Document Document Title
US08370254B1 Enhanced vehicle identification card
A vehicle identification card is provided to an insured that includes proof of automotive insurance information and charge account information. The card may include an insurance policy covering the insured's vehicle, the VIN number of the vehicle, and other information about the vehicle such as the vehicle's make and model. The card may include account information that allows the card to be used like a credit card. The card may further include means for wirelessly updating information and providing a display to the user, which includes, but is not limited to, a housing, a memory module, a processor, one or more displays, and a power source.
US08370253B1 Method and apparatus for credit brokering for point-of-sale leasing
A computerized method for online brokering of multiple leasing products from multiple providers is provided. The method includes determining the creditworthiness of a Buyer, and determining whether or not to offer a lease, based on the specific criteria provided by multiple credit providers.
US08370251B2 Method and apparatus for a fair exchange
A fair exchange is disclosed to reduce potential inequities in an electronic trading environment. Market data is sent from a host system to client devices through one or more synchronized local communication servers such that the data can be displayed simultaneously or nearly simultaneously at each client device. Market data sent to client devices might include price information. Likewise, a host system may transaction data sent from client devices via the local communication servers. The ordering of transaction data is based, at least in part, on when the local communication servers received the transaction data from the client devices. Transaction data sent to a host system might include order information.
US08370247B2 Multi site solution for securities trading
Securities are traded at a primary site according to information received from market makers and traders. The information, including quotes and orders for one or more instruments, is received and stored at the primary site and used to create deals in the securities. The deals are also stored at the primary site. A secondary site stores replicas of the orders and deals, but not quote information. The deals stored at the secondary site may be used to update the orders stored at the secondary site.
US08370241B1 Systems and methods for analyzing financial models with probabilistic networks
A computer-assisted method for evaluating a financial model. The method may include selecting a financial model describing a distribution of a first financial variable and representing the financial model in a probabilistic network. The model may also include deriving a refined financial model based on the probabilistic network and finding a value of a financial instrument based at least in part on the refined financial model. A property of the financial instrument may be described by the first financial variable. In various embodiments, the method may also include inferring a value of the first financial variable.
US08370233B2 Managing consistent interfaces for business objects across heterogeneous systems
A business object model, which reflects data that is used during a given business transaction, is utilized to generate interfaces. This business object model facilitates commercial transactions by providing consistent interfaces that are suitable for use across industries, across businesses, and across different departments within a business during a business transaction. In some operations, software creates, updates, or otherwise processes information related to a cost model, a current account contract, and/or a collateral constellation business object.
US08370231B2 Method for supporting an exchange transaction
The present invention is a method for supporting an exchange transaction, in which users can complete exchange transactions between and/or among themselves.
US08370229B2 Evergreen contract billing and in life contract management system and method
The present invention provides an improved billing and contract management method and a computerized enterprise resource management system for processing and management of rent-producing financial products, such as contracts and leases that are past the initial end term date, and that have not been renegotiated or extended, or, in other words, that have entered the “evergreen” period. Among other things, the method and computerized system of the present invention integrate processing of the “evergreen” contracts with a proprietary generalized ERP software product/solution such as Oracle™ E-Business suite's Lease Management system, and supplement the processing of regular contracts with the “evergreen” contract authoring and booking, processing, validation, billing, accounting, collections, modification and audit trailing of the changes made to the “evergreen” contract terms.
US08370226B1 Technique for correcting round-off errors
A technique for performing a financial calculation is described. In this calculation technique, initial financial values are rounded based on a rounding criterion, and a total financial value is calculated by summing the rounded financial values. Based on the rounded financial values, associated rounding error values are computed. These rounding error values are then summed to determine a total error value. Moreover, the total error value is rounded based on the rounding criterion, and the resulting rounded total error value is used to correct a rounding error in the total financial value.
US08370217B1 Methods for determining preferred domain positioning on a registration website
Methods of the present inventions allow for determining preferred domain positioning on a registration website. An exemplary method may comprise the steps of receiving a bid from a registry seeking such preferred placement for a domain that may be administered by the registry, generating a quality score for the domain, and determining the preferred placement based upon the bid and the quality score.
US08370211B2 Computer system
A method of conducting a telephone or internet based reverse auction for selling units where the reverse auction is transmitted to users on a medium, the method comprising the steps of providing a number of units for sale and storing a preliminary available quantity in an allocation database initially indicative of the number provided for sale, providing a telephone number or web site to which calls or orders from users can be placed to enter the reverse auction, recording the time at which one or more calls or orders were received on the telephone number or at the website in a record database, placing any callers into a queue and assigning them to a call operator or system in order to sell a unit, conducting a reverse auction in which a person or system reduces the indicated price of a unit over time and in which a producer or system reduces the preliminary available quantity, the reverse auction is concluded at the time of the preliminary available quantity is reduced to a pre-determined number, such as zero, with the price at the conclusion being stored in an auction database, wherein the preliminary available quantity is reduced based at least partly on one or more preliminary indicators associated with a call/user, such as the time of the acceptance of the call or order in the record versus the timing of the auction, which indicator(s) occur before a sale of a unit is completed/confirmed.
US08370209B2 Method for aggregated location-based services
A method for operating an aggregated web service to display location-based items and services and allow for their remote purchase and pick-up or delivery. Algorithms provided to vendors allow for automated pricing adjustments to encourage purchase in competitive geographical locations.
US08370205B2 System for activation of multiple cards
According to one embodiment of the invention, a system is provided for activating a plurality of cards. A first card number and a total number of cards can be provided to an activation system to process the activation of the plurality of cards.
US08370201B2 System and method for presenting prioritized advertising data in a picture in picture display window during execution of video trick play command data
A computer readable medium is disclosed containing computer executable instructions that when executed by a computer perform a method, the method including but not limited to receiving trick play command data at an end user device; receiving a advertising data at the end user device; correlating the advertising data with penetration data for an end user associated with the end user device; prioritizing the advertising data for the end user device based on the correlation; and presenting a portion of the advertising data in a picture in picture display window on the end user device based on the prioritizing of the advertising data during execution of the trick play command data. A system is disclosed that is useful in performing the method. A data structure embedded in a computer readable medium is disclosed that contains data used by the system and method.
US08370199B2 Promotion processor and management system
A data processing system employs a unique coded promotional vehicle to attract customers into retail establishments for the purchase of discounted goods. The promotional vehicle includes coupon styled graphics integrated with a code to allow data tracking by the store pursuant to purchases by that customer. The promotional vehicle is easier and less costly to distribute compared to the prior art, avoids cutting of coupons, and post purchase redemptions. The system further allows more targeted discounting at a lower cost, and substantially reducing fraud by eliminating post purchase coupon processing and redemption. Additionally, the system provides for selective deactivation of the code for each discount used by redemption of the vehicle without deactivating the code for the discounts not used so that the code may remain selectively active for future use.
US08370198B2 Registering media for configurable advertising
A method for registering a media for configurable advertising is described herein. Advertising policies from a publisher of the media may be received at a video advertising platform. A request from the publisher to register the media for advertising may be received at a video advertising platform. The request may have media metadata. A media manifest may be generated at the video advertising platform. The media manifest may be based on the media metadata and the advertising policies. The media manifest may be configured to be received by a media player. The media player may play the media with one or more advertisements as specified by the media manifest.
US08370184B2 System and method for assortment planning
A method for planning an assortment including a store comprises receiving a hierarchical list of articles including a plurality of nodes, and assigning a first node in the hierarchical list to the store to define a first group of articles that are assignable to the assortment. A system and program product for planning an assortment including a store are also provided.
US08370182B2 Method and apparatus for measuring product shipment process capability
A system and method for automatically assessing the process quality capability of a shipping process is disclosed. The system monitors data on a database that is being constantly updated with information about shipment requests and shipment dates for various products. From that data, a statistical calculation is performed and the results are indicated on an Internet or intranet electronic page. The statistical calculation is designed to indicate the capabilities of the current process to deliver products to customers on time.
US08370180B2 Token delivery system
A token process including storing transaction data for purchase of a product, generating a token for redemption of the product, providing access to the token over a communications network, and sending the token to a handheld device on receipt of a request for the token, the token being readable from the handheld device by a reading device at point of provision of the product. A handheld device including wireless communication means for receiving ticket data, the ticket data adapted to generate a visual display on said handheld device readable by a reading device to redeem a product corresponding to the ticket.
US08370179B2 System and method for facilitating management of a financial instrument
A computer-implemented method for facilitating the management of a financial instrument includes determining an account balance for a financial account. The financial account includes an investment portfolio and a springing guarantee of an income base for a retirement income. The retirement income includes periodic monetary transfers to be commenced at a target retirement date. Each periodic monetary transfer has a respective value based on the income base. The springing guarantee of the income base may be activated on an activation date. The account balance is stored in memory of the data processing system. The stored account balance is periodically updated based at least in part on market performance of the investment portfolio. Using a computing system, the activation date is determined based at least in part on the target retirement date and the income base is determined. A respective value is outputted for each one of the periodic monetary transfers. The respective value of each one of the periodic monetary transfers is based on the value of the stored income base at a time proximate the one of the periodic monetary transfers.
US08370167B2 System and method of performing an engineering-based site development and risk assessment process
A system and method is provided for on-site site risk assessment and to encourage collaboration between professional disciplines related to land development and construction projects. A graphical risk analysis system is provided based on answers to interdisciplinary questions related to risks. Use of the system promotes a complete checklist of interdisciplinary and informational consultation which, when completed for a project, assesses the risk related to land development and allows for reduction in risk as the project progresses.
US08370158B2 Adaptive information presentation apparatus
An adaptive information presentation system. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a server apparatus with processor, network interface, and computer readable medium having at least one computer program disposed thereon, the at least one program being configured to receive a digital representation of speech input received from a user (such as at a location remote to the server), the speech input relating to an organization or entity which the user wishes to locate. Based at least in part on the digital representation, the program identifies a location associated with the organization or entity, and enables generation of a graphical or visual representation of the location in order to aid the user in finding the organization or entity.
US08370153B2 Speech analyzer and speech analysis method
A speech analyzer includes a vocal tract and sound source separating unit which separates a vocal tract feature and a sound source feature from an input speech, based on a speech generation model, a fundamental frequency stability calculating unit which calculates a temporal stability of a fundamental frequency of the input speech in the sound source feature, from the separated sound source feature, a stable analyzed period extracting unit which extracts time information of a stable period, based on the temporal stability, and a vocal tract feature interpolation unit which interpolates a vocal tract feature which is not included in the stable period, using a vocal tract feature included in the extracted stable period.
US08370147B2 System and method for providing a natural language voice user interface in an integrated voice navigation services environment
A conversational, natural language voice user interface may provide an integrated voice navigation services environment. The voice user interface may enable a user to make natural language requests relating to various navigation services, and further, may interact with the user in a cooperative, conversational dialogue to resolve the requests. Through dynamic awareness of context, available sources of information, domain knowledge, user behavior and preferences, and external systems and devices, among other things, the voice user interface may provide an integrated environment in which the user can speak conversationally, using natural language, to issue queries, commands, or other requests relating to the navigation services provided in the environment.
US08370140B2 Method of filtering non-steady lateral noise for a multi-microphone audio device, in particular a “hands-free” telephone device for a motor vehicle
A multi-microphone hands-free device operating in noisy surroundings implements a method of de-noising a noisy sound signal. The noisy sound signal comprises a useful speech component coming from a directional speech source and an unwanted noise component, the noise component itself including a lateral noise component that is non-steady and directional. The method operates in the frequency domain and comprises combining signals into a noisy combined signal, estimating a pseudo-steady noise component, calculating a probability of transients being present in the noisy combined signal, estimating a main arrival direction of transients, calculating a probability of speech being present on the basis of a three-dimensional spatial criterion suitable for discriminating amongst the transients between useful speech and lateral noise, and selectively reducing noise by applying a variable gain specific to each frequency band and to each time frame.
US08370139B2 Feature-vector compensating apparatus, feature-vector compensating method, and computer program product
A noise-environment storing unit stores therein a compensation vector for compensating a feature vector of a speech. A feature-vector extracting unit extracts the feature vector of the speech in each of a plurality of frames. A noise-environment-series estimating unit estimates a noise-environment series based on a feature-vector series and a degree of similarity. A calculating unit obtains a compensation vector corresponding to each noise environment in estimated noise-environment series based on the compensation vector present in the noise-environment storing unit. A compensating unit compensates the extracted feature vector of the speech based on obtained compensation vector.
US08370137B2 Noise estimating apparatus and method
A noise estimating apparatus estimates two types of noise spectra for removing a noise component using the two types of noise spectra. The noise estimating apparatus includes an A/D converter that converts an input speech signal to a digital signal, and a Fourier transformer that performs a discrete Fourier transform on the digital signal having a predetermined time length to obtain an input spectrum and a complex spectrum. The noise estimating apparatus also includes a noise spectrum storage device that stores the two types of noise spectra, including a mean noise spectrum and a compensation noise spectrum, and a noise estimator that estimates a new compensation noise spectrum and a new mean noise spectrum as new two types of noise spectra.
US08370135B2 Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding
An encoding method includes extracting background noise characteristic parameters within a hangover period, for a first superframe after the hangover period, performing background noise encoding based on the extracted background noise characteristic parameters, for superframes after the first superframe, performing background noise characteristic parameter extraction and DTX decision for each frame in the superframes after the first superframe, and for the superframes after the first superframe, performing background noise encoding based on extracted background noise characteristic parameters of the current superframe, background noise characteristic parameters of a plurality of superframes previous to the current superframe, and a final DTX decision. Also, a decoding method and apparatus and an encoding apparatus are disclosed. Bandwidth occupancy may be reduced substantially while the signal quality may be guaranteed.
US08370131B2 Method and system for providing convenient dictionary services
A method for providing a dictionary service to a terminal, includes: providing a dictionary service window in or near a web browser for displaying a webpage through a screen of the terminal if a certain item for executing dictionary services in the terminal is clicked; (b) receiving a query inputted in the provided dictionary service window wherein the query includes a query for requesting meaning, a query for requesting pronunciation, or both; and (c) searching and providing a translation data corresponding to the query for requesting meaning or a pronunciation data corresponding to the query for requesting pronunciation. The method provides a translation data and/or pronunciation data of a word or expression which the user wants to find out while web surfing through the dictionary service window.
US08370121B2 Sediment transport by fully developed turbulent flows
The invention is a method of modeling a hydrocarbon reservoir. A parameter value in a set of equations is adjusted so that the output of the equations accurately matches observed sediment erosion and deposition behavior for sediment sizes throughout a range of about 10 microns to about 10 centimeters. An initial condition of a sediment bed in the hydrocarbon reservoir is defined. The equations are applied to the initial condition, wherein outputs of the equations express how a fluid flow affects erosion and deposition of sediments at the initial condition. The initial condition is adjusted based on the equation outputs to create a subsequent sediment bed condition. The equations are re-applied to the subsequent sediment bed condition a pre-determined number of times. The subsequent sediment bed condition is re-adjusted after each re-application of the equations. The model of the hydrocarbon reservoir is created and outputted.
US08370120B2 Polymeric stents and method of manufacturing same
A pattern is used to form a stent scaffold from a polymeric precursor tube having a particular outer diameter. A new pattern can be derived from a base pattern, wherein the new pattern can be used to form a stent scaffold from a precursor tube having an outer diameter ODPR smaller than that needed for the base pattern. The new pattern can be derived by determining the shape of a stent scaffold, having the base pattern, after having been radially compressed to ODPR. The radially compressed shape is used to design the new pattern, which is applied to a precursor tube having an outer diameter ODPR. The new pattern can have a plurality of W-shaped closed cells, each W-shape closed cell bounded by struts oriented in such a way to form interior angles from about 80 degrees to about 95 degrees between every two adjacent struts.
US08370116B2 Harness verification apparatus, harness verification method and storage medium
A harness verification method includes placing a three-dimensional model in virtual space and displaying a model plane onto which an overhead view of the three-dimensional model is projected, setting reference planes in the virtual space and displaying on the display cross-section projection planes onto which cross sections defined by intersection of the three-dimensional model and the reference planes is projected; obtaining a pointing position operated by a pointing unit in the virtual space, designating the pointing position as an operation position, identifying the operation position as a pass point of a harness, generating curve segments each corresponding to section between two adjacent pass points, and storing in the storage unit definition information that defines a route of the harness on the basis of jointed curve segments; and displaying on the cross-section projection planes the route of the harness generated on the cross section on the basis of the definition information.
US08370106B2 Spatially aware inference logic
A method, system, and article to support a motion based input system. Movement data is acquired from a motion sensor. An orientation detector detects orientation towards gravity from a rest position, and a motion detector detects motion, including movement and rest. In addition, an inference state machine in communication with the orientation and motion detectors maintains a sequence of the detected motion conditions, and produces a profile description for the sequence of the detected motion conditions. An output event corresponding to the profile description is generated based upon the profile.
US08370099B2 Method of calibrating a measurement sensor
Method of calibrating an angular sensor includes a transducer for converting a real value of a physical quantity (φ), lying within an overall range of variations, into an electrical signal (VS1) according to a first predefined function f1(VS1=cos 2φ+OB1) having a factor (OB1) liable to drift according to an external condition, the method including a first step of measuring known values of the physical quantity within the overall range of variations and with at least two values of an external condition, a step of determining a set of correcting parameters, a second step of measuring a known additional value of the physical quantity chosen in a restricted range of variations, and a step of adjusting the set of correcting parameters from the second measurement step.
US08370095B2 Method for clocking cumulative operating time for a cargo-handling vehicle, and the cargo-handling vehicle by use of the method
The use time till a display unit including an hour meter (a time measuring device) is replaced can be continued even if the time measuring device fails, and false alteration after shipping can be prevented while infallibly resetting the hour meter to zero when the vehicle equipped with the hour meter is shipped from the factory. The cargo handling vehicle includes a first storage device for accumulatively storing the vehicle use time measured by a first time measuring device provided in a display unit of the vehicle and a second storage device for accumulatively storing the vehicle use time measured by a second time measuring device provided in a control device. The control device allows the first and second storage devices to communicate the accumulated use times stored therein when the electric power of the vehicle is turned on. The control device compares the accumulated use times and writes the longer accumulated use time in the storage device storing the shorter one.
US08370094B2 Detecting device for fuel injector
A detecting device for a fuel injector includes a sensor unit and an ECU. The sensor unit is provided with a fuel pressure detection circuit which outputs a pressure detection signal in response to a fuel pressure. The ECU computes the fuel pressure based on a voltage value of the pressure detection signal relative to a reference voltage. The ECU obtains a comparative voltage according to an applied-voltage to the fuel pressure detection circuit and computes a deviation between the comparative voltage and the reference voltage. The sensor unit adjusts the applied-voltage in such a manner as to decrease the deviation. Thus, the computation accuracy of the fuel pressure is improved.
US08370093B1 Method and system for calculating energy metrics of a building and one or more zones within the building
A method and system can provide building energy performance metrics that can help identify specific zones within a building which may have energy efficiency problems. The method and system can collect data from: indoor temperature sensors and humidity sensors present in each zone of a building; one or more temperature sensors and humidity sensors present outside of the building; one or more utility meters; and one or more HVAC devices. This data from the sensors can be aggregated and formed into a first profile. The energy efficiency calculation system can analyze the first profile to provide various energy performance metrics which can include, but are not limited to, energy efficiency ratios for air conditioners, the R-value or thermal resistance of the building, an amount of heat loss for the building, energy consumption by the building, current HVAC performance parameters, and utility usage comparisons.
US08370082B2 Method for predicting a physical property of a residue obtainable from a crude oil
A method for predicting a physical property of a residue obtainable from a crude oil by a process of distillation, wherein the conditions during the process are represented by a processing parameter, is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: a) using a spectroscopic technique to acquire a spectrum for the crude oil; and b) applying a predictive model based upon a correlation between the spectrum, the physical property and the processing parameter. The method may be used to predict the suitability of crude oil for bitumen production.
US08370073B2 Integrated biosensor and simulation system for diagnosis and therapy
BioMEMS/NEMS appliance biologically monitors an individual, using biosensors to detect cellular components. Data is simulated or analyzed using systems-biology software, which provides diagnostic or therapeutic guidance.
US08370066B2 Methods and apparatus for travel information
Systems and techniques for providing travel information. An information terminal offers a user an opportunity to select to receive travel information. Upon such a selection by the user, selections and information are received from the user to indicate the user's needs. The selections and information may take the form of explicit selections and entries, or submission of an identifier associated with a use record indicating user needs. Information submitted by the user is examined and appropriate travel directions, local area information, and information relating to the destination or points along the route are furnished to the user. If desired, a user record may be updated with information related to the current transaction.
US08370063B2 Navigation system having filtering mechanism and method of operation thereof
A method of operation of a navigation system includes sampling a first location reading from a device; sampling a first time stamp associated with the first location reading; sampling a second location reading from the device; sampling a second time stamp associated with the second location reading; obtaining a velocity for the device between the first location reading and the second location reading; and validating the second location reading with the first location reading, the first time stamp, the second time stamp, and the velocity for displaying on the device.
US08370052B2 Engine cooling system onboard diagnostic strategy
An onboard cooling system diagnostic strategy utilizes at least one temperature sensor fluidly positioned between an electronically controlled engine and a thermostat. The diagnostic algorithm operates by monitoring coolant temperature during engine startup. By comparing the actual coolant temperature during engine start-up to a predicted coolant temperature that should occur if no cooling system error is present, a cooling system fault condition may be identified. If a cooling system fault is detected, the diagnostic logic may activate the engine cooling fan or intrusively open an electrically controlled thermostat while monitoring the coolant temperature response to the intrusive action. If there is a substantial change in coolant temperature responsive to the intrusive action, this phenomenon can be utilized to correctly distinguish between a thermostat failure and a vehicle configuration error corresponding to an overcooled vehicle. The present disclosure also can utilize a similar strategy to diagnose problems associated with other vehicle fluid coolers that exchange heat with ambient air moved by a circulation fan.
US08370046B2 System and method for monitoring a gas turbine
A system for monitoring a gas turbine includes a memory containing information from comparable gas turbines and an input device that generates a unit data signal and a risk signal. A processor in communication with the memory and the input device incorporates the unit data signal into the database, projects information for the gas turbine, and calculates a conditional risk that the gas turbine will reach a limit. An output signal includes repair or maintenance schedules. A method for monitoring a gas turbine includes receiving information from comparable gas turbines, adding information from the gas turbine to the information from comparable gas turbines, and projecting information for the gas turbine. The method further includes calculating a conditional risk that the gas turbine will reach a limit and generating an output signal containing repair or maintenance schedules.
US08370042B2 Vehicle speed control device and method
A vehicle speed control device calculates a desired axle torque for maintaining a speed of a vehicle to a set speed, and conducts cruise control. Specifically, the vehicle speed control device calculates a drive force including a feedforward component corresponding to the set speed and a travel resistance against the travel of the vehicle, and a feedback component corresponding to a deviation of the set speed from the actual speed of the vehicle as a desired axle torque. The vehicle speed control device interrupts the cruise control when a requested drive axle torque requested by an accelerator operation during the cruise control exceeds the desired axle torque, and restarts the cruise control when the requested drive axle torque becomes lower than the desired axle torque.
US08370040B2 Vehicle travel control device
A vehicle travel control device has a engine that controls an engine based on a driving target controlled variable; a brake that controls a brake device based on a braking target controlled variable; and a automatic travel control that calculates the driving target controlled variable and/or braking target controlled variable so that a vehicle speed of a vehicle becomes a target vehicle speed, and outputs the driving target controlled variable to the engine and the braking target controlled variable to the brake, the vehicle travel control device being configured such that, upon detection of an acceleration operation during the vehicle travel control, the automatic travel control calculates a target vehicle speed for vehicle travel control by the brake device, so that the target vehicle speed becomes higher than a current vehicle speed of the vehicle.
US08370039B2 Electric parking brake having a control element for switching into a service mode
During service and repair work on an electric parking brake (1) of a motor vehicle, there is the problem that, in order to switch into a service mode in which the parking brake (15) can be completely opened, in order for example to be able to exchange a brake cable, a special diagnosis unit must generally be used. A diagnosis unit of this type is however not always available in workshops. It is therefore proposed to carry out the switch into the service mode of the electric parking brake (1) with at least one control element (2,2a) of the motor vehicle. Here, it is provided that, for safety reasons and in order to avoid an undesired switch into the service mode, the actuation of the at least one control element (2, 2a) must take place according to a predefined input procedure.
US08370037B2 Method for the protection of an automatically actuated clutch of a vehicle from overload
A method for the protection of an automatically actuated clutch of a vehicle from overload, comprising the steps of determining a driving situation of the vehicle, continuously determining the energy input in the clutch, and, preventing or reducing an overload state via targeted intervention in vehicle management as a function of the determined driving situation and the input energy.
US08370035B2 Gear control system and method
A gear control system includes a pulse modulating circuit, a motor, and a central processing unit operatively coupled to the pulse modulating circuit and configured to control rotation of the motor from an original gear position to a desired gear position via the pulse modulating circuit. A motor position detecting device is operatively coupled to the central processing unit and detects the motor rotation position and transmits the motor position information corresponding to the motor rotation position to the central processing unit. The central processing unit determines whether the motor has reached the desired gear position based on the motor position information, and actuates the pulse modulating circuit to transmit pulses to actuate the motor to reach the desired gear position when the motor has not reached the desired gear position.
US08370032B2 Systems and methods for shift control for vehicular transmission
Systems and methods for shift control for vehicular transmission. A transmission may shift gears at designated transmission shift points. When the slope of the road grade encountered by a vehicle changes, the transmission shift points may be altered to provide better vehicle performance. According to one embodiment, road slope may be calculated based upon vehicle acceleration and acceleration caused by pedal depression. In such an embodiment, brake indication may be calculated from the same road slope calculation without the use of a brake signal switch. If brake application is indicated by the road slope calculation, transmission shifting may be adjusted to prevent poor vehicle performance.
US08370024B2 Method for detecting the direction of travel of a motor vehicle
A method for detecting the direction of travel or for detecting a change in the direction of travel of a motor vehicle which has at least two wheel speed sensor arrangements which each comprise an encoder with an incremental scale and a plurality of scale graduations and a wheel speed sensor (SEa, SEb, SEc, SEd) and are connected to an electronic control unit, wherein, when a scale graduation is sensed the wheel speed sensors each transmit a speed signal to the electronic control unit, wherein the direction of travel or a change in the direction of travel is identified at least from the order in which the speed signals occur with respect to the individual wheel speed sensor arrangements. A computer program product for carrying out all the steps of the method is also disclosed.
US08370017B2 Smart vehicle sensor
Various systems and methods are described for controlling operation of a motor vehicle based on a sensor. One example method comprises receiving sensed parameter data from the sensor, receiving calibration data from the sensor, and adjusting a vehicle operating parameter in response to the sensed parameter data and the calibration data.
US08370013B2 System for generating an estimation of the ground speed of a vehicle from measures of the rotation speed of at least one wheel
A system for producing an estimation of the overall speed of a vehicle relative to the ground is described which comprises the generation of a measurement of the instantaneous road grip coefficient (μr) of at least one wheel (1) of a vehicle with electric traction wherein a rotary electric machine (2) is coupled to said wheel to drive it individually in traction and in braking. This system comprises an indicator of the torque applied at each instant to that wheel based on the measurement of the current (Ic) in the electric machine, an indicator of the instantaneous dynamic load on said wheel and a stage for calculating the instantaneous road grip coefficient of said wheel (1) relative to the ground based on the torque indicator and the dynamic load indicator in order to determine the ratio of the tangential force applied to the ground by the wheel under the action of said torque to the normal force applied to the ground by the wheel under the action of the dynamic load. One or more tests of the value of the duly calculated road grip coefficient are used to validate the ability of a measurement of the corresponding circumferential wheel speed to supply an adequate approximation of the speed of advance of the vehicle in the position of that wheel.
US08370008B2 Train control system
According to one embodiment, a train control system for a train is disclosed, the control system includes a speed detection unit configured to detect the train speed, a position detecting unit configured to detect position information of the train, a signal aspect speed receiver to receive signal aspect speed information from outside the train, an automatic train operation (ATO) unit that is configured to output a first throttle notch command to drive the train between stations and to stop the train at a target position, a specification notch pattern output unit configured to selectively output a second throttle notch control command. The signal aspect speed information includes a speed limit for a location. The first output throttle notch command is based, at least in part, on the signal aspect speed information.
US08370004B2 Control panel for an aircraft
The control panel (1) comprises two chains (A, B) of signal acquisition, digitization and processing, which are redundant and which include means (7) for performing crosschecks.
US08369999B2 Method and apparatus for forecasting shadowing for a photovoltaic system
In a method for forecasting shadowing of a photovoltaic (PV) system due to cloud formation or movement, part of the firmament is imaged with fisheye optics onto the input optics of a digital camera. Pixel groups associated with luminous intensity ranges are formed. The spatial arrangement of the groups is analyzed to forecast shadowing of a photovoltaic system. A line extending from the PV system to the sun is formed and is continuously tracked. A reference line located inside a region around the line is formed. Passage of clouds across a reference line is analyzed. The result of the analysis is used to increase the electric power from the PV system to a minimum value through supply of additional backup energy or to reduce the electric power consumption by disconnecting users to ensure that key users do not experience a drop in supplied power below a minimum value.
US08369996B2 Method, apparatus, and computer program for irrigating a field space with a center pivot irrigation machine
To allow for optimal uniform application of irrigation fluid in a field space outfitted with a center pivot irrigation machine having a main pipeline and an auxiliary or corner pipeline, the auxiliary pipeline is operable to both lead and lag the main pipeline as the main pipeline makes a progressive rotation in a single direction through the field space. In one embodiment a control system for the irrigation machine comprises a buried cable control system. In another embodiment a control system comprises a global positioning satellite control system. In a third embodiment a control system comprises at least two position sensing devices, a first device for sensing an angle of the main pipeline with respect to a center tower and a second device for sensing an angle between the main pipeline and the auxiliary pipeline, and a speed controlling device for controlling a speed of rotation of the main and auxiliary pipelines.
US08369995B2 Central air-conditioning system
A central air-conditioning system conditions a house having a plurality of rooms. When a person is not present in any of the rooms, each room is conditioned in energy-saving conditioning mode having a low load. On the other hand, when the person is detected in any of the rooms, a controller switches an operating mode for conditioning the room, in which the person is detected, from the energy-saving conditioning to rapid conditioning. Air-conditioner ducts respectively connected to the remaining rooms are closed. Therefore, cold air or warm air from an air-conditioning unit is supplied to the room in which the person is detected, while the cold air or warm air is not supplied to the rooms in which the person is not present. As a result, the room that has been switched from energy-saving conditioning to rapid conditioning is conditioned in a concentrated manner.
US08369991B2 Humanoid fall direction change among multiple objects
A system and method is disclosed for controlling a robot having at least two legs, the robot falling down from an upright posture and the robot located near a plurality of surrounding objects. A plurality of predicted fall directions of the robot are determined, where each predicted fall direction is associated with a foot placement strategy, such as taking a step, for avoiding the surrounding objects. The degree to which each predicted fall direction avoids the surrounding objects is determined. A best strategy is selected from the various foot placement strategies based on the degree to which the associated fall direction avoids the surrounding objects. The robot is controlled to implement this best strategy.
US08369981B2 Methods and apparatus for managing location information for movable objects
Systems and techniques for locating stored goods. A plurality of fixed contactless identification devices are deployed in an area. Each fixed device exhibits a fixed device identifier that can be read from a distance. Locations within the area are identified through mapping to combinations of fixed device identifiers detected at the location. In addition, a plurality of movable contactless identification devices are associated with goods to be stored and retrieved. Each movable device exhibits a movable device identifier, and movable contactless identification devices are located by identifying a combination of fixed device identifiers received when a movable device identifier is received. The location information may be used independently, or as a supplement to expected location information obtained through other means.
US08369979B2 Method of operation for a cooling track for cooling a rolling product, with cooling to an end enthalpy value uncoupled from temperature
A control device for a cooling track for cooling a rolling product accepts at least partially characteristic information for a starting enthalpy value. The control device (8) determines a refrigerant volume progression (K) such that a heat volume corresponding to the difference between the starting enthalpy value (EA) and a prespecified end enthalpy value (EE) is removed from a rolling product segment (12) of the rolling product (5) during the movement of said rolling product through the cooling track (1). The control device (8) determines the refrigerant volume progression (K) independently of whether a prespecified end temperature value (TE) assigned to the end enthalpy value (EE) is reached at the end of application of refrigerant (6) to the rolling product (5). The control device (8) applies refrigerant (6) to the rolling product segment (12) during its passage through the cooling track (1) according to the determined refrigerant volume progression (K).
US08369965B2 Expandable systems for medical electrical stimulation
A medical system for electrical stimulation includes a first column of electrodes, a second column of electrodes, an expandable member disposed between first and second columns, and an expansion mechanism adapted to transmit an externally applied pressure to the expandable member. The pressure expands the expandable member in order to force the first column of electrodes apart from the second column of electrodes. The first and second columns, disposed side-by-side, may be inserted through a percutaneous needle and into a epidural space, alongside a spinal cord; after insertion, the first column may be forced apart from the second column by applying the pressure to the expandable member.
US08369964B2 MRI compatible medical device lead including transmission line notch filters
A medical device lead includes a conductor and one or more band stop filters. The conductor extends through a lead body and includes a proximal end and a distal end. The one or more band stop filters each have a first end and a second end and include a conductive coil. At least one of the first end and second end of each band stop filter is coupled to the conductor. A length of each band stop filter is such that, at magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) frequencies, the band stop filter phase shifts an MRI-induced signal on the conductor by 180° to attenuate the MRI-induced signal on the conductor.
