Document Document Title
US08375458B2 System and method for authenticating code executing on computer system
A code authentication architecture is used to sign code by adding one or more digital signatures to it. The digital signatures identify what authority signed the code, what the code contains, what type of program the code is, or other identifying information. When the signed code is later executed on a computer system, its identity is obtained by accessing encrypted information of the code stored on disk. The architecture then determines whether the identity satisfies at least one requirement imposed on the code for some purpose. If the code has been altered from when it was signed or it fails to satisfy a requirement imposed, the code will not have a valid identity. In addition to verifying the identity of the code, the architecture also validates executing code immediately responsible for managing the code and additional executing code in a chain of hosts responsible for managing one another.
US08375439B2 Domain aware time-based logins
A method may comprise determining, in an operating system instance, that a login access is being attempted by a user at an access time on an object. A domain identifier associated with the user may be determined. A set of one or more domain identifiers may be accessed that may be associated with the object and that identify one or more domains. One or more domain isolation rules may be accessed and evaluated that may be associated with the operating system instance for permitting an attempted login access to the object based on whether a domain identifier associated with the user is one of the domain identifiers in the set of domain identifiers associated with the object for during a time period. A permit or deny indication may be returned based on whether or not login access is permitted on the object at the access time.
US08375437B2 Hardware supported virtualized cryptographic service
A Trusted Platform Module (TPM) can be utilized to provide hardware-based protection of cryptographic information utilized within a virtual computing environment. A virtualized cryptographic service can interface with the virtual environment and enumerate a set of keys that encryption mechanisms within the virtual environment can utilize to protect their keys. The keys provided by the virtualized cryptographic service can be further protected by the TPM-specific keys of the TPM on the computing device hosting the virtual environment. Access to the protected data within the virtual environment can, thereby, only be granted if the virtualized cryptographic service's keys have been protected by the TPM-specific keys of the TPM on the computing device that is currently hosting the virtual environment. The virtualized cryptographic service's keys can be protected by TPM-specific keys of TPMs on selected computing devices to enable the virtual environment to be hosted by other computing devices.
US08375436B2 Session migration over content-centric networks
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for facilitating session migration. During operation, the system receives a communication packet from a client destined to a remote server. The system determines whether the communication packet belongs to a pre-existing communication session, and whether session state information associated with the session is available locally. In response to the communication packet belonging to a pre-existing communication session and the session state information being unavailable locally, the system constructs an interest requesting the session state information, disseminates the interest over a network, and receives the session state information.
US08375431B2 System and method for platform activation
A platform discrimination indication register is stored in a wireless network card. This register holds a platform discrimination indication that indicates whether the wireless network card can be used to transfer data with notebook computers or whether the wireless network card is restricted to transferring data from a personal digital assistant or defined set of restricted devices. The platform discrimination indication can be upgraded using a key value obtained from an Internet site. This key value is limited to a specific wireless network card because of the use of a unique electronic I.D. An Internet site encrypts the electronic I.D. to produce the first key, such as a platform activation key (PAK). This first key is then decrypted at the personal data device in order to obtain a unique calculated I.D. value. If the calculated I.D. value matches the electronic I.D. value on the wireless network card, then the platform discrimination indication is altered (upgraded), allowing the operation of the wireless network card with notebook computers.
US08375429B2 Network-based application control
Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to send, from a central manager to one or more target machines, an access request associated with at least one application selected from a plurality of applications on the target machines, the access request identifying the target machines, the applications, and access customization code corresponding to the applications; and to send access customization code and a script corresponding to the applications from a central repository to the target machines when the customization code is not resident on the target machines. Further activities may include loading the access customization code as a library on the target machines linked to the applications and replaying recorded user intention input according to a script to supply the input to objects associated with the applications to access and otherwise control the applications. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08375428B2 Password input system using alphanumeric matrices and password input method using the same
The present invention relates to a password input algorithm, more particularly to a password input system and method using alphanumeric matrices. An aspect of the invention can provide a password input system and method using alphanumeric matrices that can defend against keylogging attacks and shoulder surfing attacks by including a movable second alphanumeric matrix and a fixed first alphanumeric matrix and enabling a user to input a password by moving the password letters of the second alphanumeric matrix to the user-defined value of the first alphanumeric matrix. Another aspect of the invention can provide a password input system and method using alphanumeric matrices that can defend against shoulder surfing attacks by enabling a user to input a password by dividing the password by every two digits and moving the cross-points for the two digits, respectively, to the user-defined value of the first alphanumeric matrix.
US08375421B1 Enabling a virtual meeting room through a firewall on a network
The invention is directed to managing secure communications using a virtual meeting room (VR) through a firewall. The VR may operate as a virtual subnet managed by a VR server (VRS). A client requests a VR from the VRS. The VRS allocates the virtual subnet, and enables access to requested resources. The VRS provides information and authentication credentials to the client for distribution to other clients. The clients may use the provided information to authenticate to the VRS. In one embodiment, the VRS downloads to each client a virtual room client (VRC) application useable to connect to the VRS and establish a secure communications channel with the VRS and through the firewall. The secure communications channel may be used to communicate through the VRS directly to another client device, and/or broadcast messages to each client within the VR. Communications may be monitored for communication constraint compliance by the VRS.
US08375415B2 Dynamic upstream amplifier power management
The present invention is an upstream power control system, within a cable modem which controls the power consumption of the cable modem. The power control system comprises a MAC chip which synchronizes upstream communication signals for transmission to a cable network and outputs an upstream control signal, an upstream amplifier which receives the synchronized upstream communication signals, and a complex programmable logic device (CPLD). The CPLD controls the upstream amplifier in response to the upstream control signal such that the upstream amplifier is powered on during transmission of the communication signals, and powered off when not transmitting, which results in the reduction of power consumed by the cable modem.
US08375413B2 Digital broadcasting system and method of processing data in a digital broadcasting system
A digital broadcasting system and a data processing method are disclosed. A receiving system of the digital broadcasting system includes a baseband processor, an IP network stack, and a handler. The baseband processor receives a broadcast signal including mobile service data and main service data. Herein, the mobile service data configures a Reed-Solomon (RS) frame, and the RS frame includes mobile service data and an internet protocol (IP) signaling channel having pre-decided IP access information included therein. The IP network stack accesses the IP signaling channel from the RS frame using the IP access information, thereby collecting signaling table information received through the IP signaling channel. And, the handler identifies and parses the collected signaling table information based upon a table identifier of each signaling table received through the IP signaling channel, thereby storing the parsed result.
US08375411B2 Cross-device sharing of reminders
The present invention provides an electronic program guide system comprising: receiving means for receiving at least one electronic program guide corresponding to a broadcast program; selecting means for selecting a desired program from said electronic program guide; notification means for creating a notification for the program selected from said electronic program guide; communication means for access to a communications network; transmission means for transmitting a notification of the program selected from said electronic program guide to at least one remote electronic program guide system using said communications network; and reception means for receiving a notification from a remote electronic program guide system.
US08375408B2 System and method of providing media content
A system for providing content to a user, comprising a transmitter 502 for transmitting to a user's receiver/decoder 2000 guide data relating to a plurality of items of content, and each of said items of content to which said guide data relates, prior to commencement of a period of availability of said items of content to the user; and a receiver/decoder 2100 comprising means 2016 for receiving said guide data and said items of content, means 3120 for generating a display of said guide data to enable a user to select at least one of said items of content for storage, means 2100 for storing the selected at least one item of content upon receipt thereof, and means 3120 for enabling the user to access the stored at least one item of content upon request following commencement of said period.
US08375402B2 Mechanism for interfacing a display screen of another technology with a computing platform
A system for constructing embedded display content and navigation where a computing platform is based on one technology and the embedded display content is based on another technology. For instance, the one technology may be NiagaraAX and the other technology may be non-Niagara. The system may, for instance, leverage NiagaraAX Workbench tooling to generate displays rendered in heterogeneous technologies, i.e., non-Niagara, to extend the range and application of user interfaces for Niagara-based technologies.
US08375396B2 Backup procedure with transparent load balancing
In an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus and method provides a backup procedure with transparent load balancing. The apparatus and method perform acts including: performing a preamble phase in order to determine if a file will be backed up from an agent to a portal; and applying a chunking policy on the file, wherein the chunking policy comprises performing chunking of the file on an agent, performing chunking of the file on the portal, or transmitting the file to the portal without chunking.
US08375387B2 Product independent orchestration tool
A self-replicating machine includes a virtualization tool, a provisioning tool, and a configuration tool, stored in a distributable self-contained repository of the machine. The machine is able to automatically rebuild itself solely from the tools stored in the distributable self-contained repository. The virtualization tool is configured to build one or more virtual machines on the machine. Each virtual machine has a corresponding operating system and environment. The provisioning tool is configured to provision the one or more virtual machines. The configuration tool is to configure the one or more provisioned virtual machines. A custom configuration management tool further customize and configure the physical machine for specific users. A configuration management tool is configured to orchestrate and automate a deployment process, and to interface with an underlying product having a corresponding functionality.
US08375383B2 Rolling upgrades in distributed applications
Embodiments described herein are directed to updating the various software associated with a distributed application in a piecemeal fashion. All instances of the software are analyzed and separated into different portions, called “roles.” Each instance of a role is strategically assigned to an update domain based on the structural information included in the service model of the distributed application. The distributed application is upgraded one update at a time by selecting an update or host update domain, bringing the roles assigned thereto offline, updating the offline roles, bringing the roles back online, and repeating for other update or host update domains.
US08375377B2 Controlling java virtual machine component behavior on a per-classloader basis
A method and system for controlling an operation of a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) component on a per-classloader basis. A manifest of a bundle in an Open Services Gateway Initiative (OSGi®) compliant framework is parsed and metadata in the manifest is identified. The metadata is stored in a Java® classloader uniquely associated with the bundle. An upcoming performance of an operation which can be affected by a value of the stored metadata is identified by the JVM component. A value of the stored metadata is read from the classloader. The operation of the JVM component is controlled based on the value of the stored metadata.
US08375362B1 Wizard for web service search adapter
Generating a search web services adapter is disclosed. An indication is received that an input parameter associated with an operation associated with the web service corresponds to a search query parameter. An indication is received that an output parameter associated with the operation corresponds to a search result parameter. Adapter code is automatically generated that is configured to translate a query into a form required by the web service to perform the operation, including by mapping a received input value for the search query parameter to the input parameter, and to translate a result of the operation, including by mapping a received output value for the output parameter to the search result parameter.
US08375353B2 Enabling the use of process flow applications within an information management system (IMS)
An IMS process flow toolset can be used to create an IMS process flow application. The IMS process flow application can include an IMS process flow control program. The IMS process flow control program can embody process flow elements such as business logic and events as well as communication with external non-IMS applications. Both the IMS process flow application and IMS process flow control program can be run within the IMS.
US08375348B1 Method, system, and program product to implement colored tiles for detail routing for double pattern lithography
Disclosed are a method, apparatus, and computer program product to implement routing for double patterning lithography using colored space tiles. A three-phase routing scheme is employed, comprising a global router, a C-router, and a detail router. The C-router provides double patterning color seeding for routing tracks in the electronic design. The detail router employs space-tiles to perform double-patterning based routing for wires in the electronic design. Colored space tiles may be utilized to perform the detail routing.
US08375345B1 Soft-bounded hierarchical synthesis
A large block synthesis (LBS) process pre-optimizes selected submacros by synthesizing the submacros using timing assertions and placement abstracts, removing placement information, and assigning weights to the internal nets of the submacros that are much higher than weights used for external (e.g., top-level) nets. The timing assertions include an input arrival time, a required output arrival time, and an output pin capacitance loading for the logic block, and the placement abstract is generated by condensing input and output pins of the logic block at a center of gravity of the logic block. The submacros to be pre-optimized can automatically be identified using an attribute to indicate pre-optimization, or by determining that the submacro is one of many instances in the design. The higher weights for the submacro nets define soft-bounds for the logic which still allow relocation of submacro components. The pre-optimization results in significantly reduced synthesis runtime.
US08375344B1 Method and system for determining configurations
An improved approach is described for analyzing and estimating products having arrays of uncommitted logic, and matching these products to electronic designs. The approach can be applied to any type of product that include arrays of uncommitted logic, such as gate arrays and field programmable gate arrays.
US08375343B1 Methods and apparatus for waveform based variational static timing analysis
A system and method are disclosed for waveform based variational static timing analysis. A circuit is divided into its linear circuit parts and non-linear circuit parts and modeled together, by a combination of linear modeling techniques, into linear equations that may be represented by matrices. The linear equations in matrix form may be readily solved by a computer such that an input waveform to an input pin of the circuit can be sequentially “pushed” through the various interconnects and logic networks of the circuit to an output pin. Output voltage waveforms are obtained at each stage of the waveform pushing and may be used to perform static timing analysis.
US08375340B2 Apparatus for manufacturing substrate for testing, method for manufacturing substrate for testing and recording medium
A test substrate manufacturing apparatus comprising a test circuit database that stores circuit data of a plurality of types of test circuits in association with a plurality of types of testing content; a definition information storing section that stores definition information defining arrangements of device pads of devices under test and testing content to be performed for each of the device pads; and a lithography data generating section that generates lithography data for the test substrate by (i) selecting, from the test circuit database, circuit data of each test circuit to be connected to a device pad based on the testing content defined by the definition information stored in the definition information storing section and (ii) determining positions on the test substrate where the test circuits corresponding to the selected circuit data are formed using lithography, based on the arrangements of the device pads as defined by the definition information.
US08375339B2 Converting a synchronous circuit design into an asynchronous design
Methods and systems for converting synchronous circuit designs to asynchronous circuit designs are described. A method may include converting a synchronous circuit design to an asynchronous dataflow design. Functional characteristics of the synchronous circuit design may be determined. The synchronous circuit design may include multiple synchronous logic blocks and a number of connection boxes. Each synchronous logic block may be converted, based on functional characteristics, to corresponding asynchronous dataflow logic blocks. The corresponding asynchronous dataflow logic blocks may provide corresponding asynchronous dataflow logic functions that may use protocol signals. Each connection box, based on the functional characteristics, may be converted to programmable switch points and programmable switches.
US08375335B2 Computer input control for specifying scope with explicit exclusions
Methods and systems providing a user interface control allowing a user to specify a scope of items on a computer system or network is disclosed. Certain aspects provide an input control through which a user can specify an explicit scope, or range, of items, while also identifying explicit exclusions from the specified scope, thereby reducing ambiguity regarding identification of items included and items excluded from the scope. When a user explicitly selects an item for inclusion in the scope, the explicitly selected item is added to the scope definition, and all descendants of the explicitly selected item are implicitly selected for inclusion. When a user explicitly selects an item for exclusion from the scope, the explicitly selected item is added to the scope definition as an exclusion from an explicitly included item, and all descendants of the explicitly selected item are implicitly selected for exclusion.
US08375331B1 Social computing personas for protecting identity in online social interactions
A system and method for generating a plurality of personas for an account of a user is disclosed. The present invention uses an account engine to receive information for the plurality of personas and to associate the information for the plurality of personas to the account. The information for each of the plurality of personas includes a visibility level. A persona engine receives a selection from the user and transmits the selected persona to the user based on the selection. An authority engine determines an appearance of the selected persona based on the visibility level.
US08375328B2 Implementing customized control interfaces
Systems and techniques by which a single electronic device can implement a variety of customized control interfaces. The control interfaces can be tailored to specific operations performed the device which is controlled. In one aspect, computer-implemented methods for controlling a web-based application include providing, from a server, a web page that includes a web-based application and a uniform resource identifier specifying a control interface for the web-based application and transmitting the control interface specified by the uniform resource identifier to a client for use in controlling the one or more functions of the web-based application. The control interface is configured to permit a user to control one or more functions of the web-based application from a mobile device.
US08375327B2 Iconic communication
A method of sending a message on a mobile communication network, including, activating an icon entering interface on a mobile device, said interface including at least 50 icons, at least 25 of which include an associated name stored on said mobile device; entering a message including at least three consecutive icons, using said activated interface; and transmitting said message to a remote communication device.
US08375318B2 File management apparatus and image display apparatus
A file management apparatus includes the following elements: a representative image storage device storing representative image data of each of a plurality of content files in association with a creation time of the content file; a rendering unit rendering the representative image data at a position corresponding to the creation time with a calendar continuous over days, months, and years serving as a background; a display state maintaining unit maintaining, as a display state, a time-axis range of the calendar being displayed and a position thereof; an operation receiving unit receiving a change operation to change the display state, the change operation commonly being a scrolling operation in a time-series direction in any time-axis range; and a controller controlling, in response to the change operation, the rendering means to render the representative image data on the calendar on the basis of the display state.
US08375317B2 Motor control characteristic evaluation device and motor control characteristic presentation method
An evaluation index selection section in which any evaluation index is selected from a plurality of evaluation indices of the control characteristics in the motor control system and which outputs selection information indicating the selected evaluation index; a relational data extraction section for extracting data related to the selected evaluation index from a data group of the motor control system based on the selection information; an evaluation value calculation section for calculating an evaluation value of the evaluation index based on the extracted data; and a display control section for displaying the calculated evaluation value on a display are included.
US08375316B2 Navigational transparent overlay
A method performed on a user device includes displaying a source user interface that includes one or more selectable objects; receiving a user input with respect to one of the one or more selectable objects of the source user interface; determining, in response to the user input, whether a lower level interface, with respect to the one of the one or more selectable objects of the source user interface, exists; displaying the lower level interface, when it is determined that the lower level interface exists for the one of the one or more selectable objects, where the lower level interface is displayed as a transparent overlay representative of a user interface that would be displayed if the user were to select from or access the source user interface; determining whether another user input is received, where the other user input indicates that the lower level interface is to be activated; and displaying the lower level interface as an opaque overlay, when it is determined that the other user input is received.
US08375311B2 System and method for determining placement of a virtual object according to a real-time performance
There is presented a system for determining a placement of a virtual object in a performance space according to a performance by a real-time performer. The disclosed system comprises a projection module including a polarizing filter, the projection module configured to generate a polarized visible image corresponding to the virtual object. The system includes a surface for displaying the polarized visible image to the real-time performer. The system also includes a detection module for detecting inputs to the surface, wherein the inputs are provided by the real-time performer based on a location of the polarized visible image on the surface. The system further comprises a mapping module configured for mapping a location of each input to the surface to a corresponding point in the performance space, for the placement of the virtual object in the performance space according to the locations of inputs to the surface by the real-time performer.
US08375310B2 Providing notification of a real-world event to a virtual universe user
An approach that provides transmission and notification of a real-world event to a virtual universe user is described. In one embodiment, there is a method for notifying a resident that is on-line in a virtual universe of an occurrence of a real-world event. The method includes receiving an indication of the occurrence of the real-world event, mapping the indication of the real-world event into one of a plurality of communication representations, and notifying the resident in the virtual universe in accordance with the mapped communication representation.
US08375309B2 Integration of collaboration systems in an instant messaging application
A user of an instant messaging application may interact with instant messaging contacts in other collaboration applications (e.g., e-mail, calendar applications, etc.). IM conversations may relate to information in the collaboration applications. For example, an employee may send an e-mail containing marketing data to his manager and wishes to discuss the data further. The employee sends an IM to the manager referencing the data. The manager should read the e-mail before responding, but the manager may not know that she received the e-mail. Information from a plurality of collaboration applications can be integrated into an instant messaging application. A collaboration integration unit can collect and associate information from the collaboration applications with instant messaging contacts and provide suggestions based on the information. In the previous example, the manager's instant messaging application collects information from an e-mail application and indicates that she has an unread e-mail from the employee.
US08375305B1 Placement of user interface elements based on a window entry or exit point
Disclosed are various embodiments for placing user interface elements in a network page. A first network page is generated with client side code embedded therein that can track navigation input data associated with the user. The navigation input data can be interpreted to determine whether the user has a tendency to idle an input device in a particular area of the network page or exhibit any other behavior that allows a high value area to be identified.
US08375301B2 Network displays and method of their operation
A digital networked studio and the needed software services to allow the use of the system for monitoring the creation and distribution processes of real-time created content is described.Distribution problems are solved using an off-the-shelf network, e.g. using an IP based or similar data protocol, such as an IP network based distributed system architecture to bring the display controller functionality closer to the source and to replace proprietary busses used for transporting video, audio, RGB, graphical information and/or metadata with building blocks based on standard IP and compression technologies. A characteristic of such a network is to use unicast, multicast and/or broadcast technologies (based on network addresses) and to route data from one address to another. The network provides redundancy in case any of the digital generation units.
US08375299B2 Pasting content into a document using twisties
Systems, methods and articles of manufacture are disclosed for pasting text into a document as twisties. In one embodiment, a request may be received to paste text into a document. A plurality of twisties may be generated from the text. The plurality of twisties may be inserted into the document, responsive to the request to paste text into the document.
US08375297B2 Orthogonal transformation of web pages
A multivariate web page testing system includes a content retrieval module configured to receive a web page request from a visitor's browser and determine corresponding HTML content corresponding to the web page in the web page request. The multivariate web page testing system further includes a content determination module configured to determine if the corresponding HTML content conforms to a preset standard. An adapter is configured to convert the corresponding HTML content to conform to the preset standard if the corresponding HTML content does not conform to the preset standard. The multivariate web page testing system further includes an experimental treatment determination module configured to determine an experimental treatment for the corresponding HTML content and an experimental treatment application module configured to apply the treatment to the corresponding HTML content to create orthogonally transformed HTML content. The orthogonally transformed HTML content is operable to be transmitted to the visitor's browser.
US08375291B2 Method and system for generating and utilizing persistent electronic tick marks
Consistent with embodiments of the invention, computer-based systems and methods for annotating documents with a special type of graphical icon—referred to herein as a tick mark—are provided. Accordingly, utilizing a document annotation tool consistent with one embodiment of the invention, a user can quickly and easily place a tick mark next to an element of a document (e.g., a word, sentence, paragraph, number, chart, graph or figure) being displayed to visually convey some information about that particular element of the document. A second user, who is viewing the same document subsequent to the first user placing the tick mark, will immediately recognize and appreciate the information conveyed by the placement of the tick mark.
US08375282B2 System and method for securely adding redundancy to an electronic message
A system for adding a redundancy check to an electronic message to discourage tampering and facilitate identification of altered messages provides a communication device for composing message content, a messaging module with a formatting and encoding layer for encoding the message content with header information in a series of message blocks, and an encryption layer for calculating a redundancy check value and inserting the value in one or more locations within the series of message blocks according a rule defined by a characteristic of the message content or the header information, and encrypting the message for delivery to a recipient. Upon receipt, the recipient communication device decrypts the message, extracts the redundancy check value from the message, and compares a calculated redundancy check value with the extracted redundancy check value to determine if the message had been altered before receipt.
US08375279B2 Receiving device and receiving method
To provide a receiving device and a receiving method which achieve iterative decoding regarding concatenated codes containing a convolutional code while suppressing increase in circuit scale, a decoder and an error correcting part iteratively perform decoding and error correction corresponding to a convolutional code on soft-decision inputs corresponding to the received signal sequence. Depending on whether a decoding result matches error corrected decoded data obtained in previous processing or not, penalties are calculated corresponding to branches transiting with the respective decoded results, and a branch metric is calculated by reflecting the calculated penalties as to decrease likelihood ratio of each of the branches to which the penalties are to be added. The obtained branch metric is input to a decoder, thereby reflecting the penalty corresponding to the decoding result.
US08375277B2 Multicast with UDP using packet identifier in MPEG payload
Content information is multicast via a data network to a plurality of receivers, using data packets in a transport stream. The content information is encapsulated according to a container format standard that allows an optional field in a packet header. Each data packet forms a payload of a datagram in a connectionless communication protocol. The optional field in each data packet is used to carry an identifier for identifying the data packet in a pre-determined sequence of the data packets. The use of the optional field enables packet loss detection at the receiver.
US08375271B2 Method and apparatus for providing adaptive cyclic redundancy check computation
A method and apparatus for providing adaptive cyclic redundancy check (CRC) computation is disclosed. A transport block size is determined. Transport block (TB) CRC bits are computed with a first CRC generator when the TB size is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold. TB CRC bits are computed with a second CRC generator when the transport block size is greater than the predetermined threshold. When the TB is greater than the predetermined threshold, the TB is segmented into code blocks (CBs) and CB CRC bits are computed with the first CRC generator. A method and apparatus for handling adaptively cyclic redundancy check (CRC) encoded transport blocks (TBs) is also disclosed. A TB is received. The TB is CRC checked based on a first CRC generator when the TB size is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold. Code blocks of the TB are CRC checked based on the first CRC generator when the TB size is greater than the predetermined threshold. When the TB size is greater than the predetermined threshold, the code blocks are concatenated, and the TB is CRC checked based on a second CRC generator.
US08375259B2 System and method for initializing a memory system, and memory device and processor-based system using same
Systems, controllers, and methods are disclosed, such as an initialization system including a controller configured to receive patterns of read data coupled from a memory device through a plurality of read data lanes. The controller is operable to detect lane-to-lane skew in the patterns of read data. The controller then adjusts the manner in which the read data received through the read data lanes during normal operation are divided into frames. The controller can also couple patterns of command/address bits to the memory device through a plurality of command/address lanes. The memory device can send the received command/address bits back to the controller through the read data lanes. The controller is operable to detect any lane-to-lane skew in the patterns of command/address bits received through the read data lanes to adjust the manner in which the command/address bits coupled through the command/address lanes during normal operation are divided into frames.
US08375252B2 Method, device and system for automatic device failure recovery
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, devices and a system for automatic device failure recovery. The method mainly includes: sending a recovery request message to a management device or a server; obtaining a program file used for failure recovery from the management device or the server; and performing the failure recovery by using the program file. With the implemention of the present invention, a device may recover from a failure fully automatically. No intervention of a local user is needed in the whole failure recovery process. Therefore, the implementation of the recovery is more convenient and more flexible. Meanwhile, the failure emergency recovery of the device may be implemented automatically, which makes the failure recovery processing safer and more reliable, and effectively reduces the cost of the local maintenance of a device.
US08375241B2 Method and system to improve the operations of a registered memory module
A method and system to improve the operations of a registered memory module. In one embodiment of the invention, the registered memory module allows asynchronous read and write operations when a clock circuit in the registered memory module is being activated. In another embodiment of the invention, the registered memory module allows enabling or disabling of its clock circuit without any interruption of its operation. When the clock circuit in the registered memory module is disabled, the power consumption of the registered memory module can be reduced. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the registered memory module is allowed to enter or exit an asynchronous operation mode without entering or exiting a self-refresh or pre-charge power down operation mode of the registered memory module.
US08375230B2 Managing heat dissipation while testing a power device
According to certain embodiments, an apparatus comprises port interfaces, charge storage devices, and a charge combiner coupled to a circuit board. Each charge storage device is associated with a port interface. Each port interface receives a current of charge from a device under test and pumps the charge to an associated charge storage device at a predetermined rate. Each charge storage device stores the charge from an associated port interface. The charge combiner combines the charge from the charge storage devices to yield a combined charge and feeds the combined charge to an output regulator.
US08375223B2 Systems and methods for secure distributed storage
Embodiments relate to systems and methods for secure distributed storage. In aspects, a set of remote storage hosts, such as personal computers, servers, media devices, cell phones, or others, can subscribe or register to provide storage via a cloud-based or other distributed network. Source data from an originating computer, such as a data file, can be decomposed into data storage subunits, each of which is encrypted via a cloud management system or other logic or control. The data storage subunits can comprise data blocks or even or uneven size. The set of encrypted data storage subunits can be registered to a table or other record, and disseminated to the remote storage hosts. In the event of data loss at the originating computer or at other times, the remotely stored data storage subunits can be extracted, decrypted, and reassembled to reconstruct the original source data.
US08375220B2 Methods and systems for secure remote wake, boot, and login to a computer from a mobile device
Methods and systems to allow an authorized user to remotely awaken, boot, and login to a computer in a secure manner. The user and computer may communicate using a short message service. (SMS). The user may communicate with the computer using a mobile device, such as a smart phone. The user may initially provide a wake-up message to the computer, which may then respond by asking for one or more boot passwords. In an embodiment, these boot passwords may be basic input/output system (BIOS) passwords that are required for the loading and operations of the computer's BIOS. The user may then provide these one or more passwords to the computer. The computer may further request an operating system (OS) login password. The user may then provide this password to the computer. In an embodiment, all passwords may be provided to the computer in encrypted form. Moreover, authentication measures may be used to provide assurance that the user is legitimate.
US08375209B2 Near field registration of home system audio-video device
A near field communication (NFC) sticker which stores a key is attached to a new client device. A remote commander in a home network reads the key using a NFC interface and IR-transmits it to a home network server. Once the client is connected to the network, it encrypts its own device information with the key and sends the encrypted information to the server, which decrypts the data with the key sent from the remote commander. In this way, client device registration is executed easily and securely.
US08375208B2 Method and apparatus for providing content aggregation in support of virtual channels
An approach is provided for content aggregation in support of virtual channels. Query information and authentication information of a user are received from a media application associated with a set-top box. A query request is generated for media content from a content provider using the query information, the authentication information, and an identifier of a service provider. Transmission of the query request is initiated to the content provider system. One or more search results are received in response to the query request. Transmission of the one or more search results is initiated to the media application.
US08375202B2 Communications methods and appliances
Communications methods and appliances are described. According to one embodiment, a communications method includes prior to deployment of an appliance, establishing a trusted association between the appliance and a certificate authority, during deployment of the appliance, associating the appliance with a communications address of a communications medium, using the certificate authority, creating a signed certificate including the communications address of the appliance, announcing the signed certificate using the appliance, after the announcing, extracting the communications address of the appliance from the signed certificate, and after the extracting, verifying the communications address of the appliance.
US08375195B2 Accessing memory locations for paged memory objects in an object-addressed memory system
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that accesses memory locations in an object-addressed memory system. During a memory access in the object-addressed memory system, the system receives an object identifier and an address. The system then uses the object identifier to identify a paged memory object associated with the memory access. Next, the system uses the address and a page table associated with the paged memory object to identify a memory page associated with the memory access. After determining the memory page, the system uses the address to access a memory location in the memory page.
US08375187B1 I/O scheduling for flash drives
In a data storage system, a controller schedules I/Os to storage devices so that each one substantially performs only reads or only writes, thereby increasing performance. At least one storage device is designated as a current write device. The remainder of the devices are designated current read devices. Host write data is stored in a buffer memory. Storage device reads occur only from the current read devices. Storage device writes occur only to the current write device(s). In response to a triggering event, the designations are updated so that a different storage device is designated the current write device, and the remainder of the storage devices are designated the current read devices. A triggering event may include but not be limited to a time period, number of writes, cache size, device wear, environmental conditions, application requirements, or combination.
US08375185B1 Permissions of objects in hosted storage
A data object is stored in a hosted storage system and includes an access control list specifying access permissions for data object stored in the hosted storage system. The hosted storage system provides hosted storage to a plurality of clients that are coupled to the hosted storage system. A request to store a second data object is received. The request includes an indicator that the first data object stored in the hosted storage system should be used as an access control list for the second data object. The second data object is stored in the hosted storage system. The first data object is assigned as an access control list for the second data object stored in the hosted storage system.
US08375177B2 Apparatus, system, and method for efficiently verifying writes
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for efficiently verifying writes. A storage module stores a plurality of data sets in a storage controller memory. A write module writes the plurality of data sets through a first write channel to a hard disk drive. A verification module verifies whether a representative data set of the plurality of data sets is successfully written to the first write channel or not. A mitigation module rewrites the plurality of data sets in response to an unsuccessful write of the representative data set.
US08375175B2 Fast and efficient reacquisition of locks for transactional memory systems
A system and method is disclosed for fast lock acquisition and release in a lock-based software transactional memory system. The method includes determining that a group of shared memory areas are likely to be accessed together in one or more atomic memory transactions executed by one or more threads of a computer program in a transactional memory system. In response to determining this, the system associates the group of memory areas with a single software lock that is usable by the transactional memory system to coordinate concurrent transactional access to the group of memory areas by the threads of the computer program. Subsequently, a thread of the program may gain access to a plurality of the memory areas of the group by acquiring the single software lock.
US08375165B2 Bit weaving technique for compressing packet classifiers
An improved technique is provided for compressing a packet classifier for a computer network system. A set of packet classification rules is first partitioned into one or more partitions. For each partition, columns of bits in each of the ternary strings of a given partition are reordered, the ternary strings within each partition are consolidated into one or more replacement strings and then the columns of bits of the replacement strings are rearranged back to the starting order. The rearranged replacement strings from each of the partitions are appended together to form a compressed packet classifier which may be instantiated in a content-addressable memory device.
US08375157B2 Cluster based non-volatile memory translation layer
An improved non-volatile memory and logical block to physical block address translation method utilizing a cluster based addressing scheme is detailed. The translation of logical blocks/sectors to the physical blocks/sectors is necessary for a non-volatile memory to appear as a freely rewriteable device to a system or processor. Embodiments of the present invention utilize cluster based address translation to translate logical block addresses to physical block addresses, wherein each cluster contains a plurality of sequentially addressed logical blocks. This allows the use of a smaller RAM table for the address translation lookup and/or faster scanning of the memory device or memory subsystem for the matching cluster address. In one embodiment, a specially formatted cluster is utilized for frequently updated sectors/logical blocks, where the cluster stores a single logical block and a new sequential physical block of the cluster is written in turn with each update.
US08375156B2 Intelligent PCI-express transaction tagging
Systems and methods of routing data units such as data packets or data frames that provide improved system performance and more efficient use of system resources. The disclosed systems and methods employ memory mapping approaches in conjunction with transaction ID tag fields from the respective data units to assign each tag value, or at least one range of tag values, to a specified address, or at least one range of specified addresses, for locations in internal memory that store corresponding transaction parameters. The disclosed systems and methods can also apply selected bits from the transaction ID tag fields to selector inputs of one or more multiplexor components for selecting corresponding transaction parameters at data inputs to the multiplexor components. The disclosed systems and methods may be employed in memory-read data transfer transactions to recover the transaction parameters necessary to determine destination addresses for memory locations where the memory-read data are to be transmitted.
US08375154B2 Electronic device capable of matching a multimedia playback device
An electronic device capable of matching a multimedia playback device is disclosed. The electronic device comprises a slot, a connecting port, a sliding cover, a positioning device, and an identification device. The slot is used to accommodate the multimedia playback device. The connecting port is used to electrically connect the multimedia playback device. The sliding cover matches with the slot. The sliding cover has a support structure to support the multimedia playback device. The positioning device is used to fix the sliding cover at a specific position. The identification device is used to identify the type of the multimedia playback device. When the multimedia playback device is accommodated in the slot, the sliding cover fixes in a specific position to match and support the multimedia playback device.
