| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08855510B2 |
Image forming apparatus and fixing unit control method thereof
Disclosed are an image forming apparatus and a fixing unit control method thereof, the image forming apparatus including an image forming unit, a fixing unit, a power supply to supply operating power to the fixing unit, a temperature sensor to sense a temperature of the fixing unit, a first protection unit to compare the sensed result of the temperature sensor with a first predetermined reference value and to output a signal, a switching unit to turn on/off power supplied to the fixing unit in accordance with the signal output from the first protection unit, a second protection unit to compare the sensed result of the temperature sensor with a second predetermined reference value and to output a signal, and a relay unit to turn on/off the operating power supplied to the fixing unit in accordance with the signal output from the second protection unit. |
| US08855504B2 |
Optical transmission method and optical receiver
An optical receiver has an adaptive optical compensator and/or an adaptive electrical equalizer for compensating signal distortion in a received optical signal. In order to achieve a very fast adaptation of the receiver to the actual signal distortion, which is important for example for bursts mode optical signals in a packet-switched optical transmission network, at least one predetermined trainings sequence is provided in the optical signal, which is known at the receiver and thus enables fast adaptation of the compensator and/or equalizer to the actual signal distortion. |
| US08855503B2 |
Optical receiver and optical transmission system
Optical receiver 300 uses two optical delay detectors 223 (set such that the delay times T are equal to symbol time and the phase differences are zero and 90 degrees) to receive an optical multilevel signal 215 and the output signals are A/D converted, thereafter subjected to retiming processes, and then subjected to a differential phase detection, thereby detecting a differential phase at a symbol center time point. In the receiver, the detected differential phase is integrated for each symbol and thereafter combined with an amplitude component obtained from a separately disposed optical intensity receiver, thereby reproducing an optical electric field. Thereafter, a wavelength dispersion compensation circuit (231) of a time period T is used to compensate for the wavelength dispersion of the transmission path. Moreover, an electric or optical Nyquist filter may be inserted to perform a band limitation, thereby enhancing the wavelength dispersion compensation effect. |
| US08855500B2 |
Channel power control in an optical link
Methods and apparatus for control of variable optical attenuators are described. A method for control of a variable optical attenuator located in an optical link comprising a plurality of optical attenuators. The method comprises determining that an initial calibration step of a variable optical attenuator has been completed, and transmitting a signal indicative of the variable optical attenuator having completed the initial calibration step for receipt by a downstream variable optical attenuator. A method of controlling a variable optical attenuator comprises receiving a signal indicative of an upstream variable optical attenuator having completed an initial calibration step, and initiating calibration of the variable optical attenuator in response to receipt of said signal. |
| US08855498B2 |
Skew suppression method and optical transmission system
A method for suppressing a skew between a first channel and a second channel in an optical transmission system having a transmitter that transmits an optical signal with the first channel and the second channel and a receiver that receives the optical signal, the method includes: controlling dispersion added to the optical signal to be larger than a specified amount; and controlling a delay time of at least one of the first channel and the second channel in the receiver based on a quality of the optical signal monitored in the receiver to suppress the skew between the first channel and the second channel in the receiver. |
| US08855488B2 |
Optical transmission system
The present invention relates to an optical transmission system to which a spatial multiplexing optical fiber is applied as a transmission line. The optical transmission system performs optical transmission using the spatial multiplexing optical fiber as an optical transmission line for transmission of signal light. Namely, the optical transmission is carried out in accordance with a modulation format in which a Q-factor of the signal light propagating in certain propagation mode light propagating in the spatial multiplexing optical fiber and a ratio of a signal light power to a square of the shortest distance between modulation symbols in the modulation format satisfy a predetermined relational expression. |
| US08855482B2 |
Imaging apparatus and sound processing apparatus
A control unit controls a driving unit to drive an optical system in a first driving mode and controls a sound processing unit to process a sound signal in a first noise reduction processing mode in the case where a level of the sound signal obtained by a sound obtaining unit is lower than a predetermined level. The control unit controls the driving unit to drive the optical system in a second driving mode with a longer driving time than the first driving mode and controls the sound processing unit not to process the sound signal in the first noise reduction processing mode in the case where the level of the sound signal obtained by the sound obtaining unit is equal to or higher than the predetermined level. |
| US08855474B2 |
Inhibiting compressor backspin via a condenser motor
Assemblies for HVAC systems and methods of operating HVAC systems are disclosed, including a method of operating an HVAC system having a compressor assembly and a condenser assembly. The compressor assembly includes a compressor having a compressor motor that is susceptible to backspinning and capable of generating electric power when backspinning. The condenser assembly includes a condenser motor operatively coupled to a fan. The condenser assembly is electrically coupled to the compressor assembly. The method includes using the condenser motor as an electric load to dissipate electric power generated by the compressor motor when the compressor motor backspins. |
| US08855472B2 |
Video editing apparatus, video editing method, program, and integrated circuit
A video editing apparatus includes: a selection unit which receives a first editing point and a second editing point; a representative value generation unit which generates a representative value of first disparity information on disparities of the first editing point and a representative value of second disparity information on disparities of the second editing point; a comparison value calculation unit which calculates a first depth difference by a comparison between the representative value of the first disparity information and the representative value of the second disparity information; a determination unit which determines whether or not the first depth difference is less than or equal to a predetermined value; and a presenting unit which presents a message prompting a user to change at least one of the first editing point and the second editing point when it is determined that the first depth difference is greater than the predetermined value. |
| US08855468B2 |
Video stream index generation at a video content transmitter
A method of generating and using indexing information for video content is presented. In the method, an index stream for a video stream is generated at a video content transmitter. The video stream includes video frames, and the index stream includes an index for each of at least some of the video frames within the video stream. The video stream and the index stream are transmitted from the video content transmitter to a video content receiver, which receives and stores the video and index streams. Further, at the video content receiver, the index stream is processed to locate the video frames within the video stream that are associated with at least some of the indexes of the index stream, and at least some of the located video frames of the video stream are presented to an output device under control of a user of the video content receiver. |
| US08855439B2 |
Method for determining a localization error in a georeferenced image and related device
The invention relates to a method for determining a localization error (ε) of a point (P0) of a raw image, comprising the following steps: estimating the value of a statistical magnitude (G) characteristic of a probability law (D(X, Y, Z)) of at least one terrain coordinate (X, Y, Z) associated with the point (P0) of the raw image, using a probability law (D(θ1, . . . , θn)) with magnitudes (θ1, . . . , θn) depending on the exposure conditions of the raw image and a localization function, deduced from an exposure function and a terrain model and applied for the image coordinate point (P0) of the raw image; and deducing the localization error (ε) of the point (P0) of the raw image from the statistical magnitude (G). |
| US08855438B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method of image processing apparatus, and program
An image processing apparatus includes an intermediate data generation unit configured to generate intermediate data having different attributes by compressing image data of each tile using a lossless compression method or a lossy compression method according to a tile attribute, an intermediate data rendering unit configured to generate raster image data by decompressing the generated intermediate data, and an enlargement unit configured to perform an enlargement process on the image data or the raster image data according to the tile attribute. |
| US08855434B2 |
Image processing device and image processing method
A deblocking filter 24 performs filtering of decoded image data obtained by decoding image data encoded for each block, so as to remove block distortion. If at least one of block sizes on adjacent sides of two adjacent blocks is extended larger than a predetermined block size, a filter setting unit 41 sets the tap length to an extended length to increase the strength of distortion removal, or sets a filtering object pixel range to an extended range. When a macroblock having an extended size is used, the degree of smoothing is increased, and pixels including those distant from the block boundary are subjected to filtering. Consequently, even when various block sizes are employed or when blocks of extended sizes are used, images of high image quality can be achieved. |
| US08855432B2 |
Color component predictive method for image coding
A color component predictive method determines a base color component and uses the base color component to compute offsets for other color components. The block is then able to be coded using the base color component and the offsets of the other color components. For decoding, the base color component is used with the offsets to regenerate the other color components. |
| US08855422B2 |
Light source detection from synthesized objects
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for determining a location relative to an object and a type of a light source that illuminated the object when the image was captured, are described. A method performed by a process executing on a computer system includes identifying an object of interest in a digital image. The method further includes projecting at least a portion of the digital image corresponding to the object of interest onto a three dimensional (3D) model that includes a polygon-mesh corresponding to the object's shape. The method further includes determining one or more properties of a light source that illuminated the object in the digital image at an instant that the image was captured based at least in part on a characteristic of one or more polygons in the 3D model onto which the digital image portion was projected. |
| US08855417B2 |
Method and device for shape extraction, and size measuring device and distance measuring device
