such that the buffer layer grows both on the top surface of the substrate and lateral surfaces of the lenses.
US08110842B2	Light-emitting diode module and manufacturing method thereof A method for manufacturing a light-emitting diode (LED) module is provided. Plural LED package structures are formed on a substrate first. A space is located between two adjacent LED package structures. A Lens laminated plate is subsequently bonded onto the LED package structures. The lens laminated plate includes plural lenses, and each lens is located right above a LED of each LED package structure. Finally, plural LED modules are formed by cutting the substrate along the space. A LED module structure is also disclosed.
US08110840B2	Light emitting apparatus and method for the same A light emitting apparatus includes a patterned conductive layer, a light emitting device on the patterned conductive layer, and a first light diffusion layer. The light emitting device and the patterned conductive layer are embedded in the first light diffusion layer. A method of forming such a light emitting apparatus is also disclosed.
US08110828B2	Real time process monitoring and control for semiconductor junctions A method of manufacturing a semiconductor layer is provided. In a first deposition during a first period of time, at least one Group IIIA element and at least one Group VIA element are deposited on a substrate or on a layer optional disposed on the substrate such as a back-electrode. During a second deposition during a second period of time, at least one Group IB element and the at least one group VIA element are deposited on the substrate or the optional layer. The one Group IB element combines with the Group VIA element to form a IB2VIA composition. A first deposition state is monitored, during the second deposition by making a first plurality of measurements of a first deposition state. The second deposition is terminated or attenuated based on a function of the first plurality of measurements of the indicia of the first deposition state.
US08110821B2	Shielded container structure for the transport and storage of a radioactive source for medical use A container for transporting a receptacle (2) containing a radioactive substance for medical use. includes a shielded body made up of a belt of side walls connected to a base element and defining a top opening, and a shielded closing lid attachable to the top opening by locking elements shaped so as to be activated by a translational movement of the lid in the top opening, this “locking movement” taking place along the axis of the opening and towards the opposing base element. The lid is further equipped with elements for deactivating the locking elements to enable it to be separated from the container body. In one advantageous embodiment, the lid has a plurality of retractable projecting studs designed to fit by a snap-action type phenomenon into at least one complementary housing formed in the opening of the container body during the locking movement.
US08110808B2	Floating intelligent perimeter sensor system A system, method, and floating intelligent perimeter sensor, provide protection for waterways and critical infrastructures. The system and method utilize one or more floating intelligent perimeter sensors to detect, and in some cases identify, hazardous materials associated with vessels in the waterways. The hazardous materials detected, and optionally identified, can include radiological materials, fissile materials, explosives, chemicals and biological materials (CBRNE). A set of radiation data associated with a radiation source in a vessel is received from the one or more floating intelligent perimeter sensors. At least one histogram is generated based on the set of radiation data. The at least one histogram is compared to multiple spectral images associated with known materials. The at least one histogram is determined to substantially match at least one of the multiple spectral images. A determination is made whether a material associated with the radiation source is a hazardous material.
US08110800B2	Scanning electron microscope system and method for measuring dimensions of patterns formed on semiconductor device by using the system The present invention is for providing a scanning electron microscope system adapted to output contour information fitting in with the real pattern edge end of a sample, and is arranged to generate a local projection waveform by projecting the scanning electron microscope image in the tangential direction with respect to the pattern edge at each point of the pattern edge of the scanning electron microscope image, estimate the cross-sectional shape of the pattern transferred on the sample by applying the local projection waveform generated at each point to a library, which has previously been created, correlating the cross-sectional shape with the electron beam signal waveform, obtain position coordinate of the edge end fitting in with the cross-sectional shape, and output the contour of the pattern as a range of position coordinates.
US08110799B2	Confocal secondary electron imaging One embodiment relates to an apparatus using electrons for inspection or metrology of a semiconductor substrate. The apparatus includes an electron source, electron lenses, scan deflectors, an objective electron lens, a collection electron lens, a pin-hole filter, de-scan deflectors, and a detector. The collection electron lens is configured to focus the secondary electrons so as to form a secondary electron beam which is focused at a conjugate focal plane, and the pin-hole filter is positioned at the conjugate focal plane. The de-scan deflectors are configured to controllably deflect the secondary electrons so as to counteract an influence of the scan deflectors such that a center portion of the secondary electron beam passes through the filter and a remainder portion of the secondary electron beam is filtered out by the filter. Other embodiments and features are also disclosed.
US08110794B2	Soft ablative desorption method and system Methods and systems are provided for the soft desorption of analyte from a sample, in which an optical beam absorbed within an irradiate zone of the sample causes vibrational excitations of a component within the sample. The optical beam, providing sufficient energy to superheat the component, is provided for a time interval that is less than the time duration required for the loss of energy out of the irradiated zone due to thermal diffusion and acoustic expansion. The superheated component thus drives ablation within the irradiated zone, resulting in the soft desorption of analyte without ionization and fragmentation. The ejected ablation plume may be directed towards the inlet of a mass analysis device for detection of the desorbed analyte, which is preferably ionized by a linear resonant photo-ionization step.
US08110792B2	Absolute position length measurement type encoder An absolute position length measurement type encoder includes: a scale in which an ABS pattern based on a pseudorandom code is provided; a light-receiving element for receiving bright and dark patterns formed by the scale; and a signal processing circuit for processing signals subjected to output of the light-receiving element and measuring an absolute position of the scale to the light-receiving element, wherein the signal processing circuit includes a space-dividing number conversion circuit that obtains finer intervals D than the array interval PPDA of the ABS light-receiving element array of the light-receiving element, and simultaneously obtains and outputs a digital value for each of the intervals D subjected to output of the ABS light-receiving element array. Therefore, even where the minimum line width of the ABS pattern is not an integral multiple of the array interval of the ABS light-receiving element array, an arithmetic operation for the correlation can be carried out, and the moving distance can be measured at high accuracy.
US08110791B2	Imaging device An imaging device, particularly but not exclusively for use in a targeting sensor for missile seekers. The imaging device including at least one lens; a substantially planar sensor having a plurality of pixels; a light guiding arrangement for directing light received via said lenses toward said sensor; in which said light guiding arrangement includes a plurality of light guides.
US08110788B2	Method and device for detecting weak optical signals An optical detection device is disclosed. The device comprises a photoelectric unit, configured to sense incoming photons and to produce electrical signals pertaining to at least a few of the photons within a plurality of temporally resolved time-windows; an analog-to-digital unit, configured to generate digital representation of the electrical signals; and a digital integrating unit, configured to integrate the digital representation over at least part of the temporally resolved time-windows to provide integrated data corresponding to the photons.