US08375150B2 Fast HDMI switching with conditional reset mechanism
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) switch configured to receive notification of a switch from a current HDMI source to a new HDMI source, determine whether the new HDMI source is actively transmitting data, has attempted to access an HDCP register before a predetermined timeout delay since a last HDCP register access, and is transmitting unencrypted data, and based on these determinations, either immediately begin transmission of the HDMI data received from the new source or reset the new HDMI source. In this manner, various exemplary embodiments enable switching between HDMI sources with a reduced delay.
US08375144B2 System for connecting applications to legacy and next generation networks
A system is disclosed. The system includes a first network module communicatively coupled to a plurality of services associated with a first network utilizing a first protocol. The system also includes a second network module communicatively coupled to a plurality of services associated with a second network utilizing a second protocol, the second protocol being different than the first protocol. The system also includes a service determination module coupled to the first and second network modules, the service determination module operable to receive a request from the first network module to access at least one service from the plurality of services associated with the second network. The service determination module determines the at least one requested service and sends the request to the at least one requested service associated with the second network through the second network module utilizing the second protocol.
US08375130B2 Shared resource discovery, configuration, and consumption for networked solutions
A networked solution offering a software-based service via a networked architecture having a system landscape can discover a shared resource within the system landscape, for example by accessing a landscape directory comprising information about a plurality of shared resources available in the system landscape. The information about the discovered shared resource can include a second networked solution within the system landscape that has previously configured the discovered shared resource. Configuration settings can be retrieved for the discovered shared resource from the second networked solution. Using the retrieved configuration settings, a shared resource-specific communication channel can be determined for the networked solution to access the discovered shared resource in a peer-to-peer manner. A resource type-specific application programming interface can be provided to the software-based service to enable consumption of the discovered shared resource by the software-based service. Related methods, systems, and articles of manufacture are described.
US08375129B2 Method for dynamically adjusting resource nodes in a peer-to-peer network for delivering time-sensitive content
A method for dynamically adjusting resource nodes in a peer-to-peer (P2P) network including allocating an initial number of resource nodes to provide the time-sensitive content to a consumer node, each of the allocated resource nodes provides a portion of the time-sensitive content to the consumer node; checking if there is a need to receive at least an additional portion of the time-sensitive content from at least one reliable node of the P2P network, and if so, receiving the at least additional portion of the time-sensitive content from the at least one reliable node; and requesting an additional number of resource nodes to provide the at least portion of the time-sensitive content when an access to the at least one reliable node occurs more frequently than a first predetermined threshold value, thereby the number of resource nodes allocated to the consumer node is dynamically adjusted.
US08375122B2 Web service information management in service-oriented architecture applications
Web server information management in a service-oriented architecture application comprises intercepting a service request message issued by a Web service requester for a Web service in response to executing the service-oriented architecture application on the Web service requester side, adding a tracing header in the service request message for requesting the detailed runtime information of the Web service and sending the message to the Web service provider side, intercepting the service request message coming from the Web service requester on the Web service provider side, tracing detailed runtime information based on the tracing header for requesting the detailed runtime information in the message during the execution of the Web service with respect of the service request message, and adding an acknowledgement tracing header containing the traced detailed runtime information into the response message to be returned to the Web service requester by the Web service provider and returning the message to the Web service requester.
US08375119B2 Methods, systems, devices, and products for providing alerts for communications
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing an alert to a called party's communications device. One method processes a communication initiated by a calling party and terminating at the called party's communications device. An alert accompanying the communication is also processed. The alert is selected by the calling party for playing on the called party's communications device, and the alert announces the incoming communication request. This method thus allows the calling party to specify the alert to be played on the called party's communications device.
US08375111B2 Method and apparatus for HBA migration
In one implementation, a system includes multiple SCSI nodes configured to perform a SCSI target function. Each of the multiple SCSI nodes includes a host bus adaptor configured to connect the SCSI node with a Fiber Channel fabric. The host bus adaptor being assigned a world wide name and a network address. The system further includes a host configured to perform a SCSI initiator function. The world wide name assigned to a source host bus adaptor associated with one SCSI node is relocated to a target host bus adaptor associated with another SCSI node. After that, the network address associated with the source host bus adaptor is relocated to the target host bus adaptor. In one implementation, the system determines whether or not a network address assigned to a source host bus adaptor associated with one of the multiple SCSI nodes is shared with at least one other service. If so, the system determined whether the shared network address can be relocated to a target host bus adaptor associated with another one of the multiple of SCSI nodes. If the latter determination is in affirmative, the world wide name and network address are relocated.
US08375109B1 Shortened DHCP lease time
Storing subscriber state information is disclosed. It is determined whether a subscriber state information associated with a DHCP lease communication is stored in a persistent storage. If the subscriber state information is not stored in the persistent storage, a shortened time that is shorter than a normal DHCP lease time is included in the DHCP lease communication.
US08375093B2 Retaining email response time trends
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for retaining email response time trends. A send module determines a send time, the time that a user sends an email message to a recipient. A receive module determines a receive time, the time that the user receives a response from the recipient. A response time module determines a response time that corresponds to the email message based on an elapsed time between the send time and the receive time. A content identifier module determines a content identifier for the email message. A trend module determines a response time trend that corresponds to the recipient and the content identifier based on the response time and on a plurality of previous response times of the recipient. The plurality of previous response times correspond to a plurality of previous email messages between the user and the recipient that match the content identifier.
US08375090B2 Advertisement blocking in IMS networks
IMS networks and methods are disclosed for selectively blocking advertisement content on a per user identifier (ID) basis. A subscriber database in the IMS network, such as a Home Subscriber Server (HSS), stores service profiles for IMS users. The service profiles of the IMS users are also provisioned with advertisement blocking indicators that are associated with a user ID of the IMS users. When a request is received in the subscriber database for a service profile associated with a user ID, the subscriber database checks the advertisement blocking indicator associated with the user ID to see if advertisement content should be blocked for this user ID. If so, the subscriber database modifies initial filter criteria (iFC) associated with the user ID, which in essence blocks the advertisement content from being sent to the IMS user.
US08375082B2 Communications systems and methods
Collaboration session communications methods, methods of configuring a plurality of collaboration sessions, communications methods, collaboration infrastructures, and communications systems are described. According to one aspect, a collaboration session communications method includes coupling a plurality of groups of participants with a collaboration infrastructure, providing a plurality of communications rules to the collaboration infrastructure to control communications of data within a collaboration session, outputting a communication from a first one of the groups for communication to a second one of the groups, receiving the communication within the collaboration infrastructure after the providing, identifying the communication as originating from the first one of the groups and intended for communication to the second one of the groups, and forwarding the communication to a third one of the groups using the collaboration infrastructure and responsive to the identifying and in accordance with one of the communications rules.
US08375078B2 Fast floating point result forwarding using non-architected data format
A microprocessor having an instruction set architecture (ISA) that specifies at least one architected data format (ADF) for floating-point operands. The microprocessor includes a plurality of floating-point units, each comprising an arithmetic unit configured to receive non-ADF source operands and to perform a floating-point operation on the non-ADF source operands to generate a non-ADF result. The microprocessor also includes forwarding buses, configured to forward the non-ADF result generated by each arithmetic unit of the plurality of floating-point units to each of the plurality of floating-point units for selective use as one of the non-ADF source operands.
US08375076B2 Apparatus and method for determining resolver angle
The invention concerns a method and apparatus (28) for determining an angle (9) by means of a resolver (3). In the method, an excitation signal (29) of constant frequency is supplied to the resolver (3), the resolver response signals (13, 14) are measured, successive (16) measurements of each response signal are stored into a sample buffer (5), FIR filtering (10) is computed for the response signal values (16) present in the sample buffer (5) at the instant of computation, the computation points (23, 24) and the set of computation result values (18) corresponding to these points are stored in memory, at least two sets of values (18, 19) of computation results are compared to each other and of these the value set Amax (19) which contains the highest computation result as an unsigned value is selected, and FIR filtering (10) is repeatedly computed at the computation points (25, 26) corresponding to value set Amax (19).
US08375074B2 Device and program for ciphering data
A terminal to be connected to a network has: a data acquisition unit for acquiring first data from the network; an extraction unit for extracting second data regarding a physical quantity in accordance with the first data; a random number generation unit for generating a random number in accordance with the second data; and an enciphering unit for enciphering the first data in accordance with the random number. The terminal has further a counter unit for counting the number of the first data, wherein the random number generation unit generates a random number in accordance with the second data or a value counted by the counter unit.
US08375073B1 Identification and ranking of news stories of interest
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for ranking news articles. A plurality of news articles referenced in one or more hub pages are identified, where each of the hub pages include respective references to one or more of the news articles. A score component is derived for a news article from a measure of a prominence of the news article in the hub pages that includes a reference to the news article.
US08375069B2 User interface methods and systems for selecting and presenting content based on user navigation and selection actions associated with the content
A user-interface method of selecting and presenting a collection of content items based on user navigation and selection actions associated with the content is provided. The method includes associating a relevance weight on a per user basis with content items to indicate a relative measure of likelihood that the user desires the content item. The method includes receiving a user's navigation and selections actions for identifying desired content items, and in response, adjusting the associated relevance weight of the selected content item and group of content items containing the selected item. The method includes, in response to subsequent user input, selecting and presenting a subset of content items and content groups to the user ordered by the adjusted associated relevance weights assigned to the content items and content groups.
US08375061B2 Graphical models for representing text documents for computer analysis
In a method for representing a text document with a graphical model, a document including a plurality of ordered words is received and a graph data structure for the document is created. The graph data structure includes a plurality of nodes and edges, with each node representing a distinct word in the document and each edge identifying a number of times two nodes occur within a predetermined distance from each other. The graph data structure is stored in an information repository.
US08375058B2 Process and apparatus for selecting an item from a database
A method and apparatus for selecting database items from a database, where the database items are indexed by a list of item identifiers. The item identifiers may be in the form of text. An initial display is generated which includes one or more parts of the item identifiers. Selection of the one or more parts may be made and results in the generation of a display of a further one or more parts for selection. The further one or more parts may be selected in order to add to the selected one or more parts to build a larger part or whole of an item identifier. Selection from a large list of item identifiers may be carried out in a relatively short time period.
US08375055B2 Method of operation for a computer implementing different handling of protected and unprotected files
A storage area can be accessed by a computer. Files are stored in the storage area, in which application-related files are stored. Each of the files stored in the storage area is alternatively stored as protected or unprotected file. In at least one embodiment, as a function of commands, which are prespecified by a user to the computer within the scope of running an application, the protected files and/or the unprotected files are read out of the storage area by the computer. Furthermore, in at least one embodiment, as a function of commands which are prespecified by the user to the computer within the scope of running the application, the unprotected files stored in the storage area are changed, deleted and/or converted into protected files and/or new files are determined on the basis of files stored in the storage area and are stored as unprotected files in the storage area. Irrespective of the command prespecified by the user to the computer within the scope of running the application, the computer does not cause the files stored in the storage area to be changed, deleted or converted into unprotected files.
US08375050B1 Determining full sub-tree isomorphism queries over natural number node labeled unordered trees
Embodiments of the present invention ease the processing and exchange of information and data between programmatic schema and memory stores. A common and universal indexing system or coordination language is created based on natural number node-labeled tree data structures and use of the full sub-tree isomorphism query as the only operation.
US08375049B2 Query revision using known highly-ranked queries
An information retrieval system includes a query revision architecture providing one or more query revisers, each of which implements a query revision strategy. A query rank reviser suggests known highly-ranked queries as revisions to a first query by initially assigning a rank to all queries, and identifying a set of known highly-ranked queries (KHRQ). Queries with a strong probability of being revised to a KHRQ are identified as nearby queries (NQ). Alternative queries that are KHRQs are provided as candidate revisions for a given query. For alternative queries that are NQs, the corresponding known highly-ranked queries are provided as candidate revisions.
US08375047B2 Apparatus and method for query prioritization in a shared nothing distributed database
A shared nothing distributed database system includes a master node and a set of shared nothing nodes. Each shared nothing node includes a node state table stored in memory that characterizes various statements and multiple processes implementing each statement, target resource consumption rate for each process and process activity information. A monitor module executed by a central processing unit processes information in the node state table and adjusts values in the node state table in accordance with priority criteria specifying individual user priority ascribed to a statement. A query associated with a statement is processed in the shared nothing distributed database system in accordance with the priority criteria.
US08375036B1 Book content item search
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products are provided for ranking distinct book content items based on implicit links to other distinct book content items. The implicit links are defined based on the identification of matching features in the distinct book content items. In some implementations, the matching features are uncommon phrases in textual content of the distinct book content items. Edges representing implicit links are generated between distinct nodes representing distinct book content items in a weighted graph. Search results for distinct book content items can be ordered based on the edges connected to the distinct nodes in the weighted graph that represent the distinct book content items.
US08375031B2 Lossless real-time line-rate filtering using PCAP style filters and hardware assisted patricia trees
A processor performs line-rate filtering using hardware-assisted Patricia trees. A PCAP-style filter is converted into a form that can be inserted into a Patricia tree. The PCAP filter expression is parsed and converted into disjunctive normal form (DNF). Each DNF clause of the filter is inserted into a Patricia tree. The DNF clauses are checked for overlaps and the overlapping clauses are combined when possible.
US08375026B1 Method and system for matching data sets of non-standard formats
A system and method is described for receiving a plurality of non-standardized data sets and generating respective plurality of standardized profiles that can be used for efficiently comparing and matching one profile against the other plurality of profiles. One application of this invention is to convert job seekers' resumes and job postings into respective profiles and then permitting either a job seeker to search for job postings that most closely match the job seeker's resume or, conversely, permitting an employer to search for job seekers whose resumes most closely match the employer's job posting.
US08375025B1 Language-specific search results
Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer program products are described for ranking content items identified by a search engine and delivering corresponding search results. In one aspect, search engine user language preference data is stored in association with user content item selection records. Analysis of the records is performed to identify content items that appeal to users having common language preferences. Query results can be ranked based on the language preference of the current user and/or the user's query and data derived from the selection records.
US08375019B2 Methods and systems of content mobilization, mobile search, and video editing through a web interface
This invention relates to computer implemented methods and systems for content mobilization, and in particular, methods and systems for mobilization of video, music, photos and other media, including processes for application in mobile search, mobile messaging, mobile editing of media, and combinations thereof. Upon a user of a mobile device selecting a web content item corresponding to a media file, the media file is dynamically transcoded based on the mobile device to receive the media and sent to the mobile device.
US08375010B2 Method of integrating applications with a network service application by creating new records in a relationship field
A computer-implemented method for integrating applications with a network service application is provided. A database management system automatically updates a local database of a computer with information contained within a remote database and an application is enabled to generate a new record in the local database with temporary values in the relationship fields such that the child records are logically related to one or more parent records by virtue of having the same relationship values. A new record is created by the web service for the parent record. When a changed value of the parent record's key is detected, a value of the key of relevant changed parent record is written into one or more local related record's relationship field.
US08374991B2 Determining optimum variable orders for BDDs using recursion
One embodiment accesses a binary decision diagram (BDD) representing a function having n variables; constructs one group of one ordered set of the n variables; recursively constructs one or more new groups of one or more ordered sets of one or more variables, replacing existing groups of one or more ordered sets of one or more variables, until each existing group comprises one or more ordered sets of k variables or less, where 1≦k
US08374989B2 System for customized prediction of menstruation period or fertility period and calculation method therefor
A system for customized prediction of a menstruation period or a fertility period is provided. The system includes a vital information measurer for measuring vital information about a user, a basic menstruation information generator for calculating the first day of menstruation or an ovulation day using the vital information received from the vital information measurer and outputting the first day of menstruation or the ovulation day as basic menstruation information, a menstruation cycle modeler having a menstruation cycle model representing a menstruation cycle as a function with a predetermined period, and a model parameter estimator for estimating and compensating a menstruation cycle parameter of the menstruation cycle model using the basic menstruation information received from the basic menstruation information generator.
US08374978B2 Context-sensitive dynamic bloat detection system that uses a semantic profiler to collect usage statistics
Methods and apparatus are provided for a context-sensitive dynamic bloat detection system. A profiling tool is disclosed that selects an appropriate collection implementation for a given application. The disclosed profiling tool uses semantic profiling together with a set of collection selection rules to make an informed choice. A collection implementation, such as an abstract data entity, is selected for a given program by obtaining collection usage statistics from the program. The collection implementation is selected based on the collection usage statistics using a set of collection selection rules. The collection implementation is one of a plurality of interchangeable collection implementations having a substantially similar logical behavior for substantially all collection types. The collection usage statistics indicate how the collection implementation is used in the given program. One or more suggestions can be generated for improving the collection allocated at a particular allocation context.
US08374972B2 Media development network
Methods and systems for encouraging and identifying new talent, as well as an incentive structure for financing creative/media projects, are described. A social network web site allows users to post their own content, and filters users to the top who have achieved a given level of popularity. Popular users can then post media proposals to a private section of the web site, through which established stars and talent review the proposals. Users, in exchange for access to the private section, grant to a proprietor of the web site an option to make one or more future productions with that user at a reduced rate should that user reach stardom. Established stars and talent, in exchange for participating in a media proposal at a reduced rate, receive an interest in one or more productions by the user if/when the proprietor of the web site exercises an option to make a future production with the user.
US08374964B1 Methods and systems for processing stranded payments and lockbox payments at the same designated payment location
Embodiments of the invention describe an electronic method for processing stranded payments and lockbox payments at the same designated payment location. The method includes receiving a stranded payment at a non-designated payment location, and electronically scanning the stranded payment at the non-designated payment location. The scanned information is transmitted, in a secure manner, to a designated payment location remote from the non-designated payment location. The stranded payment and a lockbox payment are cleared, in the same electronic workflow, the transmitted information is used in the clearing process. Embodiments of the invention also include updating, for each stranded and lockbox payment, the accounts receivable system of the customer receiving the stranded or lockbox payment, and transmitting a response indicating the final status of the clearing of the stranded payment to the non-designated payment location.
US08374962B2 Stored value payouts
According to the invention, a method for automatically processing an incoming payment for a payee with an online money transfer system. In one step, information is received at the online money transfer system. That information relates to processing of one or more received payments associated with the payee. At some point, the incoming payment associated with the payee is received. A default repository for the incoming payment is determined. It is determined whether to transfer at least some of the incoming payment away from the default repository or escrow at least a portion of the incoming payment for benefit of at least one predetermined party. Either the earmark or the escrow is applied after this determination.
US08374956B2 Internet transactions based on user-specific information
An Internet business transaction processor of the present invention has a distributed processing architecture which allows the processing load to be distributed among multiple parallel servers. The transaction processor of the present invention provides a virtual store front utilizing “others people's warehouse” approach by using a dynamic distributor selection processing system to select among a plurality of distributors based on flexible rule-based algorithm.
US08374955B1 Methods and systems related to trading engines
At least one other exemplary aspect comprises a method comprising: (a) receiving electronic data describing a trading order; (b) receiving data describing a selection of one or more first trading algorithms from available stored algorithms for execution of the trading order; (c) commencing execution of the trading order via the one or more first trading algorithms; (d) evaluating, during the execution, execution performance of the trading order via the first trading algorithms; (e) comparing the evaluated execution performance to one or more pre-defined conditions; and (f) if the evaluated execution performance fails to satisfy the pre-defined conditions, switching execution of the trading order to one or more second trading algorithms. In an exemplary embodiment, data describing at least one of the pre-defined conditions is received in connection with the electronic data describing a trading order. Related systems and software are comprised in other aspects.
US08374947B2 Derivatives trading methods that use a variable order price and a hedge transaction
Systems and methods are provided for executing a hedge transaction in connection with the execution of a derivative product order in which the price of the derivative product is defined by one or more variables. The hedge transaction may be executed at an exchange or match engine that is different from the exchange or match engine executing the derivative product order. The execution of derivative product transaction may be contingent on the existence of an appropriate hedge transaction. Alternatively, a best efforts approach may be used to fill the hedge transaction order after executing the derivative product transaction.
US08374940B1 Wealth allocation analysis tools
Enhanced processes, methods, tools, strategies, and techniques are provided for more effectively and efficiently processing, managing, analyzing, and communicating wealth related data and other financial information within a computing environment. In various embodiments, the analysis tools provided herein have been designed to correspond visually with a mental model employed by many clients in managing their wealth.
US08374928B2 Data center power cost accounting system
A data center power cost accounting system uses server and storage and cooling power consumption models and device maps, together with runtime application maps, to estimate the equipment power consumption and cooling power consumption of individual applications. An approximation of the cooling cost over a period of time, for any given application, can be pieced together by adding up the equipment utilized by the application and applying the cooling estimates obtained from computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The cooling estimates can further account for changes or variability in resource usage over time since the cooling estimates are based directly on utilization. The per application power consumption costs are obtained without having to install or depend on power measurement instruments or other hardware in the datacenters.
US08374927B2 Methods for wirelessly routing a vehicle
The present invention automates the process of receiving transportation documentation and producing advance loading manifests therefrom to optimize load planning and dynamic product shipment and delivery control. Methods provide for receipt of the transportation documentation, initial preparation, and transmission of the documentation from on board a vehicle or while the vehicle is in transit.
US08374908B2 Computer system and computer-based method for assessing the safety of a process industry plant
A method and system to establish a safety assessment of a process industry plant including multiple organizational units. The method and system store scores relating to a rating of one of an inspection, undertaken in one of the organizational units regarding an aspect of the plant, and an answer, given by a human representative of one of the organizational units in response to defined questions relating to one of the aspects. The scores are assigned to respective of the organizational units and respective of the aspects. Aspect-specific scores are then calculated. Safety assessment can then be established from the aspect-specific scores of the organizational units.
US08374899B1 Assessment construction tool
An assessment construction tool is provided for developing and executing assessments of various operational aspects of a business entity. Both application-level and project-level assessments may be constructed, and the assessments include a mechanism for applying scores associated with answers derived from conducting the assessment to multiple assessment process categories of the business entity.
US08374897B2 Apparatus and method for forecasting qualitative assessments
A computer-readable medium to direct a computer to function in a specified manner includes executable instructions to: generate a set of qualitative assessments; convert the set of qualitative assessments into a set of quantitative assessments; produce a quantitative forecast from the set of quantitative assessments; and translate the quantitative forecast to a qualitative forecast.
US08374896B2 Architectural design for opportunity management application software
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for implementing a software architecture design for a software application implementing ad-hoc goods movement. The application is structured as multiple process components interacting with each other through service interfaces, and multiple service operations, each being implemented for a respective process component. The process components include, for example, a lead processing process component that handles the potential interests of a business partner and the interactions with the business partner over a certain timeframe; an opportunity processing process component that handles the development, processing, and monitoring of opportunities; a customer quote processing process component that handles the processing of quotes to customers offering the delivery of goods according to specific terms; and a sales order processing process component that handles the processing of customers' requests to seller for delivery of goods, on a specific date, for a specific quantity, and for a specific price.
US08374889B2 Multiple-input selectable systems integrated display and control functions unit for electrophysiology and the like
A systems integrator that brings various separate systems into one keyboard, video and mouse configuration with customized viewing of the different monitors on one large screen LCD monitor. This permits a user to control the display of several video/audio inputs simply and efficiently, for many diverse purposes including medical procedures, and other complex operations requiring multiple computer displays and video inputs.
US08374881B2 System and method for enriching spoken language translation with dialog acts
Disclosed herein are systems, computer-implemented methods, and tangible computer-readable media for enriching spoken language translation with dialog acts. The method includes receiving a source speech signal, tagging dialog acts associated with the received source speech signal using a classification model, dialog acts being domain independent descriptions of an intended action a speaker carries out by uttering the source speech signal, producing an enriched hypothesis of the source speech signal incorporating the dialog act tags, and outputting a natural language response of the enriched hypothesis in a target language. Tags can be grouped into sets such as statement, acknowledgement, abandoned, agreement, question, appreciation, and other. The step of producing an enriched translation of the source speech signal uses a dialog act specific translation model containing a phrase translation table.
US08374879B2 Systems and methods for managing interactions from multiple speech-enabled applications
Systems and methods are described for speech systems that utilize an interaction manager to manage interactions—also known as dialogues—from one or more applications. The interactions are managed properly even if multiple applications use different grammars. The interaction manager maintains an interaction list. An application wishing to utilize the speech system submits one or more interactions to the interaction manager. Interactions are normally processed in the order in which they are received. An exception to this rule is an interaction that is configured by an application to be processed immediately, which causes the interaction manager to place the interaction at the front of the interaction list of interactions. If an application has designated an interaction to interrupt a currently processing interaction, then the newly submitted application will interrupt any interaction currently being processed and, therefore, it will be processed immediately.
US08374873B2 Training and applying prosody models
Techniques for training and applying prosody models for speech synthesis are provided. A speech recognition engine processes audible speech to produce text annotated with prosody information. A prosody model is trained with this annotated text. After initial training, the model is applied during speech synthesis to generate speech with non-standard prosody from input text. Multiple prosody models can be used to represent different prosody styles.
US08374870B2 Methods and systems for assessing and improving the performance of a speech recognition system
A method for assessing a performance of a speech recognition system may include determining a grade, corresponding to either recognition of instances of a word or recognition of instances of various words among a set of words, wherein the grade indicates a level of the performance of the system and the grade is based on a recognition rate and at least one recognition factor. An apparatus for assessing a performance of a speech recognition system may include a processor that determines a grade, corresponding to either recognition of instances of a word or recognition of instances of various words among a set of words, wherein the grade indicates a level of the performance of the system and wherein the grade is based on a recognition rate and at least one recognition factor.
US08374863B2 Mass-scale, user-independent, device-independent voice messaging system
A mass-scale, user-independent, device-independent, voice messaging system that converts unstructured voice messages into text for display on a screen is disclosed. The system comprises (i) computer implemented sub-systems and also (ii) a network connection to human operators providing transcription and quality control; the system being adapted to optimize the effectiveness of the human operators by further comprising 3 core sub-systems, namely (i) a pre-processing front end that determines an appropriate conversion strategy; (ii) one or more conversion resources; and (iii) a quality control sub-system.
US08374861B2 Voice activity detector
A voice activity detector indicates the presence of speech within a signal. The detector may determine whether the signal includes speech by calculating a variance of a signal-to-noise ratio across a plurality of portions of a signal, calculating a value based on the variance of the signal-to-noise ratio, performing a comparison between the value and a threshold, and identifying whether the signal contains speech based on the comparison between the value and the threshold.
US08374855B2 System for suppressing rain noise
A voice enhancement logic improves the perceptual quality of a processed signal. The voice enhancement system includes a noise detector and a noise attenuator. The noise detector detects and models the noise associated with rain. The noise attenuator dampens or reduces the rain noise from a signal to improve the intelligibility of an unvoiced, a fully voiced, or a mixed voice segment.
US08374852B2 Apparatus and method of code conversion and recording medium that records program for computer to execute the method
Disclosed is a code conversion method to convert a first code sequence conforming to a first speech coding scheme into a second code sequence conforming to a second speech coding scheme. The method includes the following steps. The first step discriminates whether the first code sequence corresponds to a speech part or to a non-speech part, and generates a numerical value that indicates the discrimination result as a control flag. The second step converts the first code sequence into the second code sequence and outputs said second code sequence, when the value of the control flag corresponds to the speech part. The third step outputs the second code sequence that corresponds to the value of the control flag, when the value of the control flag corresponds to the non-speech part.
US08374851B2 Voice activity detector and method
Acoustic echo control for hands-free phone has acoustic echo cancellation and echo suppression with a voice activity detection for the echo suppression based on near-end input power together with an estimate for acoustic echo cancellation gain.
US08374848B1 System and method for using data and derived features to automatically generate a narrative story
A system and method for automatically generating a narrative story receives data and information pertaining to a domain event. The received data and information and/or one or more derived features are then used to identify a plurality of angles for the narrative story. The plurality of angles is then filtered, for example through use of parameters that specify a focus for the narrative story, length of the narrative story, etc. Points associated with the filtered plurality of angles are then assembled and the narrative story is rendered using the filtered plurality of angles and the assembled points.
US08374844B2 Hybrid system for named entity resolution
A method for named entity resolution includes parsing an input text string to identify a context in which an identified named entity of the input text string is used. The identified context is compared with at least one stored context in which the named entity in the stored context is associated with a class of named entity, the named entity class being selected from a plurality of classes, at least one of the plurality of classes corresponding to a metonymic use of a respective named entity. A named entity class is assigned to the identified named entity from the plurality of named entity classes, based on at least one of the identified context and the comparison.
US08374831B2 Process for generating bidirectional reflectance distribution functions of gonioapparent materials with limited measurement data
A computer-implemented process for generating a bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) of a gonioapparent material containing effect flake pigments in a solid medium using limited measurement data, comprising the following steps: (A) acquiring and inputting into a computing device (1) photometric data and (2) the refractive index of the solid medium of the gonioapparent material; (B) converting any non-linear photometric data from step A) above to linear photometric data; (C) using the illumination angle and the reflective scattering angle associated with the linear photometric data and the refractive index of the medium to calculate corresponding effect flake angles; (D) fitting the linear photometric data and the effect angle data with an equation; (E) calculating the corresponding effect flake angle needed to calculate the BRDF being generated in step (F); and (F) generating the BRDF from the corresponding effect flake angle from step (E) and the equation developed in step (D).
US08374825B2 Personal items network, and associated methods
A personal items network, comprising a plurality of items, each item having a wireless communications port for coupling in network with every other item, each item having a processor for determining if any other item in the network is no longer linked to the item, each item having an indicator for informing a user that an item has left the network, wherein a user may locate lost items. A method for locating lost personal items, comprising: linking at least two personal items together on a network; and depositing one or both of time and location information in an unlost item when one of the items is lost out of network.
US08374823B1 Method and apparatus for monitoring variations in a parameter over time
A method and apparatus are provided for monitoring a parameter such as temperature in a system such as a computer server. The method involves defining a monitoring range for the parameter. Typically, the parameter initially lies within the monitoring range. The parameter is then tracked by determining whenever the parameter exceeds an upper or lower limit of the monitoring range. If such a limit is reached, the monitoring range is adjusted to try to accommodate the parameter within the adjusted monitoring range. A time history of the monitoring range may be recorded, including details of all the adjustments of the monitoring range. This allows the behavior of the parameter to be subsequently investigated for diagnostic purposes.
US08374817B2 Auto-calibration of orientation sensing systems
An electronic device has an orientation sensing system for determining an orientation of the device. The system includes a magnetometer and an accelerometer. The system further has a calibration device configured to calibrate the sensing system for operational use. The accelerometer supplies measurements used to constrain a range of possible directions of the external magnetic field to be determined. The calibration device numerically solves a set of equations and is equally usable for a 2D or 3D magnetometer in combination with a 2D or 3D accelerometer.
US08374815B2 Self-calibrating test system
A test system may include multiple test stations. Electronic devices may be tested using the test system. Each test station may include a test unit such as a radio-frequency tester that can make wireless and wired radio-frequency signal measurements on devices under test. The test stations may be configured to perform pass-fail testing on devices under test during manufacturing. One or more selected devices under test that have passed the pass-fail tests may be retested using the test stations. Multiple tests may be performed at a given test station using the same selected device under test. Gathered test data may be analyzed to determine whether the test stations have sufficient accuracy and precision or need to be recalibrated or taken offline.
US08374814B2 X-ray detection signal processing apparatus and method therefor
An X-ray detection signal processing apparatus of the present invention is such that after a signal from a preamplifier has been converted into a digital signal at a high speed by means of a high speed analog-to-digital converter (1), a process for removing influences brought about by a component that has been decayed by a differential time constant in the preamplifier is performed on a digital basis in a digital signal processing block (2). An event detecting unit (3) within the digital signal processing block (2), smoothen the signal from the high speed analog-to-digital converter (1) for a predetermined shaping time with the use of a filter function for high speed shaping, detects as an event information the timing at which the smoothened signal exceeds a predetermined threshold and attains the maximum value, and add such event information to the signal from the high speed analog-to-digital converter (1).
US08374811B2 High waveform throughput with a large acquisition memory
A waveform display apparatus and method displays one or more waveforms of a signal under test at high throughput while acquiring digital data of the signal under test in a large acquisition memory. A user sets a time interval of user's interest when viewing a signal under test and sets trigger criteria through a user interface. An ADC converts the signal under test into digital data that is stored in a large acquisition memory. A trigger unit detects and produces trigger events, based on a trigger, as trigger event information during one acquisition process. A trigger event eliminator may discard some of the trigger events based on pre-trigger and post-conditions set through the interface by a user. The trigger events are recorded in a trigger list as the trigger event information. A control unit locates the digital data in the acquisition memory corresponding to the trigger events in the trigger list and displays a waveform associated with the trigger event for the time interval on a display device.
US08374807B2 Method and apparatus that detects state of charge (SOC) of a battery
A method and apparatus are provided for estimating a state of charge (SOC) of a battery. Curves are generated to expresses a relationship between a first parameter and an SOC over a region of interest. A voltage and a current of the battery during a period of time are measured to create a set of voltage and current data, which is then processed to create a set of processed data. The processed data is then combined with the generated curves to generate processed data as a function of SOC. A curve is generated that evaluates each SOC for accuracy and chance likelihood of fit. An SOC that minimizes both the error and chance is selected and output for display to the user on a user interface.
US08374801B2 Automation of ingredient-specific particle sizing employing raman chemical imaging
A system and method for determining at least one geometric property of a particle in a sample. A sample is irradiated to thereby generate Raman scattered photons. These photons are collected to generate a Raman chemical image. A first threshold is applied wherein the first threshold is such that all particles in the sample are detected. A particle in the sample is selected and a second threshold is applied so that at least one geometric property of the selected particle can be determined. At least one spectrum representative of the selected particle is analyzed to determine whether or not it is a particle of interest. The step of determining a second threshold may be iterative and automated via software so that candidate second thresholds are applied until a satisfactory result is achieved.
US08374796B2 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.
US08374791B2 Method of operating a navigation system to provide route guidance
A method of operating a navigation system to provide a route guidance message for traveling a route is performed by a navigation system. A preferred name of a feature visible from a road segment is obtained in a native language from a geographic database associated with the navigation system. The parts-of-speech of the preferred name are identified and converted into a target language text providing the preferred name in a target language. A guidance message includes the target language text in the target language.