US08369958B2 Independent and concurrent processing multiple audio input signals in a prosthetic hearing implant
A prosthetic hearing implant capable of independently and concurrently processing multiple audio input signals such that each audio input signal is separately utilized to stimulate the basilar membrane of the implant recipient. A prosthetic hearing implant of the present invention simultaneously receives discrete audio signals from each of one or more audio sources, generates a separate set of one or more stimulations signals for each audio signal, and concurrently applies the stimulation signals to the cochlear. Different channels of stimulation may be allocated to each audio input signal. Alternatively, different modes of stimulation may be used for each input signal. Or, in yet another example, the audio input signals may be time-multiplexed such that the input signals are applied in alternating timeslots. Or, in yet other examples, the input signals may be applied using a combination of stimulation channels, modes of stimulation, and alternating time slots. The stimulation signals may be delivered to the same or different electrodes depending on the quantity and frequency component of the received audio input signals, the quantity of available stimulation channels, and other factors.
US08369957B2 Retinal prosthesis
A retinal prosthesis with an improved configuration by mounting necessary components within and surrounding the eye. The improved configuration better allows for the implantation of electronics within the delicate eye structure and further limits the necessary width of a thin film conductor passing through the sclera by use of a multiplexer external to the sclera and a demultiplexer internal to the sclera.
US08369956B2 Neurostimulator
Methods and devices for stimulating nerves are disclosed. In one embodiment adapted for stimulating excitable tissue, the invention includes drive circuitry, an acoustic transducer and a pair of electrodes.
US08369950B2 Implantable medical device with fractal antenna
An apparatus and method for enabling an implanted fractal antenna for radio frequency communications between an implantable medical device and an external device. The fractal antenna may be disposed within or outside of a header assembly of the device housing. Various examples include a three dimensional patterned cylinder usable as a tissue anchor or stent. In another embodiment the antenna may be cast, molded, stamped, punched, milled, laser cut, etched or other methods to form a fractal pattern in conductive media. In another embodiment the antenna may be formed of a printed circuit board (PCB) either with or without an included ground reference plane. In another embodiment the antenna may be formed in a fractal pattern and then wrapped around a part of the implantable device.
US08369949B2 Pace counter isolation for cardiac resynchronization pacing
A system and method for recording sensing and pacing events in a cardiac rhythm management device. The method may be particularly useful in assessment of pacing parameters for ventricular resynchronization therapy.
US08369945B2 Implantable cardioverter defibrillator with programmable capacitor charging level
An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) has a programmable ICD energy level corresponding to the maximum defibrillation energy deliverable with each defibrillation shock pulse. The ICD energy level is programmable within the maximum energy capacity of the defibrillation capacitor(s) of the ICD. In various embodiments, after a user enters the ICD energy level, one or more corresponding ICD performance parameters are presented. Restrictions are applied to the energy level programming of the ICD to ensure the predictability of the one or more ICD performance parameters.
US08369936B2 Wearable apparatus for measuring heart-related parameters and deriving human status parameters from sensed physiological and contextual parameters
A monitor device and associated methodology are disclosed which provide a self contained, relatively small and continuously wearable package for the monitoring of heart related parameters, including ECG. The detection of heart related parameters is predicated on the location of inequipotential signals located within regions of the human body conventionally defined as equivalent for the purpose of detection of heart related electrical activity, such as on single limbs. Amplification, filtering and processing methods and apparatus are described in conjunction with analytical tools for beat detection and display.
US08369935B2 Echogenic needle mechanism
A medical device comprises a cannula for insertion to a target location in a body and at least one resonator situated on a surface of the cannula. The resonator resonates in response to an ultrasonic frequency applied to the target location to indicate the location of the cannula in the body. The ultrasonic frequency is generated by a transducer located external to the body. The medical device also comprises a device converting resonated frequencies into an image.
US08369928B2 Data processing system for multi-modality imaging
A data processing process and embodiment for optimizing the signal path for multi-modality imaging is described. The embodiment and process optimizes the signal to noise ratio in a positron emission tomography (PET) signal path utilizing scintillation crystals, avalanche photo diodes, and charge sensitive preamplifiers in a dual modality MRI/PET scanner. The dual use of both and analog pole zero circuit and a digital filter enables higher signal levels or a fixed ADC input range and thus a higher possible signal to noise ratio in the presence of significant pileup caused by high positron activity. The higher signal to noise ratio is needed in the PET signal architecture, because of the presence of non-modal time varying electromagnetic fields from the MR, which are a significant source of noise for the wideband PET signal modality.
US08369924B1 ECG leads system for newborn ECG screening
An apparatus including a chest strip including a plurality of precordial leads positioned to correspond with desired lead placement for an electrocardiogram; and a plurality of limb leads coupled to the chest strip. A system including a chest strip including a plurality of precordial leads positioned to correspond with desired lead placement for an electrocardiogram; a plurality of limb leads coupled to the chest strip; and a transmitter coupled to plurality of precordial leads and the plurality of limb leads to transmit signals generated by the plurality of precordial leads and the plurality of limb leads. A method including coupling a chest strip including a precordial leads to a newborn; and generating an electrocardiogram from the precordial leads.
US08369919B2 Systems and methods for processing sensor data
Systems and methods for processing sensor data are provided. In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided for calibration of a continuous analyte sensor. In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided for classification of a level of noise on a sensor signal. In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided for determining a rate of change for analyte concentration based on a continuous sensor signal. In some embodiments, systems and methods for alerting or alarming a patient based on prediction of glucose concentration are provided.
US08369917B2 Finger-clipped oximeter with finger pressed plate
A finger-clipped oximeter includes an upper case (2) in which a measuring element (4), a data processing circuit, batteries (6) and a display (3) are provided, a rectangular through hole being provided in the upper case (2); a finger pressed plate (10) in which a measuring element is also provided, a finger inserting hole (11), a rectangular column (7) with a position corresponding to that of the rectangular through hole of the upper case (2); and a pair of connectors which are capable of ascending or descending, each of the connectors including one U-shaped connecting rod (8).
US08369916B2 Optical fiber connector
An optical connector device is disclosed for optically connecting a biosensor wearable on the body of a patient to a reader outside of the body of the patient. The device comprises a base disk to be worn on the body of a patient. The base disk has a needle attached thereto and the needle houses a first fiber defining a first optical conduit. The distal end of the needle is insertable into the body of the patient, and a portion of the proximal end of the needle remains outside of the body of the patient when the device is worn. The device also comprises a connector housing a second fiber defining a second optical conduit.
US08369915B2 Integrated miniaturized fiber optic probe
A fiber optic probe having one or more photodetectors bound thereto is provided. By directly integrating thin, flexible photodetectors with an optical fiber, the probes provide a compact structure that increases throughput and decreases cost, making it practical for a clinical use. In some embodiments, the fiber optic probes are small enough for insertion into the shaft of a needle, such as a biopsy needle.
US08369902B2 Combined apparatus of bluetooth earset and charging dock
The present invention discloses a combined apparatus of a Bluetooth earset and a charging dock, characterized in that the combined apparatus comprises the Bluetooth earset and the charging dock which can be connected to a power supply, said charging dock comprising a main body portion, and one end of the charging dock is an electrical connection portion which is connected to a DC power supply, and the other end of the charging dock is a holding cavity portion for fixing the Bluetooth earset, and electric contacts in the holding cavity portion are adapted to electric contacts on a bottom end of the Bluetooth earset.
US08369893B2 Method and system for adapting mobile device to accommodate external display
In at least one embodiment, a mobile device system includes an external display device in communication with a mobile device. The mobile device has a touchscreen display, an operating system and at least one additional software component executed by processing component(s), where one or more input signals from the display are communicated to the operating system. The at least one additional software component generates output signals based upon one or more image signals communicated at least indirectly from the operating system. The external display device receives the output signals and based thereon displays an image having two components, one of which is reflective of a mobile device status/operational condition and is substantially similar to another image that would have been displayed on the touchscreen display if the external display device and mobile device were not in communication. Methods of operating such mobile device systems, and mobile devices, are also disclosed.
US08369890B2 Mobile electronic device with an illuminated static display
A mobile electronic device provided with a static display that can be activated by a processor upon events in the mobile electronic device for alerting a user. A mobile electronic device provided with a flexible display that follows curved surfaces of the housing of the device and can be wrapped around corners and edges of the mobile electronic device.
US08369880B2 Join key provisioning of wireless devices
Wireless devices are provisioned to join a wireless mesh network by writing an individual or common join key and network identification information to the wireless device, and creating an association of the wireless device with a gateway of the network by providing the gateway with a unique device identifier for the wireless device. The writing of the join key to the wireless device is achieved without revealing the join key to a user.
US08369879B1 Methods and systems for automatically forwarding data messages in a wireless telecommunications network
A data message originally addressed to a first mobile device is forwarded to a second mobile device in a wireless telecommunications network. Data messages may include text messages, picture messages, and video messages. In addition to forwarding data messages, other optional data message forwarding features are provided such as a copy feature that allows for a forwarded message to be copied back to the original addressee, and an invisible feature that prevents a data message sender from knowing that a data message has been forwarded by the data message addressee.
US08369877B2 Image communication system, image server, method of controlling operation thereof and medium storing computer program for controlling operation thereof
Viewing of a scrolled image on a display screen is facilitated. Assume that a first image portion (81) is being displayed on the display screen of a mobile telephone and that a second image portion (82) is not being displayed on the screen. If scrolling is performed rightward in order to display the second image portion (82) on the display screen, data representing the scrolling direction and scrolling amount is transmitted from the mobile telephone to an image server. The image server rotates the second image portion (82) in accordance with the scrolling direction, reads the rotated second image portion (82) block by block and transmits the resultant image data to the mobile telephone block by block. The mobile telephone rotates the block images reversely through the angle of the original rotation and displays the blocks in order. The second image portion (82), which was not being displayed on the display screen, is displayed along the scrolling direction from the portion contiguous to the edge, in terms of the scrolling direction, of the first image portion (81) that is being displayed on the display screen.
US08369874B2 Method and system for providing a mobile terminal search service
A method and system for providing a mobile terminal search service includes the steps of (a) requesting, by a first mobile terminal, to search for a second mobile terminal, the first mobile terminal having avatar information stored thereon, and (b) searching for the second mobile terminal within a geographical range corresponding to the avatar information of the first mobile terminal.
US08369873B2 Method for determining A change in A communication signal and using this information to improve SPS signal reception and processing
Methods and apparatuses for determining a position of a mobile satellite positioning system (SPS) receiver which is coupled to a communication receiver or transceiver. In one exemplary method, a change in a communication signal received by the communication receiver is determined. A parameter, based on the change, is determined, and SPS signals from SPS satellites are processed according to the parameter. According to further details of this method, the change involves the fluctuation of the level of the communication signal and the parameter is a motion information which specifies a frequency range for searching for SPS signals in the process of acquiring the SPS signals from SPS satellites. In an alternative embodiment the change in the communication signal is a change in the transmitted signal in response to power control commands. Apparatuses, such as a mobile communication system which includes an SPS receiver and a communication receiver, are also described.
US08369861B2 Base station and mobile station communicating with OFDM system using a plurality of subcarriers and communication method with OFDM system using a plurality of subcarriers
A multicarrier communication apparatus that is capable of suppressing interference of feedback information with other channels and alleviating a reduction in an uplink capacity. In PL signal reception section of this apparatus, PL signal extraction section extracts pilot signals and reception quality measuring section measures reception quality such as an SIR. Here, since pilot signals are included in respective subcarriers, reception quality measuring section measures reception quality of subcarriers. FBSC determining section determines a feedback information subcarrier based on the reception quality of subcarriers. More specifically, FBSC determining section determines a subcarrier having the highest reception quality as a feedback information subcarrier. FBSC determining section outputs information about the feedback information subcarrier (FBSC information) to control CH transmission section and FB information reception section.
US08369860B2 Sending and reducing uplink feedback signaling for transmission of MBMS data
The present invention is related to a method and system for sending and reducing uplink feedback signaling by a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) related to transmission of multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) data over a high speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) channel. A Node B may pre-allocate a time/frequency region or a common channelization code for the feedback. A triggering criterion for reporting a channel quality indicator (CQI) is set and WTRUs send a CQI to a Node B only if the triggering criterion is satisfied. The triggering criterion may be a current operating CQI value at the Node B, or based on erroneous transport block reception statistics, or a predetermined time period. A feedback reduction method related to ACK/NACK includes the WTRU sending an indication of an average number of transmissions needed to successfully decode the data instead of sending an ACK/NACK for every transmission interval.
US08369859B2 Controlling transmit power of picocell base units
A transmit power control technique within a wireless communication system includes adjusting a transmit power used by a picocell base station unit based upon a position of the picocell within a macrocell. When a picocell base station unit is located relatively close to a macrocell base station or center of the macrocell, the transmit power of the picocell base station unit is increased to avoid downlink interference from the macrocell base station for mobile stations communicating within the picocell. When a picocell base station unit is located relatively close to an edge of a macrocell, the transmit power of the picocell base station is decreased to avoid interference caused by the picocell base station unit for mobile stations communicating within the macrocell in the vicinity of the picocell. In a disclosed example determined downlink interference levels provide an indication of the position of the picocell within the macrocell and provide an indication of how to automatically adjust the transmit power of the picocell base station unit.
US08369857B2 Speed-dependent adaptation of mobility parameters with dual speed measurement
Mobility parameters, such as those used in handoff decisions, are based on the speed of User Equipment (UE) (10), measured at two points. UE speed estimates are taken at both the UE (10) and base station (12), and the two speeds compared. If the speeds match (or differ by less than a predetermined amount), one or more mobility parameters are adapted based on the UE speed. These parameters may include time to trigger (TTT), time to satisfy (TTS), measurement time, forgetting factor, β, measurement period (Tm), handover prohibit timer, MeasurementReportingmargin, HOmargin, hysteresis, and the like. The UE speed comparison may be performed at the UE (10) or at the base station (12). In one embodiment, a plurality of UE speed ranges are defined (e.g., low, medium, high), with corresponding mobility parameter values associated with each range.
US08369855B2 Mobile communications system and control method thereof
Disclosed is a mobile communications system including a plurality of base station apparatuses which are located at geographically dispersed locations and perform a wireless communication with a mobile device. The system further includes a maximum ratio combining unit which performs maximum ratio combining processing regarding a signal the base station apparatuses receive from the mobile device, and a selection combining unit which performs selection combining processing regarding the signal from the mobile device. A selection unit included in the system selects one or both of the maximum ratio combining unit and the selection combining unit according to at least one of an external factor and a change of a distribution state of the mobile device under communication.
US08369854B2 Link layer control protocol implementation
A radio base station suitable for performing a handover operation for a LTE-variant of a radio access network comprises a transceiver and a status report requester. The transceiver is configured to facilitate wireless transmission between the radio base station and a wireless terminal over an air interface, including transmission of a radio link bearer for the connection over a downlink from the radio base station to the wireless terminal. The status report requester is configured to determine, according to one or more pre-defined criteria, whether to request from the wireless terminal a status report for a radio bearer prior to the radio base station transferring user data for the connection to another radio base station in conjunction with a handover.
US08369852B2 Network selection in GAN environment
In one embodiment, a scheme is provided for network discovery and selection by a user equipment (UE) device that is operable in wide area cellular network (WACN) bands as well as in wireless access network bands. In particular, the UE device is operable to select a WACN that is accessible via a wireless generic access network (GAN) in addition to being accessible via the cellular network band.
US08369847B1 Mobile devices having a common communication mode
A second communication mode can be enabled for a source device and a destination device. Each device can be a mobile device having a first communication mode and a default number for the first communication mode. The default numbers for the source device and the destination device can be stored. A call request can be received from the source device operating in the second communication mode. The call request can be directed to the default number of the destination device. The destination device can be determined as a client based on the default number of the destination device. A communication session can be established between the source device and the destination device over a network upon determining the destination device is an active client.
US08369842B2 Exchanging identifiers between wireless communication to determine further information to be exchanged or further services to be provided
A server facilitates a transaction between a first wireless device and a second wireless device. An identifier associated with the second wireless device has been sent to the first wireless device using a short range wireless connection; the server receives the identifier. The server then determines location information associated with both the first and said second wireless devices. If the location of the first and second wireless devices is appropriate for authorizing the transaction, the server then determines authentication information relating to the second wireless device. The server then provides authorization to the first or second wireless device to proceed with the transaction. The authorization may be based at least in part upon the identifier, the authentication information and the locations of said first and second wireless devices.
US08369838B2 Alerts for drivers of wireless communication restrictions
An exemplary method provides for a wireless mobile unit an alert representing a warning that legally imposed restrictions on the use of wireless mobile units by drivers of moving vehicles in predetermined zones. The method includes determining by a communication system if a first mobile unit is being used for wireless communications, and acquiring by the communication system the location of the first mobile unit. The communication system compares the location of the first mobile unit to locations of the predetermined zones having restrictions on the use of wireless mobile units by drivers of moving vehicles. Upon the first mobile unit entering a warning zone that is adjacent the predetermined zone and the first mobile unit being used for wireless communications, the transmission of an alert is initiated to the first mobile unit. The alert causes the first mobile unit to output an audible or visual communication available to the user of the first mobile unit, where the audible or visual communication provides a warning that a legally imposed restriction on the use of the first wireless mobile unit by a driver of moving vehicle is imposed in the predetermined zone.
US08369836B2 Controlling and calibrating wireless range
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for controlling a wireless access point range. In one embodiment, the process identifies a distance between the client device and the wireless access point in response to a request by a client device to access the wireless access point. The process allows the client device to access the wireless access point if the distance from the client device to the wireless access point is within the selected access range for the wireless access point.
US08369835B2 Web server constituting single sign-on system, method of controlling operation of same, and recording medium storing program for controlling operation of same
A user ID and password are transmitted from a mobile telephone to a web server and whether the mobile telephone has the right to access the web server is authenticated. If the mobile telephone has the right to access the web server, a user ID and password for a first external server stored in a database are transmitted from the web server to the first external server. Authentication processing is executed in the first external server. If it is verified that the mobile telephone has the right to access the first external server, then the first external server generates authentication information and transmits this authentication information to the web server. In a case where the mobile telephone accesses the first external server, the generated authentication information is erased and then the first external server executes authentication processing.
US08369833B2 Systems and methods for providing authentication and authorization utilizing a personal wireless communication device
An authorization and authentication system utilizing a mobile communication device. The authentication and authorization system enables a trusted server, in conjunction with a user controlled mobile communication device (which has been registered with the trusted site), to authorize a transaction carried out at a transaction management system. An identity of the user is authenticated by a verification that the user is in possession of the mobile communication device. In this way, the transaction management system is able to effectuate an authorized transaction with confidence that the authorization was from the user and not a third party. In variations, the authentication is a multi-factor authentication, i.e., the user must both possess the mobile communication device and information, e.g., a password.
US08369832B2 Systems and methods for managing information in mobile devices
Systems and methods are described for remotely managing mobile devices provided by an enterprise. Embodiments are described in which a client is provided to a mobile device whereby the client maintains a list of authorized contacts authorizes connections of the mobile device based on the list. The client responds to commands including commands to delete the list, prevent access to the list and synchronize the list. An administrative function is described for organizing users into groups, each user having access to a mobile device and each group being associated with a list of authorized contacts common to each user in the group.
US08369829B2 Prepaid billing solutions for push-to-talk in a wireless communications network
Advanced group services for use in a mobile phone network include a prepaid billing solution. In the mobile phone network, a real-time exchange interfaces to at least one mobile switching center to provide the advanced group services therein. Both the real-time exchange and the mobile phones that use the advanced group services communicate with each other using call setup and in-band signaling within the mobile phone network, wherein the real-time exchange switches the voice frames for the advanced group services between the mobile phones across bearer paths and through at least one mobile switching center in the mobile phone network. A real-time billing mechanism is provided for a prepaid subscriber of the advanced group services. The real-time billing mechanism may use a prefix-based billing solution or a charging number based billing solution.
US08369823B2 Method for legitimately unlocking a SIM card lock, unlocking server, and unlocking system for a SIM card lock
A method for legitimately unlocking a SIM card lock, using an unlocking server connected to a USSD gateway, is for unlocking a SIM card lock set by a telecommunications service provider to a mobile terminal of a subscriber. Upon receiving an unlocking request that is transmitted from the mobile terminal and through the USSD gateway and that includes subscriber data and a USSD code representing activation of the unlocking request, the unlocking server requests the telecommunications service provider to verify, with reference to the subscriber data, whether the subscriber has a right to unlock the SIM card lock. Upon receiving verification from the telecommunications service provider that the subscriber has the right to unlock, the unlocking server transmits an unlocking program and an unlocking password to the mobile terminal such that the mobile terminal may execute the unlocking program and load the unlocking password for unlocking the SIM card lock.
US08369819B2 Double frequency-conversion receiving circuit and method used for radio-frequency SIM card
A double frequency-conversion receiving circuit used for a radio-frequency SIM card, including a low-noise amplifier (01), a high-medium-frequency mixer (02), a low-medium-frequency mixer (03), a local oscillator (04), a quadrature I/Q circuit (05), and a low-medium-frequency processing circuit (07), characterized in that it also includes a frequency divider (06) that performs N frequency dividing to a high-local-oscillation signal generated by the local oscillator (04), wherein the divided low-local-oscillation signal is inputted into the quadrature I/Q circuit (05), the outputted I/Q local-oscillation signal is inputted into the low-medium-frequency mixer (03) to obtain, after mixing, a low-medium-frequency signal, and the low-medium-frequency signal is further processed by the low-medium-frequency processing circuit (07) to output the signal needed, which has gone through the double frequency-conversion. The scheme described in this invention can improve the signal image frequency to approximately 3 GHz through smart frequency distribution without using an external image rejection filter. This effectively solves the image rejection problem when the radio-frequency SIM card is used in the 2.4 GHz ISM frequency band, and reduces power consumption of the chip.
US08369805B2 High linearity CMOS RF switch passing large signal and quiescent power amplifier current
Disclosed are high linearity CMOS-based devices capable of passing large signal and quiescent power amplifier current for switching radio frequency (RF) signals, and methods for biasing such devices. In certain RF devices such as mobile phones, providing different amplification modes can yield performance advantages. For example, a capability to transmit at low and high power modes typically results in an extended battery life, since the high power mode can be activated only when needed. Switching between such amplification modes can be facilitated by one or more switches formed in an integrated circuit and configured to route RF signal to different amplification paths. In certain embodiments, such RF switches can be formed as CMOS devices, and can be based on triple-well structures. In certain embodiments, a bias voltage applied to an isolated well of such a triple-well structure can be substantially tied to a source voltage coupled to source and drain, so as to yield desired performance features such as high amplification linearity even when the source voltage changes.
US08369804B2 Wireless communication unit, semiconductor device and power control method therefor
A wireless communication unit comprises a transmitter comprising a power amplifier, an inner feedback power control loop having a power control logic module comprising loop priming logic module operably coupled to the power amplifier, and a switchable outer digital loop comprising switchable logic module. The loop priming logic module is arranged to set a power reference value for controlling the power amplifier prior to a ramping operation of the power amplifier and the switchable logic module switching the switchable outer digital loop on or off, thereby restricting adverse transient behavior of the power amplifier.
US08369792B2 Methodology to analyze sector capacity in data-only mobile-wireless network
Infrastructure network service measurements of time needed to complete data transfers are used to determine the capacity of a technology sector of a wireless packet data communication base station, such as a 1xEV-DO sector, using infrastructure network service measurements. The process, for example, may predict when the radio-frequency link between wireless data subscribers and a wireless base station becomes sufficiently congested that each user experiences reduced data speeds. The determination of capacity can be made down to the sector-carrier (a single carrier within a base station sector) level. The prediction can be cast in terms of time, which allows network service providers to plan the growth of their base stations to meet subscriber needs.
US08369786B2 Radio frequency communication device and method for operating the same
A radio frequency (RF) communication device (1, 1′, 10) has data transmission means and data receiving means. The data transmission means comprise load modulating means (3) being adapted to receive a radio frequency carrier signal (CS1, CS2) emitted by another RF communication device (1, 1′, 10) and to modulate the RF carrier signal (CS1, CS2) by means of load modulation in accordance with data to be sent. The data receiving means comprise a RF frequency carrier signal generator (4) being adapted to emit a radio frequency carrier signal (CS1, CS2) and load demodulating means (5) being connected to an emission path (4a) of the radio frequency carrier signal and demodulating the radio frequency carrier signal (CS1, CS2) when it has been load modulated by another RF communication device (1, 1′, 10).
US08369776B2 Apparatus and methods for power control in satellite communications systems with satellite-linked terrestrial stations
A signal power control loop is provided for a link between a terrestrial station and a terminal when the terminal and a satellite are linked via the terrestrial station. The signal power control loop may control transmitted signal power of the terminal and/or the terrestrial station. In some embodiments, the signal power control loop controls transmitted signal power of the terminal and/or the terrestrial station independent of signal power control for a link between the terrestrial station and the satellite.
US08369767B2 Electrophotographic printer
An electrophotographic printer includes a transfer roller cleaning device 12 and a carrier liquid supply unit 11 disposed at a portion of the circumference of a transfer roller 2 between a position of image transfer onto a recording medium 7 and the transfer roller cleaning device and including a carrier liquid supply roll 13 in rotational contact with a surface of the transfer roller. The transfer roller cleaning device comprises a cleaning roll 17 rotating in rubbing contact with the surface of the transfer roller and having a bias voltage applied thereto which is of a polarity opposite to that of a residual toner; a peripheral surface scraping blade 18 positioned downstream of the cleaning roll in the rotation direction of the transfer roller; a side surface scraping blade 19 likewise positioned downward; and a surface scraping blade 26 disposed at a portion of the circumference of the cleaning roll.
US08369756B2 Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and computer program product
An image forming apparatus includes: a transfer-sheet conveying member that rotates to convey a transfer sheet; a first image forming unit that directly transfers a color image onto the transfer sheet; an intermediate transfer member that rotates while an image is transferred thereon; a second image forming unit that transfers images onto the intermediate transfer member; a secondary transfer unit that transfers the images on the intermediate transfer member onto the transfer sheet; a measuring unit that measures a surface velocity of the transfer-sheet conveying member and the intermediate transfer member; and a control unit that performs phase matching control by accelerating or decelerating the transfer-sheet conveying member or the intermediate transfer member so as to match a phase of fluctuation of the measured surface velocity of the transfer-sheet conveying member and a phase of fluctuation of the measured surface velocity of the intermediate transfer member.
US08369752B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus having a development apparatus that includes: a developer storing part; a developer supply mechanism; and a surplus developer removing section; wherein the developer supply mechanism includes: a toner storing part; a carrier storing part; a developer conveying path and a conveying mechanism, both are arranged between the toner storing part and the developer storing part, and between the carrier storing part and the developer storing part; wherein the developer conveying path includes a toner ejection outlet through which a toner stored in the toner storing part is ejected and a carrier ejection outlet through which a carrier stored in the carrier storing part is ejected, and a supplying developer ejection outlet through which a supplying developer is ejected to the developer storing part; and wherein the conveying mechanism is adapted to convey the toner and the carrier while stirring them.
US08369750B2 Developing device
Provided is a developing device which can prevent the occurrence of a phenomenon of an excessive increase of a developer quantity in a developer standby space, thereby acquiring a stable image. The developing device comprises a developer agitation-transfer unit, a developer roller, a developer feeding roller, a developer guide member and a space forming member. The developing device is characterized in that the developer feeding roller rotates to transfer the developer transferred by the agitation-transfer means, upward from the clearance between the developer feeding roller and the developer guide member, and in that, when the developer standby space formed in the device is filled with the developer transferred by the developer feeding roller, the developer feeding roller is rotated to carry the developer, which overflows from the developer standby space, and to move the same in the direction away from the developer roller, so that the developer is once discharged from the developer standby space.
US08369745B2 Developer container and image forming device
A developer container includes a casing, a conveying member, a conveying-member accommodating unit, and a supporting member. The casing extends in a longitudinal direction and has a developer accommodating chamber and a waste-developer accommodating chamber and a first opening. The developer accommodating chamber accommodates developer therein. The waste-developer accommodating chamber accommodates waste developer therein. The first opening provides fluid communication between the developer accommodating chamber and outside of the casing. The casing has a first end and a second end opposite the first end in the longitudinal direction. The conveying member is configured to convey the waste developer in a conveying direction defined to be directed from the first end to the second end. The conveying-member accommodating unit is configured to accommodate the conveying member therein. The conveying-member accommodating unit has an upstream end portion and a downstream end portion in the conveying direction. The conveying-member accommodating unit has a second opening and a third opening. The second opening is provided in the upstream end portion and provides fluid communication between inside of the conveying-member accommodating unit and outside of the conveying-member accommodating unit. The third opening provides fluid communication between the inside of the conveying-member accommodating unit and the waste-developer accommodating chamber. The supporting member is provided on the casing. The supporting member supports the conveying-member accommodating unit such that the conveying-member accommodating unit is movable in directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction relative to the casing.
US08369742B2 Image forming agent storage container, image forming apparatus, method of mounting image forming agent storage container, and method of removing image forming agent storage container
An image forming agent storage container includes a container body, a driven transmission member, and a guide part. The container body stores an image forming agent. The container body is configured to be mounted to an image forming apparatus body. The driven transmission member is provided along a side face of the container body. A driving force is transmitted to the driven transmission member. The guide part guides mounting of the container body to the image forming apparatus body. The guide part is located in a position anterior to the driven transmission member in a mounting direction in which the container body is mounted to the image forming apparatus body. The guide part is provided so as to project in a direction away from the side face of the container body.
US08369739B2 Intermediate transfer unit and image forming apparatus including the same
An intermediate transfer unit includes an intermediate transfer belt that is configured to be rotated; a belt support that supports the intermediate transfer belt; a housing that receives the belt support on which the intermediate transfer belt is mounted; and a belt protecting member that is provided on the belt support and is urged by elastic member so as to cover edge of the intermediate transfer belt in a width direction thereof, wherein the belt support is formed to be swingable with respect to the housing, end of the belt protecting members is positioned so as to cover the edge of the intermediate transfer belt in the width direction while the belt support is received in the housing, and the end of the belt protecting member is withdrawn to an outside of the belt support while the belt support is swung with respect to the housing.
US08369738B2 Toner container and image forming apparatus
A toner container and an image forming apparatus are disclosed. The toner container includes a guiding member formed at a part surrounding a toner outlet to be protruded from a circumferential surface of the toner container for guiding an opening or closing operation of a shutter member in a circumferential direction of the toner container. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus main body includes a main body side shutter for opening or closing a toner supplying opening to be connected to the toner outlet. When the shutter member is opened, an end surface of the guiding member pushes the main body side shutter together with the opening operation of the shutter member, and the toner supplying opening is opened and is connected to the toner outlet.
US08369737B2 Developing device and image forming apparatus using the same
A developing device includes: a casing that has a housing part, an upstream edge and a downstream edge, and a rectangular opening that opposes a development region, the rectangular opening being provided between the upstream and downstream edges; a cylindrical developer conveying body to rotate in a state of passing the rectangular opening, the cylindrical developer conveying body conveying the developer to the development region; and a flexible sheet member that has an upstream end part and a downstream end part, the upstream end part being fixed at the downstream edge of the casing, the downstream end part being a free end and coming into contact with a layer of the developer in a rotation axis direction of the developer conveying body at a position of the developer conveying body which passes the downstream edge of the opening.
US08369733B2 Power feeding mechanism and image forming apparatus
A power feeding mechanism includes: a power-fed body placed in an apparatus main body, the power-fed body into which power is fed at least when the power-fed body is used; a placement portion where the power-fed body provided in the apparatus main body is placed; a power feed member provided in the apparatus main body and configured to move between a noncontact position and a contact position, the power feed member at the contact position that feeds power into the power-fed body from the apparatus main body; and a move unit that moves the power feed member to at least the two positions. At the noncontact position, the power feed member is noncontact in electric with the power-fed body being placed in the placement portion. At the contact position, the power feed member is contact in electric with the power-fed body being placed in the placement portion.
US08369731B2 Image forming apparatus and method of charging usage fee of image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus counts a number of sheets to be printed with a limited number of colorants or a limited amount of colorant using an other counter that is provided other than a color counter and a monochrome counter. The counter value of the other counter is adjusted using a weighting factor before being added to or subtracted from a counter value of the color counter or the monochrome counter.
US08369727B2 Exposure head, image forming apparatus, and control method of exposure head
An exposure head includes: at least one light emitting element; an imaging optical system adapted to image light from the light emitting element; at least one reference element disposed to the light emitting element; and a control section adapted to control light emission of the light emitting element, and to put off the reference element in a latent image forming operation, wherein the control section obtains degree of deterioration of the light emitting element based on an intensity of light emitted by the light emitting element at timing other than timing when the latent image formation operation is executed and an intensity of light emitted by the reference element at the timing other than the timing when the latent image formation operation is executed, and controls light intensity of the light emitting element in the latent image forming operation based on the degree of deterioration.
US08369722B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a development device including a development roller and a driving force receiving member, a movable member configured to move the development device between a development position and a retracting position, a first driving force transmission member configured to transmit a driving force to the movable member, a second driving force transmission member configured to engage with the driving force receiving member and transmit the driving force to the driving force receiving member, and a controller configured to perform drive control for the first driving force transmission member based on a temperature detected by a sensor. If α1 represents acceleration of the development device in a case where the temperature is T1 and the driving force receiving member disengages from the second driving force transmission member and α2 represents acceleration of the development device in a case where the temperature is T2 and the driving force receiving member disengages from the second driving force transmission member, the controller performs the drive control for the first driving force transmission member so as to satisfy a relationship α1≦α2 when T1≦T2.
US08369719B2 Image forming apparatus, fusing device thereof and method of controlling fusing device
An image forming apparatus that is capable of preventing a damage to a fusing belt or hazardous conditions due to the overheating of the fusing belt and a fusing device thereof are disclosed. The image forming apparatus has a fusing device including a fusing belt, a heat source disposed in the fusing belt, a support member to support the fusing belt, the support member having an opening through which heat emitted from the heat source passes to at least a portion of the fusing belt, and a first temperature sensor positioned to measure temperature of the fusing belt at the portion directly heated by radiant heat transmitted through the opening. A control unit of the image forming apparatus controls the heat source based on the temperature measured by the first temperature sensor.