When an image is captured in a wood lumber measuring mode, a distance to wood lumber is detected. An area extracting unit 51 for a component drawing image area extracts component image areas 53A-53L of the wood lumber. A drawing generator 61 for a component drawing image selects the component image areas 53A-53L successively to generate a component drawing image 62. Among shape lines in the component drawing image 62, an eliminator 66 eliminates a paracentral shape line 71, an edge side shape line 72, a peripheral shape line 73 and determined shape lines 74. If a total pixel number of a portion where an estimated elliptical shape 76 generated by a shape estimation unit 67 is overlapped on a residual shape line 75 disposed inside a corrected drawing image 64 is more than a threshold, it is judged that the estimated elliptical shape 76 is correctly shaped. An object shape determining unit 83 extracts the estimated elliptical shape 76 as a shape of wood lumber. A size measuring unit 84 measures a size of the estimated elliptical shape. A size determining unit 85 determines an actual size of the wood lumber according to the size measured by the size measuring unit 84, the distance to the wood lumber and a focal length. |
| US08855416B2 |
Image processing method and image processing apparatus
An image processing method and image processing apparatus for removing noise from an image. The image processing method includes: dividing an input image into a high frequency component and a low frequency component; removing noise from the high frequency component; and combining the low frequency component and the high frequency component from which noise is removed to form an output image. Accordingly, an image in which edge components are well preserved and a degree of color noise is reduced may be generated not only in a general environment but also in a low light level and highly sensitive environment having strong noise. |
| US08855415B2 |
Digital image compression and decompression
A method of compressing a digital image defined by a plurality of pixel values in each of one or more channels includes adjusting each pixel value in each of the one or more channels by an average pixel value for that channel. The method further includes splitting each adjusted channel into one or more image blocks, and converting each image block into a frequency block that is a frequency-domain representation of that image block. |
| US08855414B1 |
Apparatus and method for encoding an image generated in part by graphical commands
A method and apparatus for encoding an image is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises identifying initial pixels within a spatially defined sub-section, the initial pixels at least a defined number of pixels each comprising a first color; identifying background pixels, the background pixels comprising the first color and in a first defined spatial proximity to the initial pixels; identifying text pixels, the text pixels contrasting the first color and in a second defined spatial proximity to the background pixels; identifying picture pixels as all pixels other than the background pixels and the text pixels; generating a background encoding comprising (i) spatial locations of the background pixels and (ii) a lossless encoding of the first color; generating a text encoding identifying a spatial location and a lossless color encoding of each of the text pixels; and generating a picture encoding comprising a lossy encoding of the picture pixels. |
| US08855406B2 |
Egomotion using assorted features
A system and method are disclosed for estimating camera motion of a visual input scene using points and lines detected in the visual input scene. The system includes a camera server comprising a stereo pair of calibrated cameras, a feature processing module, a trifocal motion estimation module and an optional adjustment module. The stereo pair of the calibrated cameras and its corresponding stereo pair of camera after camera motion form a first and a second trifocal tensor. The feature processing module is configured to detect points and lines in the visual input data comprising a plurality of image frames. The feature processing module is further configured to find point correspondence between detected points and line correspondence between detected lines in different views. The trifocal motion estimation module is configured to estimate the camera motion using the detected points and lines associated with the first and the second trifocal tensor. |
| US08855405B2 |
System and method for detecting and analyzing features in an agricultural field for vehicle guidance
A system and method for creating 3-dimensional agricultural field scene maps are disclosed comprising producing a pair of images using a stereo camera and creating a disparity image based on the pair of images, the disparity image being a 3-dimensional representation of the stereo images. Coordinate arrays can be produced from the disparity image and the coordinate arrays can be used to render a 3-dimensional local map of the agricultural field scene. Global maps can also be made by using geographic location information associated with various local maps to fuse together multiple local maps into a 3-dimensional global representation of the field scene. The disparity images can be used to analyze a variety of agricultural features. |
| US08855401B2 |
Methods and systems involving measuring complex dimensions of silicon devices
A method for measuring a dimension of a device includes receiving an image of a portion of the device, receiving a first offset value and a second offset value, processing the image to define a least one graph of a line of pixels, the at least one graph including the brightness level of each pixel in a line of pixels, identifying a location of a first peak and a second peak in the graph, defining a first exclusion area boundary, defining a second exclusion area boundary, setting the brightness level of the pixels between the first exclusion area boundary and the second exclusion area boundary to zero, identifying a first portion of the feature of interest and a second portion of the feature of interest, and measuring a distance between the first portion of the feature of interest and the second portion of the feature of interest. |
| US08855399B2 |
System, a method and a computer program product for CAD-based registration
A system for location based wafer analysis, the system comprising: (i) a first input interface; (ii) a second input interface; (iii) a correlator; and (iv) a processor, configured to generate inspection results for the inspected wafer, with the help of at least one frame run-time displacement. |
| US08855396B2 |
System for detecting an invasive anatomical instrument
A system identifies a stent in an image using luminance density and anatomical information. An X-ray imaging system automatically detects and indicates location of an invasive anatomical device in an image. An interface acquires, data representing X-ray images of patient vessels and data identifying a particular vessel containing a medical device. An image data processor employs a model of anatomical vessels to select a region of interest in a vessel identified by the acquired data and automatically determines a location of the medical device in an acquired image by determining at least a portion of an outline of the medical device by detecting a luminance transition in the acquired image using an image edge detector. A display processor initiates generation of data depicting location of the medical device in the acquired image in response to determining the at least a portion of the outline of the medical device. |
| US08855387B2 |
System for detecting bone cancer metastases
The invention relates to a detection system for automatic detection of bone cancer metastases from a set of isotope bone scan images of a patients skeleton, the system comprising a shape identifier unit, a hotspot detection unit, a hotspot feature extraction unit, a first artificial neural network unit, a patient feature extraction unit, and a second artificial neural network unit. |
| US08855384B2 |
Continuous cardiac pulse rate estimation from multi-channel source video data
What is disclosed is a computationally efficient system and method for estimating a subject's cardiac pulse rate from multi-channel source video data. In one embodiment, A time-series signal is received. A sliding window is used to define overlapping segments of the time-series signal. Signal segments are processed by performing constrained independent component analysis (cICA) until convergence to obtain an estimated source signal. A frequency of each estimated source signal obtained by the cICA at convergence is determined to be the subject's estimated cardiac pulse rate for each signal segment. A seed reference signal used by the cICA is repeatedly updated. A sliding window is shifted to define a next time-series signal segment for processing. The method repeats for each signal segment until a termination criteria is met. In such a manner, the subject's cardiac pulse rate is estimated from a video of the subject on a continuous basis. |
| US08855381B2 |
Fake-finger determination device, fake-finger determination method and fake-finger determination program
The accuracy for determining a fake finger in which a thin film is attached to a surface of a finger is improved. A fake-finger determination device includes an imaging unit 10 that images a reflected light image and a transmitted light image of an authentication object serving as a fingerprint authentication object, a classifying unit 31 that classifies each of the reflected light image and the transmitted light image into a foreground portion having a feature of a skin image and a background portion having no feature of a skin image, based on a hue value of a pixel included in each of the images, a detecting unit 32 that compares the foreground portion of one image of the reflected light image and the transmitted light image with the background portion of the other image to detect an overlapping portion, and a determining unit 33 that determines whether or not a foreign substance is present in the periphery of a finger using the overlapping portion. |
| US08855372B2 |
Methods and systems for content processing
Cell phones and other portable devices are equipped with a variety of technologies by which existing functionality can be improved, and new functionality can be provided. Some relate to visual search capabilities, and responding to different image inputs and different contexts. Others relate to processing of image data. Still others concern metadata generation, processing, and representation. Yet others relate to coping with fixed focus limitations of cell phone cameras, e.g., in reading digital watermark data. Still others concern user interface improvements. Yet others concern adapting behavior of a camera-equipped system based on previously-captured imagery. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed. |
| US08855371B2 |
Color image processing method, color image processing device, and color image processing program
An object area detection means detects an object area which is an area to be subjected to image processing from an input image. A reflection component reconstruction means calculates color information of the object area and a perfect diffusion component, which is a low-frequency component of the object area, and reconstructs a surface reflection component based on the color information and the low-frequency component. A surface reflection component correction means corrects the reconstructed surface reflection component according to a reference surface reflection component that is the surface reflection component set in advance according to the object area. A reproduced color calculation means calculates a reproduced color that is a color obtained by correcting each pixel included in the input image by using the perfect diffusion component and the corrected surface reflection component and generates an output image based on the reproduced color. |
| US08855359B2 |
Method of removing spatial response signature of computed radiography dector from image