US08374784B2 System and method for determining the geographic location of a device
A method and apparatus for estimating a location of a device. For each of a plurality of locations of a device, a set of positional data is determined from signals received from a plurality of satellites. The positional data is filtered and compared with data from a road network database. This comparison may be a function of a distance from at least one point defined by a set of the filtered positional data to a road in the road network database and an angle between a line representing a best fit for plural points defined by corresponding plural sets of the filtered positional data to a line defined by a road in the road network database.
US08374770B2 Method and device for adapting an injection characteristic curve
When the internal combustion engine is in an injection-free operating mode, a selected injector is open for injecting a small fuel amount, whereby at least one working cycle with injector control follows or precedes one cycle without control, a differential of two subsequent segment times of the cylinder associated with the selected injector or another variable, that reproduces a temporal crankshaft angle speed modification, is determined as a measurement value respectively for the cycle with and without control, and a relation is formed between the values of the cycles with or without control and used to correct the injection characteristic curve. The engine operates with active ignition and the value for the cycle with control is tested by taking into account ignition faults and the relation is only used to correct the curve if the value in the cycle with control significantly deviates from the one without control.
US08374767B2 Method for operating a glow plug
The invention relates to a method for operating a glow plug with running engine, with the engine having a crankshaft and at least one cylinder. An effective voltage is generated from a vehicle electrical system voltage, with the effective voltage being applied to the glow plug. A plurality of measurement values of the combustion chamber pressure prevalent in the cylinder is measured during each working cycle of the cylinder, with the angular position of the crankshaft being determined for each individual measurement value. A characteristic value of the combustion process is determined from the evolution of the combustion chamber pressure measured in relation to the angular position of the crankshaft, and the determined characteristic value is compared with a setpoint value, and the effective voltage is set to a minimum value required for reaching the setpoint value.
US08374760B2 Control of multi-speed transmission
Apparatus and method for efficiently controlling an automatic transmission in an electric vehicle. The method may be implemented by selection of one of at least two belt clutches having different ratios. The timing for disengagement and engagement of each clutch and the proper sequencing of the disengagement and engagement of the clutches is determined to optimize the efficiency of the transmission. A direct drive motor is directly coupled to the transmission's output shaft to provide momentary power to maintain a nearly constant rate of acceleration during shifting. The method may further be applied for shifting an electric vehicle with a first motor coupled to an output shaft through a single belt clutch and a direct drive motor.
US08374758B2 Method for developing a trip cost structure to understand input speed trip for a hybrid powertrain system
A powertrain system includes an engine mechanically coupled to an electro-mechanical transmission selectively operative in one of a plurality of transmission operating range states and one of a plurality of engine states. A method for controlling the powertrain system includes determining a current transmission operating range state and engine state, determining at least one potential transmission operating range state and engine state, determining preferability factors associated with the current and potential transmission operating range state and the engine state wherein the preferability factors associated with potential transmission operating range states include transmission input speed trip preferability factors, preferentially weighting the preferability factors for the current transmission operating range state and engine state, and selectively commanding changing the present transmission operating range state and engine state based upon the preferability factors.
US08374728B2 Power management apparatus for controlling consumption power and method of operating the same
An aspect of the present invention relates to a power management apparatus, including a communication unit communicating with a power management network and a control unit determining a restricted power amount, determining a restricted power amount for an electronic device connected to the power management network, transmitting a power restriction request, including the restricted power amount, to the electronic device, receiving a response to the power restriction request, and controlling power consumed by the power management network on the basis of the received response.
US08374725B1 Climate control
A system is provided in which the dampers may be individually controlled. The climate control system may be retrofit to an existing climate control system by connecting the controller to the existing climate control equipment through the thermostat interface. The climate control system may be monitored and set via a remote server.
US08374724B2 Computing environment that produces realistic motions for an animatronic figure
A system for producing motions for an animatronic figure is disclosed. The system is configured to produce different types of motions in real-time and in a life-like manner. The motion software module forms a composite motion by combining the user-inputted motion with user-selected fixed sequences and/or with algorithmically calculated motion. The motions of the animatronic figure can further be filtered to produce motions that are life-like. Combined motions are formed by superimposing, modulating, or modifying component motions. Motions are filtered based on user-inputted commands and commands determined from a stimulus and filtered to create a life-like motion.
US08374722B2 Robotic arm
A robotic arm is provided, for example for inspecting a rotary machine such as a gas turbine engine. The arm has a plurality of groups of links having articulations therebetween for movement in a first plane, the groups having articulations with respect to each other for movement in a second orthogonal plane. Thus the arm can move around objects such as aerofoils in the engine, and also move up or down to remain close to the rotary surface of the machine.
US08374720B2 Method and apparatus for sorting articles by way of storage regions
An apparatus and a method for sorting articles, in particular flat mail items. The sorting plant has a feed transport path, a lead-away transport path, a plurality of connecting transport paths, a plurality of storage regions, and a sorting plan. Each connecting transport path branches off from the feed transport path and issues into the lead-away transport path. The feed transport path or the lead-away transport path is configured as a storage transport path which contains the storage regions, in the form of a sequence of successive storage regions. The sorting plan assigns a storage region, to each possible feature value of a sorting feature. The sorting plant selects a storage region for each article, using the sorting plan and as a function of the measured feature value. When the sorting plant has selected for a first article a first storage region and for a following second article a second storage region which comes after the first storage region in the sequence, the sorting plant temporarily stores the first article in the first storage region and transports the second article, using the overtaking transport path, past the first article stored in the first storage region to the second storage region.
US08374719B2 Article processing facility and its control method
An article processing facility includes an article carrier movable along a track and having an article gripper, and a pair of article racks for temporarily supporting articles. Each of the article racks is configured to be shiftable between an extended position and a retracted position. When an article for loading gripped by the article gripper is to be delivered to an article loading and unloading station but an article for unloading is present at the article loading and unloading station, the article for loading is stored temporarily on one of the article racks, and thereafter the article for unloading at the article loading and unloading station is temporarily stored on the other article rack.
US08374713B2 Product-line based content management systems and methods
A product-line managing module includes a code and bill of material (BOM) generator module and a configuration management module. The code and BOM generator module: receives data dictionary entries and interface information; generates a product BOM of at least one of a product based on the data dictionary entries and interface information; and generates autocode for N modules based on the data dictionary entries and interface information, where N is an integer greater than 1. The configuration management module assembles the autocode to generate the product.
US08374708B2 Control apparatus for a system of monitoring and controlling a plant including simulated data mass setting and cancelling means
A control apparatus for a plant system has data input/output units for inputting measured data obtained from a plant and a control command for the plant, a data transmission unit for transmission of data between a control unit and a plant monitor unit which are coupled to each other through a network, and a stimulated data mass setting and cancelling unit for performing mass setting of data handled by the data input/output unit and/or data handled by the data transmission unit to simulated data managed in the form of a list table by means of a maintenance tool and performing mass cancelling of the stimulated data set in the list table.
US08374702B2 Drug delivery
A method and apparatus (100) of treating tissue adjacent a bodily conduit using thermotherapy, while preventing obstructions of the bodily conduit due to edema, includes injection of a drug-encapsulated within a heat-sensitive carrier, such as a liposome, within a region of tissue to be treated. The heat produced by the energy-emitting source (110) heats a portion of the tissue surrounding the bodily conduit to a temperature of approximately 43° C. for a time sufficient to destroy the heated portion of the tissue. In addition, the heat produced by the energy-emitting source (110) activates the heat-sensitive carrier to activate the release of the encapsulated drug and the drug targets the tissue to be heated. The focused energy of the energy-emitting source together with the compression acting on the target area can assist in delivering drugs to the target area so that a natural stent has a long term efficacy.
US08374700B2 Adjustable impedance matching circuit
An implantable medical device with a medical module, an antenna, a transceiver and an impedance match circuit. The transceiver is operatively coupled to the antenna and the medical module and facilitates wireless transmission of data between the medical module and an external device. The impedance match circuit is operatively coupled between the transceiver and the antenna and has a plurality of predetermined selectable configurations, each providing a particular impedance matching characteristic.
US08374691B2 Methods and systems for determining if an arrhythmia initiated in an atrium or a ventricle
Validated atrial and/or ventricular interval decreases are used to discriminate between VT and SVT. Atrial and/or ventricular intervals are monitored in order to detect decreases in such intervals (which are indicative in increases in rate). The atrial intervals can be, e.g., AA intervals, and the ventricular intervals can be, e.g., VV intervals. A detected atrial and/or ventricular interval decrease can be a decrease that is greater than an interval decrease threshold. Detected atrial and/or ventricular interval decreases can be validated by examining atrial and/or ventricular intervals before and after a detected atrial and/or ventricular interval decrease. The use of the validated atrial and/or ventricular interval decreases to classify an arrhythmia as SVT or VT can be called arrhythmia initiation analysis, since it is believed to determine whether the initiation of the arrhythmia is in an atrium or a ventricle.
US08374688B2 System and methods for wireless body fluid monitoring
An adherent device to monitor a tissue hydration of a patient comprises an adhesive patch to adhere to a skin of the patient. At least four electrodes are connected to the patch and capable of electrically coupling to the patient. Impedance circuitry is coupled to the at least four electrodes to measure a tissue resistance of the patient, where the circuitry is configured to determine the tissue hydration in response to tissue resistance. The circuitry may comprise a processor system and the tissue resistance may correspond to a change in patient body fluid. The impedance circuitry is configured to measure the hydration signal using at least one low measurement frequency, which may be in the range of 0 to 10 kHz. Multiple measurement frequencies may be used and the hydration signal may include a tissue reactance measurement.
US08374685B2 System, computer-readable medium, method, and use for combined epithelial early cancer diagnosis and staging
A system (40) for diagnosis and staging of early stages of cancer in the tissue of a patient is provided. The system—is configured to combine information from a Polarized Light Scattering Spectroscopy measurement (70) having a first probe depth, and a Differential Path Length Spectroscopy measurement (60) having a second probe depth, wherein the second probe depth is set larger than' the first probe depth. By comparing the results of the Polarized Light Scattering Spectroscopy and Differential Path Length Spectroscopy measurements early stages of cancer, such as dysplasia may be detected. Also hyperplasia, carcinoma in situ, and carcinoma may be detected. A computer-readable medium, method and use are also provided.
US08374681B2 Apparatus and method for functional neurological screening with adjustable spaced collimator plates
A variable focus collimator device and method for functional neurological screening. The variable focus collimator uses sets of corresponding holes in two plates of gamma shielding material, arranged so that only gamma rays emitted from a defined focal region detected. If a suitable radio-labeled tracer has been administered to the patient, this may be used to obtain and compare basal and stimulated data from a small number of regions in the brain to diagnose the presence or absence of dementias. The regions of the brain observer are typically about a cm cubed in volume, and their activity is monitored using small doses (<2 mCi) of radio-labeled, brain perfusion agents. The regions used are easily and repeatably located relative to well-known anthropological and radiological fiducials. By simply use of symmetry, ratios and cortical to cerebellar comparisons, rapid (˜15 minute) screening for dementia may be accomplished.
US08374680B2 Needleless catheters and methods for true lumen re-entry in treatment of chronic total occlusions and other disorders
A catheter system comprising a) an elongate flexible catheter; b) a lumen that extends from a proximal insertion port to a side outlet opening; c) a penetrating guidewire insertable into the proximal insertion port and thereafter advanceable through the lumen and out of the side outlet opening; and d) an orientation element useable to provide an indication of the trajectory on which the penetrating guidewire will advance from the catheter body. Also disclosed are methods for using such catheter to direct the penetrating guidewire out of the side opening and into the true lumen of a blood vessel when bypassing an obstruction in the blood vessel such as a chronic total occlusion (CTO) of an artery.
US08374672B2 Biomagnetic field measurement apparatus capable of exact positioning
There is provided a biomagnetic field measurement apparatus capable of carrying out exact positioning work and highly sensitive signal detection. To bring a sensor surface close to a body surface while the sensor surface and the body surface are kept parallel, a cryostat is constructed so as to be capable of oscillating and expanding and contracting. A gantry is formed by three supports. A first support is a portal support that supports the whole of the gantry. A second support is supported on the first support, and is rotatable with a first direction being the axis. A third support is supported on the second support, and is movable in the axial direction of the cryostat as viewed from the second support. The cryostat is supported on the third support, and moves integrally with the third support.
US08374669B2 Needle electrode with displaceable cover and method of using said needle electrode
A needle electrode (1) comprising a base element (4), a needle element (3) mounted on said base element and connection means (5) for connecting said needle element to external electronic equipment. The needle electrode further comprises a cover element (2) which is displaceable between at least two positions: an “active” position where the tip of the needle element (3) is exposed and a “secure” position where the tip of the needle element (3) is hidden within the cover element (2). In this way, the needle electrode (1) is provided with a shield (2) whereby the needle element (3) can be shielded after use whereby the user of the needle electrode (1) is protected from infection. A method of using a needle electrode (1) is also presented. An adjustable length needle electrode (80) is also presented.
US08374668B1 Analyte sensor with lag compensation
In particular embodiments, methods, devices and systems including calibrating analyte data associated with a monitored analyte level received from an analyte sensor based on a reference measurement, determining a lag time constant associated with the calibrated analyte data, and performing lag correction of the calibrated analyte data based on the determined time lag constant are disclosed.
US08374666B2 Retinopathy of prematurity determination and alarm system
Methods and system for determining a likelihood of possible retinopathy of prematurity and alerting a caregiver of such likelihood may employ oxygen saturation measurements. According to certain embodiments, an apparatus for determining a risk of retinopathy of prematurity in a patient may include a processing unit. The processing unit is configured to determine whether an oxygen saturation level of the patient extends beyond an oxygen saturation threshold, determine an extent that the oxygen saturation level of the patient extends beyond the oxygen saturation threshold, and trigger an alarm when the extent that the oxygen saturation level of the patient extends beyond the oxygen saturation threshold exceeds a threshold at which the patient may be at risk of developing retinopathy of prematurity. The apparatus may also include a display unit configured to present the alarm in response to the trigger from the processing unit.
US08374659B2 Sliding mechanism with changeable paths and cellular phone having the same
A sliding mechanism with changeable paths and a cellular phone are disclosed. The sliding mechanism comprises a sliding plate, a V-shaped resilience device, and a fixed plate. The sliding plate is fixed to a sliding portion of the cellular phone, and the fixed plate is fixed on a holding base of the cellular phone. When the sliding plate is pushed to move a predetermined distance, the sliding plate can be driven by the resilient force of the V-shaped resilience device to automatically slide with respect to a V-shaped support having a turning ring and along guiding slots and guiding edges on the fixed plate. The sliding plate can automatically slide through a remaining portion of a path when the sliding plate is first pushed to move a predetermined distance, thereby enabling answering or hanging up of the cellular phone semi-automatically.
US08374658B2 Method and apparatus for flat and tilt slide mechanism
In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first housing section, a second housing section, and a connection mechanism between the housing sections. The connection mechanism includes a first hinge member, a slide plate, second hinge member, a first hinge arm, and a second hinge arm. The first hinge member includes an elongated opening. The slide plate is attached to the second housing section. The second hinge member is connected to the slide plate. The first end of the first hinge arm is connected to the first housing section. The second end of the first hinge arm is connected to the second hinge member. The first end of the second hinge arm is connected to the first hinge member at the elongated opening. The second end of the second hinge arm is connected to the second hinge member.
US08374647B2 Mobile terminal device, contact-less card function management system and contact-less card function acquisition system
A mobile terminal is provided which is capable of managing contact-less card function content, while acquiring and deleting the contact-less card function content with ease. The mobile terminal according to the present invention has a terminal operating system (OS) that executes various functions of the mobile terminal, a Felica application manager (FAM), a Felica device driver that drives a Felica OS according to control of the FAM, and a Felica chip that stores Felica content. The FAM operates a Java applications manager that manages Java applications having the network computing function, API to start a browser, that executes API, and other applications such as a the browser, a menu and a Felica viewer.
US08374643B2 Systems and methods for facilitating push-to-talk (PTT) communications using SIP-based messaging
A method of facilitating push-to-talk (PTT) communications between a server device and a client device using SIP-based messaging, the server device being in communication with a media server. The method includes receiving in the server device from the client device a SUBSCRIBE message for subscription to a push-to-talk group, the SUBSCRIBE message including media information of the client device, storing in the server device the media information of the client device, and sending from the server device to the client device a NOTIFY message, the NOTIFY message including media information of the media server for storage by the client device.
US08374641B2 Mobile user terminal, mobile communication system, base station, and communication method
A method for using a mobile user terminal includes a receiving a signal and a measuring downlink channel quality based on the signal; wherein downlink channel quality information and an uplink pilot signal simultaneously is not transmitted at a period which the mobile user terminal is a state of transmission off in an intermittent fashion.
US08374640B2 Controlling a communication system
In a communication system, a plurality of communication entities can establish a plurality of communication links that can potentially interfere with each other. A control of the communication system involves repetitively carrying out a probabilistic parameter setting step for respective communication links. In such a probabilistic parameter setting step, a parameter setting to be applied to a communication link is randomly determined according to a probability distribution. This probability distribution is such that a probability that a particular parameter setting is applied decreases with, on the one hand, a relative level of interference that the communication link is expected to experience from other communication links if the particular parameter setting is applied and, on the other hand, a relative level of interference that other communication links are expected to experience if the particular parameter setting is applied.
US08374635B2 Method for selective page cancelling in an asynchronous environment
A method includes transmitting a paging request message to a plurality of asynchronous base stations (102a-g) where a paging message is sent within its respective cell at any time within a given paging interval (202). The method continues by receiving notification that paged mobile station (106) has responded to a paging message. The page cancelling message indicates to the base stations do not need to send the paging message within their respective cells during the current paging interval and that the paging process is cancelled.
US08374621B2 Methods and apparatus for reducing the likelihood of deadlock in a wireless communication system
In accordance with a method for reducing the likelihood of deadlock in a wireless communication system, user equipment may determine that user equipment has data to transmit. The data may correspond to a scheduled flow. The user equipment may determine that a scheduled grant corresponding to the scheduled flow is insufficient to transmit at least one protocol data unit. An insufficiency indicator may be transmitted to a scheduler at least once. The insufficiency indicator may include an indication that the scheduled grant is insufficient to transmit at least one protocol data unit.
US08374615B2 Large cell base station and communication control method
When a radio terminal (200) receives interference from a small-cell base station (300), a large-cell base station (100) sends, to the small-cell base station (300), band use restriction information indicating a band with restricted use which is a frequency band, in which the use thereof needs to be restricted by the small-cell base station (300). In this instance, the large-cell base station (100) sets the upper and lower limit for the band with restricted use so that the upper and lower limit thereof match the limit of an S-CQI measured unit band.
US08374607B2 Data processing in intra-site handover
The technology involves data processing during intra-site handover procedures. At least two directional antennas of a base station receive user data carrying signals originating from a mobile units positioned in an intra-site handover area defined by the overlapping radio coverage of the antennas. The directional antennas performs an initial data signal detection of the received data signals resulting in detected user data, which typically results in a loss of radio performance of the antenna. The detected user data from the directional antennas is then jointly processed to generate processed user data. The performance loss is compensated by providing differential antenna gain of the directional antennas within the handover area. As a result, a similar radio coverage in this area as prior art solutions is obtained but with a less complex antenna-related design.
US08374606B2 Wireless communication terminal and handoff determination method
A wireless communication terminal includes a measurement section that measures quality of a signal transmitted from a base station, a determination section that determines whether or not handoff is to be performed based on a measurement result of the measurement section and a criterion of the determination of the handoff, and handoff section that performs the handoff based on a determination result of the determination section, wherein the determination section changes the criterion of the determination of the handoff when the handoff section performs the handoff in a predetermined repetition pattern.
US08374603B2 Method for utilizing an adaptive conventional scanning algorithm in a two-way radio transceiver
A method for adaptive conventional scanning in a two-way radio transceiver (300) includes initiating an unweighted scan behavior (301) from a scanning list and then determining if qualified activity is present on a scanned channel (303) for a predetermined number of scan cycles. Once qualified activity is detected, the scanned channel is then marked (307) as having high activity. The transceiver then switches (309) to a weighted scan behavior such that the marked channel will be checked at a higher periodic rate than an unmarked channel. Once qualified activity is detected on the marked channel for a predetermined number of cycles (311) the channel is unmarked (315) and the weighted nature of the scan is removed such that normal scanning activity is resumed (317). The marking process increases the overall scanning rate enhancing the overall performance of the scan for all channels.
US08374601B2 Circularly polarized antennas for a wireless sensor system
A wireless sensor system for an aircraft including a central access point and a plurality of slave nodes arranged in a star network in which the central access point wirelessly exchanges data with the slave nodes in a bidirectional manner. At least one of the antenna at the central access point and the antenna of each of the slave nodes is circularly polarized.
US08374600B2 Method and arrangement in a telecommunication system
The present invention comprises a method and an arrangement for priority handling between a measurement gap procedure and an uplink data transmission procedure in an evolved UTRAN. The user equipment (UE) detects an active measurement gap. When the UE receives data into the transmission buffer the received data triggers an uplink data transmission procedure such as a scheduling request procedure or a random access procedure. An evaluation on characteristics information associated with the received data is performed and based on the performed evaluation the UE proceeds with the uplink data transmission procedure or the measurement gap procedure. In case the characteristics information associated with the received data is of high priority, the UE proceeds with the uplink data transmission procedure and cancels the measurement gap procedure. However, if the characteristics information associated with the received data is of low priority, it proceeds with the measurement gap procedure and postpones the uplink data transmission procedure to a later occasion.
US08374579B2 System and method for analyzing wireless communication data
In general, a system and method for analyzing wireless communication records and for determining optimal wireless communication service plans is disclosed. A transceiver is configured to receive billing information associated with a subscriber of a telecommunications service under a current rate plan. A storage unit stores the billing information. A processor processes the subscriber related billing information to produce organized data having a predefined format. The processor then analyzes the processed data in relation to a plurality of rate plans of a plurality of telecommunications service providers, and determines at least one proposed rate plan that would save the subscriber telecommunication costs relative to the current rate plan. A report of at least one proposed rate plan is then produced and provided to the subscriber, which enables selection of a best telecommunication service provider.
US08374571B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit and operating method thereof
An integrated circuit is equipped with a reception mixer and a signal generator. A multistage delay circuit generates a plurality of clock pulses in response to a reception carrier signal. A phase detection unit detects differences between a voltage level of a specific clock pulse and voltage levels of a predetermined number of clock pulses generated prior to the specific clock pulse to thereby detect a predetermined phase of the specific clock pulse. A selector of a clock generation unit outputs a plurality of selection clock pulse signals respectively having a plurality of phases from the clock pulse signals. A first signal synthetic logic circuit performs logical operations on the selection clock pulses to thereby generate local signals supplied to the reception mixer.
US08374570B2 Harmonic reject receiver architecture and mixer
Receiver architectures and methods of processing harmonic rich input signals employing harmonic suppression mixers are disclosed herein. The disclosed receivers, mixers, and methods enable a receiver to achieve the advantages of switching mixers while greatly reducing the mixer response to the undesired harmonics. A harmonic mixer can include a plurality of mixers coupled to an input signal. A plurality of phases of a local oscillator signal can be generated from a single local oscillator output. Each of the phases can be used to drive an input of one of the mixers. The mixer outputs can be combined to generate a frequency converted output that has harmonic rejection.
US08374558B2 Antenna array with flexible interconnect for a mobile wireless device
An antenna array can be mounted on a flexible substrate and connected by a flexible interconnect to an integrated circuit such as a radio frequency front end. The antenna array can be mounted in a device housing that includes radio frequency interference (RFI) shielding. The antenna array is aligned with and next to an area of the housing that is not shielded against RFI.
US08374552B2 Concurrent testing of multiple communication devices
Testing a plurality of communication devices. A plurality of signals may be received from the plurality of communication devices. The plurality of signals may include a signal from each of the plurality of communication devices, where a first subset of the plurality of signals has a different frequency than a second subset of the plurality of signals. The received signals may be combined into a combined signal. The combined signal may be downconverted to a combined signal, e.g., by mixing the combined signal with an output from at least one local oscillator. The downconverting may generate a plurality of lower frequency signals, each corresponding to one of the plurality of received signals. Testing may be performed on each of the plurality of lower frequency signals.
US08374551B2 Wireless communication apparatus, wireless communication system, wireless communication method and program
A wireless communication apparatus is provided that performs wireless communication using a specified wireless channel and forms part of an ad hoc wireless network. The device includes a recording portion that records country ID information and recording-time information in to a storage medium, where the recording-time information indicates the time at which the country ID information was recorded in to the storage medium, a time determination portion that uses the recording-time information to determine whether a predetermined time period has elapsed from the time at which the country ID information was recorded, and a channel setting portion that, when the predetermined time period has not elapsed from the time at which the country ID information was recorded in the storage medium, sets a wireless channel to a frequency channel that can be used in the country indicated by the country ID information recorded in the storage medium.
US08374547B2 Communication partner appliance with automatic send mode activation
A communication partner appliance is implemented within a near field communication system. The communication partner appliance includes a receiver, a detector, and a processor. The receiver receives a NFC command signal from another communication partner appliance. The detector detects whether a carrier signal from the other communication partner appliance is present at the receiver at a time other than during a transmission of the NFC command signal from the other communication partner appliance to the receiver. The processor controls a power supply element based on a determination by the detector whether the carrier signal from the other communication partner appliance is present at the receiver. The power supply element is configured to establish a connection to either a first power supply or a second power supply. The first power supply is dependent on the carrier signal, and the second power supply is independent of the carrier signal.
US08374545B2 De-tuning in wireless power reception
Exemplary embodiments are directed to wireless power transfer. A receiver with a receive antenna couples with near field radiation in a coupling-mode region. The receiver generates an RF signal at a resonant frequency responsive to the near field radiation. A de-tuning circuit generates a variable impedance responsive to a control signal to modify the RF signal to a smaller amplitude or to a different resonant frequency. A rectifier converts the modified RF signal to a DC signal. A comparator creates a feedback loop by generating the control signal responsive to comparing the DC signal to a reference voltage. The de-tuning circuit may operate in digital mode or in linear mode with the feedback. An impedance element may be coupled to the de-tuning circuit to generate a voltage proportional to a current through the de-tuning circuit. The proportional voltage is rectified to a receive signal with information sent from a transmitter.
US08374532B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus including a latent image bearing member, a charger, an irradiator, a developing member, a transfer device, and a surface potential equalizer. The transfer device includes an intermediate transfer member comprising a high-resistivity body having a surface resistivity of 1013Ω/□ or more under dark conditions, a primary transfer member that transfers the toner image from the latent image bearing member onto the intermediate transfer member at a primary transfer nip, and a secondary transfer member that transfers the toner image from the intermediate transfer member onto a recording medium at a secondary transfer nip. The surface potential equalizer includes a surface potential equalizing member that equalizes a surface potential of the intermediate transfer member at a predetermined positive or negative potential. The surface potential equalizer is provided on a migration path of the intermediate transfer member from the secondary transfer nip to the primary transfer nip.
US08374531B2 Developer bearing member and developing device with outer electrode including separated portions, and inner electrode for creating electric field
An developer bearer conveys developer to a developing station under influence of an electric field created by an electric flux line. The developer bearer includes plural kinds of electrodes that receive different voltages from each other and collectively creates the electric flux line. The plural kinds of electrodes are arranged on different layers in a normal line of the developer bearer. The developer bearer includes an insulation layer that insulates the plural kinds of electrodes.
US08374522B2 Printing apparatus and printing method
A printing apparatus performs print processing on a plurality of sheets according to print data input by an input unit, and sets the printing unit to a first operation state in which monochromatic print processing is capable of being performed or to a second operation state in which color print processing is capable of being performed. The printing apparatus enables selection between a first print mode and a second print mode. In the first print mode, a sheet is conveyed at a defined speed in the monochromatic print processing and is conveyed at a speed lower than the defined speed in the color print processing. In the second print mode, a sheet is conveyed at a speed lower than the defined speed both in the monochromatic print processing and in the color print processing.
US08374521B2 Image forming apparatus, method of controlling image forming apparatus, and storage medium storing program
This invention provides an image forming apparatus that includes a storage area to store a print job. Whether the type of printing medium set in the received print job is the same as the type of printing medium provided in the image forming apparatus is determined. Print processing is suspended after storing the print job in the storage area when it is determined that the former type is not the same as the latter type, and the suspension time for which the print job has been suspended is measured. The suspension time is compared with a predetermined period, and the print job is deleted from the storage area when the suspension time reaches the predetermined period.
US08374507B2 Digital multimeter having remote display with automatic communication binding
An electrical test instrument comprising a base unit having a first communication address. A remote display unit separate from the base unit and having a second communication address is also provided. Communication circuitry is operative to provide electrical communication in a first RF mode between the base unit and the remote display unit as a bound communication pair based on the first and second communication addresses. The communication circuitry is further operative to operate selectively in a second secure communication mode. The first and second communication addresses are exchanged in the second secure communication mode to establish the bound communication pair for subsequent communication in the first RF mode. In some exemplary embodiments, the second communication mode is an optical communication mode (e.g., an IR communication mode).
US08374506B2 Apparatus for transmitting data between two systems which move relative to one another
An apparatus for transmitting data at high data rates, between two systems that move relative to one another is provided. The apparatus includes an optical fiber and an axial module on one of the two systems for the purpose of axial data coupling, using the optical fiber and a lateral module on another of the two systems for the purpose of lateral data coupling using the optical fiber.
US08374496B2 Camera system and camera body
The camera system is constituted by the camera main body and the interchangeable lens, which is removably attachable to the camera main body. The camera main body has an imaging unit, a main body shake detector, a main body image blur corrector, and a body microcomputer configured to control the imaging unit, the shake detector, and the image blur corrector. The interchangeable lens has a shake detector, an image blur corrector, and a lens microcomputer configured to control the shake detector and the image blur corrector. The body microcomputer selects either the main body or lens shake detector, activates the selected shake detector, and stops the other shake detector.
US08374488B2 Universal multimedia optic disc player and its application for revocable copy protection
The media player employs an operating system that supports a virtual machine into which auto-run playback programs may be loaded and run. The auto run playback program is stored on the media containing the program content, such as on an optical disc medium. When the medium is inserted in the player, the auto run playback program automatically launches and is thereafter used to access playback the media content. Support for legacy media is provided to allow the player to playback compact discs and DVD discs that were manufactured without the auto run playback program.
US08374481B2 Digital video recorder and managing method
An electronic device and a corresponding managing method include arranging a plurality of cameras into two camera groups, and setting a switch interval. A plurality of analog to digital converters (ADCs) in the electronic device uses first channels to acquire a first image and a second image from each camera from a first camera group. If the second image matches the corresponding first image of each camera in the first camera group and the switch interval elapses, the first channels of the ADCs are switched to second channels to acquire images from each camera in a second camera group.
US08374480B2 Method and apparatus for video image data recording and playback
A video data recoding method suitable for recording computer sessions. Each video image frame is divided into multiple blocks. A server processes the video frames and transmits only changed blocks for each frame to a video log server. The video log server stores the changed blocks with block indices in a data file. The video log server also maintains a virtual frame table which stores, for each block of the frame, the data location within the data file where the most recent occurrence of that block is stored. The virtual frame table is continuously updated as changed blocks are stored in the data file. The video log server further stores a snapshot file containing snapshots of the virtual frame table at predetermined time points, along with time stamps and a next changed frame location. The data file and the snapshot file are used to reproduce the video images.
US08374479B1 Live-chase video-description buffer display
Embodiments of the invention describe a method of generating an enhanced audio stream. The enhanced audio stream is generated from live audio received and accompanies a live video broadcast. This live audio is buffered and combined with a visual description of the live video broadcast. Together these form an enhanced audio stream. The visual description is entered by a visual describer while they are viewing a an instantaneously updated visual buffer size display. The visual buffer size display is calibrated to a pre-set maximum buffer size, and shows the pre-set maximum buffer size and the current buffer size in a visual manner. Further, live audio from the buffer that is inserted into the enhanced audio stream is compressed in time.
US08374477B2 Modular optical fiber cassettes
The present disclosure includes apparatus and methods for a modular optical fiber cassette. One embodiment includes a base housing configured to receive additional nested components and an adapter plate resiliently connected to the housing and comprising a plurality of optical fiber connectors. The adapter plate is releasable from the housing and providing access to both sides of the adapter plate. The cassette further includes a radius limiter nested with and resiliently connected to the base housing, a first expansion housing having an exterior contour substantially aligned with the base housing and configured to resiliently interlock with the base housing, and a cover resiliently connected to the expansion housing.
US08374472B2 Bend insensitivity in single mode optical fibers
An optical fiber that is relatively insensitive to bend loss comprises a core region and a cladding region configured to support and guide the propagation of light in a fundamental transverse mode, the cladding region including (i) an outer cladding region having a refractive index less than that of the core region, (ii) an annular cladding pedestal region having a refractive index higher than that of the outer cladding region and comparable to that of the core region, and (iii) an annular cladding inner trench region disposed between the core region and the pedestal region, the inner trench region having a refractive index less than that of the outer cladding region. In one embodiment, the fiber also includes a (iv) an annular cladding outer trench region disposed between the pedestal region and the outer cladding region, the outer trench region having a refractive index less than that of the outer cladding region. In addition, to suppress HOMs the pedestal region is configured to resonantly couple at least one other transverse mode of the core region to at least one transverse mode of the pedestal region. Such fiber is advantageously used as access fiber, but may have other applications, such as sensor fiber.
US08374462B2 Content-aware image and video resizing by anchor point sampling and mapping
Aspects of the present invention include systems and methods for resizing a set of images, which may comprises one or more images, while preserving the important content. In embodiments, the saliency of pixels in the set of images is determined using one or more image features. A small number of pixels, called anchor points, are selected from the set of images by saliency-based sampling. The corresponding positions of these anchor points in the set of target images are obtained using pixel mapping. In embodiments, to prevent mis-ordering of pixel mapping, an iterative approach is used to constrain the mapped pixels to be within the boundaries of the target image/video. In embodiments, based on the mapping of neighboring anchor points, other pixels in the target are inpainted by back-projection and interpolation. The combination of sampling and mapping greatly reduces the computational cost yet leads to a global solution to content-aware image/video resizing.