US08110787B1	Image sensor with a reflective waveguide An image sensor having shield structures and methods of forming the same are provided. Generally, the image sensor includes: (i) substrate having at least one photosensitive element formed therein; (ii) a dielectric layer overlying the substrate and the photosensitive element; and (iii) an annular reflective waveguide disposed in the dielectric layer above the photosensitive element to reduce cross-talk between adjacent elements of the sensor while increasing sensitivity of the sensor. In certain embodiments, the sensor further includes a photoshield disposed in the dielectric above the photosensitive element and about the waveguide to further reduce the possibility of cross-talk. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US08110778B2	Hair crimper (local heating) A hair crimper comprising a pair of complementary hair crimping surfaces which are configured for hair crimping by application of heat and pressure to hair when cooperatively engaged, wherein each one of said complementary hair crimping surfaces comprises a corrugated hair styling surface which defines a transversal hair shaping profile, characterized in that, said complementary hair crimping surfaces are configured to cooperatively apply heat at predetermined intervals along said transversal hair shaping profile.
US08110777B2	Method and device for dividing a plane-parallel plate made of a brittle material into a plurality of individual plates by means of a laser The present invention relates to a method of dividing a plane-parallel plate made of a brittle material into a plurality of individual plates having a specified edge length, in which break-off cuts are made along specified scored lines that form a lattice-like pattern by introducing thermally induced stresses by means of a laser beam, and in which, after making the break-off cuts along a first working direction, the resultant plate strips are spaced out at intervals in that a framed stretch film to which the plane-parallel plate is bonded is stretched by means of a vacuum device. The invention also relates to a device with a special clamping table for use in carrying out the method.
US08110775B2	Systems and methods for distinguishing reflections of multiple laser beams for calibration for semiconductor structure processing A system determines relative positions of a semiconductor substrate and a plurality of laser beam spots on or within the semiconductor substrate in a machine for selectively irradiating structures on or within the substrate using a plurality of laser beams. The system comprises a laser source, first and second laser beam propagation paths, first and second reflection sensors, and a processor. The laser source produces at least the first and second laser beams, which propagate toward the substrate along the first and second propagation paths, respectively, which have respective first and second axes that intersects the substrate at respective first and second spots. The reflection sensors are positioned to detect reflection of the spots, as the spots moves relative to the substrate, thereby generating reflection signals. The processor is configured to determine, based on the reflection signals, positions of the spots on or within the substrate.
US08110773B2	Stud welding tool adjustment mechanisms A heat adjustment mechanism for a stud welding tool comprises an adjustment knob comprising adjustment ribs, a solenoid sleeve that moveably engages the adjustment knob, and that receives a solenoid, wherein the solenoid is configured to engage a fastener, and the solenoid is connected to the solenoid sleeve by the fastener, a clutch comprising adjustment ribs that engage the adjustment ribs on the adjustment knob, and a clutch spring that exerts force on the clutch. A weld heat setting adjustment may be made by solenoid movement of from about 0.15 mm to about 0.30 mm.
US08110770B2	Vacuum circuit breaker of tank type A vacuum circuit breaker includes a movable-side conductor that is tubular and comprises an inside cavity. A movable side contact case includes a chamber which communicates with a space on a non-vacuum side of a bellows. The chamber is isolated from a space filled with insulating gas in a ground tank by a sealing device. The chamber communicates with an outside atmosphere through the inside cavity of the movable-side conductor.
US08110759B2	Electrical panel input interlock assembly A system and method of interlocking a plurality of electrical panel switches includes an interlock assembly having an interlock. The interlock has a first position that allows connection of one of primary power and power from an alternate power supply, such as a generator, to the electrical panel and prevents connection of the other of the primary power and alternate power. The interlock has a second position that allows connection of the other of the primary power and alternate power and prevents connection of one of the primary power and alternate power to the electrical panel. The interlock also is constructed to control the positioning and sequence of operation of neutral connections between the power supplies and the electrical panel.
US08110754B2	Multi-layer wiring board and method of manufacturing the same A multi-layer wiring board without a core substrate includes: a multi-layer laminated structure; first terminals provided on a front surface of the multi-layer laminated structure; second terminals provided on a rear surface of the multi-layer laminated structure; terminal pins bonded to a corresponding one of the second terminals, wherein each of the terminal pins is formed in a nailhead shape that includes a shaft portion and a head portion, and a diameter of the head portion is larger than that of the shaft portion; and a reinforcing plate which has pin insertion openings formed at positions corresponding to the terminal pins and which is fixed to the rear surface, wherein the diameter of the pin insertion openings is smaller than the diameter of the head portion and is larger than the diameter of the shaft portion.
US08110753B2	Circuit board assembly A circuit board assembly includes: a circuit board having opposite first and second surfaces and formed with a first through-hole defined by a hole-defining wall that extends between and that terminates at the first and second surfaces and that cooperates with the first and second surfaces to define first and second turns, respectively, the circuit board further having an abutting wall that extends between and that terminates at the first and second surfaces and that cooperates with the second surface to define a third turn; and an electric wire having a fixed end that is soldered to the circuit board, extending through the first through-hole, and passing over the first, second and third turns of the circuit board so as to form an inflection region between the first and second turns.
US08110733B2	Tuning stabilizer for stringed instrument A self-contained tuning stabilizer for a stringed instrument consists of a body which is attachable to the stringed instrument like a capo, the stabilizer containing mechanical members for increasing or decreasing the tension on each of the strings to keep them in tune as the instrument is played. The device contains sensors for each string, an analyzer for determining if the frequency produced by each string is correct, and a driver for each of the mechanical members for applying micro-tuning corrections to the strings. The device must first be zeroed, and the instrument tuned by hand. Thereafter, the device will maintain the original tuning.
US08110730B2	Keyless drum tuning device A keyless drum tuning device includes a lug bracket attached to a shell of the musical drum. The keyless tuning device has a tensioning fastener that is removably connected to a tensioning counter-hoop or rim of the musical drum and passes through an opening in the lug bracket. The keyless drum tuning device includes an adjustment mechanism that is affixed to the tensioning fastener. The adjustment mechanism is contacts the lug bracket and is varied to modify the tension in the tension fastener.
US08110727B2	Wheat plants having increased resistance to imidazolinone herbicides The present invention is directed to wheat plants having increased resistance to an imidazolinone herbicide. More particularly, the present invention includes wheat plants containing one or more IMI nucleic acids such as a Teal IMI cultivar. The nucleic acids are preferably located on or derived from different genomes. The present invention also includes seeds produced by these wheat plants and methods of controlling weeds in the vicinity of these wheat plants.
US08110726B2	Polynucleotides encoding cellulose synthase from pinus radiata and methods of use for regulating polysaccharides of a plant Novel plant polysaccharide synthesis genes and polypeptides encoded by such genes are provided. These genes and polynucleotide sequences are useful regulating polysaccharide synthesis and plant phenotype. Moreover, these genes are useful for expression profiling of plant polysaccharide synthesis genes. One aspect of the present invention therefore are polynucleotides encoding cellulose synthase from Pinus radiata and methods of using such a polynucleotide to regulate polysaccharides of a plant.
US08110725B2	Polynucleotides and polypeptides in plants The invention relates to plant transcription factor polypeptides, polynucleotides that encode them, homologs from a variety of plant species, and methods of using the polynucleotides and polypeptides to produce transgenic plants having advantageous properties compared to a reference plant. Sequence information related to these polynucleotides and polypeptides can also be used in bioinformatic search methods and is also disclosed.