US08369717B2 Determining developer toner concentration in electrophotographic printer
A piezoelectric crystal adjacent to a development member in an electrophotographic printer has an electrode on it facing the development member. An AC bias is applied across the crystal while a DC bias is applied between the electrode and the development member to measure toner-mass deposition rate. An AC bias is then applied between the electrode and the development member to measure developer flow rate. The toner concentration of the developer is determined using the measured toner mass-deposition rate and developer flow rate.
US08369712B2 Dispersion compensation circuitry and system for analog video transmission with direct modulated laser
An improved precompensation circuit includes a greatly improved differentiator in the dispersion precompensation path, a preprocessor in the dispersion precompensation path for reducing f2−f1 type Composite Second Order (CSO) distortion, and a broadband phase shifter for compensating undesired vector interaction between the laser predistortion and dispersion compensation.
US08369711B2 Ethernet transmitter apparatus
An optical transmitter apparatus comprises at least three input transmitters that each provide at an output an NRZ optical signal, at least two of the NRZ optical signals having substantially the same bit rate, each of the signals having a bit rate which is less than 100 Gbit/s and the sum of the bit rates of all of the at least three transmitters being equal to or greater than 100 Gbit/s, an NRZ to RZ converter associated with each transmitter which converts each NRZ signal into an optical RZ signal, an optical time division multiplexer which converts the RZ signals into at least two further signals, and a polarization multiplexer which processes the two further signals to provide two output signals of differing polarization.
US08369701B2 Image capturing system, image capturing device, and image capturing method
To enable satisfactory simultaneous and widely varied pictures to be obtained, for example, by allowing a common user to obtain an overall picture while the common user performing desired image capturing, or the like. A first image capturing device image-captures a subject to record this image, and also transmits a trigger signal to a second image capturing device. The second image capturing device image-captures an image to record this image in accordance with the trigger signal. Thus, the first and second image capturing devices enable both of an overall image and a zoomed image to be obtained with simultaneous timing.
US08369700B2 Distance measurement and photometry device, and imaging apparatus
The distance measurement and photometry device includes: a case having an opening in its front surface; a rectangular lens array which is located on a front surface side of the case, which is made of a transparent resin material, and in which first and second distance measurement lenses and a photometry lens located between the distance measurement lenses are integrally formed in line; an image sensor board which is shaped like a thin plate, which is arranged on a back surface side of the case, and which is located opposed to the lens array; and two-dimensional distance measurement image sensors and photometry image sensor which are arranged on the image sensor board.
US08369695B2 Steam generator of steam oven
Disclosed is a steam oven to cook food in a cooking chamber by use of steam. More particularly, disclosed is a steam generator of a steam oven, which can simplify the configuration of a device required to generate steam and is detachably attached to a cabinet to assure easy cleaning and washing thereof. The steam generator includes a single body having an inner space divided into a water supply compartment and a boiler compartment by a partition, the water supply compartment having a water pouring hole, and the boiler compartment having a heater and a steam discharge hole. Also, a water supply passage is defined between the water supply compartment and the boiler compartment. This configuration has the effects of achieving improved workability and reduced manufacturing costs of the steam generator and also, of overcoming a limit in the inner volume of a cooking chamber of the steam oven.
US08369693B2 Visual information storage methods and systems
A method for storing visual information on a storage medium is disclosed, whereby the method includes receiving a first visual information corresponding to a left eye and a second visual information corresponding to a right eye. The method further includes storing the first visual information in a first stream and the second visual information in a second stream on the storage medium, wherein the first stream and the second stream are each stored at full resolution. An information handling system (IHS) is further disclosed including a storage medium operable to store, at full resolution, a first stream of visual information corresponding to a left eye and a second stream of visual information corresponding to a right eye, wherein the first stream and the second stream are each stored at full resolution. The system may further include a playback device operable to read the storage medium and display the visual information.
US08369691B2 Recording apparatus/method/medium and reproduction apparatus/method
An apparatus which easily discriminates 3D (stereoscopic vision) contents from non-3D contents among recorded program contents can be provided. Further, a unit to prohibit unintentional generation of a virtual play list where 3D contents and non-3D contents are mixed can be provided. For these purposes, a 3D flag is recorded in a play list file. Further, upon virtual play list generation, the recorded 3D flag set values are obtained and it is checked whether or not 3D contents and non-3D contents are mixed.
US08369688B2 Information burying device and detecting device
The present invention provides an information embedding apparatus that is capable of preventing playback stop of a content that has been shot without intention of misuse. The information embedding apparatus comprises: an acquisition unit operable to acquire the content that is played back along the playback time-line; a watermark generating unit operable to generate the watermarks such that values held by the watermarks vary according to a first rule, the first rule showing that the values should vary according to a sequential order on the playback time-line; and an embedding unit operable to embed two or more of the watermarks into the content while keeping the sequential order.
US08369678B2 Optical devices for guiding illumination
Optical devices for guiding illumination are provided each having a body of optical material with staircase or acutely angled ramp structures on its top surface for distributing light inputted from one end of the device from the front exit faces of such structures along certain angular orientations, while at least a substantial portion of the light is totally internally reflected within the body until distributed from such front exit faces. Optical devices are also provided each have a body of optical material having a bottom surface with acutely angled ramp structures and falling structures which alternate with each other, such that light is totally internally reflected within the device until reflected by such ramp structures along the bottom surface to exit the top surface of the device or transmitted through the ramp structures to an adjacent falling structure back into the device. Acutely angled ramp structures may be provided on both top and bottom surfaces of optical devices for distributing light along such top surface. Illumination apparatuses are also provided using such optical devices.
US08369677B2 Fiber optic connector storage apparatus and methods for using the same
A fiber optic connector storage apparatus for storing a fiber optic connector having an exposed ferrule includes a housing and a dust cap portion. The housing defines a socket to receive and hold the fiber optic connector. The dust cap portion is integral with the housing and is configured to receive and protect the exposed ferrule when the fiber optic connector is inserted into the socket.
US08369675B2 Optical waveguide, optical waveguide mounting substrate, and light transmitting and receiving device
An optical waveguide is provided. The optical waveguide includes: a layered structure including: a first cladding layer; a second cladding layer; and a core layer that is sandwiched between the first cladding layer and the second cladding layer, wherein an inclined surface is formed on at least one longitudinal end of the layered structure; and an outer cladding layer that seals at least a portion of the inclined surface corresponding to the core layer, wherein a refractive index of the outer cladding layer is smaller than that of the core layer.
US08369672B2 Single-polarization fiber
Embodiments of the invention relate to a single-polarization fiber that may include a W-type refractive-index profile having a depressed region along an unguided principal axis of the fiber, and a quasi step-index profile along a guided principal axis of the fiber. The quasi step-index profile may have a depressed region with a radial extent at least twice that of the depressed region along the unguided axis.
US08369660B1 Optical fibre sensor assembly
An optical fiber sensor assembly comprises a source of a plurality of different frequency substantially monochromatic signals (1, 2, 3, 4); a modulator connected to the output of the source to produce a train of output pulses of the monochromatic signals; a plurality of sensor sub-assemblies connected to the output of the modulator, each sub-assembly comprising an optical drop multiplexer (ODM) (13), a sensor array (14) comprising a plurality of sensor elements and an optical add multiplexer (OAM) (15); a wavelength demultiplexer (WDM), having an input coupled to the sub-assemblies output; a plurality of detectors, each detector having an input connected to receive a respective output of the WDM and providing at an output thereof a signal corresponding to a respective frequency of the modulated monochromatic signals; and an interrogation system, having a plurality of inputs connected such that each input receives the output signal from a respective detector.
US08369658B2 Optical modulators employing charge state control of deep levels
A method involving: providing an optical waveguide made of a semiconductor material and having a region that is doped by a deep level impurity which creates deep level states in a bandgap in the semiconductor material, the deep level states characterized by an occupancy; passing an optical signal through the optical waveguide and between the region doped by the deep level impurity; and modulating the occupancy of the deep level states to thereby modulate the optical signal.
US08369655B2 Mixed media reality recognition using multiple specialized indexes
An MMR system for searching across multiple indexes comprises a plurality of mobile devices, a pre-processing server or MMR gateway, and an MMR matching unit, and may include an MMR publisher. The MMR matching unit receives an image query from the pre-processing server or MMR gateway and sends it to one or more of the recognition units to identify a result including a document, the page and the location on the page. The MMR matching unit includes a segmenter for segmenting received images by content type, a distributor for distributing the images to corresponding content type index tables, and an integrator for integrating recognition results. The result is returned to the mobile device via the pre-processing server or MMR gateway. The present invention also includes a number of novel methods including a method for processing content-type specific image queries and for processing queries across multiple indexes.
US08369651B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing program
An image processing apparatus includes: an image obtaining unit that obtains a photographic image captured with an image sensor; a flat portion extraction unit that extracts a flat portion area within the photographic image having been obtained; and a defect information generating unit that generates defect information corresponding to the extracted flat portion area.
US08369639B2 Image processing apparatus, computer readable medium storing program, method and computer data signal for partitioning and converting an image
An image processing apparatus includes a partitions setting unit that sets up image partitions into which an input image is separated; a tone number setting unit that sets the number of tones for each of the image partitions set up by the partitions setting unit, based on gray levels of pixels included in each of the image partitions; and a conversion unit that converts each of the image partitions of the input image into an image partition represented with tones equal to or less than the number of tones set by the tone number setting unit.
US08369636B2 Resolution conversion upon hierarchical coding and decoding
In a decoding method of decoding encoded image data which has been hierarchically encoded in advance, a size of an image to be outputted is determined, and then the encoded image data is decoded up to a layer of hierarchy which is at least one layer more than a minimum number of layer/layers of hierarchy necessary to acquire an image of the determined size.
US08369635B2 Information processing device and method
An information processing device, configured to divide the frequency components of image data into a plurality of frequency bands, includes an analysis filtering unit configured to perform analysis filtering for dividing the frequency components into highband components and lowband components recursively, and a holding unit configured to supply, in sync with timing for holding data supplied as a computation result of the analysis filtering by the analysis filtering unit, the data already held, which is data necessary for computation of next analysis filtering to the analysis filtering unit.
US08369627B2 System and method for generating groups of cluster spines for display
A system and method for generating groups of cluster spines for display are provided. One or more concepts for each cluster in a set of clusters are generated. Spines are formed from at least a portion of the clusters based on the concepts. At least one spine unique from all other spines is placed. One or more spine groups are generated by positioning at least one unplaced spine in relation to one of the placed unique spines. The spine groups are displayed.
US08369621B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method and program
An image processing apparatus includes: a first distribution calculation unit calculating a distribution of luminance gradient vectors in a first local area that includes a feature point on an image; a second distribution calculation unit calculating distributions of the luminance gradient vectors in second local areas close to the feature point on the image; a selection unit comparing the distribution of the luminance gradient vectors of the first local area with the distributions of the luminance gradient vectors of the second local areas to select the most different distribution of the luminance gradient vectors of the second local area; and a feature descriptor calculation unit calculating a feature descriptor at the feature point on the basis of the distribution of the luminance gradient vectors of the first local area and the distribution of the luminance gradient vectors of the second local area selected by the selection unit.
US08369618B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method for reducing color blur
The image processing apparatus includes a first reducing part configured to reduce a component of chromatic aberration of magnification which is included in the image, and a second reducing part configured to reduce a component of longitudinal chromatic aberration which is included in the image in which the component of chromatic aberration of magnification has been reduced. The image processing method includes a first step of reducing a component of chromatic aberration of magnification which is included in the image, and a second step of reducing a component of longitudinal chromatic aberration which is included in the image in which the component of chromatic aberration of magnification has been reduced. The apparatus and method can reduce color blur in the image caused by the chromatic aberration of magnification and the longitudinal chromatic aberration.
US08369617B2 Cross device image recognition improvement
A method includes modifying values of image data of a first image of an object, the first image taken by a user using a user equipment. The modifying is performed to map one or more color characteristics of one or more color components of the user equipment to corresponding one or more color characteristics for the one or more color components of a reference device. The modifying creates a modified image. On the user equipment, comparisons are performed between the modified image and a number of second images of objects taken by the reference device. Apparatus and program products are also disclosed. Additionally, a user interface is disclosed that provides for training a device model that is used during the mapping.
US08369615B2 Image processing apparatus and method for efficiently reducing the amount of image data
An apparatus includes: a division unit configured to divide image data into a plurality of blocks each being composed of a plurality of pixels; a detection unit configured to detect a most frequent color for each of the blocks; a calculation unit configured to calculate an occupancy rate of the most frequent color for each of the blocks; and a generation unit configured to generate data by changing between a block composed of at least a low-resolution pixel and a block composed of low- and high-resolution pixels superimposed with each other, based on the most frequent color occupancy rate.
US08369613B2 Image processing circuit, image processing method, and camera
An image processing circuit includes a memory configured to store an image retrieved from an image pick-up element, wherein the image is written on a plurality of rows of a two dimensional storage area of the memory and a filtering circuit configured to perform a filtering process with respect to each pixel data on a row when the image is written on the plurality of rows of the two-dimensional storage area of the memory.
US08369610B1 Photogrammetry engine for model construction
A system and methods for accessing 2D digital images and 3D geometric models over a network (preferably the Internet) and transforming and composing that media along with 2D digital image and 3D geometric model media, acquired by other means, into enhanced 2D image and 3D model representations for virtual reality visualization and simulation is disclosed. Digital images and models from a network and other sources are incorporated and manipulated through an interactive graphical user interface. A photogrammetric media processing engine automatically extracts virtual sensor (camera) and geometric models from imagery. Extracted information is used by a reconstruction processor to automatically and realistically compose images and models. A rendering system provides real-time visualization and simulation of the constructed media. A client-server processing model for deployment of the media processing engine system over a network is disclosed.
US08369607B2 Method and apparatus for processing three-dimensional images
A three-dimensional sense adjusting unit displays three-dimensional images to a user. If a displayed reaches a limit of parallax, the user responds to the three-dimensional sense adjusting unit. According to acquired appropriate parallax information, a parallax control unit generates parallax images to realize the appropriate parallax in the subsequent stereo display. The control of parallaxes is realized by optimally setting camera parameters by going back to three-dimensional data. Functions to realize the appropriate parallax are made into and presented by a library.
US08369603B2 Method for inspecting measurement object
An inspection method for inspecting a device mounted on a substrate, includes generating a shape template of the device, acquiring height information of each pixel by projecting grating pattern light onto the substrate through a projecting section, generating a contrast map corresponding to the height information of each pixel, and comparing the contrast map with the shape template. Thus, a measurement object may be exactly extracted.
US08369602B2 Length measurement system
Disclosed herewith is a length measurement system, which obtains a value closer to its true one when figuring out the size and edge roughness of a pattern from a noise-included pattern image. Among plural band-like regions representing a portion around an edge in an image respectively, the system calculates the dependency of the edge point position on the image processing parameter at each of a narrow width band-like portion and a wide width band-like portion to calculate an image processing condition that calculates each measured value closer to its true value or estimates the true value itself.
US08369599B2 Fast two-point mapping of the bound pool fraction and cross-relaxation rate constant for MRI
A two-point reconstruction technique provides an efficient clinical method for measuring parametric bound pool fraction and cross-relaxation rate constant spatial distributions in biological objects from two experimental measurements based on magnetization transfer effect obtained in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The method is based on linearization of an analytical pulsed magnetization transfer mathematical model so that spatial distribution maps of the bound pool fraction and cross-relaxation rate constant can be obtained in a time-efficient manner by using only two experimental magnetization transfer images of the bio-logical object in which water and macromolecules are present.
US08369593B2 Systems and methods for robust learning based annotation of medical radiographs
Systems and methods for performing a medical imaging study include acquiring a preliminary scan. A set of local feature candidates is automatically detected from the preliminary scan. The accuracy of each local feature candidate is assessed using multiple combinations of the other local feature candidates and removing a local feature candidate that is assessed to have the lowest accuracy. The assessing and removing steps are repeated until only a predetermined number of local feature candidates remain. A region of interest (ROI) is located from within the preliminary scan based on the remaining predetermined number of local feature candidates. A medical imaging study is performed based on the location of the ROI within the preliminary scan.
US08369585B2 Automatic classification of information in images
A system and method of analyzing and using volumetric data of a patient is disclosed. Volumetric data characterizing a patient is obtained using an imaging modality such as a computerized tomographic device (CT), magnetic resonance imager (MR), or other tomographic modality. The volumetric data or image slices derived from the data is compared with anatomical image or model data from an anatomical atlas so as to associate the patient data with a body structure. The anatomical association is used as a search term in a data base to retrieve information which may be useful in diagnosis or treatment of the patient.
US08369584B2 Method and apparatus for eye-scan authentication using a liquid lens
A method and apparatus for providing eye-scan authentication using an adaptive liquid lens are disclosed. For example, in one embodiment, the method receives a request for eye-scan authentication from a mobile endpoint device of a user, wherein the request comprises a first retinal image of the user captured using an adaptive liquid lens of the mobile endpoint device. The method obtains a second retinal image of the user, wherein the second retinal image is a stored retinal image of the user. The method authenticates the first retinal image against the second retinal image. In another embodiment, the method captures a first retinal image of a user via a mobile endpoint device of the user, wherein the mobile endpoint device comprises an adaptive liquid lens. The method then sends a request for eye-scan authentication from the mobile endpoint device over a network, wherein the request comprises the first retinal image.
US08369575B2 3D image processing method and apparatus for improving accuracy of depth measurement of an object in a region of interest
Example embodiments relate to a three-dimensional (3D) image processing apparatus and method that may determine a Region Of Interest (ROI) in an entire sensing region of the 3D image processing apparatus, and may obtain a depth image of the ROI. Also, example embodiments may be applied to a surveillance camera system, a motion detection system, a virtual reality simulation system, a distance recognition system for vehicles, a robotic system, a background separation system based on depth information, etc.
US08369572B2 System and method for passive automatic target recognition (ATR)
A passive automatic target recognition (ATR) system includes a range map processor configured to generate range-to-pixel map data based on digital elevation map data and parameters of a passive image sensor. The passive image sensor is configured to passively acquire image data. The passive ATR system also includes a detection processor configured to identify a region of interest (ROI) in the passively acquired sensor image data based on the range-to-pixel map data, and an ATR processor configured to generate an ATR decision for the ROI.
US08369561B2 Sideways extending speaker apparatus and methods
Sideways-extending speaker apparatus and methods that include a speaker box that is adjustable to fit within given information handling system or electronic device chassis form factor constraints, while also being selectably extendable and expandable to provide increased speaker box volume to achieve improved sound quality performance both in terms of increased speaker spatial separation and wider dynamic range.
US08369558B2 Cup-shaped portable speaker with music player adapter
A portable speaker for a music play such as an iPod® player. The housing of the speaker is shaped and sized as a cup and can be placed inside a commonly seen cup holder, such as a cup holder in a car or other vehicles, a baby stroller, a foldable camping chair, etc. The speaker housing has a slot for receiving a music player, as well as electrical connectors for electrically connecting to the audio output of the music player. The sound producing devices are disposed within the speaker housing and face upwards and/or downwards.
US08369557B2 Earphone and headset
There is thus provided an earphone comprising a housing (20) for receiving an electroacoustic transducer, and an ear cushion unit (10) having an ear cushion material (11) and a first ring (1). The housing has a sealing ring (2) and a latching unit (21). The first ring (1) has a prestressing when it is placed on the sealing ring (2) and held by means of the latching unit (21).
US08369553B2 Hearing assistance device with stacked die
The present subject matter relates to a hearing assistance device for an ear of a wearer comprising a microphone for receiving sound, hearing assistance electronics in communications with the microphone, the hearing assistance electronics including a hybrid circuit, and a wearable housing adapted to house at least the hearing assistance electronics. The hybrid circuit comprises a first integrated circuit die having one or more through-silicon-vias (TSVs), a first redistribution layer disposed on a surface of the first integrated circuit, and a second integrated circuit die having one or more contacts, the second integrated circuit die disposed on the first redistribution layer, wherein the first redistribution layer is adapted to connect one or more of the one or more TSVs of the first integrated circuit die to one or more of the one or more contacts of the second integrated circuit die.
US08369543B2 Speaker device and speaker-excitation method
A speaker device includes an acoustic-vibration member, an actuator that is driven on the basis of a sound signal and that includes a displacement-output unit that can obtain the displacement corresponding to the sound signal, and a displacement-output-transfer member configured to connect the displacement-output unit to a point predetermined on a face of the acoustic-vibration member. A displacement output of the actuator is transferred to the predetermined point via the displacement-output-transfer member, and the acoustic-vibration member is excited in a face direction from the predetermined point according to the displacement output.
US08369537B2 Controlling reproduction of audio data
For controlling the acoustic reproduction of audio data containing audio elements that are periodically repeated, movement data regarding a movement process is detected. The movement process contains recurring events. Reproduction of the audio data is controlled using the movement data in such a way that at least within a certain period, one out of n audio elements that are periodically repeated is reproduced in synchrony with the moment one of the recurring events occurs (synchronization) or is reproduced temporally offset by a given amount of time from the moment one of the recurring events occurs (offset synchronization). The value n represents a positive integer.
US08369535B1 Acoustic signal level limiter for hearing safety
An acoustic signal level limiter provides a telephone handset/headset user with protection against loud audible signals generated within a communications system. The acoustic signal limiter comprises an acoustic signal level attenuation circuit and at least one acoustic signal level relay circuit. Once activated, the acoustic signal level attenuation circuit creates an attenuation network that attenuates an electrical acoustic signal transmitted through the communications system. Additional acoustic signal level relay circuits are activated to further attenuate the electrical acoustical signal to prevent the acoustic signal level attenuation circuit from operating in a deep saturation mode and provide further hearing safety for the telephone headset/handset user. A fuse in series and “Zener Zap” shunting transistor diodes may provide additional failsafe protection.
US08369533B2 Array speaker apparatus
An array speaker apparatus SParray includes a first radiation means for driving speaker units so that a first sound S1 of a main channel is radiated to a wall surface W1 on the left or right side of a listening position, and a second radiation means for driving the speaker units so that a second sound S2 the same as the first audio signal is radiated directly to the listening position.
US08369527B2 Access control over multicast
A multicast host for communicating information published about any one of a set of topics to one or more authorised subscribers to those topics, the set of topics being partitioned into one or more partition elements, each partition element having a partition element encryption key associated therewith, wherein each of the one or more partition elements is a disjoint proper subset of the set of topics, the host comprising: means for receiving information relating to a topic; means for determining a partition element for the topic; means for retrieving a partition element encryption key associated with the partition element; means for encrypting the information with the retrieved partition element encryption key; and means for communicating the information to the one or more authorised subscribers.
US08369522B2 Encryption processing apparatus, encryption method, and computer program
A common-key blockcipher processing structure that makes analysis of key more difficult and enhances security and implementation efficiency is realized. In a key scheduling part in an encryption processing apparatus that performs common-key blockcipher processing, a secret key is input to an encryption function including a round function employed in an encryption processing part to generate an intermediate key, and the result of performing bijective transformation based on the intermediate key, the secret key, and the like and the result of performing an exclusive-OR operation on the bijective-transformed data are applied to round keys. With this structure, generation of round keys based on the intermediate key generated using the encryption function whose security has been ensured is performed, thereby making it possible to make analysis of the keys more difficult. The structure of the key scheduling part can be simplified, thereby making it possible to improve the implementation efficiency.
US08369517B2 Fast scalar multiplication for elliptic curve cryptosystems over prime fields
Fast scalar multiplication operations are disclosed for use in an elliptic curve cryptographic system The operations use binary representations of a secret key and points on an elliptic curve defined over a prime field expressed in a coordinate system (e.g., Jacobian coordinates). The operations can be based on a modified Montgomery ladder that uses modified Meloni addition formulas. The operations can be more efficient than a double-and-add operation, and can be more resistant to side-channel attacks by hackers.
US08369506B2 Informing a teleconference participant that a person-of-interest has become active within the teleconference
A method, a computer program product, and a data processing system inform a teleconference participant that a person-of-interest has become active within the teleconference. A user is identified. A person-of-interest, an alert condition, and a notification method are received from the user. The identification, the alert condition, and the notification method are then stored in a person-of-interest data structure. When a user connects to a teleconference, the person-of-interest data structure is retrieved. The teleconference is then monitored for the occurrence of the alert condition. Upon the occurrence of the alert condition, the notification is delivered to the user according to the notification method.
US08369505B2 Call access management
Receiving a request from a device for an incoming call to a called number. Obtaining presence information of the called party. Presenting the obtained information via the calling device. Presenting action option(s) including an option to proceed with the call. Receiving an action choice corresponding to proceed with the call. Presenting a request for credentials to the calling party. Receiving credentials corresponding to a calling party permitted to continue with the call. Proceeding with the call.
US08369503B2 False answer supervision management system
A computer implemented method and system is provided for managing false answer supervision (FAS) in a telephony network. A call record recording multiple call events occurring at a terminal gateway is accessed. FAS events originating at the terminal gateway are detected. Suspect illegitimate call events are analyzed based on a combination of conditions. The suspect illegitimate call events are filtered for detecting events suspected of FAS. The FAS events are confirmed after discounting the suspected FAS events based on whether a proportion of the suspected FAS events is within a FAS threshold. A statistical inference of current behavior and past behavior of the terminal gateway is inferred. Threshold values are established for acceptable number of FAS events. A non-compliant behavior of the terminal gateway is inferred when the FAS events exceed the established threshold values. A service provider associated with the terminal gateway is notified for remedying the non-compliant behavior.
US08369498B2 Television set
A media appliance comprising: video apparatus for outputting signals to a screen; a network interface for accessing a packet-based network; a memory storing a communication client application; and processing apparatus arranged to execute the communication client application. The client application is configured to allow a local user of the media appliance to participate in bidirectional communication sessions with other remote users via the network interface and packet-based network. The client application is further configured so as: to receive an invitation signal from a remote user terminal over the packet-based network, the received invitation signal comprising a trigger condition specifying a future event for triggering participation of the media appliance in a proposed one of said communication sessions with said remote user terminal; to monitor the received trigger condition at said media appliance; and to join the proposed session in dependence on an occurrence of said event.
US08369492B2 Directory dialer name recognition
A method, apparatus, computer program product and service for directory dialer name recognition. The directory dialer has a directory of names and a first name grammar and a second name grammar representing phonetic baseforms of first names and second names respectively. The method includes: receiving voice data for a spoken name after requesting a user to speak the required name; extracting a set of phonetic baseforms for the voice data; and finding the best matches between the extracted set of phonetic baseforms voice data and any combination of the first name grammar and the second name grammar. The method can further include: checking the best match against the directory of names; if the best match does not exist in the directory, informing the user and prompting the next best match as an alternative; and if the best match does exist in the directory, forwarding the call to that best match.
US08369484B2 Methods and apparatus to test a subscriber line for a broadband access service
Methods and apparatus to test a subscriber line for a broadband access service are disclosed. An example network interface device (NID) comprises a tone generator to transmit a tone on a subscriber line to characterize the subscriber line while a DSL modem is providing a DSL service via the subscriber line, the tone having a frequency occurring within a range of frequencies in use by the DSL modem to provide the DSL service, and a pair of terminals to couple the DSL modem and the tone generator to the subscriber line.
US08369473B2 Device and method for the automated decontamination of a nuclear fuel rod
A method for the surface tribological decontamination of nuclear fuel rods automates surface wiping by one or more bands of fabric. The band is distant from the axis of the rod, the rod is placed facing the band, and then the band is tensioned around the surface of the rod and moved. The rod may be immobile, moved in pure translation along its axis or with a wide-step helical movement. Preferably, the decontamination is carried by two bands simultaneously, so as to cover the total surface in one pass of the rod.
US08369472B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit device and method for clock data recovery
A clock data recovery circuit of an interpolator type capable of corresponding to multi-rate data without increasing the bandwidth of the interpolator. A clock generated by an interpolator is divided to generate a recovery clock. A pointer that controls the phase of the clock generated by the interpolator uses the clock before division, and the other circuits are operated by the recovery clock after division.
US08369467B2 Automatic gain control system
A received signal is amplified in an amplifier to create an amplified signal. The amplified signal is then filtered. The power of permanent common pilot sub-carriers present in the filtered amplified signal is calculated. A wideband power measurement is determined based on the amplified signal, and a narrowband power measurement is determined based on the filtered amplified signal. The first gain for the amplifier is controlled in dependence on the calculated power of the permanent common pilot sub-carriers, the wideband power measurement and the narrowband power measurement. The power of the permanent common pilot sub-carriers may be calculated in the frequency domain to mitigate fast switching of the controlled first gain. The filtered amplified signal may be amplified in a further amplifier, and a second gain can be controlled for the further amplifier in dependence on the calculated power of the permanent common pilot sub-carriers, the wideband power measurement and the narrowband power measurement.
US08369449B2 Method and system of diversity transmission of data employing M-point QAM modulation
A method (600) of communicating a plurality of data bits over L diversity channels uses a constellation set comprising a plurality (L) of M-point quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) constellations corresponding to the L diversity channels. The constellations do not exhibit overlapping data points, and provide full diversity. The method includes mapping (650) k*L data bits to L QAM transmission symbols in the L QAM constellation sets, and transmitting (660) the L QAM symbols where M=2k*L. Each of each of the k*L data bits is directly mapped into all of the L QAM symbols of the QAM constellation set, and for all combinations of k*L bits, changing a value of one of k*L data bits changes all of the L symbols.
US08369437B2 Multiple input multiple output antenna system, signal transmission method, signal transmission apparatus, and computer program product for the multiple input multiple output antenna system
A multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna system, a signal transmission method, a signal transmission apparatus and a computer program product for the MIMO antenna system are provided. The signal transmission method comprises the following steps of transmitting a signal with a first signal transmission mode and a first transmission power via a signal transmission channel; receiving a signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the signal; receiving an interference value of the signal transmission channel; obtaining a power weight value according to the interference value; determining a system threshold of the signal transmission channel to the SNR of the signal; determining a second signal transmission mode of the signal transmission channel based on the system threshold; and determining a second transmission power of the signal transmission channel according to the power weight value.
US08369432B2 Base station apparatus and reception band control method
A mobile station (14) transmits a signal after connection is established, by using the same number of subcarriers as the number of subcarriers equal to or smaller than a predetermined number used for transmitting a connection request signal (TCCH). A base station (12) detects the number of subcarriers used for transmitting the connection request signal (TCCH) (S106), and controls in accordance with the detected number of subcarriers the passband width of a bandpass filter having a passband with a variable width accommodating the predetected number of subcarriers, for separating a signal of the mobile station (14) falling within the passband from a received signal (S108).
US08369430B2 Method for detecting signal, device for detecting signal, and receiving device
The present invention relates to a method for detecting a signal, a device for detecting a signal, and a receiving device. A method for detecting a signal according to the present invention is a method for detecting a signal from a receiving device in a communication system including a multi-output multi-input antenna, including: estimating a channel matrix of a signal received from a plurality of receiving antennas; generating at least one channel matrix groups by aligning the channel matrix and generating at least one transmitting signal group by aligning a transmitting signal to be estimated to correspond thereto; determining a first candidate vector in consideration of all constellation points for a first layer of the at least one transmitting signal group; determining a second candidate vector in consideration of all constellation points for a second layer of the at least one transmitting signal group; generating a final candidate vector including the first candidate vector and the second candidate vector; and calculating a soft output using the final candidate vector.
US08369424B2 Frequency selective and frequency diversity transmissions in a wireless communication system
Techniques for efficiently supporting frequency selective scheduling (FSS) and frequency diversity scheduling (FDS) are described. In one design, a first transmission for an FSS user may be mapped to a subband selected for this user from among at least one subband in a first frequency region of the system bandwidth. The first transmission may be mapped to a fixed portion or different portions of the selected subband in different time intervals. A second transmission for an FDS user may be mapped across multiple subbands in a second frequency region of the system bandwidth. The second transmission may be mapped to different subbands or different resource blocks in the second frequency region in different time intervals. Each time interval may correspond to a symbol period, a slot, a subframe, etc. The frequency hopping may be performed based on a fixed hopping pattern or a pseudo-random hopping pattern.
US08369422B2 Methods and apparatus for artifact removal for bit depth scalability
Apparatus and methods are described for encoding and decoding image data for image blocks which form a picture by having a deblocking filter remove coding artifacts caused by local inverse tone mapping for intra-layer texture prediction for bit depth-scalability. A deblocking filter is applied at the enhancement layer for bit depth scalability. The deblocking filter is adjusted to remove coding artifacts caused by local inverse tone mapping for intra-layer texture prediction for the bit depth scalability. The boundary strength of the deblocking filter is adjusted based on a threshold that is based on a difference of inverse tone mapping parameters for the block and at least one adjacent block with respect to the block.
US08369421B2 Coding distortion removal method by selectively filtering based on a pixel difference
Mosaic-shaped block noise occurs when a compressed video signal is reproduced. This block noise is removed, but removing block noise from every block using a deblocking filter imposes a significant load on the deblocking filter. This load is therefore reduced by determining whether coding distortion removal (deblocking) is necessary, and applying a deblocking filter only when needed.
US08369395B2 Portable apparatus and method of measuring wireless channel and multiple antenna correlation
A portable apparatus including: a Radio Frequency (RF) unit to control a frequency of a signal to be measured, to broadcast the signal to be measured through multiple transmission antennas, to control a frequency of a received signal, and to send the received signal to the baseband unit, the received signal being received through multiple receiving antennas; and a baseband unit to generate and transmit, to the RF unit, the signal to be measured, to measure wireless channels for each of the multiple transmission antennas and wireless channels for each of the multiple receiving antennas based on the received signal output from the RF unit, to calculate a correlation for each of the multiple transmission antennas, and to calculate a correlation for each of the multiple receiving antennas based on the wireless channels for each of the multiple transmission and receiving antennas.
US08369393B2 Wireless in-band signaling with in-vehicle systems
This invention pertains to methods and apparatus for data communications from vehicles, to obtain emergency, concierge and other services, using a voice channel of a digital wireless telecommunications network. Signaling is described for commencing data sessions after establishing a voice channel call. The call may be initiated from the vehicle automatically, and the call taker location may be unattended. Signaling methods are selected for traversing both newer and legacy vocoders for ubiquitous operation.