US08374454B2 Detection of objects using range information
A system and method for detecting objects and background in digital images using range information includes receiving the digital image representing a scene; identifying range information associated with the digital image and including distances of pixels in the scene from a known reference location; generating a cluster map based at least upon an analysis of the range information and the digital image, the cluster map grouping pixels of the digital image by their distances from a viewpoint; identifying objects in the digital image based at least upon an analysis of the cluster map and the digital image; and storing an indication of the identified objects in a processor-accessible memory system.
US08374447B2 Method and apparatus to prioritize video information during coding and decoding
A method and apparatus prioritizing video information during coding and decoding. Video information is received and an element of the video information, such as a visual object, video object layer, video object plane or keyregion, is identified. A priority is assigned to the identified element and the video information is encoded into a bitstream, such as a visual bitstream encoded using the MPEG-4 standard, including an indication of the priority of the element. The priority information can then be used when decoding the bitstream to reconstruct the video information.
US08374441B2 Image processing device, method, and program
An image processing device includes: a step calculator configured to calculate, as a step, a difference in pixel values of pixels in a neighborhood with respect to each pixel in an image; a classifier configured to classify the pixels into classes for areas of the steps; a boundary ratio calculator configured to calculate, as a boundary ratio, a ratio of the number of pixels at a block boundary for each of the classes; and a block noise strength determinator configured to determine, as a block noise strength of the image, the step that is larger than a predetermined threshold and that is at a class having a largest value.
US08374440B2 Image processing method and apparatus
A method (100) is disclosed of classifying elements in a region within a frame (410). The method (100) creates (145) a background model (150) of at least said region based on a statistical function applied to features of elements of said region in a set of frames. A mapping (130) of features to labels is also received. A difference measure comprising a plurality of difference values is then calculated based on features of elements in the region and features of the background model (150). The method (100) then classifies (180) elements based upon the difference measure and the mapping (130).
US08374438B1 Visual template-based thermal inspection system
An imaging device and system include integration of an imaging camera (visible-light or near-infrared) with a thermal infrared sensor, capturing a baseline image from this camera simultaneously with acquisition of baseline thermal infrared data, which may correspond to a known good condition or part, automatic generation of an edge version of the baseline image for use as an alignment template, and on subsequent thermal infrared inspections, superposition of the alignment template on a live video image from the visible camera, so as to facilitate highly repeatable alignment of the thermal infrared sensor to an object being inspected.
US08374426B2 Apparatus and method for adjusting auto white balance using effective area
An apparatus and method for auto white balance adjusting using an effective area. The auto white balance adjusting apparatus may extract a grey area from an input image, and select an effective area from the grey area according to color temperature and luminance, thereby performing white balance using the effective area. The auto white balance adjusting apparatus may perform white balance of the input image using image information of the effective area which is a more precise grey area, thereby improving the white balance.
US08374420B2 Learning device and learning method for article transport facility
A learning control device performs a positioning process, a first image capturing process, and a first deviation amount calculating process in which a reference position deviation amount in the horizontal direction between the imaging reference position and a detection mark is derived based on image information captured in the first image capturing process to derive a position adjustment amount from the derived reference position deviation amount, and the learning control device further includes a positioning correcting process in which the position adjustment device is operated to adjust a position of the second learn assist member based on the derived movement adjustment amount when the reference position deviation amount derived in the first deviation amount calculating process falls outside a set tolerance range. A second image capturing process, and a second deviation amount calculating process may be further provided.
US08374419B2 Registering device, checking device, program, and data structure
A registering device, a collating device, and a program which are capable of improving authentication accuracy and a data configuration of identification data capable of improving reliability are proposed. Parameters representing shapes of partial lines obtained by dividing a blood vessel line appearing in an image by setting end points and branch points of the blood vessel line as reference points are extracted and data including the parameters of the partial lines and positions of points of opposite ends of the partial lines is generated as data identifying a live body.
US08374416B2 Device and method for localization of a tissue variation for a biopsy
In a device and associated method for localization of a tissue variation for a biopsy, a first tissue variation within a first image of a stereo exposure is marked after limitation of a biopsy-capable region within an overview image. The search region for this localized first tissue variation in the second image of the stereo exposure is predetermined by a search corridor in the second image.
US08374414B2 Method and system for detecting ischemic stroke
A method for assisting diagnosis of stroke by image analysis, the method comprising obtaining a scanned brain image of a patient, transforming the scanned brain image into a digitized brain image, removing bone and other artifacts from the digitized brain image, generating at least one circular adaptive region of interest on one side of the brain image, generating a binary mask of the circular adaptive region of interest, calculating the percentage of zeros from the binary mask within the circular adaptive region of interest, locating at least one corresponding circular adaptive region of interest on the other side of the brain image, and comparing the circular adaptive region of interest with the corresponding circular adaptive region on interest of the other side of the brain based on a plurality of texture attributes.
US08374412B2 Data processing apparatus, medical diagnostic apparatus, data processing method and medical diagnostic method
A data processing apparatus includes a SNR distribution data generating unit, a filter processing unit, a weighting function generating unit and a corrected data generating unit. The SNR distribution data generating unit generates SNR distribution data of processing target data based on the processing target data. The filter processing unit generates filter processed data obtained by performing filter processing to the processing target data to improve a SNR of the processing target data. The weighting function generating unit generates a weighting function based on the SNR distribution data. The corrected data generating unit generates corrected data by performing weighted calculation between the processing target data and the filter processed data using the weighting function.
US08374398B2 Linear image lift array for transported material
The subject matter presented herein relates to a method, system and program product for performing image capture of items. In particular the image capture occurs during transport of the items by a high-speed transport device. The image is captured by a linear array imaging sensor as a face of the item is transported at a continuous production speed in near proximity to the linear array imaging sensor.
US08374396B2 Augmented reality method and devices using a real time automatic tracking of marker-free textured planar geometrical objects in a video stream
Methods and devices for the real-time tracking of an object in a video stream for an augmented-reality application are disclosed herein.
US08374393B2 Foreground object tracking
Techniques are disclosed for detecting foreground objects in a scene captured by a surveillance system and tracking the detected foreground objects from frame to frame in real time. A motion flow field is used to validate foreground objects(s) that are extracted from the background model of a scene. Spurious foreground objects are filtered before the foreground objects are provided to the tracking stage. The motion flow field is also used by the tracking stage to improve the performance of the tracking as needed for real time surveillance applications.
US08374390B2 Generating a graphic model of a geographic object and systems thereof
Systems, devices, features, and methods for constructing a graphic model of a geographic object, such as a road sign or features thereof, from an image, such as, for example, to develop a navigation database are disclosed. For example, one method comprises receiving a plurality of images of regions, such as of roads or paths. An image of the plurality of images is identified. A process to determine scale-invariant components of a geographic object in the identified image may be performed. Other processes, such as generating a dictionary to facilitate optical character recognition may be performed. A graphic model of the geographic object is generated based on the scale-invariant components and/or the optical character recognition. The generated graphic model may be associated with a navigation or map database.
US08374383B2 Systems, devices, and/or methods for managing images
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method comprising, responsive to a determination that a machine-readable two-dimensional code has been identified in a first image, said first image comprising a first plurality of pixels defining said machine-readable two-dimensional code and second plurality of pixels defining a non-code zone, automatically causing a saving or displaying of a second image that comprises said machine-readable two-dimensional code or a representation of said machine-readable two-dimensional code and that excludes said non-code zone.
US08374381B2 Diaphragm and loudspeaker using the same
A diaphragm includes carbon nanotube wire structures. The carbon nanotube wire structures are crossed with each other and woven together to form the diaphragm with a sheet structure. Each of the carbon nanotube wire structures includes carbon nanotube wires substantially parallel to each other, and closely arranged along an axis of the carbon nanotube wire structure to form a bundle-like structure, or carbon nanotube wires twisted with each other around an axis of the carbon nanotube wire structure in a helical manner to form a twisted structure. A loudspeaker using the diaphragm is also disclosed.
US08374377B2 Speaker apparatus for use in vehicle
A speaker apparatus in accordance with the present invention is for use with a vehicle having a compartment and is to be mounted to the vehicle. The speaker apparatus includes: an interior member including a hole edge that defines an attachment hole; a speaker unit configured to be placed in the attachment hole, the speaker unit including a limiting member; and a speaker grille configured to be attached in the attachment hole from an inside of the compartment, the speaker grille including a claw-fixing portion that is bendable and is configured to be engaged with the hole edge. Accompanying the engagement of the claw-fixing portion with the hole edge, the speaker grille is fixed to the interior member. Accompanying the placement of the speaker unit in the attachment hole, the limiting member is positioned in a bending space for the claw-fixing portion and thereby prevents disengagement of the claw-fixing portion from the hole edge.
US08374367B2 Hearing aid with a flexible elongated member
A hearing aid includes a shell for accommodation of a signal processor for processing an audio signal into a processed audio signal, and a receiver that is connected to an output of the signal processor for converting the processed audio signal into an acoustic sound signal, and a flexible elongated member with a first end attached to the shell, and a second free end, wherein the flexible elongated member comprises a lumen for housing a wire that is for providing current to an electronic device, the flexible elongated member having a shape for stabilizing the shell relative to a user's ear.
US08374366B2 System and method for adaptive microphone matching in a hearing aid
A directional hearing aid (100) comprising at least two microphones (201, 202) has means (200) for matching differences in amplitude and phase between the two microphones (201, 202). The microphone matching means (200) compare differences between measured transfer functions of the microphone signal paths at a number of frequencies during use of the hearing aid (100), compares the differences to differences at similar frequencies in a model of the transfer functions of the microphone signal paths, derives a set of parameters based on the comparison, and adjusts the parameters in order to minimize the difference in level differences between the model and the microphones (201, 202). The model is then used to match the microphones (201, 202) mutually by applying appropriate control parameters (103, 104, 105, 106) to an adaptive matching filter (108) carrying one of the microphone signals.
US08374359B2 Kick gate
Feedback is reduced by routing an input signal through a kick gate that opens for a predetermined time period then closes. The gate may be kept closed for a predetermined minimum time period before being allowed to open again. The gate is triggered open based on the input signal and may include a plurality of triggering conditions.
US08374357B2 Audio output device
An audio output device includes: a main unit including a terminal configured to connect an external speaker; a speaker unit configured to be detachably attached to the main unit while the terminal is covered with the speaker unit; and an amplification unit configured to amplify an audio signal so that the amplified audio signal is input to the terminal and the speaker unit.
US08374353B2 Method and apparatus for updating a group key
A method and apparatus for updating a group key of a group corresponding to a binary tree are provided. The method includes updating keys of leaf nodes that correspond to new members, in response to a join of at least two new members joining the group; determining whether both of two child nodes of a single ancestor node are updated when updating a key of the single ancestor node of the leaf nodes; establishing one of the two child nodes as an update use node when both the two child nodes are updated; and updating a key of the ancestor node using the updating node. Thus, the group key may be effectively updated with respect to multi-join.
US08374350B2 Quantum communication system
A system for transmitting quantum information includes a sending unit including an encoder configured to encode a carrier with quantum information by setting a quantum state of the carrier, the quantum state determined according to the combination of a first component and a second component, and a receiving unit including a decoder configured to perform a measurement on the carrier using a measurement basis selected to cancel the second component and decode the quantum information from the carrier.
US08374337B2 Slide unit mechanism
The present invention relates to a thin slide mechanism that can be incorporated in a portable electronic device. A slide unit mechanism having: a plate 1 of a quadrangular shape in a plane view in which a protruding portion A is formed in a sliding direction in the center of the rear surface and receding portions B are formed in two locations respectively to the left and to the right of the protruding portion; two sliding members 2 slidably joined to both ends of the plate; and a linking member 22 that integrally links the two sliding members on the front surface side of the plate and has a width substantially equal to or less than a longitudinal width of the sliding member in the sliding direction, wherein the entire portion or a part of the rear surface portion of the folded sliding member, when folded to the rear surface, is extended to serve as stopper portions 3, a torsion spring is arranged in each of the left and right receding portions of the plate, one end of each torsion spring is locked to the substantially central portion, in the sliding direction, of the side surface of the protruding portion formed on the plate, the other end of each torsion spring is locked to the stopper portions of the sliding members, connection members for connection to a housing are formed at the approximately four corners of the plate, and sliding ends are formed when the connection members and the stopper portions of the sliding members abut on each other.
US08374334B2 System and method for interactive customer service
A method is implemented by one or more server devices associated with a network. The method includes receiving information relating to a customer service request, where the information includes data to identify a category of the customer service request. The method also includes receiving a request to speak with a customer service agent, and placing a service call request in a calling queue associated with the category of the customer service request. The method further includes monitoring availability of customer service agents associated with the calling queue, and sending a call initiation message to the access terminal when a customer service agent associated with the calling queue is available. Based on the call initiation message, the access terminal may automatically initiate a voice session with an available customer service agent.
US08374326B2 Method and system for intelligent routing
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for intelligent routing. An intelligent routing processing module sets at least one intelligent routing trigger condition and at least one corresponding intelligent routing policy in advances and an incoming call or message is processed according to intelligent routing contact manners in the intelligent routing policy. The intelligent routing trigger condition includes relevant information of the incoming call or message and the intelligent routing policy may include more than one intelligent routing contact manner. The embodiments of the present invention may provide more intelligent routing contact manners and intelligent routing policies for communication routing technology and may make full use of subscriber presence information.
US08374325B2 Bilingual communication system
Embodiments of the present invention include a system, apparatus and method for addressing the need of remotely providing live interpretation to location-specific sites in a timely manner. The system for bilingual communication includes a means to allow a first communicating party and a second communicating party to electronically communicate where the first party and second party communicate in different languages for a group consisting of all spoken languages and sign language. Either or both parties may be more than one person. Communication is made in at least a first location-specific site and is made in a timely manner through a remote third party live interpreter.
US08374324B2 Methods of using biometric data in a phone system and apparatuses to perform the methods
A phone system can include a phone terminal that includes a biometric data input device. Methods of using the phone terminal can include receiving biometric data of a user at the phone terminal and comparing the biometric data to saved biometric data. A comparison of the received and saved biometric data can be performed to locate one or more configuration files for a user, to authenticate or otherwise confirm the identity of a party, perform another activity, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the biometric data, other data, or a combination thereof can be used to access one or more configuration files that can be used to configure a phone terminal or a data processing system outside of the phone terminal. In another embodiment, the identity of a calling party, a called party, one or more other parties, or any combination thereof can be authenticated or otherwise confirmed.
US08374322B2 Telephone communications system increasing a reception count twofold
A telephone communications system includes a quantizing device quantizing a multifrequency signal at a sampling frequency which is twice or more as larger as a sampling frequency necessary for sampling the multifrequency signal to produce quantized data, a low-pass filter low-pass filtering the quantized data at a cutoff frequency higher than a maximum frequency of the multifrequency signal to produce low-pass filtered data, and a multifrequency signal receiver alternately performing an odd-numbered receiver processing and an even-numbered receiver processing on the low-pass filtered data.
US08374318B2 Systems and methods for providing context-based voicemail
Voicemail systems and methods for managing voicemail systems are provided herein. The subject voicemail systems provide a plurality voicemail greeting, each of which are associated with a context tag. The context tag can be, for example, a location, a device parameter, an account parameter, a network parameter, or any other contextual information. Upon receipt of a change in a context tag, the voicemail system determines a new voicemail greeting associated with the new context tag and sets the new voicemail greeting to the active voicemail greeting.
US08374309B2 Arrangement and method for projective and/or tomographic phase-contrast imaging using X-ray radiation
An arrangement and a method are disclosed for projective and/or tomographic phase-contrast imaging using X-ray radiation. In at least one embodiment, one or more phase grids is/are arranged in the beam path such that during a rotation of the at least one X-ray source, the examination object is scanned with different spatial orientations of the grid lines relative to the examination object such that the complete refraction angle, and hence the complete phase shift gradient, can be determined for each X-ray beam from the two scans with differently oriented phase grids in order to be able to show the phase shift of an examination object in terms of projections or in a tomographic image.
US08374307B2 Nut assembly for connecting adjoining poles in a nuclear reactor
A nut assembly for connecting adjoining poles in a nuclear reactor may include an upper nut and a lower nut. The upper nut may include threads on an inner surface of the upper nut. The lower nut may include threads on an inner surface of the lower nut. The lower nut may include threads on an outer surface of the lower nut. The upper nut may rotate over the lower nut in order to lock the lower nut.
US08374302B2 Device for and a method of processing data signals
A method of data signal processing is provided, wherein the method comprises filtering a pre-filtered quadrature data signal by using an m×n filtering matrix, wherein m≠n. In particular, the filtering may be performed by using a rectangular matrix, i.e. a non-quadratic matrix. That is, the filtering may be performed by a matrix multiply in an image cancellation filtering unit. In general m relates to the 5 number of rows of the matrix while n relates to the number of columns of the matrix. In particular, the processing may form or may be a part of an image cancellation process.
US08374300B2 Circuit, controller and methods for dynamic estimation and cancellation of phase and gain imbalances in quardrature signal paths of a receiver
A controller and a circuit work together to enable a selective and dynamic adjustment to correct phase and gain imbalances in quadrature signal paths of a receiver. Under select conditions, it has been determined that statistical estimates of gain and phase imbalance can be applied to adjust signals in the quadrature signal paths of a receiver. The controller validates the select conditions before updating the estimate of the gain imbalance and the estimate of the phase imbalance. The controller directs a compensator under select operating conditions such that validated dynamic estimates of the gain and phase imbalance or calibration data is applied to the quadrature signal paths. The controller disables the compensator and enables an estimator and a calculator when estimates are unavailable for the present operating conditions.
US08374297B2 Circuit, controller and methods for dynamic estimation and cancellation of phase and gain imbalances in quadrature signal paths of a receiver
A controller and a circuit work together to enable a selective and dynamic adjustment to correct phase and gain imbalances in quadrature signal paths of a receiver. Under select conditions, it has been determined that statistical estimates of gain and phase imbalance can be applied to adjust signals in the quadrature signal paths of a receiver. The controller validates the select conditions before updating the estimate of the gain imbalance and the estimate of the phase imbalance. The controller directs a compensator under select operating conditions such that validated dynamic estimates of the gain and phase imbalance or calibration data is applied to the quadrature signal paths. The controller disables the compensator and enables an estimator and a calculator when estimates are unavailable for the present operating conditions.
US08374295B2 Method of scaling input data and mobile device utilizing the same
A mobile device capable of scaling input data and a method thereof. The mobile device comprises a data segmentation module, a quality measure module, and a scaling module. The data segmentation module divides the input data into a plurality of subdata. The quality measure module, coupled to the data segmentation module, calculates signal quality of each subdata. The scaling module, coupled to the quality measure module, scales each subdata according to corresponding signal quality.
US08374289B2 Generation and detection of non-binary digital sequences
Method and apparatus for generating ternary and multi-valued Gold sequences, are disclosed. Also methods to detect ternary and multi-valued sequences are disclosed. The detection can be performed by a ternary or multi-valued LFSR descrambler when the sequences are generated by an LFSR based sequence generator. A wireless system which can assign additional sequences to designated users is also disclosed. The wireless system can also transfer information to user equipment that enables methods for sequence generation and sequence detection.
US08374288B1 Dummy burst detecting method and apparatus
A dummy burst detection method. The method begins with generating a dummy burst nominal power ηDB2 of a received burst and a normal burst nominal power ηNB2 of the received burst, wherein the dummy burst nominal power ηDB2 is generated based on the hypotheses that the received burst is a dummy burst, and the normal burst nominal power ηNB2 is formed based on the hypotheses that the received burst is a normal burst. A likelihood of the received burst is determined according to the dummy burst nominal power ηDB2, the normal burst nominal power ηNB2, and the noise power of the received burst.
US08374287B2 FM detector, signal interpolation method, and related program
A received FM wave signal is subjected to quadrature detection to generate baseband I and Q signals. The baseband I and Q signals are converted into a sequence of samples of phase information. An FM-detection-result signal is generated in response to a variation between two successive samples of the phase information. A power of the baseband I and Q signals is computed. A decision is made as to whether the baseband I and Q signals are valid or invalid by referring to the computed power and at least one threshold value. Signal interpolation is implemented with respect to the FM-detection-result signal in cases where it is decided that the baseband I and Q signals are invalid.
US08374280B2 Ultra wide band pulse generator provided with an integrated function for digital filtering emulation, and transmission method
An embodiment of the invention relates to a method for transmission by ultra-wide-band pulses of digital data formed with a flow of information elements, this method comprising at least one operation including sequentially encoding the information elements by modulating an oscillating signal In order to avoid the use of a bandpass filter, the oscillating signal is modulated in amplitude depending on the identity or dissimilarity of each information element relative to the preceding information element.
US08374278B2 Transmission method, transmitter, and receiver for multi antenna wireless communication system
A transmitter includes first generator to generate pilot source signal by modulating pilot sequence, second generator to generate data source signal with time length longer than that of pilot source signal by modulating data sequence, first cyclic shifter to perform cyclic shift of first shift amount to pilot source signal to generate first pilot signal, second cyclic shifter to performs cyclic shift of second shift amount to data source signal to generate first data signal, third cyclic shifter to perform cyclic shift of third shift amount to pilot source signal to generate second pilot signal, fourth cyclic shifter to perform cyclic shift of fourth shift amount to data source signal to generate second data signal, first transmit antenna to transmit first pilot signal and first data signal, and second transmit antenna to transmit second pilot signal and second data signal.
US08374261B2 Method and apparatus for Doppler estimation in orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM)
A method and apparatus for estimating Doppler channel in an Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexor. The method includes selecting a continuation pilot, generating a channel estimation, filtering the continual pilot with at least one channel estimator, computing the error between the channel estimation and the filtered channel estimates, averaging the error across continual pilot carriers and over time, estimating noise variance, corrects average error utilizing the estimated noise variance to generate an estimate of the overall channel estimator error, and setting the filter cutoff to minimum estimation error.
US08374256B2 Communication apparatus and communication method
A communication system includes a synchronizing signal generator that generates a synchronizing signal based on a timing of an alternating waveform in a power line, a data communicating circuit that performs the data communication, and a communication controller that controls to acquire a transmitting right utilizing a timing of the synchronizing signal and to control the communication circuit in accordance with whether or not the communication apparatus acquires the transmitting right.
US08374254B2 Multimedia stream combining
Two or more video streams including a high quality video stream and a low quality video stream are simultaneously transmitted to the video receiving device over the wireless network. All of the video streams carry the same video content but with different video quality. The high quality video stream is encoded using an unequal error protection code so that first components (e.g., high frequency components) receive a higher level of error protection than second components (e.g., low frequency components). The video receiving device can select the high quality video stream when channel conditions are favorable. When channel conditions are not good enough to support the high quality video stream, the video receiving device determines whether the first components of the high quality video stream with the greater error protection are usable. If so, the video receiving device combines the first components of the high quality video stream with the low quality video stream. Otherwise, the video receiving device outputs the low quality video stream.
US08374249B2 Digital broadcasting system and data processing method
A method for transmitting a broadcast signal is presented. The method includes. Building a Reed-Solomon (RS) frame corresponding to an ensemble of a service of mobile data, the RS frame being a 2-dimensional data frame through which the mobile data belonging to the ensemble are Reed Solomon-cyclic redundancy check (RS-CRC) encoded, dividing the RS frame into a plurality of portions, encoding signaling information, wherein the signaling information includes fast information channel (FIC) data and transmission parameter channel (TPC) data wherein the FIC data includes cross layer information between a physical layer and an upper layer, mapping data in one portion of the plurality of portions to data groups, formatting data packets having data in the data groups, and transmitting a transmission frame having a parade of the data groups, wherein the TPC data includes an identifier of the parade and version information of the FIC data.
US08374242B1 Video encoder using GPU
An apparatus includes a processor, a graphics processing unit and a memory. The memory stores computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions include a motion estimation kernel which when executed by the graphics processing unit performs motion estimation on a current frame using a reference frame. The current frame and the reference frame are stored in a globally shared memory of the graphics processing unit.
US08374241B2 Method and apparatus for encoding video, and method and apparatus for decoding video
Disclosed is a method of encoding a video, the method including: splitting a current picture into at least one maximum coding unit; determining a coded depth to output a final encoding result according to at least one split region obtained by splitting a region of the maximum coding unit according to depths, by encoding the at least one split region, based on a depth that deepens in proportion to the number of times the region of the maximum coding unit is split; and outputting image data constituting the final encoding result according to the at least one split region, and encoding information about the coded depth and a prediction mode, according to the at least one maximum coding unit.
US08374238B2 Spatial scalability in 3D sub-band decoding of SDMCTF-encoded video
Techniques and tools are described for scalable video coding and decoding. For example, a 3D sub-band decoder receives video encoded using spatial-domain motion-compensated temporal filtering at a first spatial resolution. The decoder decodes at least part of the video for output at a second spatial resolution lower than the first spatial resolution. The decoder uses any of several techniques to improve performance by devoting extra computational resources to the decoding, devoting extra buffer resources to storing reference picture information, and/or considering spatial high-pass sub-band information.
US08374234B2 Digital scaling
Computer program products and arrangements to process digital data are contemplated. The digital data may contain values, representing quantities of a wave form over regions. Embodiments include transformations, code, state machines or other logic to process digital data by dividing one of the regions, where one of the values represents a quantity of a wave form over the region. The embodiments may include assigning a value to each of the subregions. The average of the values of the subregions, weighted by the measures of the subregions, may approximately equal the value of the region. The regions may comprise pixels and the values of the pixels may represent the intensity of light waves over the pixels. The embodiments may include the processing of digital data in cameras, televisions, audio players, seismic devices, and medical imaging devices. The subdivision of regions and the assignment of value to the subregions may utilize derivative migration.
US08374225B2 Voice/data/RF integrated circuit
A Voice-Data-RF IC includes a baseband processing module, an RF section, and an interface module. The baseband processing module converts an outbound voice signal into an outbound voice symbol stream, converts an inbound voice symbol stream into an inbound voice signal, converts outbound data into an outbound data symbol stream, and converts an inbound data symbol stream into inbound data. The RF section converts an inbound RF voice signal into the inbound voice symbol stream, converts the outbound voice symbol stream into an outbound RF voice signal, converts an inbound RF data signal into the inbound data symbol stream, and converts the outbound data symbol stream into an outbound RF data signal. The interface module provides coupling between the baseband processing module, the RF section, and with off-chip circuits.
US08374221B2 Apparatus and method for hybrid diversity combining and adaptive beam forming in industrial control and automation systems
An apparatus includes a plurality of antennas, where each antenna is configured to receive wireless signals transmitted using adaptive beam forming. The apparatus also includes a plurality of wireless radios, where each wireless radio is configured to output signals representing the wireless signals received by one of the antennas. The apparatus further includes a plurality of first diversity combiner units, where each first diversity combiner unit is configured to perform spread spectrum diversity combining using the signals output by one of the wireless radios. In addition, the apparatus includes a second diversity combiner unit configured to perform antenna diversity combining using signals output by the first diversity combiner units, where the second diversity combiner unit is configured to output recovered wireless signals.
US08374207B2 Semiconductor laser device
The present invention includes a semiconductor laser element, a lead, a first packaging member and a second packaging member. The lead includes a mount surface for supporting the semiconductor laser element. The first packaging member includes a first wall and a second wall. The first and the second walls are spaced from each other in a direction that is along the mount surface and crosses a laser beam emission direction of the semiconductor laser element, with the semiconductor laser element arranged between the first and the second walls. The second packaging member is pressed in between the first and the second walls and faces the mount surface and the semiconductor laser element.
US08374198B2 Communication relay system
A communication relay system relays communications between communication terminals performing the communications according to a plurality of communication protocols. The communication relay system includes pseudonymous identification information acquiring sections associated with respective communication protocols. Each of the pseudonymous identification information acquiring sections acquires pseudonymous identification information which is information according to the associated communication protocol and is different from terminal identification information for identifying each of the communication terminals. The communication relay system includes a communication relay section which, when receiving communication information according to a communication protocol from one of the communication terminals, replaces the source terminal identification information included in the communication information with pseudonymous identification information acquired by the pseudonymous identification information acquiring section, and transmits the communication information after the replacement to another one of the communication terminals.
US08374192B2 Power save enhancements for wireless communication
Techniques for improving power saving by stations in wireless networks are described. In an aspect, a source station sends a frame with a buffer status for a recipient station during an awake time for both stations and sends one or more data frames to the recipient station as indicated by the buffer status. The recipient station knows how many data frames to expect based on the buffer status and can go to sleep after receiving the expected number of data frames. In another aspect, a source station receives a frame with information on transmission opportunity (TXOP) bursting receive capability of a recipient station operating in a power save mode. The source station performs channel access at the start of a TXOP and sends multiple data frames in the TXOP to the recipient station based on the TXOP bursting receive capability of the recipient station.
US08374191B2 Allocation of a communications channel to a data transfer session
A method of allocating a communications channel to a data transfer session, the method including during the data transfer session: sending a first data transfer session packet via the communications channel then sending an additional packet or packets, that are not a part of the data transfer session, via the communications channel to hold the communications channel for the data transfer session.
US08374186B2 Method, apparatus and system for transmitting and receiving client signals
The present invention provides a method, apparatus and system for transmitting and receiving a client signal. The method for transmitting a client signal includes, at the transmitting end, mapping a client signal to be transmitted to a corresponding low-order Optical Channel Data Unit (ODU) in a low-order ODU set, wherein low-order ODUs in the low-order ODU set having rates increased in order, and having rate correspondence relations with the client signals; mapping the low-order ODU to a timeslot of a high-order Optical Channel Payload Unit (OPU) in a high-order OPU set; and adding overheads to the high-order OPU to form an Optical Channel Transport Unit (OTU), and transferring the OTU to an Optical Transport Network (OTN) for transmission.
US08374183B2 Distributed virtual network gateways
Computerized methods, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for distributing virtualized gateway functionality to multiple nodes within a physical network. Initially, drivers that carry out the gateway functionality are provisioned to cooperate with endpoints instantiated on the network nodes, while a directory service is implemented to maintain a mapping between virtual internet protocol (IP) addresses and location-dependent addresses, as well as a table enumerating transformation actions according to known pathways connecting the endpoints within a network. In operation, the directory service replies to requests from the driver (carrying source and destination IP addresses of data packets) with the appropriate location-dependent addresses (utilizing the mapping) and the appropriate transformation action(s) (utilizing the table). The transformation action(s) include rewriting headers of the data packets to include the location-dependent addresses, encapsulating the data packets as inner data packets within respective outer data packets, or configuring the data packets with a tunneling protocol.
US08374167B2 Voice over internet protocol real time protocol routing
A method for call signaling and media flow in a network including receiving call signaling information from an originating Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) endpoint relaying the call signaling information to a destination VoIP endpoint, directing the originating VoIP endpoint to use a RTP media proxy and receiving a stream of media to the RTP media proxy from the originating VoIP endpoint.
US08374165B2 Method, apparatus, and computer program product for communication routing
An apparatus for communication routing may include a processor. The processor may be configured to receive a packet. In this regard, the packet may include an address of a sending entity. The processor may also be configured to identify the packet as a qualified packet and store a local gateway table entry in a local gateway table to thereby identify a local gateway relationship in response to identifying the qualified packet. In this regard, the local gateway table entry may include the address of the sending entity. The processor may also be configured to update a routing table based on the local gateway table entry. Associated methods and computer program products may also be provided.
US08374159B2 Wireless network host in silent mode
An access point that implements operating modes in which beacons may be selectively disabled. Beacons may be disabled when no device is actively associated through the access point. Beacons may be enabled in response to one or more triggers, which may include events such as a client forming an association through the access point following a probe request message identifying the access point. In addition, active beaconing may be triggered by user input or may occur during periodic brief intervals that allow client devices to discover the network identifier for the access point. Selective control of beaconing may lead to more effective wireless communication, particularly in areas where users congregate with computers implementing soft APs for personal networks.
US08374156B2 Capacity increasing devices and methods for wireless communication
The present patent application improves DARP by allowing multiple users on one time slot (MUROS). It comprises means and instructions for sharing signals on a single channel, comprising setting up a new connection, allocating a new time slot if there is an unused time slot on a channel frequency, selecting an used time slot for the new connection to share with an existing connection if there is not an unused time slot on the channel frequency, and selecting a different training sequence code for the new connection if the used time slot on the channel frequency has been selected for the new connection to share with an existing connection.
US08374155B2 Power loading transmit beamforming in MIMO-OFDM wireless communication systems
A method is disclosed for tuning a beamformed signal in wireless communications including a plurality of sub-carriers and a plurality of eigenbeams. The method includes adjusting a total gain of each of the plurality of sub-carriers and eigenbeams, and applying the adjusted total gain to each of the sub-carriers and each of the eigenbeams.
US08374147B2 System and method for protecting payload information in radio transmission
System and method for improving the protecting radio channels in transmission, according to which the payload information of the signal to be transmitted is divided into a plurality of data portions of smaller size which are then grouped into packets and the packets are labeled based on a criterion from among a plurality of criteria, said criterion being indicative of a level of priority associated to said packets. The packets are subsequently radio transmitted in accordance with their level of priority indicated by their associated label.
US08374141B2 Method and apparatus for allocating channel bandwidth in wireless internet protocol television systems
A method and apparatus for allocating channel bandwidths in a wireless IPTV system is provided. The method includes measuring, if an additional service offering request is received in a saturation channel state, remaining execution times until a service of each terminal that is currently receiving a service is terminated, and setting a minimum of the measured remaining execution times to a unit time; calculating a securable channel bandwidth per the unit time with respect to each terminal that is currently receiving a service; and allocating, if the summation of the securable channel bandwidths per the unit time is equal to or greater than a channel bandwidth required to provide the additional service, the requested channel bandwidth in order to provide the additional service.
US08374140B2 Frame based, on-demand spectrum contention data frame acquisition
A method and system by which base stations in a Wireless Regional Area Network (WRAN), and more generally transceivers in a cognitive radio (CR) system, can communicate to fairly share transmission and reception of scheduled use (“occupancy”) of frames on a single channel within a frame-based, on demand spectrum contention system. The method and system disclose how a base station can acquire the scheduled use of a share of the frames available in subsequent superframes of the CR system. The method and system assure fair and efficient access to the transmission channel by using a random number based contention process.