US08110720B2	Transgenic mice expressing humanized VEGF The present invention generally relates to humanized VEGF and non-human transgenic animals expressing it. The transgenic animals are also useful to study VEGF-related therapies.
US08110719B2	ABI1 conditional knockout mouse Genetically engineered conditional knock-out mice having conditional disruption of the Abi1/Hssh3bp1 gene are disclosed along with methods of making and using same.
US08110703B2	Retinoid derivative and pharmaceutical composition and use thereof The invention relates to a retinoid derivative and pharmaceutical composition and use thereof. The compound of the invention is capable of preventing or treating hematological tumors, such as acute leukemia, chronic leukemia, multiple myeloma and lymphoma, solid tumors, such as liver cancer, rectal cancer, mammary cancer and esophagus cancer, and skin disorders, such as psoriasis and acne.
US08110701B2	Process for the preparation of functionalised benzocyclobutenes, and application in the synthesis of ivabradine and addition salts thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable acid Process for the preparation of compounds of formula (IV): wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4, which may be identical or different, each represent a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched (C1-C6)alkyl group, a linear or branched (C1-C6)alkoxy group, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a protected amine group, a protected hydroxyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group in which the alkoxy group is linear or branched (C1-C6), or a CF3 group, or R1═R4═H and R2 and R3 together with the carbon atoms carrying them form a 1,3-dioxolane group, R5 represents a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched (C1-C6)alkyl group, a linear or branched (C1-C6)hydroxyalkyl group in which the hydroxyl function is protected, or a CO2R7 group in which R7 is a linear or branched (C1-C6)alkyl group, R6 represents a cyano group or a CO2R8 group in which R8 is a linear or branched (C1-C6)-alkyl group. Application in the synthesis of ivabradine, addition salts thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable acid and hydrates thereof.
US08110697B2	Method for the production of polymerizable silicones Polymerizable siloxy-substituted silanes are obtained in high yield and purity by adding a substituted alkoxysilane to a mixture of disiloxane, acetic acid, sulfuric acid, and optionally an acidic catalyst, separating a product phase from an acidic phase, adding hexamethyldisilazane to the product phase and filtering off a resulting salt, followed by distillation.
US08110683B2	Piperidinyl compounds that selectively bind integrins The invention is directed to piperidinyl compounds that selectively bind integrin receptors and methods for treating an integrin mediated disorder.
US08110682B2	Preparation and use of compounds as aspartyl protease inhibitors Disclosed are compounds of the formula I or a stereoisomer, tautomer, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, wherein A is a bond, —C(O)—, or —C(R3′)(R4′)—; X is —N(R1)— or —C(R6)(R7)—; Y is —S(O)2—, —C(═O)—, —PO(OR9) or —C(R6′R7′)—; is a single or double bond and R, R1, R2, R3, R4, R3′, R4′, R5, R6, R6′, R7 and R7′ are as defined in the specification; and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of formula I. Also disclosed is the method of inhibiting aspartyl protease, and in particular, the methods of treating cardiovascular diseases, cognitive and neurodegenerative diseases, and the methods of inhibiting of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, plasmepins, cathepsin D and protozoal enzymes.Also disclosed are methods of treating cognitive or neurodegenerative diseases using the compounds of formula I in combination with a cholinesterase inhibitor or a muscarinic antagonist.
US08110679B2	Nanofilm and membrane compositions Nanofilms useful for filtration are prepared from oriented amphiphilic molecules and oriented macrocyclic modules. The amphiphilic species may be oriented on an interface or surface. The nanofilm may be prepared by depositing or attaching an oriented layer to a substrate. A nanofilm may also be prepared by coupling the oriented macrocyclic modules to provide a membrane.
US08110672B2	Promoter engineering and genetic control The present invention relates to expression cassettes libraries of expression vectors comprising the same, wherein each vector comprises at least one gene of interest and a promoter operatively linked thereto wherein each promoter comprises a nucleic acid, whose sequence is randomly mutated with respect to that of another in the library and cells comprising the same. Methods utilizing either the libraries or cells of this invention, in optimizing gene expression, protein expression, or optimized gene or protein delivery are described.
US08110658B2	Peptide fragments for inducing synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins Short biologically active tetrapeptides are disclosed that are comprised of the sequences GxxG and PxxP where G (glycine) and P (proline) are maintained and x is a variable amino acid. The peptides can be used singly or in combination to stimulate production of extracellular matrix proteins in skin. A rapid, low-cost method of producing heterogenous formulations of tetrapeptides is disclosed.
US08110657B2	Polypeptides and polynucleotides for enhancing immune reactivity to HER-2 protein Compositions for stimulating the immune system and for treating malignancies associated with overexpression of the HER-2 protein are provided. Such compositions include immunogenic epitopes of the HER-2 proteins and chimeric and multivalent peptides which comprise such epitopes. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides which encode the chimeric peptides. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising such immunogenic compositions. Methods for stimulating an immune response to HER-2 protein are provided. Methods for treating breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer and lung cancer are provided.
US08110656B2	Compositions and methods of a phosphatidic acid binding protein TGD2 proteins of Arabidopsis are proposed to be a substrate binding component of a lipid transfer complex in the inner chloroplast envelope membrane. Loss of function of this protein or other components of this complex may disrupt the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-pathway of thylakoid lipid biosynthesis. In one embodiment, the present invention contemplates a minimal binding domain capable of specifically binding phosphatidic acid. Alternatively, the minimal binding domain may further comprise accessory binding domains that, in combination, create a complete TGD2 phosphatidic acid binding domain. Consequently, phosphatidic acid may be quantitatively detected from samples as described in the methods herein.
US08110655B2	Method to promote hair growth and/or delay or treat hair loss by administering a TGF-β antagonist or inhibitor The present invention provides methods for promoting hair growth and/or treating or preventing hair loss (alopecia) by contacting the cells with a TGF-β antagonist or inhibitor either alone or in combination with other alopecia-inhibiting compounds.
US08110643B2	Preparation of styrene homopolymers and styrene-ethlyene copolymers The present invention discloses copolymers of styrene and ethylene with highly syndiotactic styrene blocks prepared with of a catalyst system comprising a metallocene catalyst component of the general formula (I): (Flu-R″—C p)M(n3-C3R′5)(ether)n wherein Cp is a cyclopentadienyl, substituted or unsubstituted, Flu is a fluorenyl, substituted or unsubstituted, M is a metal Group III of the Periodic Table, ether is a donor solvent molecule, R″ is a structural bridge between Cp and Flu (9 position) imparting stereorigidity to the component, each R′ is the same or different and is hydrogen or an hydrocarbyl having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms and n is 0, 1 or 2. It also discloses styrene-ethylene copolymers having a high styrene content in which styrene units form syndiotactic polystyrene blocks.
US08110636B1	Multi-block sulfonated poly(phenylene) copolymer proton exchange membranes Improved multi-block sulfonated poly(phenylene) copolymer compositions, methods of making the same, and their use as proton exchange membranes (PEM) in hydrogen fuel cells, direct methanol fuel cells, in electrode casting solutions and electrodes. The multi-block architecture has defined, controllable hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments. These improved membranes have better ion transport (proton conductivity) and water swelling properties.
