| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08166244B2 |
Emulating a computer system on a removable storage device
A removable storage device with a processor and a non-volatile memory, and a method for using a removable storage device, are provided to emulate the computer system. The storage device stores in the non-volatile memory data it obtained from a first computer system, the data containing computer applications. When the storage device is removably connected to a second computer system and the second computer system is associated with a computer peripheral device, the processor in the storage device is instructed to emulate the original process environment of the first computer system. |
| US08166241B2 |
Method of improving efficiency of capacity of volume used for copy function and apparatus thereof
Provided is a computer system including: a host computer; a first storage system connected to the host computer; and a second storage system connected to the first storage system; in which the first storage system sets a first logical volume recognized by the host computer as a logical storage area; the first logical volume includes a plurality of first storage areas; a first real storage area on the first disk drive is allocated to at least one of the first storage areas. In the computer system, the second storage system sets a second logical volume corresponding to the first logical volume, and the first storage system transmits data stored in the first storage area allocated to the first storage area to the second storage system when the first real storage area is allocated to the first storage area. |
| US08166239B2 |
Translation lookaside buffer and related method and program product utilized for virtual addresses
A program product, a translation lookaside buffer and a related method for operating the TLB is provided. The method comprises the steps of: a) when adding an entry for a virtual address to said TLB testing whether the attribute data of said virtual address is already stored in said CAM and if the attribute data is not stored already in said CAM, generating tag data for said virtual address such that said tag data is different from the tag data generated for the other virtual addresses currently stored in said RAM and associated to the new entry in said CAM for the attribute data, adding the generated tag data to said RAM and to the associated entry in said CAM, and setting a validity flag in said CAM for said associated entry; else if the attribute data is stored already in said CAM, adding the stored attribute data to the entry in said RAM for said virtual address; and when performing a TLB lookup operation: reading the validity flag and the tag data from the entry in said CAM, which is associated to the entry in said RAM for said virtual address, and simultaneously reading the absolute address and the tag data from the entry in said RAM for said virtual address, and generating a TLB hit only if the tag data read from said CAM is valid and matches the tag data read from said RAM. |
| US08166237B1 |
Configurable allocation of thread queue resources in an FPGA
A programmable logic device includes a hard-logic portion that selectively aggregates bandwidth of data ports and maps logically and physically the transactions from these ports. The memory interface structure is a part of a hard-logic portion that includes random access memories (RAMs), multiplexers, and pointers that allow static or dynamic bandwidth configuration as function of instruments examining the system traffic using queues. The interface allows many initiators having many logical threads to share and use many physical threads in different queue modules. |
| US08166236B2 |
Merging command signals for memory cells
Systems and processes may include a memory coupled to a memory controller. Command signals for performing memory access operations may be received. Attributes of the command signals, such as type, time lapsed since receipt, and relatedness to other command signals, may be determined. Command signals may be sequenced in a sequence of execution based on the attributes. Command signals may be executed in the sequence of execution. |
| US08166233B2 |
Garbage collection for solid state disks
Described embodiments provide a method of recovering storage space on a solid state disk (SSD). An index and valid page count are determined for each block of a segment of an SSD. If the valid page count of at least one block in the segment is zero, a quick clean is performed. A quick clean deallocates blocks having zero valid pages and places them in a queue for erasure. Otherwise, a deep clean is performed. A deep clean determines a compaction ratio, N-M, wherein N is a number of partially valid blocks and M is a number of free blocks required to compact the valid data from the N partially valid blocks into M entirely valid blocks. At least one data structure of the SSD is modified to refer to the M entirely valid blocks, and the N partially valid blocks are placed in the queue for erasure. |
| US08166224B2 |
Apparatus and method for docking of mobile device supporting docking station
An apparatus and method for docking of a mobile device supporting a docking station are provided. The apparatus includes a connection detector, an undock execution unit, and a hotdock execution unit. The connection detector performs a function for transitioning to a hotdock mode. The undock execution unit performs a function for transitioning from the hotdock mode to an undock mode. The hotdock execution unit performs a function for transitioning from the undock mode to the hotdock mode. |
| US08166211B2 |
Safely sharing USB devices
Described herein are systems and methods for preventing a user mode USB driver from performing IOCTL operations other than read-safe IOCTLs on a USB device that has been claimed by a kernel mode driver or is in use by another user mode USB driver. In one method, it is determined whether a kernel mode USB driver will claim a device or whether the device will be available to be claimed by user mode USB drivers. In the event the device is claimed by a kernel mode USB driver, user mode USB drivers will be prevented from claiming the device. In the event the device is available for use by user mode USB drivers, but has been opened for write by one user mode USB driver, all other user mode USB drivers will be prevented from claiming the device. All IOCTL operations other than read-safe IOCTLs will be prevented from being performed by a user mode USB driver unless that USB driver has claimed the device. |
| US08166203B1 |
Server selection based upon time and query dependent hashing
In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for selecting a server from a plurality of servers to process a query. A query is converted into a query number. A hashing operation is performed on a combination of the query number and a second number that is associated with a present time interval. The hashing operation generates a hash value associated with the query and the present time interval. A length of the present time interval is increased as a quantity of servers in a plurality of servers increases. A server in the plurality of servers is selected to process the query, based on the hash value. The query is sent to the selected server. |
| US08166202B2 |
Computer supporting remote scan
A computer acquires first connection information related to a path connecting a host computer and a local storage, and acquires second connection information related to a path connecting storage systems. The computer creates route management information based on the connection information. The route management information is information related to a plurality of routes. A single route is configured from two or more nodes connected in series and an inter-node path. The start node of the two or more nodes is a host computer, and the other node of the two or more nodes is a storage system. Based on the route management information, the computer selects, as the host computer for executing a remote scan, the host computer that is the start node of the optimum route from among the plurality of routes having the scan-targeted remote storage as the end node. |
| US08166199B2 |
Communication apparatus, network system, communication method and program
A communication apparatus which eliminate the necessity of providing a particular server in a predetermined network and which makes it possible to participate into the network with the use of a predetermined address. A first communication apparatus participating in a predetermined network holds a predetermined address to be used by a second communication apparatus not participating in the predetermined network in order to communicate with a third communication apparatus participating in the predetermined network when participating into the predetermined network, as the address of the first communication apparatus. The second communication apparatus communicates with the first communication apparatus with the use of the predetermined address when the second communication apparatus participates into the predetermined network. The first communication apparatus requests the third communication apparatus to hold the predetermined address as the address of the third communication apparatus in the case where the communication apparatus separates from the predetermined network. |
| US08166196B2 |
Introducing cascaded intelligent services in a SAN environment
Techniques are disclosed for redirecting fiber channel data transmitted between nodes in a fiber channel fabric. The redirection allows traffic sent from a host to a target in a storage area network (SAN) to flow through a cascade of applications provided by certain nodes of the fabric (or in some cases, by external appliances). That is, techniques are disclosed for application chaining in the SAN. Doing so allows the SAN to be used as a true network platform for providing a variety of intelligent services within the network (e.g., data migration, encryption, etc). |
| US08166192B2 |
Method of processing non-real time service and broadcast receiver
A method of receiving and processing a broadcast signal including a Non-Real Time (NRT) service and a broadcast receiver are disclosed herein. A method of processing a Non-Real Time (NRT) service in a broadcast receiver, the method comprises receiving and processing a signaling information table including access information of the NRT service, receiving data of the NRT service based on the signaling information table in non-real time and storing the received data of the NRT service in a storage medium, extracting service information including service type of the NRT service and detail information of the NRT service from the signaling information table, and controlling processes of the NRT service based on the extracted service information. |
| US08166190B2 |
System and method for multiple data channel transfer using a single data stream
A number of channels of data, including audio, image, text, and support data are collected at one or more centralized servers. The individual channels are edited and processed for content and format, including the deletion and insertion of advertising content as well as inserting markers to indicate acceptable locations for additional content to be added. The edited and processed channels are sent to a plurality of transmission servers for additional processing and transmission. The transmission servers process one or more of the channels including the insertion of content at designated markers and the combination of the channels of data into a single, packetized data transfer stream. The data transfer stream is broadcast to a plurality of receiving units which de-packetize the original data channels and present any selected channel to the user of the receiving unit. The receiving units send status information back to the centralized servers where the data is processed and analyzed to evaluate the present use, and determine the future use of advertisements. |
| US08166189B1 |
Click stream insertions
A method and medium are provided for augmenting content to be communicated to a user. The method can include receiving original content from a server; determining the extent to which augmentative content should be provided; determining contextually relevant augmentative content to be provided based, at least in part, on click-stream data associated with the user and other attributes associated with the user; augmenting the original content with the augmentative content; and communicating the augmented content to the user. |
| US08166179B2 |
Media streaming through a network address translation (NAT) device
A method and system for managing media streaming between clients on a client side of a network and stream servers on a stream server side of the network, wherein communications between the client side and the stream server side require a network address translation (NAT), involves allowing the same stream server side IP address to be shared amongst multiple stream servers so that the stream servers can simultaneously use the same IP address to source different media sessions. Because the stream servers can simultaneously use the same IP address to source different media sessions, a media session can be switched from one stream server to a different stream server without triggering STUN signaling or a change in the NAT mapping. |
| US08166178B2 |
Representation, decision models, and user interface for encoding managing preferences, and performing automated decision making about the timing and modalities of interpersonal communications
The present invention relates to a system and methodology providing a user interface that can be employed by contactors and contactees in conjunction with a communications architecture for identifying and establishing an optimal communication based on preferences, capabilities, contexts and goals of the parties to engage in the communication. The user interface can include a graphical display having a plurality of display objects and associated input fields operable by one or more parties to a communication in order to facilitate convenient access, control, personalization and communications via the communications architecture. For example, configuration capabilities are provided in the user interface to enable operational adjustments to one or more operating parameters, communications groupings, policies and/or context preferences relating to a preferred modality of communication and to potential parties of communication between the contactors and contactees. User interface controls are also provided for defining deterministic policies and for encoding preferences for cost-benefit analyses. |
| US08166173B2 |
Inviting assistant entity into a network communication session
A method is provided for inviting an assistant entity, such as a customer service representative acting through a endpoint system, into an existing network communication session established by a service system. The service system controls the joining of endpoint entities to the session and enables endpoint entities joined to the session to communicate with each other. The method involves a first party associated with an endpoint system already joined to the session, indicating to the service system that the presence of an assistant entity is required. The service system selects an appropriate assistant entity taking account of the current context of the communication session, and joins the selected assistant entity to the session. |
| US08166172B2 |
Remote terminal, processor-readable medium, and method for remote adjustment of a user profile
A method includes receiving at least one performance parameters from a customer premises equipment at a controller. The method includes storing the at least one performance parameter for the customer premises equipment in a line table. The method includes determining a difference between each performance parameter and a corresponding performance standard for each performance parameter entry in the line table. The method includes adjusting a customer profile for the customer premises equipment when at least one difference indicates a violation. The method also includes removing from the line table each performance parameter entry associated with the at least one difference that indicates the violation. |
| US08166160B2 |
System and method for flexible classifcation of traffic types
A system includes an information storage module and an inspection module. The information storage module is configured to store a plurality of tags. Each tag is associated with a known set of traffic types of a plurality of known sets of traffic types. The inspection module is configured to compare a traffic flow to a set of traffic types to determine a matching set of traffic types, request a tag from the information storage module, and mark the traffic flow with the tag. The tag corresponds to the matching set of traffic types. |
| US08166159B2 |
Creating dynamic signatures for virtual locations
In one embodiment, a method for forming location signatures for a device, the method comprising: retrieving information regarding one or more digital devices detected around the device during a first set time period; and creating a first signature for a location based on information regarding the one or more digital devices detected during the first set time period. |
| US08166157B2 |
Enterprise application performance monitors
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing techniques for receiving a first information related to a first transaction associated with a first user session with a multi-tier enterprise application, the first information including performance data that is representative of how well components in at least two tiers of the enterprise application perform in executing the first transaction; and determining based on the first information whether the first transaction is associated with a prioritized aspect of the enterprise application, and if so, taking an action based on the determining. |
| US08166156B2 |
Failure differentiation and recovery in distributed systems
According to an embodiment, a method comprises receiving a data packet including an indication comprising a process state indication and a transmission state indication, comparing the indication with an expected indication, and determining if the data packet is valid or not based on a result of the comparison. |
| US08166140B1 |
Automatic application of implementation-specific configuration policies
Techniques are described for application of implementation-specific configuration policies within a network device. For example, a device, such as a router, may comprise memory to store operational configuration data and candidate configuration data. The device further includes a control unit to apply changes to the candidate configuration data based on input from a client, and apply an implementation-specific configuration policy to a copy of the changed candidate configuration data. Based on a result of applying the implementation-specific configuration policy, the device selectively commits the changes made to the candidate configuration to the operational configuration. In the event an error occurs while applying the implementation-specific configuration policy, the device does not commit the changes to the operational configuration. In this manner, the device does not allow changes that violate the implementation-specific configuration policy to be committed to the operational configuration, thereby detecting misconfiguration that may otherwise be syntactically and semantically correct. |
| US08166137B2 |
Control of network plug-and-play compliant device
When the network protocol controller 302 of the network device 200 receives a message sent from a client, it interprets the message header in accordance with network plug-and-play protocol without interpreting the content of the message body; and sends the message body to the device controller 402 in accordance with another communication protocol. The device controller 402 interprets the content of the message body and causes the service devices 404, 406 to execute service. |
| US08166134B2 |
Server system, method of controlling operation thereof and control program therefor
It is arranged so that the history of access to a web page that has been returned to can be determined even in a case where a “BACK” button on a browser has been clicked. Owing to a transition from one web page to another in response to clicking of hot text from the one page to the other, the URL of the destination web page is transmitted to a server. As a result, the URL of the source web page and the URL of the access destination can be recognized by the server. In a case where one web page is returned to from another web page by pressing the “BACK” button on a browser, a URL is not transmitted to the server. Therefore, a URL combination in which the source URL and the access destination URL have been interchanged is generated and stored in an access history table. Thus, even if the preceding web page is restored by pressing the “BACK” button, the server is capable of ascertaining history of the access. |
| US08166130B2 |
Methods and systems for exchanging data between a command and control information system and an enterprise resource planning system
Systems and methods are provided for exchanging data between an enterprise resource planning system and a command and control information system. In one exemplary embodiment, a system is provided that includes a data warehouse for collecting, interpreting, consolidating, and redistributing data from the enterprise resource planning system and the command and control information system. The system also includes an enterprise application interface for providing different information exchange interfaces for exchanging the data between the enterprise resource planning system and the command and control information system in accordance with an information message format or data model of the enterprise resource planning system or the command and control information system. |
| US08166110B2 |
Resource list management system
A system for providing group accessibility is provided. An example method includes storing a profile associated with a user in a database; maintaining a service group including a plurality of service representatives in the database; and in response to a session between the user and a first one of the service representatives: adding, with a processor, the service group to the profile associated with the user; and associating a rule with the profile to cause the service group to be indicated to the user as present on a network only when the first service representative is present on the network. |
| US08166106B2 |
Targeting applications based on mobile operator
Filtering mobile applications in a mobile applications store based on a determined mobile operator associated with a mobile computing device. Mobile operators select mobile applications to be made available to mobile computing devices associated with the mobile operators. Users visit the online mobile applications store via the mobile computing devices. During the visits, the mobile operators associated with the mobile computing device are determined. The mobile applications selected by the mobile operators are presented to the mobile computing devices. In some embodiments, branding content from the mobile operators is provided to the mobile computing device when presenting the filtered mobile applications. |
| US08166105B2 |
Portable terminal, server, and method for realizing function of portable terminal using network
A portable terminal, capable of accessing to software executing server having a hardware access layer in which the hardware of a predetermined portable terminal is virtualized, wherein the server executes a virtual portable terminal program realizing a predetermined function of a portable terminal in response to a request from the portable terminal. The portable terminal comprises: a terminal-end hardware access layer that receives a hardware access instruction issued by a virtual portable terminal program executed by the software executing server to the hardware access layer in a hardware access command capable of containing a plurality of hardware access instructions. |
| US08166103B2 |
Apparatus for interpreting image position
An apparatus for interpreting an image position is used for respectively reflecting an image of a target to a lens of at least one camera by means of first and second reflection mirrors to be respectively taken a photo as first and second images by the lenses. A microprocessor processes the first and the second images to obtain a relative coordinate value of a target in an operation plane range. A horizontal optical axis of at least one camera is parallel to the operation plane. Whereby, a position of an input zone touched by a user is interpreted more quickly so as to elevate the inputting efficiency of a data input device, and whether the user touches the input zone is interpreted more accurately so as to elevate the inputting accuracy of the data input device. |
| US08166100B2 |
Cross site, cross domain session sharing without database replication
A method of providing access to data via a public communications network includes the receiving a first data session request having a storage group mark, the storage group mark defining a server storage group, a load balancer route the request to a first server that processes request and any related session information, storing any altered first session data in a data storage. The load balancer receives a second request, wherein the second request also has the same storage group mark. The load balance selects a second server to respond to the second request. As before, the second server processes the second request and the altered first session data loaded from the data storage. After processing, the second server stores any altered second session data in the stored data on the first server as well as the second server and returns the altered second session data. |
| US08166095B2 |
System and method for achieving scalability in domain computing
A connection management system can achieve scalability for domain computing among a plurality of domains. Each of the plurality of domains comprises a collection of machines and resources that are administrated as a unit. A connection concentrator can connect, and support communication between, a plurality of processes in a first domain and a plurality of processes in a second domain. The connection concentrator uses one connection to communicate with any one of the plurality of processes in the first domain, and can communicate with each one of the plurality of processes in the second domain. |
| US08166093B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing multimedia programs for play on incompatible devices
An apparatus and method is provided to generate digital audio signals, such as stereo signals, from a multimedia program. The program can be distributed directly through an electronic network, or indirectly by recording the program on a medium such as a DVD or CD. The multimedia program is normally compressed using a standard DVD, MPEG or similar compression protocol. In accordance with the invention, the program is decoded to generate a multimedia output signal and an audio output signal. The multimedia signals can be played immediately or at will on a suitable multimedia device. The audio output signal is compressed, using for instance MP3 or ATRAC3, and then transmitted to an external device for storage as a digital file. The digital file can then be replayed at will. |
| US08166089B2 |
Sampled data averaging circuit
A sampled data averaging circuit which comprises sampling means for sampling input data at predetermined timing by a number of sampling times set, division means for dividing the sampled data by the number of sampling times for each time the input data is sampled, and accumulation means for sequentially accumulating the division result, and an average value is obtained from the accumulation result of the accumulation means. |
| US08166083B2 |
Methods and apparatus for providing map locations in user applications using URL strings
Techniques for use in a wireless communication device for displaying a map are described. The wireless device receives via a user interface a selection of a hypertext link object in an electronic file or message. The hypertext link object is associated with a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) string which includes a server address and location data corresponding to a location. When a mapping application is installed in the wireless device, the wireless device executes the mapping application for rendering a map of the location indicated in the URL string in response to receiving the selection of the hypertext link object. When the mapping application is not installed in the wireless communication device, the wireless device executes a web browser of the wireless communication device for receiving and displaying a map image of the location indicated in the URL string in response to receiving the selection of the hypertext link object. |
| US08166081B2 |
System and method for advertisement transmission and display
The disclosure herein provides systems and methods for a media enhancement system configured to associate a secondary media signal (for example, the secondary media signal can comprise an advertisement) to a primary media signal (for example, a radio broadcast). The disclosure herein additionally provides systems and methods for a media enhancement system that enables the generating, transmitting, displaying, and/or responding to a plurality of associated and/or unassociated secondary media signals, based on a primary media content from a primary media signal, user characteristics (for example, demographic and/or geographic information), and/or third-party preferences (for example, the goals of advertisers). The secondary media signals can be used to enhance the primary media content already being provided to the user on a user device. The secondary media signals can also be used to create psychological associations or relationships with the primary media content already being provided to the user. |
| US08166077B2 |
Mapping a class, method, package, and/or pattern to a component
A program product, apparatuses, and methods provide for the collection of profile information for a component of a software program by generating a data structure that maps at least one method to a component. The method includes a name, and the data structure maps the method to the component using at least a portion of the name of the method. A class or pattern may also be mapped to a component. Furthermore, during profiling, a statistic associated with the execution of the method is determined; the data structure is accessed using the name of the method to determine the associated component; and the determined statistic is associated with the determined component. By doing so, method level and class level information can be aggregated to improve profiling, often leading to a clearer picture of which components are contributing to the performance and memory footprint of large scale software programs. |
| US08166067B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing access to files based on user identity
A storage device provides a file system to a host based on the access rights of a user determined during authentication. If the authentication does not succeed, the storage device provides to the user a file system restricted to files authorized by public access rights. If the authentication does succeed, and the user is a device owner, the storage device provides to the user the native file system. If the authentication succeeds, and the user is not a device owner, the storage device provides a file system that is restricted to files that the given user is authorized to access. Due to the internal nature of the mechanism for safeguarding files, this security measure cannot be circumvented by simply connecting the storage device to another host that does not respect the permission rules of the file system. |
| US08166064B2 |
Identifying patterns of significance in numeric arrays of data
Disclosed is a computer method and system for identifying significance of patterns across a plurality of data patterns, which involves identifying pattern types of the plurality of data patterns, determining a relative pattern significance factor to compare the pattern types. Determining the relative pattern significance factor further involves calculating a percentage change of an identified outlier from a median for a outlier pattern, calculating a value of a step change as a percentage of a last value of a step preceding the step change for a step change pattern and calculating a percentage change from a start value on the fitted curve to an end value on the fitted curve for a trend pattern. A ranked list of the pattern types are returned based on their corresponding relative pattern significant factors. |
| US08166061B2 |
Searching recent content publication activity
Collecting and distributing information related to recent content publication activity of an instant messaging (IM) user provides other users in a network with timely, relevant information about people known to the user or within the same social network. A user participating in a social network can quickly and efficiently perceive new information related to other users (referred to as co-users) in a social network by reviewing the co-users' recent content publication activity. A user may be made able to do so without requiring the co-user to send a communication directly to the user regarding the new facts or new content, and also without requiring the user to actively browse or request information about the co-user. |
| US08166057B2 |
Data providing apparatus, data providing method and program
A data providing apparatus for providing search result information corresponding to-be-searched data including a search query includes a storing part storing the to-be-searched data which has been non-reversibly encoded according to a predetermined method, and the search result information to be provided as a search result with respect to the to-be-searched data, in association with each other. A converting part of the apparatus non-reversibly encodes the search query according to the same method as the predetermined method. An obtaining part of the apparatus obtains the search result information which is associated with the non-reversibly encoded to-be-searched data, with the use of the non-reversibly encoded search query. A providing part of the apparatus provides the thus-obtained search result information. |
| US08166055B2 |
Event searching
Events can be searched by identifying a query that includes a time interval and a search component, determining a time increment associated with the time interval, and partitioning the time interval into partitions based on the time increment. For each partition, a relevance of each event in a collection of events that occur at a time in the partition is determined based on the query. A pre-determined number of the relevant events are displayed. |
| US08166044B2 |
Method and apparatus for selecting items from a number of items
Techniques are presented for selecting one or more items from a collection of items. To select the one or more items, an interface is provided that is adapted to allow a user to define one or more weights. Each weight corresponds to one of a number of similarity criteria. Each item also corresponds to the number of similarity criteria. The one or more weights define a similarity function. The similarity function is applied to the one or more similarity criteria corresponding to the one or more weights and to each of the items in order to select one or more items from the collection of items. The interface can comprise movable markers corresponding to similarity criteria. Locations of the movable markers can be used to weight similarity criteria when creating the similarity function. |
| US08166033B2 |
System and method for matching and assembling records
A system and method for matching and assembling records is provided. One embodiment of the invention assembles records by applying a method for grouping records based on matching fields, assembling a new record as a composite of the matched records, and then repeating the grouping, matching and assembling steps in a cascade where the matching grouping and assembling steps are modified as a function of the cascade step and the assembled records created in earlier steps. |
| US08166028B1 |
Method, system, and graphical user interface for improved searching via user-specified annotations
A method, system, and graphical user interface for improved web searching via user-specified annotations are disclosed. One aspect of the invention involves a graphical user interface on a computer that includes a ranked set of links responsive to a search request by a user. At least some of the links are to documents that have not previously been rated by the user and at least some of the links are to documents that have previously been rated by the user. The links are displayed in an order that depends at least in part on the ratings of the documents that have previously been rated by the user. |
| US08166025B1 |
Resolving queries based on automatic determination of requestor geographic location
Resolving a query term includes receiving at least one query term from a requestor and determining a geographic location of the requestor. The geographic location of the requestor may be determined by accessing an electronic information store containing a requestor profile including geographic information about the requestor, where the requestor profile is used by more than one program. The query term is resolved against electronic information within at least one electronic information store to determine whether one or more matches exist and a result is generated that accounts for the geographic location of the requestor. |
| US08166012B2 |
Cluster storage using subsegmenting
Cluster storage is disclosed. A data stream or a data block is received. The data stream or the data block is broken into segments. For each segment, a cluster node is selected, and a portion of the segment smaller than the segment is identified that is a duplicate of a portion of a segment already managed by the cluster node. |
| US08166009B2 |
Method and apparatus for optimistic locking using SQL select, update, delete, and insert statements
A method, computer program product and data processing system for optimistic locking. An integer column is added to a database table. A Structured Query Language statement is constructed and prepared to form a prepared Structured Query Language statement, wherein a result set of the prepared Structured Query Language statement includes the integer column. Any required parameter information is set in the prepared Structured Query Language statement. The prepared Structured Query Language statement is executed in a database transaction. A unique key associated with an element of the result set of the prepared Structured Query Language statement is determined. The row of the database table that the unique key is associated with is determined. A value in the integer column of the determined row is determined. The value in the integer column of the determined row is stored to form a stored value associated with the unique key, wherein the stored value ceases to exist when the database transaction ends. |
| US08166006B2 |
Invocation of web services from a database
The present invention provides a method, system and program product for integrating a service external to a database into a database such that the service may be easily invoked from the database. Preferably, the service is a web service available over the internet The service may be invoked from any of a number of invoking mechanisms of the database. In a first specific embodiment, the mechanism comprises a user-defined function within an SQL statement. In a second specific embodiment, the mechanism comprises a virtual table. In a third specific embodiment, the mechanism comprises a stored procedure. In a fourth specific embodiment, the mechanism comprises a trigger. In a fifth specific embodiment, the mechanism comprises a federated table accessed via a nickname and implemented using a wrapper. |
| US08166003B2 |
Permission-based document server
Detailed herein is a technology which, among other things, identifies and provides an audience-appropriate version of a document, upon request. In one approach to this technology, a request for the document is received at a document-specific access point associated with that document. This document request is associated with specific file access authorizations. These specific file access authorizations are used to identify one of the available versions of the document. The version of the document so identified is then retrieved. |
| US08166002B2 |
Flexible configuration item reconciliation based on data source prioritization and persistent ownership tracking
A reconciliation event can be detected. A controlling element of a database can be determined for the reconciliation event. The controlling element can include a preexisting database value for that element that is different from an update value for that element provided within update data. The update data can be provided by an update data source. A last data source that provided the preexisting database value can be ascertained. A priority array associated with the controlling element can be retrieved from a data store. It can be determined from the priority array whether the update data source has reconciliation priority over the last data source. A value of the controlling element in the database can be changed from the preexisting database value to the update value only when the update data source has reconciliation priority. |
| US08165996B2 |
Policy-based management of a redundant array of independent nodes
An archive cluster application runs in a distributed manner across a redundant array of independent nodes. Each node preferably runs a complete archive cluster application instance. A given nodes provides a data repository, which stores up to a large amount (e.g., a terabyte) of data, while also acting as a portal that enables access to archive files. Each symmetric node has a set of software processes, e.g., a request manager, a storage manager, a metadata manager, and a policy manager. The request manager manages requests to the node for data (i.e., file data), the storage manager manages data read/write functions from a disk associated with the node, and the metadata manager facilitates metadata transactions and recovery across the distributed database. The policy manager implements one or more policies, which are operations that determine the behavior of an “archive object” within the cluster. The archive cluster application provides object-based storage. Preferably, the application permanently associates metadata and policies with the raw archived data, which together comprise an archive object. Object policies govern the object's behavior in the archive. As a result, the archive manages itself independently of client applications, acting automatically to ensure that all object policies are valid. |
| US08165993B2 |
Business intelligence system with interface that provides for immediate user action
A business intelligence system includes a business activity monitor with a data cache to receive and store enterprise data integrated from a plurality of enterprise applications, the data cache being updated in real-time as the enterprise data changes. A computer coupled with the data cache runs a program that produces a graphical user interface on a display. The graphical user interface provides a user with a real-time report of the enterprise data and a page that allows the user to specify at least one action affecting operation of the enterprise. The page also including a button selection of which causes the computer to send a first message designating one or more selected actions to the BAM. In response, the BAM sends a second message to one or more of the enterprise applications to execute the one or more selected actions in real-time. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. |
| US08165992B2 |
System and method for tracking notifications in a publish subscribe system
A system and method are provided for tracking notification messages from a message publisher to a message subscriber. The system includes a plurality of entities that are operatively coupled to one another via an electronic network, and each entity includes at least one processor configured as a message publisher, a channel and/or a message subscriber. According to the invention, at least one entity is configured as a channel, which is assigned to the function of acting as a meta-channel and comprises (i) means for receiving one or more channel descriptions; and (ii) means for publishing a digest of one or more channel descriptions and/or message transformations to facilitate tracking of message transformations from raw forms to processed forms. The system may have more than one meta-channel, and the meta-channels may subscribe to or publish to each other. |
| US08165989B2 |
Automated data model extension through data crawler approach
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for accessing data stored in multiple data sources. Such methods employ an automated software agent to maintain a collection of data sources available for querying. The data sources may all reside within a single local network or may be distributed throughout multiple locations. Generally, the automated software agent searches a given domain for additional data sources according to a defined set of selection criteria. After discovering an additional data source, the automated software agent configures a query application to reflect the availability the additional data source. Further, the automated software agent may periodically evaluate the collection of data sources against the selection criteria and remove those that are either no longer available or no longer satisfy the selection criteria. |
| US08165984B2 |
Decision service for applications
A decision service is described that provides a decision making process for an application. The decision service includes a runtime interface, a resolver interface, and an inference engine. The runtime interface is configured to receive a request from an application to generate a decision. The resolver interface is configured to invoke one or more fact resolver modules to determine corresponding fact values. The inference engine is configured to communicate with the resolver interface to determine a plurality of fact values, and to compare the determined plurality of fact values to one or more rows of a decision table to determine a matched row. The decision provided by the decision service is a conclusion corresponding with the matched row of the decision table. |
| US08165983B2 |
Method and apparatus for resource allocation among classifiers in classification systems
Methods and apparatus for optimizing resource allocation among data analysis functions in a classification system are provided. Each of the data analysis functions is characterized as a set of operating points in accordance with at least one of resource requirements and analysis quality. An operating point for each of the data analysis functions is selected in accordance with one or more constraints. The analysis functions are applied at selected operating points to optimize resource allocation among the data analysis functions in the classification system. |
| US08165973B2 |
Method of identifying robust clustering
A method of finding robust clusters comprises the use of principal component analysis and consensus ensemble clustering. In another aspect, the method may comprise normalizing a data set; identifying attributes of the data set that contribute to most of variation in the normalized data set; selecting data having the attributes that contribute to most of variation in the normalized data set; identifying a plurality of clusters from the selected data using consensus ensemble clustering; and identifying robust clusters from the plurality of clusters. The method can be used in healthcare and life science. |