Method of removing the spatial response signature of a detector from a computed radiography image by adaptively filtering and spatially warping the characteristic response signature of the detector prior to demodulation. |
| US08855358B2 |
Determining whether or not a digital image has been tampered with
Apparatus and method to verify the integrity of a digital image (i.e., deciding whether or not the entire image or just a portion has been tampered with, and/or finding the doctored area in the image). One first determines the imaging sensor's reference pattern noise, which serves as a unique fingerprint that identifies the imaging sensor that captured the image. To verify the integrity of the content in a region of the image, a correlation detector determines the presence or absence of the imaging sensor's reference pattern noise in that region, thereby verifying whether or not the image has integrity. The correlation detector can also find automatically one or more regions in the image that were tampered with. |
| US08855349B2 |
Portable speaker
A portable speaker having a base, a cover, a scissors mechanism, a positioning mechanism, a restoring element, a push-push type mechanism and a speaker module is provided. The scissors mechanism, the positioning mechanism, the restoring element, the push-push type mechanism are disposed between the base and the cover, respectively. The scissors mechanism translates the cover vertically. The positioning mechanism translates the cover to an original position, a first position or a second position. The restoring element repositions the cover from the first position to the original position or the second position. The push-push type mechanism fixes the cover to the original position or the second position. The speaker module is disposed in the base or the cover, wherein the sound from the speaker module is able to be output from the interval between the base and the cover when the cover is at the second position. |
| US08855348B2 |
Telecoil in a detachable direct audio input accessory
Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for providing a hearing assistance device with a detachable telecoil. One aspect of the present subject matter includes an apparatus for communication with a hearing assistance device. In various embodiments, the apparatus includes a telecoil and a direct audio input (DAI) connector electrically connected to the telecoil. The DAI connector is configured to detachably attach to a DAI port of the hearing assistance device and to pass a signal from the telecoil to the hearing assistance device, in various embodiments. |
| US08855339B2 |
Electret loudspeaker device
An electret loudspeaker device including a diaphragm, a first perforated electrode and a first spacer is provided. The diaphragm includes a first electret, a second electret, a polymer layer and an electrode layer. At least one layer of the first electret or the second electret is formed by expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. The second electret is stacked on one side of the first electret, while the electrode layer is stacked on the opposite side of the first electret. The polymer layer is made of a hydrophobic material and is disposed on the second electret. The first perforated electrode is stacked on a first spacer and close to the polymer layer. The first spacer disposed between the diaphragm and the first perforated electrode supports the first perforated electrode over the diaphragm and defines a first chamber. A fabrication method of the electret loudspeaker device is also provided. |
| US08855335B2 |
Distortion suppression in high-level capable audio amplification circuit
The present invention relates to an audio amplification circuit comprising a first preamplifier for receipt of an audio input signal and a second preamplifier comprising a first differential input for receipt of an attenuated audio input signal. The attenuated audio input signal is generated by an attenuator coupled to the audio input signal. A non-linear element is coupled to a first input of the first preamplifier thereby distorting the audio input signal at the first input at large signal levels. A distortion compensation network is adapted to supply a distortion compensation signal from the first input of the first preamplifier to a second differential input of the second preamplifier such that distortion in the output signal of the second preamplifier is cancelled or attenuated. The invention further relates to a corresponding method of compensating an audio amplification circuit for distortion induced by a non-linear element. |
| US08855330B2 |
Automated sensor signal matching
In one embodiment, a method for matching first and second signals includes transforming, over a selected frequency band, the first and second signals into the frequency domain such that frequency components of the first and second signals are assigned to associated frequency bins, generating a scaling ratio associated with each frequency bin, and for at least one of the two signals, or at least a third signal derived from one of the two signals, scaling frequency components associated with each frequency bin by the scaling ratio associated with that frequency bin. The generating comprises determining, during a non-startup period, a signal ratio of the first and second signals for each frequency bin, determining the usability of each signal ratio, and designating a signal ratio as a scaling ratio if it is determined to be usable. |
| US08855327B2 |
Sound emission and collection device and sound emission and collection method
Provided is a sound emission and collection device capable of estimating the azimuth of a sound source (such as a main utterer) precisely without any processing load. The sound emission and collection device (1) is connected with another sound emission and collection device via a network or the like. The sound emission and collection device (1) receives a sound signal from another sound emission and collection device, as a sound emission signal (FE), and emits the same from a speaker (SP). The sound emission and collection device (1) collects the sound at microphones (MIC1 to MIC3), and produces sound collection beam signals (NE1 to NE3) of different azimuths. The sound emission and collection device down-samples the individual sound collection beam signals (NE1 to NE3), and filters out the echoes of the down-sampled sound collection beam signals (DNE1 to DNE3). The sound emission and collection device selects the sound collection beam signal (DNE1′) of the highest signal level from the echo-filtered sound collection beam signals (DNE1′ to DNE3′). The sound emission and collection device filters out the echoes of a sound collection beam signal (NE1) from the sound collection azimuth (D1) of the sound collection beam signal (DNE1′), and transmits the same to another sound emission and collection device. |
| US08855319B2 |
Audio signal processing apparatus and audio signal processing method
An audio signal processing apparatus and an audio signal processing method are provide. The audio signal processing apparatus comprises: a plurality of individual audio interfaces, an audio signal processing unit, and an audio channel splitting unit. The audio signal processing unit is utilized for determining a total number of audio channels corresponding to the individual audio interfaces and generating a first output audio signal with a first number of audio channels according to an input audio signal and the total number of audio channels when the audio signal processing apparatus is operated under a first operational mode. The audio channel splitting unit is coupled to the audio signal processing unit and the audio interfaces. When the audio signal processing apparatus is operated under the first operational mode, the audio channel splitting unit splits the first output audio signal with the first number of audio channels to the audio interfaces, respectively. |
| US08855318B1 |
Master key generation and distribution for storage area network devices
Mechanisms are provided for generating a master key used to secure key objects associated with data blocks in a data center. A cryptographic node creation request is received. It is determined that a master key can not be obtained from another cryptographic node in the data center. A master key is generated. The master key is included in a key hierarchy used to encrypt a data center key object, the data center key object corresponding to a data block maintained in a storage area network (SAN), where the data center key object includes a unique identifier, an encrypted key, and a wrapper unique identifier. The master key is split into N shares, with M shares required to recreate the master key, wherein M is less than N. The N shares are distributed to different entities. |
| US08855316B2 |
Quantum cryptography apparatus
The method involves exchange of a quantum signal between a first quantum node and a second quantum node as is usual in known quantum key distribution (QKD) scheme. The first quantum node communicates details of the quantum signal it sent or received with a first remote node. The first remote node thus has all the information to required to take the place of the first quantum node in the key agreement step with the second quantum node. The first quantum node may be arranged to transmit the quantum signal to the second quantum node, in which case the invention provides a distributed quantum transmitter with the control logic in the first remote node being distributed remotely from the actual quantum transmitter in the first quantum node. Communications between the first remote node and first quantum node may comprise or be protected by a quantum key derived by conventional QKD. |
| US08855314B2 |
Hierarchization of crytographic keys in an electronic circuit
A method of obtaining, in an electronic circuit, at least one first key intended to be used in a cryptographic mechanism, on the basis of at least one second key contained in the same circuit, the first key being stored in at least one first storage element of the circuit, the first storage element being reinitialized automatically after a duration independent of the fact that the circuit is or is not powered. Also described are applications of this method to encrypted transmissions, usage controls, as well as an electronic circuit implementing these methods. |
| US08855306B2 |
Node distributed with group key and group key updating
According to one embodiment, a node that is a root node of a network forming a directed acyclic graph topology, which is composed of plural nodes including the node serving as the root node and having a parent-child relationship among nodes of adjacent hierarchies, includes a generating unit, an encrypting unit, and a transmitting unit. The generating unit generates a group key, and a list indicating a first node to which a distribution of the group key is inhibited. The encrypting unit encrypts the group key so as to be capable of being decrypted by a first child node other than the first node out of the child nodes of the root node. The transmitting unit transmits a first message, including an encrypted group key, which is the group key that is encrypted with respect to the first child node, and the list. |
| US08855300B2 |
Image-based key exchange
This disclosure is directed for improved techniques for configuring a device to generate a secondary password based at least in part on a secure authentication key. The techniques of this disclosure may, in some examples, provide for capturing, by a computing device, an image of a display of another computing device. The captured image includes at least one encoded graphical image, such as a barcode, that includes an indication of the content of a secure authentication key. The computing device may use the secure authentication key to generate a secondary password to be used in conjunction with a primary password to gain access to a password-protected web service. |
| US08855295B1 |
Acoustic echo cancellation using blind source separation