US08110635B2	Method for producing conjugated diene polymer, conjugated diene polymer, and polymer composition A method for producing a conjugated diene polymer is provided that includes a step of polymerizing a conjugated diene-containing monomer in a hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of an alkali metal catalyst, thus giving a polymer having a catalyst-derived alkali metal at one terminus of a polymer chain comprising a conjugated diene-based monomer unit, and a step of reacting the polymer obtained in the step of polymerizing and a trialkoxysilane compound represented by the formula below. (In the formula, Y and Z independently denote an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, R1, R2, and R3 independently denote an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, m denotes an integer of 1 to 5, and n denotes an integer of 0 to 5.) There are also provided a conjugated diene polymer produced by the production method, and a polymer composition containing a rubber component that includes the conjugated diene polymer and carbon black and/or silica, the total content of the carbon black and the silica being 5 to 200 parts by weight relative to 100 parts by weight of the rubber component.
US08110634B2	Sulfenamide accelerators for improved network stabilization of rubber vulcanizates Sulfenamide derivatives of 4-alkyl substituted 2-mercapto benzothiazole (4m-MBT) as accelerators used in vulcanizable rubber composition having improved ‘Reversion Resistance’ and ‘Modulus & Hardness Stabilization’ properties for sulphur vulcanized tire compounds predominantly based on Natural Rubber or its blends with Polybutadiene (BR) and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) in which Natural Rubber is the major component thereby improving the overall tire performance, ride safety and tyre service life.
US08110633B2	Seal for a dispensing apparatus A seal for a valve for use in a pharmaceutical dispensing device, which seal is formed from a blend comprising: a thermoplastic elastomer including a propylene component with isotactic crystallinity; and a polymer selected from one or more of polypropylene, polyethylene and copolymers thereof.
US08110623B2	Hot melt pressure sensitive adhesive composition that includes vegetable wax and articles including the same A hot melt pressure-sensitive adhesive composition that includes thermoplastic polymer, tackifying agent, plasticizer oil, and from at least 5% by weight to about 25% by weight vegetable wax.
US08110621B2	Castor oil-based polyol emulsions A polyol emulsion of castor oil and monoepoxides is combined with methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and cement to produce a polymer cement.
US08110616B2	Aqeous inkjet recording ink An aqueous inkjet recording ink including at least a resin (A), a pigment (B) dispersed with the resin (A), a resin emulsion (C), and an aqueous liquid medium (D), wherein the resin (A) includes hydrophobic structural units (a) and hydrophilic structural units (b), the hydrophobic structural units (a) include a hydrophobic structural unit (a1) in an amount of 40% by mass or more of the resin (A), the hydrophobic structural unit (a1) having an aromatic ring indirectly linked to an atom for forming the main chain of the resin (A), and a hydrophobic structural unit (a2) in an amount of 15% by mass or more of the resin (A), the hydrophobic structural unit (a2) being derived from a C1 to C4 alkyl acrylate or methacrylate, the hydrophilic structural units (b) include a structural unit (b1) derived from an acrylic acid or a methacrylic acid, and the content of the hydrophilic structural units (b) is 15% by mass or less in the resin (A).
US08110612B2	Process for preparing adhesive using planetary extruder A process for preparing a pressure sensitive adhesive using a modified planetary roller extruder is described. The process in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes introducing primary raw materials including a non-thermoplastic elastomer into a feeding section of the modified planetary roller extruder, conveying the raw materials from the feeding section to a compounding section of the modified planetary roller extruder, continuously mixing the primary raw materials in the compounding section to produce a homogeneous adhesive composition. The adhesive composition may be applied to a web-form material. The compounding section of the modified planetary roller extruder includes a main spindle surrounded by and intermeshed with a plurality of planetary spindles at least one of which is a double transversal mixing spindle having a plurality of back-cut helical flights.
US08110608B2	Solid form sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) pesticide composition A pesticide composition and method of eliminating pests combines water and a solid form of sodium lauryl sulfate to form a pesticide composition effective to cause mortality in pests. The pesticide composition is applied to the indoor structure in an area which the pests inhabit. The sodium lauryl sulfate can be in needle form, pellet form or powder form and constitutes between about 1% and about 10% by weight of the pesticide composition. The pesticide composition may be applied to an area inhabited by cockroaches, including, but not limited to, in crevices, cracks, corners, wall and floor junctures or other enclosed or partially enclosed areas of a structure.
US08110603B2	Organic peracid polymer composition and process for producing the same It is intended to provide an organic peracid polymer composition which is stable, odorless and has sufficient water solubility and is suitably used as a bactericide, a bleaching agent and a cleaning agent. By mixing and dissolving an organic acid polymer, hydrogen peroxide and an inorganic acid and maintaining the mixture for a period ranging from 1 hour to 1 month at a temperature ranging from 10 to 80° C., the organic peracid polymer-containing composition containing an organic peracid polymer (2 to 50% by weight) and, in some cases, the hydrogen peroxide (2 to 50% by weight) and the inorganic acid (0.1 to 10% by weight) is obtained.
US08110601B2	Compound, α1 adrenergic receptor antagonistic agent, and composition A novel compound, a novel α1 adrenergic receptor antagonistic agent, and a novel composition are provided which are capable of exerting a therapeutic effect on treatment of hypertension as well as treatment of prostatic hypertrophy and the like. The compound is represented by the following formula (1):
US08110594B2	Diarylthiohydantoin compounds The present invention relates to diarylthiohydantoin compounds and methods for synthesizing them and using them in the treatment of hormone refractory prostate cancer.
US08110593B2	Phenoxymethyl imidazoline derivatives and their use as pesticides The present invention relates to imidazoline derivatives and their use as insecticidal, acaricidal, molluscicidal and nematocidal agents. The invention also extends to insecticidal, acaricidal, molluscicidal and nematicidal compositions comprising such imidazoline derivatives, and to methods of using such derivatives and/or compositions to combat and control insect, acarine, mollusc and nematode pests. In particular the present invention relates to imidazolines with alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl substituents.
US08110589B2	Ectoparasiticide composition and a method for exterminating extoparasites An ectoparasiticide composition for animals including etoxazole as an active ingredient, a UV absorber and a phenol antioxidant, and a method for exterminating ectoparasites using the composition. The preferable blending ratio between etoxazole, a UV absorber and a phenol antioxidant in terms of mass ratio is 1: from 0.05 to 5: from 0.05 to 5.
US08110586B2	8-aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]octane derivatives and their use as monoamine neurotransmitter re-uptake inhibitors This invention relates to novel 8-aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]octane derivatives useful as monoamine neurotransmitter re-uptake inhibitors.In other aspects the invention relates to the use of these compounds in a method for therapy and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention.
US08110559B2	Hindered ester-based biodegradable linkers for oligonucleotide delivery The invention provides hindered ester-based biodegradable linkers for the delivery of oligonucleotides in vivo, as well as method of making and using the same.