| US08165972B1 |
Determining a feature related to an indication of a concept using a classifier
A related feature determination system determines a feature related to an indication of a concept. A set of positive cases and a set of negative case are selected using the indication of a concept. A classifier is induced for the concept using the set of positive cases in a manner blinded to the indication of a concept. The set of negative cases is applied to the classifier. A feature related to the indication of a concept is determined using results of applying the classifier to the set of negative cases. |
| US08165961B1 |
Method and system for setting levels of electronic wallet security
A method of a portable electronic device providing payment from an electronic wallet is provided. The method comprises prompting for input of a personal identification number (PIN) after the wallet has been opened and providing payment from the wallet after receiving the PIN, when the wallet is configured to a first level of security. The method also comprises providing payment from the wallet after the wallet has been opened, when the wallet is configured to a second level of wallet security, wherein the PIN is not contemporaneously input. The method also comprises providing payment from the wallet when the electronic portable device has been activated, when the wallet is configured to a third level of wallet security, wherein the wallet is not opened and the PIN is not contemporaneously input. |
| US08165957B2 |
System and method for a trading interface incorporating a chart
A graphical interface and method are provided for displaying market information corresponding to a tradeable object. One graphical interface includes a chart region for displaying historical market data in relation to a first value axis, and a market grid region in alignment with the chart region. The market grid region comprises a plurality of areas for receiving commands from a user input device to send trade orders, and the areas are displayed in relation to a second value axis. A plurality of values displayed along the second value axis is a subset of values displayed in relation to the first value axis, and can be modified to a new plurality of values that corresponds to a new subset of values on the first value axis. |
| US08165946B2 |
Customized financial transaction pricing
Enabling innovative merchant transaction pricing capability, while improving pricing process efficiency, is disclosed. When a merchant submits financial transaction account records to a payment processor for payment, the payment processor utilizes granular transaction data to calculate complex merchant transaction pricing rules. The system accesses individual transaction data, aggregate transaction data, transaction history, customer data, merchant data and product data to enable flexible, innovative and dynamic pricing capabilities that increase revenue and increase customer satisfaction. |
| US08165943B2 |
System and method for providing futures contracts in a financial market enviroment
A method for offering an asset in a financial environment is provided that includes receiving a request to perform a selected one of a purchasing and a selling operation for a futures contract. The futures contract includes a first asset class having a first value associated therewith and a second asset class having a second value associated therewith. A price for the futures contract is determined at least partially by the first and second values. |
| US08165939B1 |
Method of settling a real estate transaction and system implementing the method
An automatic, web-based, integrated method and system for processing financial details of a real estate settlement or other similar transaction. The system incorporates modular functionality to avoid duplicate entry of data. The design philosophy is such that anticipated actions are entered into the system. Since the system knows what is expected, by monitoring actual transactions and comparing them to the anticipated transactions, real-time identification of exceptional situations is possible. This real time identification of a problem allows corrections to quickly be made to prevent financial losses, fines, or other penalties. The system is adapted to seamlessly interact with bank software and systems, for example, existing positive pay banking systems as well as with a user's financial or other similar application software. The system provides exception reports on a periodic (e.g., daily) basis to management and operations personnel. |
| US08165936B2 |
Payroll system and method
A paycheck-centric payroll system and method for generating, accumulating and reporting on payroll information including payroll deductions and payroll tax deposits. |
| US08165926B2 |
Method, medium, and system for detecting errors in item requests
Under the present invention, user-initiated and system-initiated item request are received by a “purchasing/requisition application” or the like. Upon receipt, a set of tables are populated using data within the requests. Thereafter the item requests are processed with the system-initiated item requests typically being processed in batch. Should an error arise in processing one of the system-initiated item requests (e.g., due to lack of supplier/approver, or a data level error within the request), the failed system-initiated request is placed into a failed request queue. Upon demand, an administrator can be presented with a view of the failed request queue so that he/she can see all requests that have failed. The system could also allow the administrator to view and edit the data corresponding to any of the user-initiated or system-initiated requests. Any views that are presented to the administrator are presented within a single browser window for GWA compliance. |
| US08165925B2 |
Methods, systems, and program products for generating multidimensional comparisons
A method for performing an action based on user interaction with a graphical presentation, according to one embodiment. In use, output data is generated corresponding to a multidimensional presentation of graphical representations of two or more consumer products in relation to each other. Additionally, positions of the graphical representations of the consumer products relative to each other are based on multiple attributes of the products. Further, none of the dimensions correlates to a side by side ordering of the consumer products. Further still, a user selection of one or more of the consumer products is received. Also, a transaction is performed based on additional input received from the user. Additional embodiments are also presented. |
| US08165916B2 |
Internet appliance system and method
A system comprising a user-analysis component that examines at least one user action and content associated with the action, and an advertisement delivery component that determines at least one advertisement to present to a user based at least in part on the user action, and one or more of the content associated with the user action and a user profile derived from user actions. |
| US08165907B2 |
System and method for automated risk determination and/or optimization of the service life of technical facilities
A device and a method for automated optimization of the service life of technical facilities and/or risk determination of technical facilities. Facility data is captured by a capture module of the optimization device and facility risks are optimized by an evaluation module of the optimization device based on the facility data. At least one risk analysis value for automated risk management and/or facility optimization value for automated optimization of at least one protection device or minimization of a danger potential of the technical facility are determined by corresponding risk elements and/or protection elements. |
| US08165905B2 |
Data processing unit, data processing method, and program product for determining a transshipment method
A data processing unit, a data processing method, and a program product for determining a transhipment method are provided. The data processing unit may include a solution search processor for performing solution search processing of a plurality of physical objects. In the data processing unit, a data representation of a loading state of an object may have a corresponding variable which takes as a value an identification number of a heap at a predetermined physical location. The data representation of the loading state may include a coordinate value indicating a loading order of the object in the heap. The data processing unit may also include an initial condition inputter. The solution search processor may perform the solution search processing by constructing a search tree. |
| US08165901B2 |
Method and system for developing or tracking a program for medical treatment
This invention relates generally to a system and method for providing to patients a medical treatment program, such as a program for physical therapy, and for tracking whether the patient has performed the program correctly. In one aspect, the system and method determines whether the patient has performed the program correctly by comparing feedback from the patient for various parameters associated with an exercise to anticipated values for those parameters. In another aspect, the invention assists medical treatment providers in selecting exercises and tutorials to include in the medical treatment program. |
| US08165900B2 |
Patient check-in/scheduling kiosk
A method and system for facilitating activity scheduling for a patient including the steps of providing an interface device for checking a patient in at the facility, receiving identifying information for the patient, identifying currently scheduled appointments for the patient where the currently scheduled appointments are associated with currently scheduled appointment activities, identifying at least one additional unscheduled activity for the patient in addition to the currently scheduled appointment activities, identifying at least one suggested appointment schedule including at least one open time slot during which the patient may complete the additional unscheduled activity and the currently scheduled appointment activities and presenting the at least one suggested appointment schedule to the patient. |
| US08165896B2 |
Compliance data for health-related procedures
Exemplary embodiments provide a verification technique that facilitates administration of a health-related procedure to an intended recipient patient or group of patients. An interface template or signal protocol may be configured to establish suitable matching between the patient and various types of objects used to administer the health-related procedure. In some embodiments real-time monitoring data regarding administration of a health-related procedure to a recipient patient is posted to a patient data record that has restricted read/write access. In some instances the monitoring data is processed to determine compliance or non-compliance based on comparison of the health-related procedure with a predetermined benchmark standard. |
| US08165894B2 |
Fully automated health plan administrator
A system for fully automating the administration of a health plan. The system accepts inputs from enrollees, insureds, providers, insurers and vendors, but requires no physical data entry from the plan administrator. The system also features an automated methodology that measures patient treatment outcomes in terms of quality-adjusted life-years, by diagnosis and by medical treatment provider. The system also includes automated methods for: a “just-in-time” appointment scheduler, an editable archive of prototypical treatment plans, measuring the diagnostic accuracy of diagnostic physicians and for measuring the complication rate of treatment providers. |
| US08165891B2 |
Green rating system and associated marketing methods
A method and system for assigning a rating to an entity based on a plurality of metrics, for example, assigning a rating to an entity which reflects that entity's level of environmental performance, and then assigning an indicia to the entity which reflects the rating relative to other like entities. The system includes ways to generate revenue based on the entity's use of the indicia, such as integrating the display of the indicia with search engines such that the indicia is displayed when the entity's link appears on a search results list and charging a per impression and/or a per click through microfee. The invention also comprises a filtered search facility which only features rated member entities on its search results list. A website is also provided which contains landing pages for each rated entity which may be accessed by clicking on the displayed indicia in the search results list. |
| US08165878B2 |
System and methods for matching an utterance to a template hierarchy
A system and methods for matching at least one word of an utterance against a set of template hierarchies to select the best matching template or set of templates corresponding to the utterance. The system and methods determines at least one exact, inexact, and partial match between the at least one word of the utterance and at least one term within the template hierarchy to select and populate a template or set of templates corresponding to the utterance. The populated template or set of templates may then be used to generate a narrative template or a report template. |
| US08165865B2 |
Modeling and simulation method
A method for modeling and simulating a system comprising first and second interrelated components is disclosed. The method comprises modeling the behavior of said first and second components using first and second specifications. Each of said first and second specifications includes a functional specification and an associated simulation element. The method further comprises simulating the behavior of said first and second components using said first and second specifications. The simulation elements communicate with one another to provide a simulation system. |
| US08165862B2 |
Methods and systems for predicting application performance
A method for identifying and evaluating potential computer network configuration problems as related to deployment of one or more computer applications accessed via an associated computer network architecture is described. The method includes emulating the computer network architecture and a capability associated with network interconnections between computer application points of use and associated with the computer network architecture, identifying computer applications hosted at each of the computer systems within the computer architecture, estimating response times for hosted computer applications for a plurality of network architecture interconnection conditions, and determining, based on the response time estimates, at least one network architecture reconfiguration scenario for improving performance of the network architecture with respect to a specific computer application. |
| US08165858B2 |
System and method for providing a model usage report for simulation models
A system and method for viewing models and model variables within a sophisticated modeling environment is disclosed. The system provides varying levels of insight into a modeling infrastructure to help the user understand model and model variable dependencies, usage, distribution, and/or the like. The method includes storing model and model variable data within a relational database system, receiving a request from a user interfacing with the system via a web interface, extracting search criteria and presentation preferences from the request, formulating and executing one or more queries on the database to retrieve the required data, formatting the data in accordance with the request, and retuning the data to the requesting user in the form of a web page. |
| US08165856B1 |
Neighborhood determination methods and systems in computer aided engineering analysis
Improved methods and systems for a neighborhood determination in computer aided engineering analysis are disclosed. According to one aspect, a list of neighbor elements is created for a base element of a grid model representing a structure or an engineering product. The representative node's coordinates of the base element are calculated using corner nodes of the base element. A characteristic length is assigned to the base element. The characteristic length can be determined by users of the computer aided analysis, or be calculated using geometry of the base element. The characteristic length and the representative node collectively define a surface boundary that divides elements in the grid model into two groups. The first group contains potential neighbors, while the second group contains non-neighbors. Only elements in the first group are further processed using traditional procedures to determine whether each of them is indeed a neighbor element according to one of the neighborhood determination criteria. |
| US08165855B2 |
Method for modeling fluid flow over porous blocks
The method of modeling fluid flow over porous blocks utilizes heat transfer and fluid flow equations and a discretization numerical method to model heat transfer rates in a square cavity containing a pair of porous blocks. Fluid flow and heat transfer are modeled within a square cavity having an inlet and an outlet formed therethrough. The inlet and outlet are positioned opposite one another along a diagonal of the square cavity. A laminar airflow is introduced at the cavity inlet while a constant heat flux is maintained in the pair of porous blocks. |
| US08165848B2 |
Method of inspecting equipment
A method of inspecting equipment to ensure quality control that employs a computer program to assist in the inspection. The program contains an inspection protocol adapted to specific equipment. The inspector follows the protocol to inspect component parts of the equipment. The inspection protocol can only be closed, indicating completion of the inspection, when the protocol has been followed. The program is capable of generating a variety of inspection reports. |
| US08165846B2 |
Method and device for fault auto-detection in an on-board system
A method for automatic fault detection with data representing a fault in an on-board system, the method including: determining, with a processor, at least two physical variables represented by said data, said at least two physical variables including at least one time-dependent variable representative of a persistence of an event in time, and at least one instantaneous variable; representing, with the processor, said data by points of a space whose coordinates are values of said at least two physical variables; an detecting, with the processor, a fault by employing a frontier defining a subspace of said space in which representation of a datum is associated with the detection of a fault. |
| US08165845B1 |
Method and apparatus for statistical identification of devices based on parametric data
A method and apparatus is provided for the calculation of maverick control limits. The maverick control limit method selects the correct parameter(s) as critical parameters to be utilized by the maverick control limit method. Next, the maverick control limit method identifies the probability density function that is associated with the parametric data set(s) that are associated with the critical parameter(s). Next, abnormal data points within the measured parametric data set(s) are removed. Maverick control limits are then calculated to properly disposition semiconductor die into pass/fail categories. |
| US08165840B2 |
Posture sensor automatic calibration
A system and method automatically calibrate a posture sensor, such as by detecting a walking state or a posture change. For example, a three-axis accelerometer can be used to detect a patient's activity or posture. This information can be used to automatically calibrate subsequent posture or acceleration data. |
| US08165826B2 |
Data driven method and system for predicting operational states of mechanical systems
There is provided an automated data driven method for predicting one or more operational states, such as wear or degradation, of a mechanical system over time. The method has the steps of collecting data on the mechanical system from a data recording device, preprocessing the collected data, selecting a training data set that represents a base condition for statistical comparison, fitting a statistical model to the training data set to relate a predicted response to nuisance variables at the base condition, and using an output model to predict what an observed response would have been at the base condition and calculating the difference between the observed response and the predicted response to predict the one or more operational states of the mechanical system. |
| US08165823B2 |
Pamps, pathogen associated molecular patterns
A method for identifying a polypeptide which acts as an adjuvant in a host organism. The invention further provides adjuvant compositions comprising said polypeptides and optionally further comprising an antigen. |
| US08165791B2 |
Vehicular fuel consumption notification apparatus and in-vehicle system
An actual fuel consumption rate and a tentative fuel consumption rate are repeatedly acquired from an air-conditioning apparatus. The tentative fuel consumption rate is a fuel consumption amount per unit time to generate a power consumed under a post-offset preset temperature being different from a present temperature by an offset temperature. Based on the acquired actual fuel consumption rate and the acquired tentative fuel consumption rate, an actual fuel consumption accumulation amount and a tentative fuel consumption accumulation amount are calculated in the same record period and are recorded as a data set in a travel history database. Then, several data sets recorded over the several record periods are read out from the travel history database. The total of the actual fuel consumption accumulation amounts and the total of the tentative fuel consumption accumulation amounts over the read several data sets are notified. |
| US08165787B2 |
Method for adjusting engine air-fuel ratio
A method for adjusting an air-fuel ratio of an engine is disclosed. In one example, the engine air-fuel ratio is adjusted in response to a duty cycle and frequency of a post catalyst oxygen sensor. The method may improve catalyst efficiency. |
| US08165783B2 |
Method of controlling an injection quantity of an injector of an internal combustion engine
In a method for controlling the injection amount for an injector on an internal combustion engine, dependent on a given time period and the duration of the hold phase, the energy stored in the injector is calculated either with a correction value or with the voltage and charge values at the end of the hold phase. |
| US08165766B2 |
Method for controlling a drivetrain of a vehicle, with a drive motor and a gearbox
A method for controlling a vehicles drivetrain including an engine and automatic transmission, such that transmission ratios are shifted within a range of transmission ratios in a continuous and/or stepped manner as function of preset target speeds that are adjustable via a vehicle speed control and actual vehicle inclinations in relation to the vehicles longitudinal axis. When the actual speed of the vehicle differs from a preset threshold speed, a request to change an actual ratio of the transmission is generated, if it has been determined that the output torque is smaller than a threshold value or an output torque required to adjust the preset threshold speed of the vehicle. The ratio of the transmission is shifted so the torque applied to the output is modified toward the output torque required to adjust the threshold speed. |
| US08165755B2 |
Device and method for monitoring the turn command to a steered rear wheel
A device and method for monitoring a turn command to a steered rear wheel of a vehicle with at least three steered wheels, in which a steering angle datum value for the steered rear wheel is compared against a template, the comparison being made by a computer that generates the datum value. |
| US08165753B2 |
Vehicle operation assisting system
When a collision avoidance operation determiner determines a collision avoidance operation by a driver, a target assist electrical current calculator calculates a target assist electrical current based on a deviation between a standard yaw rate corrected in accordance with avoidance momentum calculated by an avoidance momentum calculator and an actual yaw rate; and the target assist electrical current is supplied to a steering actuator to assist the collision avoidance operation by the driver. At this time, when an under-steer determiner determines an under-steer state, an assist electrical current is decreased by a reaction force electrical current calculated in a reaction force electrical current calculator. Therefore, a steering angle is prevented from becoming too large due to excessive assist, thereby facilitating a return operation after avoiding an obstacle. |
| US08165743B2 |
Controller for inverter
A high-reliability controller for inverter is provided with a simple configuration. The controller for inverter includes a CPU 14 controlling energy of a vehicle, a CPU 15 controlling a power generation amount or an assist amount of a first motor 26, a CPU 16 controlling a power generation amount or an assist amount of a second motor 27, a regulator 8 generating power supplied to the CPUs 14, 15 and 16, a first inverter 23 controlled by the CPU 15, a second inverter 24 controlled by the CPU 16, and a communication line 17 that connects the CPUs 14 to 16. The first inverter 23 and the second inverter 24 are controlled in a cooperative or an independent manner. |
| US08165742B2 |
System and method for compensating sensor signals
A system and method for compensating sensor signals. The system includes a first sensor, a second sensor, a fuzzy logic module, and a Kalman filter module. The first sensor is configured to generate a first signal corresponding to a first condition of a vehicle. The second sensor is configured to generate a second signal corresponding to a second condition of the vehicle. The fuzzy logic module is configured to output a first set of values based on a signal stability of at least the second signal. The Kalman filter module is configured to receive the first set of values and the first signal and estimate a sensor compensation signal based on at least the first set of values and the first signal. |
| US08165721B2 |
Intelliaire climate controller
A user interface for climate control. The purpose is to save energy by bringing in fresh air at times when the outdoor air temperature is more desirable than the indoor temperature. Primarily the user chooses their own savings; during the hot seasons energy is saved by cooling the location cooler than the desired temperature; the greater the parameter chosen the greater the efficiency. If the desired inside temp is 70 and the night time low is 50 and you accept that then the location will cool to the lowest temperature you allow causing your air conditioner to come on much later in the day; if at all depending on parameters set. It works the same way in cold seasons, only in reverse. allowing you to freshen your indoor air. The interface can be set up to operate all air handling systems, exhaust fans, intake fans, furnaces air conditioners, ERV's etc. |
| US08165720B2 |
Automatic environmental adjustment system
A system automatically adjusts environmental condition by detecting an environment value and controlling a window blinds and an environmental regulator according to a comparison between the environment value and a predetermined environment value. |
| US08165719B2 |
System and method for an electrical insulating shutter system
A system, and a method for manufacturing that system, for electrically and automatically opening, closing and otherwise controlling window shutters on a building, for the purposes of limiting radiant, conductive, and convective thermal losses from the inside of the building to the outside during the heating season, and limiting radiant, conductive, and convective thermal gains from the outside of the building to the inside during the cooling season. The system further comprises an interface to accommodate connection to other sensors not used to control the thermal environment of the building, such as motion detectors, burglar alarms, CO sensors and the like. |
| US08165714B2 |
Controller for controlling combination of hot-runner system and mold assembly
A single stand alone controller system (100) for controlling combination of hot-runner system (102) and mold assembly (104), assembly (104) connectable to system (102), controller system (100) comprising: processor (110); interface modules (112) configured to operatively couple to system (102) and assembly (104), processor (110) connected with modules (112); and controller-usable medium (114) embodying instructions (116) executable by processor (110), processor (110) connected with said medium (114), instructions (116) including: executable instructions for directing said processor (110) to control said system (102) and said assembly (104). |
| US08165712B2 |
Loom, in particular a ribbon loom
The loom, in particular a ribbon loom, has at least one electrically-driven thread transport device for the weft threads for processing at least one thread or a group of threads over at least the distance between two lengths of weft. It also contains a fabric outlet for the woven fabrics and an electronic control device for controlling the loom based on a pattern program for the woven fabrics to be produced. The loom can be better adjusted to the woven fabrics to be produced, in other words to the pattern and the thread material used, if the control device has control means for adjusting automatically at the thread transport device the feed length of the thread to be delivered according to the data predefined in the pattern program, the fabric outlet, and the width of the woven fabrics to be produced. |
| US08165695B2 |
System and method for selectively stimulating different body parts
A device and method is provided for transdermally stimulating selected body parts of a mammal. The device includes a first waveform generator adapted to generate a first waveform having a first frequency capable of stimulating a first predetermined body part, a second waveform generator adapted to generate a carrier waveform having a second frequency capable of passing through tissue of the mammal, and a third waveform generator adapted to generate a third waveform having a third frequency different from and out of phase with that of the first waveform, and capable of stimulating a second predetermined body part. The device further includes a modulation device electrically coupled to the first, second and third waveform generators and adapted to modulate the carrier, first, and third waveforms to create a modulated signal package, and a first electrode electrically coupled to the modulation device and positioned substantially adjacent to the skin of the mammal, and adapted to apply the modulated signal package thereto. |
| US08165693B2 |
Safe-mode implantable medical devices
A method, system, and apparatus for implementing a safe mode operation of an implantable medical system using impedance adjustment(s) are provided. A first impedance is provided to a lead. An indication of a possibility of a coupled energy is received. Based upon said indication, a second impedance associated with the lead to reduce the coupled energy is provided. |
| US08165692B2 |
Implantable pulse generator power management
Improved assemblies, systems, and methods provide an implantable pulse generator for prosthetic or therapeutic stimulation of muscles, nerves, or central nervous system tissue, or any combination thereof. The implantable pulse generator is sized and configured to be implanted subcutaneously in a tissue region. The implantable pulse generator includes an electrically conductive case of a laser welded titanium material. Control circuitry is located within the case. The control circuitry includes a rechargeable power source, a receive coil for receiving an RF magnetic field to recharge the power source, and a microcontroller for control of the implantable pulse generator. The improved assemblies, systems, and methods also provide a stimulation system for prosthetic or therapeutic stimulation of muscles, nerves, or central nervous system tissue, or any combination thereof. The stimulation system provides at least one electrically conductive surface, a lead connected to the electrically conductive surface, and an implantable pulse generator electrically connected to the lead. |
| US08165691B2 |
Implantable medical device with selectively configurable exposure operating mode programming options
An IMD is selectively configurable to support a plurality of programming options for enabling and disabling an exposure operating mode of the device. In one example, the IMD may support at least two of a manual exposure mode programming option in which the exposure operating mode is manually enabled and manually disabled, an automatic exposure mode programming option in which the exposure operating mode is automatically enabled and automatically disabled, or a semi-automatic exposure mode programming option in which the exposure operating mode is either automatically enabled and manually disabled or manually enabled and automatically disabled. In this manner, the IMD may support more than one way for enabling and disabling the exposure operating mode to provide flexibility in the clinical workflows associated with programming the IMD into an exposure operating mode for a medical procedure, such as an MRI scan. |
| US08165688B2 |
Frequency analyzer for MEMS based cochlear implant with self power supply
Disclosed is a frequency analyzer for a MEMS based cochlear implant with self power supply. The frequency analyzer for a MEMS based cochlear implant includes: an upper structure including a first substrate, and a nano wire contact portion formed under the first substrate and coated with a high conductivity metal; and a lower structure including a second substrate having a space filled with a fluid and an upper portion of which is opened, a membrane formed on the fluid filled in the space of the second substrate, a first electrode formed on the membrane, and a nano wire formed on the first electrode and having the piezoelectric characteristics related to an arbitrary direction in which the nano wire is grown. |
| US08165687B2 |
Systems and methods for detecting and using an electrical cochlear response (“ECR”) in analyzing operation of a cochlear stimulation system
Methods and systems for analyzing operation of a cochlear stimulation system. A sound stimulus signal is generated to excite the cochlear stimulation system to operate. During operation, the intracochlear electrodes generate signals into the auditory nerve system. The patient's nervous system's response may be measured as the Electrical Cochlear Response (“ECR”). The ECR can be detected and analyzed for fitting, calibration, performance evaluation and failure detection of the cochlear implant of the patient. Also example methods may be used to estimate the audiometric thresholds of the cochlear implant without the implanted patient's knowledge. |
| US08165684B2 |
Wireless system for epilepsy monitoring and measurement
A wireless system for monitoring a patient's brain tissue including (1) a plurality of electrodes abutting brain tissue, (2) main circuitry outside the patient's body to transmit power at radio frequencies and send/receive data using infrared energy, and (3) subcutaneously-implanted remote circuitry connected to the electrodes and configured to (a) receive transmitted RF power, (b) capture and digitize EEG signals from the electrodes, and (c) send/receive data to/from the main circuitry using IR energy, including sending digitized EEG signals from each electrode to capture the full bandwidth of each EEG signal. The system preferably includes circuitry to measure the electrical impedance of each electrode for real-time monitoring of the condition of the electrode/tissue interfaces to enhance interpretation of captured EEG signals. |
| US08165677B2 |
Method and apparatus of acoustic communication for implantable medical device
An implantable medical device includes an acoustic transducer for intra-body communication with another medical device via an acoustic couple. The acoustic transducer includes one or more piezoelectric transducers. In one embodiment, an implantable medical device housing contains a cardiac rhythm management (CRM) device and an acoustic communication circuit. The acoustic transducer is electrically connected to the acoustic communication circuit to function as an acoustic coupler and physically fastened to a wall of the implantable housing, directly or via a supporting structure. In one embodiment, the implantable medical device receives an incoming acoustic signal from the other medical device, detects an error rate associated with the incoming acoustic signal, and adjusts a carrier frequency for an outgoing acoustic signal to be transmitted to the other medical device using the error rate. |
| US08165673B2 |
Devices, systems and methods for characterization of ventricular fibrillation and for treatment of ventricular fibrillation
A defibrillation system for use in treatment of ventricular fibrillation includes at least one sensor to measure heart rhythm; at least one applicator to apply a defibrillation pulse to a patient; and at least one processor in communication with the sensor and the applicator to determine a first value related to the rate of change of a leading edge of a lagged phase space reconstruction of ventricular fibrillation heart rhythm measured over a period of time. |
| US08165668B2 |
Method for magnetic modulation of neural conduction
Methods and related systems for modulating neural activity by repetitively blocking conduction in peripheral neural structures with magnetic stimuli are disclosed. Methods and systems for reversing effects of blocking stimuli and/or for producing substantially permanent conduction block are also disclosed. |
| US08165665B2 |
Chip for sensing a physiological signal and method for sensing the same
A chip for sensing a physiological signal comprises: an input unit for receiving a first electrocardiogram (ECG) signal; a filter for generating a second ECG signal by filtering the first ECG signal; an amplifying unit for generating a third ECG signal by amplifying the second ECG signal; an Analog-to-Digital converting unit for converting the third ECG signal into a digital signal; an operating unit for generating a plurality of analysis data by operational analyzing the digital signal; and an output unit for outputting the plurality of analysis data. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the chip is decreased and the chip is suitable for use in small-scale devices. |
| US08165660B2 |
System and method for selecting a guidance mode for performing a percutaneous procedure
A system for planning a percutaneous procedure provides a patient 3-dimensional image data set within which an instrument trajectory is defined, for example, by selecting a skin entry point and a target point. A line, or “planned path,” is generated between the points. The system determines whether the path can be targeted so an optical axis of a movable arm coincides with the path so that a laser can be used for instrument guidance or whether a planned path can be targeted so that a C-arm can be made to coincide with the path so that the extension of the path is projected onto a radiation detector, using x-ray radiation. If neither laser guidance or x-ray guidance can be used, the path is replanned. |
| US08165649B2 |
Torsion spring
The invention is about a sliding mechanism for a portable electronic device. Among others, the sliding mechanism comprises a first part with a guiding groove where the first part is arranged along a longitudinal axis. The sliding mechanism also comprises a second part which is movable along the longitudinal axis in relation to the first part. Additionally, the second part comprises a protrusion which is movable in the guiding groove. Moreover, the sliding mechanism further comprises an element which is used for transferring torque to one of the parts of the sliding mechanism, such that the protrusion is held in at least two stable positions in the guiding groove. |
| US08165645B2 |
Mobile communication terminal case and method of manufacturing the same
There is provided a mobile communication terminal case including: a case body of a mobile communication terminal having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a via hole formed through the first surface and the second surface; a conductive pattern provided on the first surface of the case body; a carrier film provided on the first surface of the case body to cover the conductive pattern; and conductive epoxy filling the via hole and having one end thereof in contact with the conductive pattern. |
| US08165642B2 |
Electronic device with data-rate-dependent power amplifier bias
Wireless circuitry in an electronic device may contain output power amplifier circuitry for amplifying transmitted radio-frequency signals. The power amplifier circuitry may be powered using a bias voltage. The magnitude of the bias voltage can be selectively reduced to conserve power. Control circuitry can maintain a table of bias voltage settings to use under various conditions. These conditions may include required output powers as determined by link quality, transmission mode status, and required data rates. When link quality is low or when high data rates are required, the bias voltage can be maintained at a relatively high level to ensure that the power amplifier operates linearly and does not exhibit excessive noise. When link quality is high or when data rates are low as with voice calls, the bias voltage can be reduced to conserve power. |
| US08165637B2 |
Multiple input multiple output (mimo) antenna system adaptable for environmental multiplicity
A Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) antenna system adaptable to an environmental multiplicity is provided. A MIMO antenna system includes a first antenna element, a second antenna element, a receiver for receiving at least one of different polarized signals through the first antenna element, a channel estimator for estimating a channel using a signal received via the receiver and a signal received via the second antenna element, and a correlation comparator for controlling the receiver to receive a specific polarized signal according to a correlation calculated from the estimated channel. |
| US08165635B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for over the air (OTA) provisioning of soft cards on devices with wireless communications capabilities
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for over the air provisioning of soft cards on devices with wireless communications capabilities are disclosed. According to one method, a soft card provisioning application is instantiated on a device with wireless communications capabilities. A card number for a soft card desired to be provisioned on the device is obtained from a user of the device. An issuer identification number retrieved from the card number is communicated to a provisioning configuration server over an air interface. A provisioning issuer server network address is obtained from the provisioning configuration server based on the issuer identification number. The provisioning information server is connected to, and card-issuer-specific challenge information is obtained therefrom. The challenges are presented to the user, and the user's responses to the challenges are received. A connection is made to the provisioning issuer server corresponding to the network address. The challenge responses are communicated to the provisioning issuer server. Soft card image data and personalization data, where the personalization data includes personalized embossed and pre-printed data, are received from the provisioning issuer server over the air interface. The soft card is provisioned for use on the device based on the data received over the air interface. |
| US08165629B2 |
Base station for electronic apparatus
The present invention provides a base station for an electronic apparatus. The base station includes a main body, a groove, a verifier and at least one motor. The main body is an empty body and accommodates the at least one motor. The groove is defined in the middle of the main body. The verifier is on one side of the main body. The groove accommodates two plates and at least one arc spring. Each arc spring is connected to the two plates. At least one screw is fixed on one plate. Each screw is connected to one motor through a corresponding screw hole. The number of motors, screws and holes are the same. The base station clamps the electronic apparatus between the two plates. |
| US08165622B2 |
Method and apparatus for setting telephony mode of mobile terminal
A method and an apparatus to set a telephony mode of a mobile terminal in which an audio call mode and a video call mode are automatically set using gyroscope characteristics and a user's behavior characteristics, the method including: detecting a direction of motion of the mobile terminal when there is an incoming call event; and setting the telephony mode to an audio call mode or a vide call mode according to the detected direction of the motion. |
| US08165617B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus and communication control method
A wireless communication apparatus and a communication control method wherein even if there occurs a change in communication control information due to a function change, an appropriate correction is implemented to improve the communication quality. A wireless communication apparatus (100) comprises a plurality of reconfigurable function parts (reconfigurable function modules (1031)) that reconfigure functions related to communication to perform digital signal processings according to a plurality of communication formats; and a communication operation control function part that controls the communication operation. Each of the reconfigurable function parts includes a property register (10311) in which the communication control information is written. The communication operation control function part includes a reconfiguration control section (107) that overwrites the communication control information in the property register each time the communication function is reconfigured; and a communication control section (104) that performs a communication control based on the communication control information held in the property register. |
| US08165616B2 |
Communication device, base station, method of communication, and communication system
The MS detects a difference in timing or frequency between a reference signal being any one of the received signals from a plurality of BSs and each of the other received signals, notifies the results of detection to BSs other than the source BS of the reference signal, and the BSs other than the source BS of the reference signal control the timing or frequency of transmission of the signal to be received by other MSs other than the MS on the basis of the results of the detection. |
| US08165615B2 |
Cellular network system
A method for providing a personalized bidirectional channel in broadcasting systems. In cellular broadcasting system the method contains the steps of: allocating a first group of subcarriers to broadcast transmission and a second group of subcarriers to personalized channels; reducing interference in the broadcast transmission by using equalizer; and reducing interference in the personalized channels by using controlled allocation of subcarriers in the second group to each subscriber. In OFDM broadcasting system the method contains the steps of: transmitting OFDM transmission from the base-station to the subscriber units; transmitting from the subscriber units to the base-station signals that are orthogonal to signals transmitted from the base-station; and receiving the orthogonal signals at the base-station. |