US08374132B2 Base station device, method for controlling base station device, receiving device, adaptation algorithm control method, radio communication device, and radio communication method
A base station device according to the present invention includes: a first reception weight calculator 122 configured to calculate weight of each antenna element of an array antenna 114 to be used in communications with a first mobile station device by using a reference signal transmitted from the first mobile station device; and a second reception weight calculator 124 configured to calculate weight of each antenna element of the array antenna 114 to be used in communications with a second mobile station device, which is different from, the first mobile station device of the multiple mobile station devices, the second reception weight calculator 124 calculating the weight so that null can be directed to an arriving direction of the reference signal transmitted from the first mobile station device, the arriving direction being determined on the basis of weight calculated by the first reception weight calculator 122.
US08374130B2 Orthogonal frequency division multiple access with carrier sense
A communication system in which an access point and one or more devices communicating through the access point adaptively apply Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA). The access point may assign orthogonal subcarriers to devices as in conventional OFDMA, but the access point senses activity on the subcarriers and selects subcarriers without activity for assignment. In an alternative approach, a device that is configured for OFDMA communication may receive a channel assignment from a device that does not support OFDMA. The OFDMA-capable device may use only a portion of the subcarriers in the assigned channel, which may be communicated to the non-OFDMA device. During the non-OFDMA device may then ignore unused subcarriers in error detection and correction to avoid incorrectly classifying communications as erroneous. Information about OFDMA capabilities, subcarrier assignments and subcarriers in use may be communicated as information elements in network control communications, such as beacons and probe messages.
US08374127B2 Digital broadcasting system and method of processing data in digital broadcasting system
A method is provided for controlling a mobile device capable of accessing an AP card of a DTV located in one independent space among a plurality of independent spaces physically separated from one another. The method includes accessing a management server using the AP card, downloading an in-room control application from the management server, requesting a unique access code from the management server using the AP card if the downloaded in-room control application is executed, wherein the unique access code is mapped to both an ID of the AP card and an available term assigned to a current guest staying in the independent space, receiving the unique access code from the management server, and transmitting a command signal for changing a status of a controllable device contained in the independent space and the received unique access code to the AP card of the DTV.
US08374116B2 Method and apparatus to establish communication with wireless communication networks
Briefly, a method of transmitting over a first wireless network a message not addressed to mobile units of the first wireless network, wherein receiving said message causes transmitting stations of the first wireless station to cease transmissions for a predetermined time interval and to enable the access point to be in communication with mobile units or access points of a second wireless network.
US08374114B2 Method and system for organizing broadcast content
Embodiment methods and systems enable a broadcast network, such as a MediaFLO network, to maintain the presentation quality of video data received from content providers when transforming it to a format suitable for broadcasting to mobile devices. Methods enable encoding of H.264 frames received from a third-party encoder into superframes for broadcast over MediaFLO FLO TV®. The methods group individual image frames together into superframes for broadcast, making allowances for frames which are supposed to be decoded in one second but presented or displayed in a subsequent second. The various embodiments ensure that image frames are group together into superframe so that frames that are supposed to be presented together in the same second are displayed together and so that frames that are dependent on those frames for decoding are not put ahead of the frames from which they depend.
US08374113B2 Distributed gateway for reliable multicast wireless video
Techniques are provided to reduce or restrict the bandwidth consumed by multicast video streams on wireless links, such as wireless IEEE 802.11 links. At a central multicast video transcoder apparatus configured to communicate with one or more access point devices operating in a wireless local area network, one or more multicast video streams are re-encoded the one or more multicast video streams to produce a corresponding one or more wireless-friendly multicast video streams that have a reduced bandwidth from a bandwidth of the received multicast video streams. The one or more wireless-friendly multicast video streams are thus adapted for wireless transmission by access point devices to wireless client devices in the wireless local area network. The one or more access point devices receive the one or more wireless-friendly multicast video streams and process the one or more wireless-friendly multicast video streams depending on conditions in a radio channel used by the access point device. The access point devices then wirelessly transmit the one or more wireless-friendly multicast video streams to one or more client devices in a corresponding multicast group.
US08374109B2 Methods of sending control information for users sharing the same resource
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method for sending control information to multiple user terminals that share the same resources in a Spatial Division Multiple Access (SDMA) wireless system. The control information can be transmitted from an access point over a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) that is common for a plurality of user terminals. The overall PDCCH overhead can thus be reduced due to a smaller number of required PDCCH in the SDMA wireless system.
US08374087B2 Reliable audio-video transmission system using multi-media diversity
A system and method for switching data packet traffic distribution across diverse transmission medium according to detected quality of service characteristics for a given data packet rate from server to client. It should be recognized that diverse medium are not interdependent with regard to fading or signal strength considerations. Two general modes of switching are described, switching all the data packets, and switching according to a media-time coding mechanism. In one embodiment the data is encoded using Fountain encoding prior to transmission. The data packet transmissions preferably comprise audio-video data packet streams, such as MPEG-2 streams. By way of example, the diverse transmission medium may comprise a wireless connection (i.e., WiFi) used in combination with a power-line network connection, such as within a home network.
US08374086B2 Adaptive DHT node relay policies
In a distributed hash table overlay network, messages directed to a message ID are relayed to one or more nodes that have published interest in that message ID. Messages are distributed, processed, and/or cached in accordance with relay policies, which enable a wide variety of different applications. Nodes specify relay policies on a per-node, per-message, and/or per-message ID basis. Relay policies can specify any behavior associated with messages, including: message caching, distribution, and processing as well as migration of relay policies when nodes join or leave the network. Intermediate nodes can perform any arbitrary processing of messages based on relay policies. Intermediate nodes can offload processing to other nodes, either by forwarding messages to a different message ID or by enlisting the help of nodes subscribed to the message ID. Messages can include one or more subfields specifying commands and/or data to be evaluated by the intermediate node.
US08374077B2 Bandwidth management for MPLS fast rerouting
Certain exemplary embodiments provide a method comprising: in a network at a node located on a label switched path: selecting a backup path to respond to a failure; and for each link along the backup path, reserving a backup bandwidth, wherein the backup bandwidth is sufficient to reroute traffic around the failure.
US08374069B2 Storage medium, reproducing method, and recording method
According to one embodiment, a write-once type information storage medium comprises an organic dye based recording material having sensitivity at a wavelength of 405 nm and at a recording wavelength in the range of 600 nm to 700 nm, wherein, when absorbance of a maximum absorption wavelength in the vicinity of 405 nm is defined as 1, the absorbance is 5% or more at any wavelength in the range of 600 nm to 700 nm.
US08374064B2 Method and devices for copy protection, copy protected record carrier
A method for copy protection includes providing audiovisual or audio data stored in sectors of a record carrier having a file system, and providing additional data to be stored in further sectors. The method includes generating first and second files referencing respective first and second parts of the sectors and respective further first and second parts of the further sectors, so when the first and second files are completely rendered by a playback device, respective first and second parts of the data and respective further first and second parts of the additional data are reproduced. The method also includes determining program instructions, which when executed by the playback device, control switching between reading the first file and the second file, and when the record carrier is an original, switching is controlled so only the sectors and none of the further sectors are read such that no additional data is reproduced.
US08374061B2 Thermally-assisted magnetic recording head capable of reducing the number of binding wires
A slider has a slider substrate, an electromagnetic transducer, a waveguide for receiving light from a surface on the side opposite from a medium-opposing surface and guiding the light to the medium-opposing surface side, and a device electrode electrically connected to the electromagnetic transducer. A light source unit includes a light source supporting substrate, a light source, and a lead extending from the slider side to the side opposite from the slider and having both end parts exposed at a surface of the light source unit. The device electrode of the slider is exposed at the surface of the slider on the side opposite from the medium-opposing surface without being covered with the light source unit. An end part on the slider side of the lead of the light source unit is soldered to the device electrode of the slider.
US08374058B2 Gong for timepiece striking work
The striking work device of a timepiece includes a gong (4) surrounding a movement and extending in approximately one plane, and a gong-carrier secured to a watch plate of the timepiece. The gong is fixed to the gong-carrier. At least one hammer (6) of the striking work device strikes an impact surface (8) of the gong (4) to cause the gong to vibrate. The surface (8) of the gong, which the hammer strikes, is inclined relative to the normal to the one plane.
US08374053B2 Seismic streamer shape estimation
A seismic streamer system and associated methods for estimating the shape of a laterally steered seismic streamer. The streamer is divided into a series of contiguous streamer segments by lateral-steering devices. Heading sensors positioned in forward and aft portions of each segment produce heading readings. Each segment is modeled as having a linear shape in the forward portion and a curved shape in the aft portion. The shape of the segment is estimated according to the model from the heading readings on the segment.
US08374052B2 Information storage devices using magnetic domain wall movement and methods of operating the same
An information storage device includes a first portion comprising at first at least one magnetic track, each of the at least one magnetic track in the first portion including a first plurality of magnetic domains and being configured to store a first type of data therein and a second portion comprising a second at least one magnetic track, each of the at least one magnetic track in the second portion including a second plurality of magnetic domains and being configured to store a second type of data therein, the second type of data being related to the first type of data.
US08374048B2 Method and system for providing magnetic tunneling junction elements having a biaxial anisotropy
A method and system for providing a magnetic junction usable in a magnetic device are described. The magnetic junction includes a pinned layer, a nonmagnetic spacer layer, and a free layer. The nonmagnetic spacer layer is between the pinned layer and the free layer. The free layer has a magnetic anisotropy, at least a portion of which is a biaxial anisotropy. The magnetic junction is configured such that the free layer is switchable between a plurality of stable magnetic states when a write current is passed through the magnetic junction.
US08374043B2 Sense amplifier and semiconductor memory device using it
A sense amplifier having a pre-amplifier and a main-amplifier is disclosed. The pre-amplifier is connected to paired data line, senses and amplifies data on the paired data line using voltage mode and outputting a pair of differential signal. The main-amplifier is connected to the paired data line, senses and amplifies data on the paired data line using current mode and generating a first amplified signal, senses and amplifies the first amplified signal using voltage mode in response to the pair of differential signal, and outputting an amplified data.
US08374038B2 Erase process for use in semiconductor memory device
A method of erasing memory cells of a memory device includes programming memory cells if the erasing procedure is suspended. The erasing procedure can include pre-programming, erasing, and soft-programming of memory cells in a selected memory unit. If a suspend command is received, for example to allow for a read operation of memory cells of another unit of memory, the erasing procedure stops the pre-programming, erasing, or soft-programming, and proceeds with programming one or more memory cells of the memory unit that was being erased.
US08374036B2 Method of operating nonvolatile memory device
A method of operating a nonvolatile memory device comprises reading erase number information which is updated and stored whenever erasure is performed, setting program start voltages and step voltages based on the erase number information, and performing a program operation based on the program start voltages and the step voltages.
US08374027B2 Data path for multi-level cell memory, methods for storing and methods for utilizing a memory array
Memories, data paths, methods for storing, and methods for utilizing are disclosed, including a data path for a memory using multi-level memory cells to provide storage of multiple bits per memory cell. One such data path includes a bit mapping circuit and a data converter circuit. Such a bit mapping circuit can be configured to map bits of the original data to an intermediate arrangement of bits and such a data converter circuit can be configured to receive the intermediate arrangement of bits and convert the intermediate arrangement of bits into intermediate data corresponding to a memory state to be stored by memory cells of a memory cell array.
US08374011B2 Method and apparatus for boosting DC bus voltage
A power converter includes at least two power conversion sections operating in parallel. The power converter receives a variable input power and generates an AC output voltage. When the power source is generating enough power to supply a DC voltage to the power converter greater than or equal to the peak magnitude of the desired AC voltage output, each power conversion section operates in parallel, converting the DC voltage to the desired AC voltage output. When the power generated by the variable power source results in a DC voltage having a magnitude less than the peak magnitude of the desired AC voltage output, the power conversion sections operate in series. One power conversion section operates as a boost converter to boost the DC voltage level to a suitable level for the second power conversion section, which generates the desired AC output voltage.
US08373996B2 Dual-level package
Consistent with an aspect of the present disclosure, a package is provided that has a carrier and first and second substrates provided on the carrier. Conductive traces are provided on the first substrate (upper traces) and below it (lower traces) to provide two levels of electrical connectivity to a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) provided on the second substrate. As a result, an increased number of connections can be made to the PIC in a relatively small package, while maintaining adequate spacing and line widths for each trace. In addition, the lower traces are connected to bonding pads on the surface of the first substrate and are thus provided in the same plane as the upper traces. Testing of and access to both upper and lower traces is thus simplified.
US08373990B2 Electronic assembly and casing therefor
A secure control unit is provided with a completely sealed casing (22) of which at least one wall (24) forms a heat sink. The circuit board provided in the casing (22) is designed such that all of the heat generating components (16-20) which require cooling are located on the lower side of the circuit board (10) and in thermal connection with the heat sink wall (24). Components which do not generate excessive heat are located on the upper side of the circuit board (10). Raised conductive blocks (32-36) couple thermally the components (16-20) to the wall (24). With this arrangement it is not necessary to provide cooling internally of the casing (22) and it is possible nevertheless to use high powered components of the type which are found in modern computers. The casing remains secure and thus suitable for high security applications.
US08373986B2 Enclosure of electronic device
An enclosure includes a bracket with a bottom wall, a circuit board mounted to the bottom wall but spaced from the bottom wall, an electronic element mounted to the circuit board, a fan arranged on the bottom wall and facing the space between the circuit board and the bottom wall, and a guiding member attached to the circuit board to block the space between the circuit board and the bottom wall.
US08373980B2 System for mounting a display to a computer
A computer includes various features that improve its functionality and/or ease of use. A modular electronics cartridge that includes a piston seal and opposed-direction latches removably engages a cartridge bay of the computer. A high intensity touch-screen display and a high power processor are disposed in a sealed compartment of the computer, and a remote heat exchanger is used to cool the sealed compartment. An interface converter/adapter converts a standard mini-PCI Express slot into a specialized mini-PCI Express slot with voice capabilities. SIM and microSD card slots mount to a pivoting door on the computer such that opening the door provides easier access to the card slots.
US08373979B2 Electronic apparatus
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a first housing, a battery including a projection and configured to be attached to the first housing, a second housing including a display device and an end portion including a recess configured to correspond to the projection, a hinge configured to attach the second housing to the first housing rotatably between a first position in which a display screen of the display device is covered with the first housing and a second position in which the display screen is exposed, and a plurality of cables in the end portion of the second housing, the plurality of cables being arranged in a direction crossing a thickness direction of the second housing.
US08373978B2 Electronic device with fixing element
An electronic device includes an enclosure and a fixing assembly attached to the enclosure. The fixing assembly includes fixing portion rotatably attached to the enclosure, a resilient element fixed to the fixing portion and an adjusting portion non-rotatably fixed to the enclosure. The fixing portion and the enclosure cooperatively define a receiving room to receive the adjusting portion and the resilient element. The resilient element includes a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion. The adjusting portion is substantially circle-shaped and defines a plurality of positioning teeth configured on a peripheral circumference of the adjusting portion. Friction between the positioning teeth of the adjusting portion and the first and second engaging portion of the resilient element causes the first engaging portion and a second engaging portion tightly engage with the plurality of positioning teeth to non-rotatably position the enclosure at different angles relative to the fixing assembly.
US08373970B2 Sideways conduction cooled high-power capacitor
A capacitor consisting of two essentially parallel planar L-shaped or C-shaped metal brackets, formed from a thermally and electrically conductive metal and arranged in such a way as to face inwards, between which two or more capacitor elements are connected electrically and thermally, each containing one or more holes for allowing fixing the capacitor to a heat-sink by a mounting bolt. Each of the brackets may have one or more holes drilled in their parallel members.
US08373954B2 Composite electronic device and digital transmission circuit using thereof
A composite electronic device includes first and second magnetic substrates, and a functional layer sandwiched between these magnetic substrates, and the functional layer is configured by a common-mode filter layer and a ESD protection element layer. An electrostatic capacitance of the ESD protection elements is equal to or lower than 0.35 pF. The common-mode filter layer includes a first spiral conductor formed on an insulation layer, and a second spiral conductor formed on an insulation layer. DC resistance of a common mode filter is equal to or higher than 0.5Ω and equal to or lower than 5Ω, and an electrostatic capacitance of the ESD protection elements is equal to or lower than 0.35 pF. A width W and a length L of the first and second spiral conductors satisfy a relational equation expressed by √(L/W)<(7.6651−fc)/0.1385.
US08373953B2 Distribution of electrostatic discharge (ESD) circuitry within an integrated circuit
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an integrated circuit (IC) or semiconductor device. This semiconductor device includes a number of I/O pads or bumps on an outer surface of the semiconductor device, a number of electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection cells and functional modules. Individual ESD protection cells couple to and are downstream of individual I/O pads. Functional modules coupled to and are downstream of individual ESD protection cells. The ESD protection cells protect circuitry within the functional module from electrostatic discharge events. A rail clamp may provide an ESD discharge path between a first power supply bus and a second power supply bus. The ESD protection cells may be collected in groups to form clusters (with linear or irregular placement patterns). These clusters may be distributed autarchically across the semiconductor device overlapping one or more functional modules or within spaces or gaps between the functional modules.
US08373950B2 Ground fault detecting system and electric vehicle with ground fault detecting system
When a malfunction of an ungrounded drive electric system including first and second ungrounded power supplies, an inverter, and a motor which is energized by the first and second ungrounded power supplies through the inverter, i.e., an erroneous opening of switches of a battery, is detected, switches of an insulation resistance detector are opened to insolate the insulation resistance detector from the ungrounded drive electric system.
US08373933B2 Optical system and optical apparatus including optical system
Provided are an imaging optical system in which chromatic aberrations are excellently corrected across the entire screen to realize high optical performance, and an optical apparatus including the imaging optical system. In an imaging optical system of which a back focus is longer than a focal length, a lens unit located in a reduction-conjugate side of an aperture stop includes at least one positive lens. A partial dispersion ratio and an Abbe number of the positive lens are set such that a refractive index, a position, and a power satisfy a suitable relationship.
US08373930B2 Reflection suppression element and optical apparatus
The optical element includes a base member, and a first layer which is formed on the base member and whose refractive index for a central use wavelength λ changes in a thickness direction of the first layer by 0.05 or more. The first layer has an anti-reflection function and satisfies nt=ni+0.1(ns−ni), 0.5≦[n{t(nt)/2}−nt]/[ns−n{t(nt)/2}]≦0.8, λ/4≦t(nt)≦2λ and 1.0≦ni≦1.1. ni represents a refractive index of a most light entrance side part of the first layer for the central use wavelength, ns represents a refractive index of a most base member side part of the first layer for the central use wavelength, t(nt) represents an optical film thickness of the first layer at which the refractive index thereof for the central use wavelength is nt, and n{t(nt)/2} represents a refractive index of the first layer for the central use wavelength at a position where the optical film thickness ism t(nt)/2.
US08373925B2 Compact photonic crystal fiber source
A system is provided for amplification of laser light, the system having: a plurality of non-silica optical fibers, each the non-silica optical fiber disposed within a sheath; each the non-silica optical fiber being doped with a dopant such that the non-silica fiber has a low non-linear effect; a light source, directing a light beam into a first the non-silica optical fiber; heat dissipating components disposed about the plurality of non-silica optical fibers forming a package; and the package being not greater than 100 cm3.
US08373923B2 Illuminator having a spatial light modulator
The present invention relates to an illuminator (10, 30, 40) comprising a spatial light modulator (14) including an array of elements (16) each adapted to selectively transmit incoming light without altering the direction of the light, or alter the direction of incoming light; a lamp (12) arranged to illuminate the modulator; a lens (20, 42) for directing unaltered light from the modulator onto an illumination surface (24); and means for forwarding essentially all light altered in direction by the modulator towards the illumination surface.
US08373920B2 Display device
A display device includes a pair of insulating substrates facing each other, electrochromic elements, and an electrolyte layer. A plurality of electrodes constituting the electrochromic elements are disposed on an inner surface of one of the insulating substrates so as to be spaced from each other. One of the insulating substrates is formed of a flexible member whose outer surface is an input operation surface. A pair of counter electrodes of an input element are disposed between the pair of insulating substrates, the counter electrodes being spaced from the electrodes of the electrochromic elements when viewed in plan. An input operation is performed by bringing the counter electrodes close to each other or bringing the counter electrodes into contact with each other through pressing of the input operation surface.
US08373903B2 Efficient implementation of raster operations flow
According to one aspect, a printer supports transparency operations by generating mask data at interpretation stage which indicates whether each bit of a page content would be determined by the result of a raster operation or a prior destination value. The mask data can be used to complete quickly rendering of a page image once the rendering starts. Another aspect enables color fills of objects to be performed efficiently. A raster operations engine may determine whether all the points (pixels) of the object would have the same value if the raster operation is performed. If all pixels would have the same value, the value for only one pixel is computed and used for multiple pixels of the object. According to another aspect, when a pattern is to be tiled on an entire image portion, the pattern data is stored in a memory and provided as an input to rendering operation multiple times.
US08373902B2 Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and program
Banding can be prevented and image-quality degradation can be reduced. An image processing apparatus includes first creation means configured to distribute density of image data to a pixel on another scanning line on the basis of a difference between an actual print position of the image data and a reference position and to create position-corrected image data, second creation means configured to correct the image data using a correction value corresponding to a position of the image data and to create density-corrected image data, and generation means configured to generate output image data using the position-corrected image data created by the first creation means and the density-corrected image data created by the second creation means.
US08373891B2 Image-forming apparatus and method for controlling the same
An image-forming apparatus includes a first monitor which detects whether a non-paper-medium supplier is attached to the main body of the image-forming apparatus. When a normal copying process is selected, the copying process is stopped immediately if the first monitor determines that the non-paper-medium supplier is attached and an error message indicating that a printing process cannot be performed since the non-paper-medium supplier is attached is shown on the main body. In addition, if a facsimile is received while the non-paper-medium supplier is attached to the main body, the user is informed that the facsimile call is received. Accordingly, the user can change the setting of the image-forming apparatus so that the facsimile can be received. Thus, the facsimile is received manually if the non-paper-medium supplier is attached to the main body and is received by operation after the line is acquired by a handset telephone.
US08373890B2 Printing processing apparatus, method, and system, and computer readable recording medium for processing at various resolutions
A printing processing device that includes an analyzing unit that analyzes the components of print data. Based on the analysis results, a first raster processing unit performs raster processing at a first resolution for the print data of a portion of the components of the print data other than an optically read printing portion. Similarly, based on the analysis results, a second raster processing unit that performs raster processing at a second resolution higher than the first resolution, for the print data of the optically read printing portion of the components of the print data. Further, the printing processing device includes a resolution conversion unit that converts the print data that has been processed by the first raster processing unit into the second resolution and a synthesizing unit that synthesizes the print data that has been converted into the second resolution by the resolution conversion unit and the print data that has been processed by the second raster processing unit.
US08373886B2 Image processing device
An image processing device comprises an image data input means 2, an image data storage means 12 for storing the image data being input, an image data processing means 6 having multiple processing modes for outputting the stored image data, and a image data erasing means for erasing the image data stored in the storage means 12. The device further comprises erase count control means 8, 14 for controlling the number of times for erasing image data capable of having the number of times of erase set arbitrarily according to the security level required for each mode, and capable of having the set number of times of erase changed in mid-flow. Confidentiality is protected by performing erase operations repeatedly to the region storing the unnecessary image data according to the security level.
US08373874B2 Using a web browser on a client to enable and disable a filter program on a printer
An image processing apparatus comprises a print request data stream reception unit for externally receiving a print request data stream, a print job controller for controlling a print job of interpreting the print request data stream and executing image formation, and a filter for executing a data process to the print request data stream and thus generating the processed print request data stream. The image processing apparatus sends the print request data stream received by the print request data stream reception unit to the filter through a first interface, and sends the processed print request data stream generated by the filter to the print job controller through a second interface.
US08373872B2 Method and system for the automatic transmission of printing data and particularly for mirroring printing orders
In a method or system for reception from a sender of a print data with a print job by a print server of a first printing system from a sender, with the print server of the first printing system acknowledging to the sender correct receipt of a predetermined data unit of print data according to a predetermined protocol. With the print server of the first printing system copying the print data to a mirror print server of a second printing system separate from the print server of the first printing system before execution of the respective acknowledgement for the predetermined data unit, and automatically using as a print server for continued execution of the print job given problems in storage of the print data on the print server of the first printing system, said mirror print server of the second printing system.
US08373866B2 Wavefront aberration measuring apparatus, wavefront aberration measuring method, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method
An apparatus measuring wavefront aberration of an optical system includes a first mask in an object plane and having plural openings, an illumination optical system illuminating the openings of the first mask by using light from a light source, a second mask in an image plane and having an opening allowing passage of light containing aberration of the optical system and a pinhole/slit. The apparatus takes an image of interference fringe generated by light having passed through the optical system and the pinhole/slit and the light having passed through the optical system and the opening of the second mask, calculates an evaluation value to evaluate a state of the interference fringe by using image data of the image, determines, based on the evaluation value, whether the wavefront aberration of the inspected optical system is to be calculated, and calculates the wavefront aberration of the optical system from the image data.
US08373851B2 Measuring system and measuring method, in particular for determining blood glucose
A measuring system for determining blood glucose includes a photometric measuring unit with a light source and a detector, and an analytical test element, to which a body fluid sample can be applied, and which can be placed in a beam path between the light source and the detector for optical detection of an analyte. For an improved multi-wavelength measurement, it is proposed that the light source includes a first emitter that can be actuated in a first wavelength range to emit pulsating alternating light and a second emitter that can be excited in a second wavelength range to emit fluorescent light.
US08373840B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display module includes an observation region to allow a visual inspection be performed after bonding of the substrates for inspecting the sealant that may be otherwise blocked by the common voltage line. An embodiment of a liquid crystal display device includes a first electrode on a first substrate, a second electrode and a third electrode on a second substrate, the second electrode electrically contacting the first electrode at a first portion and the third electrode at a second portion, and including a transparent conductive material, a sealant attaching the first and second substrates together in a sealant region, the sealant between the first and second electrodes and the sealant including a plurality of conductive balls for electrically connecting the first and second electrodes, and a liquid crystal layer between the attached first and second substrates and within the sealant.
US08373838B2 Display apparatus
A display apparatus includes a substrate, a daisy chain, a driving circuit, and a conductive portion. The substrate has an electrode line. The daisy chain includes a first conducting wire separated from the electrode line. The first conducting wire has a first terminal and a second terminal. The conductive portion is disposed on the substrate. The first terminal is electrically connected to the electrode line and the second terminal is separated from the driving circuit.
US08373836B2 Gate driver-on-array and method of making the same
A gate driver-on-array structure integrated into a display includes a substrate and a gate driver structure formed thereon. The gate driver structure is disposed in a peripheral region of the substrate. The gate driver structure includes a first layer metal pattern, a second layer metal pattern, and an insulating layer disposed therebetween. The first layer metal pattern includes connection nodes. The insulating layer has through holes exposing the connection nodes. The second layer metal pattern fills into the through holes and in contact with the connection nodes of the first layer metal pattern so as to implement necessary electrical connection of the gate driver structure.
US08373824B2 Liquid crystal display device
An LED (31) is attached to an active matrix substrate (11), and a light emitting surface (31L) of the LED (31) is positioned on an outer substrate surface (11T) side of the active matrix substrate (11).
US08373821B2 Dual film light guide for illuminating displays
A front light guide panel including a plurality of embedded surface features is provided. The front light panel is configured to deliver uniform illumination from an artificial light source disposed at one side of the font light panel to an array of display elements located behind the front light guide while allowing for the option of illumination from ambient lighting transmitted through the light guide panel. The surface embedded surface relief features create air pockets within the light guide panel. Light incident on the side surface of the light guide propagates though the light guide until it strikes an air/light material guide interface at one on the air pockets. The light is then turned by total internal reflection through a large angle such that it exits an output face disposed in front of the array of display elements.
US08373816B2 Liquid crystal display device and method of assembling the liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes an LCD panel displaying an image, a light source providing the LCD panel with light, a light source flexible printed circuit board (FPCB), a printed circuit board (PCB), and a receiving container. The PCB is electrically connected to the LCD panel. The PCB is in contact with two ends of the light source FPCB. The receiving container is combined with the light source FPCB and the PCB. The receiving container has a through-hole through which the light source FPCB passes. According to the present invention, the receiving container applies pressure so that both ends of the light source FPCB make contact with the PCB and the light source FPCB is electrically connected to the PCB. The light source FPCB, the receiving container, and the PCB are secured to each other. Therefore, the number of steps required to assembly the LCD device may be reduced.
US08373812B2 Liquid crystal display device
The present invention relates a liquid crystal display device which can minimize resistance of a common line. The liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of data lines and a plurality of common lines arranged alternately, a plurality of gate lines arranged to cross the data lines and the common lines, a pixel electrode formed at every pixel region defined as a region is surrounded by the data line, the common line and the gate line, and at least one auxiliary electrode unit overlapped with a portion of each of the pixel electrodes adjacent to the common line, wherein the auxiliary electrode unit is connected to the common electrode line electrically.
US08373811B2 Liquid crystal display device with each pixel having plural capacitors coupling to switches and related driving method
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device essentially includes a plurality of data lines, a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of pixel units. Each pixel unit includes a first liquid-crystal capacitor, a second liquid-crystal capacitor, a first switch and a second switch. The first liquid-crystal capacitor of a pixel unit is charged via the first switch of the same pixel unit. The second liquid-crystal capacitor of a pixel unit is charged via the second switch of the same pixel unit and the first switch of a different pixel unit. The sub-pixel voltages corresponding to the first and second liquid-crystal capacitors of the same pixel unit have the same polarity. Furthermore, disclosed is a liquid-crystal display driving method for writing two data signals having same polarity respectively into the first and second liquid-crystal capacitors of a pixel unit via the same date line during two intervals partly overlapped.
US08373808B2 Liquid crystal parallax barrier, display device and liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal parallax barrier panel has the structure formed by stacking an electrode substrate, a liquid crystal layer and a sealing substrate in order. The electrode substrate includes a glass substrate, a first electrode which is branched in plural stages, a second electrode which is arranged on the same layer as the first electrode and is branched in plural stages, and an alignment film. Out of the first electrode and the second electrode, twig portions which include distal ends of branched portions of one electrode and twig portions which include distal ends of branched portions of another electrode are alternately arranged such that the twig portion which includes the distal end of the branched portion of one electrode enters between two twig portions which include the distal ends of branched portions of another electrode. In a state where slits are not formed in a parallax barrier, the first electrode and the second electrode have the same voltage, while the slits are formed in the parallax barrier when a predetermined voltage is applied to the first electrode.
US08373805B2 System and method for remote control of a television with a manually actuatable element
There is provided a system and method for remote control of a television with a manually actuatable control element. More specifically, in one embodiment, there is provided a remote control for a television with a manually actuatable control element. The remote control may comprise a manually actuatable control element configured to generate a signal in response to an activation of the control element by a user, wherein the signal is generated at one of a plurality of different levels based on a characteristic of the activation, and a control system configured to receive the signal and to produce one of a plurality of television commands in response to the signal, wherein the command produced corresponds to the level of the signal.
US08373803B2 Multistandard receiver circuit for analogue and digital broadcasting
The invention relates to a multistandard receiver circuit for analogue and digital broadcasting, particularly analogue and digital television broadcasting, having a demodulator arrangement with an input for applying digital or digitized values (d) for both analogue and digital broadcasting signals from a tuner (1) and with components and/or an algorithm for processing the values (d). Emphasis should be given to an embodiment and/or controller for processing the values (d) for all processing steps which are to be performed in the field of intermediate-frequency processing with shared components.
US08373793B2 Auto focusing method using VCM actuator
The present disclosure relates to an auto focusing method using a VCM (voice coil motor) actuator, the method of using the VCM actuator to upwardly move a lens position, to obtain a most-focused upward position value, and downwardly move the lens position to automatically adjust the lens focus, the method comprising: obtaining an auto focus (AF) upward position value, which is an upward position value of a lens when the lens is most focused by upwardly moving the lens to capture an image; determining whether a difference between the AF upward position value and an AF downward position value of a code value which is a bit value corresponding to the AF upward position value is smaller than a pre-set level; and implementing the auto focusing the code value if the difference is smaller than the pre-set level, and using a hysteresis table of the VCM actuator to select a code value corresponding to a downward position value most approximate to the AF upward position value in a downward position value column and to implement the auto focusing adjustment using the corrected code value, if the difference is not smaller than the pre-set level.
US08373789B2 Auto focus system and auto focus method
An auto focus method for passive auto focus systems consists of an image acquisition and processing engine, as well as an acutance index calculation engine. An auto focus method measures image's acutance index rather than image's contrast value. A passive auto focus system employing the auto focus method of the present invention can accurately and reliably detect the best focus point and thus preventing auto focus malfunction even under the condition that illumination uniformity changes dramatically.
US08373785B2 Shallow trench isolation for active devices mounted on a CMOS substrate
The present invention includes operational amplifier for an active pixel sensor that detects optical energy and generates an analog output that is proportional to the optical energy. The active pixel sensor operates in a number of different modes including: signal integration mode, the reset integration mode, column reset mode, and column signal readout mode. Each mode causes the operational amplifier to see a different output load. Accordingly, the operational amplifier includes a variable feedback circuit to provide compensation that provides sufficient amplifier stability for each operating mode of the active pixel sensor. For instance, the operational amplifier includes a bank of feedback capacitors, one or more of which are selected based on the operating mode to provide sufficient phase margin for stability, but also considering gain and bandwidth requirements of the operating mode.
US08373784B2 Solid-state imaging device, driving method thereof, and imaging apparatus
A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel array unit in which unit pixels are two-dimensionally disposed; a vertical scanning unit selecting the unit pixels, which read out the signal electric charges, for each line; signal processing units separately disposed for each column of the pixel array unit and generate pixel signals corresponding to the signal electric charges; a horizontal scanning unit reading out the pixel signal by sequentially selecting the signal processing unit and outputting image signals in the unit of one line; and a scanning control unit performing operations of the vertical scanning unit and the horizontal scanning unit, wherein the scanning control unit selects a line having an exposure period different from that of a selected line between lines selected in the scanning order and sequentially outputs an image signal of an image having the different exposure period in the unit of one line from the horizontal scanning unit.
US08373781B2 Image pixel employing floating base readout concept, and image sensor and image sensor array including the image pixel
A pixel of an image sensor includes only two signal lines per pixel, a pinned photodiode for sensing light, a floating base bipolar transistor, and no reset and address transistors. The floating base bipolar transistor provides the pixel with a gain, which can increase pixel sensitivity and reduce noise. The pixel also incorporates a vertical blooming control structure for an efficient blooming suppression. The output terminals of the pixel are coupled to a common column output line terminated by a special current sensing correlated double sampling circuit, which is used for subtraction of emitter leakage current. Based on this structure, the pixel has high sensitivity, high response uniformity, low noise, reduced size, and efficient layout.