US08110555B2	7-hydroxy chromones as potent antioxidants The present invention describes the identification and purification of 7-hydroxychromes that exhibit potent antioxidant activity. In one embodiment the present invention includes a method for providing an antioxidant to a host in need thereof, comprising administering an effective amount of a 7-hydroxychrome or a mixture of 7-hydroxychromones. The present invention includes methods that are effective in inhibiting free radical and oxidation caused damage through the simultaneous suppression of free radical generation and the suppression of the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The present invention also includes methods for preventing and treating ROS mediated diseases and conditions and diseases and conditions associated with other oxidative processes. The method for preventing and treating ROS mediated diseases and conditions and diseases and conditions associated with other oxidative processes is comprised of administering to a host in need thereof an effective amount of a composition comprised of a 7-hydroxychrome or a mixture of 7-hydroxychromones and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Included in this invention is an improved method to isolate and purify 7-hydroxychromones from plant sources.
US08110547B2	Compositions for buccal delivery of parathyroid hormone Compositions and pharmaceutical formulations for buccally delivering parathyroid hormone comprising a) a delivery agent, b) a PTH component and, optionally, c) an antiresorptive agent are provided.
US08110545B2	Non-proteolysable oligopeptides that inhibit glycoprotein GP41 of the aids virus The invention relates to non-proteolysable oligopeptides that inhibit glycoprotein 41 of the AIDS virus. More specifically, the invention relates to the identification of oligopeptides, particularly hexapeptides, (D), (L) or mixed, preferably D-hexapeptides, which inhibit the binding of a retrovirus to a target cell, thereby providing novel therapies against infection from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The invention also relates to the use of said D-hexapeptides in the form of single components or complex mixtures as prophylactic or therapeutic agents for retroviral infections, especially human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1).
US08110539B2	Enzyme stabilization A method is disclosed for stabilizing liquid enzyme-containing liquid formulations by adding at least one boron compound and at least one alpha-hydroxy-mono-carboxylic acid or the salt of an alpha-hydroxy-mono-carboxylic acid capable of forming an enzyme-stabilizing compound. An enzyme-stabilized formulation is disclosed comprising an alpha-hydroxy-mono-carboxylic acid or the salt of an alpha-hydroxy-mono-carboxylic acid, a boron containing compound capable complexing with an alpha-hydroxy-mono-carboxylic acid, the complex formed by the boron compound and the an alpha-hydroxy-mono-carboxylic acid, and an enzyme. The invention applies to both enzyme concentrate raw materials, and to useful product formulations.
US08110536B2	Bleach systems enveloped with polymeric layers The invention relates to a bleach system comprising at least one component selected from bleach, bleach activator or bleach catalyst, wherein the bleach system is enveloped with at least one polymer layer and the polymer has urethane and urea groups.The inventive bleach system and detergent formulations comprising this bleach system are suitable for washing or cleaning textiles or dishware.
US08110531B2	Lubricant additive composition suitable for lubricating, preventing deposit formation, or clean-up of two-stroke engines A lubricant composition with a total nitrogen content of 0.1 to 0.25 percent by weight suitable for lubricating a two-stroke engine comprising an oil of lubricating viscosity, a synthetic ester, at least one condensation product of a fatty acid having 12 to 24 carbon atoms with a polyamine, and a Mannich dispersant.
US08110524B2	Gas storage cylinder formed from a composition containing thermally exfoliated graphite A gas storage cylinder or gas storage cylinder liner, formed from a polymer composite, containing at least one polymer and a modified graphite oxide material, which is a thermally exfoliated graphite oxide with a surface area of from about 300 m2/g to 2600 m2/g.
US08110522B2	Methods for promoting syngas-to-alcohol catalysts The present invention provides methods of intercalating a catalyst promoter to form a catalyst composition suitable for converting syngas into alcohols, such as ethanol. Effective conditions for promoter intercalation are provided herein. This invention also provides novel compositions that can be characterized by interplanar spacings of the promoter within the catalyst composition.
US08110519B2	Polymer-supported metal cluster composition The objective is to present compositions obtained by supporting by polymers micro clusters of transition metals and the like that are useful as catalysts in various reactions and, once used, are readily recovered and reused.A polymer-supported metal cluster composition is obtained by supporting a transition metal by a cross-linked polymer, and the polymer-supported cluster composition is characterized by the cross-linked polymer obtained by cross-linking of a cross-linkable polymer containing a hydrophilic side chain and a hydrophobic side chain group having a cross-linkable functional group. This polymer-supported metal cluster composition is, for example, preferably formed by first forming a micelle composed of the metal clusters supported by the cross-linkable polymer in a suitable solution and subsequently subjecting the cross-linkable polymer to a cross-linking reaction. The composition is useful as a catalyst and the like in hydrogenation reactions, dehydrogenation reactions, allylic substitution reactions, oxidation reactions, coupling reactions and carbonylation reactions.
US08110515B2	Optical glass A glass composition that simultaneously has a low temperature coefficient of refractive index and a good light transmittance, being suitable for use in environments of intense temperature change. There is provided an optical glass containing SiO2, B2O3 and La2O3, which has a temperature coefficient (20° to 40° C.) of relative refractive index (546.07 nm) of 10.0×10−6 (° C.−1) or below. Further, there is provided an optical glass mentioned above having a temperature coefficient (20° to 40° C.) of relative refractive index (546.07 nm) of 4.6×10−6 (° C.−1) or below. Still further, there is provided an optical glass mentioned above having an internal transmittance (τ;10 mm) at 400 nm of 80% or higher.
US08110507B2	Method for patterning an active region in a semiconductor device using a space patterning process Disclosed here in is a method for patterning an active region in a semiconductor device using a space patterning process that includes forming a partition pattern having partition pattern elements arranged in a square shape on a semiconductor substrate; forming a spacer on side walls of the partition pattern; removing the partition pattern; separating the spacer into first and second spacer portions to expose a portion of the semiconductor substrate; and etching the exposed portion of the semiconductor substrate to form a trench, wherein portions of the semiconductor substrate overlapped with the first and second spacer portions define an active region.
US08110504B2	Method of manufacturing semiconductor device The method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to the present invention includes: an insulating layer forming step of forming an insulating layer made of an insulating material containing Si and O; a groove forming step of forming a groove in the insulating layer; a metal film applying step of covering the inner surface of the groove with a metal film made of MnOx (x: a number greater than zero) by sputtering; and a wire forming step of forming a Cu wire made of a metallic material mainly composed of Cu on the metal film.
US08110503B2	Surface preparation for thin film growth by enhanced nucleation Various processes and related systems are provided for making structures on substrate surfaces. Disclosed are methods of making a structure supported by a substrate by providing a substrate having a receiving surface and exposing at least a portion of the receiving surface to output from a remote plasma of an inert gas. The remote plasma has an energy low enough to substantially avoid etching or sputtering of the receiving surface but sufficient to generate a treated receiving surface. The treated surface is contacted with a deposition gas, thereby making the structure supported by the substrate.