US08369391B2 Method and arrangement in a digital subscriber line system
The present invention relates to arrangements and methods in a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) system.The basic idea of the present invention is to reserve a first part of an available frequency band exclusively for vectored DSL transmission and reception.The remaining part of the available frequency band can then be used either for only standard non-vectored transmission or for both for vectored DSL and for standard non-vectored DSL transmission. Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to get the full benefit of vectored transmission, on at least the first part of the frequency band, even if the DSL vector system cannot handle all DSL modems.
US08369374B2 Light source device
A light source device wherein the high-temperature plasma state after the start of the lighting is maintained stably and the light emission can be maintained stably and a decrease of the lighting life cycle by means of a heating of the light emission tube is suppressed comprises a light emission tube, in which a light emitting means is enclosed, and a pulsed laser oscillator part emitting a pulsed laser beam towards said light emission tube, wherein a continuous-wave laser oscillator part is provided emitting a continuous-wave laser beam towards said light emission tube.
US08369366B2 Semiconductor laser excited solid-state laser device
To make it possible to use a type I nonlinear optical crystal or a quasi phase matching element as a third harmonic generation crystal there is provided a semiconductor laser, a solid state laser medium that outputs a fundamental wave, a second harmonic generation crystal that outputs a second harmonic wave from the fundamental wave, and a third harmonic generation crystal that outputs a third harmonic wave from the fundamental wave and the second harmonic wave. A quasi phase matching elements is utilized as the second harmonic generation crystal. It is possible to use a type I nonlinear optical crystal or a quasi phase matching element as the third harmonic generation crystal.
US08369364B2 Path multiplexing communication system, communication node, and communication method
A communication system including first, second, and third nodes interconnected via interconnect links, a primary path composed of an interconnect link between the first node and the third node, and a secondary path composed of an interconnect link between the first and second nodes and an interconnect link between the second and third nodes, wherein when the first node and the third node function as a transmitting node and a receiving node respectively, having a path multiplexing function to communicate with each other using bandwidths of a plurality of paths simultaneously, the first node transmits, to the second node, a path multiplexing request message for requesting communication with the third node, and when receiving the path multiplexing request message, the second node functions as a relay node and determines whether the primary path and the secondary path can be logically multiplexed by providing, to the first node, the bandwidth of the interconnect link between the second and third nodes, and if path multiplexing is possible, the second node returns a path multiplexing acknowledgement message to the first node, and the first node, in response to the path multiplexing acknowledgement message, multiplexes the primary and secondary paths to communicate with the third node.
US08369353B1 Dynamic heterogeneous backhaul
A method of operating a communication system is disclosed. A first communication link of a first type is established to exchange communication traffic. A performance indicator for said first communication link is monitored. A second communication link of a second type is established. Based on the performance indicator, a portion of the communication traffic is moved from the first communication link to the second communication link.
US08369339B2 System and method of subscriber to content provider network access service management
A system and method are provided for subscriber to content provider network access service management which is requested by and paid for by the content provider to the network access provider. In response to the request from the content provider the network access provider invokes changes in bandwidth and/or quality of service for network traffic traversing between the web service provided by the content provider and the subscriber, either automatically or in response to a run-time request. The changes made in bandwidth and/or quality of service for the network traffic enables more robust and timely content and applications to be delivered to the specific subscriber from the content provider.
US08369338B1 Region-associated ratings of wireless carriers
Disclosed are various embodiments for collecting and presenting region-associated ratings of wireless carriers. Customer ratings for a plurality of wireless carriers are collected in one or more computing devices. Each of the customer ratings is associated with a corresponding geographic location. A target geographic location is obtained from a client. A network page is generated including one or more maps showing a region encompassing the target geographic location. The maps indicate an aggregate customer rating for one or more of the wireless carriers for the region. The aggregate customer rating is determined based at least in part on a subset of the customer ratings that are associated with geographic locations that are encompassed by the region.
US08369334B2 Internet real-time deep packet inspection and control device and method
A deep packet inspection and control device includes a first rule table unit for storing a rule table including a first set of rule entries which are pre-defined or generated dynamically; a first scanning unit for receiving a first real-time packet data stream from the internet, and scanning the first real-time packet data stream according to a scanning window defined by the first set of rule entries; a first analysis unit for matching the first real-time packet data stream with the first set of rule entries in the scanning window of the first scanning unit, and outputting a matching result; and a first rule linkage unit for performing linkage control on the first real-time packet data stream to be output back to the internet according to the matching result output from the first analysis unit.
US08369330B2 Provider backbone bridging—provider backbone transport internetworking
An Ethernet virtual switched sub-network (VSS) is implemented as a virtual hub and spoke architecture overlaid on hub and spoke connectivity built of a combination of Provider Backbone Transport (spokes) and a provider backbone bridged sub-network (hub). Multiple VSS instances are multiplexed over top of the PBT/PBB infrastructure. A loop free resilient Ethernet carrier network is provided by interconnecting Provider Edge nodes through access sub-networks to Provider Tandems to form Provider Backbone Transports spokes with a distributed switch architecture of the Provider Backbone Bridged hub sub-network. Provider Backbone transport protection groups may be formed from the Provider Edge to diversely homed Provider Tandems by defining working and protection trunks through the access sub-network. The Provider Backbone Transport trunks are Media Access Control (MAC) addressable by the associated Provider Edge address or by a unique address associated with the protection group in the Provider Backbone Bridged network domain.
US08369317B2 Systems and methods for voice and data communications including a scalable TDM switch/multiplexer
A method for operating a communications system is disclosed. At a first point in time, the communications system is operated using a first TDM switch/MUX controlling a first set of TDM streams operating at a first frequency. At a second point in time, a second TDM switch/MUX is installed in the communications system which controls the first set of TDM streams operating at the first frequency and also controls a second set of TDM streams operating at a second frequency that is different as compared to the first frequency. The second TDM switch/MUX couples TDM streams to and from the communications system at the first frequency, while concurrently coupling TDM streams to and from the communications system at the second frequency, and an upgradable switch/MUX capability is provided in the communications system.
US08369306B2 Method for transmitting and receiving data in a mobile communication system
A method for transmitting and receiving data in a communication system. The method generates a frame for mapping each of multiple communication service modes of a base station providing the multiple communication service modes to a user terminal, in units of subframes each having a time interval and a frequency band. The method includes estimating a communication service mode supporting an optimal service among the multiple communication service modes provided by the base station supporting the multiple communication service modes, and sending to the base station a random access message for access to the base station over a shared channel.
US08369305B2 Correlating multiple detections of wireless devices without a unique identifier
At a plurality of first devices, wireless transmissions are received at different locations in a region where multiple target devices may be emitting. Identifier data associated with reception of emissions from target devices at multiple first devices is generated. Similar identifier data associated with received emissions at multiple first devices are grouped together into a cluster record that potentially represents the same target device detected by multiple first devices. Data is stored that represents a plurality of cluster records from identifier data associated with received emissions made over time by multiple first devices. The cluster records are analyzed over time to correlate detections of target devices across multiple first devices.
US08369303B2 Techniques for uplink multi-user MIMO MAC support
An embodiment of the present invention provides a wireless station (STA), comprising a transceiver operable for communicating in a wireless network, wherein the transceiver is adapted for Uplink Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output (UL MU MIMO) Medium Access Control (MAC) support.
US08369300B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting by using transmit diversity at DFT spread OFDMA
The present invention relates to a packet data transmission method in an OFDMA system and an apparatus thereof. The present invention provides a user packet data transmission method including generating a RACH burst for channel information estimation, selecting a first antenna among a plurality of antennas, transmitting the RACH burst through the first antenna to a base station, receiving a data transmission acceptance signal from the base station, in response to the RACH burst, transmitting user packet data through the first antenna when receiving a signal indicating that the data transmission is allowed, and selecting a second antenna that is difference from the first antenna and transmitting a RACH burst through the second antenna when receiving a signal indicating that the data transmission is not allowed, and a transmitting apparatus of a mobile station having the plurality of antennas. According to the present invention, the RACH burst and user packet data are transmitted by using a mobile station having a plurality of antennas in an LTE-applied OFDMA system, and therefore data transmission can be performed with a wide bandwidth and high data rate and a deep fading period that may occur during the data transmission can be reduced, thereby preventing call dropping and improving data transmission performance.
US08369297B1 Synchronized determination of rate control among users in a wireless communication system
A method and system is disclosed for synchronization among access terminals of periodic computations of time-averaged measures of noise-indication messages received from the base station. An access terminal in a wireless communication system that includes a base station will set a reference time for synchronization with at least one other access terminal of periodic computations of time-averaged measures of noise-indication messages received from the base station. The access terminal will then synchronize a start time of periodic intervals for computing time-averaged measures of periodic noise-indication messages received from the base station with the reference time, and determine rates for transmission of data to the base station based at least on the time-averaged measures computed for the periodic intervals. The access terminal will the transmit data to the base station at the determined rates.
US08369293B2 Mobile router, home agent, and terminal position management method
In a mobile network system composed of plural mobile networks and a home agent, the home agent inquires mobile routers in a mobile network whether or not a terminal is connected, if detecting the absence of the terminal, when data addressed to the terminal arrives at a home network of the terminal in the mobile network. Responding to this inquiry, the mobile routers search whether or not the terminal is connected to the own mobile networks. If the terminal is connected, the mobile routers inform the home agent of the presence of the terminal. When receiving this notice, the home agent transfers data addressed to this terminal to a mobile router as a notice source. This process, even if a terminal moves to a mobile network having a same network prefix as that of the home network, allows transferring a packet accurately to the terminal.
US08369290B2 System and method for supporting handovers between different radio access technologies of a wireless communications system
A system and method for supporting handovers between different radio access technologies is provided. A method for communications device operations includes sending a request to a controller of the communications device to change an operating mode of the communications device, and receiving a transmission responsive to the request. The method also includes in response to determining that the controller has granted the request to change the operating mode and that the communications device is operating in a border cell, changing the operating mode of the communications device, tuning at least one receiver of the communications device to an alternate radio access technology (RAT), and initiating a handover with the alternate RAT.
US08369284B2 Method and system for maintaining multiple PDN network connection during inter-technology handover in idle mode
The present invention provides a method and system for supporting an optimized an idle mode handoff of user equipment from a 3GPP (EUTRAN) to a non-3GPP system (HRPD, cdma2000) where the user equipment washes to maintain connectivity with multiple PDN networks. Namely, during an idle mode registration of the user equipment with the non-3GPP system, the user equipment will provide an indication to the access node on the non-3GPP system so that the access point in that non-3GPP system contacts the appropriate entity (HSS or AAA) on the home network for the user equipment to download the addresses of the multiple PDN gateway addresses that are currently in use by the user equipment. This indication to the non-3GPP access node, the contact message from the access node to the home network, and the response from the home network to the access node on the non-3GPP system are novel features that are not shown in the prior art, and provide the access node with sufficient information to maintain multiple PDN connectivity to the user equipment during an idle mode handover.
US08369280B2 Control channels in multicarrier OFDM transmission
A base station transmits control information on a subframe of a first carrier starting from the first OFDM symbol of the subframe. The control information provides transmission format and scheduling information for data packets transmitted on a first data channel of the first carrier. The base station transmits a control message on the first data channel to a wireless device. The control message configures radio resources of a second data channel to start from the first OFDM symbol of subframes of a second carrier. The base station transmits data packets on the second data channel.
US08369279B2 Method and system for iterative multiple frequency hypothesis testing with cell-ID detection in an E-UTRA/LTE UE receiver
A mobile device receives a signal comprising a PSS and a SSS. The mobile device performs iterative MFHT utilizing a reduced number of MFH branches. At each iteration, frequency offset estimation and Cell-ID detection are concurrently performed. An iteration starts with selecting initial frequency offsets spanning a frequency offset estimation range. The selected initial frequency offsets are placed in the MFH branches. A particular MFH branch with a maximum PSS correlation peak magnitude is selected at the iteration. A frequency offset estimate in the selected MFH branch is utilized for frequency control. The frequency offset estimation range utilized for the current iteration is reduced for the next iteration. A Cell-ID is declared if the Cell-ID is consistently detected not only within a particular iteration on the basis of having detected consistent cell ID information for the first and second halves of a radio frame, but also from iteration to iteration.
US08369263B2 Geographical web browser, methods, apparatus and systems
A geographical web browser allows a user to navigate a network application such as the Word Wide Web by physically navigating in geographical coordinates. For example, a geographical web browser is implemented in a mobile unit such as a dashboard computer. The mobile unit includes one or more transducers such as antennas and is operative to receive locally broadcast signals or to operate a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. As the mobile unit navigates into different physical localities, different web pages are displayed by the geographical web browser. For example, a user desiring to buy a house can set the web browser to a real estate web page. Instead of clicking on a hyperlink to access web pages of properties in an area, the user drives into a first area and automatically receives web pages relating to homes in that area. When the mobile unit crosses town and enters a second area, a new set of web pages is downloaded relating to properties in the second area. The geographical web browser, methods, apparatus and systems disclosed herein enable improved road-navigation and traffic management, advertisement, and related services.
US08369262B2 Automated logon for diverse network access
The present invention allows a mobile terminal to automatically log on to an access network, and potentially log on to an entity on the access network or associated network based on the communication zone from which communications are afforded. The mobile terminal can detect one or more available access points associated with one or more communication zones and determine the most appropriate communication zone to use when obtaining network access. Based on the selected communication zone, the mobile terminal will obtain logon information from a logon profile. The logon information will provide sufficient information to allow the mobile terminal to obtain network access via the appropriate access point. Additional logon information may be provided for logging on to a network entity once network access is afforded.
US08369256B2 Inactivity timer in a discontinuous reception configured system
Systems, methods and wireless devices are provided that utilize a timer to ensure a receiver of a wireless device is on to receive downlink transmissions. In the event the timer runs out without further resource allocation, the mobile device turns its radio off. If a further resource allocation occurs while the timer is running, the timer is restarted.
US08369255B2 Uniform out-of-service search for wireless communication systems
Techniques for performing uniform out-of-service (UOOS) search to detect for wireless systems are described. The UOOS search is “uniform” in that sleep cycle and/or awake period are fixed. A wireless device transitions to an OOS state upon detection of OOS conditions for a radio access technology (RAT). The wireless device performs system search during the awake period of each sleep cycle while in the OOS state. The awake period may have a first fixed time duration, and the sleep cycle may have a second fixed time duration. In each awake period, the wireless device may either start a new search or resume a prior search based on saved state information if the search was not completed in a prior awake period. In each awake period, the wireless device may (i) start and complete a search for recently acquired frequency channels and systems and (ii) start or resume a search for other frequency channels and systems in one or more RATs.
US08369250B1 Multi-mode split band duplexer architecture
The present disclosure relates to a split-band duplexer architecture that takes advantage of a relationship between a frequency division duplex (FDD) transmit band, an FDD receive band, and a time division duplex (TDD) band, which has frequencies located between FDD transmit band frequencies and FDD receive band frequencies. As such, by splitting the FDD receive and transmit bands into two sub-bands, two separate sub-band duplexers may be used to fully support the FDD receive and transmit bands. Further, a passband of one of the sub-band duplexers may be widened to support the TDD band while transmitting, and a passband of the other of the sub-band duplexers may be widened to support the TDD band while receiving. By using sub-band duplexers, isolation margins and insertion loss margins may be increased, which may allow use of standard filter components, such as surface acoustic wave (SAW) filters.
US08369241B2 Fast feedback contention-based ranging procedure in wireless communications systems
A fast feedback mechanism is provided in a contention-based ranging procedure. A Subscriber Station (SS) initializes a ranging procedure by sending a ranging code on a selected ranging opportunity for resource access to a Base Station (BS) on a shared ranging channel in a previous uplink frame. The SS also starts a time associated with the ranging code. In response to all received ranging opportunities, the BS broadcasts an acknowledgement (ACK) in a subsequent downlink frame. The ACK comprises a reception status message that indicates the decoding status of the ranging opportunities. With the novel fast feedback mechanism, when ranging collision or failure occurs, upon receiving the reception status report, the SS will proceed with the next round of contention without continuing wait for the entire timeout period. As a result, the total latency due to the ranging collision or failure is reduced.
US08369240B2 Wireless communication system, base station apparatus, mobile station apparatus, and communication method
TPC is appropriately operated in response to access method switching timing, an error is prevented from occurring in communication, and influence given to another cell due to transmission of unnecessary power is reduced.A base station apparatus which performs wireless communication with a mobile station apparatus while switching a plurality of kinds of communication method, transmits control information for performing transmit power control of the mobile station apparatus to the mobile station apparatus. The mobile station apparatus receives the control information for performing the transmit power control from the base station apparatus and determines a transmitted power according to the control information when switching the communication method.
US08369239B2 Base station apparatus and method in mobile communication system
A base station apparatus includes a scheduler configured to schedule assignment of radio resources based on a scheduling coefficient for one or more user equipments, a control signal generation unit configured to generate a control signal including reporting indication information for indicating whether the user equipment is to report downlink channel state information and scheduling grant information for indicating the scheduled assignment of the radio resources and a transmitting unit configured to transmit the control signal in a downlink. A cumulative value is calculated for each of the user equipments. The reporting indication information transmitted to a user equipment, whose cumulative value reaches a predefined value, indicates that the user equipment is to report the downlink channel state information. The cumulative value is updated if the scheduling coefficient satisfies a predefined condition.
US08369221B2 Efficient flow control in a radio network controller (RNC)
A mechanism is provided to resolve the Iub transport network congestion efficiently for HSDPA by dynamic adjustment of the transmit window of the RLC. The RLC protocol is extended with congestion control functionality. The Iub TN and Uu congestion detection method in the Node-B (120) signals the congestion to the RNC (110), and this congestion indication is used by RLC to react on the congestion situation. In the RNC (110), the transmission window of the RLC is adjusted to control the flow rate. When congestion is detected, the RLC transmission window size is decreased. When there is no congestion, then the RLC transmission window size is increased automatically. Different types of congestion are distinguished and are handled in different ways. Alternatively, congestion control is achieved without any modification in the RLC layer from the existing standard. Here, RLC STATUS PDUs are used to change the RLC transmission window size.
US08369218B2 Zero-interrupt network tap
A network tap monitors network information flow over a particular connection. By duplicating the signal and diverting a copy, the information flow can be analyzed, both in real time and without interference through the monitoring process. When the power to the tap is either turned on or off, however, the change in impedance in the tap's circuit can create an interference spike in the connection that interrupts the information flow. By reducing or eliminating the impedance change in the tap circuitry, such disruptive interruptions can be eliminated.
US08369215B2 Call admission control method and system
A call admission control technique allowing flexible and reliable call admissions at an ATM switch in the case of an ATM network including both QoS-specified and QoS-unspecified virtual connections is disclosed. In the case where a QoS (Quality of Service) specified connection request occurs, an estimated bandwidth is calculated which is to be assigned to an existing QoS-unspecified traffic on the link associated with the QoS-specified connection request. A call control processor of the ATM switch determines whether the QoS-specified connection request is accepted, depending on whether a requested bandwidth is smaller than an available bandwidth that is obtained by subtracting an assigned bandwidth and the estimated bandwidth from a full bandwidth of the link.
US08369214B2 Apparatus and method of transmitting and receiving data in soft handoff of a wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a method of transmitting and receiving data in soft handoff of a wireless communication system. According to an aspect of the present invention, in the method of receiving data in soft handoff of a wireless communication system, a mobile station receives a first sequence being generated by interleaving transmission data using a first interleaver pattern, and also receives a second sequence being generated by interleaving the transmission data using a second interleaver pattern. Then, the mobile station combines and decodes the first sequence and the second sequence before receiving an entire frame having the first sequence allocated thereto.
US08369212B2 Network path validation based on user-specified criteria
A method of operating a network computer system to manage failover in the network computer system comprising communicating traffic via the plurality of network resources, and failing over from a primary pathway to a secondary pathway of the pathway plurality based on failure to receive the user-specified traffic defined by the failover criteria in the primary pathway in combination with availability of the user-specified traffic via the secondary pathway.
US08369209B2 Method for processing collision between random access procedure and measurement gap
A method for processing a collision between a random access procedure and a measurement gap, which involves a terminal and a base station, and the terminal is configured with a measurement gap; the method includes: when the random access procedure is a contention-based random access procedure, the terminal cancels the measurement gap if a random access response window or the operating time of a contention resolution timer has an overlap with the measurement gap. The concrete solution, that the priority of the random access procedure is higher than that of the measurement gap in the method provided by the present invention, improves the reliability of the random access procedure, reduces failure probability of the random access procedure, reduces the delay of the random access procedure, and effectively utilizes a measurement gap.
US08369208B2 Fault-tolerant communications in routed networks
A method for providing fault-tolerant network communications between a plurality of nodes for an application, including providing a plurality of initial communications pathways over a plurality of networks coupled between the plurality of nodes, receiving a data packet on a sending node from the application, the sending node being one of the plurality of nodes, the data packet being addressed by the application to an address on one of the plurality of nodes, and selecting a first selected pathway for the data packet from among the plurality of initial communications pathways where the first selected pathway is a preferred pathway.
US08369203B2 Thermally-assisted magnetic recording head having concave core at light entrance surface
An optical waveguide of the present invention is an optical waveguide in order to directly introduce light beams emitted from a light emitting element. In a core that is a waveguide through which light propagates, a concave part is formed that is a depression in a light incident end surface that is one side where light enters. Therefore, an optical waveguide is realized that can obtain a large optical coupling efficiency is possible by the operation of phase alignment in the concave part.
US08369202B2 Objective lens for optical pickup and optical pickup device
An objective lens for an optical pickup device is provided with a light-source-side lens surface by which laser light is converged, and a disc-side lens surface by which the laser light converged on the light-source-side lens surface is converged. In this arrangement, assuming that a projection area S1 is an area of the light-source-side lens surface when the light-source-side lens surface is viewed from an optical axis direction of the objective lens, and a projection area S2 is an area of the disc-side lens surface lens surface when the disc-side lens surface lens surface is viewed from the optical axis direction of the objective lens, the projection area S1 and the projection area S2 satisfy the following formula: S1/S2≦2.0.
US08369201B2 Optical pickup, optical drive apparatus, and light illumination method
There is provided an optical pickup including: an optical-system having an object-lens illuminating a first light for information recording or reproducing on a recording layer as a target and a second light on an optical-recording medium including a reference plane having a reflection-layer and the recording-layer at a layer position different from that of the reference-plane and on which information recording is performed through mark formation, and a focus-aligned-position-adjusting unit adjusting a focus-aligned position of the first light through the object-lens by changing collimation thereof incident to the object-lens; and a focusing-mechanism driving the object-lens in a focusing direction, wherein, when a depth of focus λ/NA2 defined by a wavelength λ of the first light and a numerical aperture NA of the object lens is set to α and the maximum-surface-blur range is denoted by D, the optical-system is designed so that a use magnification ratio β satisfies |β|≧√(D/α).
US08369199B2 Methods and systems for tuning at least one write strategy parameter of an optical storage device
A method for tuning a write strategy parameter of an optical storage device, includes: writing a segment of data according to a plurality of write strategies; reading the data back and detecting a plurality of lengths, each length corresponding to a pit or a land on an optical storage medium accessed by the optical storage device; performing calculations according to the lengths and a plurality of data types to generate a plurality of calculation results, each of the data types corresponding to at least a specific target pit length or at least a specific target land length; and utilizing the calculation results to determine a proper write strategy.
US08369198B2 System and method for printing visible image onto optical disc through tuning driving signal of optical pick-up unit
A system and method for printing a visible image onto an optical disc through tuning a driving signal of an optical pick-up unit are disclosed. The system includes a driving circuit, coupled to the optical pick-up unit, for providing a driving signal to drive the optical pick-up unit; and an adjusting circuit, coupled to the driving circuit, for controlling the driving circuit to adjust the driving signal according to a rotation source signal corresponding to a rotation of the optical disc.
US08369191B2 Method for controlling the current of laser diode on thermally assisted magnetic recording head
A hard disk drive includes a recording medium and a thermally assisted type magnetic head. The controller determines one output current of a photodiode as a first saturated output current, the one output current being defined where temperature measured by a temperature sensor is a first temperature and where signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) of the reproducing signal current of the reproducing element is saturated with respect to an increase in output current of the photodiode, and another output current of the photodiode as a second saturated output current, the another output current being defined where temperature measured by the temperature sensor is a second temperature, which is different from the first temperature, and where SNR of the reproducing signal current of the reproducing element is saturated with respect to an increase in the output current of the photodiode. A target saturated output current at operation temperature is estimated from operation temperature measured by the temperature sensor during the hard disk device operation, the first and second temperatures, and the first and second saturated output currents; and the driving current of the laser diode is controlled in order to obtain the estimated target saturated output current.
US08369182B2 Delay locked loop implementation in a synchronous dynamic random access memory
A clock applying circuit for a synchronous memory is comprised of a clock input for receiving a clock input signal, apparatus connected to the synchronous memory for receiving a driving clock signal, and a tapped delay line for receiving the clock input signal for delivering the clock driving signal to the synchronous memory in synchronism with but delayed from the clock input signal, the delay being a small fraction of the clock period of the clock input signal.
US08369177B2 Techniques for reading from and/or writing to a semiconductor memory device
Techniques for reading from and/or writing to a semiconductor memory device are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as an apparatus including a first memory cell array having a first plurality of memory cells arranged in a matrix of rows and columns and a second memory cell array having a second plurality of memory cells arranged in a matrix of row and columns. The apparatus may also include a data sense amplifier latch circuitry having a first input node and a second input node. The apparatus may further include a first bit line input circuitry configured to couple the first memory cell array to the first input node of the data sense amplifier latch circuitry and a second bit line input circuitry configured to couple the second memory cell array to the second input node of the data sense amplifier latch circuitry.
US08369162B2 Input-output line sense amplifier having adjustable output drive capability
An input-output line sense amplifier configured to drive input data signals over an input-output signal line to an output driver circuit, the input-output line sense amplifier having an output driver stage having a plurality of different programmable output drive capacities to tailor the output drive of the sense amplifier.
US08369161B2 Semiconductor device and control method therefor
A semiconductor device includes an insulation layer (14) provided on a semiconductor substrate (12), a p-type semiconductor region (16) provided on the insulation layer, an isolation region (18) provided that surrounds the p-type semiconductor region to reach the insulation layer, an n-type source region (20) and an n-type drain region (22) provided on the p-type semiconductor region, a charge storage region (30) provided above the p-type semiconductor region between the n-type source region and the n-type drain region, and an voltage applying portion that applies a different voltage to the p-type semiconductor region while any of programming, erasing and reading a different data of a memory cell that has the charge storage region is being preformed.
US08369151B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array including regular memory cells and permanent memory cells and a control circuit. The regular memory cells are capable of switching between a first data storage state and a second data storage state. The permanent memory cells are fixed in a third data storage state that is read as the same logic level data as the first storage state. Data is stored in at least one of the regular memory cells and at least one of the permanent memory cells. The control circuit rewrites at least one of the regular memory cells from the second data storage state to the first data storage state at the time of data holding. The control circuit performs a reading operation after rewriting the regular memory cells from the first data storage state to the second data storage state.
US08369149B2 Multi-step channel boosting to reduce channel to floating gate coupling in memory
In a programming operation, selected storage elements which reach a lockout condition are subject to reduced channel boosting in a program portion of the next program-verify iteration, to reduce coupling effects on the storage elements which continue to be programmed. In subsequent program-verify iterations, the locked out storage elements are subject to full channel boosting. Or, the boosting can be stepped up over multiple program-verify iterations after lockout. The amount of channel boosting can be set by adjusting the timing of a channel pre-charge operation and by stepping up pass voltages which are applied to unselected word lines. The reduced channel boosting can be implemented for a range of program-verify iterations where the lockout condition is most likely to be first reached, for one or more target data states.
US08369135B1 Memory circuit with crossover zones of reduced line width conductors
A memory circuit comprising a set of longitudinal conducting lines and a set of transverse conducting lines, wherein, each conducting line comprises alternating regions of reduced and increased line widths. The set of transverse conducting lines overlies the set of longitudinal conducting lines to define crossover zones wherein the reduced line width regions of the transverse conducting lines cross over the reduced line width regions of the longitudinal conducting lines. The circuit further comprises addressable magnetic storage elements, each disposed within a crossover zone between a longitudinal conducting line and a transverse conducting line thereof. The reduced line width regions improve magnetic flux efficiency in the magnetic storage elements and the increased line width regions lower the resistance in the conducting lines.
US08369131B2 Bipolar resistive-switching memory with a single diode per memory cell
According to various embodiments, a resistive-switching memory element and memory element array that uses a bipolar switching includes a select element comprising only a single diode that is not a Zener diode. The resistive-switching memory elements described herein can switch even when a switching voltage less than the breakdown voltage of the diode is applied in the reverse-bias direction of the diode. The memory elements are able to switch during the very brief period when a transient pulse voltage is visible to the memory element, and therefore can use a single diode per memory cell.
US08369130B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment comprises a memory cell array including plural mutually crossing first and second lines and memory cells arranged at intersections of the first and second lines, each memory cell containing a variable resistance element and a rectifier element connected in series; and a data write/erase circuit operative to apply a voltage required for data write/erase to the memory cell via the first and second lines. The data write/erase circuit includes a first current limit circuit operative to limit the current flowing in the cathode-side line provided on the cathode side of the rectifier element, of the first and second lines, at the time of data write/erase.
US08369127B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device with transistor and variable resistor
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the present invention includes a memory cell array layer including a first line; a plurality of second and third lines that are formed below or above the first line and cross each other; and a plurality of memory cells arranged at each intersection of the second and third lines, the memory cell including a variable resistor and a transistor, which are connected to each other in series between the first line and the third line, the variable resistor being electrically rewritable and storing a resistance value as data in a nonvolatile manner, and the transistor being a columnar transistor having the second line arranged at its side face as a gate.
US08369126B2 Memory device, manufacturing method for memory device and method for data writing
A memory device to which an electron beam is irradiated to store data therein is provided. The memory device includes a plurality of floating electrodes that store data through irradiation of the electron beam thereto, a charge amount detecting section that detects data stored in each of the floating electrodes based on a charge amount accumulated in each of the floating electrode.
US08369122B2 Semiconductor apparatus
A semiconductor apparatus has a plurality of chips stacked therein. Read control signals for controlling read operations of the plurality of chips are synchronized with a reference clock such that the time taken from the application of a read command to the output of data for each of the plurality of chips is maintained substantially the same.
US08369120B2 Methods and apparatus for sum of address compare write recode and compare reduction
Techniques are described for sum address compare (A+B=K) operation for use in translation lookaside buffers and content addressable memory devices, for example. Address input signals A and B are supplied as input to the A+B=K operation and K is a previous value stored in a plurality of memory cells. In each memory cell, a single logic gate circuit output and its inversion are generated in response to updating the memory cells, wherein each single logic gate circuit has as input an associated memory cell output and a next lowest significant bit adjacent memory cell output. In each of the memory cells, a portion of the A+B=K operation associated with each memory cell is generated in a partial lookup compare circuit wherein the corresponding address input signals A and B are combined with the associated memory cell output and the generated single logic gate circuit output and its inversion during a read lookup compare operation.
US08369118B2 Synchronous rectifying drive circuit with energy feedback for voltage doubler rectifer
A current-driven synchronous rectifying drive circuit designed for a T-type voltage doubler rectifier with an energy feedback circuit including a clamp and energy feedback circuit, a high frequency transformer, a current transducer, an energy storage capacitor, an output capacitor, a first and a second synchronous rectifier, and a first drive circuit connected to the first synchronous rectifier and a second drive circuit connected to the second synchronous rectifier.
US08369114B2 Power supply with output overcurrent detection and error latch protection
A power supply employs an error detecting circuit to output an error signal when detecting an overvoltage or overcurrent occurred in one of output powers and employs a latch trigger circuit to cause the power supply to enter a latch mode when receiving the error signal. The power supply will keep the latch mode when entering the latch mode until the AC power VAC is removed. In addition, the power supply employs the error detecting circuit to provide the accurate safety threshold value by the constant current source with temperature compensation function and stable constant current output.
US08369112B2 Multiphase resonant DC/DC converter
A DC/DC converter has three half-bridge-type current resonant DC/DC converters that are connected in parallel, have a phase difference of 120 degrees, and are operated at a frequency higher than a resonant frequency. Each of the three half-bridge-type current resonant DC/DC converters includes a transformer having a primary winding, a secondary winding, and a tertiary winding, a series circuit connected to both ends of a DC power source and including first and second switching elements, a series circuit connected to both ends of the first or second switching element and including a resonant reactor, the primary winding of the transformer, and a resonant capacitor, and a rectifying circuit to rectify a voltage generated by the secondary winding and output the rectified voltage to a smoothing capacitor. The tertiary windings are annularly connected to a reactor.
US08369102B2 Computer system with riser card
A computer system includes a riser card. The riser card includes a board body and a first socket. The board body includes a first surface. The first socket is located on the first surface. A first socket height of the first socket relative to the first surface is in the range of about 15 mm to about 16 mm.
US08369094B2 Unibody latch for plug-in units
A latch for use with a plug-in unit may comprise a head, a rigid body, a pin, and a lever. The head may be configured to retain the plug-in unit within a chassis associated with a rack system. The rigid body may extend from the head and be configured to interface with a user's fingers. The pin may extend transversely from both sides of the head into a case associated with the plug-in unit and be configured so that the head and the rigid body rotate around the pin as a single body when the rigid body is pulled by the user's fingers. The lever may extend from the rigid body and include a detent configured to engage the chassis. The detent may be configured to restrict the head and the rigid body from rotating around the pin when the detent is engaged with the chassis. The lever may be operable to release the detent from the chassis. The head, the rigid body, the lever, and the detent are manufactured as a single unitary body.