US08373773B2 Imaging apparatus for generating a wide-angle image
An imaging apparatus including a capturing section which captures an image at a first viewing angle, a capturing control section which performs consecutive image capturing by the capturing section, a setting section which sets areas to be captured at the first viewing angle to generate a composite image reproducing a captured image at a second viewing angle by combining captured images, a judgment section which judges whether a captured image is suitable for any one of the set areas, and a recording control section which corresponds the captured image with an area and records the capture image in a recording section when the captured image is suitable, wherein the judgment section further judges whether the captured image is more suitable for an area than previously recorded by corresponding a recorded image in comparison with a previously recorded image, when an image that was previously recorded in the record means exists.
US08373770B2 Imaging device, imaging method, and program including automatically controlling an interval of continuous photographing
In order to solve a problem in which a stable and continuous photographing operation cannot be realized, for example, the continuous photographing operation stops irregularly or the like in an imaging device, the imaging device includes imaging means for generating image data, a first buffer for storing the image data, and control means for controlling an interval of photographing by the imaging means to maintain a constant or according to a continuous function which decreases monotonically with respect to a remaining capacity of the first buffer.
US08373769B2 Imaging apparatus, imaging processing method and recording medium
An imaging apparatus, including, an imaging section, a gain adjustment section to adjust gain values of an R component or a B component, an information obtaining section to obtain information about a first photographing environment of the image after an adjustment, a first judgment section to judge whether the first photographing environment in the obtained information and a second photographing environment to which the gain adjustment section is to adjust the gain values of the R component or the B component, are different from each other, a gain re-adjustment section to re-adjust at least one of the gain values of the R component and the B component to be suppressed when judged that the first photographing environment and the second photographing environment are different from each other, and an image recording section to record an image obtained by performing a color adjustment by using a re-adjusted gain value.
US08373750B2 Device and method for transferring motion pictures to a photosensitive material
A device for transferring full frame motion pictures, comprising a series of frames, to an photosensitive material, comprises a digital head comprising a light source, a color filter, at least one device for light modulation, at least one lens for projecting the modulated light onto the photosensitive material, processing electronics and software for processing the signal input, and for transport and shutter device synchronization, a shutter device, a transport device adapted for exposing, section for section, the sections of the photosensitive material corresponding to each of the picture frames to the modulated projected light, a user interface, and a graphical computer interface connected to the digital head. The motion pictures to be transferred to the photosensitive material may have a digital or analogue representation. A corresponding method for transferring full frame motion pictures to a photosensitive material is also presented.
US08373749B2 Vision system using strobed illumination
A vision system for viewing the end face of product (64) mounted in a machine and which in use produces measurements relating to the area of the end face and of at least one constituent part of the product which is visible in the said end face. The system comprises means for illuminating a region containing the end face and scanning (78) means for producing a video signal from an image of the illuminated region. The region is illuminated consecutively using first one (50) and then the other (58, 60) of two strobed light sources.
US08373744B2 Stereoplexing for video and film applications
A method for multiplexing a stream of stereoscopic image source data including a series of left images and a series of right images combinable to form a series of stereoscopic images is provided. The primary application is for video applications, but film applications are also addressed. The method includes removing pixels from the stereoscopic image source data to form left images and right images and providing a series of single frames divided into portions, each single frame containing one right image in a first portion and one left image in a second portion. Multiplexing processes such as staggering, alternating, filtering, variable scaling, and sharpening from original, uncompressed right and left images may be employed alone or in combination, and selected or predetermined regions or segments from uncompressed images may have more pixels removed or combined than other regions.
US08373743B2 System and method for playing back individual conference callers
A teleconferencing system receives at least two streams that are parts of a live conference and individually records at least one of the streams. During the conference, a conferencing system receives a request from a communication device that is participating in the conference for at least a portion of at least one but not all of the recorded streams and in response sends the requested portion(s) of the stream to the communication device. The communication device can then play back the requested portion(s) of the recorded stream(s) to a participant in the conference. The streams may be audio and/or video streams.
US08373736B2 Optical scanning device and image forming apparatus
P-polarized light beam passing through an fθ lens passes through a polarization beam splitter, is converted into S-polarized light beam by a quarter-wave plate and a reflecting mirror, re-enters the polarization beam splitter, and is reflected at the polarization beam splitter in the −Z direction. An optical path of a light beam between a polygon mirror and the fθ lens, between the fθ lens and the polarization beam splitter, between the polarization beam splitter and the quarter-wave plate, between the quarter-wave plate and a reflecting mirror, between the reflecting mirror and the quarter-wave plate, and between the quarter-wave plate and the polarization beam splitter are in the same plane.
US08373735B2 Line head, image forming apparatus, image forming method
Provided is a line head including: a light emitting device array in which N (N is an integer of 2 or more) light emitting device groups including a plurality of light emitting devices is arranged; an output unit which sequentially outputs driving signals for driving the light emitting devices of the light emitting device groups to the light emitting device groups; and a delay unit which delays input timings when the driving signals output from the output unit are input to the light emitting devices, wherein the delay unit delays the input timings of the 1 to (N−1)th driving signals output from the output unit to the input timings of the Nth driving signals output from the output unit, and allows the light emitting devices of the different light emitting device groups simultaneously to emit light.
US08373731B2 Driving method for reducing image sticking
A driving method with reducing image sticking effect is disclosed. The driving method includes applying a voltage on the data lines for trapping impurities crossing the data lines and lowering the degree of the image sticking effect, and applying different asymmetric waveforms to different data lines for trapping impurities crossing the data lines and lowering the degree of the image sticking effect.
US08373730B2 Driving method for reducing image sticking
A driving method with reducing image sticking effect is disclosed. The driving method includes applying a voltage on the data lines for trapping impurities crossing the data lines and lowering the degree of the image sticking effect, and applying different asymmetric waveforms to different data lines for trapping impurities crossing the data lines and lowering the degree of the image sticking effect.
US08373726B2 Character highlighting control apparatus, display apparatus, highlighting display control method, and computer program
The present invention provides a character highlighting control apparatus including a character pixel extractor and a highlighting degree controller. The character pixel extractor is configured to extract a pixel corresponding to a character part from input image data. The highlighting degree controller is configured to carry out control in such a way that a maximum emission luminance of a display device is linked with input image data, to thereby selectively increase an emission luminance of an extracted pixel on a display screen and avoid increase of an emission luminance of a background part on the display screen.
US08373725B2 Method for providing information on object which is not included in visual field of terminal device, terminal device and computer readable recording medium
The present invention relates to a method for providing information on an object excluded in a visual field of a terminal in a form of augmented reality (AR) by using an image inputted to the terminal and information related thereto. The method includes the steps of: (a) specifying the visual field of the terminal corresponding to the inputted image by referring to at least one piece of information on a location, a displacement and a viewing angle of the terminal; (b) searching an object(s) excluded in the visual field of the terminal; and (c) displaying guiding information on the searched object(s) with the inputted image in a form of the augmented reality; wherein the visual field is specified by a viewing frustum whose vertex corresponds to the terminal.
US08373724B2 Selective display of OCR'ed text and corresponding images from publications on a client device
Text is extracted from a source image of a publication using an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) process. A document is generated containing text segments of the extracted text. The document includes a control module that responds to user interactions with the displayed document. Responsive to a user selection of a displayed text segment, a corresponding image segment from the source image containing the text is retrieved and rendered in place of the selected text segment. The user can select again to toggle the display back to the text segment. Each text segment can be tagged with a garbage score indicating its quality. If the garbage score of a text segment exceeds a threshold value, the corresponding image segment can be automatically displayed instead.
US08373723B2 Method and apparatus to provide plot data of contents
A method and an apparatus to provide time based plot data of contents. The method includes extracting a time of requesting plot data, based on time information that is recorded on a predetermined unit-by-unit basis, when a signal to request plot data is received while contents are being reproduced; checking whether there is time based plot metadata corresponding to the requested plot data; and extracting plot data corresponding to a period from a start time of contents to the time of requesting the plot data and displaying the plot data if the time based plot metadata exists.
US08373722B2 Color measuring apparatus and method and liquid crystal display system
According to color measuring apparatus and method and a liquid crystal display system S of the present invention, intensity signals obtained by receiving radiant light from a liquid crystal color display 3 at a first viewing angle and corresponding to at least three mutually different spectral responsivities are converted into information on a plurality of primary color intensities of the liquid crystal color display 3, and the intensity signals by the first viewing angle are corrected to signal intensities by a second viewing angle. Thus, these color measuring apparatus and method are capable of a more accurate measurement even at a dark gradation. The liquid crystal display system can more accurately calibrate a display surface 3a of the liquid crystal color display 3 even at a dark gradation.
US08373721B2 Method of realism assessment of an image composite
In a method of realism assessment of an image composite, the foreground and the background are transformed into a color space, such as YCbCr, followed by projecting the foreground and the background to a subspace represented by the axes representing chromatic information. The image composite is assessed in the projected subspace, according to linearity of color distributions of the foreground/the background, or according to distance between the color distributions of the foreground/the background and a center of the transformed color space.
US08373712B2 Method, system and computer-readable recording medium for providing image data
The present disclosure relates to a method, system and computer-readable medium for providing image data. According to an exemplary embodiment, a method of providing image data includes storing a particular region on image data in association with a keyword, comparing conditional information with the keyword associated with the particular region, when receiving the conditional information from a user terminal unit, and controlling a display state of the image data to allow the particular region to be displayed on a screen of the user terminal unit. When a user inputs a keyword including content relating to a geographical feature or object, an actual shape of the geographical feature or object can be displayed on a screen of the user terminal unit.
US08373710B1 Method and system for improving computational concurrency using a multi-threaded GPU calculation engine
A computing system may include a plurality of GPUs, one or more CPUs, and a data store containing data to be analyzed. A user may register a calculation to be performed on the data, and the system may determine a scheme for allocating portions of the calculation and subsets of the data to different GPUs for concurrent execution. The system may also modify a user-provided algorithm to convert portions of the algorithm that are path-dependent into atomic path-independent operations that may be performed by GPU threads asynchronously. The system may also determine coordination operations sufficient for merging sub-results generated from individual GPU threads' execution of the atomic operations back into a path-dependent computation. The system may be configured to use any number of similar or different GPU devices, and for GPU devices to be added to or removed from the system without requiring programmers to alter their algorithms.
US08373707B1 System and method for selecting the boot VGA adapter in a multi-graphics processing unit computing system
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for selecting a boot VGA adapter in a multiple VGA adapter system by controlling the system boot process using the VBIOS display detection service and boot flags that are stored in non-volatile platform memory. The SBIOS initiates a first boot that selects the motherboard integrated graphics processing unit (MGPU) as the boot VGA adapter. During this first boot, if the SBIOS determines that there are display devices attached to the MGPU, then the first boot completes normally. Otherwise, the SBIOS aborts the first boot and initiates a second boot that selects a secondary, discrete graphics processing unit GPU (DGPU) as the boot VGA adapter. During this second boot, if the SBIOS determines that there are display devices attached to the DGPU, then the second boot completes normally. Otherwise, the SBIOS aborts the second boot, and initiates and completes a third system boot that selects the MGPU as the boot VGA adapter while setting flags to ensure that the overall process does not repeat.
US08373706B2 Real-time goal-directed performed motion alignment for computer animated characters
A method for real-time, goal-directed performed motion alignment for computer animated characters. A sequence of periodic locomotion may be seamlessly aligned with an arbitrarily placed and rotated non-periodic performed motion. A rendering application generates a sampling of transition locations for transition from a locomotion motion space to a performed motion space. The sampling is parameterized by control parameters of the locomotion motion space. Based on the location and rotation of a goal location at which the performed motion is executed, a particular transition location may be selected to define a motion plan to which a performed motion sequence may then appended. Advantageously, by utilizing a look-up of pre-computed values for the control parameters of the motion plan, the rendering application may minimize the computational cost of finding the motion plan to move the character to a location to transition to a performed motion.
US08373693B2 Potential generation circuit and liquid crystal display device
A potential generation circuit and a liquid crystal display device are provided that are capable of reducing power consumption with a simple circuit configuration. The potential generation circuit is a potential generation circuit for generating a common potential that is applied to a capacitive load, and includes a differential amplifier that has a positive input receiving a given set potential and a negative input receiving the common potential that is negatively fed back, a current amplifier that amplifies the output of the differential amplifier and outputs the common potential, a charge recovery capacitor that has one of its ends connected to a reference potential, and an anti-parallel diode that is connected between the other end of the charge recovery capacitor and the common potential.
US08373691B2 Active-matrix bistable display device
An active-matrix bistable display panel is provided in which a pixel electrode is formed at each intersection of each of a plurality of scanning lines in a row direction and each of a plurality of signal lines in a column direction and a display state is made to occur depending on a voltage of each of the pixel electrodes, a signal-line driving unit is provided in which the plurality of signal lines is connected to a plurality of terminals and image inputs are sequentially divided into a plurality of image inputs and a plurality of image signals are supplied sequentially to the plurality of terminals in a time-division manner, and a scanning-line driving unit is provided in which each scanning line making up the plurality of groups is sequentially driven for each of the groups, wherein each of TFTs (Thin Film Transistors) is made active so as to supply an image voltage to each of pixel electrodes.
US08373687B2 Organic light emitting display and driving method thereof
An organic light emitting display capable of displaying images of uniform luminance and a method for driving the display are disclosed. The display senses degradation of the organic light emitting diode and threshold and/or mobility of a drive transistor and modifies the data supplied to the pixel according to the sensed parameters.
US08373685B2 Display systems
Driving methods for display panels are provided, in which a Kth row of pixels in a pixel array is driven during a first period, and a K+1th row of pixels in the pixel array is driven during a second period. A control clock applied for a charge pump is toggled at least N times during a third period between the first and second periods, and the control clock is maintained at a fixed logic level during the first and second periods, in which N≧2.
US08373684B2 High resolution 2D-3D switchable autostereoscopic display apparatus
Provided is a high resolution 2D-3D switchable autostereoscopic display apparatus including: a backlight unit emitting light; a spatial light modulator comprising a plurality of cells, the cells being arranged two-dimensionally and comprising left eye regions and right eye regions that are each independently switchable between a transparent state and an opaque state; a lenticular lens sheet separating and emitting light passed through the spatial light modulator to a left eye viewing zone and a right eye viewing zone; and an image display panel displaying an image, wherein the spatial light modulator is divided into a plurality of horizontal segments that are sequentially switched in synchronization with a vertical synchronization signal of the image display panel.
US08373681B2 Stylus having a retracted and extended position
A stylus comprises a shell, a stylus body, and a slide enabling member. The shell has a chamber defined therethrough. The stylus body is slidably accommodated in the chamber of the shell. The slide enabling member is slidably coupling the stylus body to the shell so the stylus body can slide relative to the shell from a retracted position to an extended position. The slide enabling member includes a sliding pin located at one of the stylus body and the shell, and a track defined at another one of the stylus body and the shell and slidably engaging with the sliding pin so the stylus body slides relative to the shell.
US08373680B2 Optical touch panel and coordinate information correction method and detecting device therefor
A coordinate information correction method for an optical touch panel includes: a) determining a set of to-be-corrected included angle values according to output signals received from light detectors, each of the to-be-corrected included angle values representing an included angle between a base line and a connecting line that extends from a respective one of the light detectors to a location of an object in a light curtain region; b) calculating a set of correction values, each of which is a finite order function of a respective one of the to-be-corrected included angle values; c) calculating a set of corrected included angle values from the set of to-be-corrected included angle values and the set of correction values; and d) generating corrected coordinate information associated with the location of the object in the light curtain region from the corrected included angle values.
US08373676B2 Pointing device with solid-state roller
A solid-state roller on a pointing device with enhanced features. The solid-state design described herein allows the sensor to be placed on any shape of surface, such as one that has curvature in two directions. In one embodiment, a trench or downward curve contains sensors for detecting finger movement. The user's finger can thus bend about a knuckle in a curved motion to activate the sensor, requiring little or no movement of the finger up and down. The solid-state sensors can be of one of a number of designs. In one embodiment, multiple electrodes are contacted by a finger as it moves. Each electrode is coupled to a capacitive detection circuit, for detecting the change in capacitance as the electrode is contacted by the finger.
US08373675B2 Display panel, display apparatus having the same, and method thereof
A display panel includes an array substrate and an opposite substrate. The array substrate includes a plurality of data lines, a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of first signal lines, a plurality of second signal lines and a plurality of pixels. Each of the pixels includes a pixel electrode and a common electrode insulated from the pixel electrode. The opposite substrate includes a plurality of connecting members. At least one of the connecting members is electrically connected to at least one of the first signal lines and the second signal lines by an externally provided pressure. Thus, when an externally provided pressure is applied to the display panel in order to perform a touch screen function, an alignment of the liquid crystal molecules disposed on the array substrate may not be substantially changed, and a display quality may be improved.
US08373674B2 Touch screen device
A touch screen device includes a panel body having electrodes arranged in a grid pattern; a sensitivity calculator configured to calculate a sensitivity for each electrode intersection based on an amount of change in a signal output from the electrodes in response to a touch operation; a touch position detector configured to detect the touch position based on the sensitivity obtained by the sensitivity calculator; and a pointing device determiner configured to correct the sensitivity obtained by the sensitivity calculator, based on the touch position obtained by the touch position detector, and to determine whether a pointing device performing the touch operation is a pen or a finger, based on the corrected sensitivity.
US08373658B2 Motion sensing system
A motion sensing system includes a hand-held device and a receiver device. The hand-held device includes a microcontroller, a G-sensor (one 3-axis accelerometer), only one 2-axis gyroscope, and a wireless transmitter. The receiver device is preferably a dongle and includes a microcontroller and a wireless receiver. A first axis of the 2-axis gyroscope is parallel to the Z axis of the hand-held device and the second axis of the 2-axis gyroscope forms an acute angle α with the X axis of the hand-held device. The acute angle α allows the microcontroller of the receiver device to calculate rotational data around each of the three axis of the hand-held device.
US08373649B2 Time-overlapping partial-panel updating of a bistable electro-optic display
A method for updating two or more regions of the display area of a bistable, electro-optic display device comprises selecting at least one first waveform for at least one pixel of a first region; (b) selecting at least one second waveform for at least one pixel of a second region; (c) updating the first region by generating and providing the first waveform to the at least one pixel of the first region; and (d) updating the second region by generating and providing the second waveform to the at least one pixel of the second region, wherein the first and second updates at least partially coincide in time. The first waveform is selected from a first drive scheme for use in a first update mode having a first period. The second waveform is selected from second a drive scheme for use in a second update mode having a second period.
US08373643B2 Frequency synthesis and synchronization for LED drivers
A PWM generation module generates a PWM data signal used to control a light emitting diode (LED) driver for one or more strings of LEDs of a display device. The PWM data signal is synchronized with the frame boundaries of the video content being displayed. The PWM generation module can configure the PWM data signal such that a new PWM cycle is initiated at the start of each successive frame, and further whereby those PWM cycles that would be prematurely terminated at frame boundaries are instead driven at a constant reference level until the frame boundary. With this configuration, a substantially linear average light intensity can be achieved across frames, thereby reducing or eliminating display distortion that is often present in other PWM cycle synchronization techniques. The PWM generation module can use a self-learning process to make adjustments to the expected number of completeable PWM cycles per frame in response to dynamic changes in the frame rate, PWM frequency, or other related display parameters.
US08373636B2 Driving method for display device
A liquid crystal display includes pixels each having an switching element, drain drivers and gate drivers for operating the switching elements and the pixels, and drain lines and gate lines supplying signals from the drain drivers and the gate drivers to the switching elements being formed on one of a pair of substrates sandwiching a liquid crystal layer. Wiring lines are formed on the one of a pair of substrates for transferring display data signals and a clock signal to the gate drivers.
US08373630B2 Display device
A display device including a display element having a planar display face on which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix shape and an optical element arranged in close contact with or in close proximity to at least a partial region of the planar display face and optically transmitting image light incoming from the planar display face to a light-emitting face, characterized in that the light-emitting face of the optical element has a surface not parallel to at least the planar display face and forms a nonplanar display face and that the plurality of pixels on the planar display face do not have the same dimensions but different dimensions in accordance with the angle θ formed by the planar display face and the nonplanar display face corresponding to the pixels of the planar display face.
US08373629B2 Display device
A display device includes a plurality of sub-pixels configured to display a plurality of colors including white. Each of the sub-pixels includes a self-luminous element configured to emit light by receiving supply of electric current, an input unit configured to input a luminance signal for determining luminance of the self-luminous element into the sub-pixel, and a control unit configured to control the supply of electric current to the self-luminous element. An area of light emission in each of the sub-pixels for the white is larger than an area of light emission in each of the sub-pixels for the other colors.
US08373626B2 Organic light emitting display device having demultiplexers
An organic light emitting display device includes a display unit including a plurality of data lines, a plurality of scan lines, and pixels at crossing regions of the data lines and scan lines, wherein the plurality of data lines are arranged into a plurality of groups; a data driver for supplying data signals to the data lines; a first demultiplexer at a first side of the display unit for associating the groups to first corresponding output channels of the data driver, and for coupling the output channels to the data lines in the first corresponding groups in accordance with control signals; a second demultiplexer at a second side of the display unit opposite the first side for associating the groups to second corresponding output channels of the data driver, and for coupling the output channels to the data lines in the second corresponding groups in accordance with the control signals.
US08373625B2 Display device and method of driving thereof
False contouring during display by time division gray scales can be prevented with high efficiency. The order of appearance of subframe periods, and the times at which the subframe periods begin, are changed between pixels driven by odd number gate signal lines and pixels driven by even number gate signal lines. For example, assume that display is performed in a display period Tr1 of a subframe period SF1, a display period Tr2 of a subframe period SF2, and a display period Tr3 of a subframe period SF3. The order of appearance of the display periods is changed between pixels driven by the odd number gate signal lines (B1) and pixels driven by the even number gate signal lines (B2). Although the non-light emitting display periods (display periods Tr3, Tr2, and Tr1) are continuous over nearly one frame period in the odd number lines of pixels when there is a gray scale change, non-light emission and light emission are repeated alternately at the same time for the even number lines of pixels. Accordingly, the brightness of the above light emission is averaged by human eyes, and therefore the generation of unnatural dark lines (false contouring) can be suppressed.
US08373615B2 Method and system for splitting a display zone of a screen, and computer program product
A system for splitting a display zone of a screen is installed in an electronic device having a screen, and includes a detecting module for detecting screen pixels. A splitting processor receives a splitting instruction containing a splitting number n, and splits the display zone into a main display region and a number (n−1) of extension display regions. A total number of width pixels of adjacent ones of the main and extension display regions from left to right of the display zone equals the number of width pixels of the screen. A total number of height pixels of adjacent ones of the main and extension display regions from top to bottom of the display zone equals the number of height pixels of the screen. A display module displays two or more operating interfaces, files, and/or pages of at least one application in the main and extension display regions, respectively.
US08373600B2 Single-band antenna
A single-band antenna, comprising: a substrate; a first radiation unit; a conductive material; an impedance matching circuit; a signal feed-in terminal; a second radiation unit; and a wire connecting unit. Therefore, the single-band antenna can be miniaturized to be installed with or inside a compact wireless transmission device with enhanced transceiving performance.
US08373597B2 High-power-capable circularly polarized patch antenna apparatus and method
A circularly polarized patch antenna uses a square quarter-wavelength conductive plate, spaced away from a slightly larger backing conductor. Excitation uses a coaxial feed stem pair, whereof respective inner conductors join the patch at orthogonal locations on a reference circle, and outer conductors intrude past points of joining to the backing conductor to establish gaps that interact with patch and backing conductor size and spacing to jointly establish terminal impedance. A parasitic element in the propagation path broadens bandwidth, while a frame behind serves to define a cavity reflector. A power divider behind the frame converts a single applied broadcast signal into two equal signals with orthogonal phase, which signals are delivered to the feed stems with equal-length coaxial lines.
US08373593B2 Navigation receiver for processing signals from a set of antenna units
A navigation receiver processes signals transmitted by global navigation satellites and received by a set of antenna units. Each antenna unit is connected to a separate input port of an antenna multiplexer switch. Satellite signals received from each antenna unit are consecutively switched to the input of a common radiofrequency processing module. A common signal correlator generates a common in-phase correlation signal from the satellite signals received from all the antenna units. The common in-phase correlation signal is processed by a data processing module to demodulate information symbols from the received satellite signals. The common in-phase correlation signal is also processed by phase-lock loops and delay-lock loops to generate carrier phases and code delays from the received satellite signals. Embodiments are described in which, along with the common in-phase correlation signal, common functional blocks or hardware are used to process the satellite signals received from all the antenna units.
US08373575B2 Service dependency notification system
Systems for monitoring consumer dependency on services are disclosed. In one embodiment, a service dependency notification system includes: at least one computing device adapted to identify a dependency aware device by performing actions comprising: determining whether a service dependency exists; and providing a service dependency status indicator configured to be communicated via a utility network, the service dependency status indicator indicating whether the service dependency exists.
US08373571B2 Methods and apparatus for controlling a notification appliance circuit
An arrangement for use in a safety notification system includes an alarm signal power source, a first semiconductor device, a current sensing unit, and a controller unit. The alarm signal power source is configured to generate bias power for activating a notification appliance circuit of a notification system. The first semiconductor device has a load path coupled between the alarm signal power source and the notification appliance circuit. The current sensing unit is operably coupled to generate a sensing signal that is dependent on the current in the load path. The controller circuit is operably connected to receive the current sensing signal and to control the first semiconductor device responsive to a current sensing signal that exceeds an in-rush current threshold.
US08373566B2 Security apparatus with tether
An electronic article surveillance (EAS) security apparatus is comprised of a base, a reel housing containing a reel, a tether joined to the base and the reel housing and disposed on the reel, and an electronics package. The base attaches to an object to be protected and the tether is wrapped around the object as the reel housing is passed around the object. The reel housing is releasably attached to the base by complimentary coupling elements on each. The base has a tether guide, which allows the tether to be redirected in additional directions as it is wrapped around the object. A releasable blocking mechanism keeps the base and reel housing coupled. The electronics package includes at least a passive EAS element and can contain a microprocessor, wireless communication elements, switches, sound generator, a power supply, and the tether if electrically conductive. The blocking mechanism may be magnetically releasable.
US08373564B2 Theft deterrent device
A theft deterrent device includes a carrier having a pivotally mounted pin and an alarm tag for receiving the pin to secure the carrier and alarm tag together when secured on an item of merchandise by an adhesive pad on the carrier. Spaced electrical contacts within the alarm tag receive the pin therebetween to complete an electrical path to close an electrical circuit which turns the device on. The security device is configured to sound an onboard alarm in response to prying of the carrier from the alarm tag or cutting of the pin of the carrier, or if an EAS tag receives a wireless signal from a security gate. The carrier remains on the purchased merchandise for subsequent disposal after removal of the alarm tag from the carrier by the use of a magnetic key to unlock a locking mechanism which engages the pin.
US08373562B1 Asset tracking system
An asset tracking system includes a station, transmitting points, and tag units. The tag units can be used for communicating with the transmitting points. The station receives data associated with signal strengths between wireless access points and tag units. The station analyzes the data associated with a number of the transmitting points and determines the location of the tag units.
US08373560B2 Communication apparatus and portable communication terminal using the same
When commonly using a receiving antenna and a transmitting antenna having mutually opposing characteristics, the present invention makes it possible to commonly use the antennas without deteriorating the characteristics of both antennas. In a communication apparatus including both of an RF-ID function circuit to perform contactless communication with an external reader/writer device and a reader/writer function circuit to perform contactless communication with an external RF-ID, there is disposed a common antenna shared therebetween. And, a transmitting and receiving resonance frequency switching circuit is connected in parallel to the common antenna; when selecting each function, a resonance frequency is automatically changed by the transmitting and receiving resonance frequency switching circuit.
US08373557B2 Method for establishing a telecommunications network for patient monitoring
A wireless network having an architecture that resembles a peer-to-peer network has two types of nodes, a first sender type node and a second receiver/relay type node. The network may be used in a medical instrumentation environment whereby the first type node may be wireless devices that could monitor physical parameters of a patient such as for example wireless oximeters. The second type node are mobile wireless communicators that are adapted to receive the data from the wireless devices if they are within the transmission range of the wireless devices. After an aggregation process involving the received data, each of the node communicators broadcasts or disseminates its most up to date data onto the network. Any other relay communicator node in the network that is within the broadcast range of a broadcasting communicator node would receive the up to date data. This makes it possible for communicators that are out of the transmitting range of a wireless device to be apprized of the condition of the patient being monitored by the wireless device. Each communicator in the network is capable of receiving and displaying data from a plurality of wireless devices.
US08373556B2 Medical data transport over wireless life critical network
A portable patient communicator (PPC) includes a portable housing that supports a processor coupled to memory for storing medical firmware and wireless radio firmware, first and second radios, a processor, and a power source. Communications between a patient implantable medical device (PIMD) and the first radio of the PPC are effected in accordance with program instructions of the medical firmware, and communications between the second radio of the PPC and the wireless network are effected in accordance with program instructions of the wireless radio firmware. Data from the PIMD is received via the first radio to which a priority level is assigned, such as in a tiered manner. A data transport mechanism is selected among disparate data transport mechanisms based at least in part on the priority level. PIMD data is transmitted to the wireless network using the selected transport mechanism via the second radio.
US08373553B2 System and method for automatic enrollment of two-way wireless sensors in a security system
A system and method are disclosed for enrolling two-way wireless security system devices (alarms, detectors, lights) in a security system. A controller is provided and is capable of exchanging wireless signals with the two-way wireless devices. The system has an enroll mode where the two-way wireless devices transmit enroll signals to the controller. The enroll signals contain an identifier associated with each device. An installer uses a keypad or other interface device to confirm enrollment of each of the devices. The controller sends an enroll confirmation signal back to the two-way wireless devices confirming that the devices have been enrolled. In response, each of the devices emits an audible or visual enroll confirmation signal to the installer.
US08373550B2 Door assist system controller and method
A controller for a door system and an associated method of operation for actuating a door. The controller may be electrically coupled with a motor, an outer door switch and an inner door switch. The controller, activates a motor assist and may maintain a desirable current supply to the motor assist. Determining a relative position of the door and determining whether movement of the door is obstructed is performed. The controller actuates the door to an appropriate position and determines whether door operation exceeds a maximum time threshold. The controller may be configured to deactivate the motor assist once the door reaches an appropriate position or the door operation exceeds the maximum time threshold.
US08373537B2 Resistor having parallel structure and method of fabricating the same
There are provided a resistor and a method of fabricating the same. The resistor includes: a substrate; a lower resistant material layer formed on the upper portion of the substrate; an insulating layer to be stacked on the upper portion of the lower resistant material layer; an upper resistant material layer to be stacked on the upper portion of the insulating layer; and two penetration parts vertically penetrating through the insulating layer, wherein the penetration part is filled with a resistant material having the same component as that of the lower resistant material layer and the upper resistant material layer to electrically connect the upper resistant material layer to the lower resistant material layer.
US08373526B2 Field emission system and method
An improved field emission system and method is provided that involves field emission structures having electric or magnetic field sources. The magnitudes, polarities, and positions of the magnetic or electric field sources are configured to have desirable correlation properties, which may be in accordance with a code. The correlation properties correspond to a desired spatial force function where spatial forces between field emission structures correspond to relative alignment, separation distance, and the spatial force function.
US08373525B2 Electromagnetic contactor
An electromagnetic contactor has a stationary core; a coil arranged around the stationary core; a movable holder movable toward the stationary core; a movable core coupled to one end of the movable holder for being attracted to the stationary core by the excitation of the coil; and a nonmagnetic structural component arranged on the movable core facing the stationary core. The nonmagnetic structural component is a flat plate structural component with high flexural rigidity, overlaid on the surface of the movable core to face the stationary core. The nonmagnetic structural component and the movable core are held between a cushioning spring and a coupling pin. The cushioning spring is contained in the movable holder and buts the back face of the movable core not facing the stationary core. The coupling pin crosses the nonmagnetic structural component with both ends engaged with a pair of holder legs.
US08373524B1 Relay contacts cross connect mitigation
A double-throw multi-pole power relay switch is modified to meet Underwriters Laboratories standards for a transfer switch that automatically switchs a load from a primary power source to a secondary power source upon interruption of the primary source and without cross connection of the primary and secondary sources in the event that one or more relay switch contacts become welded.
US08373518B2 Method and apparatus for digital synthesis of long multi-cycle microwave pulses
Conductive segments (transmission line conductors) are positioned within a transmission line structure in order to generate multi-cycle microwave pulses. The conductor segments are switchably coupled to one or the other conductor of the transmission lines, inside the transmission line structure. Microwave pulses may be induced in the transmission line by closing the switches in a controlled manner to discharge successive segments, or successive groups of segments, into the transmission lines. The induced pulses travel uninterrupted along the transmission lines in a desired direction to the load. Efficiency of systems and energy delivered to the load in multi-section transmission lines is increased and/or maximized by adjusting the ratio of characteristic impedances associated with the transmission line conductor segments according to an optimum ratio.
US08373511B2 Oscillator circuit and method for gain and phase noise control
An oscillator circuit and method for gain and phase noise control. A gain and phase noise controlled oscillator circuit includes a variable electronic oscillator and a tuning loop circuit. In operation, the variable electronic oscillator generates a clock signal and has a clock signal frequency that is controlled by a sense voltage received by the variable electronic oscillator or by one or more capacitive loads coupled to the variable electronic oscillator. Further, the tuning loop circuit is coupled to the variable electronic oscillator and compares the sense voltage to a control voltage received by the tuning loop circuit and produces one or more correction signals based on the comparison, where the one or more capacitive loads change capacitance based on the one or more correction signals.
US08373507B2 Power amplifier protection
A power amplifier, for example a class-E switching power amplifier, and corresponding method, comprising: a plurality of power transistors (16), for example twelve power transistors, providing a partitioned power transistor; and a voltage sensing module (22), comprising for example voltage dividers and inverters, digitally sensing the drain voltage (2) of the partitioned power transistor to control the number of power transistors of the plurality of power transistors (16) that are switched on or off thereby controlling the drain voltage (2) which is varying for example due to antenna mismatch. The power amplifier may further comprise a memory (24) coupled to the voltage sensing module (22) for storing a history of the drain voltage (2), e.g. a history of antenna mismatch.