US08110502B2	Method of improving adhesion strength of low dielectric constant layers A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. In a specific embodiment, the method includes providing a semiconductor substrate with a surface region. The surface region includes one or more layers overlying the semiconductor substrate. Additionally, the method includes forming a dielectric layer overlying the surface region and forming a diffusion barrier layer overlying the dielectric layer. Moreover, the method includes subjecting the diffusion barrier layer to a plasma environment to facilitate adhesion between the diffusion barrier layer and the dielectric layer at an interface region. Also, the method includes processing the semiconductor substrate while maintaining attachment between the dielectric layer and the diffusion barrier layer at the interface region. The subjecting the diffusion barrier layer to a plasma environment includes maintaining a thickness of the barrier diffusion layer.
US08110498B2	Method for passivating exposed copper surfaces in a metallization layer of a semiconductor device When forming sophisticated metallization systems, surface integrity of an exposed metal surface, such as a copper-containing surface, may be enhanced by exposing the surface to a vapor of a passivation agent. Due to the corresponding interaction with the metal surface, enhanced integrity may be accomplished, while at the same time damage of exposed dielectric surface portions may be significantly reduced compared to conventional aggressive wet chemical cleaning processes that are typically used in conventional patterning regimes.
US08110496B2	Method for performing chemical shrink process over BARC (bottom anti-reflective coating) A structure and a method for forming the same. The method comprises providing a structure including (a) a hole layer, (b) a BARC (bottom antireflective coating) layer on the top of the hole layer, and (c) a patterned photoresist layer on top of the BARC layer and having a photoresist hole; etching the BARC layer through the photoresist hole to extend the photoresist hole to the hole layer; performing the chemical shrinking process to shrink the extended photoresist hole; and etching the hole layer through the shrunk, extended photoresist hole so as to form a hole in the hole layer.
US08110493B1	Pulsed PECVD method for modulating hydrogen content in hard mask A method for forming a PECVD deposited amorphous carbon or ashable hard mask (AHM) in a trench or a via with less than 30% H content at a process temperature below 500° C., e.g., about 400° C. produces low H content hard masks with high selectivity and little or no hard mask on the sidewalls. The deposition method utilizes a pulsed precursor delivery with a plasma etch while the precursor flow is off.
US08110484B1	Conductive nitride semiconductor substrate and method for producing the same A method for producing a conductive nitride semiconductor substrate circuit includes the steps of forming, on an underlying substrate, a mask including dot or stripe masking portions having a width or diameter of 10 to 100 μm and arranged at a spacing of 250 to 10,000 μm; growing a nitride semiconductor crystal on the underlying substrate by hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) at a growth temperature of 1,040° C. to 1,150° C. by supplying a group III source gas, a group V source gas, and a silicon-containing gas in a V/III ratio of 1 to 10; and removing the underlying substrate, thus forming a free-standing conductive nitride semiconductor crystal substrate having a resistivity r of 0.0015 Ωcm≦r≦0.01 Ωcm, a thickness of 100 μm or more, and a radius of bow curvature U of 3.5 m≦U≦8 m.
US08110476B2	Memory cell that includes a carbon-based memory element and methods of forming the same In accordance with aspects of the invention, a method of forming a memory cell is provided, the method including forming a steering element above a substrate, and forming a memory element coupled to the steering element, wherein the memory element comprises a carbon-based material having a thickness of not more than ten atomic layers. The memory element may be formed by repeatedly performing the following steps: forming a layer of a carbon-based material, the layer having a thickness of about one monolayer, and subjecting the layer of carbon-based material to a thermal anneal. Other aspects are also described.
US08110475B2	Method for forming a memory device with C-shaped deep trench capacitors The invention is related to a memory device, including a substrate, a capacitor which is substantially C-shaped in a cross section parallel to the substrate surface and a word line coupling the capacitor. In an embodiment, the C-shaped capacitor is a deep trench capacitor, and in alternative embodiment, the C-shaped capacitor is a stack capacitor. Both inner edge and outer edge of the C-shaped capacitor can be used for providing capacitance.
US08110473B2	Semiconductor device comprising multilayer dielectric film and related method A semiconductor device including a multilayer dielectric film and a method for fabricating the semiconductor device are disclosed. The multilayer dielectric film includes a type-one dielectric film having a tetragonal crystalline structure, wherein the type-one dielectric film comprises a first substance. The multilayer dielectric film also comprises a type-two dielectric film also having a tetragonal crystalline structure, wherein the type-two dielectric film comprises a second substance different from the first substance and a dielectric constant of the type-two dielectric film is greater than a dielectric constant of the type-one dielectric film.
US08110467B2	Multiple Vt field-effect transistor devices Multiple threshold voltage (Vt) field-effect transistor (FET) devices and techniques for the fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a FET device is provided including a source region; a drain region; at least one channel interconnecting the source and drain regions; and a gate, surrounding at least a portion of the channel, configured to have multiple threshold voltages due to the selective placement of at least one band edge metal throughout the gate.
US08110465B2	Field effect transistor having an asymmetric gate electrode The gate electrode of a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) comprises a source side gate electrode and a drain side gate electrode that abut each other near the middle of the channel. In one embodiment, the source side gate electrode comprises a silicon oxide based gate dielectric and the drain side gate electrode comprises a high-k gate dielectric. The source side gate electrode provides high carrier mobility, while the drain side gate electrode provides good short channel effect and reduced gate leakage. In another embodiment, the source gate electrode and drain gate electrode comprises different high-k gate dielectric stacks and different gate conductor materials, wherein the source side gate electrode has a first work function a quarter band gap away from a band gap edge and the drain side gate electrode has a second work function near the band gap edge.
US08110445B2	High power ceramic on copper package According to an embodiment of a high power package, the package includes a copper heat sink, a ceramic lead frame and a semiconductor chip. The copper heat sink has a thermal conductivity of at least 350 W/mK. The ceramic lead frame is attached to the copper heat sink with an epoxy. The semiconductor chip is attached to the copper heat sink on the same side as the lead frame with an electrically conductive material having a melting point of about 280° C. or greater.
US08110441B2	Method of electrically connecting a shielding layer to ground through a conductive via disposed in peripheral region around semiconductor die A semiconductor device is made by mounting a plurality of semiconductor die to a substrate, depositing an encapsulant over the substrate and semiconductor die, forming a shielding layer over the semiconductor die, creating a channel in a peripheral region around the semiconductor die through the shielding layer, encapsulant and substrate at least to a ground plane within the substrate, depositing a conductive material in the channel, and removing a portion of the conductive material in the channel to create conductive vias in the channel which provide electrical connection between the shielding layer and ground plane. An interconnect structure is formed on the substrate and are electrically connected to the ground plane. Solder bumps are formed on a backside of the substrate opposite the semiconductor die. The shielding layer is connected to a ground point through the conductive via, ground plane, interconnect structure, and solder bumps of the substrate.
US08110437B2	Method for attaching a semiconductor chip in a plastic encapsulant, optoelectronic semiconductor component and method for the production thereof A radiation-emitting or -receiving semiconductor chip 9 is soft-soldered for mounting on a leadframe 2 over which a prefabricated plastic encapsulant 5, a so-called premolded package, is injection-molded. Through the use of a low-melting solder 3 applied in a layer thickness of less than 10 μm, the soldering process can be carried out largely without thermal damage to the plastic encapsulant 5.