| US08165595B2 |
System and method for multi-stage antenna training of beamforming vectors
A system and method for multi-stage antenna training of beamforming vectors is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises a method of acquiring a beamforming pattern in a wireless communication system, the method comprising receiving a first plurality of signals having different transceiver sector patterns, measuring first indicators of link quality corresponding to the first plurality of signals, selecting at least one transceiver sector pattern based on the first indicators of link quality, receiving a second plurality of signals having different transceiver beam patterns, each transceiver beam pattern associated with the selected at least one transceiver sector pattern, measuring second indicators of link quality corresponding to the second plurality of signals, and selecting at least one transceiver beam pattern based on the second measures of link quality. |
| US08165593B2 |
Method and apparatus for allocating radio resources in a wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for allocating radio resources in a wireless communication system are provided, in which a Base Station (BS) transmits information indicating current allocated resources to a Mobile Station (MS) in every predetermined periods, defines a virtual resource space with current unallocated resources, when the MS requests resource allocation, generates resource allocation information about resources allocated in the virtual resource space, and transmits the resource allocation information to the MS. |
| US08165587B2 |
Communicating cell restriction status information between radio access network nodes
A cellular radio communications network includes a core network coupled to a radio access network (RAN) that has multiple RAN nodes for communication with mobile radio terminals. Each of the multiple RAN nodes serves one or more cells. At least one cell associated with a first RAN node is in a restricted or reserved access state in which access to the one cell is restricted for at least some mobile radio terminals. The first RAN node sends a message to a second RAN node to inform the second RAN node of that restricted access cell. The fact that the restricted status of the one cell has changed is detected. A global message tha is not related to a specific mobile terminal is generated that includes information that the restricted status of the one cell has changed. The first RAN node sends the global message to the second RAN node to inform the second RAN node of the change in the restricted status of the one cell. |
| US08165568B2 |
Identity blocking service from a wireless service provider
Location-blocking and identity-blocking services that can be commercially offered by a service promoter, e.g., a cellular service provider or a web advertiser. In the identity-blocking service, the service promoter may disclose the current physical location of a mobile subscriber (i.e., a cellular phone operator) to a third party (e.g., a web advertiser) subscribing to the identity-blocking service. However, the service promoter may not send any identity information for the mobile subscriber to the third party. On the other hand, in the location-blocking service, the service promoter may disclose the mobile subscriber's identity information to the third party, but not the current physical location of the mobile subscriber. Blocking of the mobile subscriber's identity or location information may be desirable for privacy reasons, to comply with a government regulation, or to implement a telecommunication service option selected by the mobile subscriber. However, in the case of the mobile subscriber requesting emergency help, the service promoter may not block identity and/or location information. Instead, the service promoter may send all such information to the emergency service provider (e.g., the police or a hospital). |
| US08165567B2 |
Method and system for customizing user interface by editing multimedia content
Disclosed is a method and a system for customizing a user interface by editing multimedia content, in which, when a user customizes the user interface displayed on a mobile communication terminal according to the preference of the user, the user edits the multimedia content to be used for the user interface, and uses the edited multimedia content for the user interface. |
| US08165564B2 |
Emotional communication between portable equipments
The present invention relates to a possibility of communicating emotional information between a first and a second portable equipment. A first portable equipment for communication in a wireless communication system comprises an input portion adapted to receive information input by a user, an editing portion adapted to edit settings of a second portable equipment in response to a user input and to generate corresponding setting information, and a transmitting portion adapted to transmit setting information generated by the editing portion to the second portable equipment in said wireless communication system. A second portable equipment for communication in a wireless communication system comprises a receiving portion adapted to receive setting information from the first portable equipment in a wireless communication system, and a control portion adapted to change settings of the second portable equipment depending on received setting information and to output an indication signal to a user to the changed settings. |
| US08165563B2 |
Fraud detection system
A system for determining associations between subscribers of a communication network include methods and devices for selecting a first subscriber, identifying at least one primary contact of the first subscriber, each primary contact having communicated with the first subscriber, identifying at least one secondary contact of the first subscriber, each secondary contact having communicated with a primary contact, for at least one secondary contact, identifying at least one common contact of the first subscriber and the secondary contact, common contacts having communicated with the first subscriber and the secondary contact, determining the significance of the at least one common contacts and determining an association between the first subscriber and the secondary contact in dependence on the significance of the at least one common contact. |
| US08165562B2 |
Personalized message escrow
Systems, methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for maintaining a personalized message provided by a personal security service subscriber in an escrow storage during a security period associated with the subscriber, and delivering the personalized message to one or more recipients upon determining an occurrence of a security event during the security period. |
| US08165551B2 |
Multi-band antenna and communications device having the same
A multi-band antenna is adapted for disposing on a substrate with a ground plane and a matching circuit disposed thereon, and includes a feed-in section, a coupling section, a grounding section, a multiple-bend arm, and a conductor section. The feed-in section is connected electrically to the matching circuit. The coupling section is connected electrically to the feed-in section and is disposed spacedly from the ground plane. The grounding section is connected electrically to the ground plane. The multiple-bend arm is connected electrically to the coupling section and the grounding section and cooperates with the grounding section to form a signal path for signals in a first frequency band. The conductor section is connected electrically to the multiple-bend arm and cooperates with a portion of the multiple-bend arm to form a signal path for signals in a second frequency band. |
| US08165545B2 |
Terminal for use in a wireless communication system and a method of operation thereof
A terminal (200) and method for operation thereof for use in a wireless communication system (100), the terminal including a plurality of antennas (215, 235, 255) and a plurality of receiver chains (217, 237, 257) each including an associated one of the antennas, the terminal being operable to receive a signal including a plurality of time divided portions including a first portion (303) and a second portion (304), characterized in that the terminal is operable in a manner such each of the plurality of receiver chains is active when the first portion of the signal is being received and at least one of the receiver chains is inactive when the second portion of the signal is being received. |
| US08165543B2 |
Power amplifier adjustment for transmit beamforming in multi-antenna wireless systems
One or more beamsteering matrices are applied to a plurality of signals to be transmitted via multiple antennas. The plurality of signals are provided to a plurality of power amplifiers coupled to the multiple antennas after applying the one or more beamsteering matrices to the plurality of signals. Signal energies are determined for the plurality of signals provided to the plurality of power amplifiers, and output power levels of the plurality of power amplifiers are adjusted based on the determined signal energies. |
| US08165540B2 |
Systems, methods and devices for dual closed loop modulation controller for nonlinear RF amplifier
In accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, systems, methods and devices are configured to facilitate RF envelope amplitude control. For example, a RF envelope amplitude control system comprises: a RF amplifier, wherein the RF amplifier is associated with a feedback device that is configured to create a first feedback signal representing the power in an RF output signal; a transmit waveform generator configured to generate a reference waveform signal; an adaptive table waveform generator configured to compare the reference waveform signal and the first feedback signal and to create a second feedback signal based on that comparison; and a loop filter configured to combine the reference waveform signal, the first feedback signal, and the second feedback signal to form an amplifier control signal, wherein the amplifier control signal is provided to the RF amplifier to adjust the RF output signal to conform to a specified RF envelope. |
| US08165538B2 |
Systems and methods for implementing a harmonic rejection mixer
Various embodiments of systems and methods for generating local oscillator (LO) signals for a harmonic rejection mixer are provided. One embodiment is a system for generating local oscillator (LO) signals for a harmonic rejection mixer. One such system comprises a local oscillator, a divide-by-N frequency divider, a divide-by-three frequency divider, and a harmonic rejection mixer. The local oscillator is configured to provide a reference frequency signal. The divide-by-N frequency divider is configured to divide the reference frequency signal by a value N and provide an output signal. The divide-by-three frequency divider is configured to receive the output signal of the divide-by-N frequency divider and divide the output signal into three phase-offset signals. The harmonic rejection mixer is configured to receive the three phase-offset signals and eliminate third frequency harmonics. |
| US08165528B2 |
Interference mitigation in wireless networks
An access terminal is enabled to communicate with a private access point while interference caused by the access terminal is mitigated. A maximum allowable transmit rate of the access terminal for communication with the private access point is determined. The access terminal is caused to communicate at a transmit rate at or below the maximum allowable transmit rate. |
| US08165526B2 |
Apparatus and method for connecting wireless devices
Provided are a connecting apparatus for a wireless device and a connecting method thereof, more particularly, a connecting apparatus for a wireless device, which exchanges basic information required for establishing a wireless communication channel between wireless devices through a contact surface interface on which the wireless devices physically contact each other, registers the basis information respectively in the wireless devices, and completes setting of a communication protocol while the wireless devices contact each other, and a connecting method thereof. Therefore, since basic information for communications is automatically exchanged between wireless devices and registered respectively in the wireless devices through a contact interface, it is possible to easily and conveniently connect the wireless devices wirelessly. |
| US08165519B2 |
Method and apparatus for broadcast content related notification
A transmitting apparatus includes a generation unit configured to generate a notification message and a transmission unit configured to transmit the notification message. The notification message includes a broadcast identifier identifying a broadcast and timing control information indicating when media information related to and distinct from the broadcast is to be displayed.A receiving apparatus includes a broadcast reception unit configured to receive broadcast and a notification message reception unit configured to extract broadcast identifiers and timing control information from the notification messages. |
| US08165515B2 |
Image forming system
An image forming system which is capable of causing a clear coating apparatus to discharge processed sheets in proper page order, and improving usability and operability of the system by users. An image forming apparatus is set to perform single-sided image formation or double-sided image formation. A clear coating apparatus is set to perform single-sided clearing coating or double-sided clear coating. Whether to perform inverted discharge of sheets is controlled according to the settings of the image forming apparatus and the clear coating apparatus. |
| US08165503B2 |
Image forming apparatus and liquid developer holding member including a core member and a dielectric layer with concave portions provided on an outer circumerence of the core member
An image forming apparatus includes a liquid developer holding member and a bias voltage applying unit. The liquid developer holding member includes a conductive core member and a dielectric layer provided on an outer circumference of the core member, and the dielectric layer includes a dielectric material and has at least one concave portion formed on a surface thereof. The at least one concave portion of the dielectric layer holds therein a liquid developer containing a solid developer dispersed in a carrier liquid. |
| US08165498B2 |
Image forming device
An image forming device is disclosed that is able to enlarge a gap of a nipping portion with a simple and inexpensive structure, and able to reduce impact when a front end of a recording sheet runs into or a back end of the recording sheet passes through the nipping portion. The image forming device includes an image carrying unit, an image forming unit, a transfer unit, a conveyance unit, a determination unit that determines whether a thickness of the recording sheet is greater than a threshold value, and a cam member that rotates to enlarge or reduce the gap of the nipping portion between the image carrying unit and the transfer unit according to rotational positions of the cam member. When the thickness of the recording sheet is greater than the threshold, the cam member rotates so that the gap of the nipping portion is enlarged. |
| US08165497B2 |
Developer storing apparatus, image forming unit and image forming apparatus
A developer storing apparatus which includes a developer storing portion for receiving and storing a developer. The developer storing apparatus also includes a developer carrying member including a rotary shaft and a spiral blade rotatably disposed in the developer storing portion and configured to carry the developer in the developer storing portion in a predetermined direction, an agitating member extending outside the spiral blade rotatably disposed in the developer storing portion and configured to agitate the developer in the developer storing portion, and a driving force transmitting portion that transmits a driving force to the developer carrying member. |
| US08165496B2 |
Powder material cartridge, image forming section, image forming apparatus
A powder material cartridge includes a waste toner chamber that prevents the waste toner from spilling. A receiving section is provided in the chamber and includes a first opening therein through which the powder material is received into the chamber. A first shutter is rotatably received in the receiving section and includes a second opening formed therein. The first shutter is rotatable either to a first opening position where the second opening is in alignment with the first opening, or to a first closing position where the second opening is not in alignment with the first opening. A second shutter is received in the first shutter and is slidable straight in the first shutter. When the second shutter slides to a second closing position, the second shutter closes the second opening. When the second shutter slides to a second opening position, the second shutter opens the second opening. |
| US08165495B2 |
Devices and methods for retracting a cartridge in an image forming devices
The present application is directed to methods and devices for moving a cartridge between engaged and disengaged positions in an image forming device. The image forming device may include a bias control arm movable between first and second positions. When the bias control arm is in one of the first and second positions, a biasing force on the cartridge is reduced and the cartridge moves to the disengaged position. When the bias control arm is in the other of the first and second positions, a biasing force on the cartridge is increased and the cartridge is moved to the engaged position. In one embodiment, the bias control arm moves in a first direction, and the cartridge moves in a second direction different than the first direction. |
| US08165494B2 |
Process cartridge having a member with a force receiving end movable to a position away from a cartridge housing
A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum unit containing the drum, a developing unit containing the roller and being movable so the roller contacts and is spaced from the drum, and a first force receiver receiving a force from a main assembly first force applier by movement of a door from open to closed positions when mounting the cartridge and a second force receiver movable from a stand-by position by movement of the first force receiver by a force received from the first force applier. The second force receiver takes a projected position receiving a force from the second force applier to move the developing unit so the roller moves out of contact with the drum, the projected position being higher than the stand-by position. |
| US08165491B2 |
Photosensitive cartridge
A photosensitive cartridge includes a housing comprising an opening; a photosensitive drum supported by the housing, an electrostatic latent image being formed on the photosensitive drum; a charger that is supported by the housing and charges the photosensitive drum; a cleaning member that is supported by the housing and catches foreign substances from the photosensitive drum; and a cover that is exposed through the opening so as to be flush with an outer surface of the housing at a periphery of the opening, and catches foreign substances from the cleaning member. |
| US08165479B2 |
Processing apparatus, control method and storage medium
A processing apparatus that can accept logs from external processing apparatuses efficiently without degrading the performance of its own. The processing apparatus is connected with a plurality of external processing apparatuses for sending a first log including information on frequency of usage and a second log including information on an error, and collects the first and second logs from the external processing apparatuses. A receiving unit receives the first log sent from each of the external processing apparatuses. A calculation unit calculates a priority of each the external processing apparatuses based on the operating situation of each of the external processing apparatuses determined from the first log received by the receiving unit. A determination unit determines whether or not the second log sent by each of the external processing apparatuses should be stored based on the priority calculated by the calculation unit. |
| US08165477B2 |
Light receiving apparatus using DQPSK demodulation method, and DQPSK demodulation method
The present invention provides a light receiving apparatus using the DQPSK demodulation method. The light receiving apparatus comprises: one Mach-Zehnder interferometer for branching a received light signal into light signals at two arms to allow the branched two light signals to interfere with each other; one balanced photoelectric converter for converting the two interfered light signals, by using the Mach-Zehnder interferometer, into an electric signal corresponding to a difference between light intensities of the two light signals; and a phase adjuster for dynamically shifting the phase of a light signal passed through one of the two arms at the Mach-Zehnder interferometer. |
| US08165473B2 |
Optical-time-division-multiplexing differential phase shift keying signal generating apparatus
An apparatus detecting an optical carrier phase difference between adjacent optical pulses structuring an OTDM-DPSK signal, by generally-used optical and electrical elements, is provided. An OTDM-DPSK signal generating section has an optical splitter, a first phase modulator, a second phase modulator, an optical coupler, and a monitor signal branching device, and generates and outputs an OTDM-DPSK signal and a monitor signal. An optical carrier phase difference detecting section has an optical carrier interferometer, and an interference signal detecting section including a optical-to-electrical converter and a peak detection circuit. The monitor signal is inputted to the optical carrier interferometer, and an interference monitor signal is outputted. The interference monitor signal is inputted to the optical-to-electrical converter, and an electrical interference monitor signal is outputted. The electrical interference monitor signal is inputted to the peak detection circuit, and an optical carrier phase difference detection signal is generated and outputted. |
| US08165472B2 |
Apparatus for transmitting and receiving a signal in a visible light communication system
Disclosed herein is a visible light communication system, in which the visible light emitted from the light-emitting element is superposed with a signal in order to accomplish communication. The system has a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter has a modulation circuit whose the demodulating mode can be changed during the communication in accordance with the state of the visible light. The receiver receives the visible light emitted from the transmitter and has a demodulation circuit that demodulates the modulated signal received from the transmitter. |
| US08165468B2 |
Methods and apparatus for performing directionless wavelength addition and subtraction within a ROADM based optical node
In today's reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer (ROADM) based optical node, transponders associated with the ROADMs' add/drop ports are dedicated to a given network node interface. Dedicated transponders reduce the flexibility to route around network failures. Example embodiments of the invention includes an optical node and corresponding method for routing optical signals within an optical node. The optical node may include at least two ROADMs to transmit respective wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) signals onto at least two inter-node network paths and at least one add/drop module including add ports to direct add wavelengths received from tributary network paths to each of the ROADMs via intra-node network paths to allow the wavelengths to be available to be added to the inter-node network paths. Advantageously, a transponder may transmit and receive to and from different network node interfaces within the optical node, thereby improving the optical node's ability to route around network failures. |
| US08165466B2 |
Network operating system with topology autodiscovery
The network operating system includes an embedded platform for controlling operation of an agile optical network at the physical layer level. At the module embedded level, each module (card-pack) is provided with an embedded controller EC that monitors and control operation of the optical modules. At the next level, each shelf is provided with a shelf processor SP that monitors and control operation of the ECs over a backplane network. All optical modules are connected over an optical trace channel to send/receive trace messages that can then be used to determine network connectivity. At the next, link management level, a network services controller NSC controls the SPs in a negotiated span of control, over a link network. The control is address-based; each NSC receives ranges of addresses for the entities in its control, and distributes these addresses to the SPs, which in turn distribute addresses to the ECs in their control. One of the SPs operates as a router on the link network to relay signaling and control to all entities based on their address. Each NSC constructs, from queried information, a network topology fragment for the embedded elements under its control. A distributed topology system (DTS) shares this topology information with neighboring NSC's to build a complete network view, which can be used by all interested network applications. |
| US08165463B2 |
Zoom optical system and electronic imaging apparatus using the same
An electronic imaging apparatus has a zoom optical system in which the most object-side lens unit A includes one biconcave-shaped negative lens component, each of air-contact-surfaces of which is configured as an aspherical surface, and when the magnification of the zoom optical system is changed in the range from a wide-angle position to a telephoto position, the lens unit A is moved back and forth along the optical axis in such a way that the lens unit A is initially moved toward the image side, and an electronic imaging unit that has an electronic image sensor so that image data picked up by the electronic image sensor are electrically processed and can be output as image data whose format is changed. In this case, in nearly infinite object point focusing, the zoom optical system satisfies the following condition: 0.7 |
| US08165462B2 |
Shake correction module for photographing apparatus and photographing apparatus including the same
A shake correction module for a photographing apparatus, and a photographing apparatus including the same are provided. The module includes a base plate; a slider member disposed on the base plate so as to be able to move on the base plate, and accommodating an imaging element; a drive member generating a driving force so as to move the slider member; and a friction-reducing element disposed between the base plate and the slider member so as to reduce friction between the slider member and the base plate. |
| US08165458B2 |
Playback device, playback method, playback program, and integrated circuit
The reading unit reads an application program, image data, a video stream, and an application management file from a recording medium. The virtual machine unit executes the application program. The memory unit includes an image data area for storing the image data. The playback unit plays back video data with use of the image data and the video stream in accordance with the application program. The management unit, in accordance with the application management file, instructs the virtual machine unit to start and terminate the application program and instructs the memory unit to change the image data area. Before instructing the memory unit to change the image data area, the management unit causes the virtual machine unit to forcibly terminate the application program even when the application management file specifies the continuous execution of the application program. |
| US08165454B2 |
Recording control apparatus, recording control method and recording apparatus integral with camera
The present invention efficiently executes a transfer process from a flash memory to an optical disc. A recording control apparatus includes a UDF file system section that configures a UDF file system on the flash file system of a flash memory and an application format section that converts video and audio data into a file group conforming to the DVD application format and manages it on the UDF file system. When copying the data recorded in the flash memory to a DVD, a management information switching section of the apparatus converts the logical addresses of the flash memory into the logical addresses of the DVD. A DVD buffer control section converts the data recorded in an array of 64 Kbytes that is the recording unit of the flash memory into an array of 32 Kbytes that is the recording unit of the DVD and transfers them to the DVD drive. |
| US08165448B2 |
System using multiple display screens for multiple video streams
Multiple video streams, or other image information, from a DVD or other single source are selectively directed among two or more display screens. The video streams can be directed automatically, manually or by a combination of automatic and manual techniques. This allows the streams to be viewed simultaneously on different display screens to, e.g., increase the viewing area, provide selectable enhancement and control of video viewing, or for other purposes. |
| US08165438B2 |
Optical cable and method for producing an optical cable
An optical cable comprises a tight-buffered optical cable and a protective sleeve which surrounds the tight-buffered optical cable. An intermediate layer surrounds the protective sleeve has tension-resistant elements. Furthermore, the optical cable contains a cable sheath which surrounds the intermediate layer, and a transitional area facing its inner surface. In this transitional area, the material of the cable sheath is mixed with the tension-resistant elements of the intermediate layer. |
| US08165431B2 |
Integrated transceiver with lightpipe coupler
A transceiver comprising a CMOS chip and a laser coupled to the chip may be operable to communicate an optical source signal from a semiconductor laser into the CMOS chip. The optical source signal may be used to generate first optical signals that are transmitted from the CMOS chip to optical fibers coupled to the CMOS chip. Second optical signals may be received from the optical fibers and converted to electrical signals via photodetectors in the CMOS chip. The optical source signal may be communicated from the semiconductor laser into the CMOS chip via optical fibers in to a top surface and the first optical signals may be communicated out of a top surface of the CMOS chip. The optical source signal may be communicated into the CMOS chip and the first optical signals may be communicated from the CMOS chip via optical couplers, which may comprise grating couplers. |
| US08165425B2 |
Interactive manual deformable registration of images
An image processing method is described that allows a user to deform an overlay image for the purpose of registration with a source image. The user defines a stretch vector for example by ‘clicking and dragging’ a mouse pointer and an algorithm deforms the overlay image according to a linear interpolated roll-off function. |
| US08165422B2 |
Method and system for reducing effects of undesired signals in an infrared imaging system
Effects of undesired infrared light are reduced in an imaging system using an infrared light source. The desired infrared light source is activated and a first set of imaging data is captured during a first image capture interval. The desired infrared light source is then deactivated, and a second set of image data is captured during a second image capture interval. A composite set of image data is then generated by subtracting from first values in the first set of image data corresponding second values in the second set of image data. The composite set of image data thus includes a set of imaging where data all infrared signals are collected, including both signals resulting from the IR source and other IR signals, from which is subtracted imaging in which no signals result from the IR course, leaving image data including signals resulting only from the IR source. |
| US08165421B2 |
Method and apparatus for image processing by using stored image
Provided are a method and apparatus for correcting an image under conditions where degradation of an image occurs. The method includes receiving an input image; comparing the input image with a stored image related to the input image, according to a predetermined standard; and selectively correcting the input image based on the stored image according to the result of the comparison. |
| US08165411B2 |
Method of and apparatus for encoding/decoding data
Provided is a method of and apparatus for compressing/decompressing data, in which lossless compression is applied to a raw data transfer mode in order to decompress data into high-quality data in a encoder/decoder (CODEC) system. A method of encoding data includes performing intraprediction within a current frame and performing interprediction between the current frame and a reference frame, applying lossless compression in input data in a raw data transfer mode in which raw data is transferred within an input frame, and comparing a predetermined parameter generated by the intraprediction and the interprediction with a predetermined parameter generated by the lossless compression, in order to select one of a prediction mode and a lossless compression mode. |
| US08165409B2 |
Mobile device identification of media objects using audio and image recognition
A method obtains media on a device, provides identification of an object in the media via image/video recognition and audio recognition, and displays on the device identification information based on the identified media object. |
| US08165406B2 |
Interactive concept learning in image search
An interactive concept learning image search technique that allows end-users to quickly create their own rules for re-ranking images based on the image characteristics of the images. The image characteristics can include visual characteristics as well as semantic features or characteristics, or may include a combination of both. End-users can then rank or re-rank any current or future image search results according to their rule or rules. End-users provide examples of images each rule should match and examples of images the rule should reject. The technique learns the common image characteristics of the examples, and any current or future image search results can then be ranked or re-ranked according to the learned rules. |
| US08165405B2 |
Leveraging temporal, contextual and ordering constraints for recognizing complex activities in video
A system (and a method) are disclosed for recognizing and representing activities in a video sequence. The system includes an activity dynamic Bayesian network (ADBN), an object/action dictionary, an activity inference engine and a state output unit. The activity dynamic Bayesian network encodes the prior information of a selected activity domain. The prior information of the selected activity domain describes the ordering, temporal constraints and contextual cues among the expected actions. The object/action dictionary detects activities in each frame of the input video stream, represents the activities hierarchically, and generates an estimated observation probability for each detected action. The activity inference engine estimates a likely activity state for each frame based on the evidence provided by the object/action dictionary and the ADBN. The state output unit outputs the likely activity state generated by the activity inference engine. |
| US08165402B2 |
Image processing method, image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus and storage medium
An image processing apparatus is configured to precisely perform positioning of a plurality of document images containing a common part and to precisely extract an image of the common part from the plurality of document images. |
| US08165394B2 |
Reconstruction of image in a Bayer pattern
Architecture for decoding (demosaicing) a source image and performing reconstruction directly from the Bayer pattern to reduce memory size and improve communication bandwidth. The architecture can be easily implemented in hardware such as in field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). |
| US08165391B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method to correct color misregistration near a boundary
If a pixel of interest on a line of interest is located in an attribute region different from that in which a pixel immediately preceding the pixel of interest is located, the luminance value and color difference values of the pixel of interest are recorded in this order adjacent to data recorded in a data packet set for the line of interest (S811). If the pixel of interest is located in the same attribute region as that in which the preceding pixel is located, the luminance value of the pixel of interest is recorded adjacent to the data recorded in the data packet (S812). The data packet generated by executing the above recording process on each pixel forming the line is output. |
| US08165388B2 |
Neutral pixel detection in an image path
A system and method for pixel and object level neutral detection. An image is scanned into a plurality of pixels. A local pixel of interest is identified along with a neighborhood of pixels around the local pixel. The chroma value of the current pixel as well as the average local chroma of the neighborhood are calculated. An adjusted chroma is determined based on the average local chroma. A luminance value can also be measured for the current pixel and for each of the neighbor pixels and a luminance variation determined. The adjusted chroma can be further modified based on the determined luminance variation. The adjusted chroma is compared against a threshold to determine a neutral pixel detection tag for the current pixel. The pixel tags can be utilized to control an adjustment of pixels in a device independent L*a*b* or a device independent CMYK domain. |
| US08165383B2 |
Method, system and computer program product for edge detection
A method for edge detection, the method includes: obtaining an image of an area of a lithographic mask; wherein the image is generated by an optical system that is partially coherent; calculating a gradient of the image and a second derivative of the image in a direction of the gradient of the image; calculating a function that is proportional to the second derivative of the image in the direction of the gradient of the image and is inversely proportional to a ratio between a square of the gradient of the image and the image; and detecting at least one edge of at least one feature of the area in response to values of the function. |
| US08165382B2 |
Glazing inspection method
Methods of determining the divergence angle between a primary image and a secondary image generated by a glazing are disclosed. In a first method, a glazing is illuminated with a light source and a primary and a secondary image of the light source, generated by the glazing, are captured using an image capture device. The distance between the primary and the secondary image is determined, and the divergence angle determined from this distance. In a second method, the primary and secondary images are viewed on a target marked with a scale indicating the divergence angle. The divergence angle is read from the scale and the positions the primary and secondary image. In this second method, the light source is located at the center of the target. In both methods, the light source comprises at least one light emitting diode. Preferably, the method is used to examine the edge region of a glazing. |
| US08165369B2 |
System and method for robust segmentation of pulmonary nodules of various densities
A method for differentiating pulmonary nodules in digitized medical images includes identifying an object of interest from a digital image of the lungs, computing a first distance map of each point of the object of interest, determining a seed point from the first distance map, starting from the seed point, growing a first region by adding successive adjacent layers of points until a background point is reached, and partitioning the first region into a nodule region and a non-nodule region. |
| US08165368B2 |
Systems and methods for machine learning based hanging protocols
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for determining a hanging protocol for display of clinical images in a study. Certain embodiments provide a method for determining a hanging protocol for clinical image display. The method includes capturing one or more high level characteristics for an image study based on relationships between images in the study. The method also includes identifying one or more low level characteristics for individual images in the image study. The method further includes classifying the image study based on a combination of the high level characteristics and the low level characteristics. The method additionally includes determining a hanging protocol for the image study based on the classifying. The method includes providing the hanging protocol for display of images in the image study. |
| US08165365B2 |
Method and system for displaying tomosynthesis images
An embodiment of a method for displaying a volume obtained by tomosynthesis includes displaying a two-dimensional image. It further includes receiving user input that defines on the displayed image at least one volume of interest associated with a two-dimensional region of interest located in a plane of the image. The method further includes displaying in the region of interest, according to a practitioner's wishes: (a) images of slices of the volume of interest; (b) three-dimensional images of the volume of interest; and/or (c) slabs obtained from the volume of interest. |
| US08165363B2 |
System and method for quality assurance in pathology
Systems and methods for improving quality assurance in pathology using automated quality assessment and digital image enhancements on digital slides prior to analysis by the pathologist are provided. A digital pathology system (slide scanning instrument and software) creates, assesses and improves the quality of a digital slide. The improved digital slide image has a higher image quality that results in increased efficiency and accuracy in the analysis and diagnosis of such digital slides when they are reviewed on a monitor by a pathologist. These improved digital slides yield a more objective diagnosis than reading the corresponding glass slide under a microscope. |
| US08165362B2 |
Neurodegenerative disease detection method, detecting program, and detector
A method of detecting a neurodegenerative disease includes (a) a standardization step of creating a first image by applying anatomical standardization to a brain nuclear medical image; (b) a conversion step of creating a second image by converting the pixel value of each pixel of an image based on the first image into a z score or a t value; (c) an addition step of calculating the sum of the pixel values of individual pixels in a predetermined region of interest in the second image; and (d) a detection step of obtaining the results of the detection of the neurodegenerative disease through an operation of comparison of the sum with a predetermined threshold. |
| US08165360B2 |
X-ray identification of interventional tools
A system and method enhance the visibility of medical devices shown in internal images. A medical device may be inserted into a patient. Internal images of the patient may then be acquired via various medical imaging techniques. However, the medical device may only be partially visible in the images, if at all. For instance, the images may be acquired with minimal radiation exposure to the patient and/or the medical device may be thin or made of translucent material. Model data may be associated with the geometry or other characteristics of the medical device. The model data may be adapted, such as rotated, resized, bent, or otherwise modified, to form a “best fit” with the medical device as actually shown in the internal images. The adapted model data may be superimposed onto a display of the medical device as shown in the internal images to enhance visibility of the medical device. |
| US08165354B1 |
Face recognition with discriminative face alignment
The present invention relates to systems and methods for face recognition. In an embodiment, a system for face recognition includes a face alignment module, a signature extractor and a recognizer. In another embodiment, a method for face recognition is provided. The method includes extracting signature features of a face in an image based upon face alignment localization. The method also includes generating reconstruction errors based upon the face alignment localizations. Face alignment models may be used. The method further includes identifying a person from the face in the image. According to a further embodiment, direct mixture recognition may be performed. According to another embodiment, iterative mixture recognition may be performed. |
| US08165350B2 |
Assessment of a view through the overlay of maps
A system for evaluating a view, including a first mapper for encoding an image of a view according to a first parameter to create a first map having multiple defined areas, a second mapper for encoding the image according to a second parameter to create a second map having multiple defined areas, an overlap mapper for combining the maps to create an overlap map, a tabulator for measuring areas in the overlap map corresponding to overlapping defined areas, creating a set of measurements of the image, and an analyzer for analyzing the set of measurements of the image and a learning set of measurement groups with associated values to compute an estimated value associated with the image where the estimated value relates to the set of measurements of the image in the same manner that each value in the learning set relates to its associated measurement group. |
| US08165347B2 |
Visual tracking eye glasses in visual head and eye tracking systems
The invention relates to the application area of camera-based head and eye tracking systems. The performance of such systems typically suffers when eye glasses are worn, as the frames of the glasses interfere with the tracking of the facial features utilized by the system. This invention describes how the appearance of the glasses can be utilized by such a tracking system, not only eliminating the interference of the glasses with the tracking but also aiding the tracking of the facial features. The invention utilizes a shape model of the glasses which can be tracked by a specialized tracker to derive 3D pose information. |
| US08165344B2 |
Image processing apparatus, moving image encoding apparatus, information processing method and information processing program
The information processing apparatus comprises: an input unit which inputs moving image data of frames; a reference information acquisition unit which acquires reference information in accordance with the moving image data of one of the frames inputted to the input unit, the reference information forming a reference for identifying a constituent part of a person; a constituent part region extraction unit which extracts, in accordance with the reference information, a constituent part region where the constituent part of the person is situated, from the moving image data of each of the frames inputted after the frame from which the reference information has been acquired by the reference information acquisition unit; a priority region setting unit which sets, in accordance with the constituent part region, a priority region in the moving image data of each of the frames inputted after the frame from which the reference information has been acquired by the reference information acquisition unit; and a processing unit which carries out prescribed information processing preferentially in the priority region set by the priority region setting unit. |