US08373497B2 System and method for preventing bipolar parasitic activation in a semiconductor circuit
In an embodiment, a semiconductor device has a semiconductor body of a first semiconductor type, a first region of a second semiconductor type disposed in the semiconductor body, and a second region of the first semiconductor type disposed within the first region, where the second semiconductor type is opposite the first semiconductor type, and where an interface between the first region and the semiconductor body forms a first diode junction. The semiconductor device also has a comparator with a first input coupled to the semiconductor body and a second input coupled to the first region, and a switch having a first output node coupled to the first region, and a second output node coupled to the semiconductor body. The semiconductor body, the first region and the second region are configured to be coupled to a first supply voltage, a second supply voltage, and a third supply voltage, respectively.
US08373494B2 Power supply control circuit
A power supply control circuit comprises an output transistor which controls supply of electric power to a load and a gate driving circuit which generates control signals “a” and “b” for controlling on/off of the output transistor 32 based on an external input signal. A transistor 37 discharges a gate charge of the output transistor based on the control signals “a” and “b”, when turning off the output transistor. A transistor 39 discharges more slowly than the transistor. A diode is coupled to the transistor 37 in series and which cuts off a discharge path through the transistor 37 transistor and the diode when the gate voltage of the output transistor falls to a voltage level higher than the sum of the power supply voltage Vcc and a threshold voltage of the output transistor, at a time of turning off the output transistor.
US08373492B2 High-frequency switch module and high-frequency switch apparatus
A high-frequency switch module includes a multi-layer substrate, and a switch circuit mounted on the multi-layer substrate. The multi-layer substrate includes a terminal through which a plurality of high-frequency signals in a plurality of frequency bands are input and output, a plurality of switch terminals, terminals to which control signals to control the switch circuit are supplied, current paths that connect the terminals to the switch circuit, and resistors that are provided on the current paths and have resistance values greater than the resistance values of the current paths. The switch circuit connects the terminal to the switch terminals corresponding to the frequency bands of high-frequency signals input and output through the terminal based on the control signals.
US08373491B2 Switched current mirror with good matching
A current mirror circuit exhibits improved current matching by applying a switching signal to ground path switches in series with transistors in both a reference path and an output path of the current mirror. The switching signal may comprise a high-frequency signal, which may be phase modulated. A plurality of matched, parallel-connected output transistors may be selectively enabled by qualifying the switching signal applied to each corresponding series-connected ground path switches by decoded digital modulation data. In one embodiment, the modulation data is decoded to thermometer-coded representation. In one embodiment, the switching signal path is identical to the reference and output circuits.
US08373488B2 Integrated circuit of an integrator with enhanced stability and related stabilization method
An integrated circuit integrator includes a first transconductance amplifier having a gain adjustable based upon a first control signal, and receives, as an input, a signal to be filtered, and generates, as an output, a corresponding amplified signal. The first transconductance amplifier includes an R-C output circuit to filter components from the amplified signal, and an output resistance being adjustable based upon a second control signal. A second transconductance amplifier is matched with the first transconductance amplifier, and has a gain adjustable based upon the first control signal, and a matched output resistance adjustable based upon the second control signal. A circuit is configured to force a reference current through the matched output resistance. An error correction circuit is coupled to the second transconductance amplifier and is configured to generate the second control signal so as to keep constant a voltage on an output of the second transconductance amplifier.
US08373476B2 Device and method for compensating a signal propagation delay
A device for compensating a delay τ suffered by a first periodic signal ref(t) during propagation between a first and second end of a first transmission connection, comprising at least: first means able to generate a second signal ref(t+τ) corresponding to the first signal ref(t) the phase of which is advanced by a time equal to the delay τ, second means able to generate, from a third signal ref(t−τ) obtained at the second end of the first transmission connection and corresponding to the first signal ref(t) the phase of which is delayed by the delay τ, and from the second signal ref(t+τ), a fourth signal in phase with the first signal ref(t).
US08373474B2 Delay lock loop and method for generating clock signal
A delay lock loop (DLL) including a voltage control delay line (VCDL), a phase frequency detecting loop (PFD loop), and a phase limiting loop is provided. The VCDL generates an output clock signal according to a DC voltage signal, wherein the VCDL delays an input clock signal by a specific period so as to generate the output clock signal. The PFD loop generates the DC voltage signal according to the phase difference of the input clock signal and the output clock signal and is controlled by an initiation signal. The phase limiting loop limits the delay of the output clock signal to be less than a delay time and generates the initiation signal to enable the PFD loop. Furthermore, a clock signal generating method is also provided.
US08373473B2 Dual-loop phase lock loop
A dual-loop phase lock loop includes a phase frequency detector, a first charge pump, a second charge pump, a first capacitor, a filter, a first adder, a voltage controlled delay line, and a frequency divider. The phase frequency detector is used for outputting a switch signal according to a reference clock and a divided feedback clock. The first charge pump and the first capacitor are used for generating a coarse control voltage according to the switch signal. The second charge pump, the filter, and the first adder are used for generating a fine control voltage according to the switch signal and the coarse control voltage. The voltage controlled delay line is used for outputting a feedback clock according to the coarse control voltage and the fine control voltage. The frequency divider is used for dividing the feedback clock to output the divided feedback clock.
US08373471B2 Semiconductor apparatus and DLL circuit using the same
A semiconductor apparatus includes: an update pulse generating unit configured to generate an update pulse every first period based on a frequency of a clock, and a control unit configured to control an output signal in response to an input signal and the update pulse, so that the output signal is varied based on the input signal.
US08373469B2 Phase-locked loop based frequency synthesizer and method of operating the same
A phase-locked loop based frequency synthesizer generates a plurality of output reference signals by phase-delaying an input reference signal and generates a plurality of comparison signals by using a signal having a frequency divided by the fractional frequency divider. Here, the comparison signals are lower than the divided frequency. Further, the phase-locked loop based frequency synthesizer controls an output frequency of a voltage controlled oscillator through phase and frequency comparison between the plurality of output reference signals and the plurality of comparison signals.
US08373468B2 Charge pump for phase-locked loop
A current generator for a phase-locked loop arranged to generate an output signal having predetermined frequency-relationship with a reference signal, the phase-locked loop comprising a signal generator arranged to generate the output signal, a divider arranged to receive the output signal and divide the output signal to form a feedback signal, the divider being arranged to vary the divisor by which the output signal is divided, a comparison unit arranged to compare the feedback signal with the reference signal and output a first error signal indicative of the phase-difference between the feedback signal and the reference signal to the current generator and a loop filter arranged to filter a current signal output by the current generator to form a control signal for controlling the signal generator, the current generator being capable of receiving the first error signal and generating a current in dependence thereon, receiving a second error signal indicative of an error in the feedback signal caused by the variation of the divisor by which the output signal is divided and generating a current having a magnitude and sign that is dependent on that error and combining the currents generated in dependence on the first error signal and the second error signal to form a current signal output to the loop filter that is representative of an overall error in the output signal of the phase-locked loop relative to the reference signal.
US08373466B1 Frequency locking method, frequency locking circuit, oscillator gain anticipating method and oscillator gain anticipating circuit
A frequency locking method, for locking an output signal outputted from a frequency locking circuit to a target frequency, comprising: (a) detecting an output frequency of the output signal, wherein the output signal is generated according to an oscillating frequency of a controllable oscillator; (b) computing a frequency difference between the output frequency and the target frequency; (c) utilizing a controllable factor adjusting device to provide and to adjust a normalization factor according to the frequency difference, to anticipate a gain of the controllable oscillator and to provide a control signal related with the normalization factor and the frequency difference, wherein the output frequency is related with a product of the normalization factor and the gain of the controllable oscillator; and (d) controlling the controllable oscillator according to the control signal, such that the output frequency approaches to the target frequency.
US08373464B2 Digital phase-locked loop architecture
A phase-locked loop circuit comprising: an oscillator (20) configured to generate an output signal; an input (25) for receiving a reference clock signal; a delay cell (26) configured to delay the reference clock signal to generate a delayed reference clock signal; a phase comparator (27) configured to generate a quantized signal indicative of the phase difference between the output signal and the delayed reference clock signal, an integrator (28) configured to integrate the quantized signal to form an integrated signal; a first feedback path (22) configured to control the phase and/or frequency of the oscillator in dependence on the integrated signal; and a second feedback path (23) configured to adjust the delay applied by the delay cell (26) in dependence on the integrated signal.
US08373462B2 Delay lock loop and delay lock method
A delay lock loop comprising: a first delay loop, for delaying an input signal to generate a first output signal; a second delay loop, for frequency-dividing and delaying the input signal to generate a second output signal, wherein a frequency of the first output signal is higher than which of the second output signal; a phase detector, selectively detecting phases of the input signal, and one of the first delayed output signal and the second delayed output signal, to generate a phase detecting result; and a delay control circuit, for generating a first and a second delay control signal according to the phase detecting result, wherein the first and the second delay control signals are respectively transmitted to the first delay loop and the second delay loop, to control delay amounts of the first delay loop and the second delay loop.
US08373451B1 Digital driver with RC tuned transition control
Improved digital driver with transition time control of an output stage output transistor of the digital driver. A predriver circuit has a resistor that forms an RC time constant with a feedback capacitor of the output transistor. The RC time constant is adjusted to control corner resolution of the output transistor in output switching. The RC time constant can be controlled by a digitally-controlled variable capacitor. Additionally, a delay may be introduced in the turning on of the output transistor as compared with the turn off time to reduce simultaneous conduction or shoot-through current.
US08373444B2 Time-domain voltage comparator for analog-to-digital converter
A time-domain voltage comparator for an analog-to-digital converter includes a first voltage-to-time converter configured to be connected in series with at least one time delay cell and convert an input voltage into time information; a second voltage-to-time converter configured to be connected in series with at least one time delay cell and convert an input voltage into time information; and a phase comparator configured to determine a difference between times outputted from the first voltage-to-time converter and the second voltage-to-time converter.
US08373443B2 Logic circuit
An object is to apply a transistor using an oxide semiconductor to a logic circuit including an enhancement transistor. The logic circuit includes a depletion transistor 101 and an enhancement transistor 102. The transistors 101 and 102 each include a gate electrode, a gate insulating layer, a first oxide semiconductor layer, a second oxide semiconductor layer, a source electrode, and a drain electrode. The transistor 102 includes a reduction prevention layer provided over a region in the first oxide semiconductor layer between the source electrode and the drain electrode.
US08373442B2 Selector circuit and processor system
A selector circuit includes a plurality of first selection circuits each configured to select one of plural input signals on the basis of a first selection control signal and to output a first output signal and a second selection circuit configured to select one of the first output signals on the basis of a second selection control signal. Each of the first selection circuits includes a charging circuit configured to charge a first node by electrically connecting the first node to a first voltage in a first period, and a discharge control circuit configured to control, on the basis of the first selection control signal, the input signals and the second selection control signal, whether to discharge the charged first node by electrically connecting the first node to a second voltage source having a potential lower than the first voltage source in a second period following the first period.
US08373437B2 Look-up table circuits and field programmable gate array
A look-up table circuit according to an embodiment includes: a variable resistance circuit including variable resistance devices and selecting a variable resistance device from the variable resistance devices based on an input signal; a reference circuit having a resistance value between the largest resistance value and the smallest resistance value of the variable resistance circuit; a first n-channel MOSFET including a source connected to a terminal of the variable resistance circuit and a gate connected to a drain; a second n-channel MOSFET including a source connected to a terminal of the reference circuit and a gate connected to the gate of the first n-channel MOSFET; a first current supply circuit to supply a current to the variable resistance circuit; a second current supply circuit to supply a current to the reference circuit; and a comparator comparing voltages at a first input terminal and a second input terminal.
US08373435B2 Method and apparatus for handling an output mismatch
A system comprises a first signal processing logic module and at least one further signal processing logic module. The system further comprises mismatch handler logic module arranged to detect a mismatch between outputs of the first and at least one further signal processing logic module, the mismatch between outputs indicating a failed operation. The mismatch handler logic module further arranged, upon detection of a mismatch between outputs of the first and at least one further signal processing logic module, to analyze internal states of the first and at least one further signal processing logic module, determine whether the cause of the output mismatch is due to a transient fault, and upon determination that the cause of the output mismatch is due to a transient fault, to re-synchronize the first and at least one further signal processing logic module.
US08373432B2 Automated test equipment employing test signal transmission channel with embedded series isolation resistors
Automated test equipment for high-speed testing of devices under test (DUTs) includes a tester channel circuit generating a high-speed electrical test signal applied to the signal input terminal of each DUT, and a contacter board in physical and electrical contact with the DUTs. The contacter board has a high-speed signal transmission channel including (1) an electrical contact at which the high-speed electrical test signal is received, (2) conductive etch extending from the electrical contact to isolation areas each adjacent to the signal input terminal of a respective DUT, and (3) an embedded series isolation resistor formed on an inner layer of the contacter board at a respective isolation area forming a connection between the conductive etch and the adjacent signal input terminal of the respective DUT.
US08373425B2 Plasma insensitive height sensing
A method for determining a distance between a first piece and a second piece includes measuring, at the first or second piece, an AC signal, and determining the distance based on the measured AC signal. A system for determining a distance between a first piece and a second piece includes a measuring device adapted to measure, at one or both of the first and second piece, an AC signal, and a signal processing device adapted to determine the distance based on the measured AC signal. The AC signal includes a DC offset.
US08373419B2 Lifetime estimating method and deterioration suppressing method for rechargeable lithium battery, lifetime estimating apparatus, deterioration suppressor, and battery pack and charger using the same
In a lifetime estimating method for a rechargeable lithium battery, the open circuit voltages of the rechargeable lithium battery after discharging for at least two different charge/discharge cycle numbers are detected while charge/discharge cycles go on. Next, at least the two of the voltage values are plotted for respective cycle numbers, and a circular arc passing the plotted points is drawn. Furthermore, the lifetime of the rechargeable lithium battery is estimated based on a size of the circular arc. The progression of deterioration can be suppressed by controlling the charge and discharge of the rechargeable lithium battery based on the lifetime estimation.
US08373418B2 Subsea electronic modules
A module for use as a subsea electronic module of a subsea well, comprises an input (7) for receiving signals from a sensor arrangement which senses at least one parameter of a well, the module including a plurality of separate, different electronic circuits (9), each of which is selectable to be in communication with said input and each of which is adapted to co-operate with a respective, different form of such a sensor arrangement.
US08373417B2 Method and device to detect failure of a magnetic resonance gradient coil by monitoring a supply cable thereof
Efficient gradient cable monitoring is enabled by a device and a method to determine a failure in at least one gradient coil of a magnetic resonance tomography system with gradient cables supplying current thereto, wherein the difference of at least one electrical current flowing through a gradient cable to a gradient coil and at least one electrical current flowing through a gradient cable away from a gradient coil is determined. A failure of a gradient cable is assumed if the absolute value of the difference exceeds a limit value.
US08373410B2 Rotary or linear position sensor having a variable magnet profile
The invention relates to a magnetic angular or linear sensor including at least one permanent magnet defined in a cylindrical (r, Q & z) or Cartesian (x, y & z) coordinate system and at least two magneto-sensitive elements, in which the magnet can move in relation to said two magneto-sensitive elements. The invention is characterized in that at least one dimension of the magnet varies as a non-constant function and in that the magnetization of the magnets is oriented in a single direction, i.e. x, y or z in the case of a magnet defined in a Cartesian coordinate system or r, Q or z in the case of a magnet defined in a cylindrical coordinate system.
US08373409B2 Fan speed testing system and method
A fan speed testing system for testing a testing fan includes a testing fan, a collecting module, a processing module, a converting module; and a displaying module. A label is attached to the testing fan and capable of rotating with the testing fan. The collecting module is configured to collect light reflected off of the label as the fan rotates in order to produce a pulse signal. The processing module is configured to adjust the pulse signal to be a standard square wave. The converting module is configured to obtain a fan speed data of the testing fan according to conversion times between high levels and low levels of the standard square wave. The displaying module is configured to display the fan speed data.
US08373408B2 High precision algorithmically assisted voltage divider with fault detection
A method, an algorithm, and circuits for implementation of a high-accuracy voltage divider are described that include a capability of fault detection. The disclosure allows for correction of non-catastrophic faults, such as significant changes of the components' values. The performance of the circuit built as described is vastly superior to operations achievable with the modern-day components utilized in previous standard and known configurations.
US08373403B1 Circuit for controlling synchronous rectifiers during start-up into pre-biased output voltage
A power supply includes circuitry for gradually enabling switching rectifiers during a startup condition without drawing current from a pre-biased power supply output. A driver provides a control signal to synchronous rectifier. A driver supply circuit is coupled across the driver and has a first input receiving pulse signals provided by a pulse modulation controller, an output providing supply voltage to the driver, a second input receiving driver supply input voltage, and circuitry defining a time constant. The circuitry includes a first switching element that turns on when pulse signals are provided and a second switching element connected to the output. The time constant is associated with a rise time for the power supply, and defined by selected component values, such that the second switching element only becomes fully conductive after elapsing of the time constant.
US08373402B2 Method of digital control of PWM converters achieving fast transient response and low steady-state jittering
A pulse width modulator (PWM) control system for a power converter achieves a fast transient response and low steady-state jittering. The control system manages the ADC sample timing to reduce noise susceptibility, and the ADC includes a regulation bin or dead band to minimize large phase corrections and thus eliminate limit cycling. The PWM module includes a dithering circuit to accumulate fractional PWM control signals to reduce period jitter by increasing the effective resolution of the pulse width modulator.
US08373398B2 Area-efficient voltage regulators
Area-efficient voltage regulators are provided in which a first transistor has a first breakdown voltage and a first on-state resistance and a second transistor has a second breakdown voltage that exceeds the first breakdown voltage and a second on-state resistance that exceeds the first on-state resistance. With this arrangement, the second transistor can be biased to raise an output voltage. When the difference between an input voltage and the output voltage is less than a predetermined voltage, the second transistor is disabled and the first transistor is controlled to provide the output voltage at a wherein the controlling is preferably performed with a feedback control loop. The die area of the first transistor can be reduced because its on-state breakdown need only exceed the predetermined voltage rather than the substantially-higher input voltage. Because of the reduced on-state breakdown, the die area of the first transistor can be reduced and still obtain a low on-state resistance rDS(ON) that will enhance the efficiency of the voltage regulator. The die area of the second transistor can be reduced because this transistor is not on after the difference between the output voltage and the input voltage is within the predetermined voltage. The second transistor can therefore be configured with a high on-state resistance rDS(ON) without degrading the performance of the voltage regulator. The die area of the second transistor can thus be reduced while still obtaining breakdown voltages greater than the input voltage.
US08373389B2 Battery pack charging system with manually maneuvered charge head
A charging system which is particularly suitable for recharging the batteries of electrically powered motor vehicles using a charge head with multiple contacts that mate with an array of charge receiving electrodes onboard the vehicle being recharged. The charge head is supported from overhead, and may, using a power assisted system, be lowered, into place against the array of charge receiving electrodes onboard the vehicle. Switches may be spaced apart so that, like the grasping elements of the handle, use of both hands is required. The charge head causes breaking of series connections of batteries within the vehicle so that individual batteries may be charged in parallel. A battery temperature monitor is provided. An annunciator locally or remotely signals errors or indicates completion of charge. Payments are accepted near the charge head, thereby allowing for commercial operation.
US08373384B2 Capacitor-integrated feedthrough assembly with improved grounding for an implantable medical device
A feedthrough assembly for use with implantable medical devices having a shield structure, the feedthrough assembly engaging with the remainder of the associated implantable medical device to form a seal with the medical device to inhibit unwanted gas, liquid, or solid exchange into or from the device. One or more feedthrough wires extend through the feedthrough assembly to facilitate transceiving of the electrical signals with one or more implantable patient leads. The feedthrough assembly is connected to a mechanical support which houses one or more filtering capacitors that are configured to filter and remove undesired frequencies from the electrical signals received via the feedthrough wires before the signals reach the electrical circuitry inside the implantable medical device. The mechanical support may further include an isolation structure that isolates the feedthrough wires.
US08373383B2 Smart cart to automatically manage portable information handling systems
A smart cart for automatically managing a plurality of information handling systems. The system provides a plurality of functions. For example, in certain embodiments, the system provides one or more of security authentication for distributing the notebooks, automatic asset tracking functionality; identification of notebook charge status; provides identification of asset information (e.g., an asset tag number, a serial number or a computer name); network access to push patch updates at night when units are not in use; and charging control to optimize system availability and prevent AC input circuit overload.
US08373376B2 Drive system and method for activating the same
This invention discloses a method for activating a drive system for control surfaces or working systems of an aircraft, wherein the speed of a drive unit of the drive system is regulated, and after a starting operation the maximum driving power available during the further operation for speed regulation of the drive unit is reduced. Likewise, this invention comprises a drive system for control surfaces or working systems of an aircraft, comprising a drive unit with speed regulation and a corresponding control.
US08373351B2 Transition mode commutation for inverter
A driver circuit includes a plurality of switches, forming two switching legs, each of at least two switches and connected between two DC voltage buses. The switches are matched to form diagonal pairs. The driver circuit also includes a load circuit connecting the legs, with a first inductor connected between one leg's switches, and a second inductor connected between the other leg's switches, and lamp terminals between the inductors and in series with the second inductor. The driver circuit also includes a capacitor in parallel with the series-connected lamp terminals and the second inductor, and a control circuit connected to the plurality of switches. During a commutation period, a diagonal pair operates in a non-conductive state and the other in a conductive state, until a current through the first inductor reaches a predefined value. Then the other operates in a non-conductive state until the current through the first inductor reaches zero.
US08373346B2 Solid state lighting system and a driver integrated circuit for driving light emitting semiconductor devices
The present invention relates to a solid state lighting system comprising at least one light emitting semiconductor device, at least one driver for driving a predetermined current through the at least one light emitting semiconductor device. The lighting system furthermore comprises a first voltage supplying unit coupled to provide a first supply voltage to a first side of the at least one light emitting semiconductor device, and a second voltage supplying unit coupled to provide a second supply voltage for the at least one light emitting semiconductor device. The first and the second supply voltages are selected to optimize the voltage drop across the at least one light emitting semiconductor device.
US08373339B2 Method of patterning transparent conductive film, thin film transistor substrate using the same and fabricating method thereof
A method of patterning a transparent conductive film adaptive for selectively etching a transparent conductive film without any mask processes, a thin film transistor for a display device using the same and a fabricating method thereof are disclosed. In the method of patterning the transparent conductive film, an inorganic material substrate is prepared. An organic material pattern is formed at a desired area of the inorganic material substrate. A thin film having a different crystallization rate depending upon said inorganic material and said organic material is formed. The thin film is selectively etched in accordance with said crystallization rate.
US08373338B2 Enhanced color contrast light source at elevated color temperatures
A lamp having improved color quality scale, especially at elevated color temperatures, is provided. The light generated by the light-emitting elements of the lamp, when the lamp is energized, has delta chroma values for fifteen color samples of the color quality scale within select parameters. The delta chroma values are measured in the CIE LAB color space.
US08373331B2 Use of piezo motor to operate a ring pointer over display
A display system is disclosed. The display system includes a display for presenting a visual output to a user, a piezoelectric element overlaying the display, and a rotor disposed adjacent the piezoelectric element and in mechanical communication therewith, wherein a selective energizing of the piezoelectric element causes a rotational movement of the rotor.
US08373324B2 Field element core
A field element core includes field magnet through holes and coupling part. The field magnet through holes are circularly disposed in a peripheral direction around a predetermined direction and are adjacent to each other in the peripheral direction to form a set. The field magnet through holes forming the same pair both extend along a given direction that is defined for each pair, when viewed from the predetermined direction. The coupling part 11 is provided between the field magnet through holes forming the same set and has ends as lateral surfaces, respectively. The entire lateral surfaces of the coupling part are curved to form a concave shape. Specifically, viewed from the predetermined direction, only at a given position between both ends of the lateral surface, a tangent of the lateral surface extends along an extending direction of the coupling part. The same holds true for the lateral surface.
US08373322B2 Drive device
The invention relates to a drive device (1), in particular for window wiping devices in motor vehicles, having a motor housing (2) which is fixed to a gearbox housing (3) which has a housing upper side (7), and having an air-permeable diaphragm (14) which closes off an opening (15) which is provided in the gearbox housing (3), said diaphragm (14) having the purpose of equalizing pressure when fluctuations in temperature occur. The invention provides that the diaphragm (14) is arranged on a housing side section (16) which runs at an angle to a housing upper side (7). In addition, the invention relates to a motor vehicle having a mounted drive device (1).
US08373321B2 Terminal assembly for motor of hybrid vehicle
The present invention features a terminal assembly for a motor of a hybrid vehicle as a wire connection structure of a concentrated winding motor, which can maintain a gap between a plurality of terminals using a clip and a holder in an insulated manner. Such a terminal assembly for a motor of a hybrid vehicle, includes: an open type holder with an open top; a plurality of terminals concentrically arranged and inserted into the holder; and a plurality of clips, each inserted between the terminals in an insulated manner to maintain a gap between the terminals.
US08373319B1 Method and apparatus for a pancake-type motor/generator
According to an example embodiment, a modular pancake-type electrical generator includes a rotor and a modular stator, along with a support for the modular stator. The rotor includes a plurality of spaced-apart magnets around its perimeter, while the modular stator comprises a plurality of coil modules. The support is configured for receiving and retaining the plurality of coil modules and it comprises a plurality of support sections. The support sections form a circular array, for surrounding the rotor. Each support section comprises an interior receptacle formed in a generator housing, and includes a set of coil module mounting points and electrical contacts that are molded into or otherwise anchored within the interior receptacle. The receptacles and coil modules may be keyed, e.g., according to electrical phase, such that a coil module is installable only in receptacles having the correct complementary keying.
US08373315B2 Linear oscillatory actuator
A linear oscillatory actuator includes a magnetic pole forming portion that includes an electromagnet and a base, magnetic blocks each of which includes a magnet attracted or repelled by the electromagnet to reciprocate, elastic suspensions for supporting the magnetic blocks, and at least one coupling spring portion that couples the magnetic blocks reciprocatably. Each of the elastic suspension includes upper and lower extending portions, and elastic planar portions integrally provided between the upper extending portions and the lower extending portions, respectively. Depressed portions are formed at continuous portions between the upper extending portions and the elastic planar portions, respectively, and each of the depressed portions is depressed toward the magnetic blocks. While the magnetic blocks reciprocate, Stress concentration on the continuous portions can be mitigated by the depressed portions. Therefore, the elastic planar portions can be prevented from being damaged without becoming large in size.
US08373311B2 Electronic power-saving device
A single-phase electronic power-saving device includes at least one power-saving unit. The power-saving unit includes two ceramic piece capacitors, a safe capacitor, an inductor, a SCR, a first resistor, a second resistor, a live wire and a zero line; the two ceramic piece capacitors connected in series as a whole is connected in parallel with the safe capacitor to two terminals of which are connected the anode and the cathode of SCR, respectively; the anode of SCR is also connected to one terminal of the inductor, the branch composed of the first and the second resistors connected in series is connected in parallel so that one terminal of which is connected to one terminal of the inductor and the other is connected to the cathode of SCR; the gate of SCR is connected between the first and the second resistors.
US08373306B2 Adaptive and modular UPS system and method
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system that may incorporate a battery subsystem including at least one battery for generating electrical power, and a UPS subsystem including at least one power module. At least one first bus system may couple the battery subsystem to the UPS subsystem to supply electrical power to the UPS subsystem. An input and output (I/O) subsystem is in communication with an output of the UPS subsystem for generating an output signal. At least one second bus system may be used for coupling the output of the UPS subsystem to the I/O subsystem. At least one of the first and second bus systems may include a pair of parallel coupled, independent busses, and may further have a tie bar for enabling the pair of busses to be reconfigured as a single bus.
US08373304B2 Current-sharing supply circuit for driving multiple sets of DC loads
A current-sharing supply circuit includes a current providing circuit, a first output rectifier circuit, a second output rectifier circuit, a first current-sharing transformer, a second current-sharing transformer, a first current-sharing circuit and a second current-sharing circuit. By adjusting the equivalent impedance values of the first current-sharing circuit, the second current-sharing circuit, the primary winding coil of the first current-sharing transformer and the primary winding coil of the second current-sharing transformer, the first output current and the second output current are substantially identical.
US08373298B2 Electrical generator for wind turbine
A wind turbine or other rotary device for generating electricity has its outer perimeter constructed with coils that form a rotor (26) of an electrical generator. A stator assembly (52) is positioned at the lower perimeter of the path of the rotor and includes stator halves that are juxtaposed the moving rotor for generating electricity. The stator halves include magnetic bearings that provide substantially no contact between the rotor and the stator, allowing the rotor to move with a minimum of resistance.
US08373297B2 Wind turbine generator and motor
A wind turbine includes a quartet of pivot shafts in paired parallel relationship and transversely mounted on a central drive shaft, each pivot shaft supporting a pair of wings at opposed ends thereof, the wings offset by 90°. Each pivot shaft rotates cyclically through 90° to move each wing from a wind-engaging orientation (drive position) in which the wing presents a flat surface approximately transverse to the incident wind, to a minimum drag position (glide position). The wings of each pair of pivot shafts open into the drive position at the same time and rotational angle of the turbine. A backstop at the site of each drive position transfers force from each wing to the central drive shaft.
US08373283B2 Adhesive composition, film-like adhesive, adhesive sheet and semiconductor device
The adhesive composition of the invention comprises (A) a thermoplastic resin with a Tg of no higher than 100° C. and (B) a thermosetting component, wherein the (B) thermosetting component includes (B1) a compound with an allyl group and (B2) a compound with a maleimide group.
US08373272B2 Device under bonding pad using single metallization
An integrated circuit device comprising an improved bonding pad structure. The device has a semiconductor substrate. A plurality of active MOS devices are formed on the semiconductor substrate. The device has an interlayer dielectric layer overlying the plurality of active MOS devices and at least one single metal bonding pad formed on the interlayer dielectric layer and directly over at least one of the active devices. At least four edge regions are formed on a square shape of the at least one single metal bonding pad. An angled cut region is formed on each of the four edge regions. The device has a buffer metal layer free region located between the plurality of active MOS devices and the at least one single metal bonding pad. The buffer metal layer free region does not have a buffer metal layer in the interlayer dielectric layer.
US08373271B2 Interconnect structure with an oxygen-doped SiC antireflective coating and method of fabrication
An interconnect structure is provided that includes at least one patterned and cured photo-patternable low k material located on a surface of a patterned and cured oxygen-doped SiC antireflective coating (ARC). A conductively filled region is located within the at least one patterned and cured photo-patternable low k material and the patterned and cured oxygen-doped SiC ARC. The oxygen-doped SiC ARC, which is a thin layer (i.e., less than 400 angstroms), does not produce standing waves that may degrade the diffusion barrier and the electrically conductive feature that are embedded within the patterned and cured photo-patternable low k dielectric material and, as such, structural integrity is maintained. Furthermore, since a thin oxygen-doped SiC ARC is employed, the plasma etch process time used to open the material stack of the ARC/dielectric cap can be reduced, thus reducing potential plasma damage to the patterned and cured photo-patternable low k material. Also, the oxygen-doped SiC ARC can withstand current BEOL processing conditions.
US08373270B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit device and method of manufacturing same
In the current manufacturing process of LSI, or semiconductor integrated circuit device, the step of assembling device (such as resin sealing step) is normally followed by the voltage-application test (high-temperature and high-humidity test) in an environment of high temperature (such as an approximate range from 85 to 130° C.) and high humidity (such as about 80% RH). For that test, the inventors of the present invention found the phenomenon of occurrence of separation of titanium nitride film as the anti-reflection film from upper film and of generation of cracks in the titanium nitride film at an edge part of upper surface of the aluminum-based bonding pad applied with a positive voltage during the high-temperature and high-humidity test caused by an electrochemical reaction due to moisture incoming through the sealing resin and the like to generate oxidation and bulging of the titanium nitride film. An invention of the present application is to remove the titanium nitride film over the pad in a ring or slit shape at peripheral area of the aluminum-based bonding pad.
US08373256B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a semiconductor element formed on a principal surface of the semiconductor substrate and having a multiple-layered interconnect layer; and a heterostructure magnetic shield covering the semiconductor element. The heterostructure magnetic shield includes a first magnetic shield layered structure and a second magnetic shield layered structure that covers the first magnetic shield layered structure. Each of a first and a second magnetic shield layered structures includes a magnetic shielding film composed of a magnetic substance and covering the semiconductor element and a buffer film disposed between the semiconductor element and the magnetic shield films and preventing a diffusion of the magnetic substance.
US08373251B2 Semiconductor device
A first semiconductor chip includes a first inductor and a second inductor, and a second semiconductor chip includes a third inductor and a fourth inductor. The first inductor is connected to a first receiving circuit of the first semiconductor chip, and the second inductor is connected to a second transmitting circuit of the second semiconductor chip through a first bonding wire. The third inductor is connected to a second receiving circuit of the second semiconductor chip, and the fourth inductor is connected to a first transmitting circuit of the first semiconductor chip through a second bonding wire.
US08373244B2 Temperature monitoring in a semiconductor device by thermocouples distributed in the contact structure
By forming thermocouples in a contact structure of a semiconductor device, respective extension lines of the thermocouples may be routed to any desired location within the die, without consuming valuable semiconductor area in the device layer. Thus, an appropriate network of measurement points of interest may be provided, while at the same time allowing the application of well-established process techniques and materials. Hence, temperature-dependent signals may be obtained from hot spots substantially without being affected by design constraints in the device layer.
US08373239B2 Structure and method for replacement gate MOSFET with self-aligned contact using sacrificial mandrel dielectric
The present disclosure provides a method for forming a semiconductor device that includes forming a replacement gate structure overlying a channel region of a substrate. A mandrel dielectric layer is formed overlying source and drain regions of the substrate. The replacement gate structure is removed to provide an opening exposing the channel region of the substrate. A functional gate structure is formed over the channel region including a work function metal layer. A protective cap structure is formed over the functional gate structure. At least one via is etched through the mandrel dielectric layer selective to the protective cap structure to expose a portion of at least one of the source region and the drain region. A conductive fill is then formed in the vias to provide a contact to the at least one of the source region and the drain region.