US08369082B2 In-wall dock for a tablet computer
In one embodiment, an in-wall dock for a tablet computer includes a rotatable receiving tray to which a tablet computer is secured. A housing of the in-wall dock is at least partially disposed within a wall cavity of a wall. The receiving tray is rotatably mounted to the housing. The receiving tray is configured to rotate from a first orientation disposed at an acute angle to a front face of the housing to permit engagement of the tablet computer with the receiving tray, to a second orientation that is substantially parallel to the front face of the housing and that prevents removal of the tablet computer from the receiving tray. A lock down mechanism retains the receiving tray in the second orientation. A removable bezel covers at least a portion of a front face of the housing and a front face of the tablet computer.
US08369070B2 Photostructured electronic devices and methods for making same
A photostructurable ceramic is processed using photostructuring process steps for embedding devices within a photostructurable ceramic volume, the devices may include one or more of chemical, mechanical, electrical, electromagnetic, optical, and acoustic devices, all made in part by creating device material within the ceramic or by disposing a device material through surface ports of the ceramic volume, with the devices being interconnected using internal connections and surface interfaces.
US08369067B2 Electricity feeding control device
An electricity feeding control device is provided with an air hole (31c) which is formed by penetrating a part of a peripheral wall of a body (31) constituting a part of a housing case (3). The housing case (3) is provided in its inside with an inner pressure adjusting sheet (5), formed with a breathable and waterproof member, and arranged so as to cover the air hole (31c) from the inside of the housing case (3). The air hole (31c) comprises a long recess (31c2) formed in an outer surface of the body (31), a communicating hole (31c1) consecutively formed in one end of a longi-tudinal direction of the recess (31c2) and communicated with an inner surface of the body (31), and a shielding plate (33) attached in the outer surface of the body (31) so as to cover a region other than the other end of the longitudinal direction of the recess (31c2), in a region of an opening section (31c3) of the recess (31c2). That is, a channel of the air hole (31c), led from the inside to the outside of the housing case (3), is formed into a nonlinear shape.
US08369056B2 Power supply control device, method for controlling power supply, program and power supply device
A power supply control device for controlling power supply to a pair of terminals to which a load is connected, comprising a voltage measuring part for measuring a voltage which has a predetermined relationship with the voltage of the pair of terminals, a short circuit detecting part for detecting whether a short circuit exists between the pair of terminals based on the measured voltage and for making power supply to the pair of terminals stop when existence of a short circuit is detected, and a constant current supplying part for supplying a constant current though the pair of terminals; wherein the short circuit detecting part is configured to detect that the previously detected short circuit is eliminated when the voltage measured by the voltage measuring part is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value upon supplying the constant current through the pair of terminals.
US08369053B2 Discharge protection apparatus and method of protecting an electronic device
A protection circuit apparatus comprises an electrostatic discharge circuit coupled to an isolation filter. The isolation filter comprises an inductor coupled to a ground-coupled capacitor, the inductor and the capacitor being coupled to the electrostatic discharge circuit. The inductor is also coupled to an electrostatic discharge sensitive device to be protected from an electrostatic discharge event.
US08369051B2 Circuit arrangement and method for increasing the safety of an electronic operating device
A circuit arrangement for increasing the safety of an electronic operating device comprising: mains input terminals (3), a mains input filter (1) with X capacitors (XC1, XC2), which are connected in parallel with the mains input terminals, a rectifier part (2) with a full-wave rectifier (D1-D4) and a smoothing capacitor (C1), which is connected between the output terminals of the full-wave rectifier (D1-D4), and a DC-DC voltage converter (4), which is connected to the output terminals of the rectifier part. When the mains voltage is disconnected from the terminals, a load is switched on for a defined time span, the load and the time span being matched in such a way that the load consumes the residual energy which is stored in the capacitors (XC1, XC2, C1), and thus lowers the voltage across the mains input terminals (3) to a value which is unhazardous for humans within a very short period of time.
US08369048B2 CPP-type thin film magnetic head provided with side shields including a pair of antimagnetically exchanged-coupled side shield magnetic layers
A thin film magnetic head includes a magnetoresistive (MR) stack disposed between first and second shield layers in a direction orthogonal to the film surface; a first exchange-coupling layer that is positioned between the MR stack and the first shield layer; a second exchange-coupling layer that is positioned between the MR stack and the second shield layer; a bias magnetic field application layer that is disposed at an opposite surface of the MR stack from an air bearing surface (ABS); and pair of side shield layers that are positioned at both sides of the MR stack with respect to a track width direction. Each of the side shield layers includes a pair of magnetic layers that are antiferromagnetically exchange-coupled through a side shield ruthenium layer.
US08369046B2 Disk drive suspension having a recess in a load beam or baseplate to contain damping material, and a lid portion for the recess formed by a plate-like constituent member of the suspension
In a disk drive suspension including a baseplate, a load beam, and a flexure, the suspension comprises a recess formed in one surface of the load beam relative to the thickness thereof, a damping material contained in the recess, and a lid portion superposed on the damping material so as to cover at least a part of the recess. The lid portion is formed of a part of a flexure. The flexure is an example of a suspension constituent member.
US08369020B2 Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus including the same
A zoom lens includes a first variable refractive power element that changes a refractive power thereof in a positive direction by changing a shape of an interface between different media during zooming from a wide angle end to a telephoto end; and a second variable refractive power element that changes a refractive power thereof in a negative direction by changing a shape of an interface between different media during zooming from a wide angle end to a telephoto end. An imaging magnification of at least one of the variable refractive power elements increases during zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end. Variations in chromatic aberration and other distortions are controlled when predetermined conditional expressions are satisfied.
US08369015B2 Optical element and optical apparatus
An optical element includes an optical anisotropic medium. A difference between a minimum refractive index nl and a maximum refractive index nh of the optical anisotropic medium at a used central wavelength is at least 0.1, and a refractive index nt1 of a first medium optically adjacent to the optical anisotropic medium at the used central wavelength satisfies the following condition: (nt1−nl)·(nt1−nh)≦0.
US08369011B2 Observation optical system and microscope including the observation optical system
An observation optical system includes, in order from a sample side, an infinity-corrected objective, a first lens group having a positive power, a second lens group having a positive power, and a tube lens having a positive power. An intermediate image is formed between the first lens group and the second lens group, and at a front side focal position of the second lens group. A space along an optical axis between the objective and the first lens group is configured to be changeable, and a space along an optical axis between the second lens group and the tube lens is configured to be changeable.
US08369009B2 Near infra-red imaging lens assembly
This invention provides an NIR imaging lens assembly comprising a lens element with refractive power made of a visible-light-absorbable material, and a filter or a filter film formed on one lens element with refractive power for filtering out infrared light, wherein the number of lens elements with refractive power in the NIR imaging lens assembly is N, and wherein N≧2. The above lens arrangement allows light in a specific NIR wavelength range to pass through the lens assembly, thereby reducing interferences or influences from light in the other wavelength ranges. As a result, the resolution of the imaging lens assembly is improved, and its total track length is reduced effectively so that the entire lens system can be compact.
US08369008B2 Compact dual-field IR2-IR3 imaging system
The invention relates to a dual-field (NF and WF) imaging system comprising an optronic detector (1) and an optical combination of narrow-field focal length FNF having, an optical axis a front lens, a narrow-field entrance pupil situated in the vicinity of the front lens, a real wide-field entrance pupil, that is to say situated upstream of the front lens, an intermediate focal plane (IFP). The optical combination has, on the optical axis, the following refractive groups: a convergent front group G1 of focal length F, where F
US08369000B2 Reflection-minimized photonic crystal and device utilizing same
A photonic crystal structure that is composed of a host media having periodic dielectric holes disposed in the media at a period of ah. Each dielectric hole has a radius rh. The host media has an absolute refractive index expressed as |nh| that is less than 0.2. The photonic crystal structure has at least one reflection minimization layer disposed at an air/photonic crystal interface. The reflection minimization layer has periodic dielectric holes disposed therein at a period am with each dielectric hole having a radius rm such that ah=am and rm>rn and a beam steerable device including the photonic crystal structure. The device having a scanning rate of larger than 1 KHz and a scanning angle up to ±25 degrees.
US08368997B2 Electromechanical device with optical function separated from mechanical and electrical function
In certain embodiments, a microelectromechanical (MEMS) device includes a movable element over the substrate and an actuation electrode. The movable element includes an electrically conductive deformable layer and a reflective element mechanically coupled to the deformable layer. The reflective element includes a reflective surface. The actuation electrode is under at least a portion of the deformable layer and is disposed laterally from the reflective surface. The movable element is responsive to a voltage difference applied between the actuation electrode and the movable element by moving towards the actuation electrode.
US08368987B1 Optical processing device
Provided is an optical processing device including: a beam emission portion which includes a plurality of optical fibers; a dispersion element which disperses a beam emitted from one optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers; a condenser lens which concentrates the beam passing through the dispersion element; and an optical path conversion optical system which converts an optical path of the beam passing through the condenser lens so that the beam is incident to one of the other optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers. An optical axis of the condenser lens is inclined with respect to an optical axis direction from the beam emission portion to the optical path conversion optical system. The inclination angle is set so that a maximum difference in focal depth of a plurality of beams having different wavelengths obtained by the dispersion element becomes smaller.
US08368984B2 Pseudo bipolar MEMS ribbon drive
A pseudo bipolar method for driving a MEMS ribbon device reduces charging effects in the device.
US08368981B2 Display device with diffractive optics
Light modulator displays may be illuminated using a light guide comprising diffractive optics that directs light onto the light modulators. The light guide may comprise, for example, a holographic light turning element that turns light propagating within the light guide onto the array of light modulators. In some embodiments, the holographic element has multiple holographic functions. For example, the holographic element may additionally collimate ambient light or diffuse light reflected form the light modulators.
US08368979B2 Image forming apparatus and computer readable medium for forming image
An image forming apparatus includes a tone correction storage unit that stores a plurality of tone correction charts for correcting tone of image data; a determination unit that determines characteristics of the image data; a selection unit that selects a tone correction chart suitable for the image data from the plurality of tone correction charts stored in the tone correction storage unit; a chart print unit that prints the tone correction chart selected by the selection unit on a sheet; a receiving unit that receives an adjustment value inputted based on the tone correction chart printed by the chart print unit; a tone correction unit that corrects tone of the image data based the adjustment value; and a print unit that prints out the image data after correcting tone of the image data.
US08368975B2 Image processing apparatus with improved image processing efficiency
A multifunctional printer comprises a CCD for reading an image on one side of a document, a CIS for reading an image on the other side of the document, an image processing unit for processing the image of the side read by the CCD or the CIS, and a determining unit (S12) for determining which of the images of the sides read by the CCD and the CIS is to be processed first by the image processing unit.
US08368971B2 Light scanning apparatus and scanning display apparatus
A light scanning apparatus includes a scanner 104 which scans a coherent light beam from a light source 101 , a light beam component generator 110 which divides the coherent light beam outgoing from the scanner 104 into a plurality of light beam components, and an optical system 105 which collects the plurality of light beam components so that they are incident on a scan surface 106 at an incident angle different from each other, and superposes the light beam components at an identical position on the scan surface.
US08368966B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method and memory medium
An object of the present invention is to solve dissatisfaction of the user who cannot take out the source data in a case where a code image in the original can not be decoded. In order to accomplish the above object, the invention provides an image processing apparatus comprising code image detection unit that determines whether or not an code image is included in the original image data, code image decoding unit that decodes the code image to extract source data if it is determined that the code image is included by the code image detection unit, and synthesizing unit that encodes information obtained by decoding a partial area of the code image and overlaying encoded information on the area where the code image is included, if the code image decoding unit is successful in decoding only the partial area of the code image.
US08368965B2 Image cropping process
An image cropping process of a multifunction peripheral is provided. Firstly, a top edge endpoint of an object image is searched from a band image of an original image. Then, each band image of the original image is read to search the object endpoint coordinate of a to-be-printed object image zone. The object image zone is outputted to be printed. The image cropping process further provides a strategy for detecting spots in order to enhance the accuracy of searching the object image.
US08368958B2 Apparatus, method, and program product for processing color and transparent images according to the same layout setting or not based the determined image type to output as one image
An image processing apparatus includes a setting unit configured to execute a layout setting on first image data, a determination unit configured to determine an image type of second image data, an image processing unit configured, if it is determined, as a result of determination by the determination unit, that the image type of the second image data is an image type for applying a layout setting set for the first image data, to execute image processing on the second image data according to the layout setting set for the first image data, and an output unit configured to form an image of the first image data on a printing sheet by using color toners, to form an image of the second image data on the printing sheet by using a transparent toner.
US08368957B2 Method for digital image adaptation for printing an image on a printing apparatus
An image dependent gamut mapping method for mapping source colors of an image to destination colors reproducible by a printing apparatus, each source color having a lightness component within a range between a source white point and a source black point, and each destination color having a lightness component within a range between a destination white point and a destination black point. A composed transfer function maps the source white point onto the destination white point and the source black point onto the destination black point, applying the composed transfer function on each lightness component of source colors of at least a part of the image. The transfer function is composed of linear mappings. The steepness of each linear mapping is determined by a mathematical optimization problem intended to preserve lightness and contrast in the image produced by the printing apparatus under the conditions of at least one constraint.
US08368952B2 Image processing apparatus and control method the same
A method of controlling an image processing apparatus, and an image processing apparatus to carry-out the method. The edge pixels of a black character may be evaluated to improve visibility of edge pixels and to enhance the blackening of the edge pixels when the evaluated edge pixels are determined to be the actual edge pixels of the original image and to correct the edge pixels to be suitable for original background pixel values and to brighten the edge pixels when the evaluated edge pixels are determined to be the actual background pixels of an original image. The black character may be enhanced so that the actual black character becomes blacker and that the background pixels become brighter to improve the visibility of the black character. The black character may be distinguished from a scanned image, the print thickness of the distinguished black character may be controlled, and the black character having controlled print thickness may be printed out using only a K color.
US08368941B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method and program for forming an image based on merged image data
An image processing apparatus is provided which includes an image obtaining member which obtains an original image and outputs data of the original image. In the image processing apparatus, unique additional image data is merged to the original image data. A memory stores the original image data and the merged image data, and an image is formed based on the formed merged image data. In a first image processing mode, the merged image data is formed before the original data is stored to the memory, and the merged image data is then stored to the memory and an image is formed based on the stored merged image data. In a second image processing mode, the original image data is stored to the memory before forming the merged image data. Then the merged image data is formed, and an image is formed based on the formed merged image data.
US08368933B2 Image forming device configured to record print history in a server
An image forming device, comprising: an image formation unit configured to form an image on a recording medium in accordance with a print command transmitted from an external device; a print history writing unit configured to record print history concerning image formation by the image formation unit in a server connected to the image forming device via a network; and a writing information transmission unit configured to transmit, to the external device, writing information including information indicating whether the print history writing unit has successfully recorded the print history in the server.
US08368928B2 Electronic device system and control method in electronic device system in which a second device is controlled using a command from a first device
A printer system 100 includes a printer 10, a winding device 30, a color meter 41, and a color measurement driving device 80. A host communication section 81 of the printer 10 is communicably connected to device communication sections 82 to 84 of the devices 30, 41, and 80. In the device communication sections 82 and 84 of the devices 30 and 80, a printer class is set as a device class. Print data that includes commands for control the devices 30 and 80 is transmitted from a second printer driver 89 of the printer 10 to the devices 30 and 80. The printer 10 and the devices 30 and 80 are provided with an ESC/P analyzing section that can analyze print data.
US08368922B2 Job processing system and method thereof and storage medium, and program
It is confirmed whether or not a job that instructs the execution of multiple processes using the XML language includes a process that cannot be executed by a job processing unit, and in the case where it has been confirmed that the job includes a process that cannot be executed by the job processing unit, the job processing unit is caused to execute a process that the job processing unit is capable of executing from among the multiple processes. Processes that cannot be executed by the job processing unit are ignored, cancelled, or processed according to a pre-set specification.
US08368915B1 System and method for printer driver management in an enterprise network
A method, system and program product for printer driver management in an enterprise network. Each requested printer driver is tested in a controlled environment to determine if the driver is compatible with at least one other driver in a set of drivers. The tested printer driver is conditioned for inclusion in a central repository that stores a plurality of sets of versioned drivers, if the printer driver is determined to be compatible. The tested driver and at least one associated file are packaged and stored in the central repository. The tested driver and associated file are deployed to at least one server hosting a distributed file share. The tested driver and associated file are downloaded to at least one print server. Driver files are touched with a date and time stamp so that workstations will automatically download updated printer drivers from the print server.
US08368912B2 Image forming apparatus, print control method, and computer-readable storage medium storing program code for executing the control method
An image forming apparatus capable of both normal printing and special-purpose printing includes a first identification unit, a second identification unit, and a selection unit. The first identification unit identifies a type of print data. The second identification unit identifies a type of print material. The selection unit selects a print resource in accordance with a combination of the type of print data identified by the first identification unit and the type of print material identified by the second identification unit. The selection unit selects the print resource so as to prevent unauthorized printing from being performed when the print data is for special-purpose printing.
US08368906B2 Performing a virtual job using a plurality of mixed image processing apparatuses that can communicate each other
An image processing apparatus configured to acquire a content log of a job including image forming processing which is included in a virtual device that can cooperatively utilize functions of a plurality of image processing apparatuses, the image processing apparatus includes a determination unit configured to determine, in performing a virtual job including image forming processing which is processed by cooperatively using the functions of the plurality of image processing apparatuses included in the virtual device, whether to acquire the content log on the image processing apparatus, and an acquisition unit configured to acquire the content log of the virtual job if the determination unit determines that the image processing apparatus is to acquire the content log, wherein the acquisition unit does not acquire the content log of the virtual job if the determination unit does not determine that the image processing apparatus is to acquire the content log.
US08368905B2 Method and computer readable medium for printer driver and information processing device
There is provided a method for providing information from a printer driver. The method comprises the steps of: accepting a request for information concerning the printer driver; inquiring of at least one function filter about function information in accordance with configuration information containing a reference to the at least one function filter, in response to receipt of the request; obtaining, from the at least one function filter, the function information containing at least one current function of the at least one function filter, as a response to the inquiring; and providing the obtained function information for a requesting source of the request.
US08368900B2 Lightwave interferometric distance measuring method and apparatus using an optical comb
The oscillation wavelength of a variable wavelength laser is measured by using an optical comb, and a feedback control is performed, whereby laser beams of plural predetermined wavelengths are obtained, or a variable wavelength laser is caused to oscillate at plural arbitrary wavelengths to obtain plural distance measurement values. The wavelengths (frequencies) of laser beams when the respective distance measurement values are obtained are measured by the optical comb, and used in calculation of the geometric distance. Plural lasers are used, and the geometric distance is obtained while the wavelengths of laser beams oscillated from the lasers are measured by the optical comb.
US08368896B1 Measurement of sulfur trioxide via spectroscopy
Configurations herein include a novel process, system, etc., to measure a concentration of sulfur trioxide in a gas sample including sulfur trioxide, sulfur dioxide, and water. An example system can include an optical radiation source that generates an optical signal at a plurality of vibration-rotation transitions around at least one frequency selected from the group consisting of 1396.889 cm−1, 1396.908 cm−1, 1396.962 cm−1, 1397.003 cm−1, 1397.037 cm−1, 1397.047 cm−1, and 1397.052 cm−1. The optical signal is transmitted along an optical path through the gas sample. Based on adjusting a pressure of the gas sample, each of the plurality of vibration-rotation absorption transitions associated with the sulfur trioxide can be substantially isolated from interfering absorption by the sulfur dioxide and the water vapor in the gas sample. Based on a spectral analysis, the system generates a value indicative of a concentration of sulfur trioxide in the gas sample.
US08368891B2 Device and process to measure water clarity and organic content
A method of using a sensor array that measures the long-term change in the organic content of the near-surface seawater by simultaneously comparing downwelling sunlight attenuation in the blue and green wavelengths over a significant vertical distance.
US08368888B2 Method and apparatus for determining concentration using polarized light
An apparatus and method for determining the concentration of chiral molecules in a fluid includes a first polarizer configure to polarize light in substantially a first plane to provide initially polarized light. A second polarizer is capable of polarizing the initially polarized light in a plurality of planes, at least one of the plurality of planes being different from the first plane, to provide subsequently polarized light. One or more receivers are included for measuring an intensity of the subsequently polarized light in one or more of the plurality of planes.
US08368879B2 System and method for the ultrasonic detection of transparent window security features in bank notes
A system and method for automatically detecting the presence of a perforation, tear, or a transparent window security feature in a bank note. The system includes an optical detection device, and an ultrasonic detection device, and a conveyance device for transporting the bank note along a defined path proximate the detection devices. Each detection device comprises a plurality of optical transmitters and corresponding optical receivers that bracket the note path. A computing device is also provided to determine from the output of the optical detection device the presence of an optical abnormality in the bank note; to determine from the output of the ultrasonic detection device the presence of an ultrasonic abnormality in the bank note; and to determine the presence of a perforation, tear, or transparent window feature based upon the results of the optical abnormality determination or the ultrasonic abnormality determination.
US08368863B2 Liquid crystal display panel
A liquid crystal display (LCD) panel including a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer, a photo-curable sealant, and a first light-shielding pattern is provided. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The photo-curable sealant is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the photo-curable sealant surrounds and is in contact with the liquid crystal layer. The first light-shielding pattern is disposed on the first substrate, wherein a portion of the sidewall of the first light-shielding pattern is substantially aligned with a portion of the sidewall of the first substrate, and the first light-shielding pattern is only overlapped with an outer edge of the photo-curable sealant or is not overlapped with the photo-curable sealant.
US08368862B2 Liquid crystal display and method for manufacturing the same
A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) includes; disposing a gate line including a gate electrode on a substrate, disposing a gate insulating layer on the gate line, disposing a data layer including a data line, source electrode and a drain electrode facing the source electrode on the gate insulating layer, disposing a color filter on the gate insulating layer, disposing an overcoat layer on the color filter, disposing a planarization layer on a portion of the overcoat layer corresponding to the gate line, the data line and the drain electrode, and disposing a pixel electrode in contacted with the overcoat layer in a region corresponding to the color filter.
US08368853B2 Liquid crystal display panel and electronic apparatus
A liquid crystal display panel including a first substrate and a second substrate is provided. The first substrate is provided at plural positions with a first scale pattern made of the same material as a scanning line, and extending in a row direction or a column direction, and a second scale pattern made of the same material as a signal line at plural positions, and extending in the row direction or the column direction. The second substrate is provided with a third scale pattern extending in the row direction and a fourth scale pattern extending in the column direction, respectively, at positions which are opposite to the first and second scale patterns.
US08368847B2 Triple-gate LCD panel
A triple-gate LCD panel includes a transistor array substrate, a color filter array substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the transistor array substrate and the color filter array substrate. A transistor array of the transistor array substrate includes a plurality of scan lines, data lines, and pixel switches connected to the scan lines and the data lines. The pixel switches in any column are connected to two adjacent data lines respectively. Two adjacent pixel switches in any column are connected to the same data line. The pixel switches, the liquid crystal layer, and the color filter array substrate define a plurality of monochromatic pixel units. The monochromatic pixel units in any row are all a plurality of red pixel units, green pixel units, or blue pixel units. The red pixel units, the green pixel units, and the blue pixel units in any column are arranged periodically.
US08368846B2 Two dimensional light source using light emitting diode and liquid crystal display device using the two dimensional light source
A two-dimensional light source includes a base substrate having holes, wires disposed on a lower surface of the base substrate, a light emitting diode (LED) chip disposed on an upper surface of the base substrate, plugs that connect two electrodes of the LED chip to the wires through the holes, a buffer layer covering the LED chip, and an optical layer that is disposed on the buffer layer and has an optical pattern formed at a portion of the optical layer corresponding to the LED chip.
US08368843B2 Backlight unit and liquid crystal display device
A housing (HG) for a backlight unit (49) includes a bottom section (22), a wall section (23) and a side section (VP), and the side section (VP) is at least a part of a first groove (DH1) which sandwiches a mounting substrate (11).
US08368841B2 Backlight module and liquid crystal display comprising a light guide plate with first, second, third microstructures, and a plurality of pillars
A backlight module includes at least one point light source and a light guide plate. The light guide plate includes a light emitting surface, a bottom surface, a light incident surface, a first side surface, a second side surface, a first microstructure, and a second microstructure. The bottom surface is opposite to the light emitting surface, the light incident surface connects the light emitting surface and the bottom surface, the point light source is disposed adjacent to the light incident surface, and the first microstructure is formed on the light incident surface. The first side surface is opposite to the light incident surface and connects the light emitting surface and the bottom surface, and the second side surface connects the light emitting surface, the bottom surface, the light incident surface, and the first side surface. The second microstructure is formed on the second side surface.
US08368829B2 Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of pixels each including a first subpixel and a second subpixel having liquid crystal layers to which mutually different voltages are applicable, and two switching elements that are provided for the first and second subpixels, respectively. The device further includes a plurality of storage capacitor trunks electrically connected to respective storage capacitor counter electrodes of either the first subpixels or the second subpixels of the pixels through storage capacitor lines.
US08368828B2 Liquid crystal display device and method of manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display device includes; a plurality of data lines disposed on a substrate, a plurality of gate lines disposed substantially perpendicular to the data lines, wherein the data lines and the gate lines together surround a plurality of pixel regions, a plurality of power supplying lines disposed substantially parallel to the data lines, a plurality of pixel electrode pairs, wherein each of the pixel electrode pairs includes a first and a second pixel electrode respectively disposed in each pixel region, and a pixel driving circuit including at least one transistor and a plurality of storage capacitors in each pixel region, wherein the pixel electrode pairs have portions where the pixel electrode pairs and at least one of the plurality of data lines and the plurality of power supplying lines are vertically aligned with each other, and the storage capacitors are disposed at the vertically aligned portions.
US08368826B2 Liquid crystal display having boosting capacitor
A liquid crystal display includes: a gate line disposed on a substrate to transmit a first gate signal to switching elements; a data line crossing the gate line to transmit a data voltage to the switching elements; a boosting gate line disposed on the substrate to transmit a second gate signal; a pixel electrode disposed on the substrate and including a first subpixel electrode and a second subpixel electrode; a first switching element connected to the first subpixel electrode; a second switching element connected to the second subpixel electrode; a boosting capacitor including a first terminal connected to the first subpixel electrode; a third switching element connected to a second terminal of the boosting capacitor; and a fourth switching element including a gate electrode connected to the boosting gate line, a source electrode connected to the second subpixel electrode, and a drain electrode connected to the second terminal.
US08368825B2 Display device and electronic apparatus
A display device includes an anode electrode provided for each pixel, an opening insulation film which covers the periphery of the anode electrode and which defines an pixel opening, and a storage capacitor disposed below the anode electrode through a planarizing insulation film, having a function to store charge for driving a pixel, and including capacitor electrodes wider than the pixel opening.
US08368818B2 Contents read-ahead control device and read-ahead control method
While a user is viewing a video content, a channel zapping operation prediction section (203) predicts a channel zapping operation that will be conducted next by the user based on a history of channel zapping operations by the user. A viewing target prediction section (205) refers to a contents map that is retained by a contents map retain section (204) and that describes contents in a sequential order in which the contents are switched based on a user operation information (121), and predicts a content that will be viewed next by the user from the channel zapping operation predicted by the channel zapping operation prediction section (203). A read-ahead execution section (206) conducts a read-ahead on the predicted content.
US08368815B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program
An image processing apparatus includes: a calculating unit configured to calculate motion information relating to between two images that make up an imaged moving picture; and a selecting unit configured to select compositing target images serving as compositing targets from a plurality of images that make up the imaged moving picture based on reliability that indicates the likelihood of the calculated motion information.
US08368807B2 Imaging device
An imaging device having a housed state in which a plurality of optical members of an imaging optical system is housed and a shooting standby state in which at least a part of the optical members is moved on a subject side includes a stage configured to be movable along a plane orthogonal to an optical axis so as to move an imaging element which obtains a subject image by the shooting optical system in the plane, a plurality of optical member holding frames each of which is configured to hold each of the optical members and a lens holding frame driver configured to drive each of the optical member holding frames, the stage includes an engagement hole facing to the shooting optical system, and one of the optical member holding frames includes an engagement projection which is engageable with the engagement hole.
US08368803B2 Setting exposure attributes for capturing calibration images
In an example embodiment, a calibration module in a projector platform establishes an initial configuration of settable exposure attributes for a digital camera. The calibration module projects a preview image onto a surface and captures the projection of the preview image with the digital camera and receives input from a user identifying regions of interest in the capture of the preview image. Next the calibration module projects an exposure image onto the surface. The calibration module then computes a final configuration of exposure attributes for the digital camera by iteratively: (a) capturing the projection of the exposure image with the digital camera; (b) measuring descriptive statistics relating to the color channels of pixels in the regions of interest in the capture of the exposure image; (c) evaluating the descriptive statistics with an evaluation function determined by a calibration process; and (d) establishing a revised configuration of exposure attributes.
US08368801B2 Camera system and interchangeable lens
There are provided a camera system and an interchangeable lens that are compatible with a contrast detection method. A camera system (1) has an interchangeable lens unit (2) and a camera body (3). A lens microcomputer (40) changes the movable range of a second lens group (L2) via a focus lens drive controller (41) depending on whether a second holder (61) is driven by the focus lens drive controller (41) and a focus motor (80) on the basis of angle information inputted to a zoom ring (64) of the interchangeable lens unit (2), or the second holder (61) is driven by the focus lens drive controller (41) on the basis of contrast information.
US08368800B2 Image recognition device, focus adjustment device and imaging device
There are provided a focus detector detecting a focusing state of an optical system with respect to a plurality of focus detection positions that are set in an imagefield of the optical system; a recognizer setting a reference image with respect to an image to be a reference, and recognizing a position corresponding to the reference image of an image in the optical system; a selector selecting the focus detection position to be a target of focus adjustment of the optical system based on one of the focusing state and a position corresponding to the reference image recognized by the recognizer; and a controller executing at least one of resetting of the reference image and a retrying recognition of the position corresponding to the reference image when the focus detection position is selected based on the focusing state.
US08368795B2 Notebook computer with mirror and image pickup device to capture multiple images simultaneously
A notebook computer with a multi-image capturing function is provided. The notebook computer includes an image pickup device and a mirror. The image pickup device is used for capturing a first image. The mirror is disposed beside the image pickup device and tilted by an angle with respect to the image pickup device. A second image reflected by the mirror is adjustable by changing the angle. The second image reflected by the mirror is also captured by the image pickup device, so that the first image and the second image are simultaneously captured by the image pickup device.
US08368794B2 Display device and display method that determines intention or status of a user
The present invention provides a display apparatus and a display method for realizing control for display operations by a user precisely reflecting the user's status, i.e., the user's intentions, visual state and physical conditions. Worn as an eyeglass-like or head-mount wearable unit for example, the display apparatus of the present invention enables the user to recognize visibly various images on the display unit positioned in front of the user's eyes thereby providing the picked up images, reproduced images, and received images. As control for various display operations such as switching between the display state and the see-through state, display operation mode and selecting sources, the display apparatus of the present invention acquires information about either behavior or physical status of the user, and determines either intention or status of the user in accordance with the acquired information, thereby controlling the display operation appropriately on the basis of the determination result.
US08368787B2 Image sensor, single-plate color image sensor, and electronic device
An image sensor includes an imaging area including a plurality of cells arrayed in a matrix on a semiconductor substrate, each of the cells including an avalanche photodiode, the avalanche photodiode including: an anode region buried in an upper portion of the semiconductor substrate; a cathode region buried in the upper portion of the semiconductor substrate separated from the anode region in a direction parallel to the surface of the semiconductor substrate; and an avalanche multiplication region defined between the anode and cathode regions, the avalanche multiplication region having an impurity concentration less than the anode and cathode regions; wherein depths of the anode and cathode regions from the surface of the semiconductor substrate are different from each other.
US08368785B2 Image sensing device and imaging system
An image sensing device characterized by including: a pixel array; a plurality of first holding capacitances; a plurality of second holding capacitances; a first reference power supply pattern; and a second reference power supply pattern, wherein at least part of the first reference power supply pattern is arranged in a first region where reference power supply electrodes of the plurality of first holding capacitances are arrayed, at least part of the second reference power supply pattern is arranged in a second region where reference power supply electrodes of the plurality of second holding capacitances are arrayed, and the first reference power supply pattern and the second reference power supply pattern are isolated in a region including the first region and the second region.
US08368779B2 Image processing apparatus for performing gradation correction on subject image
An image processing apparatus includes: a gradation correction unit configured to perform gradation correction upon a subject image to be processed to generate a corrected image, the gradation correction including processing for lowering contrast in the subject image; a gradation information acquisition unit configured to acquire gradation information indicating relative balance of brightness in each portion of the subject image; and an adjustment unit configured to adjust brightness of the corrected image on a pixel basis based on the gradation information.
US08368777B2 Imaging apparatus for performing signal processes adapted to operational modes
An imaging apparatus includes an imaging element, a transfer unit, a storage unit, a signal processing unit, a write control unit, a read control unit, and a clock generation unit. The imaging element outputs image signals. The transfer unit serially transfers the image signals by using transfer channels. The storage unit stores the image signals transferred. The signal processing unit processes the image signals stored. The write control unit controls the writing of the image signals to the storage unit, in synchronism with a first clock signal synchronous with the image signals. The read control unit controls the reading of the image signals from the storage unit, in synchronism with a second clock signal for driving the signal processing unit. The clock generation unit generates the second clock signal having a frequency that accords with an amount of data constituted by the image signals transferred.
US08368776B2 Image recording apparatus, image reproducing apparatus, method of controlling image recording apparatus, method of controlling image reproducing apparatus, computer program, and recording medium
A system, method and computer program product for arranging digital data in a file in an apparatus-implemented system, is disclosed. One or more pages are generated, where each page includes: i. a mode field containing a camera operation mode, ii. an image data field containing image data, iii. an offset field containing an offset to a next page in the file, and a total size field containing a page size. Each page is recorded in the file using the same format.