| US08165342B2 |
Color image or video processing
The present invention relates generally to color image processing. One claim recites a method of color masking an image or video including: reading color values of an image sample of the image or video and a corresponding change of an attribute of the image sample; and based on the color values of the image sample, and using a programmed electronic processor, mapping the change in the image sample attribute to a change in color components of the image sample that is equivalent to the change in the image sample attribute, yet reduces visibility of the change in the image sample attribute for the specific color values of the image sample. Another claim recites a method including: obtaining data representing digital imagery or video; analyzing at least a portion of the data to determine one or more color characteristics associated with the at least a portion of the data, said act of analyzing yielding a result; based at least in part on the result, generating a key; and using a programmed electronic processor, embedding auxiliary data in the data representing digital imagery or video using the key. Of course other claims and combinations are provided as well. |
| US08165336B2 |
Voice coil and speaker
A voice coil includes a cylindrical bobbin formed of a first material; a coil which surrounds on an outer circumferential surface of the bobbin; and a plurality of reinforcement members formed of a material having a propagation speed faster than the first material and provided on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical bobbin. |
| US08165323B2 |
Monolithic capacitive transducer
A capacitive transducer includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface. The first surface of the substrate defines a first plane. The substrate has a cavity with an interior peripheral edge. The cavity extends between the first surface and the second surface. A body is provided that has an exterior peripheral edge. The body is parallel to the first plane and at least partially blocking the cavity. The body is connected to the substrate by resilient hinges such that, upon the application of a force, the body moves perpendicular to the first plane. A first set of comb fingers is mounted to the substrate. The first set of comb fingers is connected to a first electrical connection. A second set of comb fingers is mounted to the body and extends past the exterior peripheral edge of the body. The second set of comb fingers is connected to a second electrical connection that is isolated from the first connection. The first set of comb fingers and the second set of comb finger are interdigitated such that as the body moves, the first set of comb fingers and the second set of comb finger maintain a relative spacing. The first set of comb fingers and the second set of comb fingers define a capacitance. The capacitance is related to the relative position of the first set of comb drive fingers and the second set of comb drive fingers. |
| US08165318B2 |
Process for adjusting the sound volume of a digital sound recording
The present invention relates to a process for adjusting the sound volume of a digital sound recording characterized in that it comprises: a step consisting of determining, in absolute values, for a recording, the maximum amplitude values for sound frequencies audible for the human ear, a step consisting of calculating the possible gain for a specified sound level setting, between the maximum amplitude value determined above and the maximum amplitude value for all frequencies combined, a step consisting of reproducing the recording with a sound card by automatically adjusting the amplification gain level making it possible to obtain a sound level for the recording of a specified value so that it corresponds to the gain calculated for this recording. |
| US08165315B2 |
Multichannel wireless system
An audio system responsive to a source of audio programming. The audio system comprising a master amplifier connected to the source of audio programming, the master amplifier providing channelized amplified audio signals at each one of a plurality of channel output connectors and a signal splitter connected to at least one of the plurality of channel output connectors for splitting the channelized amplified audio signal at a selected one of the plurality of channel output connectors into an audio channel signal and a power signal. The audio system further comprising a channel transmit module responsive to the audio channel signal and the power signal for transmitting the audio channel signal, a channel receiver responsive to an intended audio channel signal, a channel amplifier connected to an associated channel receiver for amplifying the intended audio channel signal and a sound reproducing device connected to the channel amplifier for aurally reproducing the intended audio channel signal. |
| US08165308B2 |
Arrangement and method for determining operational mode of a communication device
A wireless electronic arrangement configured to connect to an earphone arrangement may include a signal generator to generate an electric signal to be sent over the earphone arrangement; a measuring arrangement to make at least one measurement of the electric signal to determine a value indicating a current acoustic impedance of the earphone arrangement; a control unit to compare the determined value with a stored value indicating an operational acoustic impedance stored on a memory unit and, based on a result of the comparison, to select an operational mode of the wireless electronic arrangement based on the determined state of the earphone arrangement. |
| US08165304B2 |
Domain digital rights management system, license sharing method for domain digital rights management system, and license server
Disclosed is a domain DRM system, a license sharing method for the domain DRM system, and a license server. The domain DRM system includes at least one domain including at least one user module adapted for encryption or decryption using a provided encryption key and a domain manager adapted for decryption using a provided encryption key, and a license server for creating encryption keys corresponding to the domain manager and the one user module, respectively, and providing them with the created contents, respectively, so that, when at least one user module requests contents, a contents encryption key used to encrypt the contents is encrypted by using an encryption key of the user module and an encryption key of the domain manager according to a commutative encryption scheme, and one of the domain manager and the user module is provided with a shared license obtained as a result of encryption. |
| US08165303B1 |
Method and apparatus for public key cryptography
Method and apparatus are described wherein, in one example embodiment, a first entity shares a digital file such as a digital image with a second entity, and the first entity and the second entity each use the digital file as a seed to generate identical public/private key pairs using the same key generation procedure, such that both entities hold identical key pairs. The first and second entities may use the key pairs to encrypt, decrypt or sign and authenticate communications between the entities. |
| US08165300B2 |
System and method for generalized authentication
A system, method, and program product is provided that uses environments to control access to encryption keys. A request for an encryption key and an environment identifier is received. If the encryption key is not associated with the environment identifier, the request is denied. If they are associated, the system receives user-supplied environment authentication data items from a user. Examples of environment authentication data include passwords, user identifiers, user biometric data (e.g., fingerprint scan, etc.), smart cards, and the like. The system retrieves stored environment authentication data items from a secure (e.g., encrypted) storage location. The retrieved stored environment authentication data items correspond to the environment identifier that was received. The received environment authentication data items are authenticated using the retrieved stored environment authentication data items. If the authentication is successful, the user is allowed use of the requested encryption key, otherwise, the request is denied. |
| US08165295B2 |
Data transmission method
Encrypted auxiliary information data DYAE/DCAE including no inhibited codes is generated based on auxiliary information data DYA/DCA including no inhibited codes, in an auxiliary data packet having an auxiliary data flag ADF formed of a first combination of a plurality of inhibited codes, the auxiliary data flag ADF is replaced with an auxiliary data flag EADF formed of a second combination of the inhibited codes, the second combination being different from the first combination, to form an encrypted auxiliary data packet having the auxiliary data flag EADF and including the encrypted auxiliary information data DYAE/DCAE, and the encrypted auxiliary data packet is transmitted. |
| US08165294B2 |
Rollback attack prevention system and method
A rollback attack prevention system 10 for a gaming machine 20 includes a configuration log 30 and a revocation list 40. Preferably, the configuration log 30 includes a protected record of software that has been installed on the gaming machine 20. Further, the revocation list 40 includes an inventory of unauthorized software that the prevention system 10 prevents from being installed and/or used on the gaming machine 20. |
| US08165288B2 |
Cryptographic processing apparatus and cryptographic processing method, and computer program
In extended Feistel type common key block cipher processing, a configuration is realized in which an encryption function and a decryption function are commonly used. In a cryptographic processing configuration to which an extended Feistel structure in which the number of data lines d is set to an integer satisfying d≧3 is applied, involution properties, that is, the application of a common function to encryption processing and decryption processing, can be achieved. With a configuration in which round keys are permuted or F-functions are permuted in the decryption processing, processing using a common function can be performed by setting swap functions for the encryption processing and the decryption processing to have the same processing style. |
| US08165284B2 |
Slide module and portable terminal having the same
A slide module having a first slide member, a second slide member moveable with respect to the first slide member, and a biasing unit connecting the first slide member to the second slide member, is provided. The biasing unit includes a first linkage having a plurality of links, the first linkage having one end rotatably connected to the first slide member and the other end rotatably connected to the second slide member, a second linkage having a plurality of links, the second linkage having one end of the second linkage rotatably connected to the first slide member and the other end rotatably connected to the second slide member, and a biasing mechanism connected between the first linkage and the second linkage. |
| US08165282B1 |
Exploiting facial characteristics for improved agent selection
The present invention, in one embodiment, is directed to a method for servicing customer contacts in a contact center in which customer facial features are employed in selecting and/or configuring contact center resources to service the customer. |
| US08165277B2 |
Distributed service creation environment for intelligent endpoints
According to one embodiment, a method for creating telephony features for an endpoint includes receiving a plurality of instructions defining a graphical representation of an implementation of one or more telephony features for an endpoint. The graphical representation includes a plurality of graphical elements representing a state process of the one or more telephony features. The graphical representation is generated in accordance with the plurality of instructions. A plurality of text commands corresponding to the graphical elements are determined. The text commands specify a plurality of actions of the state process. The graphical representation is converted into customized feature logic that includes the plurality of text commands. The text commands provide the one or more telephony features for the endpoint. |
| US08165276B2 |
System and method for auditing a communications bill
A computer-assisted system and method for auditing a communications bill wherein billing information is collected, reformatted and stored for use in a set of automated audits. The system and method for auditing a communications bill further collects data from other external systems such as a work order system, a trouble ticket system, an inventory system, an AMA/SMDR data source, an SS7 event record data source, or another source of call records or billing records. The data collected is used in a set of automated audits to determine if the communications bills contain errors. The system and method will further perform historical audits, and generate and manage the billing dispute process. The system and method will further provide audit reports and interface to an accounts payable system. |
| US08165272B2 |
Automated dial tone verification and reporting
An automated system and associated methods that can be used to meet government compliance regulations are provided for testing and tracking the administration of Calling Line Identification (CLID) and Calling Party Name Identification (CPNID) information on various telephone lines (traditional circuit-based voice and evolving packet-based voice and data) for telecommunications systems. These systems can include large or small private branch exchange (PBX), key systems and equivalents, or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Call Management Servers. Capturing and recording CLID and CPNID on dial tone tests for any site location have been automated. Capabilities for recording, alerting, and reporting necessary data for internal and external auditing are provided. Centralizing real-time and historical records on phone line installation and modification activities can be generated and maintained. Verification of valid answer results for consumers' returned calls inbound to site locations can be performed. Ongoing monitoring by means of periodic automated telecommunications system-wide site dial-out to centralized compliance servers to record audit results (scheduled or on-demand) is available. |
| US08165266B2 |
Transverse scanning bone densitometer and detector used in same
A scanning bone densitometer includes an x-ray source to produce x-rays and an x-ray detector receiving x-rays emitted from the x-ray source. The x-ray detector includes a cadmium tellurium (CdTe) semiconductor. The scanning bone densitometer also includes a controller moving the x-ray source and the x-ray detector along a transverse scanning path to acquire a plurality of scan images of an object of interest. |
| US08165260B2 |
Loop bandwidth enhancement technique for a digital PLL and a HF divider that enables this technique
A method of operating a phase locked loop (FIG. 5) for a wireless receiver is disclosed. The method includes receiving a reference signal (503) having a first and a second plurality of cycles and receiving a feedback signal (512) having the first and the second plurality of cycles. The feedback signal is compared (504) to the reference signal. A plurality of phase errors is produced for each cycle of (UP, FIG. 10A) the first plurality of cycles in response to the step of comparing. |
| US08165254B2 |
Apparatus and method for receiving signal for extent limitation of timing synchronization in MB-OFDM UWB system
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for receiving signal for extent of timing synchronization in MB-OFDM UWB System. The invention divides the digital samples completed of sampling twice as much as minimum sampling clock required to restore the MB-OFDM received signal into ODD data path and EVEN data path, executes the packet detection and timing synchronization for each of divided path and selects the data of path with larger cross correlation value at the timing synchronization point to secure the stable receiving performance in system environment with severe frequency offset and prevent the FTT window shift within preamble section through adding minimum hardware and structural change without increasing the system clock. |
| US08165251B2 |
Interpolation IIR filter for OFDM baseband processing
A filter for receiver and operative on a stream of OFDM symbols has a symbol timing identifier which indicates the time interval for each symbol and also indicates a non-truncation interval and a truncation interval of the stream of symbols. The stream of OFDM symbols is applied to an infinite impulse response (IIR) filter with a reset input for resetting internal registers such that during the non-truncation interval, the reset input is not asserted, and during the truncation interval of the stream of OFDM symbols, the reset input is asserted during the intervals between symbols, as identified by the symbol timing identifier.A transmit filter for a stream of OFDM symbols, each symbol being separated into a first Tg interval, a second Tg interval, a symbol interval, and a final Tg interval, the filter has a stream modifier which discards the first Tg interval, accepts said second Tg interval, accepts the symbol interval and discards said final Tg interval, presenting to an infinite impulse response filter, in sequence, the second Tg interval, the symbol interval and the second Tg interval. |
| US08165242B2 |
Signal jamming avoidance method for a frequency hopping communication system
To avoid signal jamming, a method is provided for selecting a dwell channel on a receiver in a frequency hopping communication system. The method includes: measuring a noise level on channels over which a data signal is received at the receiver; selecting a dwell channel based on the estimated noise levels, where the dwell channel having the lowest noise level amongst a group of permissible channels over which to acquire a signal from a transmitter; and tuning the receiver to the selected dwell channel during a search state in which the receiver attempts to synchronize with a transmitter. |
| US08165227B2 |
Method of keying for broadcast using OFDM
A method of modulation, which is applied to a communication system transmitting data in one frequency band using at least two orthogonal subcarriers, is disclosed. The present invention includes the steps of adding information bits indicating an amplitude reference and a phase reference to an input bit sequence by a specific time interval unit and carrying out differential amplitude phase shift keying (DAPSK) on the input bit sequence using the amplitude and phase references. The present invention prevents the waste of power and bandwidth due to insertion of a plurality of pilot toes in the related art 1β-QAM system. |
| US08165226B2 |
Imaging frame freeze detection
Techniques for detecting faults in a digital video stream include frame freeze detection that can alert an operator of frame freeze in a digital video stream. According to various embodiments, a counter or other code generator is used to place a code into each frame of a video stream. The code counts sequentially, or otherwise changes in a predetermined manner, from one frame to the next and is embedded into one or more pixels of each frame. Verification at the destination, or display, of the changing code within the frames of the video stream can confirm that the video stream is not in a frame freeze fault condition prior to display. If a fault condition is detected by the code verification process, an operator can be made aware of the fault. |
| US08165223B2 |
Deblocking filter
The invention is related to decoding of block wise coded video pictures. The determination of using de-blocking filtering between coded blocks is based on alternative characteristics compared to the characteristics used in H.264/AVC. |
| US08165216B2 |
System and method for implementing efficient decoded buffer management in multi-view video coding
A system and method for encoding a first picture sequence and a second picture sequence into coded pictures, with the first picture sequence and the second picture sequence being different, and with at least one coded picture of the second picture sequence being predicted from at least one picture in the first picture sequence. According to various embodiments of the present invention, signal element is encoded into a coded picture of the second picture sequence. The signal element indicates whether a picture in the first picture sequence is used for prediction of the coded picture of the second picture sequence. |
| US08165211B2 |
Method and apparatus of de-interlacing video
The presently claimed invention adaptively selects a local de-interlacing method according to information from a compressed video bitstream. According to one embodiment, successive images from a video bitstream are first reconstructed. Syntax elements, selected from a macroblock type, a macroblock partition, a motion vector, a distance from a reference frame, the existence of non-zero transform coefficients and the distribution of transform coefficients, are then extracted from this bitstream. Based on the syntax elements, a de-interlacing algorithm is decided from an algorithm set for each image region in a video frame. Algorithms in the algorithm set include motion compensation, edge-based line averaging, and line averaging. Each image region is thereby interpolated using the de-interlacing algorithm and complementary motion compensation. The complementary motion compensation de-interlaces the image region using an inverse of motion vectors extracted from a bitstream clip representing neighboring frames. |
| US08165204B2 |
Resource allocation for frame-based controller
A method for resource allocation for video encoder to achieve optimal picture quality within a given resource budget. Making a video encoder utilize the computational complexity, bitrate and other resources in an optimal way while maintaining optimal quality is a complicated optimization problem. A subset of this resource allocation problem, optimizing the tradeoff between bitrate versus quality is called rate-distortion optimization and is performed in most modern encoders. In order to achieve a computationally practical solution of the resource allocation problem, the current invention partitions the video content into a number of regions based on their characteristics and assesses resource allocation among regions to achieve the optimal quality within the resource budget limit. To maintain the computation tractable, the invention relies on bit production model and distortion model for the underlying video content to assess the quality and resource usage instead of actually conducting video compression. An iterative optimization algorithm has been developed to implement the invention. |
| US08165203B2 |
Line-based video rate control
A method for line-based video rate control is provided. The line based video rate control method includes system feedback to change system operating parameters, including on a packet-by-packet basis and also on a line-by-line basis. Also provided is a method for line-based compression. The method includes basic elements of an arithmetic coder to improve Golomb coding performance. By inverting operations in the method for line-based compression, the corresponding decoder can be obtained. The method also provides a heuristic-driven method for generating prediction residuals from quantized data, wherein prediction is driven in the direction of maximum correlation so that it is unnecessary to supply the decoder with additional data specifying this direction at each array element. |
| US08165201B2 |
Method of computing disparity, method of synthesizing interpolation view, method of encoding and decoding multi-view video using the same, and encoder and decoder using the same
The invention relates to a method of computing a disparity, a method of synthesizing an interpolation view, a method of encoding and decoding multi-view video using the same, and an encoder and a decoder using the same. In particular, the invention relates to a method of computing a disparity, a method of synthesizing an interpolation view, a method of encoding and decoding multi-view video using the same, and an encoder and a decoder using the same, which can rapidly compute an initial disparity of a block using region segmentation, accurately compute a disparity of the block using a variable block, and synthesize an interpolation view on the basis of a disparity value computed in a pixel basis using an adaptive search range, thereby improving quality of the interpolation view, and also can encode and decode a multi-view video independently from an existing prediction mode while using the interpolation view as a reference picture, thereby improving coding efficiency. |
| US08165198B2 |
Apparatus and method for performing video decoding processes in parallel
An apparatus and a method for performing video decoding processes in parallel are provided. The method is adapted for utilizing a first cluster and a second cluster of a processor to perform the video data decoding process in parallel. The method includes performing a VLD process to the video data with the first cluster, so as to obtain a plurality of coefficients and then performing an IZ process, an IQ process, and an IDCT process to the coefficients with the second cluster, so as to obtain a plurality of pixels values of the video data. When the first cluster decodes a coefficient of the video data, the second cluster performs the IZ, IQ, and IDCT processes to a coefficient previously decoded by the second cluster of the video data. Accordingly, a parallel process is realized and the decoding speed is increased. |
| US08165197B2 |
Method and apparatus for video upscaling
Upscaling video data for presentation on a relatively high resolution display device is described. Supplemental video data corresponding to video data is accessed and acquired in response to a request to upscale the video data. The video data and the supplemental video data are combined to produce a combined video data for displaying particular video content on a destination display device at a resolution that is high relative to the local display device. Digital rights management information may be verified prior to producing the combined video data, and additional digital rights information may be applied prior to transmitting the combined video data to the destination display device. A device registration database may also be used to control production and transmission of the upscaled video to other devices. |
| US08165193B2 |
Method for wireless data transmission between a base station and a passive transponder, as well as a passive transponder
A method for wireless data transmission, in, for example, RFID systems, between a base station and a passive transponder, as well as a passive transponder is provided by inductive coupling, as well as a passive transponder. It is possible to transmit data from the base station to the transponder by a first data transmission protocol type and by at least one second data transmission protocol type, whereby the first or the at least second data transmission protocol type is selected by writing a configuration register in the transponder. |
| US08165185B2 |
Physical layer data unit format
In a wireless communication system wherein communication devices exchange information utilizing data units that conform to a first format, wherein the first format includes a short training field (STF) spread with a first spread code and a first cover code, a method is for generating a physical layer (PHY) data unit that conforms to a second format, wherein the PHY data unit is for transmitting PHY information. A first portion of the PHY data unit is generated to indicate the PHY data unit conforms to the second format, wherein the first portion of the PHY data unit includes an STF spread with at least one of a second spread code different than the first spread code or a second cover code different than the first cover code. A second portion of the PHY data unit is generated according to the second format, wherein the second portion of the PHY data unit includes PHY information elements not specified by the first format. |
| US08165183B2 |
Joint design
Disclosed herein is an electrode joint having a first carbon body having at least one end portion that includes a male tang with a convex tip and a second carbon body having a female socket with a concave base. |
| US08165162B2 |
Method and system for optimizing fragment size for aggregation at the physical layer
Aspects of a system for optimizing fragment size for aggregation at the physical layer may include one more switch ICs and/or physical (PHY) layer ICs that enable reception of data packets via a medium access control layer protocol entity. Each received data packet may be fragmented into a plurality of fragment payloads, wherein a length of each of the plurality of fragment payloads is selected from a plurality of candidate lengths. Each of the plurality of fragment payloads may be sent via a PHY layer protocol entity instance selected from a plurality of PHY layer protocol entity instances. |
| US08165158B2 |
Method/system for processing messages and converged service system
A method/system for processing messages and a converged service system are provided. The method for processing messages comprises: a converged service system receives a message request sent from a traditional message service user via a traditional message service system and performs a converged service message format conversion on the message request (step S102); the converged service system determines an ID of the traditional message service system sending the message request according to the message request, and sends a converged service user the ID of the traditional message service system included in the converted message request (step S104); the converged service system receives a predefined service message from the converged service user, wherein the ID of the traditional message service system is included in the predefined service message (step S106); the converged service system performs a traditional message service format conversion on the predefined service message and sends the converted predefined service message to a traditional message service system corresponding to the ID of the traditional message service system in the predefined service message (step S108). By using the invention, the service experience of the user is improved. |
| US08165155B2 |
Method and system for a thin client and blade architecture
In a computing system, a method and system for a thin client and blade architecture are provided. A blade may generate video, audio, and peripheral control information that may be transmitted to a thin client (TC) by utilizing a video encoder, an audio bridge, and a peripheral bridge. Communication between the blade and the TC may occur based on a communication protocol that may operate independently of an operating system and/or applications running on the blade. The video encoder may dynamically compress the video information according to network capacity and/or video content and may dynamically select from various compression algorithms. The blade may configure and manage operations that interface with the TC. The TC may comprise a video decoder, a transceiver, a processor, a video display bridge, an audio bridge, and a peripheral bridge and may be adapted to communicate with peripheral devices. |
| US08165152B2 |
Method and apparatus for prioritizing logical channels
A method and apparatus are disclosed for prioritizing logical channels when a new transmission is performed. Logical channel resources are allocated for available data to a plurality of logical channels. A maximum bit rate (MBR) credit (i.e., token) is decremented in a buffer (i.e., bucket) associated with a particular one of the logical channels by the size of a medium access control (MAC) service data unit (SDU). The MBR credit may have a negative value. If any of the allocated channel resources remain, the logical channels are served n a decreasing priority order until the data is exhausted. A radio link control (RLC) SDU is not segmented if the whole RLC SDU fits into the remaining resources. The MAC SDU excludes a MAC PDU header and MAC padding. |
| US08165148B2 |
System and method for rate assignment
A system and method for a time-scalable priority-based scheduler. A flexible scheduling algorithm utilizing variable scheduling durations enables better system capacity utilization. A rate request is transmitted if data arrives in a buffer, data in the buffer exceeds a buffer depth, and sufficient power exists to transmit at the rate requested. A rate assignment responsive to the rate request indicates a scheduled duration and a scheduled rate applicable for the scheduled duration. The scheduled duration is less than or equal to a scheduling period. The scheduling period is an interval of time and after which a scheduler makes a scheduling decision. The scheduling period is variable and the scheduled duration is variable. |
| US08165127B1 |
Distributing packets more evenly over trunked network links
Routing nodes in communications networks use policies and certain fields, called selection fields, in packet headers to make routing decisions. When routing over a trunk, a specific trunked link over which to forward a packet must be selected. Policies and selection fields can be used in a way that causes the packets in data streams to be distributed more evenly across the trunked links than is currently done. |
| US08165123B2 |
Packet forwarding device and packet priority setting method
A packet forwarding device with a shaping unit, which is provided with queues for storing high priority packets and queues for storing low priority packets. The shaping unit transmits a packet read out from the non priority queue by giving a high priority when no transmit-wait packet exist in the priority queue even though the time to transmit a packet from the priority queue is reached. |
| US08165116B2 |
Method and system to provide contact services in a communication network
A communication system includes an application server that includes logic to recognize that preference data in each of a plurality of data record entries of a subscriber record has a common value. Each data record entry includes a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI), and the subscriber record is stored in a telephone number mapping (ENUM) server. The application server also includes logic to issue a command to initiate contact concurrently with devices identified by URIs in the subscriber record via an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). |
| US08165109B2 |
Method for managing the quality of encrypted voice over IP to teleagents
A voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) system and more particularly, an improved VoIP system serving a distributed group of teleagents. Network parameters that affect voice quality over broadband connections are rapidly detected by generating both detected and subjective alerts when problems with the quality of a IP telephone connection are detected and correcting the detected problems. Network parameters are monitored during an actual VoIP telephone call or by using synthetic traffic. If the voice quality degrades for a particular teleagent, the teleagent is removed from the pool of available agents until voice quality improves. Alternatively, the voice quality of each teleagent may be ranked according to the service provided. |
| US08165096B2 |
Methods and systems of improved success rate for decoding downlink map and uplink map IES in mobile WIMAX mobile
Methods and apparatus for decoding MAP information elements (MAP IEs) in an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) or orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) frame, even when the received downlink (DL) or uplink (UL) MAP message cyclic redundancy check (CRC) fails, may be provided. By continuing to parse the MAP IEs in the MAP message despite a CRC failure in the MAP message or a data burst, the packet error rate may be reduced, and the wireless system throughput may be increased. |
| US08165094B2 |
Soft handoff in OFDMA system
Soft handoff in an OFDMA system is disclosed. If the pilot signal strength for a base station exceeds the defined threshold, the base station is added to an active set list. Subcarriers in a plurality of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols are divided and allocated into subchannels. The OFDM symbols are divided and multiplexed. A soft handoff zone with a first dimension of the subchannels and a second dimension of the divided and multiplexed OFDM symbols is defined. The soft handoff zone has subcarriers with a subchannel definition, for example, an identical permutation. |
| US08165092B2 |
System and method for adaptive proactive scanning to support fast handoffs in mobile networks
A scanning technique to select the best channel a mobile handset needs when approaching handoff is described. More specifically a system and method for an adaptive proactive scanning mechanism in which the rate of scanning is determined by the necessity to handoff and battery power is disclosed. |
| US08165090B2 |
Efficient handover of media communications in heterogeneous IP networks
Methods and systems are provided for efficient handover of a media session between heterogeneous Internet protocol (IP) networks. A mobile device with Internet access can operate a software program to communicate with a corresponding node. The corresponding node may access the Internet through either (i) a Network Address Translation (NAT) router or (ii) a public IP address. The mobile device establishes a media session with a corresponding node via the transmission of a first media stream and receipt of a second media stream, and a media control channel can optionally be implemented. The mobile device can acquire Internet access through a second IP address, and packets routed between the second IP address and the Internet may traverse a NAT router. A software routine can determine that handover of the media session from the first IP address to the second IP address is preferred. The mobile device may begin transmitting a third media stream to the corresponding node before the first media stream stops. The corresponding node can transmit a fourth media stream to the second IP address before terminating the transmission of the second stream to the first IP address. Software operating at the mobile device may include a handover predictive jitter buffer. |
| US08165082B2 |
Channel allocation notifying method, communication method, and communication apparatus
The number of communication channels necessary for communication with a terminal is calculated by using type and volume of data to be transmitted (Step S13). When calculated number of communication channels is one, a single communication channel is allocated based on quality information of a communication line to the terminal and, when calculated number of communication channels is more than one, then more than one communication channels are allocated based on the quality information (Step S14). Allocation information used for notifying of allocated communication channels is generated based on virtual channels, which are defined in advance as channel units having a combination of a plurality of consecutive communication channels, and the allocation information is transmitted to the terminal (Steps S15 and S16). |
| US08165079B2 |
System and method for connection identifier synchronization in a communication system
A method for synchronizing connection identifiers (CIDs) in a communication system includes sending a first message for requesting addition of a service flow identified by a CID; sending a second message and, at the same time, setting a number of a frame where the second message is transmitted as a first start frame number; sending a third message and, at the same time, setting a number of a frame where the third message is transmitted as a second start frame number; performing a modulo operation on a frame having the first or second start frame number and its succeeding frames using a positive integer for each frame, and detecting a number of a frame where a result value of the modulo operation becomes zero; and simultaneously updating CID lists at a frame having the detected frame number with regard to a CID of the added service flow. |
| US08165064B2 |
Enhancements to the positioning pilot channel
A method for communicating transmitter identification in an interlace structure of a communication network system using positioning pilot channels (PPC), comprising: a) encoding pilot information on a first portion of a plurality of subcarriers in a positioning pilot channel symbol for an active transmitter; and b) encoding transmitter identification information on a second portion of a plurality of subcarriers of the symbol; wherein the first portion of the plurality of subcarriers comprises at least first and second interlaces and the second portion of the plurality of subcarriers comprises at least a third interlace; the pilot information is scrambled in the first interlace with a wide area identifier and scrambled in the at least second interlaces with the wide area identifier and a local area identifier; and wherein at least one of the interlace includes the transmitter identification information in the form of one or more transmitter location coordinates in a free interlace. |
| US08165049B2 |
Filtering of electronic information to be transferred to a terminal
The object of the invention is a system, a device, a terminal and a method for filtering electronic information to be transferred to the terminal through a telecommunication connection. The invention comprises attaching a specific filtering parameter (30-32) by the device transferring the electronic information to the electronic information for the purpose of filtering before the electronic information is transferred to the terminal through the telecommunication connection, and informing the terminal of said filtering parameter (30-32) before the electronic information is transferred to the terminal through the telecommunication connection. In the terminal, the steps comprise checking said informed filtering parameter (30-32) and allowing or preventing the receiving of the electronic information on the basis of said filtering parameter (30-32). In response to said allowing of the receiving, the electronic information is transferred to the terminal through the telecommunication connection, and in response to said preventing of the receiving, the electronic information is not transferred to the terminal through the telecommunication connection. |
| US08165042B2 |
Network communication apparatus, method and program
The present invention filters packets and reduces traffic when communication is performed with a device on a network utilizing the IPv6 protocol. To achieve this, a printer driver operating in a personal computer correlates and stores the name of the communicating party and an address for which communication actually succeeded from among addresses that have undergone name resolution, and uses the stored address in communicating with the same communicating party from then onward. |
| US08165040B2 |
Method for routing mobile node in wireless mesh network and a communication system thereof
A wireless mesh network includes several mesh networks and the wireless mesh network access points to which the mesh networks belong. A method establishing backbone routing and network tolopogy among each wireless mesh network access points, selecting one said wireless mesh network access point as a location inquiry sever for all the mesh networks, and acquiring the corresponding relations between all the mesh networks in the wireless mesh network and the wireless mesh network access points to which the mesh networks belong. When said mesh network needs to transmit data, the access point inquires the location inquiry server for the wireless mesh network access point which the destination mesh network belongs to, and performs routing based on the network topology. |
| US08165027B2 |
Test apparatus and test method
There is provided a test apparatus for testing at least one device under test, including a packet list storing section that stores a plurality of packet lists each of which includes a series of packets communicated between the test apparatus and the at least one device under test, a flow control section that designates an order of executing the plurality of packet lists in accordance with an execution flow of a test program that is designed to test the at least one device under test, and a packet communicating section that sequentially communicates the series of packets included in packet lists sequentially designated by the flow control section between the test apparatus and the at least one device under test, to test the at least one device under test. |
| US08165024B2 |
Use of DPI to extract and forward application characteristics
Various exemplary embodiments are a method and related device and computer-readable medium including one or more of the following: receiving a packet sent from the source node to the destination node; associating the packet with an active flow by accessing information in the packet; performing deep packet inspection (DPI) to identify an application associated with the active flow; determining a classification for the packet based on characteristics of the identified application; associating, with the packet, information identifying the classification; forwarding the packet including the information identifying the classification towards the destination node; and performing processing on the packet at a downstream device by extracting the classification from the packet. |
| US08165022B2 |
Transmitting/receiving method and program and recording medium
The present invention provides a transmitting/receiving method capable of selecting a combination of communication media of the own and its counterpart reflecting the preference of the user or an application for each of flows on communication terminals and capable of doing execution without being known by counterpart the preference information. It presents means for selecting a combination of CoAs (the CoA of the communication counterpart and that of the own) of the Mobile IP referring to the preference information of the application when communication terminals transmit/receive one or more flows (data flows) through one or more paths (communication channels). In consideration of combinations of flows and paths, the score is calculated for the combinations, and transmitted to the counterpart terminal of the communication, the approval is obtained to select the optimum path. As a result, the CoA suitable to the preferences of both parties can be selected for each flow. |
| US08165021B2 |
Policy-based resource management
In one embodiment, a network device receives a request from a client in association with a connection, where the request indicates an amount of one or more resources that is requested to support the connection. The network device determines whether the amount of the resources is available. The network device may then allocate a level of the resources to the connection according to whether the amount of the resources is available. |
| US08165019B2 |
Indirect measurement methodology to infer routing changes using statistics of flow arrival processes
Statistical methods are used to observe packet flow arrival processes and to infer routing changes from those observations. Packet flow arrivals are monitored using NetFlow or another packet flow monitoring arrangement. Packet flow arrivals are quantified by counting arrivals per unit time, or by measuring an inter-arrival time between flows. When a change in packet flow arrivals is determined to be statistically significant, a change in network routing protocol is reported. |