US08110431B2	Ion implanted selective emitter solar cells with in situ surface passivation Solar cells and methods for their manufacture are disclosed. An example method may include providing a p-type doped silicon substrate and introducing n-type dopant to a first and second region of the front surface of the substrate by ion implantation so that the second region is more heavily doped than the first region. The substrate may be subjected to a single high-temperature anneal cycle to activate the dopant, drive the dopant into the substrate, produce a p-n junction, and form a selective emitter. Oxygen may be introduced during the single anneal cycle to form in situ front and back passivating oxide layers. Fire-through of front and back contacts as well as metallization with contact connections may be performed in a single co-firing operation. Associated solar cells are also provided.
US08110425B2	Laser liftoff structure and related methods Light-emitting devices, and related components, systems, and methods associated therewith are provided.
US08110424B2	Surface treatment method of group III nitride semiconductor and manufacturing method of the group III nitride semiconductor There is provided a surface treatment method of a group III nitride semiconductor including: providing a group III nitride semiconductor including a first surface having a group III polarity and a second surface opposing the first surface and having a nitrogen polarity; and irradiating a laser beam onto the second surface to change the nitrogen polarity of the second surface to the group III polarity.
US08110417B2	Method of forming pattern on group III nitride semiconductor substrate and method of manufacturing group III nitride semiconductor light emitting device There is provided a method of forming a pattern on a group III nitride semiconductor substrate. A method of forming a pattern on a group III nitride semiconductor substrate according to an aspect of the invention may include: irradiating a laser beam onto at least one first region for preventing etching in a group III nitride semiconductor substrate; and etching at least one second region exclusive of the first region using the first region irradiated with the laser beam as a mask.
US08110416B2	AC impedance spectroscopy testing of electrical parametric structures Defects in components in ICs which may cause circuit failures during operation of the IC are often difficult to detect during and immediately after fabrication of the IC by DC test methods. A method of testing components to detect such defects using AC Impedance Spectroscopy is disclosed. Data may be analyzed using Nyquist plots and Bode plots. Nyquist plots of typical defect types are disclosed. Components may include MOS transistor gate structures, contacts, vias and metal interconnect lines. Components tested may be contained in integrated circuits or in test circuits. Integrated circuits containing components tested by AC Impedance Spectroscopy may be partially fabricated or deprocessed after fabrication.
US08110414B2	Forming integrated circuit devices with metal-insulator-metal capacitors using selective etch of top electrodes A method of forming integrated circuits (IC) having at least one metal insulator metal (MIM) capacitor. A bottom electrode is formed on a predetermined region of a semiconductor surface of a substrate. At least one dielectric layer including silicon is formed on the bottom electrode, wherein a thickness of the dielectric layer is <1,000 A. A top electrode layer is formed on the dielectric layer. A patterned masking layer is formed on the top electrode layer. Etching using dry-etching at least in part is used to etch the top electrode layer outside the patterned masking layer to reach the dielectric layer, which removes ≦100 A of the thickness of the dielectric layer. The dry etch process includes using a first halogen comprising gas, a second halogen comprising gas that comprises fluorine, and a carrier gas.
US08110404B2	Luminescent lanthanide binding chelates Lanthanide chelates derived from diazacrown ethers having two ethyliminodiacetic acid side chains have increased ability to bind lanthanide ions.
US08110402B2	Metal abstraction peptide (MAP) tag and associated methods Compositions comprising a tripeptide having the sequence XC1C2; wherein X is any amino acid such that XC1C2 is capable of binding a metal in a square planar orientation or square pyramidal orientation or both; and wherein C1 and C2 are the same or different; and wherein C1 and C2 individually are chosen from a cysteine and a cysteine-like nonnatural amino acid, as well as metal-XC1C2 complexes and methods for forming such complexes.
US08110399B2	Stem cells of the islets of langerhans and their use in treating diabetes mellitus Methods and compositions are described for the treatment of type I insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and other conditions using newly identified stem cells that are capable of differentiation into a variety of pancreatic islet cells, including insulin-producing beta cells, as well as hepatocytes. Nestin and ABCG2 have been identified as molecular markers for pancreatic stem cells, while cytokeratin-19 serves as a marker for a distinct class of islet ductal cells. Methods are described whereby nestin and/or ABCG2-positive stem cells can be isolated from pancreatic islets and cultured to obtain further stem cells or pseudo-islet like structures. Methods for ex vivo differentiation of the pancreatic stem cells are disclosed. Methods are described whereby pancreatic stem cells can be isolated, expanded, and transplanted into a patient in need thereof, either allogeneically, isogeneically or xenogenically, to provide replacement for lost or damaged insulin-secreting cells or other cells.
US08110397B2	Sample preparation apparatus A reconfigurable sample preparation device includes a rotary plunger device having a hollow body and a coupling device, provided above one end of the rotary plunger, and accommodating a sample. The device also includes at least one sealed reagent module. When the rotary plunger is rotated on the coupling device, a film of the reagent module is pierced, mixing the sample with a substance from the reagent module.
US08110394B2	Culture microscope apparatus A culture microscope apparatus has an illumination unit to apply excitation light to the specimen, a specimen observing portion to observe light generated from the specimen due to the excitation light, and a dimmer unit to dim the excitation light that has penetrated the specimen.
US08110391B2	Degradation and detection of TSE infectivity A transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) agent is inactivated by exposing the TSE agent to a thermostable proteolytic enzyme at elevated temperature and at acid or alkaline pH. Following this step, or separately, presence of TSE infectivity is detected by detection of dimers of prion protein.
US08110389B2	Family 6 cellulase with decreased inactivation by lignin A modified Trichoderma reesei Family 6 (TrCel6A) cellulase enzyme comprising amino acid substitutions at one or more positions selected from the group consisting of 129, 322, 363 and 410 of SEQ ID NO: 1 is provided. Genetic constructs and genetically modified microbes comprising nucleic sequences encoding the modified TrCel6a cellulase are also provided. The modified TrCel6A cellulase of the invention display at least a 15% decrease in inactivation by lignin relative to a parental TrCel6A cellulase from which the modified TrCel6A is derived. Such cellulases find use in a variety of applications in industry requiring enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose in the presence of lignin, e.g., the hydrolysis of pretreated lignocellulosic feedstocks for the production of fermentable sugars, sugar alcohols and fuel alcohols.
US08110387B2	Polypeptide having NADH dependent HMF reductase activity The invention relates to an isolated polypeptide having NADH dependent HMF reductase activity, wherein said polypeptide shows 80% homology to the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2 and which differs from SEQ ID NO:2 in that at least S117L and Y295 or S110 is substituted, a nucleotide sequence coding for said polypeptide, a vector comprising said polypeptide or nucleotide sequence, host comprising said nucleotide sequence or vector as well as the use of the polypeptide for the reduction of furan or carbonyl compounds in lignocellulosic material or in any furan or carbonyl containing material.