US08368769B2 Imaging device and camera
A camera body includes an imaging unit, a reflecting mirror, a determination unit, and a mirror controller. The imaging unit is configured to convert the optical image into an image signal and acquires an image of the subject. The reflecting mirror has a first state of being in the optical path of the optical system and a second state of being outside the optical path. The mirror controller is configured to retract the reflecting mirror to outside the optical path of the optical system when the reflecting mirror is in the first state of being in the optical path of the optical system and a moving picture photography mode is selected, which is a mode for capturing moving pictures.
US08368765B2 Auto stabilization method and photographing apparatus using the same
An auto stabilization method and a photographing apparatus using the same are provided. The photographing apparatus having the auto stabilization function includes a voice coil motor actuator (VCMA) to move a photographing element. In the generation of hand tremor, the photographing apparatus controls compensating of the hand tremor. Because one or more dynamic characteristics according to a structure of the VCMA is considered, saturation or delay of displacement of the VCMA is avoided, and a clearer image is provided.
US08368756B2 Imaging apparatus and control method therefor
An imaging apparatus includes: an image creating section imaging a predetermined surveillance range and creating image data; an image processing section in which computing processing means having a predetermined processing ability performs first image processing of detecting an abnormality in the surveillance range in accordance with the image data and generating a first detection signal and second image processing of converting the image data to a predetermined data format in parallel; and a determination processing section determining whether a predetermined subject under surveillance exists in the surveillance range or not based on the first detection signal, generating and supplying a first control signal to the image processing section if it is determined that the subject under surveillance does not exist, and generating and supplying a second control signal to the image processing section if it is determined that the subject under surveillance exists.
US08368748B2 Protector of handheld electronic devices
An improved protector allows the operation of camera buttons to operate at greater depths through use of a “see-saw” mechanism proximate the camera buttons.
US08368747B2 Device for optical characterization
A device for optical characterization of a sample is provided, the sample being accommodated in a receptacle container transparent to light. The device includes a camera, using which the sample may be detected, and a first light source is situated in such a way that the sample is transilluminated opposite to the viewing direction of the camera, a second light source is situated on the same side as the camera, and a laser source is situated transversely to the viewing direction of the camera.
US08368730B2 Apparatus and method for marking different surface parts of an object moving along a line
The invention describes an apparatus (10) for applying marking to perpendicular surfaces (15, 17) of an object (16) being conveyed along a line (11). A single marking head (12) is mounted on a positioning arm (14) which directs the marking head across the direction of the conveyor while applying marking to a first surface (15) of the object. The marking head is then rotated through 90° and held at one side of the conveyor so that a second, perpendicular, surface (17) of the object can be marked as the object is conveyed past the marking head. The invention uses the kinetic energy of the moving object to effect movement of the marking head.
US08368728B2 Adaptive feedback control method of FSC display
An adaptive feedback control method of a field sequential color display includes converting gray-scale values of a three primary color field of an input image into gray-scale values of a new three primary color field and a dominated color field (D-field); performing sampling; performing a pixel by pixel sum operation for each separated color through color gamut conversion to obtain a color difference sum; performing a feedback control at a bit precision to obtain a minimum color difference sum; and then performing a liquid crystal/backlight synchronization step of synchronizing a liquid crystal signal and a backlight gray-scale value of the input image; or dividing the input image into a plurality of blocks; performing feedback control operations; obtaining a minimum sum in each block to serve as an optical backlight value, thereby reducing a CBU phenomenon, and minimizing or controlling the generated CBUs to reduce the operation loads.
US08368723B1 User input combination of touch and user position
In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products. A computing system presents graphical content on a display device. The computing system determines a change in distance between a user of the computing system and a camera by tracking a visible physical feature of the user through a series of images that are captured by the camera. The computing system determines that the user has physically contacted a user input device. The computing system modifies the graphical content to change (a) a level of detail of the graphical content based on the determined change in distance between the user and the camera, and (b) boundaries of a displayed region of the graphical content based on the determined physical contact with the user input device. The computing system presents the modified graphical content for display by the display device.
US08368719B2 Method and system for fast clipping of polygons
A method for rendering static graphics in a mobile device in applications such as map applications. Panning increments are received for panning a previously rendered frame to a panned frame. A rendering region is then determined based on the panning increment. A candidate polygon is then clipped to create clipped polygons contained within the rendering region. The clipped polygons can then be rendered, and a portion of the previously rendered frame can be copied, to provide the panned frame.
US08368709B2 Method and apparatus for displaying one or more pixels
In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus comprising a data control line configured to comprise data for subsequent viewing on a display. Further, the apparatus comprises a refresh control line configured to update at least one pixel on a display; a frequency based selector coupled to the refresh control line; and a memory coupled to the frequency based selector and the data control line. The apparatus is configured to provide one or more signals to a pixel in a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation based at least in part on the refresh control line.
US08368708B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and storage medium storing control program therefor
An image processing apparatus that enables to reduce needless consumption of memory band and control duplicated access to a main memory. A reading unit reads image data stored in a first storage unit and divides the image data into a plurality of rectangular areas of a predetermined size. A second storage unit stores image data in reference areas surrounding the rectangular areas, the reference areas having overlapped areas each of which includes a boundary between adjacent two rectangular areas. An image processing unit performs an image process based on the image data in the rectangular areas read by the reading unit and the image data in the reference areas stored in the second storage unit. A cache control unit controls to transfer the image data in the reference areas from the second storage unit to the image processing unit in response to a request from the image processing unit.
US08368707B2 Memory management based on automatic full-screen detection
A window surface associated with a first application is automatically detected as an exclusive window surface for a display. In response, the system automatically transitions to a full-screen mode in which a graphics processor flushes content to the display. The full-screen mode includes flipping between a front surface buffer and a back surface buffer associated with the first application. It is subsequently detected that the window surface associated with the first application is not an exclusive window surface for the display. In response, the system automatically transitions to a windowed mode in which the graphics processor flushes content to the display. In windowed mode, the system frame buffer is flushed to the display. The transition to windowed mode includes a minimum number of buffer content copy operations between the front surface buffer, the back surface buffer and the system frame buffer.
US08368706B2 Image processing device and method for pixel data conversion
An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a scaling unit, a coefficient texture processing unit, and a pixel data converter. A first array is passed to the scaling unit. In the first array, a plurality of pieces of pixel data is arranged in a matrix pattern. The scaling unit copies the pixel data included in the first array a predetermined number of times in the horizontal direction of the first array to configure a second array. The coefficient texture processing unit repetitively performs a computation using a predetermined coefficient texture for every predetermined number of pieces of pixel data included in the second array. The pixel data converter converts the components of the predetermined number of pieces of pixel data obtained by the computation using the coefficient texture into a predetermined pattern for every piece of pixel data. Particularly, the pixel data converter adds the components located at specific positions among the predetermined number of pieces of pixel data for every piece of pixel data to convert the components into one component.
US08368705B2 Web-based graphics rendering system
Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that renders graphics in a computing system that includes a plugin associated with a web browser in the computing system and a web application configured to execute in the web browser. During operation, the web application specifies a graphics model and provides the graphics model to the plugin. Next, the plugin generates a graphics-processing unit (GPU) command stream from the graphics model. Finally, the plugin sends the GPU command stream to a GPU of the computing system, which renders an image corresponding to the graphics model.
US08368697B2 Providing an overview of a large event sample period that supports triage and navigation
A system and method for providing an overview of a plurality of tasks running on a target environment which includes the steps of receiving event data representing a plurality of events in the plurality of contexts over a monitoring period displaying a detailed graphical representation of the event data log using the event data, and displaying a schematic representation of the detailed graphical representation over the monitoring period using only a portion of the event data. The schematic representation is indicative of an activity density of the event data over the monitoring period.
US08368680B2 Start protection circuit for gate driver and liquid crystal display thereof
A start protection circuit of a gate driver, which is applied in a liquid crystal display, includes a detection circuit and a switch. The detection circuit monitors a gate low voltage to generate a control signal. The switch is electrically connected to the detection circuit and controlled by the control signal, for transmitting a gate high voltage. The detection circuit outputs the gate low voltage first and monitors if the gate low voltage has reached a predetermined level. When the gate low voltage has reached the predetermined level, the detection circuit turns on the switch to output the gate high voltage.
US08368673B2 Output buffer and source driver using the same
An output buffer and a source driver for a display panel are provided. The output buffer includes a differential input stage, a bias current source, a feedback module, and an output stage. The differential input stage has a first input terminal and a second input terminal receiving a first input signal and a second input signal respectively, and a first output terminal. The bias module provides a bias current to the differential input stage. The output stage has a second output terminal coupled to the first input terminal for providing an output current to the second output terminal based on a signal of the first output terminal. The feedback module adjusts the bias current and the output current based on the first input signal and the second input signal. The output buffer has ability of switching the output voltage to be low level and high level in high-speed.
US08368670B2 Stylus cap structure and assembly
A cap assembly for protecting a head of a stylus, the cap assembly comprise a hollow cap and a resisting element. The cap has chamber defined therein. The resisting element is mounted in the chamber, the resisting element includes a resisting portion that has a receiving space defined therein. The receiving space has a shape and profile conforming to the head; so when the head is received in the receiving space, the head resisting an inner surface of the receiving space.
US08368668B2 Displacement detection system of an optical touch panel and method thereof
At a first time, an image sensor captures a first image including images of an object. At a second time, the image sensor captures a second image including images of the object. A coordinate calculation device calculates a first coordinate of the object at the first time according to the first image, and a second coordinate of the object at the second time according to the second image. A coordinate correction device calculates a displacement between the first time and the second time according to the first coordinate and the second coordinate, and corrects an output coordinate of the object at the second time according to the displacement.
US08368660B2 Capacitive touch system and sensing method for a capacitive touch system
A capacitive touch system includes a touch panel and two touch integrated circuits connected to the touch panel to scan thereto. The touch panel has a boundary trace connected to both of the two touch integrated circuits. When one of the two touch integrated circuits charges/discharges the boundary trace, the other touch integrated circuit does not charges/discharges the boundary trace.
US08368655B2 Input device
An input device includes an operation surface, a first detection means, a second detection means, an operation signal generating means, and a transmission means. The operation signal generating means generates an operation signal used to perform a first operation on a screen where a detection result of the first detection means has been reflected, if the duration of the detection, which is performed at the same contact position by the first detection means, is shorter than a predetermined time. The operation signal generating means generates an operation signal used to perform a second operation on the screen where a detection result of the second detection means has been reflected, as long as the detection is continued at the same contact position, if the duration of the detection, which is performed at the same contact position by the first detection means, reaches the predetermined time.
US08368651B2 Input device
An input device includes a case, a ball, a magnetic detecting element, a wiring board, and a rocking part. The ball is rotatably accommodated in the case, exposed from an opening of the case, and is embedded with a magnetic substance having a plurality of protrusions or with a plurality of magnets. In a case the magnetic substance is embedded in the ball, a magnet is placed where its magnetism affects the plurality of protrusions. The magnetic detecting element is disposed facing the ball with a certain gap. The switch is mounted on the wiring board. The rocking part is placed between the case and the switch, supporting the case in a swingable manner with respect to the switch. The switch is turned on and off corresponding to a rocking motion of the rocking part. The ball and the magnetic detecting element are attached to the rocking part so that the gap is kept constant with each other when the rocking part rocks.
US08368650B2 Mouse with shooting function and image pickup system
A mouse with a shooting function and an image pickup system are provided. The image pickup system includes a mouse and a computer system. A shooting program is installed in the computer system. The mouse includes an image pickup device and a supporting member. The supporting member is used for fixing a business card. The shooting program is executed to judge whether the business card is separated from the image pickup device by a shooting distance, which is equal to a focal length of the image pickup device. If the business card is separated from the image pickup device by the shooting distance, the image pickup device is enabled by the shooting program to shoot the business card, thereby acquiring a business card image.
US08368643B2 Very small form factor consumer electronic product
A very small form factor consumer electronic product includes at least a single piece housing having an integral front and side walls that cooperate to form a cavity in cooperation with a front opening where an edge of the side walls define a rear opening and at least some of the edges have flanges. The consumer electronic product also includes an user input assembly having a size and shape in accordance with the front opening and a clip assembly having a size and shape in accordance with the rear opening and having an external user actionable clip, a plurality of internal hooking features, and a plurality of internal latching features. The clip assembly is secured by engaging at least some of the hooking features and the flanges on the edges of the housing and engaging the latching features and corresponding attachment features on the internal support plate.
US08368642B2 Input apparatus following task flow and image forming apparatus using the same
An input apparatus includes a command input unit to input a command, a key input unit having at least one key, a navigation key input unit having a rotatable navigation key, and a display panel unit to perform displaying according to manipulation of the command input unit, the key input unit, and the navigation key. In the input apparatus, the command input unit, the key input unit, the navigation key input unit, and the display panel unit are arranged in sequence according to a task flow, so a user-friendly input apparatus can be implemented.
US08368632B2 Driving circuit for liquid crystal display and driving method thereof
An LCD driving circuit converts multiple data signals generated by an external circuit to a plurality of desired data signals. The driving circuit includes a detector detecting a current environmental temperature and outputting a corresponding electric signal, a timing controller receiving the data signals, and a look-up table storing a corresponding relationship among multiple electric signals corresponding to different environmental temperatures, the data signals and multiple of control signals driving the timing controller. The look-up table outputs a corresponding control signal according to the relationship stored therein to the timing controller. The timing controller processes the data signals using a frame rate algorithm under control of the corresponding control signal, thereby outputting the desired data signals to the data driving circuit.
US08368629B2 Liquid crystal display
This document relates to a liquid crystal display capable of improving picture quality by compensating for difference in charge between liquid crystal cells. The liquid crystal display comprises a liquid crystal display panel; a gate driving circuit; a charge difference compensation circuit configured to generate, in a specific gray level range, analog positive gamma voltages having a first reference level and analog negative gamma voltages having a second reference level in synchronization with a first scan time at which a first gate line is driven, and generate the analog positive gamma voltages having a first compensation level that is lower than the first reference level and the analog negative gamma voltages having a second compensation level that is higher than the second reference level in synchronization with a second scan time at which a second gate line is driven; and a data driving circuit.
US08368627B2 Adaptive feedback control method of FSC display
An adaptive feedback control method of a field sequential color display includes: a rearrangement step of converting gray-scale values of a three primary color field of an input image into gray-scale values of a new three primary color field and a dominated color field; a sampling step of performing a pixel sampling on a resolution of the input image in a sampling interval; a feedback control step of performing a pixel by pixel sum operation for each separated color on a color break-up value and a color value of the input image in a Lu′v′ color space to obtain a color difference sum, and performing a feedback control at a bit precision on the color difference sum; and a liquid crystal/backlight synchronization step of synchronizing a liquid crystal signal and a backlight grayscale value of the input image according to the minimum color difference sum.
US08368613B2 Wireless communication system
An antenna includes a flexible film substrate having a signal element and a ground element. A signal contact is mounted to the flexible film substrate. The signal contact is electrically connected to the signal element by a compression connection and the signal contact includes a wire termination configured to be terminated to a center conductor of a coaxial cable. A ground contact is mounted to the flexible film substrate. The ground contact is electrically connected to the ground element by a compression connection and includes a wire termination configured to be terminated to a cable braid of the coaxial cable.
US08368609B2 Omnidirectional multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antennas with polarization diversity
Exemplary embodiments are provided of omnidirectional MIMO antennas with polarization diversity. In one exemplary embodiment, an omnidirectional MIMO antenna generally includes an array of radiating antenna elements having a linear horizontal polarization and radiating omnidirectionally in azimuth. The antenna also includes at least one radiating antenna element having a linear vertical polarization and radiating omnidirectionally in azimuth. The vertically polarized radiating antenna is spaced-apart from the array. The antenna is operable for producing omnidirectional, vertically polarized coverage for at least one port, as well as omnidirectional, horizontally polarized coverage for at least one other port.
US08368600B2 Dual-band antenna and wireless network device having the same
A dual-band antenna for use in a wireless network device comprises first, second, and third radiators. The first and second radiators are connected by a stand portion. The second radiator is a generally C-shaped plate having a connecting section and a free-end portion. A ground end and an input end are provided at predetermined positions of the connecting section and are respectively and electrically connected to a grounding portion and a control circuit of a substrate. The free-end portion overlaps with the orthogonal projection of the first radiator and is parallel to the first radiator. The third radiator is electrically connected to the second radiator via a conductive post and is parallel to the second radiator. The second and third radiators are provided on the substrate while the first radiator is provided outside the substrate. The first, second, and third radiators are parallel to and spaced apart from one another.
US08368598B2 Multiband antenna
A multiband antenna used for a portable communication device includes a first antenna unit, a second antenna unit, a third antenna unit, and feed member. The first antenna unit, the second antenna unit and the third antenna unit are capable of receiving and/or sending wireless signals. The second antenna unit is connected to the first antenna unit, the third antenna unit is connected to the first antenna unit, and the feed member is electrically connected to the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit. The feed member receives wireless signals and transmits the wireless signals through the first antenna, the second antenna unit and the third antenna unit to generate corresponding current paths, and the first antenna unit is located between the second antenna unit and the third antenna unit to isolate the second antenna unit and the third antenna unit to avoid coupling interference of their resonant frequencies.
US08368591B2 GNSS signal processing methods and apparatus with ambiguity convergence indication
Methods and apparatus are provided for estimating parameters, i.e. ambiguities, derived from GNSS signals. Observations of a GNSS signal from each of a plurality of GNSS satellites are obtained (2120). The observations are fed to a filter having a state vector comprising a float ambiguity for each received frequency of the GNSS signals (2140). The filter estimates a float value for each float ambiguity of the state vector and co-variance values associated with the state vector. Integer values are assigned to at least a subgroup of the estimated float values to define a plurality of integer ambiguity candidate sets (2160). A weighted average of the candidate sets is formed (2200). A formal precision value based on covariance values of the filter is determined (2205), the formal precision value being a measure for an achievable precision. An achieved precision value of the weighted average is determined (2210). The achieved precision value is compared with the formal precision value to obtain a convergence value (2215). A convergence of the determination of the state vector is indicated (2218). Ambiguities of the weighted average can be used in subsequent operations to aid in determining a position of the receiver or can be used to prepare data, e.g., in a network processor that can be used to augment position information of a rover.
US08368564B2 Wireless keyboard having waterproof mechanism
A wireless keyboard having a water proof mechanism includes a signal processing module and a flexible keyboard connected to one side of the signal processing module. The signal processing module includes an upper casing, a lower casing located under the upper casing, a waterproof gasket located between peripheries of the upper casing and the lower casing, and a processing unit received between the upper casing and the lower casing to emit wireless signals to a computer host. The flexible keyboard includes an upper film, a lower film hermetically connected to the upper film, and a plurality of key units electrically connected to the processing unit, wherein one common side of the upper film and the lower film is sandwiched between the upper casing and the lower casing.
US08368563B2 Physical key interface
A physical keyboard interface for controlling a computer device and methodology of use. The interface includes a body having an upper side, a lower side, a left end and a right end, with each of the left and right ends including an ergonomic hand grip. A display is on the upper side of the body and at least four finger keys are adjacent to each ergonomic hand grip on the lower side of the body that are configured for inputting at least alphanumeric characters into a computer device based upon physical interaction with one or more of the finger keys. At least one thumb key located on the upper side of the body adjacent to one of the ergonomic hand grips, and at least one thumb key is utilized as an input for controlling a function of a program executing on a computer device.
US08368561B2 Apparatus and method for simulating a vehicle tracking device in a vehicle
A simulated vehicle tracking device is installed in a conspicuous location in a vehicle. The simulated vehicle tracking device outwardly resembles the appearance of a functional vehicle tracking device, including indicator lights which flash on and off in a pattern to simulate the operation of indicator lights on a functioning vehicle tracking device. An functional vehicle tracking device is installed in an inconspicuous location in the vehicle. A person inclined to disable vehicle tracking will remove or disable the simulated vehicle tracking device instead of the functional vehicle tracking device.
US08368560B2 Automated warning system for waterski boats
There is provided an automated warning system which includes a receiver/controller, an actuator, one or more relays electrically connected to both the receiver and the linear actuator, a flag holder and a mechanical linkage connecting the linear actuator to the flag holder such that movement of the linear actuator causes the flag holder to move between raised and lowered positions.
US08368559B2 Network of traffic behavior-monitoring unattended ground sensors (NeTBUGS)
A Network of Traffic Behavior-monitoring Unattended Ground Sensors (NeTBUGS) is configurable to detect the passing of vehicles, determine when and where individual vehicles have stopped for a period of time that raises suspicion of illegal or dangerous activity, track the vehicles after the stop and to generate a location-tagged alert for the timely dispatch of a response asset to investigate the anomalous behavior of the vehicle. NeTBUGS sensors are small, camouflaged, easily concealed, and operate for long durations independent of the electrical grid or large, obvious power generators and thus well suited for operation in a hostile environment.
US08368557B2 Information device for the adapted presentation of information in a vehicle
Information for a vehicle driver is transmitted to the vehicle by vehicle-to-vehicle or vehicle-to-infrastructure communication and is individually conditioned in the vehicle in line with the respective needs of the driver. The conditioned information is then presented visually and/or audibly.
US08368554B2 System and method for collecting information from utility meters
A method of communicating between a collector meter and back haul device is disclosed. The method provides the collector meter, the collector meter has a local communications means for communicating to a plurality of utility metering devices, the collector meter also has having a short haul communications means. The method further provides the back haul device. The back haul device having the short haul communication means and a wireless telephonic communication means. The method communicates information between the collector meter and the back haul device using the short haul communication means. The method further sends data from the back haul device to a utility receiving center using the wireless telephonic means.
US08368551B2 Scanner for vibration mapping
A method of detecting motion in components that form part of a structure. The method includes flooding a first component with transmitted radio frequency signals and receiving reflected radio frequency signals from the first component with an antenna. The method further includes generating a first set of intermediate frequency signals based on differences between the transmitted radio frequency signals and the reflected radio frequency signals and measuring the first set of intermediate frequency signals. The method further includes flooding a second component with transmitted radio frequency signals and receiving reflected radio frequency signals from the second component with an antenna. The method further includes generating a second set of intermediate frequency signals based on differences between the transmitted radio frequency signals and the additional reflected radio frequency signals and measuring the second set of intermediate frequency.
US08368542B2 EAS tag using tape with conductive element
An electronic article surveillance apparatus for monitoring large objects is comprised of a base, at least one segment of tape, and an electronics housing. The segment of tape has a least one electrically conductive element running the length of the tape. The base rests on an object to be monitored, and the housing releasably latches onto the base, while each tape segment wraps around the object with each end of tape segment being fixed between the base and housing. Electronics within the housing complete a circuit through each tape segment and monitor the tape segments for electrical continuity. If electrical continuity is lost, either by cutting a tape segment, or unauthorized unlatching of the housing, an alarm can be sounded by the electronics within the housing. The electronic housing may be disarmed by a remote device and delatched from the base. Both base and tape segments may have adhesive elements.
US08368540B2 Wireless tracking system and method utilizing near-field communication devices
The present invention provides a method and system to determining a near-field communication interaction in a wireless tracking mesh network. The present invention preferably utilizes near-field communication devices in conjunction with tracking tags to transmit signals for reception by sensors stationed throughout a facility which form a mesh network and forward the signals to an information engine for analysis.
US08368536B2 Merchandise display security devices including anti-theft features
Exemplary embodiments of merchandise display security devices including anti-theft features for preventing theft of an item of merchandise being displayed in a display area of a retail store are shown and described. The security devices provide a dual alarm merchandise security system including an alarm unit attached to the item of merchandise and electrically and mechanically connected to a fixed unit that is attached to a fixed support within the display area. The alarm unit and the fixed unit each include an alarm that is activated by a control circuit upon predetermined alarm conditions. A breakaway cable interconnects the alarm unit and the fixed unit and defines a sense loop therebetween. In one embodiment, the fixed unit is a display stand and the alarm unit is a sensor configured to be removably supported on the display stand.
US08368535B2 Intrusion detector
An intrusion detector comprising a passive sensor for detecting a person entering a space to be monitored, said intrusion detector comprising a housing provided with a window for said passive sensor, optical means for directing electromagnetic radiation from said person onto the passive sensor, alarm means connected to said passive sensor for generating an alarm in case the electromagnetic radiation from said person being detected by the passive sensor corresponds to a signal value that exceeds a maximum level or falls below a minimum level, a special feature being the fact that the optical means are provided with a mirror curved in two directions for forming at least one protective curtain extending in a vertical plane in the space to be monitored, wherein the passive sensor is disposed on the optical axis at the focus of the mirror, and wherein the mirror directs a beam of electromagnetic radiation from the person, rotated through at least 45°, preferably through at least substantially 90°, onto the passive sensor.
US08368525B2 System and method for distinguishing messages
A method, computer program product, and computing system for associating a time indicator with a message. The time indicator may be indicative of an urgency of a particular task associated with the message. The message having the time indicator may be displayed at a computing device. Numerous other variations and embodiments are also included within the scope of the present disclosure.
US08368511B2 Method for monitoring a package, sentinel indicator system and logistics system
There is provided a method for monitoring a package for storage and/or transport of at least one item. An exemplary method comprises receiving at a transmission unit measured data about properties of the item and/or about influences on the item via at least two sensors. The exemplary method also comprises executing via the transmission unit a decision of a logical node of a logistics system about a selection of data transmitted to a receiving unit. The exemplary method additionally comprises sending information about the desired selection of data from a control unit to the transmission unit. Finally, the exemplary method comprises enabling a user to make a selection relating to types of data to be transmitted.
US08368510B2 Biometric authentication and verification
Biometric authentication and verification are described. A method in biometric identification includes establishing a foundational biometric measurement based on a first user input. The method also includes providing a second user input at a biometric terminal, the second user input used by the biometric terminal to determine whether to acknowledge a verifying biometric measurement, in response to receipt of the established foundational biometric measurement and the second user input. The method may also include establishing the foundational biometric measurement, by the user, utilizing biometric equipment. Alternatively, the establishing of the foundational biometric measurement based on first user input is performed by providing the first user input to a biometric kiosk, the biometric kiosk using the first user input to establish the foundational biometric measurement. Advantages of the present invention include the ability to perform more secure biometric transactions.
US08368508B2 Method of keying an identification code into a controlling member and into a function controller
To key an identification code of a controlling member to a code reader of a function controller for controlling a function, each controlling member is fitted with a card reader and is configured to adopt the code on the card as the identification code to be attached as the identification portion of any message imparted into a signal line. In similar fashion, each of the function controllers includes a card reader for reading a card bearing a code and the function controller is configured to adopt the code read from the card as being the identification code sought by the function controller as identifying a message as originating from its associated controlling member.
US08368501B2 Integrated inductors
Multiple-inductor embodiments for use in substrates are provided herein.
US08368499B2 Disc winding
A disc winding of a power transformer or a choke is provided. The disc winding includes a plurality of parallel single strand conductors. The working time for bending the strand conductors of cross-overs is reduced by sharing the winding axially in plurality of sections, and the cross-overs within a section are identical twin cross-overs. The strand conductors are bent in two groups, and a standardized twin transposition cross-over is provided between the sections such that the strand conductors are being bent in two groups. The outermost strand conductor is in the first group, and the remaining strand conductors are in the other group.
US08368476B2 Resonator element, resonator device and electronic device
A resonator element includes: a base portion, a first resonating arm that is extended from the base portion along a first direction, and a second resonating arm that is extended from the base portion along a first direction opposite to the first resonating arm, wherein the first resonating arm and the second resonating arm are arranged such that a base end portion of one side resonating arm and a middle portion of the other side resonating arm are arranged in the second direction orthogonal to the first direction.
US08368475B2 Oscillator circuit
A first capacitor is arranged such that the electric potential at a first terminal is fixed. A first discharging circuit discharges the first capacitor at a timing that corresponds to a cyclic synchronization signal received from an external circuit. A first comparator compares the voltage at a second terminal of the first capacitor with a predetermined threshold voltage, and generate a judgment signal that corresponds to the comparison result. A charging circuit generates a charging current the current value of which is adjusted according to the level of the judgment signal at a timing that corresponds to the synchronization signal, and supplies the charging current thus generated to the first capacitor.
US08368471B2 Resonance power generator
A resonate power generator is provided. The resonate power generator may include a waveform and sequence memory to record a predetermined waveform and a predetermined sequence, a delta-sigma modulator to delta-sigma modulate an output signal of the waveform and sequence memory, and a waveform recovery unit to receive, as an input, an output radio frequency (RF) signal of the delta-sigma modulator, and to convert the input into a waveform in a form of an impulse.
US08368469B2 Silicon-on-insulator high power amplifiers
Illustrative embodiments of a power amplifier are disclosed which include a plurality of amplifier cells, each having an input and an output. The plurality of amplifier cells are formed on a semiconductor substrate such that the outputs of the plurality of amplifier cells are electrically coupled in series. Each of the plurality of amplifier cells may comprise a first transistor that is electrically insulated from the semiconductor substrate and a first feedback resistor configured to dynamically bias the first transistor.
US08368467B2 Cascode amplifier with increased linearity
An amplifier circuit for current amplification. An input stage is adapted to receive an input signal. At least one current multiplication stage is connected to the input stage. The current multiplication stage is adapted to receive a current signal from the input stage and to produce a multiplied output current signal at an output of the amplifier circuit. The current multiplication stage includes at least two current multiplication circuits connected to each other. Each current multiplication circuit is adapted to produce an output current signal essentially equal to the current signal from the input stage, such that the output current signal at an output of the amplifier circuit includes a sum of the current signals received at each current multiplication circuit. A method of improving linearity in an amplification circuit.
US08368463B2 Voltage distribution for controlling CMOS RF switch
Disclosed are voltage distribution device and method for controlling CMOS-based devices for switching radio frequency (RF) signals. In certain RF devices such as mobile phones, providing different amplification modes can yield performance advantages. For example, a capability to transmit at low and high power modes typically results in an extended battery life, since the high power mode can be activated only when needed. Switching between such amplification modes can be facilitated by one or more switches formed in an integrated circuit and configured to route RF signal to different amplification paths. In certain embodiments, such RF switches can be formed as CMOS devices, and can be based on triple-well structures. In certain embodiments, various bias voltages applied to such a CMOS RF switch can be facilitated by a voltage distribution component.
US08368456B2 Fuse circuit with ensured fuse cut status
A fuse circuit includes a fuse information signal generation unit and an output driving unit. The fuse information signal generation unit is configured to precharge a fuse information signal in response to a precharge signal and drive the fuse information signal in response to a selection signal capable of cutting a fuse. The output driving unit configured to equally maintain potentials at both terminals of the fuse in response to a control signal.
US08368455B2 Apparatus and method for automatic control of current electrodes for electrical resistivity survey
An apparatus and method for automatic control of current electrodes in a measuring system for an electrical resistivity survey. An exemplary apparatus includes: a circuit where one pair of metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) are connected to upper and lower terminals of n current electrodes and the one pair of MOSFETs are connected in parallel with each other; and a controller which controls ON/OFF of each MOSFET.With this, the present invention provides a stable and semipermanent apparatus for automatic control of current electrodes, which is capable of bipolar high-speed switching, and a method thereof.
US08368447B1 Delay lock loop circuit
The invention provides a delay lock loop circuit (DLL) for generating a locked signal, the DLL circuit includes: a phase detector, a first and a second voltage controlled delay chains, a charge pump and a duty cycle detection pump. The phase detector generates a phase detecting result by detecting a phase difference between the clock signal and the locked signal. The first and the second voltage controlled delay chains generate a first and a second delayed signals by delaying the clock signal according to the first and the second control signals, respectively. The charge pump is used for generating the first and the second control signal according to the phase detecting result. The duty cycle detection pump is used for controlling a voltage level of the second control signal according to the first and the second delayed signals.
US08368440B2 Phase-locked-loop circuit including digitally-controlled oscillator
A phase-locked-loop (PLL) circuit is provided. The PLL circuit includes a phase/frequency detector, a digital filter, a digital low pass filter (LPF), a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO), and a frequency divider. The digital LPF performs a low-pass-filtering on least significant bits of first digital data in a digital mode and generates filtered second digital data. The DCO performs a digital-to-analog conversion on the second digital data and most significant bits of the first digital data to generate a first signal, generates an oscillation control signal based on the first signal, and generates an output clock signal oscillating in response to the oscillation control signal.
US08368432B2 Interference-tolerant communication circuit
An interference-tolerant transmitter is provided. In accordance with various example embodiments, a transmitter circuit includes a control circuit configured to maintain the sum of current as applied to a load from respective high-side and low-side current sources at a target level (e.g., range). In some applications, clamp circuits are used to clamp current to high and low sides of the load respectively in response to changes at the low-side and high-side of the load.
US08368430B2 Sample and hold circuit and A/D converter apparatus
A sample and hold circuit includes an operational amplifier; a sampling capacitor configured to sample input voltages at a plurality of different timings; an adding/subtracting unit configured to perform an adding or subtracting operation of the input voltages sampled by the sampling capacitor; and an offset voltage removing unit configured to remove an input offset voltage component of the operational amplifier from a voltage obtained by the adding or subtracting operation. The operational amplifier is configured to produce an output by holding the voltage from which the input offset voltage component of the operational amplifier has been removed by the offset voltage removing unit.
US08368427B2 Semiconductor device, driving method thereof and electronic device
The invention provides a semiconductor device having a current input type pixel in which a signal write speed is increased and an effect of variations between adjacent transistors is reduced. When a set operation is performed (write a signal), a source-drain voltage of one of two transistors connected in series becomes quite low, thus the set operation is performed to the other transistor. In an output operation, the two transistors operate as a multi-gate transistor, therefore, a current value in the output operation can be small. In other words, a current in the set operation can be large. Therefore, an effect of intersection capacitance and wiring resistance which are parasitic on a wiring and the like do not affect much, thereby the set operation can be performed rapidly. As one transistor is used in the set operation and the output operation, an effect of variations between adjacent transistors is lessened.