| US08165012B2 |
Protection mechanisms for a communications network
A method of path protection for a connection-oriented packet switched communications network is described using a protection hub in communication with a worker hub via a core protection path. Both the worker hub and the protection hub communicate with at least one provider edge device via a respective worker and protection paths. The method detects a failure in the communications network, indicates the failure to the at least one of the provider edge device, the worker hub, and the protection hub. The method then employs the core protection path if a failure occurs along a worker path is detected, or a worker path and a protection path in parallel if a failure occurs along the core protection path. |
| US08165009B2 |
Adaptive scheduling of voice traffic in a multi-carrier communication environment
The present invention provides a technique for scheduling data, and in particular, scheduling real-time or voice data for transmissions during a transmit time interval in a multi-carrier communication environment. For each transmit time interval, channel condition indicia for multiple users is determined, and an iterative scheduling process is then implemented based in part on the channel condition indicia. The iterative scheduling initially preassigns select tones for each of the remaining users that have not been permanently assigned tones for the given transmit time interval. Next, the remaining user having the least favorable channel conditions is selected as an active user. The newly selected active user is then permanently assigned the select tones that were initially pre-assigned to that particular user. The permanently assigned tones are removed from consideration, and the process is repeated until all the remaining users are permanently assigned unique tones for scheduling. |
| US08164998B2 |
Optical disc device
The optical disc apparatus of this invention includes: an optical pickup, which irradiates an optical disc with a light beam and generates a light detection signal based on the beam reflected from the disc; a search section, which controls the pickup before data is written on a storage area of the disc, thereby adjusting the beam spot location and searching a reference one of information layers stacked for a defective area in the storage area of the disc; a defect decision section for detecting an error based on the detection signal and determining a portion of the storage area, where the error has occurred, as the defective area; a defect size measuring section for measuring the size of the defective area in an area of the reference layer and generating a defect information list indicating there is the defective area in the area of the reference layer; and a recording range control section for managing, by reference to the list, the storage area such that no data will be written on a perpendicularly projected area defined by projecting the defective area of the reference layer perpendicularly to another information layer. |
| US08164974B2 |
Memory circuits, systems, and method of interleaving accesses thereof
An interleaved memory circuit includes a first memory bank having a first memory cell. A first local control circuit is coupled with the first memory bank. A second memory bank includes a second memory cell. A second local control circuit is coupled with the second memory bank. An IO block is coupled with the first memory bank and the second memory bank. A global control circuit is coupled with the first and second local control circuits. An interleaving access includes a clock signal having a first cycle and a second cycle for accessing the first memory cell and the second memory cell, respectively, wherein the second cycle is capable of enabling the first local control circuit to trigger a first transition of a first read column select signal RSSL for accessing the first memory cell. |
| US08164965B2 |
Memory device and method having low-power, high write latency mode and high-power, low write latency mode and/or independently selectable write latency
A logic circuit operates write receivers in a dynamic random access memory device in either a low-power mode, high write latency mode or a high-power mode, low write latency mode. The logic circuit receives a first signal indicative of whether the high-power, low write latency mode has been enabled, a second signal indicative of whether a row of memory cells in the memory device is active, a third signal indicative of whether the memory device is being operated in a power down mode, and a fourth signal indicative of whether read transmitters in the memory device are active. The logic circuit maintains power to the write receivers whenever the high-power, low write latency mode has been enabled if a row of memory cells in the memory device is active, the memory device is not being operated in the power down mode, and the read transmitters in the memory device are not active. |
| US08164964B2 |
Boosting voltage levels applied to an access control line when accessing storage cells in a memory
A semiconductor memory storage device is disclosed, the memory comprises: a plurality of storage cells for storing data; at least two access control lines each for controlling access to a respective at least one of the plurality of storage cells; at least two access control circuits each for controlling a voltage level supplied to a corresponding one of the at least two access control lines in response to an access request, the at least two access control circuits each comprising a capacitor and switching circuitry; routing circuitry for routing the access request and a boost signal to a selected one of the at least two access control circuits in dependence upon an address associated with the access request; wherein the at least two access control circuits are each responsive to: receipt of the access request from the routing circuitry to connect the selected access control line to a supply voltage; and receipt of the boost signal from the routing circuitry to disconnect the supply voltage from the access control line and to couple the boost signal to the access control line through the capacitor of the access control circuit to provide a boost to a voltage level on the access control line. |
| US08164960B2 |
Write buffering systems for accessing multiple layers of memory in integrated circuits
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to data storage and computer memory, and more particularly, to systems, integrated circuits and methods for accessing memory in multiple layers of memory implementing, for example, third dimension memory technology. In a specific embodiment, an integrated circuit is configured to implement write buffers to access multiple layers of memory. For example, the integrated circuit can include memory cells disposed in multiple layers of memory. In one embodiment, the memory cells can be third dimension memory cells. The integrated circuit can also include read buffers that can be sized differently than the write buffers. In at least one embodiment, write buffers can be sized as a function of a write cycle. Each layer of memory can include a plurality of two-terminal memory elements that retain stored data in the absence of power and store data as a plurality of conductivity profiles. |
| US08164957B2 |
Reducing energy consumption when applying body bias to substrate having sets of nand strings
Body bias can be applied to optimize performance in a non-volatile storage system. Body bias can be set in an adaptive manner to reduce an error count of an error correcting and/or detecting code when reading data from non-volatile storage elements. Also, a body bias level can be increased or decreased as a number of programming cycles increases. Also, body bias levels can be set and applied separately for a chip, plane, block and/or page. A body bias can be applied to a first set of NAND strings for which operations are being performed by controlling a first voltage provided to a source side of the first set of NAND strings and a second voltage provided to a p-well. A source side of a second set of NAND strings for which operations are not being performed is floated or receives a fixed voltage. |
| US08164956B2 |
Non-volatile semiconductor storage device
At least some of the memory transistors included in a first memory string are commonly connected to first conductive layers that are connected to at least some of the memory transistors included in a second memory string connected to the same third and fourth conductive layers as the first memory string. At least one of either the memory transistors or the back-gate transistor in the first memory string and at least one of either the memory transistors or the back-gate transistor in the second memory string are connected to the independent first or fifth conductive layers, respectively. |
| US08164953B2 |
Memory and boundary searching method thereof
A memory and an operating method thereof are provided therein. When searching a boundary of a threshold voltage distribution of the memory, data errors resulted from tail bits of the memory would be corrected. Therefore, a sensing window could be broader, and the boundary of the threshold voltage distribution could be determined precisely. |
| US08164947B2 |
Low current switching magnetic tunnel junction design for magnetic memory using domain wall motion
A multi-state low-current-switching magnetic memory element (magnetic memory element) comprising a free layer, two stacks, and a magnetic tunneling junction is disclosed. The stacks and magnetic tunneling junction are disposed upon surfaces of the free layer, with the magnetic tunneling junction located between the stacks. The stacks pin magnetic domains within the free layer, creating a free layer domain wall. A current passed from stack to stack pushes the domain wall, repositioning the domain wall within the free layer. The position of the domain wall relative to the magnetic tunnel junction corresponds to a unique resistance value, and passing current from a stack to the magnetic tunnel junction reads the magnetic memory element's resistance. Thus, unique memory states may be achieved by moving the domain wall. |
| US08164944B2 |
Driver circuit and image forming apparatus
A driver circuit includes a memory cell for storing data and a data switching circuit. The memory cell includes a first inverter having a first output terminal and a first input terminal and a second inverter having a second output terminal and a second input terminal. The first output terminal is connected to the second input terminal and the second output terminal is connected to the first input terminal. A switch is connected to the first input terminal so that the data is fed to the memory cell through the switch. A voltage shifter supplies a first supply voltage to the first inverter and second inverter while the data is being written into the memory cell and a second supply voltage to the first inverter and second inverter after the data has been written into the memory cell. |
| US08164935B2 |
Memory modules and methods for modifying memory subsystem performance
Methods and memory modules adapted for use in computer systems to generate different voltages for core supply (VDD) and input/output supply (VDDQ) inputs to memory components of the computer memory subsystem. The memory module includes a substrate with an edge connector, a memory component, and first and second voltage planes adapted to supply the core supply voltage and the input/output supply voltage to the memory component. The first voltage plane receives a system input voltage from the edge connector, and the second voltage plane is connected to the first voltage plane to receive a second voltage that is either higher or lower than the system input voltage. One of the first and second voltage planes is connected to the memory component to supply the core supply voltage thereto, and the other voltage plane supplies the input/output supply voltage to the memory component. |
| US08164932B2 |
Power converter with automatic mode switching
A power converter is provided that has an alternating-current (AC) to direct-current (DC) switched-mode power converter circuit that converts alternating-current power into direct-current power for powering an attached electronic device. Power can be conserved by automatically placing the power converter circuit in a low-power standby mode of operation whenever the electronic device is detached from the power converter. A monitoring circuit can be powered by a capacitor or other energy storage element while the power converter is operating in the standby mode. If the monitoring circuit detects an output voltage change that is indicative of attachment of the electronic device or if the storage element needs to be replenished, the monitoring circuit can place the power converter circuit in an active mode of operation. |
| US08164928B2 |
Method and apparatus of operating a primary-side-regulation power converter at both continuous current mode and discontinuous current mode
A method and an apparatus of operating a primary-side-regulation power converter at both continuous current mode and discontinuous current mode are provided. The apparatus includes a switching circuit, a signal generator, a correlation circuit, and a feedback modulator. The signal generator generates a half signal and a second sampling pulse in response to a switching signal. The correlation circuit receives the half signal, the second sampling pulse and a switching-current signal for generating a modulating current. The feedback modulator modulates a feedback signal in response to the modulating current, a detection signal and the switching signal. The detection signal obtained from a transformer is correlated to an output voltage of the primary-side-regulation power converter. An on-period of the half signal is half of an on-period of the switching signal. The switching-current signal is sampled at a falling-edge of the half signal. |
| US08164924B2 |
Frame and display device with same
A frame includes a main body, a sidewall extending substantially from an edge of the main body, and a position-limiting mechanism disposed at an inner surface of the sidewall. The position-limiting mechanism includes an elastic portion, an abutting portion extending from the elastic portion, and a stopping portion extending from the abutting portion. A gap is defined between the inner surface of the sidewall and the stopping portion when the elastic portion is in a relaxed state. A display device employing a frame is also provided. |
| US08164918B2 |
Steering fabric that facilitates reducing power use for proximity communication
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates reducing the power needed for proximity communication. This system includes an integrated circuit with an array of transmission pads that transmit signals using proximity communication. This array is comprised of a set of macropads, where each given macropad is comprised of a set of micropads that can be configured to transmit a signal. A steering fabric routes signals to and within macropads, such that a subset of the micropads in the array can be configured to transmit the signal to a receiving component. Each macropad receives a limited number of input signals, with the steering fabric routing input signals to the micropads of the macropads. By limiting the number of input signals that are routed to the micropads of the macropads, the steering fabric eliminates redundant steering configurations for the array and reduces the power needed to transmit the signal. |
| US08164915B2 |
System for electronic components mounted on a circuit board
A system for electronic components mounted on a circuit board is disclosed. One embodiment provides placing an elastic, anisotropically conductive material on top of a printed circuit board. An electronic component is placed over the elastic, anisotropically conductive material, fixing the electronic component on the printed circuit board. |
| US08164911B2 |
Lightweight electronic device for automotive applications and method
A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application is virtually “fastenerless” and includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material that is molded to provide details to accept audio devices such as playback mechanisms (if desired) and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides EMC, RFI, BCI and ESD shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. The major components and subassemblies self-interconnect by integral guide and connection features effecting “slide lock” and “snap lock” self-interconnection. The major components and subassemblies self-ground by establishing an interference fit with exposed, resilient, embossed portions of wire mesh. |
| US08164909B2 |
Al/AlN joint material, base plate for power module, power module, and manufacturing method of Al/AlN joint material
A base plate for a power module includes: a metal plate, a ceramic base plate joined to the metal plate, and a release agent provided in a joint surface between the metal plate and the ceramic base plate. A remaining amount of the release agent is less than 5 as an amount of boron measured by fluorescence X-ray analysis, and a crystal grain straining region in the joint surface is equal to or less than 40%, or an amount of crystal grain straining in the joint surface is equal to or less than 0.03%. |
| US08164903B2 |
Clamping part for pressing power components against a cooling surface
The present invention relates to a clamping member for pressing power components (9) against cooling surfaces of the cooling flanges (7) of a housing, particularly for receiving an electronic circuit. The clamping member comprises a housing frame (13) having at least one receiving chamber for the cooling flange (7) and the power semiconductor (9) to be contacted with the cooling flange (7), the receiving chamber being surrounded by the frame walls (14a, 14b, 15) of the housing frame. A pressure element (17) is disposed between a frame wall (14a, 14b) and the power component (9) disposed opposite thereof, or the cooling flange (7) disposed opposite thereof. A separating gap, into which an expanding element (18) can be introduced on one side non-positively and/or positively such that the power component (9) is pressed against the cooling flange (7), is provided between the pressure element (17) and the frame wall (14a, 14b). |
| US08164902B2 |
Electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus, such as a blade server or the like, has a cooling system for efficiently cooling a plurality of heat generating semiconductor devices, such as a CPU, mounted on blades which is freely put on and taken off. The cooling system includes a thermosiphon which transfers heat from devices having relatively high heat generation, such as CPU or the like, to the outside of the apparatus, heat pipes which transfer heat of devices having relatively low heat generation to the thermosiphon, a thermal highway which is thermally coupled to the thermosiphon by the mounting of blades into a housing and collects and transfers the heat from the thermosiphon and the heat pipes, and a condenser which transfers the heat collected and transferred by the thermal highway outside a housing. |
| US08164883B2 |
Stacked solid electrolytic capacitor and a method for manufacturing the same
A stacked solid electrolytic capacitor and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The stacked solid electrolytic capacitor includes two capacitor sets, a positive electrode conducting device, a negative electrode conducting device, and a package unit. Each capacitor set includes at least one capacitor unit. The front side of the positive electrode portion of the capacitor set extends to form a positive electrode pin. The positive electrode conducting device has at least one first positive electrode conducting lead frame and at least one second positive electrode conducting lead frame. The first positive electrode conducting lead frame is electrically connected with the second positive electrode conducting lead frame. The negative electrode conducting device has at least one negative electrode conducting lead frame, and is electrically connected with the negative electrode of the two capacitor sets by using metal conductive material. |
| US08164882B2 |
Capacitor
A pressure regulating valve is provided on a terminal plate of a capacitor. This pressure regulating valve includes a gas permeable sheet, a valve body made of silicone rubber, a packing, and a cap. The gas permeable sheet that prevents permeation of electrolyte is provided so as to close a hole created in the terminal plate. The packing is interposed between the valve body and the gas permeable sheet, and is made of an elastic material with moisture permeation resistance higher than that of silicone rubber. The cap is fixed onto the terminal plate and covers the valve body and the packing such that the valve body and the packing are retained in a compressed state with respect to the terminal plate. The valve body and the packing are provided away from the gas permeable sheet. |
| US08164880B2 |
Dielectric ceramic composition and multilayer ceramic capacitor having the same
There is provided a dielectric ceramic composition including a base powder expressed by a composition formula of Bam(Ti1-xZrx)O3, where 0.995≦m≦1.010 and 0 |
| US08164879B2 |
Step down dechucking
A method and an apparatus for dechucking an electrostatic chuck are disclosed. The gas escapes through an opening between a wafer and a chuck in each stage of a multi-stages process. In each stage, during at least a portion of the stage, the chucking voltage is reduced to a value less than the least threshold voltage needed for holding the wafer, so that the wafer is pushed away from the chuck by the gas. Hence, the gas can escape from an opening between the wafer and the chuck, thereby increasing the dechucking rate. By controlling the decrement and/or the duration of the reduced voltage, any potential damages due to the pushed-away wafer can be minimized. |
| US08164875B1 |
Portable motorized frame remote racking tool
A portable motorized racking tool and a method for installing, removing and testing electrical equipment is described herein. A circuit breaker having a frame can be attached to a metal surface around the electrical equipment with magnets. The frame can support a solenoid with a plunger, a motor control for operating a motor with a gear assembly that rotates a tool first in one direction, then in a second direction, while the operator controls the framed tool by using a remote switch operator. The remote switch operator can supply power and signals to the framed tool, while the operator can maintain a position outside an arc flash hazard zone. |
| US08164862B2 |
Seed layer for TMR or CPP-GMR sensor
A composite seed layer that reduces the shield to shield distance in a read head while improving Hex (exchange coupling field) and Hex/Hc (Hc=coercivity) is disclosed and has a SM/A/SM/B configuration in which the SM layers are soft magnetic layers, the A (amorphous) layer is made of at least one of Co, Fe, Ni, and includes one or more amorphous elements, and the B layer is a buffer layer that contacts the AFM (anti-ferromagnetic) layer in the spin valve. The SM/A/SM stack together with the S1 (bottom) shield forms an effective shield such that the buffer layer serves as the effective seed layer while maintaining a blocking temperature of 260° C. in the AFM layer. The lower SM layer may be omitted. Examples of the amorphous layer are CoFeB, CoFeZr, CoFeNb, CoFeHf, CoFeNiZr, CoFeNiHf, and CoFeNiNbZr while the buffer layer may be Cu, Ru, Cr, Al, or NiFeCr. |
| US08164860B1 |
Servo write robust and good altitude performance ABS
A head slider for a disk drive storage device. In general, the head slider should fly at the target height above the disk without crashing onto the hard disk. The head slider has an outside flange that encloses a plateau and an inside flange that encloses a plateau. The two plateaus may have the same surface area or the outside plateau may have a greater surface area. Because of the design of the outside flange, the likelihood that the head slider will crash on the hard disk is reduced. |
| US08164858B1 |
Read head having conductive filler in insulated hole through substrate
A novel read head includes a substrate having a trailing face and a leading face opposite the trailing face. The substrate includes a first hole therethrough that extends continuously from the trailing face to the leading face. The read head also includes a read transducer disposed on the trailing face, and a first plurality of electrically conductive trailing connection pads disposed on the trailing face. A first insulative layer is disposed on an inner surface of the first hole. A first electrically conductive filler is disposed in the first hole but is insulated from the substrate by the first insulative layer. A first electrically conductive leading connection pad is disposed on the leading face and is electrically connected to the first conductive filler. |
| US08164857B2 |
Magnetic signal reproduction system employing a spin-valve MR head developed for high-density recording and a spin-valve MR head and magnetic signal reproduction method for reproducing magnetic signals in which a spin-valve MR head is employed
The magnetic signal reproduction system comprises a magnetic recording medium comprising a magnetic layer comprising a ferromagnetic powder and a binder on a nonmagnetic support; and a reproduction head, wherein a number of protrusions equal to or greater than 10 nm in height on the magnetic layer surface, as measured by an atomic force microscope, ranges from 50 to 2500/10,000 μm2, a quantity of lubricant on the magnetic layer surface, denoted as a surface lubricant index, ranges from 0.5 to 5.0, a surface abrasive occupancy of the magnetic layer ranges from 2 to 20 percent, and the reproduction head is a magnetoresistive magnetic head comprising a spin-valve layer. |
| US08164856B2 |
Magnetic tape apparatus
A magnetic tape apparatus includes a feeding unit for feeding a magnetic tape; a take-up unit for taking up the magnetic tape, a magnetic head disposed the downstream of the feeding unit and the upstream of the winding unit, in a traveling path of the magnetic tape from the feeding unit to the take-up unit, and having the moving magnetic tape abut to the magnetic head; a fixed guide unit disposed adjacent to the magnetic head at least in the upstream on downstream of the traveling direction of the magnetic tape traveling on the traveling path toward the magnetic head and guiding the magnetic tape to the traveling path by abutting to the magnetic tape; and a controlling unit disposed on the fixed guide unit for controlling the movement of the magnetic tape in the tape width direction. On a contact surface which abuts on the magnetic tape in the fixed guide unit, there is provided a space for excluding the air lying between the moving magnetic tape and the contact surface. |
| US08164848B2 |
Snubber for disc drive for prevention of user reported defects
A disc drive snubber for protection of a disc drive disc from mechanical shock, the snubber positioned to limit the deflection of the disc in the operational mode, the position of the disc snubber determined in response to user reported defects. The snubber, positioned beneath the disc in near proximity to the outer diameter of the disc, extends along about a 60 degree segment of the disc and is made of a FIPG material. |
| US08164837B2 |
Negatively-refractive focusing and sensing apparatus, methods, and systems
Apparatus, methods, and systems provide negatively-refractive focusing and sensing of electromagnetic energy. In some approaches the negatively-refractive focusing includes providing an interior focusing region with an axial magnification substantially less than one. In some approaches the negatively-refractive focusing includes negatively-refractive focusing with a transformation medium, where the transformation medium may include an artificially-structured material such as a metamaterial. |
| US08164834B2 |
Objective lens for endoscope and endoscope
In an objective lens for an endoscope, the full angle of view exceeds 120 degrees, and a most-object-side surface of the objective lens is spherical. Further, the following condition formulas (1) and (2) are satisfied: 0.7<θ8/θ10<0.8 (1); and 5 |
| US08164826B2 |
Multi-stage optical amplifier and method of controlling the same
The present invention provides a multi-stage optical amplifier including a high SN ratio and a method of controlling the same. A multi-stage optical amplifier is configured such that the gain of an amplifying unit in a first stage is greater than that of an amplifying unit in another stage. Therefore, it is possible to increase signal components that have been reduced due to spontaneously emitted light in the first stage, and thus relatively reduce noise. As a result, the obtained signals including a high SN ratio can be maintained in another stage, and it is possible to obtain a high SN ratio. |
| US08164825B2 |
High-power white LEDs and manufacturing method thereof
A light emitting apparatus has a radiation source for emitting short wavelength radiation. A down conversion material receives and down converts at least some of the short wavelength radiation emitted by the radiation source and back transfers a portion of the received and down converted radiation. An optic device adjacent the down conversion material at least partially surrounds the radiation source. The optic device is configured to extract at least some of the back transferred radiation. A sealant substantially seals a space between the radiation source and the optic device. |
| US08164810B2 |
Security devices incorporating optically variable adhesive
A structure for providing an optical effect includes first and second substrates hot stamped together by an adhesive. The adhesive includes an energy activated binder having a plurality of particles distributed therein or thereon for providing the optical effect detectable through the first substrate. The particles may be optically variable flakes, thin film light interference flakes, diffractive flakes, and reflective flakes. |
| US08164806B2 |
Image reading apparatus
When a cover portion covers a document table, a document transporting unit is positioned relative to a reinforcing member in the horizontal direction so that the document transporting unit is movable in the vertical direction, and a first vertical positioning member comes into contact with the document table of a reading unit or the periphery thereof to position the document transporting unit in the vertical direction based on the position of the document table. A document height regulating member is positioned relative to the reinforcing member in the horizontal direction so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and a second vertical positioning member comes into contact with the document table to position a regulating member in the vertical direction based on the position of the document table. |
| US08164804B2 |
Image reading apparatus, image reading unit thereof, and reference member thereof for shading correction
An image reading apparatus which is capable of performing accurate shading correction with simple arrangement while preventing a reference member from being scratched and preventing paper powder and the like dust from being deposited on the reference member. The image reading apparatus includes an image reading unit in which a contact glass guides an original on an image reading location. The contact glass is held by a glass holding member. A line image sensor reads the image on the original conveyed on the image reading location, through the contact glass. The image reading unit further includes a reference member whose image is readable by the image sensor, and a moving mechanism to move the image sensor so as to enable the image sensor to alternatively read the original and a reference surface of the reference member. |
| US08164801B2 |
Providing updated versions of printed documents from two-dimensional barcodes associated with the updated versions
Providing an updated version of a printed document comprising storing data for generating an original version of a printed document, including a two-dimensional barcode that contains: data identifying the original version of the document, as well as at least a portion of the data for generating the original version of the document. The invention also enables the updating of the stored data so that a later version of the printed document may be generated including a new barcode for identifying and generating the later version. The barcode of a version of the document is scanned to determine if the scanned barcode identifies the later version of the document. If the barcode does not identify the later version, then the later version of the document is generated and printed. If the barcode does identify that the scanned document is the later version, the document is not printed and the user may be notified that the scanned version is the latest version. |
| US08164800B2 |
Method and device for engraving printing cylinders
In a method or machine for engraving printing cylinders for packaging, pattern, or wallpaper printing and equipped with at least two engraving members, each engraving member engraving elements to be printed into the printing cylinder and, for an areal engraving, executes a feed movement parallel to a longitudinal axis of the printing cylinder. To shorten engraving time, a print image or layout for the printing cylinder is subdivided into at least two circumferential engraving strips, one engraving member being associated with each engraving strip. At least one strip boundary is automatically placed between said engraving strips in at least one white space remaining unengraved between at least some of the elements to be printed. |
| US08164796B2 |
Semi automatic punch hole removal
Systems and methods are described that facilitate removing punch hole artifacts in electronic document images. When a document with punch holes is scanned, the punch holes appear as unwanted dark spots in the margin. To remove these artifacts, a blanking regions having background color pixels are placed over the punch hole artifacts and the electronic document image is stored with the blanking regions in place. A user interface is provided to permit a user to enter blanking region parameters, including x,y coordinates, diameter, reference edge from which the coordinates are measured, etc. Default settings can be stored and recalled for common punch hole patterns, which may vary between offices and the like. |
| US08164795B2 |
Device, method, and computer program product for creating print data
A device for creating print data utilized by a printer is disclosed. The print data includes a coordinate at which a dot is to be formed on a print medium by the printer. The print data creating device is provided with a first device and a second device. The first device chooses a first coordinate from bit-mapped data. The bit-mapped data includes a plurality of combinations of the first coordinate and color information. The first device chooses the first coordinate based on the color information being combined with the first coordinate. The second device creates the print data by converting the first coordinate chosen by the first device into at least two second coordinates which are randomly chosen from at least three second coordinates located in the neighborhood of the first coordinate. |
| US08164786B2 |
Print data generating apparatus and computer usable medium therefor, and image processing apparatus and computer usable medium therefor
A print data generating apparatus to generate print data used for printing in a printing apparatus based on image data representing an image to be printed on a recording medium is provided. The print data generating apparatus comprises a data inputting system, by which application color setting data is inputted in the print data generating apparatus, a color substituting system, in which color information of each of the pixels configuring the image data is substituted with color information of an application color to print each of the pixels configuring the image data based on the application color setting data, and a print data generating system, in which print data to be used for printing is generated based on the image data wherein the color information of each of the pixels is substituted with the color information of the application color in the color substituting system. |
| US08164783B2 |
Automatic imposition gutter removal
A method and apparatus for printing a plurality of documents juxtaposed for imposition on a print media sheet without gutters. The document images are rasterized and a band of single or multiple pixels is selected along the image margins and compared to determine if adjacent bands are within a predetermined tolerance value. If so, the images are juxtaposed without a gutter; and, if not, one image is rotated 180° and the comparison repeated. If the comparison still is not within a predetermined tolerance value, the juxtaposed images are imposed with a gutter. |
| US08164777B2 |
Method and apparatus for modeling print jobs
A system and method for modeling print jobs provides a central server that is accessible to remotely located print shops. The remote print shops are able to communicate with the central server to forward print job parameters and to receive the output from a modeling program to enable the print shop to run “what-if” scenarios to maximize print shop efficiency. The central server is also provided with various other print shop tools to assist with print shop design and organization. |
| US08164771B2 |
Image processing apparatus for treating recording medium provided with RFID chip
An image processing system includes a host computer which generates print data and a printer which prints an image based on the print data. The host computer sets attribute information which indicates a part of the print data which is allowed to be visualized and a part of the print data which is prohibited to be visualized. In addition, the host computer also sets authentication information required for reading the part prohibited to be visualized, and transmits the print data, the attribute information, and the authentication information to the printer. The printer prints a visual image of the part allowed to be visualized on a paper medium provided with an RFID chip and stores the part prohibited to be visualized in the RFID chip. In addition, the printer prints the information stored in the RFID chip on another paper medium as a visual image after authentication with the authentication information. |
| US08164767B2 |
Print driver with processed print data management capability
A print driver is configured to store, retrieve and re-print processed print data that has been generated by the print driver. Processed print data may be stored locally or remotely and may be stored in a secure manner. The print driver may also be configured to save user settings data that indicates one or more user settings used by the print driver to process the print data and generate the processed print data. The print driver also allows processed print data to be retrieved and re-transmitted to printing devices. The print driver generates a graphical user interface that allows users to store, retrieve and print processed print data. |
| US08164765B2 |
Information processing apparatus, controlling method, and control program for the same
A program causes a computer to function as a specification unit configured to, with respect to data to be output that is stored in a predetermined output storage area, specify an order of outputting the data to be output, a state switching unit configured to switch the output storage area between an outputting state and a non-outputting state, and a sending unit configured to, in a case where the output storage area is in the outputting state, send a print job produced based on the data to be outputted stored in the output storage area to an image forming apparatus capable of processing the print job, in accordance with the order specified by the specification unit. |
| US08164758B2 |
Internal inspection system and method
In some embodiments, an inspection system for measuring at least a portion of the threaded surface of an internally threaded component includes at least one measuring probe, a component retention device that allows positioning of the internally threaded component relative to the measuring probe and a processing device in signal communication with the measuring probe to receive threaded surface data therefrom. |
| US08164755B2 |
Method for determining an analyte in a sample
In one aspect of the invention, a method or apparatus is described for determining concentration(s) of one or more analytes in a sample using plasmonic excitations. In another aspect, a method relates to designing systems for such concentration determination, wherein metallic nanostructures are used in combination with local electrical detection of such plasmon resonances via a semiconducting photodetector. In certain aspects, the method exploits the coupling of said metallic nanostructure(s) to a semiconducting photodetector, said detector being placed in the “metallic structure's” near field. Surface plasmon excitation can be transduced efficiently into an electrical signal through absorption of light that is evanescently coupled or scattered in a semiconductor volume. This local detection technique allows the construction of sensitive nanoscale bioprobes and arrays thereof. |
| US08164752B2 |
Alignment apparatus for aligning multi-layer structures
An exemplary alignment apparatus can align a first layer with a second layer. The first layer has a first alignment pattern. The second layer has a second alignment pattern. The alignment apparatus includes a supporting device for supporting the first layer and the second layer, a light pervious reference plate, and a viewing and adjusting mechanism. The light pervious reference plate has a first reference pattern spatially corresponding to the first alignment pattern on the first layer, and a second reference pattern spatially corresponding to the second alignment pattern on the second layer. The viewing and adjusting mechanism is adapted for assisting a human operator to align the first reference pattern with the first alignment pattern and the second reference pattern with the second alignment pattern. |
| US08164749B2 |
Optical measurement apparatus and electrode pair thereof
In an apparatus in which an electrode pair formed of two electrodes including multiple mutually parallel linear electrode pieces is provided in a container for storing particles dispersed movably in a medium to form an spatially regularly arranged electric field, the particles are migrated in the container due to the formation of the electric field by the application of a voltage to the electrode pair to generate a diffraction grating resulting from density distribution of the particles, diffracted light obtained by applying light to the diffraction grating is measured, and a particle size analysis or the like is performed from the temporal change in the diffracted light in the free diffusion process of the particles by stoppage or modulation of the application of the voltage, by making width L of the electrode pieces of the electrode pair and a space distance S between the electrode pieces as follows: L/(L+S)≦0.3, steep attenuation of the diffracted light intensity is not generated at the initial stage of the diffusion of the particles to accurately measure the particle size distribution. |
| US08164748B1 |
Widely-tuned semiconductor laser based gas liquid solid analysis system
A near infrared (NIR) semiconductor laser system is shown for gas sensing. An embodiment is centered on the use of a system with a much wider tunable laser, which today has a scan band of more than 150 nanometers (nm) to as much as 250 nm or more. In some cases the scan band is about 400 nm or more. This is achieved in the current embodiment through the use of a widely tunable microelectromechanical system (MEMS) based Fabry-Perot filter as an integral part of the laser cavity. Using this technology, these systems are capable of capturing a variety of gases in the any of the well-known spectroscopic scan bands, such as the OH, NH or CH. For example, a single laser with a 250 nm scan band window between 1550-1800 nm can capture ten or as many as twenty hydrocarbon-based gases simultaneously. |
| US08164746B2 |
Illumination method and device for determining the presence of defects on the surface of a container collar
The invention relates to an illumination device for a control station for determining the presence of defects on the image of the surface(s) of the collar of a transparent or translucent container. The inventive device comprises at least one illumination system quasi-constantly illuminating each point of a surface encompassing the collar surface(s) according to the totality or parts of incidences included in at least one part of a 2π-steradian solid angle and means for blocking at least one part of light beams which illuminate outside of the surface(s) of the collar and can bring about stray reflections in the collar image. |
| US08164744B2 |
Inspection tip for a fiber optic inspection probe
An inspection probe is disclosed for use with a fiber optic adapter. The inspection probe can inspect a terminated end of an optical fiber within the fiber optic adapter. The fiber optic adapter can include a ferrule receiver located between first and second ports. The inspection probe is inserted into the first port of the fiber optic adapter and a coupling feature of the inspection probe engages and aligns with the ferrule receiver. A fiber optic connector is inserted into the second port of the fiber optic adapter and a ferrule of the fiber optic connector aligns with the ferrule receiver. The ferrule holds the terminated end of the optical fiber and thereby positions the terminated end within the ferrule receiver. An image capturing end of the inspection probe is thereby positioned proximal the terminated end of the optical fiber and can inspect the terminated end and/or the ferrule. |
| US08164738B2 |
Illumination optical system, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method
In an illumination optical system arranged to illuminate an illumination target plane by using light from a light source, the illumination optical system includes a prism unit arranged to refract the light, an optical integrator arranged to form a plurality of light sources with light emerging from the prism unit, and an optical system arranged to introduce light emerging from the optical integrator to the illumination target plane. The prism unit includes a pair of conical refractive surface having a conical concave refractive surface and a conical convex refractive surface, and a pair of pyramidal refractive surface having a pyramidal concave refractive surface and a pyramidal convex refractive surface. At least one of the concave refractive surface and the convex refractive surface of the one pair is disposed between the concave refractive surface of the other pair and the convex refractive surface of the other pair. |
| US08164736B2 |
Exposure method, exposure apparatus, and method for producing device
An exposure method includes measuring coordinates of alignment marks before and after exposing a first wafer to determine a fluctuation amount of a parameter of the alignment; measuring coordinates of alignment marks before exposing a second wafer to determine a parameter of the alignment; and aligning and exposing the second wafer based on a parameter obtained by correcting the parameter with the fluctuation amount determined for the first wafer. A high overlay accuracy can be obtained even when the alignment information is gradually changed, for example, due to the linear expansion and contraction of the substrate during the exposure of the substrate. |
| US08164735B2 |
Regulating device, exposure apparatus and device manufacturing method