Techniques for utilizing blind source separation as a front-end to an acoustic echo canceller are described herein. The techniques include removing a first portion of an acoustic echo from an audio signal using blind source separation and a reference signal. The techniques then further remove a second portion of the acoustic echo using an acoustic echo canceller and the reference signal. Further, output of the blind source separation may be used to improve double-talk detection. |
| US08855292B1 |
Agent-enabled queue bypass to agent
A contact center is provided that has (a) a database 114 operable to contain customer records; (b) a plurality of agent communication devices 134-1 to -N corresponding to a plurality of agents; (c) a switching fabric 110, 130 to connect incoming contacts with agent communication devices; (d) a plurality of contact queues 208a-n to enqueue contacts awaiting servicing by an agent; and (e) a queue bypass module that receives, from a first agent of a contact center, a queue bypass request for a specified first customer and updates a set of data structures associated with the specified first customer to indicate that the first customer is entitled to bypass queue positions when the first customer again contacts the contact center. |
| US08855282B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for implementing multimedia ring back tone service
A method, system and apparatus for implementing a Multimedia Ring Back Tone (MRBT) service are provided. The method includes: receiving a call request originated by a calling terminal; parsing a tone playing policy specifying whether to play a caller tone or a callee tone or whether to filter a tone; performing caller tone media negotiation or callee tone media negotiation, or performing no tone negotiation according to the parsing result; and playing the caller tone or the callee tone to the caller, or playing no tone. With the technical solution of the present invention, the caller tone service can be implemented in the IMS domain. Whether a caller tone or a callee tone is played to the caller is determined according to a preset policy. Furthermore, the tone filtering service is also implemented. This gives a user freedom in experiencing the MRBT service. |
| US08855280B1 |
Communication detail records (CDRs) containing media for communications in controlled-environment facilities
Systems and methods for creating, maintaining, and making available Communication Detail Records (CDRs) containing media for communications in controlled-environment facilities are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method may include enabling, at least in part via one or more communication systems, a communication between two or more parties, where at least one of the two or more parties is a resident of a controlled-environment facility, and where the resident operates a communication device disposed within the controlled-environment facility. The method may also include creating, at least in part via the one or more communication systems, a CDR associated with the communication, where the CDR includes or references a digital media file. |
| US08855279B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling communications to and from utility service points
An apparatus and method control transmission of messages over a fixed bandwidth link from fixed position communication devices to a central controller in a load management system. The messages include information relating to electric power consumption by power consuming devices located at service points that include the communication devices. In one embodiment, the central controller determines an identifier associated with each communication device, a reporting period during which the messages are to be transmitted by the communication devices, and transmission increments within the reporting period. The controller allocates each transmission increment to a respective group of communication devices. The controller then determines a transmission time for a message from a particular communication device based on the identifier for the particular device, a duration of a transmission increment allocated to a group of communication devices that includes the particular device, and a quantity of communication devices in the particular device's group. |
| US08855275B2 |
System and method for regulating overlapping media messages
The described systems regulate the transmission and playback of multiple streams of audio data, e.g., for a multiplayer game, and provide sequential playback of audio, buffered while the listener is listening to a different stream, time-compressed if necessary. The systems thus solve a problem of users “talking over each other” by: (1) regulating access to audio channels; and (2) treating the spoken audio as distinct blocks so as to play the messages, e.g., from multiple channels, sequentially to users. The messages may be played back at a later time at time-compressed rates or aborted as directed by the user or by a separate automated process. |
| US08855268B1 |
System for inspecting objects underwater
A method and apparatus for operating an inspection system is provided. A housing with an x-ray system located inside of the housing is moved in an environment with water relative to a location on a surface of an object to be inspected. The location on the surface of the object is submerged in the water in the environment. A number of components for the x-ray system are cooled using the water around the housing. |
| US08855267B2 |
Orthovoltage radiosurgery
A radiosurgery system is described that delivers a therapeutic dose of radiation to a target structure in a patient. In some embodiments, inflammatory ocular disorders are treated, specifically macular degeneration. In some embodiments, ocular structures are placed in a global coordinate system, based on ocular imaging, which leads to direction of an automated positioning system. In some embodiments, the position of an ocular structure is tracked and related to a radiosurgery system. In some embodiments, a treatment plan is utilized for a specific disease to be treated and/or structures to be avoided. In some embodiments, a fiducial aids in positioning the system. In some embodiments, a reflection off the eye is used to aid in positioning. In some embodiments, radiodynamic therapy is described in which radiosurgery is used in combination with other treatments and can be delivered concomitant with, prior to, or following other treatments. |
| US08855264B2 |
Method for estimating effective atomic number and bulk density of rock samples using dual energy X-ray computed tomographic imaging
A method for estimating effective atomic number and bulk density of objects, such as rock samples or well cores, using X-ray computed tomographic imaging techniques is provided. The method effectively compensates for errors in the interpretation of CT scan data and produces bulk densities which have lower residual error compared to actual bulk densities and produces bulk density—effective atomic number trends which are consistent with physical observations. |
| US08855255B2 |
Systems and methods for optimizing timing phase in modem devices
Systems and methods are provided for performing the required phase calculation in a telecommunications system in order to optimize system performance more quickly and with reduced complexity as compared to prior approaches to solving this problem. In accordance with the preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the phase delay of the precursor equalizer (EQ) is calculated off-line and as a result it is not necessary to fill the precursor EQ delay line with the indicated number of symbols as in the previous approach. Additionally, because the precursor EQ is fractionally spaced, both sine and cosine values of the 4kHz tone's initial phase can be achieved simultaneously. As a result, only 36 quick timing sequence (QTS) symbols are needed in order to perform the required estimation. |
| US08855248B2 |
Word boundary lock
In an embodiment, a method for determining a word boundary in an incoming data stream includes initializing an N bit register with initial content, receiving a number of consecutive N bit words of the incoming data stream and processing each of the number of consecutive N bit words. The processing includes performing operations per bit position of the register, including performing an XOR operation on a corresponding received data bit and a next received data bit, performing an AND operation on a current state of the bit position of the register and a result of the XOR operation, and storing a result of the AND operation to update the state of the bit position of the register. The word boundary is defined based on the content of the register following the processing of the number of consecutive N bit words. |
| US08855244B2 |
Digitally demodulating a minimum-shift keying (MSK) signal
A two stage process is applied for recovering the modulating content from the received I-Q waveforms of a MSK modulated signal. In the first stage, at each incoming symbol the I-Q waveform segments of the input belonging to the three most recently received symbols are used in hypothesis testing. A matched filter bank produces ratings for each of the possible three symbol modulating patterns in proportion to the likelihood that the combination in question may have produced the current but by now impaired input segment. While the three symbol window slides symbol-by-symbol over the input the successive hypothesis tests are not independent as each symbol is involved in three consecutive tests. The dependence thus created lays the foundation and provides the branch metrics for applying the Viterbi algorithm for the determination of the modulating symbols in the second stage. |
| US08855241B2 |
Apparatus for decoding global navigation satellite systems navigation data and associated method
An apparatus for decoding GNSS navigation data to generate at least a target string or subframe includes a demodulator and a processing unit. The demodulator is utilized for demodulating a received signal to generate at least a plurality of strings or subframes having a same string index or subframe index.The processing unit is coupled to the demodulator, and is utilized for determining the target string or subframe according to the plurality of strings or subframes. |
| US08855232B2 |
Transmission apparatus and transmission method
A transmission apparatus includes a signal processing unit to perform a distortion compensation process on a transmitting signal based on a distortion compensation coefficient, and an updating unit to update a transmission power of the transmitting signal subjected to the distortion compensation process in certain processes, to transmit the transmitting signal at the updated transmission power. The signal processing unit may set a referring range of the distortion compensation coefficient stored in a storage unit, based on the transmitting signal before performing the distortion compensation process and the transmitting signal having the transmission power thereof updated by the updating unit. |
| US08855230B1 |
Systems/methods of transmitting information via baseband waveforms comprising frequency content agility and an orthogonality therebetween
Communications systems and/or methods are disclosed that may be used to convey information by forming, and then using, a plurality of frequency agile baseband waveforms, wherein any two different waveforms of the plurality of frequency agile baseband waveforms comprise an orthogonality therebetween. The systems/methods disclosed can convey information by mapping an information sequence into a baseband waveform sequence that includes waveforms of the plurality of baseband waveforms, and by transmitting the baseband waveform sequence. Such systems and/or methods can provide extreme privacy, cognitive radio capability, robustness to fading and interference, communications performance associated with M-ary orthonormal signaling and/or high multiple-access capacity. |
| US08855227B2 |
Methods of receiving multiple input multiple output signals and related communication devices