US08368426B2 Low voltage differential signal driving circuit and digital signal transmitter
A low voltage differential signal (LVDS) driving circuit and a digital signal transmitter with the LVDS driving circuit are provided. The LVDS driving circuit includes a positive differential output terminal and a negative differential output terminal and a transition accelerator. A differential output signal is provided by the positive and negative differential output terminals. When the differential output signal transits from low to high, the transition accelerator couples the positive differential output terminal to a high voltage source and couples the negative differential output terminal to a low voltage source. When the differential output signal transits from high to low, the transition accelerator couples the positive differential output terminal to the low voltage source and couples the positive output terminal to the high voltage source.
US08368424B1 Programmable logic device wakeup using a general purpose input/output port
In one embodiment, a programmable logic device such as an FPGA includes a programmable fabric adapted to operate normally and in a sleep mode, and a general purpose input/output port (I/O). The I/O port is adapted to function in conventional fashion during normal operation of the programmable fabric and as a wakeup control port during the sleep mode.
US08368423B2 Heterogeneous computer architecture based on partial reconfiguration
Systems and methods for partial reconfiguration of reconfigurable application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) devices that may employ an interconnection template to allow partial reconfiguration (PR) blocks of an ASIC device to be selectively and dynamically interconnected and/or disconnected in standardized fashion from communication with a packet router within the same ASIC device.
US08368415B2 Multi-position probe circuit tester
A circuit tester having a multi-position probe is provided. The circuit tester includes a handle with a detent assembly that allows for positioning the probe at various angles for testing a device. Once a good connection is made with the device under test, an indicator such as a light is lit or a sound is emanated. The probe may be folded into a compartment within the handle once the testing is completed.
US08368414B2 Method and apparatus for controlling position of Z-axis for wafer prober
An apparatus for controlling the Z axis position of a wafer prober includes a first sensor unit including a plurality of pressure sensors distributed and installed between a Z axis support plate, for supporting a Z axis transferring unit and a Z axis base. Actuators are distributed and installed between the Z axis support plate and the Z axis base, and lift up or lower the Z axis support plate. A driving unit drives the actuators. A control module controls the driving unit to drive the actuators in response to pieces of sensed data. The control module drives the actuators when a difference between the pieces of sensed data is greater than a preset difference limit value, thus enabling the chuck plate to be maintained in a horizontal state.
US08368408B2 Measuring a time period
A time period of an event is determined by charging a known value capacitor from a constant current source during the event. The resultant voltage on the capacitor is proportional to the event time period and may be calculated from the resultant voltage and known capacitance value. Capacitance is measured by charging a capacitor from a constant current source during a known time period. The resultant voltage on the capacitor is proportional to the capacitance thereof and may be calculated from the resultant voltage and known time period. A long time period event may be measured by charging a first capacitor at the start of the event and a second capacitor at the end of the event, while counting clock times therebetween. Delay of an event is done by charging voltages on first and second capacitors at beginning and end of event, while comparing voltages thereon with a reference voltage.
US08368404B2 Discharge amount measuring device and method for rotational electric machine
A discharge amount measuring device includes a power source, first and second sensors, a calibration wire, and a measuring portion. The power source applies a voltage to a coil of a rotational electric machine. The first sensor detects a current flowing through the coil. The calibration wire has an end connected to the coil. The second sensor detects a current flowing through the calibration wire. The measuring portion forms a calibration line based on a first waveform detected by the first sensor and a second waveform detected by the second sensor. The measuring portion calculates a discharge amount based on the calibration line.
US08368403B2 Logging tool having shielded triaxial antennas
The present invention relates to a downhole logging tool having on its tool body a set of co-located antennas, one or more additional antennas spaced longitudinally apart from the set of co-located antennas, an electromagnetically transparent shield circumferentially surrounding the set of co-located antennas, and an electromagnetically transparent shield circumferentially surrounding each of the one or more additional antennas. The downhole logging tool may be a wireline or while-drilling tool, and it may be an induction or propagation tool. The shields may have slots that are locally perpendicular to the windings of underlying coil antennas.
US08368399B2 Mode-scanning excitation magnetic resonance imaging method and system
A method, apparatus and computer-readable medium are provided for generating a specified transmit magnetic field profile in the presence of an object. In particular, further transmitted magnetic field profiles are obtained in the presence of the object, where the further profiles correspond to modes associated with an array of conductive elements. In addition, weighting factors associated with the modes are calculated using the specific profile and further profiles. Further, the specified profile can be generated by applying signals to ports associated with the conductive elements, where the signals are based on the weighting factors.
US08368393B2 Measurement method, sensor arrangement and measurement system
In a measurement method, an array of magnetic field sensors (MS0-MS15) is provided, each emitting a sensor signal as a function of magnetic field intensity. A rotational value of a sector-wise magnetized magnetic source that is arranged movably with respect to the array is ascertained as a function of the emitted sensor signals. A set of sensor values is derived from the sensor signals. As a function of the ascertained rotational value, a number of sets of reference values is ascertained that corresponds to a number of predetermined positions of the magnetic source (MAG). The set of sensor values and the number of sets of reference values are compared to one another, and a position is selected from the number of predetermined positions as a function of the comparison.
US08368390B2 Vertical hall sensor and method for manufacturing a vertical hall sensor
A well (2) doped for a conductivity type and provided as the sensor region is formed in a substrate (1) made of semiconductor material. Contact regions (4), arranged spaced apart from one another and doped for the same conductivity type as the well (2), are formed in a cover layer (3) that delimits the region with the conductivity type of the well. The contact areas (4) are electroconductively connected to the well (2) and provided for terminal contacts (6).
US08368380B2 Devices and methods for electric field sensing
A stand-off sensor assembly is provided. The sensor assembly includes a plurality of electron state definers for generating resonant tunneling current in response to the electric field, wherein the electron state definers include at least one variable characteristic such that a change in the variable characteristic affects the tunneling current, and a monitor for monitoring a change in the tunneling current exiting an electron state definer based on a change in the variable characteristic of the tunneling device.
US08368376B2 Electronic device with power switch capable of regulating power dissipation
An electronic device with a power switch capable of regulating power dissipation includes a power supply device; a power switch, for providing an output voltage; and a current regulating circuit, which includes an adaptive control unit, for outputting a regulating signal, according to the voltage difference between the power supply device and the output voltage; and a switch control unit, for outputting a switch control signal to control the magnitude of the current through the power switch, according to the regulating signal.
US08368365B2 Continuously switching buck-boost control
A buck-boost converter with a switch controller may cause switches A, B, C, and/or D to cyclically close such that switches B and C are closed during at least one interval of each cycle during both the buck and boost modes of operation. The switch controller may in addition or instead cause switches A, B, C, and/or D to cyclically close based on a control signal such that switches A and D are closed during an interval of each cycle and such that these intervals are never both simultaneously modulated by a small change in the control signal during any mode of operation.
US08368360B2 Method and apparatus for regulating a field current for an alternator device
A regulator system for modulating a field current of an alternator device, comprises logic arranged to receive or generate a reference signal comparison logic arranged to compare a received alternator output indication to the reference signal; and generate a field current modulation signal at least partially based on the comparison of the received alternator output indication and the reference signal. The regulator system further comprises logic arranged to receive at least one temperature indication. The regulator system comprises thermal compensation logic arranged to determine whether an indicated temperature exceeds at least a first threshold, and upon determining that the indicated temperature exceeds at least the first threshold, to apply compensation to the reference signal, the amount by which the reference signal is compensated is at least partly dependant on the amount by which the indicated temperature exceeds the first threshold.
US08368353B2 Secondary battery device and vehicle
According to one embodiment, the power supply management portion includes a timer configured to output an ON signal every time set by the control circuit, an OR circuit configured to receive supply of an output signal from the timer, an external signal supplied from outside, and a switch control signal output from the control circuit, and a switch circuit configured to switch output of the power source voltage from an external power source according to an output signal from the OR circuit, and the control circuit turns on a switch control signal after confirming which of the output signal from the timer or the external signal has turned on the switch circuit and turns off the switch control signal when both of the output signal from the timer and the signal supplied from outside are turned off.
US08368350B2 Control system, control device and cable connection state determining method
A vehicle-side connector included at one end of a cable through which a power source outside a vehicle feeds a power storage device, includes a signal pin, a resistive element R2 connected to the signal pin at one end, a switch connected in series to the resistive element R2 at one end and grounded at the other end, and a resistive element R3 connected in parallel to the switch. The switch changes from an ON state to an OFF state upon depression of a depression portion located on the vehicle-side connector. The vehicle includes a resistive element R4 whose one end is connectable to the signal pin and other end is grounded and a control device which determines a state of connection of the cable on the basis of a signal voltage value input from a signal line electrically connected to the signal pin.
US08368349B2 Transmission line directional awareness for a charging station
Coupling a charging station to a power line segment that is terminated at a first end by a charging terminal includes: sensing a communication signal propagating on the power line and being coupled from multiple taps connected to the power line segment, and determining if the communication signal is propagating on the power line segment in the direction from the first end to a second end of the power line segment or in the direction from the second end to the first end.
US08368343B2 Motor control device
A motor control device of the present invention includes: target electric current value setting units (15 and 16) that set target electric current values that should be supplied to a motor (1), basic voltage value computing units (511, 521, 51a, and 52a) that compute basic voltage values for driving the motor, a rotation angle speed computing unit (23) that computes a rotation angle speed of the motor, correction value computing units (50, 512, 515, 516, 522, 525, and 526) that compute correction values for correcting the basic voltage values based on motor electric current values and a rotation angle speed of the motor, correcting units (513 and 523) that obtain voltage command values by correcting the basic voltage values by the correction values computed by the correction value computing units, and a driving unit (13) that drives the motor by using voltage command values. The correction value computing units include correction value smoothing units (50, 515, 516, 525, and 526) for obtaining smoothed correction values.
US08368340B2 Methods, systems, and devices for a motor control system
Systems, devices, and methods for controlling a motor are disclosed. A method may include determining a rotational direction of a motor from a pair of quadrature signals sent to a microprocessor. The method further includes adjusting an internal count stored in the microprocessor at each edge of each of the pair of quadrature signals. The method further includes adjusting an external count stored in the microprocessor and transmitting an interrupt to a main controller after the first phase signal and the second phase signal have transitioned through each combinational logic state in one of a forward rotational direction and a reverse rotational direction. The method further includes transmitting a signal comprising the rotational direction of the motor and the external count from the microprocessor to a main controller.
US08368336B2 Vehicle system for controlling motor torque
A vehicle having a vehicle system is provided with a motor having a housing and a stator. The motor is configured to provide motor torque for vehicle propulsion. The vehicle system is also provided with at least one controller that is configured to receive input indicative of at least one of the housing temperature and the stator temperature, and control the motor torque based on a comparison of the input to predetermined thermal data.
US08368324B2 Driving apparatus and method for adjusting drive voltage
A driving apparatus includes a voltage transforming unit and a detector. The driving apparatus is used for supplying a drive voltage to a load. The voltage transforming unit is used for transforming a direct current (DC) voltage to the drive voltage. The detector is connected to the load for detecting a forward voltage across the load to generate a detecting voltage; wherein the detector compares the detecting voltage with a first reference voltage. If the detecting voltage is smaller than the first reference voltage, the detector generates a first feedback signal; the voltage transforming unit increases the drive voltage according to the first feedback signal, the detecting voltage is defined by subtraction of the forward voltage from the drive voltage.
US08368322B2 Driving circuit for LED lamp
A driving circuit for an LED lamp including no more than 4 strings each having an input and an output terminals outputs a DC voltage of no more than 70V to the input terminals. The driving circuit includes constant current circuits each coupled between the output terminal of a corresponding string and ground. An on-off control signal controls whether the constant current circuits work to control whether the LED lamp works. A dimming control signal controls a duty cycle of working of to the constant current circuits to control a brightness of the LED lamp. The driving circuit further includes an overvoltage protection circuit and a switch. When a voltage at one input terminal is too high or a short circuit occurs in one string, the overvoltage protection circuit outputs an overvoltage control signal and accordingly the switch forces the on-off control signal to control the constant current circuits not to work.
US08368321B2 Power management unit with rules-based power consumption management
In embodiments of the present invention, a method and system is provided for designing improved intelligent, LED-based lighting systems. The LED based lighting systems may include fixtures with one or more of rotatable LED light bars, integrated sensors, onboard intelligence to receive signals from the LED light bars and control the LED light bars, and a mesh network connectivity to other fixtures.
US08368318B2 Pocket tool with a light pointer
The invention relates to a compact light module (1), that is eye-safe as far as possible, comprising an electrical power source (2), a voltage converter (3) and a radiation source for electromagnetic radiation (4), wherein a power limiter (5) is provided for controlling the emitted electromagnetic radiation. The invention also relates to a pocket tool, in particular a pocket knife (26) or board-like tool card (31) with a light module (32) for emitting electromagnetic radiation which is arranged in the housing (27) and can be operated by means of an activating element (30), whereby the light module (32) is designed to emit monochromatic electromagnetic radiation with limited radiation output.
US08368292B2 Glare-free LED lamp module
A glare-free light emitting diode (LED) lamp module includes a heat sink, an LED light source and an LED cover. Multiple rows of threads are integrally formed on a circumferential outer surface of the heat sink for the purposes of mounting and heat dissipation. In one embodiment, a mounting portion is provided on and integrally formed with the heat sink. The LED light source is mounted on the mounting portion. The LED cover is attached to the mounting portion. In another embodiment, a mounting hole is defined through the heat sink for receiving and mounting an LED lamp core and an LED lamp socket therein. The LED cover is attached to the LED lamp core. The LED lamp module can be used to replace the bulb of an incandescent lamp, while the other parts of the incandescent lamp can be retained for continuing use.
US08368285B2 Electrochemical actuators
Devices and methods for providing electrochemical actuation are described herein. In one embodiment, an actuator device includes an electrochemical cell including a negative electrode and a positive electrode At least a portion of the negative electrode is formed with a material formulated to at least one of intercalate, de-intercalate, alloy with, oxidize, reduce, or plate with a first portion of the positive electrode to an extent different than with a second portion of the positive electrode such that a differential strain is imparted between the first portion and the second portion of the positive electrode and such that at least a portion of the electrochemical cell is displaced. The electrochemical cell includes a portion that is pre-bent along an axis of the electrochemical cell to define a fold axis and the displacement of the at least a portion of the electrochemical cell is maximized along the fold axis.
US08368283B2 Stator for BLDG motor BLDC motor having double rotors/ single stator and vehicle cooler using the same
Provided are a stator for a brushless direct-current (BLDC) motor, a BLDC motor having a double-rotor/single-stator structure, and a vehicle cooler using the same, which uses a printed circuit board for an assembly that automatically sets an assembly position of stator core assemblies, to thereby secure waterproof, light-weight, and high power features. The stator includes a holder, a boss which has built-in bearings in order to support a rotational axis, and which enables the rotational axis to be rotated, a number of stator core assemblies which respectively enclose bobbins having inner and outer flanges at the inner and outer sides of a number of division type stator cores and in which coils are wound around the bobbins, and a printed circuit board for an assembly in which each stator core assembly is automatically position-set and then assembled and both end portions of the coil are mutually connected by each phase of U, V and W. After each stator core assembly has been temporarily assembled on the assembly PCB, the stator core assembly is insert molded using thermosetting resin to thereby integrally form the holder and the boss in the stator.
US08368279B2 Commutator for an electrical machine, and electrical machine
The invention relates to a commutator for an electrical machine, having a commutator body on the outer circumference of which a plurality of electrically conductive, elongated laminations are disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the commutator. The laminations disposed adjacent to one another are electrically insulated from one another. The ends of the laminations, oriented toward the wire windings of an armature, are each electrically conductively connected to at least one wire end. According to the invention, it is provided that the ends of the laminations end, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the commutator, in planes offset from one another.
US08368277B2 Die cast rotor with steel end rings to contain aluminum
A rotor for an electrical inductor motor or an induction generator includes a core having spaces formed in the core. The rotor also has a first end ring. The first end ring has a first hub portion. A first ring is connected to the first hub portion by first spokes. The rotor also has a second end ring. The second end ring has a second hub portion. A second ring is connected to the second hub portion by second spokes. The first end ring is secured to the core. The second end ring is rotated a predetermined amount so the first spokes are misaligned with the second spokes. The second end ring is connected to the first end ring and the core. The core, the first end ring and the second end ring form a substrate. An aluminum conductor is cast to the substrate. The aluminum conductor fills in the spaces and around the first and second spokes to form a cast rotor.
US08368269B2 Rotary motor
The present invention relates to rotary motors in which the rotational motion of the motor is provided by the attractive (or repulsive) forces between a pair of cooperating magnets in response to tilting of the motor axle.
US08368265B2 Electric motor having heat pipes
An electric motor includes a rotor unit disposed rotatably in a motor housing. The rotor unit includes a rotor shaft rotatable relative to the motor housing about a central axis of the motor housing, a heat conductive seat mounted with a magnet member and in sleeved relationship to an intermediate portion of the rotor shaft, and angularly spaced apart heat pipes extending through an end portion of the rotor shaft thicker than the intermediate portion and into the seat. Each heat pipe has an end portion disposed outward of the rotor shaft, and extending into and in thermal contact with a heat conductive impeller connected to the second end portion of the rotor shaft to co-rotate with the rotor shaft and covered by an outer shell cap. A stator unit is mounted fixedly in and is in thermal contact with the motor housing, and is disposed around the rotor unit.
US08368262B2 Motor
The present invention provides a motor (M) including a case (1) storing an armature (3) having a winding wire (2) wound thereon on the inner circumferential side, in which the case (1) includes an opening part (1a) for inserting a terminal (5) for connecting the winding wire (2) to an external power source, and the terminal (5) is integrated into a resin for forming a cap (6) for air-tightly closing the opening part (1a) by insert molding, with one end (5a) of the terminal (5) being protruded into the case (1) and the other end (5b) of the terminal (5) being protruded out of the case (1).
US08368251B2 Image forming apparatus, image forming method in image forming apparatus, and computer program product
There is provided an image forming apparatus includes: a first electric-power supply path, through which electric power is supplied from a commercial electric power supply to the apparatus when the first electric-power supply path is in closed state; a second electric-power supply path, through which electric power is supplied from the commercial electric power supply to the apparatus when, at least, a detecting unit has detected that the first electric-power supply path is in the open state; and a plurality of drive-voltage generating units, each of which converts a voltage fed from the electric power supply through any one of the first electric-power supply path and the second electric-power supply path into a predetermined drive voltage; a plurality of systems, to each of which the drive voltage converted by a corresponding one drive-voltage generating unit of the drive-voltage generating units is fed.
US08368249B2 Power supply unit provided with AC/DC input voltage detection and power supply system incorporating same
Disclosed is a power supply unit provided with AC/DC voltage detection and a power supply system incorporating such power supply unit. The power control unit of the power supply unit can manipulate the first stage power circuit and the bypass switch thereof according to the form and magnitude of the first voltage which is inputted to the power supply unit in order to boost the overall operating efficiency. When the inventive power supply unit is applied to a high-level DC power supply system, the problem that the power supply unit can not output a rated output voltage due to an insufficient DC first voltage can be avoided.
US08368237B2 Starter device
A starter device for cranking internal combustion engines, that has a terminal for starter control, having an electric starter motor, there being an electric supply line from a plus terminal of the starter device to the plus terminal of the starter motor, and the starter motor having an electrical ground return line at a minus terminal of the starter device, in which the ground return line is interrupted by a switch in the case of an electrical potential-free terminal for the starter control.
US08368234B2 Semiconductor device, production method for the same, and substrate
A semiconductor device is provided in which a semiconductor chip is bonded to a substrate with a sufficiently increased bonding strength and cracking is assuredly prevented which may otherwise occur due to heat shock, heat cycle and the like. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip and a substrate having a bonding area to which the semiconductor chip is bonded via a metal layer. The metal layer includes an Au—Sn—Ni alloy layer and a solder layer provided on the Au—Sn—Ni alloy layer. Undulations are formed in an interface between the Au—Sn—Ni alloy layer and the solder layer.
US08368221B2 Hybrid contact structure with low aspect ratio contacts in a semiconductor device
By forming the first metallization layer of a semiconductor device as a dual damascene structure, the contact elements may be formed on the basis of a significantly reduced aspect ratio, thereby enhancing process robustness and also improving electrical performance of the contact structure.
US08368216B2 Semiconductor package
The present invention relates to a semiconductor package having at least one first layer chip, a plurality of first metal bumps, at least one second layer chip and a package body. The first layer chip includes a first active surface upon which the first metal bumps are disposed and a plurality of first signal coupling pads disposed adjacent to the first active surface. The second layer chip is electrically connected to the first layer chip, and includes a second active surface that faces the first active surface and a plurality of second signal coupling pads. The second signal coupling pads are capacitively coupled to the first signal coupling pads so as to provide proximity communication between the first layer chip and the second layer chip. The package body encapsulates the first layer chip, the first metal bumps, and the second layer chip, and the first metal bumps are partially exposed.
US08368214B2 Alpha shielding techniques and configurations
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus including a semiconductor die having a plurality of integrated circuit devices, a pad structure electrically coupled to at least one integrated circuit device of the plurality of integrated circuit devices via an interconnect layer, an electrically insulative layer disposed on the interconnect layer, a first shielding structure disposed in the electrically insulative layer and electrically coupled to the pad structure, an under-ball metallization (UBM) structure electrically coupled to the first shielding structure, and a solder bump electrically coupled to the UBM structure, the solder bump comprising a solder bump material capable of emitting alpha particles, wherein the first shielding structure is positioned between the solder bump and the plurality of integrated circuit devices to shield the plurality of integrated circuit devices from the alpha particles. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
US08368206B2 Heat radiation package and semiconductor device
A heat radiation package of the present invention includes a substrate in an upper surface side of which recess portion is provided, embedded wiring portion which is filled in the recess portion of the substrate and on which semiconductor element which generates a heat is mounted, and a heat sink connected to a lower surface side of the substrate. The substrate is made of silicon, ceramics, or insulating resin.
US08368203B2 Heat radiation member for a semiconductor package with a power element and a control circuit
A semiconductor package includes a metal plate, a power element, a lead frame having a die pad, a resin sheet having insulation properties, a control circuit that controls the power element, and a mold resin. The power element is mounted on the die pad, and the die pad is mounted on the metal plate via the resin sheet. The resin sheet is expanded including at least a lower surface of the die pad while the lower surface of the resin sheet is smaller than an surface of the metal plate, and the control circuit is arranged in a region on the metal plate, which region is other than the region where the power element is arranged.
US08368201B2 Method for embedding a component in a base
A method, in which the semiconductor components forming part of an electronic circuit, or at least some of them, are embedded in a base, such as a circuit board, during the manufacture of the base, when part of the base structure is, as it were, manufactured around the semiconductor components. Through-holes for the semiconductor components are made in the base, in such a way that the holes extend between the first and second surface of the base. After the making of the holes, a polymer film is spread over the second surface of the base structure, in such a way that the polymer film also covers the through-holes made for the semiconductor components from the side of the second surface of the base structure. Before the hardening, or after the partial hardening of the polymer film, the semiconductor components are placed in the holes made in the base, from the direction of the first surface of the base. The semiconductor components are pressed against the polymer film in such a way that they adhere to the polymer film.
US08368199B2 Integrated circuit package system for stackable devices and method for manufacturing thereof
A method for manufacturing an integrated circuit package system includes: forming a stack module including: providing a stack die and encapsulating the stack die with an insulating material having a protruding support and a pad connected to the stack die; mounting the stack module on a package base; connecting the pad to the package base; mounting a top die on the protruding support; connecting the top die to the package base; and encapsulating the top die, the package base, and the stack module with a package encapsulant.
US08368196B2 Micro device having a movable structure
The micro device includes a support substrate, and a movable structure configured to move with respect to the support substrate. At least one of the support substrate and the movable structure is provided with at least one protrusion protruding towards the other of the support substrate and the movable structure. Further, a base portion extending into the one of the support substrate and the movable structure is provided integrally with the at least one protrusion. With this configuration, the protrusion is securely held by the base portion, and the detachment of the protrusion can therefore be prevented even after repeated collisions between the support substrate and the movable structure via the protrusion.
US08368174B1 Compensation network using an on-die compensation inductor
An integrated circuit with an on-die compensation network is presented. The compensation network includes a compensation inductor that has one terminal coupled to a bump pad of the die. Another terminal of the inductor is connected to a metal layer underneath the compensation inductor, forming a pi-configuration with the bump pad. The metal layer routes input and output signals from the integrated circuit. The invention can be used in either flip chip or wire bond applications.
US08368171B2 Methods of forming electromigration and thermal gradient based fuse structures
Methods of forming a microelectronic structure are described. Embodiments of those methods include forming a metallic fuse structure by forming at least one via on a first interconnect structure, lining the at least one via with a barrier layer, and then forming a second interconnect structure on the at least one via.
US08368170B2 Reducing device performance drift caused by large spacings between active regions
A method of forming an integrated circuit structure includes providing a semiconductor substrate; and forming a first and a second MOS device. The first MOS device includes a first active region in the semiconductor substrate; and a first gate over the first active region. The second MOS device includes a second active region in the semiconductor substrate; and a second gate over the second active region. The method further include forming a dielectric region between the first and the second active regions, wherein the dielectric region has an inherent stress; and implanting the dielectric region to form a stress-released region in the dielectric region, wherein source and drain regions of the first and the second MOS devices are not implanted during the step of implanting.
US08368169B2 Semiconductor device having a device isolation structure
An example semiconductor device includes a trench formed in a semiconductor substrate to define an active region, a filling dielectric layer provided within the trench, an oxide layer provided between the filling dielectric layer and the trench, a nitride layer provided between the oxide layer and the filling dielectric layer, and a barrier layer provided between the oxide layer and the nitride layer.
US08368167B1 Schottky diode with extended forward current capability
The embodiments of the present invention disclose a semiconductor device and a method for forming the semiconductor device. Wherein the semiconductor comprises: a first semiconductor layer, having a first conductivity type on a semiconductor substrate, a guard ring region, formed in the surface of the first semiconductor layer, having a second conductivity type; a Schottky diode metal contact, coupled to the first semiconductor layer, wherein the guard ring region is at periphery of the Schottky diode interface, and wherein the Schottky diode metal contact has no direct electrical connection with the guard ring region; and an electrical resistance module, coupled between the Schottky diode metal contact and the guard ring. Due to the ballasting effect from the electrical resistance module, the minority injection or the parasitic transistor action are alleviated. Thus, forward current capability is extended without introducing significant minority injection.
US08368166B2 Junction barrier Schottky diode
A junction barrier Schottky diode has N-type well having a surface and first peak impurity concentration; P-type anode region in surface of the well having second peak impurity concentration; N-type cathode contact region in surface of the well and laterally spaced from a first wall of the anode region having third peak impurity concentration; and first N-type region in surface of the well and laterally spaced from second wall of the anode region having fourth impurity concentration. Center of the spaced region between the first N-type region and the second wall of the anode region has fifth peak impurity concentration. Ohmic contact is made to the anode region and cathode contact region. Schottky contact is made to the first N-type region. First and fifth peak impurity concentrations are less than the fourth peak impurity concentration. The fourth peak impurity concentration is less than the second and third peak impurity concentrations.
US08368158B2 Image sensor having wave guide and method for manufacturing the same
An image sensor having a wave guide includes a semiconductor substrate formed with a photodiode and a peripheral circuit region; an anti-reflective layer formed on the semiconductor substrate; an insulation layer formed on the anti-reflective layer; a wiring layer formed on the insulation layer and connected to the semiconductor substrate; at least one interlayer dielectric stacked on the wiring layer; and a wave guide connected to the insulation layer by passing through the interlayer dielectric and the wiring layer which are formed over the photodiode.
US08368151B2 Semiconductor device
When MOS transistors having a plurality of threshold voltages in which a source and a drain form a symmetrical structure are mounted on the same substrate, electrically-symmetrical characteristics is provided with respect to an exchange of the source and the drain in each MOS transistor. A MOS transistor having a large threshold voltage is provided with a halo diffusion region, and halo implantation is not performed on a MOS transistor having a small threshold voltage.
US08368149B2 Semidonductor device having stressed metal gate and methods of manufacturing same
The present disclosure provides various embodiments of a semiconductor device and method of fabricating the semiconductor device. An exemplary semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate and a gate stack disposed over the semiconductor substrate. The gate stack includes a gate dielectric layer disposed over the semiconductor substrate and a tuned, stressed metal gate layer disposed over the gate dielectric layer. The tuned, stressed metal gate layer includes a stress that distributes strain differently to portions of the semiconductor substrate having different surface characteristics. In an example, the gate stack is disposed over a portion of a fin of the semiconductor substrate, and the fin has a varying thickness, providing a fin with a roughened surface. The tuned, stressed metal gate layer includes a stress that distributes strain differently to portions of the fin having different thicknesses.
US08368148B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device according to an aspect of the invention comprises an n-type FinFET which is provided on a semiconductor substrate and which includes a first fin, a first gate electrode crossing a channel region of the first fin via a gate insulating film in three dimensions, and contact regions provided at both end of the first fin, a p-type FinFET which is provided on the semiconductor substrate and which includes a second fin, a second gate electrode crossing a channel region of the second fin via a gate insulating film in three dimensions, and contact regions provided at both end of the second fin, wherein the n- and the p-type FinFET constitute an inverter circuit, and the fin width of the contact region of the p-type FinFET is greater than the fin width of the channel region of the n-type FinFET.
US08368144B2 Isolated multigate FET circuit blocks with different ground potentials
An electronic circuit on a semiconductor substrate having isolated multiple gate field effect transistor circuit blocks is disclosed. In some embodiments, an electronic circuit has a substrate having a buried oxide insulating region. A MuGFET device may be formed above the buried oxide region and coupled to a first source of reference potential. A semiconductor device may be formed above the substrate and coupled to a second source of reference potential. A coupling network may be formed to couple the MuGFET device to the semiconductor device.
US08368139B2 Semiconductor device comprising transistor structures and methods for forming same
A method for forming an opening within a semiconductor material comprises forming a neck portion, a rounded portion below the neck portion and, in some embodiments, a protruding portion below the rounded portion. This opening may be filled with a conductor, a dielectric, or both. Embodiments to form a transistor gate, shallow trench isolation, and an isolation material separating a transistor source and drain are disclosed. Device structures formed by the method are also described.
US08368136B2 Integrating a capacitor in a metal gate last process
A semiconductor device is provided which includes a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region, transistors having metal gates formed in the first region, and at least one capacitor formed in the second region. The capacitor includes a top electrode having at least one stopping structure formed in the top electrode, the at least one stopping structure being of a different material from the top electrode, a bottom electrode, and a dielectric layer interposed between the top electrode and the bottom electrode.
US08368132B2 Ferroelectric memory and manufacturing method thereof
Provided is a ferroelectric memory including a silicon substrate, a transistor formed on the silicon substrate, and a ferroelectric capacitor formed above the transistor. The ferroelectric capacitor includes a lower electrode, a ferroelectric film formed on the lower electrode, an upper electrode formed on the ferroelectric film, and a metal film formed on the upper electrode.
US08368130B2 Method and device to reduce dark current in image sensors
A method to fabricate an image sensor includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a pixel area and a logic area, forming a light sensing element in the pixel area, and forming a first transistor in the pixel area and a second transistor in the logic area. The step of forming the first transistor in the pixel area and the second transistor in the logic area includes performing a first implant process in the pixel area and the logic area, performing a second implant process in the pixel area and the logic area, and performing a third implant process only in the logic area.
US08368127B2 Method of fabricating a silicon tunneling field effect transistor (TFET) with high drive current
A method (and semiconductor device) of fabricating a TFET device provides a source region having at least a portion thereof positioned underneath a gate dielectric. In one embodiment, the TFET includes an N+ drain region and a P+ source region in a silicon substrate, where the N+ drain region is silicon and the P+ source region is silicon germanium (SiGe). The source region includes a first region of a first type (e.g., P+ SiGe) and a second region of a second type (undoped SiGe), where at least a portion of the source region is positioned below the gate dielectric. This structure decreases the tunneling barrier width and increases drive current (Id).
US08368125B2 Multiple orientation nanowires with gate stack stressors
An electronic device includes a conductive channel defining a crystal structure and having a length and a thickness tC; and a dielectric film of thickness tg in contact with a surface of the channel. Further, the film comprises a material that exerts one of a compressive or a tensile force on the contacted surface of the channel such that electrical mobility of the charge carriers (electrons or holes) along the channel length is increased due to the compressive or tensile force in dependence on alignment of the channel length relative to the crystal structure. Embodiments are given for chips with both hole and electron mobility increased in different transistors, and a method for making such a transistor or chip.
US08368122B2 Multiple-junction photoelectric device
A multiple-junction photoelectric device includes a substrate with a first conducting layer thereon, at least two elementary photoelectric devices of p-i-n or p-n configuration, with a second conducting layer thereon, and at least one intermediate layer between two adjacent elementary photoelectric devices. The intermediate layer has, on the incoming light side, opposite top and bottom faces, the top and bottom faces having respectively a surface morphology including inclined elementary surfaces so α90bottom is smaller than α90top by at least 3°, preferably 6°, more preferably 10°, and even more preferably 15°; where α90top is the angle for which 90% of the elementary surfaces of the top face of the intermediate layer have an inclination equal to or less than this angle, and α90bottom is the angle for which 90% of the elementary surfaces of the bottom face of the intermediate layer have an inclination equal to or less than this angle.
US08368114B2 Flip chip LED die and array thereof
A flip chip LED die is provided and includes a first type doped layer, a second type doped layer, a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer and an insulation layer. The second type doped layer is disposed under the first type doped layer. The first electrode layer is disposed under the first type doped layer without contacting the second type doped layer. The first electrode layer has an exposed area for directly coating an electrically conductive adhesive thereon. The second metal/electrode layer is disposed under the second type doped layer, and also has an exposed area for directly coating the electrically conductive adhesive thereon. The insulation layer is disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer for electrically insulating and supporting the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer.
US08368107B2 Light emitting device, method of manufacturing the same, and light emitting device package
A light emitting device according to the embodiment includes a conductive support member having a step portion at an outer peripheral region thereof, a protective member for filling the step portion formed at the outer peripheral region of the conductive support member, a reflective layer over the conductive support member, and a light emitting structure over the reflective layer and the protective member.