The present invention is a regulating device configured to regulate a temperature T2 of a first medium in accordance with a target temperature. The regulating device comprises a heat exchanger 16, a control valve 14, temperature sensors 2 and 4, temperature sensors 6 and 8, and a heat quantity control unit 30 and a temperature control unit 50 configured to calculate a target exchange heat quantity in the heat exchanger 16, calculate an exchange heat quantity in the heat exchanger 16, add a signal dependent upon a difference between the target exchange heat quantity and the exchange heat quantity to a signal dependent upon a difference between an output of the temperature sensor 4 and the target temperature, and control the control valve 14 so that a difference between the output of the temperature sensor 4 and the target temperature is reduced. |
| US08164733B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel
A liquid crystal display panel includes a first substrate, and a second substrate opposite to and facing the first substrate. The first substrate, having a repairing region and a display region defined thereon, includes at least one repairing wire arranged in the repairing region, and a passivation layer disposed over the repairing wire. The second substrate includes a common electrode, and at least one repairing protection pad formed thereon. The repairing protection pad, disposed on the surface of the common electrode and in the repairing region, faces the first substrate, and corresponds to the repairing wire. |
| US08164730B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes a substrate and a plurality of pixel electrodes that are formed on the substrate, each of the pixel electrodes including first and second subpixel electrodes, wherein the first and second subpixel electrodes are adjacently disposed in a lateral direction. Each of the first and second subpixel electrodes includes at least two parallelogram shaped electrode pieces having different inclination directions and at least one of electrode pieces of the second subpixel electrode is positioned on or under the first subpixel electrode. |
| US08164728B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
There is provided a liquid crystal display device capable of decreasing the driving voltage of a liquid crystal display panel. The liquid crystal display device includes: a first substrate and a second substrate; a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a pixel electrode and a common electrode arranged between the second substrate and the liquid crystal layer. Either one of the pixel electrode or the common electrode has an interdigital shape. An absolute value of both flexoelectric coefficients e11 and e33 of the liquid crystal layer is equal to or greater than 5 pC/m. |
| US08164724B2 |
Liquid crystal display substrate with patterned area at periphery region thereof
An exemplary liquid crystal display substrate (210) includes a display region (212), a periphery region (214) around the display region, a sealant adhering region (215), and an alignment film (260) formed on or over the display region and the periphery region. The sealant adhering region is between the display region and the periphery region. The alignment film at the periphery region includes a patterned area (213) adjacent to the sealant adhering region. The patterned area has a groove structure. |
| US08164721B2 |
Grating trim retarders
A grating trim retarder fabricated from a form-birefringent multi-layer dielectric stack including at least one anti-reflection coating and supported on a transparent substrate is provided. The form-birefringent dielectric stack includes an axially-inhomogeneous element in the form of a −C-plate grating and a transversely-inhomogeneous element in the form of an A-plate grating. Each of the −C-plate and the A-plate gratings are fabricated with dimensions to form a zeroth order sub-wavelength grating structure. Fabricating the grating trim retarder with anti-reflection coatings and/or a segment where the −C-plate and A-plate grating overlap enables the in-plane and out-of-plane retardances to be tailored independently according to the desired application. |
| US08164720B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus
A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a liquid crystal display panel having a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer held in a sandwiched condition between the substrates, and a pixel electrode and common electrode disposed on the second substrate in order to drive the liquid crystal layer. A backlight is disposed on one face of the liquid crystal display panel, a first polarizer disposed on one face of the first substrate, at a side opposite to the second substrate, and a second polarizer disposed on one face of the second substrate, at a side opposite to the first substrate. The liquid crystal layer has a property of generating optically anisotropy from an optical isotropic state when a voltage is applied, and the liquid crystal display panel includes a transmission area and a reflection area in one pixel. |
| US08164714B2 |
Diffractive display device, finder device and camera
There is provided a diffractive display device having small non-uniformity of luminance within a surface, and a finder device and a camera using the diffractive display device. The diffractive display device includes a pair of substrates 24a, 24b and an optical material layer 26 arranged between the pair of substrates 24a, 24b. First illuminating means 22a for entering light through the side surface of the pair of substrates 24a, 24b and second illuminating means 22b for entering light through the side surface of the pair of substrates 24a, 24b from a direction different from the light from the first illuminating means 22a are arranged. A first portion 30a of the optical material layer 26 diffracts the light from the first illuminating means 22a and emits it from a substrate surface, and a second portion 30b diffracts the light from the second illuminating means 22b and emits it from the substrate surface. |
| US08164713B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method for driving same
Disclosed herein is a liquid crystal display device that includes a normally-black liquid crystal panel whose transmittance takes a minimum value when no voltage is applied and a cold cathode fluorescent lamp used as a light source of a backlight of the liquid crystal panel, the liquid crystal display device including a light irradiator configured to carry out light irradiation of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp in a period from device activation to first lighting of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp. |
| US08164711B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device which can make the surface brightness of an edge-light-type backlight uniform is provided. The liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel and a backlight which radiates light to the liquid crystal display panel. The backlight includes a light guide plate which is arranged on a back side of the liquid crystal display panel, a light source arranged on an outer peripheral portion of a first main surface of the light guide plate which faces the liquid crystal display panel in an opposed manner, and a reflection sheet which is arranged on a back side of the light guide plate as viewed from the liquid crystal display panel. The light guide plate is made of a transparent resin having a refractive index of 1.53 or less. On a surface of the light guide plate opposite to the first main surface, a second main surface which is substantially parallel to the first main surface and a plurality of inclined surfaces which are inclined at a preset angle with respect to the second main surface are formed. An angle of the inclined surface positioned near a position at which light from the light source is incident and an angle of the inclined surface positioned remote from the position at which the light from the light source from the light source is incident differ from each other. |
| US08164708B2 |
Light guide plate, and backlight assembly and liquid crystal display having the same
A light guide plate for guiding light includes a light-incident portion allowing light generated from a light source to be incident thereon, a light-facing portion opposite to the light-incident portion, and a first prism pattern disposed between the light-incident portion and the light facing portion and substantially normal to a path of light incident from the light-incident portion to the light-facing portion path. |
| US08164706B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and board clip mountable on the liquid crystal display device
In a liquid crystal display device 100 provided by the present invention, at least a part of a circuit board 16 can be held on an outer side surface 30B of a frame 30 by a board clip 50 mounted on the outer side surface 30B of the frame 30. The board clip 50 includes a plate-like main body portion 52 located so as to face the outer side surface 30B of the frame 30, front-side engaging portions 54 and 55, and a pair of rear-side engaging portions 56 and 57. A bezel receiving portion 60 contactable with a part of a peripheral portion of a bezel 20 is formed in the vicinity of the front-side engaging portions 54 and 55. |
| US08164704B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel; a light guide plate disposed under the liquid crystal panel; a light emitting diode (LED) assembly disposed at a side of the light guide plate and including an LED and a printed circuit board (PCB), the LED arranged on the PCB to face the light guide plate; an LED heat sink surrounding the LED assembly and including a first portion, where the PCB is attached, and a second portion covering a bottom surface of the PCB; a bottom frame disposed under the light guide plate and including a bottom portion and a side portion, the bottom portion contacting the second portion of the LED heat sink, the bottom frame formed of an electrolytic galvanized iron (EGI); a top frame surrounding edges of the liquid crystal panel; and a main frame surrounding sides of the liquid crystal panel and combining with the top and bottom frames. |
| US08164702B2 |
Display substrate, method of manufacturing the display substrate and display device having the display substrate
A display substrate includes; a dual transistor electrically connected to a first gate line and a data line, which is disposed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first gate line, the dual transistor including a first drain electrode and a second drain electrode, a pixel electrode having a first pixel part and a second pixel part which are respectively connected to the first drain electrode and the second drain electrode, a connection transistor electrically connected to the second pixel part and a second gate line which is adjacent to the first gate line, the connection transistor comprising a connection drain electrode, a voltage-decreasing electrode extended from a connection drain electrode of the connection transistor a voltage-decreasing line extended in substantially the same direction as the first and second gate lines, and disposed on a data insulation layer overlapping the voltage-decreasing electrode and the data insulation layer. |
| US08164701B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
In a liquid crystal display (LCD) device having a thin film transistor (TFT), the TFT includes a source electrode, a drain electrode and a semiconductor layer. At least one of the source electrode and drain electrode includes a first layer including copper and a second layer forming an oxide layer and covering the first layer. The semiconductor layer has a substantially linear current-voltage relationship with said source electrode or drain electrode including said first and second layers, when a voltage is applied between the semiconductor layer and said source electrode or drain electrode. |
| US08164689B2 |
Synchronizing signal control circuit and synchronizing signal control method
A synchronizing signal control circuit includes: a phase detecting section configured to detect a phase difference between a display synchronizing signal and an input synchronizing signal; an adding section configured to add a set value for setting a synchronization compensation period and the detected phase difference; a synchronization phase correcting section configured to correct the phase of the input synchronizing signal on the basis of the output signal of the adding section; a gate signal generating section configured to generate a gate signal representing the synchronization compensation period based on the display synchronizing signal; a synchronization determining section configured to determine whether the synchronization can be effected, by detecting whether the input synchronizing signal exists within the synchronization compensation period; and a selecting section configured to perform switching to the corrected input synchronizing signal on the basis of the determination result of the synchronization determining section. |
| US08164684B2 |
Electronic camera with adjustable exposure sensitivity
If an electronic camera is set in an image-capturing sensitivity automatic control mode, a program autoexposure calculation is executed based upon the subject brightness and the image-capturing sensitivity setting to determine a control aperture value and a control shutter speed. If the correct exposure is not achieved, a control exposure sensitivity is calculated based upon the exposure deviation and the image-capturing sensitivity setting is adjusted accordingly. If an internal flash unit or an external flash unit is utilized, an autoexposure calculation is executed by using the flash unit synchronizing speed, the subject brightness and the image-capturing sensitivity setting to determine the control aperture value. |
| US08164682B2 |
Dithered focus evaluation
The invention utilizes an autofocus system (806) that is capable of very fast changes in focus over a relatively small portion of the focus range of the focusing system. When operating continuously in a repeating series of images or frames such as are found in preview mode or in video capture, autofocus images are captured before and after each video frame wherein the autofocus images have different focus settings than the images in the series. The autofocus images are then evaluated for focus quality to determine whether focus adjustments are needed. |
| US08164671B2 |
Imaging apparatus, imaging apparatus body and reporting terminal
An imaging apparatus capable of assisting such shooting that a designated subject is accommodated in a predetermined reference range without user's continuing gazing at a display screen. Imaging apparatus 100 has: imaging optical system 310 that forms an optical image of a subject; solid-state image sensor 330 that converts the optical image into an electrical signal; video signal processing section 350 that carries out a predetermined processing for the electrical signal and generates image data; tracking processing section 390 that decides whether or not the designated subject is in a predetermined range within a trackable range, using the image data generated in video signal processing section 350; and reporting section 410 that reports a decision result in tracking processing section 390 by means of light. |
| US08164661B2 |
Method and apparatus for eliminating defective pixels and noise
A method and apparatus for eliminating defective pixels and noise in which each pixel value of an image is extracted using a color filter. A mean value of the extracted image is calculated A noise variance, a first threshold for determining whether a pixel is defective, and a second threshold for calculating a weight value for a pixel are all estimated from the mean value. There is a determination as to whether each pixel is defective, and a weight value, a weighted signal mean and a weighted signal variance of the each pixel are all calculated, and noise eliminated from the image using the noise variance, the weighted signal mean, and the weighted signal variance. |
| US08164660B2 |
Single row based defective pixel correction
An image sensor uses a single row of an array of pixels elements to determine whether a pixel is defective and to recover the defective pixel. The image sensor includes a “maximum of minimum” filter to remove a “black” pixel from a raw image. The image sensor also includes a “minimum of maximum” filter to remove a “white” pixel from the raw image. |
| US08164652B2 |
MOS sensor and drive method thereof
To provide a drive method for finding out an optimum storage period quickly.In the method for driving the MOS sensor having a plurality of pixels, after all the plurality of pixels are simultaneously reset, signals are then sequentially outputted from said plurality of pixels. The period from the reset time to the time just before said plurality of pixels output saturated signals is termed as the storage period. |
| US08164646B2 |
Image capturing apparatus, image capturing sensor, and image capturing processing method
This invention is directed to reduce a deterioration in image quality after thinning operation when pixels are read out upon thinning. An image sensor is designed such that different gains are applied on a pixel basis. After periodical gains are applied to the respective pixels, the pixels of the same colors are added and averaged to obtain a low-pass filter effect before thinning processing for the pixels in the sensor, thereby preventing the occurrence of aliasing (moiré) due to thinning. |
| US08164644B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating media signal by using state information
Provided are a method and apparatus for generating a media signal by using state information. The method using the apparatus includes acquiring at least one type of state information selected from state information about a subject and state information about the apparatus, and generating a media signal by using the at least one type of state information. |
| US08164631B2 |
Method for controlling the movement of a mobile part of an x-ray recording system, and an x-ray recording system coupled to video cameras
With an x-ray imaging system with a moveable part, obstacles can stand in the way of the movement of the moveable part. In accordance with the invention, video cameras capture the occupation of the space by objects using volume elements. It is possible to determine at a target movement of the moveable part which volume elements are passed through during this. If one of these volume elements proves to be a volume element occupied by an object, the movement of the moveable part is prevented, otherwise it is enabled or actively implemented. |
| US08164626B2 |
Monitoring camera device
The present invention provides a monitoring camera apparatus which can measure camera installation height easily with a simple configuration. The monitoring camera apparatus includes a distance detecting unit and direction detecting unit. The distance detecting unit detects subject distance D to a subject using an autofocus function. The direction detecting unit detects a shooting direction θ of the imaging unit rotated by a rotating mechanism. A height calculating unit calculates camera installation height H by converting the detected subject distance D into vertical length using the shooting direction θ in which the subject distance D is detected. |
| US08164625B2 |
Device and method for visually recording two-dimensional or three-dimensional objects
A device for visually recording two-dimensional or three-dimensional objects, which comprises a camera for recording images of the two-dimensional or three-dimensional object and which is provided with, can be connected to or is connected to at least one evaluation unit for evaluating the recorded images. A single camera and at least one adjustable or pivotal mirror element are provided. According to the method for visually recording two-dimensional or three-dimensional objects while using a device of the aforementioned type, a camera and at least one adjustable mirror element are arranged relative to one another so that the objects to be recorded are situated in the coverage area of the at least one mirror element. The adjustable mirror element for recording the objects to be recorded is displaced or pivoted about one or two axes with an adjustable velocity. The camera records the objects projected in the at least one mirror element, and the recorded objects are routed from the camera to an evaluation unit for evaluation and are processed. |
| US08164618B2 |
Implementation of MPCP MCU technology for the H.264 video standard
A method for generating a video output signal. The method may include receiving a plurality of input video signals from each of the participants. Each of the input video signals may have a plurality of input frames. Each of the input frames may have a source slice carrying an image. Each of the input frames may be encoded using the respective reference frame at an encoding time. The method may include a step for generating the video output signal for transmission to the participants. The video output signal may comprise a plurality of output frames. A first of the output frames generally has at least a first slice having (a) a first coded portion carrying the image from a first of the participants and (b) a first unencoded portion for the image from a second of the participants. A second of the output frames generally has at least a second slice having (a) a second coded portion carrying the image from the second participant and (b) a second unencoded portion for the image from the first participant. The frames of the video output signal are generated as soon as one of the frames of the video input signal are received. |
| US08164616B2 |
Video conference system
A videoconference system includes a head office controller (2) and a plurality of local controllers (3A, 3B) which are connected to a conference server (1) by the Internet and a camera-equipped microphone (4) connected to each of the controllers (2, 3A, 3B). Each of the controllers (2, 3A, 3B) includes an operation panel (17) having an utterance request operation means, a reproduction means for reproducing video/audio, a selection means for selecting the camera-equipped microphone (4) or the local controllers (3A, 3B), and an utterance request indicating means for indicating the local position which has made the utterance request. |
| US08164584B2 |
Touch pen and portable electronic device using the same
A portable electronic device includes a touch pen comprising a main body, a first pen head, a first elastic member, and a first sleeve. The first elastic member interconnects the main body and the first pen head. The first sleeve is slidably sleeved on the main body or the first elastic member so as to expose at least a part of the first elastic member. The first elastic member is bendable. |
| US08164577B2 |
Input device, control method of input device, and program
Disclosed herein is an input device including, a target creating section a performing section, and a height information generating section wherein the target creating section generates the information on the target to which information the height information is added, and the performing section performs predetermined processing on a basis of the height information added to the information on the target. |
| US08164573B2 |
Systems and methods for adaptive interpretation of input from a touch-sensitive input device
Systems and methods for adaptively interpreting a user's intent based on parameters supplied by a touch-sensitive input device are described. In one of the methods described, a processor receives a pressure signal indicating a pressure from an input device, such as a touchpad, compares the pseudo pressure signal to a pressure threshold value, and outputs a signal if the pseudo pressure signal is greater than the pressure threshold value. In another embodiment, the processor also calculates the speed of movement of a conductor, for instance a user's finger, across the input device, and compares the speed to a threshold. If the speed is greater than the threshold, the processor determines that although the pressure may be great enough to signal a press, no press is intended. The various parameters supplied by the input device may be digitally filtered to increase the accuracy of the determination of user intent. |
| US08164571B2 |
Slideable keyboard for an electronic equipment
An electronic equipment (1) comprising a casing (10) having a front surface (11); a display (20); a mechanical keypad (30); and a set (40) of navigation and function/control keys, said display (20) and keypad (30) being arranged adjacent to one another on the front surface (11), the set (40) of navigation and function/control keys, being arranged to be slideably displaced by a user of the electronic equipment (1) to different positions on said front surface (11), including a first position where a section of the display is visible, the entire keypad is visible, and the set and the key pad complement each other; and a second position where the entire display is visible and the set (40) covers the keypad. |
| US08164567B1 |
Motion-sensitive game controller with optional display screen
A wireless input device for playing an interactive motion-sensitive game using a wireless-compatible game console in which a virtual play environment is represented through one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects is provided wherein game play is conducted by moving, shaking, twisting, waving or pointing the input device in a particular manner. The input device can include motion-sensitive circuitry and/or command circuitry for generating control signals and/or an effects generator and associated control circuitry to enable the input device to selectively generate at least one visual, aural or tactile effect comprising sound, lighting or vibration. The input device can include a wireless transceiver for providing two-way wireless communication with the wireless-compatible game console. An optional display screen displays short text messages received through wireless communications with the wireless-compatible game console. |
| US08164563B2 |
Data multiplexer architecture for realizing dot inversion mode for use in a liquid crystal display device and associated driving method
A liquid crystal display device includes a gate driver for generating a first scan signal voltage and a second scan signal voltage, a source driver for generating a first polarity data voltage and a second polarity data voltage, and a liquid crystal display panel having a first pixel set and a second pixel set. Each first and second pixel set includes a first pixel and a second pixel. Both the first pixel of the first pixel set and the second pixel of the second pixel set display grey level based on the first polarity data voltage in response to the first scan signal voltage. Both the second pixel of the first pixel set and the first pixel of the second pixel set display grey level based on the second polarity data voltage in response to the second scan signal voltage. |
| US08164561B2 |
Driving method
A driving method for driving a display panel is provided. The display panel includes a plurality of scan lines, a plurality of data lines, and a plurality of pixel units electrically connected to the scan lines and the data lines. The driving method comprises enabling the pixel units controlled by the scan lines through different scanning sequences and inputs image data to the pixel units via the data lines in several consecutive frame times, wherein capacitance coupling effects between the pixel units are varied depending on the scanning sequences. Accordingly, the line mura caused by the capacitance coupling effect is restrained. |
| US08164558B2 |
Driving method for driver integrated circuit
The present invention relates to a driving method for a driver IC, comprising: detecting a polarity of a gate line being driven; when the polarity changes, the driver integrated circuit drives the gate line with a first mode signal; when the polarity does not change, the driver integrated circuit drives the gate line with a second mode signal, a driving current of the first mode signal is greater than that of the second mode signal. In the present invention, the driver IC drives a gate line in different driving modes according to a condition that a polarity of the droved gate line changes. Since a driving current of the first mode signal is greater than that of the second mode signal, the present invention is enabled to minimize a difference between charging delays of pixel electrodes on gate lines, improving a dim line phenomenon. |
| US08164554B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A data converter divides input data into first subframe data and latter subframe data, and the latter subframe data is given to a data serial-parallel converter and serial-parallel converted. The first subframe data is given to a line memory group, and given to an overdrive operation circuit after a given delay. The latter subframe data converted into parallel data is given to a line memory group, and given to a data parallel-serial converter after a given delay, where it is parallel-serial converted, and then it becomes output data after the first subframe data outputted from the overdrive operation circuit. |
| US08164549B2 |
Electronic circuit for driving a driven element of an imaging apparatus, electronic device, method of driving electronic device, electro-optical device and electronic apparatus
An electronic circuit drives a driven element. The electronic circuit includes a signal line, a unit circuit connected to the signal line, and a voltage supply line. The unit circuit includes a transistor, a switch, and a capacitive element. The transistor includes a gate terminal, a first terminal, a second terminal connected to the voltage supply line, and a channel between the first and second terminals. The switch controls electrical connection between the gate terminal and one of the first and second terminals. A conductive state between the first and second terminals is controlled by a gate voltage applied to the gate terminal. During a first period, the switch is changed from an off state to an on state. During a second period, the switch is changed to an off state. |
| US08164546B2 |
Display device, electronic device, and driving method
A display device includes data lines and pixels. Each pixel includes a driving transistor, a switch between one of the data lines and a gate of the driving transistor, and a luminescence element connected to the driving transistor. A first circuit path former flows a first test current from the one of the data lines through the first transistor and a second test current from the one of the data lines through the luminescence element. A second circuit path former generates a first voltage and a second voltage in the one of the data lines. The first voltage corresponds to a gate voltage of the first transistor generated by the first test current. The second voltage corresponds to a luminescence voltage of the luminescence element generated by the second test current. A voltage detector detects the first voltage and the second voltage in the one of the data lines. |
| US08164544B2 |
Pixel array layout
A pixel array layout includes a substrate, a plurality of scan lines disposed on the substrate, a plurality of data lines disposed on the substrate, a plurality of pixel units disposed on the substrate, and a pre-discharge conductive layer. Each of the pixel units is electrically connected to at least one of the scan lines and one of the data lines correspondingly, and each of the pixel units has a driving circuit and a pixel electrode electrically connected to the driving circuit. The pre-discharge conductive layer is electrically connected to the driving circuit and extends to an area between two adjacent pixel electrodes from an edge of the substrate, and the pre-discharge conductive layer and the pixel electrodes do not overlap. |
| US08164537B2 |
Multiband folded dipole transmission line antenna
A multiband folded dipole transmission line antenna (300, 400, 500) including a plurality of concentric-like loops (210, 214, 508) where each loop comprises at least one transmission line element (204, 206) and at least a pair of folded dipole antenna elements (302, 304), a first connection point and a second connection point shared among the plurality of concentric-like loops, and a first inverted L antenna element (216) coupled to the first connection point and a second inverted L antenna element (218) coupled to the second connection point. Additional embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08164534B1 |
Conversion of an antenna to multiband using current probes
A multi-band antenna comprising a conductive structure and a plurality of current probes coupled around the conductive structure is disclosed. An existing antenna capable of generating H fields having a first signal line is converted into a multi-signal line antenna with increased frequency capabilities, by mounting a first current probe having a designated frequency range about a periphery of the existing antenna; coupling a second signal line to the first current probe; and performing at least one of transmitting and receiving via at least one of the first and second signal lines, wherein the mounting of the first current probe to the existing antenna improves a voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) of the existing antenna and the second signal line operates as an independent signal line for signal reception/transmission within the designated frequency range. |
| US08164533B1 |
Horn antenna and system for transmitting and/or receiving radio frequency signals in multiple frequency bands
A horn antenna includes smooth-walls with multiple slope discontinuities. The horn antenna may have more than an octave bandwidth with a 2.25:1 bandwidth ratio to cover the frequencies of 20 GHz, 30 GHz, and 45 GHz, or all the desired bands for military or other communications. |
| US08164532B1 |
Circular polarized compound loop antenna
Embodiments provide single-sided and multi-layered circular polarized, self-contained, compound loop antennas (circular polarized CPL). Embodiments of the CPL antennas produce circular polarized signals by using two electric field radiators physically oriented orthogonal to each other, and by ensuring that the two electric field radiators are positioned such that an electrical delay between the two electric field radiators results in the two electric field radiators emitting their respective electric fields out of phase. Ensuring the proper electrical delay between the two electric field radiators also maintains high efficiency of the antenna and it improves the axial ratio of the antenna. |
| US08164529B2 |
Loop antenna including impedance tuning gap and associated methods
A loop antenna may include first and second electrical conductors arranged to define a circular shape with first and second spaced apart gaps therein. Opposing portions of the first and second electrical conductors at the first gap may define a signal feedpoint, and opposing portions of the first and second electrical conductors at the second gap may define an impedance tuning feature. The second gap may be circumferentially spaced from the first gap less than ninety degrees, and the second gap may be greater than the first gap to provide a predetermined impedance. A coaxial transmission line may form a feed inset into the loop conductor. The loop antenna may be planar and have a reduced size for ease of manufacture and use, and it may provide an isotropic radiating pattern at a predetermined operating frequency, which may avoid the need for antenna aiming. |
| US08164525B2 |
MIMO antenna and communication device using the same
A multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna and an antenna system using the same are provided. The MIMO antenna includes a plurality of antenna elements in which a feeding unit is formed at one end, and another end is connected to a ground, and a connection unit which connects the antenna elements. |
| US08164516B2 |
GPS-based positioning system for mobile GPS terminals
The present invention discloses a GPS system that uses call-processor intelligence to determine the mode of operation of a GPS receiver located in a GPS terminal. The modes are selected based on the availability of network facilities, the GPS information that can be acquired, or user input requirements. |
| US08164514B1 |
Method and apparatus for fusing referenced and self-contained displacement measurements for positioning and navigation
A system and associated methods for mutual-aiding and mutual-calibrating positioning and navigation that fuse self-contained and referenced displacement measurements to provide position, velocity, and attitude estimates. In one embodiment the system includes a dead-reckoning device, a radio signal receiver, and a computational device that performs integration with mutual aiding and mutual calibration, leading to a position, velocity, and attitude solution. In another embodiment the system further includes auxiliary sensors. In one embodiment the method that performs fusion of dead-reckoning and radio signal measurements includes dead-reckoning mechanization, estimation of radio signal parameters including signal strength, code phase, and carrier phase, coarse initialization of navigation states with code phase and signal strength measurements, refinement of navigation estimation using temporal carrier phase differences, and estimation of dead-reckoning and radio measurement error terms. In another embodiment the method also includes identification and estimation of non-line-of-sight multipath signals for mitigation and removal. |
| US08164512B2 |
Gaussian model adaptive processing in the time domain
Embodiments of the present invention provide a Gaussian adaptive filter for ground clutter filtering and signal parameter estimation for weather radars in the time domain. In some embodiments, the filtering can be applied to dual polarization radar systems. In some embodiments, the clutter component of the signal can be transformed to noise. An interpolation procedure can then be used to recover the transformed part of the weather. A unique filter can be designed to use for both H and V channels for dual-polarization parameter estimation. In addition, the filter can be directly extended for staggered PRT 2/3 sampling scheme. |
| US08164509B1 |
System and method for radiating RF waveforms using discontinues associated with a utility transmission line
A method for processing radio frequency reflections is provided. The method applies an RF waveform to a transmission line that is a conductor used for providing a utility service. The method uses a RF waveform generator to transmit UltraWideband (UWB) RF waveforms through the conductors of a building. The RF waveforms are emitted at emission points that can be impedance discontinuities along the transmission line or impulse radios. The emitted RF waveforms reflect off of objects in the building and are received at reception points that can be impedance discontinuities or impulse radios. These reflections are processed to determine movement of objects within or near the building. Based on the reflections of the RF waveforms, the position of the objects within or near the building can be determined. |
| US08164497B2 |
Pipeline analog-to-digital converter
Provided is a pipeline analog-to-digital converter (ADC) without a front-end sample-and-hold amplifier (SHA). To minimize a sampling error occurring between a flash ADC and a multiplying digital-to-analog converter (MDAC) of a first sub-ranging ADC due to removal of a front-end SHA, a delay time of a preamplifier included in the flash ADC is calculated, and the flash ADC samples an analog input signal later by the delay time than the MDAC. Accordingly, the pipeline ADC can minimize a sampling error without using a front-end SHA, and its chip area and power consumption can be reduced. |
| US08164494B2 |
Method and device for digitally correcting DC offset
There is provided a digital Direct Current (DC) offset correction method and device. The device includes a digital-analog converter charging a load capacitor according to an input code value and generating an initial voltage value of the load capacitor; a comparator comparing an output DC offset value of a discrete-time amplifier and filter on the basis of the initial voltage value with a preset output DC offset value when the discrete-time amplifier and filter and the load capacitor are connected to each other; and a controller changing the input code value of the digital-analog converter according to comparison result of the comparator. |
| US08164491B2 |
Coefficient multiplier and digital delta-sigma modulator using the same
Provided are a coefficient multiplier and digital delta-sigma modulator using the same. The coefficient multiplier has the average of output signals of respective dependent multipliers as an effective coefficient using a coefficient averaging technique without employing an adder that has a complex structure and occupies a large chip area. Accordingly, the coefficient multiplier has a simple hardware constitution and small chip area in comparison with a canonical signed digit (CSD) coefficient multiplier, and the digital delta-sigma modulator employing the coefficient multiplier has a simple structure and small size. |
| US08164489B2 |
Key scanning circuit
In a key scanning circuit, a key input unit has a parallel connection of a plurality of circuits having a series connection of resistors and switches between a power supply input terminal and a key scanning terminal. The resistors connected in parallel have different resistances. A current mirror has a first terminal connected to the key scanning terminal. A reference current source is connected between a second terminal of the current mirror and the power supply input terminal. |
| US08164487B1 |
System, module, and method for presenting messages to a pilot of an aircraft
A present novel and non-trivial system, module, and method for presenting messages to a pilot of an aircraft are disclosed. The system comprises a source for providing message data, a message generating (“MG”) processor, and a presentation system. Message data received from a message data source includes data fields for providing message location on a flight plan and one or more modes of presentation. After receiving the message data, an MG processor generates a message presentation data set corresponding to the message data; the message presentation data set represents a message object shown at the message location on a flight plan and at least one presentation mode. Then, a presentation system receives the message presentation data set and presents the information contained in such data set to one or more units of the presentation system including a visual display unit and/or an aural alert unit. |
| US08164479B2 |
Data communication protocol in an automatic meter reading system
Automatic meter reading (AMR) systems and methods in which readers communicate with endpoints interfaced to utility meters. In operation, the reader and the endpoint communicate with one another via radio frequency (RF) communication according to a communication protocol. Aspects of the invention are directed to packetization, command and control, and messaging arrangements. |
| US08164476B2 |
Wellbore telemetry system and method
A hybrid telemetry system for passing signals between a surface control unit and a downhole tool is provided. The downhole tool is deployed via a drill string into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. The hybrid telemetry system includes an uphole connector, a downhole connector, and a cable operatively connecting the uphole and downhole connectors. The uphole connector is operatively connectable to a drill string telemetry system for communication therewith. The downhole connector is operatively connectable to the downhole tool for communication therewith. |
| US08164463B2 |
Driver management apparatus and travel management system
In a driver management apparatus for managing the driver of a vehicle, a state estimating means estimates a state of the driver based on the sensing information from a sensing means Based on an estimation result, an extracting means extracts, as a capture region, part of the sensing information. The capture information storing means extracts the sensing information associated with the extracted capture region and stores the extracted sensing information as capture information. The determining means determines whether the estimation result satisfies a reporting condition. When it is determined that the estimation result satisfies the reporting condition, the controlling means retrieves the capture information associated with the estimation result and causes the retrieved capture information to be transmitted with the estimation result to the external center. |
| US08164458B2 |
Transportation security system and associated methods
A security system for monitoring at least one shipping container being transported by at least one cargo transport vehicle has a Container Security Device (CSD) configured to be removably coupled to the at least one freight shipping container wall thereby utilizing for monitoring a cargo inside the container and detection of intrusion violations accompanied with partial destruction of the container wall when in a coupled condition. The CSD including at least one anti-tamper sensor, a microcontroller and a communication device; where the microcontroller generates an alarm signal based on a signal from at least one anti-tamper sensor is subjected to an individual sensor processing procedure and then to an integrated sensor processing procedure, the integrated sensor processing procedure make determination of the overall container alert status based on the alarm signal from at least one sensor. The system also has a Network Operations Center (NOC), the NOC including a NOC communications facility configured to communicate with at least one telecommunication network, the NOC being configured to receive data from each of the plurality of the CSDs and including a data storage medium configured to store sensor data and contained an archive of the container events. |
| US08164455B2 |
Backscatter communication system with reflector for transmitting a modulated signal to a reader
The present invention provides a communication system of a backscatter type, the communication system including: a reflector for transmitting data by a reflected wave formed by subjecting a non-modulated wave to a modulation process; and a reflected wave reader for reading the data from the modulated reflected wave signal from the reflector. |
| US08164454B2 |
ID proximity monitoring of inventory objects
ID proximity systems and methods for monitoring a movement of an object. A method comprises the steps of: using a second transponder to receive data transmitted by a first transponder attached to the object; and modifying the data based on at least one characteristic of the second transponder, wherein the second transponder is situated within a predetermined distance from the first transponder. The second transponder modifies the data by adding an identifier that corresponds to an operator. The second transponder may be worn by the operator. |
| US08164451B2 |
Cash handling facility management
Cash handling facilities, such as cash vaults, receive and process large quantities of cash. The cash handling facility may have a plurality of custody points at which the amount of cash being processed is verified, counted, stored, or otherwise processed. Cash handling personnel that are handling the cash may be verified, detected, or otherwise documented as handling the cash. Automatic identification techniques may be implemented to track the cash and cash handling personnel at various custody points within the cash handling facility. A centralized tracking system may use the information obtained at each of the custody points to track, count, and verify the cash while it is located within the cash handling facility. |