US08110383B2	Fermentation process starting from cellulosic biomass and involving the recirculation of detoxified stillage into the process A method for preparing a target chemical derivable from cellulosic biomass, involving detoxification of spent hydrolysate is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing cellulosic biomass, subjecting the cellulosic biomass to aqueous pretreatment, aqueous hydrolysis, and fermentation under conditions in which at least a part of the fermentable sugars are fermented into a primary target chemical, separating the primary target chemical from the fermented hydrolysate to provide a spent hydrolysate comprising inhibitory substances and detoxifying the spent hydrolysate by decreasing the concentration of at least one of the inhibitory substances using a detoxification biocatalyst selected from the group consisting of wild type, mutant and recombinant filamentous fungi and recirculating at least a part of the detoxified spent hydrolysate, optionally after further purification.
US08110381B2	L-glutamic acid-producing bacterium and method for production of L-glutamic acid A method for producing L-glutamic acid by culturing a coryneform bacterium in which the gluX is inactivated in a medium to produce L-glutamic acid in the medium or cells, and collecting L-glutamic acid from the medium.
US08110373B2	Methods and compositions for treating and diagnosing diseases Methods and compositions for diagnosing and treating diseases, particularly cancer, associated with differential expression of cancer-associated targets (CAT) in disease cells compared to healthy cells are provided. Also provided are antagonists and agonists of CAT, and methods for screening agents that modulate CAT level or activity in vivo or in vitro.
US08110360B2	Compositions and methods for the assembly of polynucleotides The present invention provides compositions and methods for rapid assembly of one or more assembled polynucleotides from a plurality of component polynucleotides. The methods of the invention utilize circular nucleic acid vectors that comprise a DNA segment D flanked by an annealable linker sequence, annealable linker sequence pairs LA and LB, or annealable linker sequence/primer binding segment pairs LA and PB or PA and LB. Restriction endonuclease digestion of a plurality of vectors containing the DNA segments to be assembled generates a plurality of DNA fragments comprising the elements PA-D-LB, LA-D-LB, and LA-D-PB or D-LB, LA-D-LB, and LA-D. The sequences of annealable linker sequences LA and LB provide complementary termini to the DNA fragments, which are utilized in host cell mediated homologous recombination or together with primer binding segments PA and PB in a polymerase cycling assembly reaction for the ordered assembly of the various DNA segments into one or more assembled polynucleotides.
US08110354B2	Use of Shigella invaplex to transport functional proteins and transcriptionally active nucleic acids across mammalian cell membranes in vitro and in vivo The in vivo and in vitro use of Invaplex to transport materials, including functional proteins and biologically active nucleic acids, across eukaryotic cell membranes. The eukaryotic cells include a variety of cell types, e.g. insect, reptile, fish, mammal and tumor cells. The suitable materials for transport include biochemicals such as reporter molecules, antibiotics, biopharmaceuticals and carbohydrates including polysaccharides, lipopolysaccharides, polynucleotides, such as DNA and RNA, and glycoproteins and proteins including antigens, enzymes, antibodies, receptors and hormones. In addition, Invaplex enhances the immune response to DNA vaccines and also can function by itself as a vaccine against shigellosis.
US08110351B2	Method for isolating nucleic acids and protein from a single sample The present invention comprises a method of isolating nucleic acid and protein from the same sample with solid supports, wherein nucleic acid and protein components contained in the sample become bound to distinct solid supports. The invention also allows for kits for isolating nucleic acid and protein from the same sample and for use of the method of isolating nucleic acid and protein for the analysis and/or comparison of mRNA and/or protein expression and/or their correlation to genomic information.
US08110341B2	Method for manufacturing a semiconductor device by using first and second exposure masks A method is disclosed for manufacturing a semiconductor device. The method includes: forming a substrate including a cell region and an outside region, wherein the outside region is adjacent to the cell region; forming a line-shaped pattern over the substrate using a first exposure mask so that the line-shaped spacer pattern extends from the cell region to the outside region; and patterning the line-shaped pattern in the cell region into a bar pattern while removing the line-shaped pattern in the outside region using a second exposure mask, wherein the line-shaped pattern can be formed using a spacer patterning technology (SPT) or a double pattern technology (DPT).
US08110325B2	Substrate treatment method A substrate treatment method including a first treatment process (S13 to S16) for exposing, heating, and developing a substrate on which a first resist is formed, thereby forming a first resist pattern, and a second treatment process (S17 to S20) for forming a second resist film on the substrate on which the first resist pattern is formed, exposing, heating, and developing the substrate on which the second resist film is formed, thereby forming a second resist pattern. Also, the substrate treatment method compensates a first treatment condition in a first treatment process (S22 to S25) based on a measured value of a line width of the second resist pattern and a second treatment condition in a second treatment process (S26 to S29) based on a measured value of a line width of the first resist pattern.
US08110323B2	Optically semitransmissive film, photomask blank and photomask, and method for designing optically semitransmissive film The present invention provides an optically semitransmissive film that has a near-zero phase shift, has a desired transmissivity, and is relatively thin; a novel phase-shift mask that uses the optically semitransmissive film; a photomask blank that can [be used to] manufacture the phase-shift mask; and a method for designing the optically semitransmissive film. The film is formed on a translucent substrate and transmits a portion of light having a desired wavelength λ, wherein the film has at least one phase-difference reduction layer that fulfills the following functions. Specifically, the phase-difference reduction layer is a layer that has a refractive index n and a thickness d that satisfy the expression 0
US08110322B2	Method of mask forming and method of three-dimensional microfabrication The invention provides a method for forming a selective mask on a surface of a layer of AlXGaYIn1-X-YAsZP1-Z or AlXGaYIn1-X-YNZAs1-Z (0≦X≦1, 0≦Y≦1, 0≦Z≦1), which is a method for forming a mask with a minute width suitable for microfabrication in nano-order.(1) An energy beam 4a, 4b is selectively irradiated onto a natural oxide layer 2 formed on the surface of the layer 1 of AlXGaYIn1-X-YAsZP1-Z or AlXGaYIn1-X-YNZAs1-Z. (2) Of the natural oxide layer 2, parts other than parts onto which the energy beam 4a, 4b has been irradiated is removed by heating. (3) The natural oxide layer 2 of the parts onto which the energy beam 4a, 4b has been irradiated is partially removed by heating while alternatively carrying out a rise and fall in heating temperature.
US08110320B2	Method of making durable polymer electrolyte membranes A method of making a durable fuel cell polymer electrolyte membrane is provided comprising the steps of: a) providing a polymer electrolyte membrane; b) providing a solution of a salt selected from the group consisting of manganese salts and cerium salts or a suspension of particles of a compound selected from the group consisting of manganese oxides and cerium oxides; and c) applying the solution or suspension to the polymer electrolyte membrane by a method selected from the group consisting of brushing, spraying and use of a slot die. Some embodiments comprise metered application of the solution to the polymer electrolyte membrane.
US08110316B2	Fuel cell A first metal separator of one of adjacent power generation cells and a second metal separator of the other of the adjacent power generation cells are directly stacked together to form a coolant flow field. The first metal separator has a press line protruding toward the coolant flow field, between a fuel gas flow field and an inlet buffer. The second metal separator has a press line protruding toward the coolant flow field, between an oxygen-containing gas flow field and an inlet buffer. The press lines contact each other to limit flow of the coolant into a back surface buffer.

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