A MIMO (Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output) receiver may receive a plurality of MIMO transport blocks transmitted from a plurality of MIMO transmission antennas over a same carrier frequency. More particularly, a MIMO signal including the plurality of MIMO transport blocks may be received through a plurality of reception antennas, and respective measures of signal quality for each of the MIMO transport blocks may be computed. A MIMO transport block may be selected from the plurality of MIMO transport blocks based on the measures of signal quality, and the selected MIMO transport block may be decoded. Responsive to failure decoding the selected MIMO transport block, processing of all MIMO transport blocks received in the MIMO signal may be terminated. Related communication devices are also discussed. |
| US08855224B2 |
Receiver and method of receiving signal for reducing intersymbol interference
A synchronization method for a receiver includes generating, by a beacon detector, an operating signal by performing a logic operation on a baseband signal, and calculating, by a coarse sync block, a coarse FFT window start position value where a signal-to-noise ratio becomes maximized by estimating a noise level of the operating signal. |
| US08855220B2 |
Robustness improvement for bandwidth communication system
A computer-implemented method of communicating message data in a frame of data includes transmitting the frame of data across a communication channel. The frame of data includes the message data, a first 8-bit digital control word, and a second 8-bit digital control word. Each control word has a unique bit pattern and is associated with a different time interval that individually indicates where or when the message data begins or began in the frame of data relative to the time interval's associated control word. At least one of the control words and other data are received. At least some of the other data are identified as the message data based upon receipt of at least one of the control words. Only one of the control words needs to be received to identify the message data from the other data. |
| US08855219B2 |
Flexible self-adaptive differential system to improve transmission efficiency
A system and method for transmitting data. The system and method is configured to dynamically implement one of a differential signaling method or a single-ended signaling method during a transmission of data. The signaling method is selected based on a measured interference level during the transmission of data. The implementation of the signaling method is performed without interrupting the data transmission. |
| US08855194B2 |
Updating non-shadow registers in video encoder
A video processor controlled by a set of non-shadow registers is provided. A list of updates for one or more of the non-shadow registers may be prepared in a memory module. A frame buffer is updated with video data for a display coupled to the video processor. A blanking interval is detected after updating the frame buffer. A direct memory access engine is triggered to transfer the list of updates from the memory module to the non-shadow registers during the blanking interval. |
| US08855189B1 |
Multi-stream transcoding system with cache memory management
Both live and offline transcoding of media is managed for storage in a cache. Requests for media are made by a client on a network and media taken from the cache and transcoded for delivery to the client. Media is also transcoded and stored in memory during idle request in anticipation of future requests during idle transcoder time between client requests. A prioritizer manages at least offline transcoding requests. A high priority queue operates at a higher priority than the low priority queue. The high priority queue receives live transcoding requests from a client on the network. A low priority queue receives offline transcoding requests. A media transcoder primarily transcodes media in accordance with requests from the high priority queue for delivery to a client on the network and then secondarily transcodes media in accordance with requests from the low priority queue when the high priority queue is empty. According to alternative embodiments the media transcoder transcodes media into segments and to modify frames when necessary to insure that they are decodable without accessing other segments. |
| US08855187B2 |
Signal processing method for enhancing a dynamic range of a signal
A signal processing method for enhancing the dynamic range of a signal is disclosed. The method comprises: a) forming an attenuated signal from an input signal; b) filtering each of the input and the attenuated signals such that the sum of their bandwidths is less than or equal to the bandwidth of a transmission channel; c) modulating a first one of the filtered input signal and the filtered attenuated signal, whereby the filtered input signal and the filtered attenuated signal occupy respective non-overlapping frequency ranges within the bandwidth of the transmission channel; and d) combining the modulated signal with the second one of the filtered input signal and the filtered attenuated signal to form a composite output signal. |
| US08855184B2 |
System and method for non-interleaved signal field
Efficient decoding in IEEE 802.11ah networks can be achieved by transmitting the signal (SIG) preamble field without interleaving bits within the SIG field. This may allow channel equalization and decoding steps to be performed contemporaneously upon reception of the frame, which allows for the implementation of non-linear channel equalization techniques (e.g., maximum likelihood (ML) equalization, etc. |
| US08855183B2 |
Adaptive covariance matrix conditioning for a linear equalizer with receive diversity
A method of wireless communication with improved performance employs an equalizer receiver with multiple receive antennas. Equalizer taps for linear filters of the equalizer receiver are generated by determining a conditioned covariance matrix of a first data path and a second data path based on a first gain (g0) of this first data path and a second gain (g1) of the second data path. The equalizer taps of the first data path and the second data path are determined based on the conditioned covariance matrix. The first data path and the second data path are then equalized using the equalizer taps. An equalized signal is generated by combining the equalized first data path with the equalized second data path. |
| US08855180B2 |
Receiver with enhanced DC compensation
The disclosure relates to a receiver system that employs multiple instances of a DC compensation system to reduce DC offsets in a receiver path. The receiver has a receiver front end configured to receive an RF input signal and to operate on the RF input signal according to a plurality of receiver states to generate a baseband signal having a DC offset that is based upon the plurality of receiver states. A DC offset compensation circuit implements a plurality of instances of DC offset compensation components that respectively generate an estimated DC offset corresponding to a receiver state. A controller controls the receiver state of the receiver front end and operates the DC offset elimination circuit to selectively apply one of the plurality of DC compensation components to the corresponding baseband signal based upon the receiver state. |
| US08855175B2 |
Low complexity all-digital PIM compensator
The present disclosure relates to compensation for Passive Intermodulation (PIM) distortion in a receiver. In one embodiment, a communication device includes a transmitter that is configured to receive a digital input signal and output a radio frequency transmit signal, a main receiver configured to receive a radio frequency receive signal and output a digital output signal, and a PIM compensation subsystem. The radio frequency receive signal includes PIM distortion that is a non-linear function of the radio frequency transmit signal output by the transmitter. In order to compensate for the PIM distortion, a PIM compensation subsystem receives the digital input signal of the transmitter, generates a digital PIM estimate signal that is an estimate of the PIM distortion in the digital output signal of the main receiver, and subtracts the digital PIM estimate signal from the digital output signal of the main receiver. |
| US08855171B2 |
Satellite signal acquisition
A technique for reducing the dwell time in acquiring a satellite signal is provided. The technique minimizes the dwell time in searching for a satellite signal in cells of a search space by comparing the peak-power-to-average ratio (PAPR) to one or more thresholds at one or more intermediate points during the search in a code phase/Doppler frequency bin. The comparison is then used to determine whether to continue the search in a current code phase/Doppler frequency bin or to continue to the next code phase/Doppler frequency bin. |
| US08855168B2 |
Channel electric inductor assembly
The present invention relates to an electric channel inductor assembly and method of forming an electric channel inductor assembly. A nonremovable, hollow, nonmagnetic channel mold is used to form the one or more flow channels of the assembly. A heated fluid medium is circulated in the hollow interior of the mold after the mold is situated in the assembly to heat treat the refractory surrounding the exterior walls of the mold. After heat treatment a liquid is supplied to the hollow interior of the mold to chemically dissolve the mold. |
| US08855166B2 |
6 KHz and above gas discharge laser system
A system and method of operating a high repetition rate gas discharge laser system. The system includes a gas discharge chamber having a hot chamber output window heated by the operation of the gas discharge laser chamber, an output laser light pulse beam path enclosure downstream of the hot chamber window and comprising an ambient temperature window, a cooling mechanism cooling the beam path enclosure intermediate the output window and the ambient window. The gas discharge chamber can include a longitudinally and axially compliant ground rod, including a first end connected to a first chamber wall, a second end connected to a second chamber wall, the second chamber wall opposite the first chamber wall and a first portion formed into a helical spring, the ground rod providing mechanical support for a preionizer tube. |
| US08855162B2 |
Surface emitting laser device, surface emitting laser array, optical scanning device, image forming apparatus, and manufacturing method of surface emitting laser device
A disclosed surface emitting laser device includes a light emitting section having a mesa structure where a lower reflection mirror, an oscillation structure, and an upper reflection mirror are laminated on a substrate, the oscillation structure including an active layer, the upper reflection mirror including a current confined structure where an oxide surrounds a current passage region, a first dielectric film that coats the entire surface of an emitting region of the light emitting section, the transparent dielectric including a part where the refractive index is relatively high and a part where the refractive index is relatively low, and a second dielectric film that coats a peripheral part on the upper surface of the mesa structure. Further, the dielectric film includes a lower dielectric film and an upper dielectric film, and the lower dielectric film is coated with the upper dielectric film. |
| US08855159B2 |
Surface-emitting laser element, surface-emitting laser array, optical scanner device, and image forming apparatus
A disclosed surface-emitting laser element includes a resonator structure having an active layer, a first semiconductor multilayer mirror and a second semiconductor multilayer mirror configured to sandwich the resonator structure having the active layer, an electrode provided around an emission region of a light-emitting surface, and a dielectric film provided in a peripheral portion within the emission region and outside a central portion of the emission region to make a reflectance of the peripheral portion lower than a reflectance of the central portion. In the surface-emitting laser element, an outer shape of a portion where the electrode provided around the emission region of the light-emitting surface is in contact with a contact layer includes corners. |
| US08855153B2 |
Laser machining control system through feedback