| US08164440B2 |
Methods for emergency communication within a fire safety system
An emergency device or emergency system is configured for operation within a fire safety system, or a fire safety portion of a building automation system (BAS). For example, wireless devices, emergency devices and/or automation components within the fire safety system or the fire safety portion of the BAS may be configured to automatically provide or otherwise communicate emergency information to an emergency device or system. The emergency information may, in turn, be utilized by emergency personnel or first responders to determine location information regarding the structure and/or relative positions within the structure or communicate with a remote emergency system. |
| US08164438B2 |
Systems and methods for providing emergency information
In one general aspect, emergency information for a person is received from a user. A unique identifier for the person is generated. The unique identifier is associated with the emergency information. The emergency information is stored on an emergency information device. The unique identifier is associated with the emergency information device. The emergency information device is sent to the user. |
| US08164435B2 |
Subscribing to alarms and events in a hierarchy
An alarm provision system comprises a recognizer component that receives an alarm/event and recognizes the alarm/event. A provision component analyzes hierarchical relationships associated with an industrial environment and automatically provides a subscribing entity with the alarm/event and at least one other alarm/event that is related to the received alarm/event, the provision of the at least one other alarm/event is based at least in part upon the analysis of the hierarchical relationships. |
| US08164433B2 |
Detecting faults in a wiring harness
Cell voltages within a battery pack and a voltage delivered to a load or drive system, along with a current delivered to the system, are monitored and used to detect a possible abnormal condition of a wiring harness. |
| US08164431B2 |
Automated geo-fence boundary configuration and activation
A geo-fence is defined and established automatically based on a current location of an asset along with some range or distance, avoiding the need for a user to manually specify a location by drawing a perimeter, specifying a point location, or by any other means. Once established, the geo-fence can be activated so as to notify the owner of the asset and/or some other entity of movement of the asset beyond the boundary specified by the geo-fence. In one embodiment, the geo-fence can be automatically activated upon certain conditions, or can be manually activated, or any combination thereof. |
| US08164428B2 |
Power control device
A controllable light bulb comprises an electrical connector, a receiver module, an electronic switch, a translucent casing, and a light producing element. The electrical connector receives a power signal. The receiver module is powered by the power signal received via the electrical connector and determines control parameters based upon on/off modulation of the power signal. The receiver module generates a control signal based upon the control parameters while the power signal is on. The electronic switch outputs an output power signal and reduces the output power signal based on the control signal. The translucent casing encloses the light producing element. The light producing element receives the output power signal. |
| US08164425B2 |
Interrogator used in RFID system
In RFID system having a plurality of reader/writers, the interface between the reader/writers can be reduced without any degradation of communication throughput. The plurality of reader/writers transmit/receive radio signals to/from RF tags. The reader/writers inform their operation modes to each other, whereby they can recognize the usage statuses of channels for communication with the RF tags. If a channel selected by a particular reader/writer is occupied by another reader/writer for a long time, the particular reader/writer selects another channel immediately. If a channel selected by a particular reader/writer is temporarily occupied by another reader/writer, the particular reader/writer waits for a release of that channel. |
| US08164414B2 |
Polymer PTC element
There is provided a polymer PTC device which has a further improved performance.Such PTC device comprises (A) a polymer PTC element containing (a1) an electrically conductive filler and (a2) a polymer material, and (B) at least one metal electrode disposed on at least one surface of the polymer PTC element, and the electrically conductive filler is an Ni alloy filler which has oxidation resistance under a high temperature and dry atmosphere, and the polymer material is a thermoplastic crystalline polymer. |
| US08164402B2 |
Current transformer, protection device including such transformer and related circuit breaker
A current transformer adapted for use in an electrical circuit. The current transformer includes a toroidal core and at least one electrical conductor having a portion passing within the toroidal core. The current transformer includes a cooling device having a body made of thermal conducting material and configured so that it has a first portion connected to the electrical conductor at a position upstream from the toroidal core and suitable for absorbing heat from the electrical conductor, and a second portion, spaced apart from the first portion, which is connected to the electrical conductor at a position downstream from the toroidal core and is suitable for transmitting heat to the electrical conductor. The thermal conducting body comprises at least one portion made of an electrically insulating material capable of preventing the current flow through the cooling device itself. |
| US08164395B2 |
Signal modulator
A signal modulator that can control transmission power if level adjustment of a continuous signal from an oscillator is executed is provided. A pulse generator of one example of a signal modulator includes an oscillator, a control signal generator, a multiplier, a filter, and a control section. The oscillator and the multiplier are active circuits formed of active elements. A continuous signal is output from the oscillator and is input to the multiplier and the multiplier intermittently operates by a control signal output from the control signal generator, whereby a pulse signal is generated and the power level is easily adjusted by a signal from the control section. |
| US08164389B2 |
Overdrive protection circuit
Embodiments of circuits, apparatuses, and systems for an overdrive protection circuit arranged at an input to a primary power transistor to protect against overdrive conditions, where the overdrive protection circuit includes a sensing resistor. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08164385B2 |
Amplifier circuit
An amplifier circuit includes a first amplifier amplifying an input signal and outputting a first amplified signal, a second amplifier amplifying the first amplified signal and outputting a second amplified signal, and a feedback circuitry feeding back the second amplified signal to the input of the second amplifier. The feedback circuitry includes a feedback transistor that keeps the input level of the second amplifier constant. |
| US08164383B1 |
Circuits and methods for amplifying signals
In one embodiment, the present disclosure includes an amplifier comprising first and second output stages. The first output stage receives first power supply voltages and the second output stage receives second power supply voltages greater than the first power supply voltages. A switching stage configures the output stages to provide a first current to an amplifier output node from the first output stage when a magnitude of a voltage on the output node is below a first value, provide a second current to the output node from the second output stage when the magnitude of the voltage on the output node is above a second value greater than the first value, and provide a third current to the output node from both the first output stage and the second output stage when the magnitude of the voltage on the output node is between the first value and the second value. |
| US08164378B2 |
Device and technique for transistor well biasing
A method includes receiving a set of voltages comprising at least a first voltage, a second voltage, and a third voltage and biasing a well of a transistor based on the extreme voltage of the set of voltages. Biasing the well of the transistor can include concurrently providing a first signal and a second signal based on a comparison of the first voltage and the second voltage and selectively coupling the well of the transistor to a source of the extreme voltage of the set of voltages based on the first signal, the second signal, and the third voltage. An electronic device comprises a transistor and a power switching module. The power switching module includes a set of inputs, each input configured to receive a corresponding one of a set of voltages comprising at least a first voltage, a second voltage, and a third voltage, and includes an output coupled to a well of the transistor, the output configured to provide the extreme voltage of the set of voltages. |
| US08164373B2 |
Drive strength control of phase rotators
A phase rotator includes a phase selector stage operative to receive a clock signal and output a first phase and a second phase of the clock signal, a slew rate control stage including a first pass gate circuit operative to control a slew rate of the first phase of the clock signal and a second pass gate circuit operative to control a slew rate of the second phase of the clock signal, and a phase blending stage operative to combine the first phase with the second phase of the clock signal and output a phase rotated signal. |
| US08164368B2 |
Power savings mode for memory systems
A system and method are disclosed to accomplish power savings in an electronic device, such as a memory chip, by performing selective frequency locking and subsequent instantaneous frequency switching in the DLL (delay locked loop) used for clock synchronization in the electronic device. By locking the DLL at a slow clock frequency, the operational frequency may be substantially instantaneously switched to an integer-multiplied frequency of the initial locking frequency without losing the DLL lock point. This DLL locking methodology allows for faster frequency changes from higher (during normal operation) to lower (during a power saving mode) clock frequencies without resorting to gradual frequency slewing to conserve power and maintain DLL locking. Hence, a large power reduction may be accomplished substantially instantaneously without adding complexity to the system clock generator. Because of the rules governing abstracts, this abstract should not be used in construing the claims. |
| US08164367B1 |
Spread spectrum clock generation technique for imaging applications
A clock signal generator includes a phase-lock loop for generating an imaging clock signal having a frequency based on a reference clock signal. The imaging clock signal generator also includes a modulation circuit for determining a number of pixels in a horizontal line of an image to be generated based on the imaging clock signal. The modulation circuit generates a modulation signal based on the determined number of pixels and the clock signal generator spreads the frequency of the imaging clock signal across a frequency range based on the modulation signal. In this way, the clock signal generator reduces electromagnetic interference in the imaging clock signal. In further embodiments, the clock signal generator generates an adjustment signal for adjusting the frequency range based on the frequency of the reference clock signal and the frequency of the imaging clock signal. |
| US08164351B2 |
Test apparatus
Provided is a test apparatus that tests a device under test, including a power supply that generates supply power supplied to the device under test, a transmission path that transmits the supply power generated by the power supply to the device under test, an intermediate capacitor that is provided between the transmission path and a ground potential, a power supply current measuring section that measures a current flowing through the transmission path at a position closer to the power supply than the intermediate capacitor, a charge and discharge current measuring section that measures a charge and discharge current of the intermediate capacitor, and a load current calculating section that calculates a load current flowing through the device under test based on a sum of the current measured by the power supply current measuring section and the current measured by the charge and discharge current measuring section. |
| US08164349B2 |
Capacitively-coupled electrostatic (CCE) probe arrangement for detecting strike step in a plasma processing chamber and methods thereof
A method for identifying a stabilized plasma within a processing chamber of a plasma processing system is provided. The method includes executing a strike step within the processing chamber to generate a plasma. The strike step includes applying a substantially high gas pressure within the processing chamber and maintaining a low radio frequency (RF) power within the processing chamber. The method also includes employing a probe head to collect a set of characteristic parameter measurements during the strike step, the probe head being on a surface of the processing chamber, wherein the surface is within close proximity to a substrate surface. The method further includes comparing the set of characteristic parameter measurements against a pre-defined range. If the set of characteristic parameter measurements is within the pre-defined range, the stabilized plasma exists. |
| US08164344B2 |
Electric vehicle with ground fault detecting system
An electric vehicle incorporates a ground fault detecting system for preventing a ground fault detector from detecting a ground fault in error. First and second ground fault detectors are associated respectively with first and second ungrounded power supplies which generate respective different voltages. Since the first and second ground fault detectors are activated in different periods, the ground fault detecting system prevents a ground fault from being detected in error. |
| US08164343B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring a parameter of a vehicle electrical system
An automotive vehicle electrical system tester is provided for testing an electrical system having wiring which couple a load to a battery. The automotive vehicle electrical system tester is configured to measure an electrical parameter of the wiring and includes a first battery terminal connection configured to couple to a first terminal of the battery. A test connection is configured to couple to a wire of the electrical system which extends between the first terminal of the battery and the load. Test circuitry coupled to the first battery terminal connection and the test connection is configured to draw current from the battery along a path through the wire and to the test connection. The test circuitry measures an electrical parameter of the wire. |
| US08164339B2 |
Apparatus and system for geosteering and formation evaluation utilizing improved antennas
An apparatus for measuring one or more earth formation properties during applications including formation evaluation and geosteering applications is provided. The apparatus includes: an elongated body; at least one recessed portion on a periphery of the elongated body; an electrically conductive coil forming a closed loop, at least a portion of the coil extending through the at least one recessed portion; and a u-shaped magnetically permeable and non-conductive material disposed between the coil and the at least one recessed portion, the u-shaped material partially surrounding the coil in the at least one recessed portion. A system for measuring one or more properties of an earth formation is also provided. |
| US08164337B2 |
Assembly with a vibration-isolated cover
An inventive vibration-generating device comprises a cover and isolating device arranged between the cover and the assembly. The isolating device reduces the propagation of vibrations from the vibration-generating assembly to the outer casing of the cover and is hereby supported according to the embodiment so that they float in relation to the assembly and/or the cover. |
| US08164336B1 |
Transmission line probe for NMR
A probe for an NMR device is disclosed in which a saddle coil is disposed on one side of a flexible insulating material, and an additional conductor is disposed on the opposite side. The additional conductor and the conductors of the saddle coil create a capacitance across the insulating material. This capacitance acts with the inductance of the saddle coil such that the probe itself forms a transmission line. The probe is thus inherently broadband and requires no tuning. It also presents a constant impedance, thus facilitating impedance matching to an NMR spectrometer. In a preferred embodiment, a chip resistor is disposed on the flexible insulating material, terminating the transmission line. |
| US08164331B2 |
Magnetic field measurement method and magnetic sensor
The magnetic field measurement method has: a step of preparing a magnetic sensor which includes: a magneto-resistive effect element having a magnetization-free layer and a magnetization fixed layer, and having a longitudinal direction; and magnetic field application means, wherein the magnetization direction of the magnetization fixed layer is fixed in a direction which forms an angle equal to or less than 45 degrees to the longitudinal direction, and a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field application means forms an angle equal to or less than 45 degrees to the longitudinal direction; a step of saturating the magnetization of the magnetization-free layer by the magnetic field application means and magnetizing the magnetization-free layer in one direction in the longitudinal direction; and a step of measuring the strength of an external magnetic field by applying the external magnetic field to the magnetization-free layer in the other direction in the longitudinal direction. |
| US08164327B2 |
Steering angle sensor
A steering angle sensor assembly 10 for determining absolute angular position of a steering wheel of a motor vehicle and includes a multi-axis detector 24 having an active operating mode and a standby operating mode and being adapted to measure speed and direction of rotation of the steering wheel. The steering angle sensor assembly 10 further includes at least one second detector 26 arranged to form a quadrature encoder to detect movement and direction of the steering wheel when the multi-axis detector 24 is in the standby or powered down operating mode. |
| US08164310B2 |
Battery temperature regulator incorporating casing or terminal temperature sensor
A temperature regulator is provided for a battery which includes an electrode body, a terminal electrically connected to the electrode body, and a casing that receives the electrode body and supports the terminal with an end portion of the terminal protruding outside of the casing. The casing is electrically and thermally insulated from the terminal. The temperature regulator includes a flow producer, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The flow producer produces a flow of a heat transfer medium for exchanging heat between the heat transfer medium and one of the terminal and casing. The temperature sensor senses the temperature of the other of the terminal and casing. The controller controls, based on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor, the flow producer to adjust the flow rate of the heat transfer medium, thereby regulating the temperature of the electrode body to fall within a predetermined range. |
| US08164304B2 |
Electrical appliance and charger
An apparatus includes a charger (104) and a portable appliance such as a flashlight (102). The flashlight includes first and second flashlight electrical contacts. The charger includes first (122a) and second (122b) flashlight supports or jaws that support the flashlight in a flashlight receiving region of the charger (104). The flashlight supports (122) include a tapered surface that varies a dimension of the battery receiving region as a function of a longitudinal position of the flashlight supports (122). The charger (104) also includes a light source (120) that indicates when the flashlight (102) has been correctly inserted in the charger (104). |
| US08164301B2 |
Charging control apparatus for electrically powered vehicle, electrically powered vehicle, method for charging control for electrically powered vehicle, and computer-readable recording medium having program recorded thereon for computer to execute the charging control
An energy cost prediction unit predicts an energy cost for the next travel. A lifetime prediction unit uses a charge amount—lifetime map to predict the lifetime of a power storage device according to an amount of charge to the power storage device. A usage cost prediction unit predicts the cost of using the power storage device according to the amount of charge to the power storage device, based on the lifetime of the power storage device predicted by the lifetime prediction unit. The predicted cost associated with the amount of charge to the power storage device is indicated on a display device. In accordance with an instruction from a user, the power storage device is charged from a charging station. |
| US08164299B2 |
Maximum power point tracking charge controller with coupled inductor multi-phase converter
A maximum power point tracking charge controller for photovoltaic systems tracks the maximum power point voltage of a PV array, and employs a coupled inductor multi-phase buck converter for converting the maximum power voltage to the voltage required to charge one or more batteries. The phase configurations are phase shifted from one another. One of the phase configurations is intentionally temporarily shut down when the output power is low. A first switch or a second switch of the phase configuration that is shut down is turned on to conduct electrical current when predetermined conditions are satisfied. A method of controlling battery charging in a photovoltaic system involves operating a coupled inductor multi-phase buck converter so that one of the phase configurations is intentionally temporarily shut down when the power output is below a predetermined value. |
| US08164294B2 |
Torquer apparatus
In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification features a torquer apparatus that includes a rotor with magnetic poles such that, when radially projected on a concentric octahedron, the same symmetrical pattern is obtained on all faces of the octahedron, the polarity of the poles projected on two adjacent faces of the octahedron being opposite. A stator with at least twenty poles magnetized with coils and such that, when radially projected on a concentric icosahedron, the same symmetrical pattern is obtained on all faces of the icosahedron, the stator being-in nominal position-concentric with the rotor. Real-time measurements, or equivalent information, of the position of the rotor with respect to the stator, and real-time measurements, or equivalent information, of exported torque from the stator, or of the orientation of the rotor with respect to the stator can be obtained. A controller for controlling the current in the coils based on the measurements, or the equivalent information, such that the rotor is magnetically held in the nominal position, and that the desired torque is exported. |
| US08164293B2 |
Method of controlling a motor
Embodiments of the invention provide methods of controlling a motor, such as a servo motor. One method can include monitoring a current temperature of the motor and a power stage of the motor substantially continuously and substantially in real-time. This method can include determining optimum settings for a first time interval to remove power and the second time interval to provide power in order to deliver maximum output while remaining below the maximum rated temperature of the motor. One method can include pulsing power to the motor for a second time interval after a first time interval has elapsed and tailoring pulse shapes of the power provided to the motor for the second time interval. One method can include calculating a maximum phase current based on the rotor shaft torque for each real-time speed of the motor that correlates to the maximum allowable current draw from the power supply. |
| US08164292B2 |
Motor controller of air conditioner
The present invention relates to a motor controller, including a converter for converting commercial AC power into DC power, an inverter including a plurality of switching elements, the inverter receiving the DC power, converting the DC power into AC power of a specific frequency through switching operations, and supplying the AC power to a three-phase motor, and a noise filter unit connected between the commercial AC power and the converter in order to remove a high frequency current and including normal mode inductors and common mode inductor. Accordingly, the motor control can control the power factor, limit a high frequency current, and eliminate noise components, that is, ripple components of an input current. |
| US08164286B2 |
Method for starting a permanent magnet single-phase synchronous electric motor and electronic device for implementing said method
Method for starting a single-phase synchronous electric motor using permanent magnets with simple and cost-effective implementation, said method comprising a step of application of a control logic of the switch that provides a first and a second condition for switching on:the first condition being verified when a detected counter electromotive force signal has the same sign as an electrical grid voltage signal;the second condition being verified when said counter electromotive force signal has the same sign as its first derivative value. |
| US08164271B2 |
Uni-directional light emitting diode drive circuit in bi-directional power series resonance
The present invention uses series connected capacitive impedance and inductive impedance, whereof the inherent series resonance and the frequency of the bi-directional power can produce series resonance, thereby the bi-directional divided power being generated at the two ends of the capacitive impedance and inductive impedance is rectified to output DC power to drive the uni-directional light emitting diode. |
| US08164269B2 |
Discharge lamp lighting device and lighting fixture
One output power characteristic curve for supplying constant power is provided with respect to a raging voltage range of a discharge lamp, and in addition, a plurality of output power characteristic curves W1, W2 and W3 are provided with respect to a lamp voltage before the rating voltage range. There is provided minimum lamp voltage detecting means for detecting a minimum lamp voltage after a high intensity discharge lamp shifts to an arc discharge in an event where lamp power is supplied to a high intensity discharge lamp based on any initially set output power characteristic curve after the high intensity discharge lamp is started. As the minimum lamp voltage detected by the minimum lamp voltage detecting means is larger in a predetermined minimum lamp voltage range, any larger output power characteristic curve is reset from the plurality of output power characteristic curves W1, W2 and W3, and subsequent power control is performed. |
| US08164267B2 |
Electro-optical device, matrix substrate, and electronic apparatus
To provide a wiring layout of electric power lines, which improves the aperture ratio of the pixel while forming pixels with the same pixel pitch. An electric-optical apparatus according to the present invention comprises multiple pixels (10) arranged in matrix including electro-optical devices driven by receiving electric power from an electric power supply circuit, wherein the aforementioned multiple pixels (10) make up multiple pixel groups formed of a series of pixels arrayed in at least one direction of the row direction and the column direction, and any of line forming regions (31, 32, 33, 34) is disposed between adjacent pixel groups of the aforementioned pixel groups, wherein the aforementioned line forming regions (31, 32, 33, 34) are formed with generally the same width. |
| US08164263B2 |
Excimer discharge lamp
An excimer discharge lamp comprises an electric discharge container having an electric discharge space, a pair of electrodes provided on an outer face of the electric discharge container, and an electric discharge gas enclosed in the electric discharge space. Further the electric discharge container comprises a tubular side wall on which the pair of electrodes is formed, one end wall for sealing one end of the side wall, and another end wall that is provided on the other side of the side wall. The side wall and the end walls are made of sapphire, YAG, or single crystal yttria. A chip pipe is provided on the another end wall, and a partition member made of sapphire, YAG, or single crystal yttria is formed between a shortest distance of the chip pipe and the inner face of the side wall. |
| US08164258B2 |
Emissive device having a layer that relieves external forces on adjacent layer, process for producing the emissive device and an electronic apparatus including the emissive device
An emissive device includes a substrate; a plurality of first electrodes; pixel banks having a plurality of openings each corresponding to the position of a corresponding one of the first electrodes; organic function layers disposed in at least the openings; a second electrode disposed so as to cover the pixel banks and the organic function layers; a first inorganic layer disposed over the second electrode; a second inorganic layer disposed over the first inorganic layer; an organic buffer layer disposed over the second inorganic layer; and a gas barrier layer disposed over the organic buffer layer. |
| US08164257B2 |
Organic light emitting display and method of fabricating the same
Disclosed are an organic light emitting display and a method of fabricating the same that are capable of preventing deterioration of adhesive strength of a glass frit for sealing a substrate. An organic light emitting device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first substrate including a pixel region and a non-pixel region, an array of organic light emitting pixels formed over the pixel region of the first substrate, and a second substrate placed over the first substrate, the array being interposed between the first and second substrates. The organic light emitting device of this embodiment further includes an electrically conductive line formed over the non-pixel region of the first substrate, and a frit seal interposed between the first and second substrates and surrounding the array such that the array is encapsulated by the first substrate, the second substrate and the frit seal, wherein the electrically conductive line comprises a portion overlapping the frit seal in a segment of the device such that the portion of the electrically conductive line substantially eclipses the frit seal when viewed from the first substrate. |
| US08164255B2 |
Inorganic light emitting display with field emission layer
An inorganic light emitting display including: a first electrode; a second electrode facing the first electrode; a light emitting layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; and an field emission layer disposed between the light emitting layer and the second electrode. |
| US08164253B2 |
Optically-functional film and method of manufacturing the same, display and method of manufacturing the same
There are provided an optically-functional film allowed to prevent peeling due to adhesion failure or deterioration due to moisture diffusion and a method of manufacturing the same, and a display allowed to prevent a decline in luminance and a color change depending on a viewing angle and a method of manufacturing the same. The optically-functional film includes: an intermediate layer, made of an insulating material including silicon, and having silicon-containing particles therein or on a top surface thereof; and an outermost layer made of the same material as that of the intermediate layer, whereas having a density higher than that of the intermediate layer, and having a bottom surface in contact with a top surface of the intermediate layer and a top surface with asperities. |
| US08164252B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display apparatus, including a substrate, at least one thin film transistor (TFT) on the substrate, an insulating layer covering the at least one TFT and having a via hole and a groove, a first electrode on the insulating layer and electrically connected to the at least one TFT through the via hole, a pixel define layer on the first electrode and the groove, the pixel define layer having an opening that exposes the first electrode; an intermediate layer electrically connected to the first electrode through the opening, the intermediate layer including an organic emissive layer, and a second electrode on the intermediate layer. The organic emissive layer may be easily formed in the opening because a step between the organic emissive layer and the pixel define layer may be reduced as a portion of pixel define layer fills the groove. |
| US08164251B2 |
Aromatic amine derivatives and organic electroluminescence devices using the same
An aromatic amine derivative with a specified structure. An organic electroluminescence device which comprises one or more organic thin film layers having at least one light emitting layer sandwiched between a cathode and an anode, wherein at least one of the organic thin film layers comprises the aromatic amine derivative singly or in combination. The organic EL device employing the aromatic amine derivative has sufficient lifetime, exhibits an enhanced efficiency of light emission, and emits highly pure blue light. |
| US08164246B2 |
Light emission device and display device using the same as light source
A light emission device for simplifying a structure of an electron emission unit and a manufacturing process thereof is provided. A display device using the light emission device as a light source is also provided. The light emission device includes a vacuum panel having a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other. A sealing member is between the first and second substrates. Recess portions each have a depth into a side of the first substrate facing the second substrate. Cathode electrodes are in corresponding recesses. Electron emission regions are on corresponding cathode electrodes. A gate electrode is fixed at one side of the first substrate at a distance from the electron emission regions. A light emission unit is at one side of the second substrate. The gate electrode includes a mesh unit having openings for passing through an electron beam and a supporting member surrounding the mesh unit. |
| US08164238B2 |
Light emitting diode (LED) lamp
A light emitting diode (LED) lamp includes a standardized connector; an LED module; a heat dissipating module; an angle adjusting ring; and an isolating ring. The LED module is electrically connected to the standardized connector and includes a circuit board and at least one LED unit electrically connected to the circuit board. The heat dissipating module is for preventing the LED module from overheating and includes at least one heat pipe on which the LED unit is disposed, a rear heat dissipating shield, a piston module, a transmission module, a heat dissipating fan, and a convection fan. The angle adjusting ring is disposed between the LED module and the standardized connector for rotating the LED module so as to change a light emitting direction of the LED module. The isolating ring is used to avoid the electrical connection of the angle adjusting ring and the standardized connector. |
| US08164237B2 |
LED lamp with flow guide function
An LED lamp with a flow guide structure guides external air to dissipate heat from the LED lamp includes a lamp base, a heat dissipating body, a heat dissipating plate and an LED module installed in the lamp base, and heat dissipating holes formed on the lamp base. The heat dissipating body includes heat dissipating fins, and a heat dissipating passage defined between any two fins and disposed corresponding to the heat dissipating hole. The LED module is in a thermal contact with the heat dissipating plate. The heat dissipating plate is attached onto the heat dissipating fins and includes openings. A flow guide plate is formed at a lateral edge of each opening and extended from the heat dissipating plate for guiding external air into the heat dissipating passage and out from the heat dissipating hole to expedite a natural convection in the lamp and prevent a thermal aggregation. |
| US08164235B2 |
Piezoelectric resonator
A piezoelectric resonator includes a pair of driving electrodes and a pair of lead electrodes that are formed facing each other on the frontside and backside of a piezoelectric plate that operates in a thickness-shear vibration mode. The front and back driving electrodes are formed such that they each have one or more pairs of parallel sides and have the same shape, and their centers face each other. The parallel sides of one of the front and back driving electrodes are formed parallel with either the X-axis or the Z′-axis of the piezoelectric plate, but the parallel sides of the other driving electrodes are formed without being parallel with the X-axis and Z′-axis thereof. |
| US08164231B2 |
Electret device comprising electret film formed on main surface of substrate and electrostatic operating apparatus
An electret device includes a substrate formed with a plurality of recess portions on a main surface thereof and an electret film so formed on the main surface of the substrate as to cover at least inner surfaces of the recess portions. |
| US08164229B2 |
Armature for rotating electrical machine and manufacturing method thereof
An armature for a rotating electrical machine, the armature includes a cylindrical core having a plurality of longitudinally extending slots that are dispersedly arranged in a circumferential direction; and coils wound around the slots, wherein each of the slots is formed such that an inner circumferential opening thereof that is open radially inwardly is smaller in a circumferential width than a slot interior positioned on a radially outer side of the inner circumferential opening, and linear conductors forming the coils are each formed to be larger in the circumferential width than the inner circumferential opening. |
| US08164217B1 |
System and method for management of a DC and AC bus microgrid
Systems and methods are described herein for managing the operations of a microgrid module. The microgrid module includes transformers and/or power converters necessary for modifying the input AC or DC power sources to meet the required characteristics of the output power. The microgrid module further comprises a power management software module and a control software module installed on a microgrid computer. The power management software module receives business parameters such as prices from power contracts. The power management software module uses the parameters to create rules for applying to the operation of the microgrid module. The rules the power management software module creates are stored locally at the microgrid computer so that they can be quickly accessed by a control software module. The control software module uses the rules in combination with data collected from sensors installed in the physical circuitry layer of the microgrid module to control the operations of the microgrid module. |
| US08164210B2 |
Vertical axis wind turbine with angled braces
An improved wind turbine comprises: (i) a turbine rotor with a support platform; (ii) a rotatable vertical shaft extending from or through that platform; (iii) at least one bearing for the shaft; (iv) a plurality of horizontally disposed, box-shaped wind catchment vanes connected about the shaft; and (v) a plurality of angled braces affixed to the platform for reducing wind force leverage effects and bearing wear. |
| US08164199B2 |
Multi-die package
A multi-die package has a plurality of leads and first and second semiconductor dies in superimposition and bonded together defining a die stack. The die stack has opposed first and second sides, with each of the first and second semiconductor dies having gate, drain and source regions, and gate, drain and source contacts. The first opposed side has the drain contact of the second semiconductor die, which is in electrical communication with a first set of the plurality of leads. The gate, drain and source contacts of the first semiconductor die and the gate and source contacts of the second semiconductor die are disposed on the second of said opposed sides and in electrical communication with a second set of the plurality of leads. The lead for the source of the first semiconductor die may be the same as the lead for the drain of the second semiconductor die. |
| US08164192B2 |
Thermo-compression bonded electrical interconnect structure
An electrical structure and method for forming. The electrical structure includes a first substrate comprising a first electrically conductive pad, a second substrate comprising a second electrically conductive pad, and an interconnect structure electrically and mechanically connecting the first electrically conductive pad to the second electrically conductive pad. The interconnect structure comprises a non-solder metallic core structure and a first solder structure. The first solder structure electrically and mechanically connects a first portion of the non-solder metallic core structure to the first electrically conductive pad. A second portion of the non-solder metallic core structure is thermo-compression bonded to the second electrically conductive pad. |
| US08164180B2 |
Functional element package and fabrication method therefor
A functional element package includes a silicon substrate with a functional element having one of a mobile portion and a sensor thereon; a seal member being bonded with the silicon substrate to form an airtightly sealed space therein, and including a step portion in its height direction; a first wiring portion being connected with the functional element and extending from the airtightly sealed space to an outside thereof; a second wiring portion being different from the first wiring portion and extending from the step portion to an upper surface of the seal member; and a bump on the second wiring portion, in which the first wiring portion is bent towards the airtightly sealed space and connected via a photoconductive member with the second wiring portion on the step portion. |
| US08164172B2 |
Integrated circuit package in package system
An integrated circuit package in package system includes: a base integrated circuit package with a base lead substantially coplanar with a base die paddle and having a portion with a substantially planar base surface; an extended-lead integrated circuit package with an extended lead having a portion with a substantially planar lead-end surface; a package-stacking layer over the base integrated circuit package; and the extended-lead integrated circuit package over the base integrated circuit package including: an end portion of the extended lead, directly on the package-stacking layer, and the extended lead exposed by and extending away from the bottom of the side of an extended-lead encapsulation and bending downwards toward the direction of the package stacking layer with the substantially planar lead-end surface coplanar with the substantially planar base surface. |
| US08164171B2 |
System-in packages
System-in packages, or multichip modules, are described which can include multi-layer chips in a multi-layer polymer structure, on-chip metal bumps on the multi-layer chips, intra-chip metal bumps in the multi-layer polymer structure, and patterned metal layers in the multi-layer polymer structure. The multi-layer chips in the multi-layer polymer structure can be connected to each other or to an external circuit through the on-chip metal bumps, the intra-chip metal bumps and the patterned metal layers. The system-in packages can be connected to external circuits through solder bumps, meal bumps or wirebonded wires. |
| US08164157B2 |
Signal absorption induction circuit
This patent pertains to a new technique of increasing the amount of energy absorbed by an antenna. It accomplishes this by broadcasting a spike that attracts the signal when the fields of its oscillating charge are at their strongest. |
| US08164154B1 |
Low profile Schottky barrier diode for solar cells and solar panels and method of fabrication thereof
A low profile high power Schottky barrier bypass diode for solar cells and panels with the cathode and anode electrodes on the same side of the diode and a method of fabrication thereof are disclosed for generating a thin chip with both electrodes being on the same side of the chip. In an embodiment, a mesa isolation with a Zener diode over the annular region surrounding the central region of the mesa anode in the Epi of the substrate is formed. In an embodiment, a P-type Boron dopant layer is ion implanted in the annular region for the Zener Diode. This controls recovery from high voltage spikes from the diode rated voltage. A Schottky barrier contact for the anode and a contact for the cathode are simultaneously created on the same side of the chip. |
| US08164145B2 |
Three-dimensional transistor with double channel configuration
A three-dimensional double channel transistor configuration is provided in which a second channel region may be embedded into the body region of the transistor, thereby providing a three-state behavior, which may therefore increase functionality of conventional three-dimensional transistor architectures. The double channel three-dimensional transistors may be used for forming a static RAM cell with a reduced number of transistors, while also providing scalability by taking advantage of the enhanced controllability of FinFETS and nano pipe transistor architectures. |
| US08164144B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer on an insulating layer, and a first partially depleted transistor and a first diode in the semiconductor layer. The first transistor has a first gate electrode above the semiconductor layer via an insulating film and a first source or drain of a first conductivity type in the semiconductor layer below both sides of the gate electrode. The first diode has a first impurity layer of a second conductivity type in a shallow portion of the semiconductor layer and a second impurity layer of the first conductivity type in a deep portion of the semiconductor layer. The first and second impurity layers are stacked in a depth direction of the semiconductor layer. The side surfaces of the first and second impurity layers contact the semiconductor layer just below the first gate electrode. |
| US08164139B2 |
MOSFET structure with guard ring
A trench Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) structure with guard ling, includes: a substrate including an epi layer region on the top thereof a plurality of source and body regions formed in the epi layer; a metal layer including a plurality of metal layer regions which are connected to respective source and body regions forming metal connections of the MOSFET; a plurality of metal contact plugs connected to respective metal layer regions; an insulating layer deposited on the epi layer formed underneath the metal layer with a plurality of metal contact holes therein for contacting respective source and body regions; and a guard ring wrapping around the trench gates with contact metal plug underneath the gate metal layer. |
| US08164126B2 |
CMOS image sensors including backside illumination structure