US08373235B2 Semiconductor memory device and production method therefor
In a static memory cell comprising six MOS transistors, the MOS transistors have a structure in which the drain, gate and source formed on the substrate are arranged in the vertical direction and the gate surrounds the columnar semiconductor layer, the substrate comprises a first active region having a first conductive type and a second active region having a second conductive type, and diffusion layers constructing the active regions are mutually connected via a silicide layer formed on the substrate surface, thereby realizing an SRAM cell with small surface area. In addition, drain diffusion layers having the same conductive type as a first well positioned on the substrate are surrounded by a first anti-leak diffusion layer and a second anti-leak diffusion layer having a conductive type different from the first well and being shallower than the first well, and thereby controlling leakage to the substrate.
US08373233B2 Highly N-type and P-type co-doping silicon for strain silicon application
A semiconductor device includes a gate, a source region and a drain region that are co-doped to produce a strain in the channel region of a transistor. The co-doping can include having a source and drain region having silicon that includes boron and phosphorous or arsenic and gallium. The source and drain regions can include co-dopant levels of more than 1020 atom/cm3. The source region and drain region each can be co-doped with more boron than phosphorous or can be co-doped with more phosphorous than boron. Alternatively, the source region and drain region each can be co-doped with more arsenic than gallium or can be co-doped with more gallium than arsenic. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a gate on top of a substrate and over a nitrogenated oxide layer, etching a portion of the substrate and nitrogenated oxide layer to form a recessed source region and a recessed drain region, filling the recessed source region and the recessed drain region with a co-doped silicon compound. The co-doped silicon compound can include silicon, boron and phosphorous or can include silicon, arsenic and gallium. The co-doped silicon compound can be epitaxially grown in the recesses.
US08373231B2 Semiconductor device
Provided is a semiconductor device including an n-type metal oxide semiconductor transistor for electrostatic discharge protection including drain regions and source regions placed alternately with each other, and gate electrodes each placed between each of the drain regions and each of the source regions, in which: the first metal interconnects formed on the source regions are electrically connected to the second metal interconnect through constant size via-holes, and a ratio between the numbers of the via-holes arranged above each of the source regions is controlled to be less than four according to a distance from the ground potential supply line.
US08373229B2 Gate controlled bipolar junction transistor on fin-like field effect transistor (FinFET) structure
An integrated circuit device is disclosed. An exemplary integrated circuit device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a fin structure disposed over the semiconductor substrate; and a gate structure disposed over the base portion of the fin structure. The collector portion is a first doped region including a first type dopant, and is coupled with a first terminal for electrically biasing the collector portion. The emitter portion is a second doped region including the first type dopant, and is coupled with a second terminal for electrically biasing the emitter portion. The base portion is a third doped region including a second type dopant opposite the first type, and is coupled with a third terminal for electrically biasing the base portion. The gate structure is coupled with a fourth terminal for electrically biasing the gate structure, such that the gate structure controls a path of current through the base portion.
US08373219B2 Method of fabricating a gate stack integration of complementary MOS device
A method includes providing a substrate comprising a first device region and a second device region; forming an oxide cap over the substrate and in the first device region and the second device region; forming a first metal layer over the oxide cap, wherein the first metal layer has a first portion in the first device region and a second portion in the second device region; forming a mask to cover the second portion of the first metal layer, wherein the first portion of the first metal layer is exposed; removing the first portion of the first metal layer and the oxide cap from the first device region; removing the mask; and forming a second metal layer in the first device region and the second device region, wherein the second metal layer in the second device region is over the second portion of the first metal layer.
US08373216B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
Technique of improving a manufacturing yield of a semiconductor device including a non-volatile memory cell in a split-gate structure is provided. A select gate electrode of a CG shunt portion is formed so that a second height d2 from the main surface of the semiconductor substrate of the select gate electrode of the CG shunt portion positioned in the feeding region is lower than a first height d1 of the select gate electrode from the main surface of the semiconductor substrate in a memory cell forming region.
US08373210B2 Semiconductor device and semiconductor device manufacturing method
A semiconductor device includes a pair of electromagnetically coupled inductors. Each of the inductors is comprised of a plurality of through electrodes which extend through a semiconductor substrate, and wires which connect the plurality of through electrodes in series.
US08373209B2 Semiconductor device having D mode JFET and E mode JFET and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes: a substrate; and depletion and enhancement mode JFETs. The depletion mode JFET includes: a concavity on the substrate; a channel layer in the concavity; a first gate region on the channel layer; first source and drain regions on respective sides of the first gate region in the channel layer; first gate, source and drain electrodes. The enhancement mode JFET includes: a convexity on the substrate; the channel layer on the convexity; a second gate region on the channel layer; second source and drain regions on respective sides of the second gate region in the channel layer; second gate, source and drain electrodes. A thickness of the channel layer in the concavity is larger than a thickness of the channel layer on the convexity.
US08373195B2 Light-emitting diode lamp with low thermal resistance
A light-emitting diode (LED) structure with an improved heat transfer path with a lower thermal resistance than conventional LED lamps is provided. For some embodiments, a surface-mountable light-emitting diode structure is provided having an active layer deposited on a substrate directly bonded to a metal plate that is substantially exposed for low thermal resistance by positioning the metal plate at the bottom of the light-emitting diode structure. This metal plate may then be soldered to a printed circuit board (PCB) that includes a heat sink. For some embodiments of the invention, the metal plate is thermally and electrically conductively coupled through several heat conduction layers to a large heat sink that may be included in the structure.
US08373191B2 Organic electroluminescence device and method of fabricating the same
[Problem] The present invention aims to provide an electroluminescence device with an improved intermediate layer, for achieving a superior durability and sustainability performance thereof.[Solution] The present invention refers to organic electroluminescence devices having a plurality of light emitting layers 4 between an anode 1 and a cathode 2 with the intermediate layer 3 being interposed between two of the light emitting layers. The intermediate layer 3 comprises one layer 3a selected from a group consisting of a charge transfer complex layer made of a charge transfer complex, a metal layer made of a metal having a work function of 3.7 eV or less, and a metal compound layer made of a compound of the metal; an electrically conductive material-containing light transmissive layer 3b; a charge transport organic material layer 3c formed of a charge transport organic material; and a hole injection material layer 3d formed of a hole injection material, which are superimposed in this order. The charge transport material layer 3c is formed to have a thickness in a range of 0.5 nm to 30 nm.
US08373189B2 Light emitting diode package
An LED package includes an insulated frame, a first metallic conductor and a second metallic conductor, a chip and an encapsulation. The insulated frame has a receiving groove defined therein. The two metallic conductors are both mounted on bottom of the insulated frame and separated from each other. The chip is placed in the receiving groove and electrically connected to the two metallic conductors. The encapsulation is located in the receiving groove. The first metallic conductor and the second metallic conductor each comprise a mounting portion exposed to the receiving groove and a reflecting portion extending from the mounting portion into the insulated frame. The first reflecting portion and the second reflecting portion cooperatively surround the receiving groove of the insulated frame.
US08373181B2 Method and device for a cathode structure for flexible organic light emitting diode (OLED) device
A method for making a flexible OLED lighting device includes forming a plurality of OLED elements on a flexible planar substrate, wherein at least one of the OLED elements includes a continuous respective anode layer formed over the substrate, one or more organic light emitting materials formed over the anode layer, a cathode layer formed over the light emitting materials, and an encapsulating protective cover formed over the cathode layer. At least one of the OLED elements defines a continuous light region on the substrate, wherein the substrate and combination of OLED elements define an active light area. The active light area is bendable from a flat planar configuration to a bend configuration having a design bending radius. The thickness of the cathode layer is formed between a minimum thickness value and a maximum thickness value as a function of the size of the active light area and the design bending radius. An OLED in accordance with these aspects is also provided.
US08373172B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
An object is to provide a semiconductor device which is not easily broken even if stressed externally and a method for manufacturing such a semiconductor device. A semiconductor device includes an element layer including a transistor in which a channel is formed in a semiconductor layer and insulating layers which are formed as an upper layer and a lower layer of the transistor respectively, and a plurality of projecting members provided at intervals of from 2 to 200 μm on a surface of the element layer. The longitudinal elastic modulus of the material for forming the plurality of projecting members is lower than that of the materials of the insulating layers.
US08373162B2 Liquid compositions for inkjet printing of organic layers or other uses
A method of forming an organic layer for an organic electronic device (e.g., an OLED) by using a liquid composition comprising a small molecule organic semiconductor material mixed in a solvent preparation in which the content of higher boiling impurities is reduced. The solvent preparation comprises a high boiling point solvent and 0.1 wt % or less of impurities having a higher boiling point than the solvent. The liquid composition is deposited on a surface by inkjet printing to form the organic layer. Also, provided are liquid compositions which can be used to make organic layers.
US08373156B2 Biological component detection device
Provided is a biological component detection device with which a biological component can be detected at high sensitivity by using an InP-based photodiode in which a dark current is reduced without using a cooling mechanism and the sensitivity is extended to a wavelength of 1.8 μm or more. An absorption layer 3 has a multiple quantum well structure composed of group III-V semiconductors, a pn-junction 15 is formed by selectively diffusing an impurity element in the absorption layer, and the concentration of the impurity element in the absorption layer is 5×1016/cm3 or less, the diffusion concentration distribution control layer has an n-type impurity concentration of 2×1015/cm3 or less before the diffusion, the diffusion concentration distribution control layer having a portion adjacent to the absorption layer, the portion having a low impurity concentration. The biological component detection device is characterized in that an examination is conducted by receiving light having at least one wavelength of 3 μm or less, the wavelength being included in an absorption band of the biological component.
US08373147B2 Exposure apparatus and device manufacturing method
An information processing apparatus, for processing information of a plurality of measured heights respectively corresponding to a plurality of measurement points on a surface of a substrate held by a chuck, includes a processor and an output device. The processor is configured to specify, with respect to the surface, a plurality of areas that are arrayed and a plurality of sections each constituted by a number of the plurality of areas, extract at least two inclinations of a plurality of inclinations respectively corresponding to the number of the plurality of areas based on the plurality of measured heights with respect to each of the plurality of sections, and cause the output device to output information specifying a section of the plurality of sections that satisfies a first condition that a product of two inclinations among the at least two inclinations exceeds a predetermined threshold.
US08373142B2 Dosimeter sled
Described is a slidable dosimeter sled for a radiation dosimeter.
US08373141B1 Photographing and measuring a territorial radiation field
Dosimeter chips are widely distributed over a territorial area. This is followed by photographing the area from above to produce a color photograph. The color photograph is compared with radiation/color calibration data for the dosimeter chips. The total radiation accumulation is determined from the calibration data. The invention is for emergency use after civil accidents, for ascertaining a threat to military personnel before entering the battlefield or for interrogating a ship at sea.
US08373140B2 Fluorometric sensor
Embodiments provide an optical sensor head and method of making an optical sensor head. In some cases the sensor head can be used as a fluorometric sensor to measure concentrations of substances within a liquid sample of interest. The sensor head includes a light source window and a detector window that transmit light between the sensor head and an analytical area. In some cases the windows include a ball lens positioned within a channel such that the ball lens and the channel create a seal between the interior and exterior of the sensor head.
US08373139B2 Optical luminescence of functionalized fullerenes in an oxygen free environment
Functionalized fullerenes, when excited at any of a broad range of wavelengths in an oxygen free environment, undergo luminescence. The oxygen sensitive luminescence of functionalized fullerenes is used for numerous applications including oxygen detection; irradiation induced healing of polymeric materials; and phosphors for optical location and display applications. The degradation of the functionalized fullerenes allows for the detection of oxygen by diminished luminescence when the fullerenes are exposed to an irradiation source, such as a laser beam, in the presence of oxygen. The luminescence from a portion of a surface of a material with functionalized fullerenes allows for the location of the surface containing a functionalized fullerene target in the absence of oxygen or to heat the object in the area irradiated that is exposed to oxygen. The localized heating can be used to repair defects to a material containing the functionalized fullerenes. Materials containing functionalized fullerenes can be used as phosphors in display applications.
US08373132B2 Radiation detector with a stack of scintillator elements and photodiode arrays
The invention relates to a radiation detector and a method for producing such a detector, wherein the detector comprises a stack of the scintillator elements and photodiode arrays. The PDAs extend with electrical leads into a rigid body filling a border volume lateral of the scintillator elements, wherein said leads end in a contact surface of the border volume. Moreover, a redistribution layer is disposed on the contact surface, wherein electrical lines of the redistribution layer contact the leads of the PDAs.
US08373130B2 Protection of hygroscopic scintillators
A radiation detector (100) includes an array of scintillator pixels (102) in optical communication with a photosensor. The scintillator pixels (102) include a hygroscopic scintillator (104) and one or more hermetic covers (106a, 106b). A desiccant (124) may be disposed between a hermetic cover (106a) and the scintillator (104) or between the hermetic covers (106a, 106b).
US08373127B2 Method of searching for a thermal target
A system and method are used to search for a thermal target from a moving aerial platform. The system includes a computer corrected to a wide field-of-view thermal imager, a narrow field-of-view thermal imager, a global navigation satellite system receiver, and an inertial navigation system. The wide field-of-view thermal imager acouires multiple images as the wide field-of-view thermal imager moves relative to a search area. Each point of each imaoe is correlated to a stationary position within the search area. The computer is configured to independently time-average the thermal signal amplitude emanating from each stationary sector in the search area imaged bv the wide field-of-view thermal imager. and direct the narrow field-of-view thermal imager to point to the stationary position of the sector of interest and display a thermal imaoe associated with the sector of interest to a user.
US08373126B2 Apparatus and method for investigating a sample
An apparatus for investigating a sample comprising: a source of beam radiation; a detector for detecting a beam of radiation reflected by the sample and an optical subsystem for manipulating the beam between source and detector wherein the optical subsystem comprises a first optical element arranged in use to angularly deflect the source beam within a given solid angle and a second optical element arranged to focus the beam from the first optical element onto a substantially flat image plane and wherein radiation reflected by the sample passes back through the first and second optical elements to the detector.
US08373123B2 Bolometric detector for detecting electromagnetic radiation in the region extending from infrared to terahertz frequencies and an array detection device comprising such detectors
This bolometric detector for electromagnetic radiation comprises: a first and a second crossed bow-tie antenna intended to collect electromagnetic radiation; a resistive load coupled to said antennas in order to convert the collected electromagnetic power into calorific power; a bolometric micro bridge structure suspended above substrate by support and thermal isolation arms with the micro bridge comprising: the resistive load; a thermometric element coupled to resistive load so that its temperature can rise due to the effect of the calorific power produced. The first antenna is located outside micro bridge and is capacitively coupled with the resistive load and the second antenna is located in micro bridge and is resistively coupled with the resistive load.
US08373110B2 System and method for linear and angular measurements of a moving object
A system and method for measuring linear and angular displacement of a moving object, such as an autonomous moving object. In one embodiment, the system comprises at least one optical mouse sensor mounted adjacent to and at a predetermined distance from a surface of the autonomous moving object or a working surface. A processor on the autonomous moving object is operatively coupled to the optical mouse sensor. The optical mouse sensor outputs linear and angular displacement values to the processor during movement of the autonomous moving object to determine a direction and distance traveled by the autonomous moving object.
US08373107B2 Method and apparatus for non-line-of-sight imaging of a first area using photons detected from a second area
A system for imaging information comprising a spatial receiver, a chaotic photon light source comprising a first beam directed at a first predetermined area containing an object, and a second beam received by the spatial receiver and measured at specific intervals in time; the spatial receiver transmitting spatial information correlated to specific intervals of time to a processor; and a first receiver detecting the influence of the object on the first light beam; the first receiver not being in the line of sight with the first predetermined area and adapted to detect light from a second predetermined area spaced from the first predetermined area, the at least one processor operating to correlate the outputs of the first receiver with spatial information derived from the spatial receiver at correlating intervals of time to create an image of the object and a method for practicing the invention.
US08373104B2 Cross-field shrink-fit device with means for limiting magnetic flux losses
The invention relates to a device for inductive heating of an electrically-conducting component section symmetrical relative to an axis, in particular, a sleeve section of a tool clamping chuck for clamping a tool by means of a press fit, wherein the device has several pole pieces made from a magnetically-conducting material arranged in the circumferential direction around the symmetry axis of the component section introduced as required into the device and an induction device for supplying the pole pieces with magnetic flux such that the magnetic flux in pole pieces which are adjacent in the circumferential direction is opposed.
US08373101B2 Induction heating device with orthogonal coils
There are provided a first excitation coil that is wound so as to have an axis in the same direction as that of a shaft of a heating roller and that is connected to a first power source, and a second excitation coil that is wound so as to have an axis in a direction substantially orthogonal to the shaft of the heating roller and that is connected to a second power source. The second excitation coil has parallel portions that extend in parallel to an axial direction of the first excitation coil and two folded sections provided at respective ends of the parallel portions. The two folded sections are provided along a circumference of the first excitation coil in such a way that circular arcs of the respective folded sections become opposite in direction to each other. Thus, the maximum available power is increased. When rapid warm-up is required, heating is caused by a coil connected to the auxiliary power source, to thus shorten a warm-up time. Occurrence of a temperature drop at the ends of the heating roller is prevented, to thus enhance energy efficiency. In ordinary situations other than the rapid warm-up operation, recharging can be performed by use of the coil.
US08373099B2 Heat pump with heat recovery
A fuel cell is provided to furnish electrical power to an HVAC&R system, and the waste heat from the fuel cell is transferred to a secondary fluid directed to flow to the climate-controlled space of a building during periods of time in which heating is required. The heat rejected by the fuel cell may be a supplemental or primary source of heat as well used for precise temperature control within the climate-controlled space of the building. A channeling assembly is used to selectively direct the fuel cell heat either to and/or away from the climate-controlled space served by the HVAC&R system. Higher energy efficiencies of the HVAC&R equipment are achieved, and the “cold blow” phenomenon is reduced or eliminated.
US08373094B2 Self-adjusting liner assembly for a consumable electrode arc-welding torch
A self-adjusting liner assembly for a welding torch includes an elongated tubular main body having forward and rearward ends. An elongated tubular retainer including a shoulder is mountable in the main body. An elongated tubular piston including a shoulder cooperates with the retainer in a telescoping relationship in the main body. A resilient member is disposed in the main body and envelops a portion of the retainer and the piston. The resilient member urges the shoulders away from each other and the tubular piston toward the forward end of the main body.
US08373082B2 Vacuum insulated switchgear
A vacuum insulated switchgear comprising a vacuum container accommodating at least a pair of movable contacts and a pair of fixed contacts, wherein the movable contacts are capable of taking three positions, the switchgear being a double-break three-position type switch having breaking and disconnecting functions.
US08373073B2 Wiring board and method for manufacturing the same
A wiring board has a substrate designating one of the upper and lower surfaces as a first surface and the other as a second surface, a first laminated section laminated on the second-surface side of the substrate, a first external connection terminal and second external connection terminals formed on the first laminated section, and an electronic component arranged inside the substrate and having first pads on the second-surface side. The first pads and first terminal as well as the first pads and second terminals are electrically connected, and the first terminal and second terminals are formed to avoid being directly over the first pads. When the first pads, first terminal and second terminals are projected onto the second surface, the first terminal is positioned to be surrounded by the first pads, and the first pads and first terminal are positioned to be surrounded by the second terminals.
US08373067B2 Electrical connector
An electrical connector comprising a connector body having first and second connection portions and two or more electrical pathways provided within the connector body between the first and second connection portions, the first connection portion having a functional surface on which at least two exposed areas of conductive material are provided, each of which is in contact with a corresponding electrical pathway, for connection to an electrical element on a substrate, wherein adhesive is provided on the functional surface such that, at a minimum, a peripheral band is formed around each of the areas of conductive material for adhesion to the substrate. Also a glazing comprising at least one pane of glazing material provided with an electrical element, and an electrical connector as described above electrically connected to the electrical element and adhered to a surface of the glazing.
US08373064B2 Nano polycrystalline bio thin film photovoltaic cell and preparation method thereof
This invention relates to a photovoltaic cell and its preparation method. The nano polycrystalline bio thin film photovoltaic cell as provided by the present invention is of layered structure, and the structure from top to bottom is: a top plate insulated and sealed layer, a conductive layer, a nano semiconductor layer, chromophoric molecular layer, an electrolyte polymer layer, a conductive catalyst layer, a conductive layer, a bottom plate insulated and sealed layer. The nano semiconductor layer is made of three metal oxide or metal sulfide, and the electrolyte polymer layer is made of CeCl3, gas SiO2 and LiI. The present invention also provides the preparation method of the nano polycrystalline bio thin film photovoltaic cell. The nano polycrystalline bio thin film photovoltaic cell mentioned in the present invention has higher photovoltaic conversion efficiency, lower cost, and can be applied in construction, family, community, factories and mines and electric net power supply.
US08373062B2 Solar cell, and method for producing the solar cell
A solar cell is provided as one capable of increasing the open voltage when compared with the conventional solar cells. A solar cell according to the present invention has a p-type semiconductor layer containing a group Ib element, a group IIIb element, and a group VIb element, and an n-type semiconductor layer containing a group Ib element, a group IIIb element, a group VIb element, and Zn and formed on the p-type semiconductor layer. A content of the group Ib element in the n-type semiconductor layer is from 15 to 21 at. % to the total number of atoms of the group Ib element, the group IIIb element, the group VIb element, and Zn in the n-type semiconductor layer, and a content of Zn in the n-type semiconductor layer is from 0.005 to 1.0 at. % to the total number of atoms of the group Ib element, the group IIIb element, the group VIb element, and Zn in the n-type semiconductor layer.
US08373050B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH107749
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH107749. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH107749, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH107749 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH107749.
US08373043B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH972645
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH972645. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH972645, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH972645 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH972645.
US08373033B1 Soybean cultivar 05274456
A soybean cultivar designated 05274456 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 05274456, to the plants of soybean cultivar 05274456, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 05274456, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 05274456. 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. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 05274456. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 05274456, 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 cultivar 05274456 with another soybean cultivar.
US08373027B2 Lettuce line RX06471911
The invention provides seed and plants of the lettuce line designated RX06471911. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of lettuce line RX06471911, and to methods for producing a lettuce plant produced by crossing a plant of lettuce line RX06471911 with itself or with another lettuce plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of lettuce line RX06471911, including the gametes of such plants.
US08373020B1 Maize variety hybrid X08A113
A novel maize variety designated X08A113 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X08A113 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X08A113 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X08A113, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X08A113. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X08A113.
US08373018B2 Process for generating transgenic animals using recombinant lentiviruses
A process for generating transgenic animals using recombinant lentiviruses. The process comprises injecting recombinant lentiviruses into the interstituim of the testis of a male to produce mature spermatozoa within a few days. The male with transgene expressing lentivirus is mated with a female, forming a progeny carrying the transgene.
US08373012B2 Renewable jet fuel blendstock from isobutanol
The present invention in its various embodiments is directed to methods for preparing a renewable jet fuel blendstock, and blendstocks prepared by such methods, comprising fermenting a biomass-derived feedstock to form one or more C2-C6 alcohols such as isobutanol, catalytically dehydrate and oligomerize the alcohols to form higher molecular weight olefins (e.g., C8-C16 olefins), hydrogenating at least a portion of the higher molecular weight olefins to form a renewable jet fuel blendstock comprising C12 and C16 alkanes which meet or exceed the requirements of ASTM D7566-10a for hydroprocessed synthesized paraffinic kerosene (SPK).
US08373007B2 Stable vinamidinium salt and nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring synthesis using the same
Disclosed is a vinamidinium salt represented by the formula (I): [wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group or the like; R2 and R3 are the same or different and each represents a lower alkyl group, or alternatively R2 and R3 may combine together to form a ring; R4 and R5 are the same or different and each represents a lower alkyl group, or alternatively R4 and R5 may combine together to form a ring; X and Y are the same or different and each represents a bromine atom or a chlorine atom; n represents a number of not less than 2; and m represents 0 or n], and methods for synthesizing a heterocyclic ring compound using the salt.
US08373000B2 Process for the production of bis(trimethylsilyloxy)silylalkylglycerol methacrylates
The present invention relates to a process comprising the steps of reacting a substituted epoxide, and preferably a silicone containing substituted epoxide with at least one lithium acrylic acid salt, at least one acrylic acid and optionally at least one inhibitor at a temperature above about 60° C. to form a substituted hydroxy acrylate.
US08372995B2 Crystalline solid forms of tigecycline and methods of preparing same
Crystalline solid forms of tigecycline, Form I, Form II, Form III, Form IV, and Form V, compositions comprising these crystalline solid forms, and processes for preparing these crystalline solid forms are described herein.
US08372993B2 Method for separating trioxane from a trioxane/formaldehyde/water mixture by means of pressure change rectification
A process for removing trioxane from a use stream I of formaldehyde, trioxane and water, by a) providing a use stream I which comprises formaldehyde as the main component and trioxane and water as the secondary components, b) feeding the use stream I, a recycle stream V and a recycle stream VII which comprises formaldehyde as the main component and water and trioxane as the secondary components into a first distillation stage and distilling to obtain a stream II a steam III and formaldehyde as the and a steam X c) distilling the stream III, in a second distillation stage the pressure in the second distillation stage being from 0.1 to 15 bar higher than the pressure in the first distillation stage, to obtain a stream IV and the recycle stream V as the secondary components, d) feeding the stream X and if appropriate a stream IX into a third distillation stage and distilling at a pressure of from 1 to 10 bar to obtain a stream VI which consists substantially of water and a recycle stream VII which comprises formaldehyde as the main component and water and trioxane as the secondary components.
US08372991B2 Trisubstituted thiophenes that modulate intracellular calcium
Described herein are compounds of Formula (I): wherein A, J, Z, X, R1 and R4 are defined herein, and pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, which modulate the activity of store-operated calcium (SOC) channels. Also described herein are methods of using such SOC channel modulators, alone and in combination with other compounds, for treating diseases or conditions that would benefit from inhibition of SOC channel activity.
US08372984B2 Dual-acting oxazole antihypertensive agents
In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds having the formula: wherein: Ar, Z, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. These compounds have AT1 receptor antagonist activity and neprilysin inhibition activity. In another aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods of using such compounds; and process and intermediates for preparing such compounds.
US08372981B2 Nitrogen-containing aromatic derivatives
Compounds represented by the following general formula: wherein Ag is an optionally substituted 5- to 14-membered heterocyclic group, etc.; Xg is —O—, —S—, etc.; Yg is an optionally substituted C6-14 aryl group, an optionally substituted 5- to 14-membered heterocyclic group, etc.; and Tg1 is a group represented by the following general formula: (wherein Eg is a single bond or —N(Rg2)—), Rg1 and Rg2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted C1-6 alkyl group, etc. and Zg represents a C1-8 alkyl group, a C3-8 alicyclic hydrocarbon group, a C6-14 aryl group, etc.), salts thereof or hydrates of the foregoing.
US08372976B2 Methods of treatment comprising the administration of heteroaryl compounds
Provided herein are Heteroaryl Compounds having the following structure: wherein R1, R2, L, X, Y, Z, Q, A and B are as defined herein, compositions comprising an effective amount of a Heteroaryl Compound and methods for treating or preventing cancer, inflammatory conditions, immunological conditions, metabolic conditions and conditions treatable or preventable by inhibition of a kinase pathway comprising administering an effective amount of a Heteroaryl Compound to a patient in need thereof.
US08372969B2 RNA interference methods using DNA-RNA duplex constructs
The present invention provides novel compositions and methods for suppressing the function or activity of a targeted gene through a novel intracellular piRNA-mediated RNAi mechanism, using RNA-DNA duplex constructs. The invention further provides novel methods and compositions for generating or producing RNA-DNA duplex agents, whose quantity is high enough to be used for the invention's gene silencing transfection and possibly in therapeutics applications. This improved RNA-polymerase chain reaction (RNA-PCR) method utilizes thermocycling steps of promoter-linked DNA or RNA template synthesis, in vitro transcription and then reverse transcription to bring up the amount of RNA-DNA duplexes up to two thousand folds within one round of the above procedure for using in D-RNAi-directed gene silencing.
US08372967B2 Compounds and methods for modulating expression of GCCR
The present disclosure describes short antisense compounds, including such compounds comprising chemically-modified high-affinity monomers 8-16 monomers in length. Certain such short antisense compound are useful for the reduction of target nucleic acids and/or proteins in cells, tissues, and animals with increased potency and improved therapeutic index. Thus, provided herein are short antisense compounds comprising high-affinity nucleotide modifications useful for reducing a target RNA in vivo. Such short antisense compounds are effective at lower doses than previously described antisense compounds, allowing for a reduction in toxicity and cost of treatment. In addition, the described short antisense compounds have greater potential for oral dosing.
US08372964B2 Highly infectious nucleic acid molecules from pepper mottle virus and plant viral vector derived from the same
The present invention relates to a plant-infectious nucleic acid molecule from Pepper mottle virus, and a viral vector, a transformed cell and a transgenic plant having it. The present invention first achieves the cloning of the infectious full-length pepper mottle virus cDNA from virus-infected pepper, which enables to perform the molecular biological studies to the infectivity of pepper mottle virus in pepper and tobacco and to provide a plant virus-based vector to highly express a useful foreign protein.
US08372963B2 RSV F-protein and its use
The present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule, which codes for the F-protein of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or a fragment thereof, for the expression in a human cell environment of codon optimized variants of said nucleic acid molecule, vectors and compositions comprising said nucleic acid molecules and the use thereof as vaccines and polypeptides coded by the nucleic acid molecules and method for the production thereof.
US08372957B2 Antibody against periostin, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising it for preventing or treating a disease in which periostin is involved
The present invention provides an antibody against a periostin isoform having anti-cell adhesive activity, especially an anti-periostin antibody having the ability to neutralize anti-cell adhesive properties, as well as a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for periostin-related diseases comprising the antibody. The present invention also provides methods for detecting and quantifying the periostin isoform in a sample by using the antibody, as well as a method for diagnosing periostin-related diseases comprising measuring the amount of the periostin isoform by the detection or quantification method.
US08372956B2 Antibodies produced in a transgenic avian egg white
The invention provides for antibodies produced in transgenic birds as chickens.
US08372948B2 12 human secreted proteins
The present invention relates to 12 novel human secreted proteins and isolated nucleic acids containing the coding regions of the genes encoding such proteins. Also provided are vectors, host cells, antibodies, and recombinant methods for producing human secreted proteins. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods useful for diagnosing and treating disorders related to these novel human secreted proteins.
US08372945B2 Conjugated polymers with carbonyl substituted thieno[3,4-B]thiophene units for polymer solar cell active layer materials
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a series of conjugated polymers used, among other things, as polymer solar cell or polymer photovoltaic device active layer materials, is provided. In one embodiment, the conjugated polymers have the general structure and formula shown in (I), wherein: R1 and R2 are independently selected from proton, halogens, alkyls, aryls and substituted aryls; Ar is selected from the group consisting of monocyclic, bicyclic and polycyclic arylene, or monocyclic, bicyclic and polycyclic heteroarylene. In another embodiment, the conjugated photovoltaic polymers are comprised of repeated units having the general structure of formula (II), wherein, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are independently selected from proton, alkyls, halogens, aryls, substituted aryls, and other kinds of substituents. Synthesis methods of several polymers of the present disclosure are provided, and absorption spectra and electrochemical cyclic voltammetry data of some polymers, and also the photovoltaic properties of the polymers in this present disclosure are also provided.
US08372931B2 Ethylene-based polymer compositions
The present invention provides an ethylene-based polymer composition characterized by a Comonomer Distribution Constant in the range of from greater than 45 to less than 400, wherein the composition has less than 120 total unsaturation unit/1,000,000C, and method of producing the same.
US08372929B2 Non-ionic additives soluble in water and in solvents
The invention relates to copolymers that can be obtained by the polymerization of monomers (A), (B), (C) and (D), where (A) is a monomer of formula (I) wherein A is C2-C4 alkylene and B is a C2-C4 alkylene different from A, R is hydrogen or methyl, m is a number between 1 and 500, and n is a number between 1 and 500, the sum of m+n being equal to between 2 and 1000; (B) is a monomer of formula (II) wherein D is C3 alkylene, R is hydrogen or methyl, and o is a number between 2 and 500; (C) is an ethylenically unsaturated monomer containing an aromatic group; and (D) is an ethylenically unsaturated monomer containing an alkyl radical.
US08372908B2 Method of fabrication of nanoparticulate composites using monomer stabilization
An improved method is provided to prepare reinforced resin nanocomposites without the need of surfactants or coupling agents. The present invention comprises the use of monomers for improving the dispersion of nano-sized materials and enhancing the particle/matrix interaction. One comprises mixing a plurality of nanoparticles with a monomer resin to form a mixture, blending a catalyst and a promoter with the mixture, and curing the blended mixture to form a polymerized nanocomposite. The monomers, which serve to stabilize the nanoparticles, are covalently bound onto the nanoparticle surface and copolymerize with non-bound monomers after introduction of a catalyst and a promoter that initiate polymerization. Without any additional surfactant or coupling agent, the resin is chemically bound onto the nanoparticle surface and protects the iron nanoparticles from agglomeration and oxidation.
US08372903B2 Photosensitive resin composition, flexible circuit board employing the same, and circuit board production method
A halogen-free and flame-resistant photosensitive resin composition is provided, which has properties necessary for a solder resist (insulative property, solder heat resistance, alkali developability and the like) and is capable of forming a film that is excellent in folding endurance even after an IR reflow process. A flexible circuit board employing the photosensitive resin composition and a circuit board production method are also provided. The photosensitive resin composition comprises: (A) a linear polymer of an ethylenically unsaturated compound comprising a carboxyl-containing ethylenically unsaturated compound; (B) an epoxy resin; (C) a polymerizable compound containing an ethylenically unsaturated group; (D) a photopolymerization initiator; and a cyclic phosphazene (E) represented by the following general formula (1):
US08372897B2 Ink composition
An ink composition, contains: an organic solvent, a metal pigment, and a resin, in which the organic solvent contains, based on the total amount of the ink composition, 60% by mass or more of diethylene glycol diethylether, 24 to 37% by mass of γ-butyrolactone and/or tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether, and more than 1% by mass and lower than 5% by mass of tetraethylene glycol monobutyl ether, and the 50% average particle diameter in terms of sphere determined by a light scattering method of the metal pigment is 0.8 to 1.2 μm.
US08372896B2 Total etch dental adhesive composition
Dental adhesive composition having a pH of at least 5, which comprises an aqueous solution containing (a) a polymerizable N-substituted alkyl acrylic or acrylic acid amide monomer; (b) a water-soluble polymerizable carboxylic acid; and (c) a water-soluble organic solvent.