A laser machining control system includes a laser diode, a laser power controller connected to the laser diode, a light transmission-reflection element positioned on a light path of a laser light beam to a workpiece, and an output power meter. The output power meter detects the laser light beam being reflected by the transmission-reflection element and measures an output power of the laser diode. The output power meter gives a signal to the laser power controller if there is a power loss of the laser light beam, and the laser power controller adjusts the voltage and the current input to the laser diode in compensation. |
| US08855148B2 |
Multiplexing transmission system, receiver apparatus and module, transmitter apparatus for multiplexing transmission
Digital signals having respective pieces of frequency information different from each other are bundled, and transmitted at high speed. On receiving side, digital signals retaining the respective pieces of frequency information are recovered and separated. Transmitter apparatus divides pieces of transmission data that have the different pieces of frequency information and correspond to respective input channels into data blocks having a fixed length, as valid data, and subsequently multiplexes the data blocks corresponding to the respective input channels and outputs the multiplexed data to a transmission path. A receiver apparatus divides data string received into data flows and subsequently restores the transmission data, from the data blocks consecutive in each data flow and stores the restored data, and outputs transmission data corresponding to the respective data flows in synchronization with clocks generated for these data flows. |
| US08855144B2 |
Method of generating pilot pattern for adaptive channel estimation in OFDMA systems, method of transmitting/receiving using the pilot pattern and apparatus thereof
Provided is a method of generating a pilot pattern capable of perform adaptive channel estimation, and a method and apparatus of a base station and a method and apparatus of a terminal using the pilot pattern.The pilot pattern selects pilot symbol positions based on distances from pilots of previous orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) symbols to a subcarrier position of a current OFDMA symbol in the frequency domain and the time domain, so that a low pilot density is maintained so as to effectively transmit data, and stable channel estimation performance can be obtained even in a bad channel environment.In addition, the minimum burst allocation size is determined according to the channel environment between the base station and the terminal, guaranteeing channel estimation performance suitable for the channel environment, and improving granularity, channel estimation latency, and channel estimation memory size. |
| US08855143B1 |
Bandwidth saving system and method for communicating self describing messages over a network
The enclosed system and method provides a means by which metadata-encoded or otherwise self-describing messages can be communicated, stored or otherwise utilized at a greatly reduced message size. This is accomplished for a given message through decomposing it into message metadata and message data, using a hash of the message metadata along with the message data to represent the message while in its decomposed form absent of original message metadata, and subsequently recomposing the message from the message metadata and message data using the hash as a reference. The method disclosed herein exploits detected repetition of sets of metadata, deriving benefit each time a hash is communicated, stored or otherwise used in lieu of a set of metadata, the hash being smaller in size than the set of metadata itself. |
| US08855124B2 |
Forwarding inter-switch connection (ISC) frames in a network-to-network interconnect topology
Systems, mechanisms, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed for forwarding Inter-Switch Connection (ISC) frames in a Network-to-Network Interconnect (NNI) topology, for example, via a network switch which includes a first physical switch port to receive a physical switch link from a second network switch; logic to implement a first logical ISC and a second logical ISC′ connection to the second network switch via the physical switch link; a second physical switch port to receive an interface connection from a third network switch; and switch forwarding logic to forward frames received at the first network switch to the second network switch via the logical ISC or logical ISC′ based on whether or not the physical switch link is part of an active topology upon which the network switch operates or is not part of the active topology upon which the network switch operates. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08855116B2 |
Virtual local area network state processing in a layer 2 ethernet switch
A method, apparatus and computer-readable storage media are provided for determining, at a physical switch configured to interface with a plurality of physical servers via a plurality of corresponding physical ports of the physical switch, a number of virtual local area networks (VLANs) serviced by the plurality of physical servers, each of which is configured to service one or more virtual machines in one or more of the VLANs. A plurality of VLAN compression groups are automatically defined such that a port VLAN count of the physical switch is reduced, wherein the port VLAN count identifies a number of VLANs that interface with the physical switch via the plurality of physical ports. The one or more VLANs are automatically assigned to one of the VLAN compression groups. |
| US08855115B2 |
Methods for reliable multicasting in local peer group (LPG) based vehicle ad hoc networks
A method for routing a multicast message comprising the steps of receiving a multicast message including at least a message, a source identifier, a sequence number, a time-to-live value and a multicast group destination, determining if the multicast group destination is in a multicast forwarding table, determining if the message has been previously received, adding the multicast message to the multicast forwarding table if it is determined that the multicast message has not been previously received, determining if a node that received the multicast message is a forwarding node; randomly setting a wait time for forwarding the multicast message; and forwarding the multicast message at the expiration of the wait time. |
| US08855108B2 |
Apparatus and method for synchronous hardware time stamping
Methods and apparatus that may be used to provide timestamps to physical layer devices are provided. One method includes obtaining a time value from a clock associated with a physical layer device that is communicatively coupled to a primary data packet switch. The method further includes adding a processing time to the time value to generate a timestamp and transmitting the timestamp to a multiplexer circuit. The method further includes writing the timestamp in parallel from the multiplexer circuit to a plurality of external physical layer devices that are communicatively coupled to a secondary data packet switch and are located external to a housing of the secondary data packet switch. |
| US08855107B1 |
Methods and systems for call routing via a telephone number
The present invention relates generally to telecommunications and in particular to systems and methods for routing telephone calls. By way of example, a first address, such as a first phone number, can be associated with a telephonic terminal, such as a mobile phone. Incoming calls to the first address can be routed to the telephonic terminal or to other destinations based on telephonic terminal status. |
| US08855103B2 |
Personal network access control system and method
A server is provided that includes a processor such that for a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) request containing a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) identifying the first device, the processor is programmed to promote adding a URI and redirecting the SIP request to a second device. The added URI used by the second device to invoke a Personal Network Management (PNM) Controller function. |
| US08855101B2 |
Methods, systems, and apparatus to synchronize actions of audio source monitors
Systems, methods, articles of manufacture and apparatus are disclosed to align actions of audio source monitors. An example method disclosed herein includes invoking an audience monitor to transmit a radio frequency (RF) initialization packet to a base unit, receiving an indication that the base unit has received the RF initialization packet at a first time, and invoking the base unit to transmit an RF acknowledgement packet to the audience monitor. The example method also includes receiving an indication that the RF acknowledgement packet is received by the audience monitor and waiting for an end to a delay period having a first value, identifying whether the audience monitor has finished processing the RF acknowledgement packet when the delay period ends at a second time, and incrementing the delay period to a second value when the audience monitor is still processing the RF acknowledgement packet and the delay period has ended. |
| US08855100B2 |
System and method for supporting higher-layer protocol messaging in an in-band modem
Detecting an acknowledgment signal sent from a destination terminal at a source terminal in an in-band communication system is disclosed. A first synchronization sequence followed by a low layer acknowledgement message and a second synchronization sequence followed by a high layer acknowledgement message is detected. |
| US08855097B2 |
Method using a blanking signal to reduce the leakage transmitter-receiver
It is described a communication end device comprising (a) a radio transceiver comprising a receiver for receiving radio signals from a transmitting network entity of a cellular telecommunication network and a transmitter (110, 120, 130) for transmitting radio signals to a receiving network entity of the cellular telecommunication network, (b) a further receiver (140) for receiving a further radio signal, and (c) a control circuit (150, 162, 164), which is coupled to the radio transceiver and to the further receiver (140). The control circuit (150, 162, 164) is configured for generating a control signal for controlling the operation of the further receiver (140). Thereby, the control signal is based on a synchronization signal being related to a time dependent transmission scheme of the transmitter (110, 120, 130) and on an information about the current operational state of the radio transceiver. It is further described a method for controlling the operation of such a communication end device (100) and a program element and a computer-readable medium having stored such a program element, which is adapted for controlling and/or for carrying out this operation control method. |
| US08855094B2 |
Methods and apparatus for reducing interference in wireless communication systems
In accordance with a method for reducing interference in a wireless communication system, information about at least one disallowed beam corresponding to at least one served user may be determined. Scheduling decisions for served users may be made so as to avoid transmissions via the at least one disallowed beam. Data may be transmitted to users in accordance with the scheduling decisions. |
| US08855090B2 |
Packet transmission system based on wireless personal area network and method thereof
Disclosed is a network interworking system and method. That is, a header size is minimized through a fragment of an IPv4 packet based IP packet and a header compression and it is implemented such that the IPv4 is loaded in an IEEE 802.15.4 MAC/PHY packet having a small payload, so that it is possible to efficiently transmit an IPv4 packet by using an IEEE 802.15.4 based WPAN. Further, various applications can be executed using the IPv4 while using an IEEE 802.15.4 technology, which is a low power communication technology, in a mobile device. |
| US08855083B2 |
Inter-access network handover