An image sensor having a backside illumination structure can include a photo diode unit in a first wafer, where the photo diode unit includes photo diodes and transfer gate transistors coupled to respective ones of the photo diodes. A wiring line unit can be included on a second wafer that is bonded to the photo diode unit, where the wiring line unit includes wiring lines and transistors configured to process signals provided by the photo diode unit and configured to control the photo diode unit. A supporting substrate is bonded to the wiring line unit and a filter unit is located under the first wafer. |
| US08164125B2 |
Integrated transistor and anti-fuse as programming element for a high-voltage integrated circuit
A semiconductor device includes an N type well region in a P type substrate. A source region of a MOSFET is laterally separated from a boundary of the well region, which includes the drain of the MOSFET. An insulated gate of the MOSFET extends laterally from the source region to at least just past the boundary of the well region. A polysilicon layer, which forms a first plate of a capacitive anti-fuse, is insulated from an area of the well region, which forms the second plate of the anti-fuse. The anti-fuse is programmed by application of a voltage across the first and second capacitive plates sufficient to destroy at least a portion of the second dielectric layer, thereby electrically shorting the polysilicon layer to the drain of the HVFET. |
| US08164123B2 |
Biosensor and method of driving the same
Provided are a biosensor and a method of driving the same. The biosensor includes a transistor including a substrate including a source, a drain, and a channel formed between the source and the drain, a gate insulating layer formed on the channel, and a source electrode and a drain electrode respectively connected with the source and the drain, a fluid line for covering the transistor to have an inner space together with the transistor and in which a sample solution including target molecules flows, a reference electrode formed on an inner wall of the fluid line, and a probe molecule layer attached on the reference electrode and reacting with the target molecules. Accordingly, the reference electrode is formed on the inner wall of the fluid line, enabling miniaturization of the bio device. Also, the probe molecules are formed on the reference electrode to measure a change in threshold voltage according to a change in electric potential between the reference electrode and the gate insulating layer, such that the sensitivity and reaction rate can be remarkably improved. |
| US08164121B2 |
Charge coupled device with potential gradient region between two control gate regions
A six-phase charge coupled device (CCD) pixel includes a pixel pair, with each pixel having two adjacent control gates overlying corresponding variable potential wells, where voltages applied to the control gates enable charge to be accumulated into and transferred out of the wells. A clear window region overlies a fixed potential gradient region, decreasing in potential away from the control gates. This region enables a wide band of photons to be sensed by the photosensitive silicon of the CCD. The decreasing potential levels facilitate high charge transfer efficiency (i.e., high CTE) from pixel to pixel via the control or transfer gates. By applying particular voltages to the control gates, charge can be quickly and efficiently transferred between pixels. In addition, the window provides a self aligned mask for the implantation steps and thus prevents the formation of pockets (or wells) due to misalignments that decrease the charge transfer efficiency and causes non-uniformity problems as associated with prior art. Furthermore the window provides a flat region that can be covered with an anti-reflective (AR) coating layer, thus further increasing the quantum efficiency. |
| US08164118B2 |
Semiconductor device and its manufacturing method
An object of the present invention is to reduce on-state resistance and increases reliability in a semiconductor device having an electrode formed in a recessed structure. As illustrated in FIG. 1B, a first insulating layer 103 is formed. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 1C, a photolithography process is carried out to form a photoresist pattern 104. Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 1D, dry etching is applied to the first insulating layer 103. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 1E, a laminated semiconductor structure is etched. Next, in this state, wet etching is applied to the first insulating layer 103 as illustrated in FIG. 1F. Next, in this state, an electrode material 105 is formed on the entire exposed surface as illustrated in FIG. 1G. Finally, as illustrated in 1H, the photoresist pattern 104 is removed. |
| US08164116B2 |
Semiconductor device with hetero semiconductor region and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor base; a hetero semiconductor region which is in contact with the semiconductor base and which has a band gap different from that of the semiconductor base; a first electrode connected to the hetero semiconductor region; and a second electrode forming an ohmic contact to the semiconductor base. The hetero semiconductor region includes a laminated hetero semiconductor region formed by laminating a plurality of semiconductor layers in which crystal alignment is discontinuous at a boundary between at least two layers. |
| US08164112B2 |
Electostatic discharge protection circuit coupled on I/O pad
An I/O pad ESD protection circuit is composed of a SCR circuit, a first diode, a second diode, and an anti-latch-up circuit. The SCR circuit has a first connection terminal and a second connection terminal, respectively coupled to the I/O pad and the ground voltage, so as to discharge the electrostatic charges. The anti-latch-up circuit has two terminals, which are respectively coupled to the voltage source and the ground voltage, and another connection terminal, used to send an anti-latch-up signal to the SCR for changing the activating rate. The latch-up phenomenon is avoided. |
| US08164110B1 |
Integrated lateral high-voltage diode and thyristor
The present invention relates to integration of lateral high-voltage devices, such as a lateral high-voltage diode (LHVD) or a lateral high-voltage thyristor, with other circuitry on a semiconductor wafer, which may be fabricated using low-voltage foundry technology, such as a low-voltage complementary metal oxide semiconductor (LV-CMOS) process. The other circuitry may include low-voltage devices, such as switching transistors used in logic circuits, computer circuitry, or the like, or other high-voltage devices, such as a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) switch. The reverse breakdown voltage capability of the LHVD may be increased by using an intrinsic material between the anode and the cathode. Similarly, in a lateral high-voltage thyristor, such as a lateral high-voltage Silicon-controlled rectifier (LHV-SCR), the withstand voltage capability of the LHV-SCR may be increased by using an intrinsic material between the anode and the cathode. |
| US08164097B2 |
Thin film transistor array panel and manufacturing method thereof
A method of manufacturing a thin film transistor array panel is provided, which includes: forming a thin film transistor including a gate electrode, a drain electrode, a source electrode and a semiconductor on a substrate; forming a first passivation layer on the drain and the source electrodes; forming a transparent conductive layer on the first passivation layer; etching the transparent conductive layer using a photoresist as an etch mask to expose the portion of the first passivation layer and to form a pixel electrode connected the drain electrode; ashing the first passivation layer and the photoresist; and removing the photoresist. |
| US08164089B2 |
Electronic device
Electronic devices, such as organic thin film transistors, with improved mobility are disclosed. The semiconducting layer comprises layers or striations of an organic semiconductor and graphene, including alternating layers/striations of such materials. The organic semiconductor and graphene layers interact well together because both materials form lamellar sheets. The presence of graphene enhances mobility by correcting molecular packing defects in the organic semiconductor layers, and the conductivity of graphene can be controlled. Finally, both materials are flexible, allowing for flexible semiconductor layers and transistors. |
| US08164086B2 |
Phase-controlled field effect transistor device and method for manufacturing thereof
A phase controllable field effect transistor device is described. The device provides first and second scattering sites disposed at either side of a conducting channel region, the conducting region being gated such that on application of an appropriate signal to the gate, energies of the electrons in the channel region defined between the scattering centers may be modulated. |
| US08164084B2 |
Light-emitting device
A light-emitting device with a tunneling structure and a current spreading layer is disclosed. It includes an electrically conductive permanent substrate, an adhesive layer, an epitaxial structure, a tunneling structure and a current spreading layer. The adhesive layer is on the electrically conductive permanent substrate. The epitaxial structure on the adhesive layer at least comprises an upper cladding layer, an active layer, and a lower cladding layer. The tunneling structure on the epitaxial structure comprises a first conductivity type semiconductor layer with a first doping concentration and a second conductivity type semiconductor layer with a second doping concentration. The current spreading layer is on the tunneling structure. |
| US08164083B2 |
Quantum dot optoelectronic devices with enhanced performance
An optoelectronic device is disclosed which includes a quantum dot layer including plurality of quantum dots which do not have capping layers. This optoelectronic device may be a quantum dot light-emitting device, which includes (1) a substrate which is transparent or translucent, (2) an anode electrical conducting layer which is transparent or translucent, and is located adjacent to the substrate, (3) a planarizing/hole injection layer which is located adjacent to the anode electrical conducting layer, (4) a quantum dot layer including the plurality of quantum dots which do not have capping layers, and (5) a cathode electrical conducting layer which is located adjacent to the quantum dot layer. |
| US08164080B2 |
Diode structures and resistive random access memory devices having the same
A diode structure includes: a lower electrode and an insulating layer disposed on the lower electrode. The insulating layer includes aperture exposing a portion of the lower electrode. The diode structure further includes: a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is disposed in the aperture and having a depressed portion. The second layer is disposed in the depressed portion of the first layer. A resistive random access memory (RRAM) device includes the above-described diode structure. |
| US08164078B2 |
Beam irradiation device
A beam irradiation device includes a photodetector which receives servo light; a signal processing section which generates a position detection signal based on a detection signal from the photodetector; and a control section which controls the laser light source and the actuator for beam scanning based on the position detection signal. The signal processing section performs a sampling operation with respect to the detection signal from the photodetector at two consecutive sampling timings. The signal processing section includes an A/D converting section which converts a difference between two sampling values obtained by the sampling operation into a digital signal, and a computing section which computes the position detection signal based on the digital signal from the A/D converting section. |
| US08164073B2 |
Method for the inactivation of pathogens in donor blood, blood plasma or erythrocyte concentrates in flexible containers under agitation
The invention relates to a method for the inactivation of pathogens such as bacteria and viruses in donor blood, blood plasma and erythrocyte concentrates by photodynamic treatment and/or irradiation with ultraviolet light in flexible irradiation bags under intense movement. |
| US08164049B2 |
Radiation detecting apparatus, radiation image capturing system,and temperature compensating method
A radiation detecting apparatus includes a radiation conversion panel for detecting the radiation which has passed through the subject and converting the detected radiation into radiation image information, a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the radiation conversion panel, and a sensitivity corrector for correcting at least one of a sensitivity, a dark current, a density step, and a residual image of the radiation conversion panel based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor. |
| US08164044B2 |
Watertight connection system for combined electrical and fiber optic cables
A connector apparatus for use with combined electrical and fiber optic cables in wet or undersea conditions. The connector apparatus includes an outer threaded male connector portion connected to a first cable and a compatible female connector portion having a rotating internally threaded collar for engaging the outer male connector portion. The female connector portion includes conductor pins and a fiber-optic terminal pin and a fiber optic sensor ring. |
| US08164043B2 |
Optical module with fiber holding ferrule
An optical module is configured such that it is not susceptible to fine particulate matter when an optical fiber is inserted into a fiber insertion hole thereof. The optical module is also configured to prevent any reduction in the optical coupling efficiency and degradation of anti-noise properties with the optical fiber. The optical module includes: a ferrule, having the fiber insertion hole formed on an end surface on which an electrical circuit is formed; a photoelectric conversion element, connected to the electrical circuit and facing the fiber insertion hole; and an optical fiber, optically coupled directly with the photoelectric conversion element. The optical fiber has a glass fiber and a protective coating, and is aligned with the insertion hole with the protective coating interposed therebetween. The optical fiber is retained in the insertion hole with the glass fiber not in contact with the insertion hole. |
| US08164038B2 |
Light source direction detection device and method for detecting light source direction
A light source detection device includes first photo sensors disposed on a reference plane along a first direction and a control unit. Each first photo sensor has a first sensing surface for detecting a photo intensity of a light source to output a photo intensity signal. The first sensing surfaces are back to back or face to face. An included angle between a normal vector of one of the first sensing surfaces and a normal vector of the reference plane is equal to an included angle between a normal vector of another one of the first sensing surfaces and the normal vector of the reference plane. The normal vectors are coplanar. The control unit is adapted to receive the photo intensity signals and normalize the difference of the photo intensities of the light source sensed by the first photo sensors, so as to detect a position of the light source. |
| US08164029B2 |
Magnetic safety feature for cookware and cooking stoves
Methods and devices for securing the bottom of an item of cookware to the burner of a stove top by use of magnetism. The magnet(s) may be permanent magnets or electromagnets. The cookware may comprise a permanent magnet disposed on or in the base of the cookware. The burner comprises a magnetic material such as steel or iron. The magnetic material may be in the grate of the cook top, in the electric coil of an electric burner, in the surface of a vitroceramic or smooth-top stove top, or other component of the cook top in close proximity to the bottom of the cookware when it is on the cooking surface. The magnetic source prevents the cookware from being accidentally knocked off the cook top. |
| US08164028B2 |
Resistance heater
A heater has a smooth heating surface and a recess formed on a second surface opposite to the heating surface. The recess is formed between opposite side walls in a lengthwise direction of the heater. Formation of the recess improves the electrical resistance of the heater and the opposite side walls reinforce the heater and prevent deformation of the heater when it is subjected to high temperatures in a semiconductor wafer processing device. The heater has substantially the same width along its lengthwise direction. This improves the control of heat pattern design, because the terminal end portions do not have an expanded shape. |
| US08164021B1 |
Electrically assisted friction stir welding
An electrically assisted friction stir welding method and arrangement in which the required downward/pressing force typically exerted on a workpiece is substantially reduced. The method and apparatus involves the creation of a localized heated zone on a workpiece undergoing a welding operation. The localized heated zone is created using a resistive heating circuit running through the friction stir welding tool and the workpiece. |
| US08164015B2 |
Movable contact unit and switch using the same
A movable contact unit includes a light-guide sheet, a cover sheet, a movable contact, and a light-transmissive light-guide portion. The light-guide sheet includes a film-shaped substrate, and a convex and concave luminescent portion provided on the substrate. The cover sheet faces the substrate. A dome-shaped resilient movable contact made of a thin metal sheet is attached to the cover sheet at a position corresponding to the luminescent portion. The light-guide portion is provided on the cover sheet at a position other than an area where the movable contact is disposed or on the light-guide sheet at a position other than an area where the light-guide portion is disposed. If the light-guide portion is provided on the light-guide sheet, the movable contact may be attached to the light-guide sheet without using the cover sheet. |
| US08164008B2 |
Electrical apparatus
A cable is sandwiched between a first inner wall surface of a peripheral-wall-side pressing wall portion and a first inner wall surface of a cap-side pressing wall portion, between a second inner wall surface of the peripheral-wall-side pressing wall portion and a second wall surface of the cap-side pressing wall portion, and between a third inner wall surface of the peripheral-wall-side pressing wall portion and a third inner wall surface of the cap-side pressing wall portion to crank the cable to form a cranked portion of the cable. The peripheral-all-side pressing wall portion and the cap-side pressing wall portion sandwich the cranked portion therebetween. Thus, defective soldering may be prevented between a plurality of lead wires and a core-wire soldered portion to which core wires of the lead wires are soldered and connected. |
| US08164006B2 |
Electromagnetic bandgap structure and printed circuit board
According to an embodiment of the present invention, an electromagnetic bandgap structure can include: at least three conductive plates; a first stitching via, configured to electrically connect any one of the conductive plates to another conductive plate; and a second stitching via, configured to electrically connect the one conductive plate to yet another conductive plate. In the electromagnetic bandgap structure of the present invention, the first stitching via can electrically connect the one conductive plate to another conductive plate by allowing a part of the first stitching via to be connected through a planar surface above the one conductive plate, and the second stitching via can electrically connect the one conductive plate to yet another conductive plate by allowing a part of the second stitching via to be connected through a planar surface below the one conductive plate. |
| US08164005B2 |
Multilayer high-frequency circuit board
A multilayer high-frequency circuit board includes a signal line, ground layers, and an interlayer circuit. A signal line where a high-frequency signal flows is formed in the signal line layer. The ground layers are laminated on both sides of the signal line layer, each of which is grounded. The interlayer circuit is provided in the signal line layer and includes a ground connecting portion connected to the ground layers and a signal line connecting portion connected to the signal line. One of the signal line connecting portion and the ground connecting portion surrounds an outer periphery of the other of the signal line connecting portion and the ground connecting portion concentrically with the one being separated from the outer periphery of the other along the signal line layer. An inner periphery of the one and the outer periphery of the other have a similar shape excluding a complete circle. |
| US08163999B2 |
Insulation-coated wire
An insulation-coated wire has a conductor, and a semiconductive layer provided at an outer periphery of the conductor. The semiconductive layer has a resin coating including metal fine particles dispersed in a base resin, in which an average particle diameter of the metal fine particles is not greater than 1 μm. |
| US08163997B2 |
Electronic component, lead-wire and their production methods
A lead-wire includes a led-out electrode made of metal and a cap. The cap is put over an end of the led-out electrodes, and is made of metal harder than the metal forming the led-out electrodes. An electronic component includes a functional element and the lead-wire. The led-out electrodes is led out of the functional element. |
| US08163991B2 |
Headphone metronome
A user can select to play a metronome of the user's voice or a default which is played on headphones at a user-established tempo. |
| US08163988B2 |
Snare tension device
The invention relates to a snare tension device for tensioning and releasing a snare wire. In the snare tension device a rotation movement of a rotation element is transferred to a pushing element by means of a transfer element. |
| US08163983B2 |
Soybean variety A1016008
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1016008. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1016008. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1016008 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1016008 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08163980B2 |
Polynucleotides encoding isoprenoid modifying enzymes and methods of use thereof
The present invention provides isolated nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences encoding isoprenoid modifying enzymes, as well as recombinant vectors comprising the nucleic acids. The present invention further provides genetically modified host cells comprising a subject nucleic acid or recombinant vector. The present invention further provides a transgenic plant comprising a subject nucleic acid. The present invention further provides methods of producing an isoprenoid compound, the method generally involving culturing a subject genetically modified host cell under conditions that permit synthesis of an isoprenoid compound modifying enzyme encoded by a subject nucleic acid. |
| US08163972B2 |
Zero-valent metallic treatment system and its application for removal and remediation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
PCBs are removed from contaminated media using a treatment system including zero-valent metal particles and an organic hydrogen donating solvent. The treatment system may include a weak acid in order to eliminate the need for a coating of catalytic noble metal on the zero-valent metal particles. If catalyzed zero-valent metal particles are used, the treatment system may include an organic hydrogen donating solvent that is a non-water solvent. The treatment system may be provided as a “paste-like” system that is preferably applied to natural media and ex-situ structures to eliminate PCBs. |
| US08163970B2 |
Method for adiabatic cooling type crystallization of organic compound and apparatus therefor
A method including carrying out adiabatic cooling and evaporation operation of a coolant in a crystallizer (20) for a mixture solution of a target organic compound containing the coolant; taking out crystal slurry produced by the operation from the crystallizer (20); pressurizing evaporated vapor to a pressure higher than the operation pressure in the crystallizer (20) by a compressor (30) and then introducing the vapor to an absorption condenser (10); cooling for condensation the mixture solution of organic compound and the evaporated vapor that has been pressurized while allowing them to contact each other in the absorption condenser (10); introducing the crystal slurry taken out of the crystallizer (20) to a purification means (70) for purification of the crystal; and introducing a clarified liquid in the purification means (70) to at least one of the crystallizer (20) and the absorption condenser (10). |
| US08163969B2 |
Alkylation process using a catalyst comprising rare earth containing zeolites and a hydrogenation metal
An improved alkylation process utilizing a solid-acid catalyst comprising a rare earth containing zeolite and a hydrogenation metal is disclosed. |
| US08163965B2 |
Continuous crystallisation process of iodinated phenyl derivatives
The invention describes a process for the purification of iodinated aryl compounds where the purification is performed by continuous crystallization of a crude product in a solvent with removal of at least a fraction of the solvent. The continuous crystallization process is performed in one or more crystallizers at the boiling point of the content of the crystallizer. |
| US08163958B2 |
Levodopa prodrugs, and compositions and uses thereof
Prodrugs of levodopa, methods of making prodrugs of levodopa, methods of using prodrugs of levodopa, and compositions of prodrugs of levodopa are disclosed. |
| US08163954B2 |
Process and catalyst for oxidizing aromatic compounds
Catalytic compositions for conversion of substituted aromatic feed materials to oxidized products comprising aromatic carboxylic acid derivatives of the substituted aromatic feed materials comprise a combination comprising a palladium component, an antimony component and/or a bismuth component, and one or more Group 4, 5, 6 or 14 metal or metalloid components. A process for oxidizing substituted aromatic feed materials comprises contacting the feed material with oxygen in the presence of such a catalytic composition in a liquid reaction mixture. |
| US08163952B2 |
RAR receptor agonist ligands and use thereof in human medicine and cosmetics
The invention relates to compounds corresponding to general formula (I) below: to the compositions containing same, to methods for the preparation thereof and to the use thereof in pharmaceutical compositions for use in human or veterinary medicine, or else in cosmetic compositions. |
| US08163950B2 |
Processes for the production of tri-organo-monoalkoxysilanes and process for the production of tri-organo-monochlorosilanes
A silane containing a bulky hydrocarbon group or groups R therein and having the formula (III) R3−(x+y)(R1)x(R2)ySi(OR3) can be produced by reacting a silane of the formula (I) (R1)x(R2)ySiCl3−(x+y)(OR3) with a Grignard reagent of the formula (II) RMgX Further, a tri-organo-chlorosilane of the formula (XIIa) (R1)(R2)(R3)SiCl can be produced by reacting a tri-organo-silane of the formula (XIa) (R1)(R2)(R3)SiZ1 with hydrochloric acid. Furthermore, a tri-organo-monoalkoxysilane of the formula (XXIII) R3−(x+y)(R1)x(R2)ySi(OR3) can be produced when a silane of the formula (XXI) (R1)x(R2)ySiCl4−(x+y) is reacted with a Grignard reagent of the formula (XXII) RMgX with addition of and reaction with an alcohol or an epoxy compound during the reaction. |
| US08163944B2 |
Allylic oxidations catalyzed by dirhodium catalysts under aqueous conditions
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for achieving the efficient allylic oxidation of organic molecules, especially olefins and steroids, under aqueous conditions. The invention concerns the use of dirhodium (II,II) “paddlewheel complexes, and in particular, dirhodium carboximate and tert-butyl hydroperoxide as catalysts for the reaction. The use of aqueous conditions is particularly advantageous in the allylic oxidation of 7-keto steroids, which could not be effectively oxidized using anhydrous methods, and in extending allylic oxidation to enamides and enol ethers. |
| US08163930B2 |
Process for preparing pyridinamines and novel polymorphs thereof
The present invention relates to an improved process for the synthesis and purification of 3-chloro-N-(3-chloro-5-tri-fluoromethyl-2-pyridyl)-a,a,a-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-p-toluidine (fluazinam) and other pyridinamines, which implements methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) as the reaction solvent. The process of the invention overcomes the drawbacks of prior art methods, by reducing the side reactions such as hydrolysis, eliminating the need for difficult and labor-intensive purification methods, and providing pure products in higher yields. The present invention relates to novel crystalline polymorphic forms fluazinam, and to mixtures of the polymorphs. The present invention also provides methods for preparing the novel polymorphs, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising same, and methods of using the polymorphs as pesticidal agents for combating noxious living organisms on agricultural and horticultural crops. |
| US08163926B2 |
Process for the synthesis of piperidinyl sulphonate esters
The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a compound of the Formula IIa: wherein R is a suitable sulphonate ester; from a (C1-C6)alkyl-4-piperidinecarboxylate compound of the Formula III: |
| US08163913B2 |
Forms of tiotropium bromide and processes for preparation thereof
This invention relates to novel crystalline forms of tiotropium bromide, processes for preparing them, and their use in pharmaceutical formulations. |
| US08163911B2 |
Arylsulfonylaminomethylphosphonic acid derivatives, the preparation thereof and the use thereof as pharmaceutical compositions
The invention relates to substituted arylsulphonylaminomethylphosphonic acid derivatives of general formula (I) wherein the groups Ra to Rf, A and Z are defined as mentioned in the specification and claims, which are suitable for preparing a medicament for the treatment of metabolic disorders, particularly type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus. |
| US08163908B2 |
Sirtuin modulating compounds
Provided herein are novel sirtuin-modulating compounds and methods of use thereof. The sirtuin-modulating compounds may be used for increasing the lifespan of a cell, and treating and/or preventing a wide variety of diseases and disorders including, for example, diseases or disorders related to aging or stress, diabetes, obesity, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disease, blood clotting disorders, inflammation, cancer, and/or flushing as well as diseases or disorders that would benefit from increased mitochondrial activity. Also provided are compositions comprising a sirtuin-modulating compound in combination with another therapeutic agent. |
| US08163905B2 |
Compounds and their uses 708
The present invention relates to pyrazinone derivatives of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 are as herein defined; processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in therapy. |
| US08163902B2 |
Prodrugs of 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds and their uses
The present disclosure provides prodrugs of biologically active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds, salts and hydrates of the prodrugs, compositions comprising the prodrugs, intermediates and methods for synthesizing the prodrugs and methods of using the prodrugs in a variety of applications. |
| US08163901B2 |
Amide derivatives as ion-channel ligands and pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using the same
Compounds are disclosed that have a formula represented by the following: The compounds may be prepared as pharmaceutical compositions, and may be used for the prevention and treatment of a variety of conditions in mammals including humans, including by way of non-limiting example, pain, inflammation, traumatic injury, and others. |
| US08163899B2 |
Process for producing laurolactam
Disclosed is a method for producing laurolactam from cyclododecanone and hydroxylamine in a simple process and with high efficiency. The method comprises the following steps (a) to (e): (a) reacting cyclododecanone with hydroxylamine in an aqueous solution in the presence of an excess amount of cyclododecanone or a solvent to produce cyclododecanone oxime; (b) separating the reaction mixture obtained after the oxime-forming step into an oil and an aqueous phases and collecting a solution of cyclododecanone oxime of the oil phase as; (c) removing dissolved water from the solution of cyclododecanone oxime which is collected as an oily phase in the oil/aqueous phase separation step; (d) producing laurolactam from cyclododecanone oxime by rearrangement reaction using an aromatic-ring containing compound as a rearrangement catalyst; and (e) separating the produced laurolactam from the reaction mixture after the rearrangement step and purifying the laurolactam. |
| US08163897B2 |
5-bromo-2′-deoxy-uridine labeled nucleotide triphosphates and nucleic acid probes and methods of making and using the same
5-bromo-2′-deoxy-uridine (BrdU) labeled nucleotide triphosphates and nucleic acid probes are described herein. The BrdU labeled nucleotide triphosphates include a linker between the nucleotide triphosphate and the BrdU moiety. The linker can be cleavable or non-cleavable. The nucleotide triphosphates can be a ribonucleotide triphosphates, 2′-deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates or 2′,3′-dideoxyribonucleotide triphosphates. The nucleic acid probes can be used for in situ hybridization. |
| US08163896B1 |
Bioinformatically detectable group of novel regulatory genes and uses thereof
The present invention relates to a first group of novel genes, here identified as genomic address messenger or GAM genes, and a second group of novel operon-like genes, here identified as genomic record or GR genes. GAM genes selectively inhibit translation of known ‘target’ genes, many of which are known to be involved in various diseases. Nucleic acid molecules are provided respectively encoding 200 GAM genes, and 1096 GR genes, as are vectors and probes both comprising the nucleic acid molecules, and methods and systems for detecting GAM and GR genes and specific functions and utilities thereof, for detecting expression of GAM and GR genes, and for selectively enhancing and selectively inhibiting translation of the respective target genes thereof. |
| US08163886B2 |
Purification of proteins
The present invention relates to a selectively soluble polymer capable of binding to one or more constituents in a mixture containing various biological materials and the methods of using such a polymer to purify a biomolecule from such a mixture. The polymer is soluble in the mixture under a certain set of process conditions such as pH or temperature and is rendered insoluble and precipitates out of solution upon a change in the process conditions. While in its solubilized state, the polymer is capable of binding to a selected entity within the stream such as impurities (DNA, RNA, host cell protein, endotoxins, etc) in a cell broth and remains capable of binding to that entity even after the polymer is precipitated out of solution. The precipitate can then be filtered out from the remainder of the stream and the desired biomolecule is recovered and further processed. |
| US08163885B2 |
Humanized antibodies against human interferon-alpha
The present invention provides humanized anti-human IFN-α monoclonal antibodies useful for therapeutic applications in humans. Preferred antibodies are humanized versions of murine antibodies ACO-1 and ACO-2, as well as variants thereof. |
| US08163884B2 |
Interleukin-21 receptor binding proteins
The present invention provides binding proteins and antigen-binding fragments thereof that specifically bind to the human interleukin-21 receptor (IL-21R). The binding proteins can act as, e.g., antagonists of IL-21R activity, thereby modulating immune responses in general, and those mediated by IL-21R in particular. The disclosed compositions and methods may be used, e.g., in diagnosing and/or treating IL-21R-associated disorders, e.g., inflammatory disorders, autoimmune diseases, allergies, transplant rejection, cancer, and other immune system disorders. |
| US08163880B2 |
Production of biologically active proteins
A fusion protein that is expressed in a recombinant protein body-like assembly (RPBLA) in host eukaryotic cells and organisms is disclosed. More particularly, a biologically active polypeptide fused to a protein sequence that mediates the induction of RPBLA formation is expressed and accumulated in host cells after transformation with an appropriate vector. The eukaryotic host cell does not produce protein bodies in the absence of the fusion protein. Methods for preparing and using the RPBLAs and the fusion protein are also disclosed, as are nucleic acid molecules that encode the fusion proteins. |
| US08163877B2 |
Ligand gated ion channels from Dermacentor variabilis
The present invention relates in part to isolated nucleic acid molecules (polynucleotides) which encode Dermacentor variabilis ligand gated ion channel proteins. The present invention also relates to recombinant vectors and recombinant hosts which contain a DNA fragment encoding D. variabilis LGIC/GluCl channels, substantially purified forms of associated D. variabilis channel proteins and recombinant membrane fractions comprising these proteins, associated mutant proteins, and methods associated with identifying compounds which modulate associated Dermacentor variabilis LGIC/GluCl, which will be useful as insecticides and acaricides. |
| US08163868B2 |
Reduction of whitening of polymer parts
This invention relates to a process for producing non-whitening molded articles of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) with reduced whitening by treating the articles with heat. |
| US08163867B2 |
Process for producing polycarbonates and a coordination complex used therefor
The complex of the present invention containing an onium salt and a central Lewis acidic metal has a high catalytic activity at a high temperature for the copolymerization of an epoxide and carbon dioxide to produce a high molecular weight poly-carbonate. |
| US08163866B2 |
Aromatic polyester resin composition
An aromatic polyester resin composition, including: a melt-kneaded product of 99-70 wt. parts of an aromatic polyester resin and 1-30 wt. parts (providing a total of 100 wt. parts together with the aromatic polyester resin) of a polyglycolic acid resin, wherein the aromatic polyester resin is an aromatic polyester resin polymerized with a germanium compound (catalyst), and the polyglycolic acid resin is a polyglycolic acid resin obtained by ring-opening polymerization of glycolide. As a result, gas generation during the melt-processing of a composition obtained by adding a relatively small amount of polyglycolic acid resin to an aromatic polyester resin is effectively suppressed to provide an aromatic polyester resin composition with a good gas-barrier property. |
| US08163865B2 |
Biocompatible amino acid anhydride polymers
Biocompatible amino acid anhydride polymers for use in tissue engineering, and methods for their preparation and use. |
| US08163864B2 |
Sulfonated polyarylene compounds, membrane material made therefrom, method for the production thereof and use
The invention relates to the field of polymer chemistry and relates to sulfonated polyarylene compounds such as can be used for example in ion exchange membranes in fuel cells, as well as a method for the production thereof and the use thereof. The object of the present invention is to disclose hydrolytically and thermally resistant sulfonated polyarylene compounds with a defined degree and position of sulfonation, from which membrane materials with an improved resistance to hydrolysis can be produced. The object is attained through sulfonated polyarylene compounds according to at least one of the general formulas (I)-(IV). |
| US08163850B2 |
Thermosetting polyester coating compositions containing tetramethyl cyclobutanediol
Disclosed are polyester resins and solvent borne thermosetting coating compositions that include these resins in combination with at least one crosslinker. The polyester resins contain 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and exhibit a combination of good solubility in organic solvents and high hardness with good flexibility in a coating composition. |
| US08163847B2 |
Capped poly(arylene ether) composition and process
A thermoset composition exhibiting reduced water absorption in the cured state includes an olefinically unsaturated monomer and a capped poly(arylene ether) prepared by the reaction of an uncapped poly(arylene ether) with an anhydride capping agent. The capped poly(arylene ether) is isolated and/or purified by methods that reduce the concentrations of polar impurities that contribute to water absorption by the cured composition. |
| US08163841B2 |
Polyethylene naphthalate fibers and method for producing the same
Polyethylene naphthalate fibers that are characterized in that the fibers have a crystal volume of from 550 to 1,200 nm3 obtained by wide angle X-ray diffraction of the fiber and a degree of crystallization of from 30 to 60%. It is preferred that the fibers have a maximum peak diffraction angle of wide angle X-ray diffraction of from 25.5 to 27.0° and a melting point of from 285 to 315° C. The production method thereof is characterized in that a particular phosphorus compound is added to the polymer in a molten state, the spinning draft ratio after discharging from the spinneret is from 100 to 5,000, and the molten polymer immediately after discharging from the spinneret is allowed to pass through a heat-retaining spinning chimney at a temperature within ±50° C. of a temperature of the molten polymer, and is drawn. |
| US08163840B2 |
Polyester resin for toner, toner composition and resin particle
Disclosed is a heat-fusible electrostatic image developing toner which has an excellent balance between fixability at low temperatures and grindability and is excellent in glossiness after fixing. Also disclosed is a resin for toners. A polyester resin for toners which is obtained by polycondensing a polyol component and a polycarboxylic acid component is characterized by containing 20-100 weight % of one or more polyester resins (A1) having a storage elastic modulus from 2.5×103 Pa to 5×106 Pa at 150° C. wherein the molar average cohesive energy of the polyol component is between 7.0×104 and 1.4×105 J. |
| US08163838B2 |
Process for the preparation of an artificial latex
A process of producing an artificial latex, comprising the steps: (a) cement formation, wherein a rubber is dissolved in a suitable hydrocarbon solvent; (b) emulsification of the cement formed in step (a), together with an aqueous soap solution, thus forming an oil-in-water emulsion; (c) hydrocarbon solvent removal, resulting in a latex of the rubber having particles of a median particle size in the range of from about 0.5 to 2.0 μm, and optionally (d) latex concentration, forming an artificial latex with a higher solids content, characterized in that in step (b) a premix is formed first, which is subsequently homogenized into an oil-in-water emulsion, and wherein the premix is formed by mixing the cement with the aqueous soap solution at a volume ratio of 1:1.5 to 1:3 using at least one homogenizer comprising a stator and a rotor, that is operated at a tip speed of the outer ring of the rotor in the range of from 8 to 16 m/s, and wherein the premix is subsequently homogenized in a rotor/stator homogenizer operated at a tip speed of the outer ring of the rotor in the range of from 16 to 35 m/s. |
| US08163826B2 |
Polymeric acid precursor compositions and methods
A composition is formed from a polymeric acid precursor, such as polylactic acid (PLA), that is a least partially dissolved within a polymer dispersing solvent. An emulsion may be from polymeric acid precursor that is at least partially dissolved within a solvent and a liquid that is substantially immiscible with the solvent. In certain cases, the molecular weight of the polymeric acid precursor may be reduced in forming the solution. The solution may be used in treating a formation penetrated by a wellbore. |
| US08163821B2 |
Tire rubber composition and heavy-load tire
The present invention provides: a rubber composition for a tire that achieves both good fuel economy and abrasion resistance, and also achieves good degradation resistance and processability; and a heavy-load tire having a tread produced therefrom. The present invention relates to a rubber composition for a tire, comprising a rubber component that contains a modified natural rubber having a phosphorus content of 200 ppm or less and a butadiene rubber, wherein the amount of the modified natural rubber is 60 to 95% by mass and the amount of the butadiene rubber is 5 to 40% by mass, based on 100% by mass of the rubber component. |
| US08163812B2 |
Process for making thermally resistant mineral-filled polyacetal
The present invention relates to a method of making polyacetal compositions and molded articles of these, which comprise at least one mineral filler that has not been previously coated before being mixed into the compositions. |
| US08163810B2 |
Resinous composition comprising special visual effect additive and method
Disclosed is a method for substantially diminishing or essentially eliminating a visible knitline in an article derived from a resinous composition comprising at least one thermoplastic resin and at least one special visual effect additive, which comprises the steps of (i) including in the composition an effective amount of at least one chemical foaming agent, and (ii) forming the article in a process that produces a knitline, wherein the article exhibits a substantially diminished or essentially no visible knitline compared to a similar article prepared without chemical foaming agent. Also disclosed are resinous compositions related thereto. Articles made from the compositions are also disclosed. |
| US08163805B2 |
Small molecule antagonists of Bcl-2 family proteins
The present invention relates to naturally occurring and chemically synthesized small molecule antagonists of Bcl-2 family proteins. In particular, the present invention provides gossypol compounds (e.g., isomers, enantiomers, racemic compounds, metabolites, derivatives, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, in combination with acids or bases, and the like) and methods of using these compounds as antagonists of the anti-apoptotic effects of Bcl-2 family member proteins (e.g., Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, and the like). The present invention also provides compositions comprising gossypol compounds and optionally one or more additional therapeutic agents (e.g., anticancer/chemotherapeutic agents). The present invention also provides methods for treating diseases and pathologies (e.g., neoplastic diseases) comprising administering a composition comprising gossypol compounds and optionally one or more additional therapeutic agents (e.g., anticancer/chemotherapeutic agents) and/or techniques (e.g., radiation therapies, surgical interventions, and the like) to a subject or in vitro cells, tissues, and organs. |
| US08163794B2 |
Crystalline form of a 3-phenoxymethylpyrrolidine compound
The invention provides a crystalline hydrochloride salt of (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine. This invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the crystalline salt, processes and intermediates for preparing the crystalline salt, and methods of using the crystalline salt to treat diseases. |