US08368104B2 Light emitting device
According to one embodiment, a light emitting device includes a semiconductor light emitting element to emit a first light, a mounting member, first and second wavelength conversion layers and a transparent layer. The first wavelength conversion layer is provided between the element and the mounting member in contact with the mounting member. The first wavelength conversion layer absorbs the first light and emits a second light having a wavelength longer than a wavelength of the first light. The semiconductor light emitting element is disposed between the second wavelength conversion layer and the first wavelength conversion layer. The second wavelength conversion layer absorbs the first light and emits a third light having a wavelength longer than the wavelength of the first light. The transparent layer is provided between the element and the second wavelength conversion layer. The transparent layer is transparent to the first, second, and third lights.
US08368103B2 Compound semiconductor light-emitting element and method of manufacturing the same, conductive translucent electrode for compound semiconductor light-emitting element, lamp, electronic device, and mechanical apparatus
The invention provides a compound semiconductor light-emitting element including: a substrate on which an n-type semiconductor layer (12), a light-emitting layer (13), and a p-type semiconductor layer (14) that are made of a compound semiconductor are stacked in this order; a positive electrode (15) made of a conductive translucent electrode; and a negative electrode (17) made of a conductive electrode, wherein the conductive translucent electrode of the positive electrode (15) is a transparent conductive film containing crystals composed of In2O3 having a hexagonal crystal structure.
US08368100B2 Semiconductor light emitting diodes having reflective structures and methods of fabricating same
Light emitting diodes include a diode region having first and second opposing faces that include therein an n-type layer and a p-type layer, an anode contact that ohmically contacts the p-type layer and extends on the first face, and a cathode contact that ohmically contacts the n-type layer and also extends on the first face. The anode contact and/or the cathode contact may further provide a hybrid reflective structure on the first face that is configured to reflect substantially all light that emerges from the first face back into the first face. Related fabrication methods are also described.
US08368092B2 Thin film LED comprising a current-dispersing structure
A thin-film LED comprising an active layer (7) made of a nitride compound semiconductor, which emits electromagnetic radiation (19) in a main radiation direction (15). A current expansion layer (9) is disposed downstream of the active layer (7) in the main radiation direction (15) and is made of a first nitride compound semiconductor material. The radiation emitted in the main radiation direction (15) is coupled out through a main area (14), and a first contact layer (11, 12, 13) is arranged on the main area (14). The transverse conductivity of the current expansion layer (9) is increased by formation of a two-dimensional electron gas or hole gas. The two-dimensional electron gas or hole gas is advantageously formed by embedding at least one layer (10) made of a second nitride compound semiconductor material in the current expansion layer (9).
US08368088B2 Light-emitting device and method manufacturing the same
A light-emitting device and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The light-emitting device comprises a substrate, a light-emitting element and a light-electricity-transforming element. The substrate has a first region and a second region which are non-overlapping. The light-emitting element is disposed over the substrate and located in the second region. The light-electricity-transforming element is disposed over the substrate and located in the first region. At least a portion of a side wall of the light-electricity-transforming element corresponds to at least a portion of a side wall of the light-emitting element, so that at least a side light from the light-emitting element is received and transformed into an electricity power by the light-electricity-transforming device.
US08368085B2 Semiconductor package
A semiconductor package includes at least four lead frames each having an extending portion and a connecting portion, a heat dissipation plate having a top surface and a bottom surface, at least one semiconductor chip positioned on the top surface of the heat dissipation plate. At least one conductive wire electrically connects the chip to the lead frames. An encapsulation covers the lead frames, the heat dissipation plate, the semiconductor chip, and the conductive wires, while the bottom surface of the heat dissipation plate and the extending portions of the lead frames are exposed.
US08368081B2 Metal thin film connection structure, manufacturing method thereof and array substrate
Embodiments of the invention relates to a metal thin film connection structure, comprising a first metal layer pattern; a second metal layer pattern which is separately disposed with the first metal layer pattern; a first insulating layer formed on the first metal layer pattern and the second metal layer pattern; a plurality of first via holes formed over the first metal layer pattern; a plurality of second via holes formed over the second metal layer pattern; and a plurality of third metal layer patterns formed on the first insulating layer, the third metal layer patterns being filled in the first via holes and the second via holes and electrically connect the first metal layer pattern and the second metal layer pattern through the first and second via holes. The embodiments of the invention also provide an array substrate comprising the metal thin film connection structure and a manufacturing method for the metal thin film connection structure.
US08368078B2 Thin film transistor array substrate and manufacturing method thereof
A thin film transistor array substrate is disclosed. The thin film transistor array substrate includes: gate lines and data lines formed to cross each other in the center of a gate insulation film on a substrate and to define pixel regions; a thin film transistor formed at each intersection of the gate and data lines; a passivation film formed on the thin film transistors; a pixel electrode formed on each of the pixel regions and connected to the thin film transistor through the passivation film; a gate pad connected to each of the gate lines through a gate linker; and a data pad connected to each of the data lines through a data linker. The data pad is formed of a gate pattern, and the data line is formed of a data pattern. The data linker is configured to connect the data pad formed of the gate pattern with the data line formed of the data pattern using a connection wiring. Also, the data linker includes the gate pattern connected to the data pad, the data pattern formed opposite to the gate pattern in the center of the gate insulation film, and the connection wiring configured to connect the gate pattern with the data pattern through a first contact hole which exposes the data pattern and the gate pattern by penetrating through the passivation film and the gate insulation film.
US08368074B2 Display substrate
A display substrate includes a substrate, a pixel electrode and a dummy pattern part. The substrate includes a display area and a peripheral area surrounding the display area. The pixel electrode is disposed in the display area and electrically connected to gate and data lines. The dummy pattern part is disposed in the peripheral area and includes a plurality of first dummy electrodes connected to each other in a network form through connection electrodes and a plurality of second dummy electrodes respectively disposed over the first dummy electrodes.
US08368069B2 Antifuse structure for in line circuit modification
An antifuse structure and methods of forming contacts within the antifuse structure. The antifuse structure includes a substrate having an overlying metal layer, a dielectric layer formed on an upper surface of the metal layer, and a contact formed of contact material within a contact via etched through the dielectric layer into the metal layer. The contact via includes a metal material at a bottom surface of the contact via and an untreated or partially treated metal precursor on top of the metal material.
US08368067B2 Oxide semiconductor device with oxide semiconductor layers of different oxygen concentrations and method of manufacturing the same
A phenomenon of change of a contact resistance between an oxide semiconductor and a metal depending on an oxygen content ratio in introduced gas upon depositing an oxide semiconductor film made of indium gallium zinc oxide, zinc tin oxide, or others in an oxide semiconductor thin-film transistor. A contact layer is formed with an oxygen content ratio of 10% or higher in a region from a surface, where the metal and the oxide semiconductor are contacted, down to at least 3 nm deep in depth direction, and a region to be a main channel layer is further formed with an oxygen content ratio of 10% or lower, so that a multilayered structure is formed, and both of ohmic characteristics to the electrode metal and reliability such as the suppression of threshold potential shift are achieved.
US08368064B2 Glass for scattering layer of organic LED device and organic LED device
A glass to be used in a scattering layer of an organic LED element, and an organic LED element using the scattering layer are provided. The organic LED element of the present invention includes, a transparent substrate, a first electrode provided on the transparent electrode, an organic layer provided on the first electrode, and a second electrode provided on the organic layer, and further includes a scattering layer including, in terms of mol % on the basis of oxides, 15 to 30% of P2O5, 5 to 25% of Bi2O3, 5 to 27% of Nb2O5, and 10 to 35% of ZnO and having a total content of alkali metal oxides including Li2O, Na2O and K2O of 5% by mass or less.
US08368061B2 Organic light-emitting diode employing mixed host and method for fabricating the same
A method for fabricating an organic light-emitting diode employing a mixed host is disclosed, which comprises the following steps: (A) providing a substrate with a first electrode formed thereon; (B) coating a mold with a light-emitting layer material, wherein the light-emitting layer material comprises: a mixed host, and dye molecule(s) (or dye-function-group-composing materials) etc.; (C) pressing the mold coated with the light-emitting layer material onto the substrate to transfer the light-emitting layer material to the first electrode of the substrate, to form a light-emitting layer; and (D) forming a second electrode over the light-emitting layer. The mixed host consists of host-function molecule(s) and auxiliary additives. In addition, the present invention also provides a light-emitting diode, which is prepared by the aforementioned method.
US08368055B2 Display device including organic light-emitting transistor and a fluorecent pattern and method of fabricating the display device
Provided are a display device, which has a longer life and can be fabricated simply relative to conventional display devices, and a method of fabricating the display device. The display device includes a substrate which includes first through third subpixel regions, first through third organic light-emitting transistors which are disposed in the first through third subpixel regions, respectively, and are operable to emit light of a first color, and a first fluorescent pattern which is formed on the first organic light-emitting transistor and is operable to cause light of a second color to be emitted.
US08368047B2 Semiconductor device
Semiconductor devices including a light emitting layer, and at least one surface plasmon metal layer in contact with the light emitting layer are provided. The light emitting layer includes an active layer having a first band gap, and one or more barrier layers having a second band gap. The first band gap is smaller than the second band gap. Methods for fabricating semiconductor devices are also provided.
US08368035B2 3D imaging of live cells with ultraviolet radiation
A method for 3D imaging of cells in an optical tomography system includes moving a biological object relatively to a microscope objective to present varying angles of view. The biological object is illuminated with radiation having a spectral bandwidth limited to wavelengths between 150 nm and 390 nm. Radiation transmitted through the biological object and the microscope objective is sensed with a camera from a plurality of differing view angles. A plurality of pseudoprojections of the biological object from the sensed radiation is formed and the plurality of pseudoprojections is reconstructed to form a 3D image of the cell.
US08368034B2 Substance detection, inspection and classification system using enhanced photoemission spectroscopy
A handheld or portable detection system with a high degree of specificity and accuracy, capable of use at small and substantial standoff distances (e.g., greater than 12 inches) is utilized to identify specific substances and mixtures thereof in order to provide information to officials for identification purposes and assists in determinations related to the legality, hazardous nature and/or disposition decision of such substance(s). The system uses a synchronous detector and visible light filter to enhance detection capabilities.
US08368032B2 Radiation source, lithographic apparatus, and device manufacturing method
A plasma radiation source includes a vessel configured to catch a source material transmitted along a trajectory, and a decelerator configured to reduce a speed of the source material in a section of the trajectory downstream of a plasma initiation site.
US08368025B2 Radiation image conversion panel and production method thereof
Disclosed are a radiation image conversion panel which has achieved a radiation image with enhanced sharpness and improved moisture resistance and shock resistance, and a production method thereof. The radiation image conversion panel comprises, on a support, a phosphor layer comprising phosphor columnar crystals, each composed mainly of cesium iodide (CsI) and formed by a process of gas phase deposition, wherein a coefficient of variation of crystal diameter of the phosphor columnar crystals is not more than 50% and a coefficient of variation of phosphor filling factor of the phosphor layer is not more than 20%.
US08368024B2 System and method for attenuation of electrical noise
The Present Invention relates to methods and systems particularly useful in electrical products used to monitor and detect very weak signals. These products include, for example, night vision binoculars and remote listening devices. More specifically, the methods and systems of the Present Invention provide a signal conditioning technique that attenuates electrical noise generated within the product while at the same time preserving the integrity of the input signal. This provides a high signal-to-noise ratio within the product electronics and a dramatically clear final image. The Present Invention includes a method and system for chopping or splitting an input signal into two components, tagging each of the split signal components with opposite polarities, and a second reverse chopping step that combines the split and tagged input signal components into a restored input signal. The combining step, in addition to restoring the original input signal, cancels and attenuates internally generated, and untagged, electronic noise, providing image quality and detection in an efficient and economical manner that could not be obtained in the past.
US08368020B2 Particle beam system
A particle beam system comprises a particle beam source 5 for generating a primary particle beam 13, an objective lens 19 for focusing the primary particle beam 13 in an object plane 23; a particle detector 17; and an X-ray detector 47 arranged between the objective lens and the object plane. The X-ray detector comprises plural semiconductor detectors, each having a detection surface 51 oriented towards the object plane. A membrane is disposed between the object plane and the detection surface of the semiconductor detector, wherein different semiconductor detectors have different membranes located in front, the different membranes differing with respect to a secondary electron transmittance.
US08368019B2 Particle beam system
A particle beam system comprises a particle beam source 5 for generating a primary particle beam 13, an objective lens 19 for focusing the primary particle beam 13 in an object plane 23; a particle detector 17; and an X-ray detector 47 arranged between the objective lens and the object plane. The X-ray detector comprises plural semiconductor detectors, each having a detection surface 51 oriented towards the object plane. A membrane is disposed between the object plane and the detection surface of the semiconductor detector, wherein different semiconductor detectors have different membranes located in front, the different membranes differing with respect to a secondary electron transmittance.
US08368010B2 Quadrupole mass spectrometer
A quadruple mass spectrometer capable of reducing a settling time-period necessary in a process of changing, in a pulsed or step-like pattern, a voltage to be applied to a quadruple mass filter in a scan or SIM measurement. In the SIM measurement, an optimal settling-time calculation sub-section sets a length of the settling time-period according to a difference ΔM between a next-measurement mass value and a mass value used in an adjacent measurement, and the next-measurement mass value. This makes it possible to shorten a duration of a repetitive cycle in the SIM measurement or increase a time-period assignable to a measurement operation, while ensuring a voltage stabilization time-period sufficient to detect ions having the next-measurement mass value.
US08368005B2 Optical detection method and optical MEMS detector, and method for making MEMS detector
The present invention discloses an optical MEMS detector, comprising: a substrate; at least one photo diode in a region within the substrate; an isolation wall above the substrate and surrounding the photo diode region; and at least one movable part having an opening for light to pass through and reach the photo diode, wherein when the at least one movable part is moved, an amount of light reaching the photo diode is changed.
US08368000B2 Device and method for the acquisition and automatic processing of data obtained from optical codes
The device for the acquisition and automatic processing of data obtained from optical codes comprises a CMOS optical sensor; an analog processing unit connected to the optical sensor; an analog/digital conversion unit connected to the analog processing unit; a logic control unit connected to the CMOS optical sensor, the analog processing unit and the analog/digital conversion unit; and a data-processing unit connected to the logic control unit and the analog/digital conversion unit. The CMOS optical sensor and at least one of the analog processing, analog/digital conversion, logic control and data processing units are integrated in a single chip. The data processing unit processes the digital signals corresponding to the image acquired by the CMOS sensor and extracts the optically coded data.
US08367992B1 Aircraft, missile, projectile, or underwater vehicle with reconfigurable control surfaces
The present invention relates to an aircraft, missile, projectile, or underwater vehicle with an improved control system and a method for increasing the maneuverability or stability of an aircraft, missile, projectile, or underwater vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for increasing the maneuverability or stability of an aircraft, missile, underwater vehicle or projectile through the use of removable control surfaces. The technical advantage of the removable control surface system (or “removable control surface”) over other systems is that the removable control surface system enables the aircraft, missile, underwater vehicle or projectile to have two or more design configurations, each configuration being tailored to the aircraft, missile, projectile, or underwater vehicle's specific stability or maneuverability requirements during a specific portion of the flight.
US08367984B2 Energy management of household appliances
A water heater comprises a body defining a chamber for holding water to be heated, an inlet opening and an outlet opening in communication with the chamber for flowing water therethrough and one or more power consuming features/functions including a heater for heating the water within the chamber. A controller is operatively connected to the one or more power consuming features/functions. The controller is configured to receive and process a signal indicative of a utility state. The controller operates the water heater in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode, in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to at least one of selectively adjust and deactivate at least one of the one or more power consuming features/functions to reduce power consumption of the water heater in the energy savings mode.
US08367983B2 Apparatus including heating source reflective filter for pyrometry
Methods and apparatus for processing substrates and measuring the temperature using radiation pyrometry are disclosed. A reflective layer is provided on a window of a processing chamber. A radiation source providing radiation in a first range of wavelengths heats the substrate, the substrate being transparent to radiation in a second range of wavelengths within the first range of wavelengths for a predetermined temperature range. Radiation within the second range of wavelength is reflected by the reflective layer.
US08367969B2 Support table frame for high speed laser blanking
The present invention provides an apparatus for laser cutting that comprises a rigid support table frame having a X-axis and a Y-axis, and one or more bridge rail modules running across the Y-axis of the table frame, each bridge rail module comprising at least one hold-down device module. The present invention further provides a process for laser cutting a metal plate using this apparatus.
US08367968B2 System and method for multi-pulse laser processing
Laser pulses are selected from a group of closely spaced laser pulses with an optical modulator by adjusting pulse timing relative to an impingement interval. An adjusted pulse is moved from an impingement interval to a non-impingement interval and is blocked. The blocked laser source is stabilized by running nearly continuously. Pulse selection with multiple laser sources is achieved with a single acousto-optic modulator.
US08367964B2 Repair methods involving conductive heat resistance welding
Repair methods involving conductive heat resistance welding includes repairing a crack of a gas turbine engine component using a conductive heat resistance welding technique and a welding technique other than conductive heat resistance welding.
US08367960B2 Process for rail restoration and rail manufacture using welding
A method for restoring a worn rail section includes cleaning a worn surface of a rail section to expose a clean metal surface, heating the rail section to a first temperature before welding, welding new metal on the clean metal surface of the rail section after heating the rail section to the first temperature, heating the rail section to a second temperature after the welding to heat-treat a heat-affected area caused by the welding, and shaping the rail section, wherein the welding is performed by a gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process.
US08367958B2 Button assembly with inverted dome switch
A portable electronic device may have an inverted dome switch assembly. The switch assembly may have an inverted dome that has a base and a conductive underside. The base may be attached to a button member. Two electrical contacts in the button member may face the conductive underside. Corresponding conductive traces may be connected to the contacts. The dome may bear against a housing member. The button member may be movable with respect to the housing member from an unactuated position to an actuated position. The dome switch may form a footprint based upon the dome base area. The housing member may extend into a portion of the footprint and not into the remaining portion of the footprint allowing that space to be otherwise utilized.
US08367953B2 Pneumatic system electrical contact device
An electrical contact device for controlling operation of an aluminum processing bath includes an electrically insulating body and a first bore having a first diameter. The first bore opens into a through second bore having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. The second bore opens into a third bore having a third diameter greater than the first and second diameters. A fastener received in the body includes a shank having a male threaded portion and a male threaded head. A conductive biasing element has a connecting end engaged with the male threaded head. The connecting end and the male threaded head are slidably received in the first bore, and the shank is slidably received in the second bore. The male threaded portion extends into the third bore. A nut positioned in the third bore engages the male threaded portion coupling the fastener and tubular body.
US08367950B2 Key module for mobile device
The key module for the mobile device includes a key top 6; a base plate 2 on which a fixed-side contact 7 is disposed; a dome 4 that is disposed on the fixed-side contact 7; a dome sheet 5 that covers the dome 4; an LED module 3 disposed on the base plate 2; and a light guide plate 1 that is disposed on the dome sheet 5. Such a configuration causes light emitted by the LED module 3 propagates within the light guide plate, and exits the light from an exit surface of the light guide plate on the key top 6 side. The light guide plate 1 is formed by inkjet printing a dot pattern in white ink onto a surface of a base material formed from a thermosetting polyurethane elastomer sheet, which surface is opposite to the exit surface of the light guide plate.
US08367946B2 Micrometering device
A micrometering device for metering and weighing free-flowing bulk materials, such as, for example, flour, powder or fine-grain granules, is described. A reliable weighing with small batch sizes may be achieved, by arranging a weighing container for the weighing device separate from a reservoir for the product for weighing.
US08367942B2 Low profile electrical interposer of woven structure and method of making same
An electrical interposer for connecting two electronic devices includes a plurality of first cores with undulating structure extending in a first direction and a plurality of second cores with undulating structure extending in a second direction angular with the first direction. Each first core has first peaks and first valleys alternately arranged in the first direction and each first peak is electrically connected with a corresponding neighboring first valley but insulated from others. Each second core has second peaks and second valleys alternately arranged in the second direction and each second peak is electrically connected with a corresponding neighboring second valley but insulated from others. The first cores and the second cores interlace with each other to reach a woven structure with the first peaks and the second peaks jointly constituting an upper interface, and the first valleys and the second valleys jointly constituting a lower interface.
US08367940B2 Encapsulation device and method, microcapsule incorporating this device
The invention concerns a device for encapsulating an element within a microcavity made on a support (10), this device comprising an encapsulating membrane (12) capable of forming at least one part of the microcavity,characterized in that the device comprises at least one arm which mechanically attaches the membrane to the support, this arm being capable of bending so as to shift the membrane between: an open position in which the membrane overhangs the element to be encapsulated and its periphery defines an aperture extending around the element to be encapsulated, and a shut position in which the periphery of the encapsulation membrane rests on the support to obstruct this aperture.
US08367936B2 Flexible printed circuit board and method for forming monitor
The disclosure relates to a flexible printed circuit board and a method for manufacturing a monitor. The flexible printed circuit board is disposed on a portion of an upper surface of a substrate and is folded to a sidewall and a lower surface of the substrate. The flexible printed circuit board includes a flexible substrate and an insulating layer surrounding the flexible substrate. The insulating layer has an opening at least exposing a portion of the flexible substrate situated relative to the sidewall of the substrate.
US08367932B2 Flat cable
A flat cable including thin coaxial cables each having a center conductor and a jacket, parallel arranged two-dimensionally in a flat shape, and joined by tangling them with a weft yarn in units of predetermined number of very thin coaxial cables. The flat cable further includes tangling yarns that are arranged parallel along the edges in the width direction of the thin coaxial cables, and the elongation of the weft yarn is greater than that of the tangling yarn. When the very thin flat cable is bent, the bent portion of the weft yarn is elongated, and thereby the bent portion of the very thin coaxial cables can deviate from the mesh formed by the very thin coaxial cables and the weft yarn.
US08367930B2 Grounding mechanism for electronic device
A grounding mechanism is used for an electronic device. The electronic device includes a housing and a battery cover. The grounding mechanism typically includes an elastic member including a main portion, a first bent portion, a second bent portion and a clamping portion. The main portion is attached to the housing. The first bent portion and the second bent portion respectively extend from two opposite ends of the main portion. The clamping portion extends from one side of the main portion, and includes two arms for clamping one part of the battery cover.
US08367929B2 Microcavity structure and encapsulation structure for a microelectronic device
A microcavity structure including: a first substrate, a cover attached to the first substrate such that a space formed between the cover and the first substrate forms the microcavity, at least one hole passing through the cover, and at least one closing flap of the hole placed inside the microcavity and including at least two portions of materials with different thermal expansion coefficients placed one against the other, at least one first end of the two portions being mechanically linked to the cover, at least a second end of the two portions being free, and at least a part of the closing flap being placed opposite the hole, the two portions being capable of closing or not the hole under the effect of a temperature variation.
US08367924B2 Buried insulator isolation for solar cell contacts
The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for providing a buried insulator isolation for solar cell contacts. According to certain aspects, the invention places a buried oxide under the emitter of a polysilicon emitter solar cell. The oxide provides an excellent passivation layer over most of the surface. Holes in the oxide provide contact areas, increasing the current density to enhance efficiency. The oxide isolates the contacts from the substrate, achieving the advantage of a selective emitter structure without requiring deep diffusions. The oxide further enables use of screen printing on advanced shallow emitter cells. Positioning of the grid lines close to the openings also enables use of a very thin emitter to maximize blue response.
US08367899B2 Gray leaf spot tolerant maize and methods of production
The invention relates to methods and compositions for identifying maize plants that have newly conferred tolerance or enhanced tolerance to, or are susceptible to, Gray Leaf Spot (GLS). The methods use molecular genetic markers to identify, select and/or construct tolerant plants or identify and counter-select susceptible plants. Maize plants that display newly conferred tolerance or enhanced tolerance to GLS that are generated by the methods of the invention are also a feature of the invention.
US08367898B2 Soybean cultivar 9728361
A soybean cultivar designated 9728361 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 9728361, to the plants of soybean 9728361, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 9728361, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 9728361 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars, or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean variety 9728361, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 9728361, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 9728361 with another soybean cultivar.
US08367897B2 Soybean variety A1024230
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1024230. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1024230. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1024230 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1024230 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08367893B2 Late blight resistance genes and methods
This invention provides novel gene sequences, compositions and methods for enhancing the resistance in crops, in particular but not limited to, potato, to late blight caused by the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora infestans.
US08367888B2 Mouse λ light chain locus
The present invention provides in a first aspect a mouse in which the λ (lambda) light chain locus has been functionally silenced. In one embodiment, the mouse λ light chain locus was functional silenced by deletion of gene segments coding for the λ light chain locus. In a further aspect, a mouse containing functionally silenced λ and κ (kappa) L chain loci was produced. The invention is useful for the production of antibodies, for example heterologous antibodies, including heavy chain only antibodies.
US08367886B2 Reactive distillation for the dehydration of mixed alcohols
Process for producing alkene(s) from a feedstock containing at least one monohydric aliphatic paraffinic alcohol having from 2 to 5 carbon atoms. The process is carried out by 1 converting the monohydric aliphatic paraffinic alcohol(s) containing 2 to 5 carbon atoms in a reactive distillation column at elevated pressure and temperature into a heads stream having the corresponding same carbon number alkene(s) and ether(s), 2 separating the heads stream from step 1 into an ether(s) enriched stream and an alkene(s) enriched stream, 3 recycling at least part of the ether(s) enriched stream from step 2 as a reflux return to the reactive distillation column, 4 simultaneously separating the alkene(s) enriched stream from step 2 into alkene(s) and ether(s), and 5 recycling at least part of the separated ether(s) from step 4 into the reactive distillation column. An alkene(s) stream from step 4 is then recovered.
US08367879B2 Method for the preparation of 2 chloro 1,1,1,2,3,3,3 heptafluoropropane
A method of catalytically converting 2,2, dichlorohexafluoropropane (HFC-216aa) into 2 chloro 1,1,1,2,3,3,3 heptafluoropropane (HFC-217ba) including the step of exposing the 2,2 dichlorohexafluoropropane to a chromium-containing catalyst comprising a metal oxide, a halogenated metal oxide or a metal oxyhalide, which chromium-containing catalyst comprises 0.01% to 5.0% by weight zinc or a compound of zinc.
US08367875B2 Process for the preparation of m-substituted alkyltoluenes by isomerization with ionic liquids as catalysts
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of m-substituted alkyltoluenes of the formula (I) in which R1 is C1-C5-alkyl, wherein a p-substituted alkyltoluene of the formula (II) in which R1 has the meaning given under formula (I), is isomerized in the presence of ionic liquids to give an m-substituted alkyltoluene of the formula (I). The m-substituted alkyltoluenes obtainable according to the invention are starting compounds for the preparation of fragrances and aroma substances.
US08367868B2 Process for the synthesis of aryloxypropylamine and heteroaryloxypropylamine
The present invention relates to a process for the synthesis of aryloxypropylamine and heteroaryloxypropylamine of formula I: where: A is aryl or heteroaryl, where the aryl is preferably a phenyl, optionally substituted, selected from benzyl and tolyl and the heteroaryl is preferably thiophenyl; Y is an aryl, preferably phenyl, a substituted phenyl or a naphthyl, where the substituted phenyl is preferably selected from tolyl, trihalomethyltolyl and alkoxytolyl, starting from a suitable amino alcohol of formula II:
US08367856B2 Method for preparing alkyl chlorosilanes through rearrangement reactions
The object of the invention is a method for preparing silanes of the general formula (1) RaHbSiCl4−a−b (1), wherein mixtures of silanes of the general formulas (2) and (3) RcSiCl4−c (2), RdHeSiCl4−d−e, where R indicates an alkyl radical with 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a indicates the values 1, 2 or 3, b indicates the values 0 or 1, c indicates the values 1, 2, 3 or 4, d indicates the values 0, 1 or 2 and e indicates the values 0, 1 or 2, are reacted in the presence of an aluminum oxide catalyst comprising 1 to 10 parts by weight of aluminum chloride and 0.5 to 10 parts by weight of a metal oxide selected from magnesium oxide, copper oxide, zinc oxide and mixtures thereof to 100 parts by weight of aluminum oxide.
US08367851B2 Hydroxymethylfurfural reduction methods and methods of producing furandimethanol
A method of reducing hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) where a starting material containing HMF in a solvent comprising water is provided. H2 is provided into the reactor and the starting material is contacted with a catalyst containing at least one metal selected from Ni, Co, Cu, Pd, Pt, Ru, Ir, Re and Rh, at a temperature of less than or equal to 250° C. A method of hydrogenating HMF includes providing an aqueous solution containing HMF and fructose. H2 and a hydrogenation catalyst are provided. The HMF is selectively hydrogenated relative to the fructose at a temperature at or above 30° C. A method of producing tetrahydrofuran dimethanol (THFDM) includes providing a continuous flow reactor having first and second catalysts and providing a feed comprising HMF into the reactor. The feed is contacted with the first catalyst to produce furan dimethanol (FDM) which is contacted with the second catalyst to produce THFDM.
US08367847B2 Production of monatin enantiomers
Methods for the preparation of the high intensity sweetener, monatin, 3-(1-amino-1,3-dicarboxy-3-hydroxy-but-4-yl)indole, its salts and internal condensation products thereof, including methods applicable to the large-scale production of monatin are described.
US08367845B2 Ionic viscoelastics and viscoelastic salts
One embodiment of the present invention relates to ionic liquids and ionic viscoelastics formed between [1] a small molecule or macromolecule containing two or more cations; and [2] a small molecule or macromolecule containing two or more anions. Another embodiment of the invention is the use of the inventive ionic liquids and ionic viscoelastics, formed between a small molecule or macromolecule containing two or more cations and a small molecule or macromolecule containing two or more anions, to form a crosslinked network. In certain embodiments, the ionic liquids formed can be viscous liquids, viscous liquid formed networks, or viscoelastic networks/gels. In certain embodiments, the ionic material of the invention may be used for a variety of applications including, but not limited to, lubricants, additives, gas separation, liquid separation, membranes, fuel cells, sensors, batteries, coatings, heat storage, liquid crystals, biocompatible fluids, solvents, and electronic materials.
US08367840B2 Composition for treating infectious diseases caused by Helicobacter
The invention relates to a compound of general formula (I) for use in a pharmaceutical composition for treating infectious diseases caused by Helicobacter pylori. R1 and R2 are O, S or N, and can be identical or different; R3 is O or S; R4 is H or a C1-C6 alkyl group; n represents a value between 0 and 3; and R5 is an NO2, COOR′ or SO3R′ radical, where R′ is a H or a C1-C6 alkyl group.
US08367839B2 Tetrakis(1-imidazolyl) borate (BIM4) based zwitterionic and related molecules used as electron injection layers
Tetrakis(1-imidazolyl)borate (BIm4) based zwitterionic and/or related molecules for the fabrication of PLEDs is provided. Device performances with these materials approaches that of devices with Ba/Al cathodes for which the cathode contact is ohmic. Methods of producing such materials, and electron injection layers and devices containing these materials are also provided.
US08367838B2 Amines or amino alcohols as GLYT1 inhibitors
The invention relates to the use of compounds of formula I wherein the substituents are described in the description and claims for the treatment of psychoses, dysfunction in memory and learning, schizophrenia, dementia, attention deficit disorders or Alzheimer's disease. The invention also relates to some compounds of formula I and pharmaceutical compositions containing them.
US08367835B2 Cyclic amine-1-carboxylic acid ester derivative and pharmaceutical composition containing the same
Provided is a compound useful as a therapeutic drug for pain and inflammation caused by various pathological conditions such as neuropathic pain and rheumatoid arthritis. The compound of the formula (I) or a salt thereof [wherein R1 is a methyl group or a hydrogen atom, R2 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkylcarbonyl group or an aryl carbonyl group, A represents a cycloalkyl group, a cycloalkenyl group, an aryl group or a heteroaryl group (each group may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl and halogen), n and m each represent an integer of 1, 2 or 3, and p represents an integer of 0, 1, 2 or 3].
US08367833B2 Process for producing 6-aryloxyquinoline derivative and intermediate therefor
Disclosed is a process for producing 6-aryloxyquinoline derivatives useful as insecticides or fungicides for agricultural and horticultural use. The process comprises a cyclization reaction step of reacting an anthranilic acid derivative represented by general formula (1) with a kenone in the presence of an acid to obtain a quinolone derivative and a condensation reaction step of reacting the quinolone derivative with a halogen compound or an acid anhydride to obtain a quinoline derivative.
US08367826B2 6,6-bicyclic ring substituted heterobicyclic protein kinase inhibitors
Compounds of the formula and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, R1, and Q1 are defined herein, inhibit the IGF-1R enzyme and are useful for the treatment and/or prevention of hyperproliferative diseases such as cancer, inflammation, psoriasis, allergy/asthma, disease and conditions of the immune system, disease and conditions of the central nervous system.
US08367813B2 Phospholink nucleotides for sequencing applications
The present invention provides labeled phospholink nucleotides that can be used in place of naturally occurring nucleotide triphosphates or other analogs in template directed nucleic acid synthesis reactions and other nucleic acid reactions and various analyzes based thereon, including DNA sequencing, single base identification, hybridization assays, and others.
US08367803B2 Synthetic repetitive proteins, the production and use thereof
A repetitive protein having repetition units comprising the consensus sequence (I) X1 X2 X3 X4 S X5 X6 Y G wherein X1 is G, Y, A or N X2 is G, L, Q X3 is R, K, T or P X4 is P, A, T or S X5 is D, T or S X6 is S, Q or T, and the consensus sequence (II) Z1 Z2 (Z3A)nZ4 Z5 Z6 wherein Z1 is S, Q, N, T or G Z2 is not an amino acid or A Z3 is A or G Z4 is not an amino acid, A or S Z5 is G, S, Q, N or T Z6 is G, P, S, Q, N or T n is a natural whole number, wherein 2≦n≦12.