In a wireless network environment comprising first and second packet-switched access networks, each access network using a tunnelling-type micro-mobility protocol and a Quality of Service (QoS) routing protocol to route packet data to and from mobile nodes attached thereto, and each access network comprising an access router to which a mobile node may attach, a mobility agent with which said mobile node may register and a gateway, a method of facilitating network layer handover of said mobile node from said first access network to said second access network, said mobile node registered in said first access network with a serving mobility agent, which method comprises the steps of: said mobile node receiving a router advertisement from said second access network, which router advertisement comprises a network-layer address of a target mobility agent in said second access network with which said mobile node may register; and said mobile node forwarding said network-layer address to said serving mobility agent, whereby said serving mobility agent may communicate with said target mobility agent to facilitate network-layer handover of said mobile node to said second access network. |
| US08855079B2 |
Method and apparatus for, based on communication of a first physical layer device, permitting transmission of data to a second physical layer device collocated with the first physical layer device
A first network device includes a first PHY device that transfers first data on a first channel between the first network device and a second network device via a base station. The second PHY device receives a first request transmitted on a second channel and in response to receiving the first request, determines whether the first PHY device is receiving the first data. The first request is received from the second network device via an access point and requests permission to send second data. The second PHY device, if the first PHY device is not receiving the first data, determines whether the first PHY device is to receive or transmit the first data in respective periods. The second PHY device transmits a response signal to the second network device, on the second channel, if the first PHY device is not to receive or transmit the first data the respective periods. |
| US08855076B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting control information in wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for transmitting control information through a PUCCH in a wireless communication system and an apparatus for same comprising the steps of: obtaining a plurality of second modulation symbol streams corresponding to a plurality of SC-FDMA (Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiplexing) symbols by diffusing a plurality of first modulation symbol streams to form the first modulation symbol streams corresponding to the SC-FDMA symbols within a first slot; obtaining a plurality of complex symbol streams by performing a DFT (Discrete Fourier Transform) pre-coding process for the plurality of second modulation symbol streams; and transmitting the plurality of complex symbol streams through the PUCCH wherein the plurality of second modulation symbol streams are scrambled in a SC-FDMA symbol level. |
| US08855074B2 |
Multiplexing control and data in one resource block
A method for operating a control node for a wireless communication system. The control node creates a data frame having at least one resource block. The data elements of the resource block are subdivided into at least a first subset and a second subset The first subset comprises first control data for controlling a receiving node The second subset comprises data elements of said resource block not used for control data for controlling said receiving node. The method further comprises checking whether second control data for a second receiving node are to be put into the second subset, scheduling payload data for the receiving node into the second subset if second control data are not to be put into the second subset of data elements, and transmitting the data frame to the receiving node. |
| US08855070B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for improved long term evolution (LTE) hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processing
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for performing long term evolution (LTE) hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processing are disclosed. According to one method, the method occurs at a multi-UE simulator. The method includes receiving downlink control channel data for a plurality of user devices being simulated. The method also includes decoding HARQ data for each user device of the plurality of user devices. The method further includes performing at least one HARQ data verification step for each user device of the plurality of user devices and acting on the verified HARQ data for each user device of the plurality of user devices. |
| US08855067B2 |
Multi-user communication group management and signaling
Systems and techniques relating to wireless communications are described. A described technique includes generating one or more assignment records for a wireless communication device, generating an assignment message that includes the one or more generated assignment records, and transmitting the assignment message to cause the wireless communication device to initialize or update a multi-user group table based on the assignment message and filter one or more received multi-user transmissions based on the multi-user group table. The assignment message can indicate one or more group identifiers and one or more group member identifiers that are assigned to the wireless communication device and one or more group identifiers that are not assigned to the wireless communication device. |
| US08855051B2 |
NAS communication method and apparatus in mobile telecommunication system
A method and apparatus for supporting Non-Access Stratum (NAS) communication between a User Equipment (UE) and a Mobility Management Entity (MME) efficiently by addressing signaling problems occurring between the UE and the MME in a situation where it is necessary for a network node to identify the UE information, from another network node to which the UE has been attached, are provided. The method is implemented with a UE, an MME, and an old MME or an old Serving General Packet Radio Service Support Node (SGSN) to which the UE has been attached before so as to facilitate discovering a best node using the UE information acquired from the old MME or old SGSN during communication between the UE and the network, resulting in a reduction of a communication delay between the UE and network and an improvement of communication efficiency. |
| US08855049B2 |
Mobile switching centre server
MSC server enhanced for rSRVCC from UTRAN/GERAN to E-UTRAN/HSPA, comprising: a reception block (10) configured to receive an rSRVCC capability indication from a user equipment; a decision block (11) configured to determine whether rSRVCC is allowed for a given call based on the rSRVCC capability indication received; and a transmitting block (12) configured to send to a Radio Access Network (RNS/BSS), when rSRVCC has been determined as allowed, an rSRVCC possible indication indicating that a rSRVCC is possible. |
| US08855042B2 |
Downlink feedback method for time division dual system and relay link thereof
The present invention discloses a Time Division Dual (TDD) system and a downlink feedback method for a relay link thereof. A relay station and a network side of the TDD system transmit uplink data and downlink feedback through relay subframes, wherein: one or more uplink subframes are selected from uplink subframes of a wireless frame as uplink relay subframes used for uplink data transmission, a downlink subframe is determined for each uplink relay subframe from downlink subframes of the wireless frame as a downlink relay subframe used for downlink feedback or new data indication, wherein the uplink relay subframes and the downlink relay subframes have a fixed timing sequence relationship; the relay station transmits uplink data to the network side through the uplink relay subframes, and receives the downlink feedback or new data indication from the network side through the downlink relay subframes corresponding to the uplink relay subframes. |
| US08855036B2 |
Digital distributed antenna system
A digital distributed antenna system (DDAS) that regains the capability to perform simulcast to multiple simulcast groups while using a base station's direct digital output is provided. The User Plane data is adapted for simulcast and also for eliminating time delay ambiguities across multiple simulcast digital radios. In addition, the Control and Management Plane is aggregated across multiple remote units to allow a non-modified donor digital base station to control simulcast groups. The result is a low cost digital DAS that can efficiently distribute the capacity of a digital base station to solve coverage and capacity requirements in a manner similar to that now accomplished using a traditional base station with RF in/out. |
| US08855031B2 |
Control channel signalling for triggering the independent transmission of a channel quality indicator
The invention suggests a method for providing control signalling in a communication system, comprising the steps performed by a base station of the communication system of generating a control channel signal comprising a transport format and a channel quality indicator trigger signal for triggering a transmission of a channel quality indicator by at least one terminal to the base station, and transmitting the generated control channel signal to at least one terminal, wherein said transport format is a predetermined format for user data transmission by the at least one terminal to the base station and said control channel signal indicates a predetermined mode for reporting the channel quality indicator to the base station, wherein the channel quality indicator transmission is to be triggered by the at least one terminal based on the channel quality indicator trigger signal. |
| US08855025B2 |
Management unit network for collaboratively managing a plurality of multiservice communication devices
A management unit includes a communication device interface for facilitating a bidirectional data communication with multiservice communication devices via a wireless control channel, the bidirectional data communication including outbound control data sent to at least one of the multiservice communication devices and inbound control data received from at least one of the multiservice communication devices. At least one of the multiservice communication devices includes a collaboration module. A network interface receives network resource data from a plurality of networks. A management processing unit processes the inbound control data and the network resource data and that generates the outbound control data in response thereto to collaboratively establish at least one device setting of at least one of the multiservice communication devices via the collaboration module. The wireless control channel may be separate from the communication between the multiservice communication devices and the networks or embedded in network communications. |
| US08855022B2 |
Method and system for increasing throughput in a hierarchical wireless network
A method and system for increasing throughput in a hierarchical wireless network is described. The hierarchical wireless network includes a plurality of nodes and each of the plurality of nodes has a primary path to the root node. First, one or more channels from a plurality of available channels are allocated to each disjoint sub-tree associated with the root node. Then, alternate one or more disjoint paths from at least one node in the plurality of nodes to the root node through alternate disjoint sub-trees associated with the root node are determined. Next, data from the at least one node is sent to the root node through a primary path and one or more alternate disjoint paths. |
| US08855020B2 |
Automatically maximizing network link utilization using virtual networks
A system and method for automatically configuring a network so that each switch in the network is aware of the Multiple Spanning Tree Instances (MSTI) of each other switch and the Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) that each switch uses. This is achieved through the use of controllers connected to each switch. A master switch is elected and the master switch monitors messages to determine if a switch should be using an alternative MISTI. If so, the master switch instructs a switch to use an alternative MSTI. Either a switch or a node connected to the switch may determine which VLAN to use in sending messages, subject to configuration from the controller of the master switch. Messages are periodically sent by each controller to educate other controllers to aid in learning which node is part of a group connected to a switch, the switch in turn connected to a controller. |
| US08855016B2 |
Method for maintaining links in a mobile ad hoc network
The present disclosure relates to mobile ad hoc networks, and to ad hoc networks using aircraft in particular. A method of maintaining data links to and from a source node in an ad hoc mobile network is provided. The network comprises nodes including neighbor nodes corresponding to nodes within range for direct communication with the source node. The neighbor nodes comprise active neighbor nodes and inactive neighbor nodes, the active neighbor nodes being connected to the source node via respective active data links and the inactive neighbor nodes having respective inactive data links to the source node. One or more lost neighbor nodes are identified and revised configurations of data links are considered that account for the change in neighbor nodes. A new configuration is selected based at least partly on the cost of sending messages from the source node using the revised configurations. |
| US08855010B2 |
Assigning gateways for heterogeneous wireless mobile networks
Systems and methods are provided for assigning gateways for heterogeneous wireless mobile networks. A method includes exchanging routing and connectivity information between a plurality of nodes. Each node is respectively included in a corresponding one of a plurality of mobile ad hoc networks. The information excludes global positioning satellite information. The method further includes determining, for a given node, whether a particular set of gateway functionalities of the given node are redundant with respect to one or more other nodes, based on topology information derived from the information. The method also includes dynamically assigning the given node as a gateway or a non-gateway by respectively turning on or turning off the particular set of gateway functionalities of the given node when the particular set of gateway functionalities of the given node are respectively determined to be non-redundant or redundant with respect to the one or more other nodes. |
| US08855003B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing end to end virtual private network performance management
A method and apparatus for managing a virtual private network are disclosed. For example, the method collects performance data for at least one parameter from a plurality of customer edge routers and a plurality of provider edge routers associated with the virtual private network. The method correlates the performance data for identifying one or more performance exceptions based on a threshold for each of the at least one parameter, and performs a trending analysis using the one or more performance exceptions to predict a potential problem that will impact the virtual private network. |
| US08855002B2 |
Channel information feedback device and method thereof, and mode switching method, communication terminal device, and base station system using same
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and more particularly to a device for feeding back channel information in consideration of interference according to connection of an additional terminal and a technique for switching a mode by enabling a base station and the like to determine the connection of the additional terminal using the communication system. |
| US08854998B2 |
Method of UE RSRQ measurement precaution for interference coordination
A method of UE RSRQ measurement precaution for interference coordination is provided. The UE receives radio signals of a neighbor cell under measurement. The neighbor cell applies a TDM silencing pattern for inter-cell interference coordination (TDM ICIC). The UE determines a measurement pattern that includes multiple subframes. The UE performs RSRQ measurements of the cell over multiple subframes and obtains multiple RSRQ measurement samples. The UE derives RSRQ measurement result by estimating the multiple RSRQ samples and applying a weighted average. RSRQ samples estimated to be more applicable are taken into account to more extent (e.g., applied with more weight), and/or RSRQ samples estimated to be less applicable are taken into account to less extent (e.g., applied with less weight, or discarded with zero weight). With UE precaution, a more predictable RSRQ measurement result is produced. |
| US08854997B2 |
Shortest path routing systems and methods for networks with non-fully meshed vertices
Shortest path routing systems and methods are presented for networks with non-fully meshed vertices or nodes. The systems and methods may include a shortest path routing method in a network with non-fully meshed vertices, a network with non-fully meshed vertices, and a system for implementing the shortest path routing methods. The shortest path routing systems and methods include modifications to the Dijkstra algorithm to more accurately model a network, such as an optical or photonic network. In an exemplary embodiment, the Dijkstra algorithm is modified to represent degrees at a site with an ingress vertex (e.g., a demultiplexer) and an egress vertex (e.g., a multiplexer). In another exemplary embodiment, in addition to representing degrees as ingress and egress vertices, the Dijkstra algorithm is modified to maintain knowledge of previously visited degrees to prevent revisiting a same degree in determining a shortest path. |
| US08854995B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving channel quality information in a communication system using an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing scheme
A method and Mobile Subscriber Station (MSS) are provided for transmitting Channel Quality Information (CQI) in a wireless communication system using an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) scheme. A Carrier to Interference and Noise Ratio (CINR) of at least two bands are measured; each of the at least two bands including a plurality of adjacent subcarriers for a band Adaptive Modulation and Coding (AMC) operation. A Report Response (REP-RSP) message including first information related to the measured CINR is sent. Second information related to a differential CINR of the at least two bands is sent via a Channel Quality Information Channel (CQICH). |
| US08854993B2 |
Interoperability interface for modem control
A system for facilitating interaction with one or more radio modules incorporated within an apparatus. An interface may be provided to supply parameters usable by one or more radio modules for regulating communication. In at least one example configuration, the interface may receive information pertaining to one or more communication flows, may utilize the communication flow information to determine operational conditions for managing the one or more communication flows, and may formulate parameters for controlling one or more radio modules based on the operational condition information. These formulated parameters may then be provided to the one or more radio modules in the apparatus. |
| US08854992B2 |
Artificial delay inflation and jitter reduction to improve TCP throughputs
A method, a system and a base-station for automatically determining delays of data transmitted via Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and inflating these delays in order to reduce jitter and improve TCP throughput in a communications network. A Dynamic Jitter Reduction (DJR) logic/utility operating within a communications node measures delays on a rolling basis in order to capture the delay profile. Based on the delay profile, the DJR utility determines a delay target. The DJR utility ‘inflates’/augments future/expected delays toward the delay target by performing on one or more of the following: (a) using a delay based factor in the scheduler metric for TCP applications; (b) performing fine-tuning of link adaptation schemes; (c) delaying transmission of packets at the transmit or receive buffer; and (d) delaying transmission of a received TCP ACK signal from the media access control (MAC) sub-layer to TCP layer. |
| US08854988B2 |
Global flow tracking system
A device may obtain a flow signature, identify a destination collector to which packets bearing the flow signature are sent, obtain a list of potential source collectors that may have sent the packets bearing the flow signature to the destination collector, and identify a source collector, among the potential source collectors, that sent the packets to the destination collector. In addition, the device may output information related to a path from the source collector the destination collector. |
| US08854986B1 |
Energy efficiency ethernet (EEE) with 10GBASE-T structures
A communications system and method for switching data rates while maintaining convergence of adaptive components. The data rates can switch between, for example, 10G, 1G, 100M and the like. The adaptive components can include, for example, equalizers, cross-talk filters (e.g., NEXT filters; FEXT filters), transmission drivers, low density parity checks and echo cancellers. The data rate is reduced by maintaining the same symbol rate over a channel, while reducing the number of channels, reducing the symbol alphabet, and zero-filling unused bits in the transmission frame. In addition, full duplex communication can be changed to simplex communication. A usage rotation (e.g., a round robin rotation) switches among different twisted pairs of a communication channel to maintain convergence of the adaptive components. Inactive components can be powered down, or the power can be reduced, in order to reduce the amount of power required for the communications system. |
| US08854978B2 |
HSUPA carrier activation notification
A radio access network (20) comprises a serving base station (28S) configured to control a serving cell (34S) in an active set of a wireless terminal (30) as well as a non-serving base station (28N) configured to control a non-serving cell (34N) in the active set of the wireless terminal (30). Methods and apparatus are provided for signaling, to the non-serving base station (28N), information indicating a subset of active carriers in the set of at least two carriers. |
| US08854955B2 |
Mesh restoration and bandwidth allocation systems and methods for shared risk connection groups
A method, a node, and a network include mesh restoration and bandwidth allocation systems and methods for shared risk connection groups for source-based routing control planes. The mesh restoration and bandwidth allocation systems and methods utilize signaling from a node closest to a point of failure to “advise” source nodes about protect paths to be taken for a particular unidirectional or bidirectional connection in the event of mesh restoration. Specifically, the systems and methods include an ability to correlate connection information as Shared Risk Connection Groups (SRCG) to optimally utilize network bandwidth in the event of failure. The systems and methods could also be used to optimally distribute connections in a mesh network as well, trying to utilize maximum bandwidth, in distributed or centralized environments. Effectively, the systems and method distributed path computation in the network away from solely being the responsibility of source nodes. |
| US08854950B2 |
Transmission system, transmission method, and communication device
A transmission system includes a transmission device and a reception device connected with each other via two lines. When the transmission device switches a line, used for transmitting VLAN traffic, from a first line to a second line, the transmission device transmits the VLAN traffic to the second line by switching the line after transmitting a post-switching message to the first line. The reception device includes a first buffer which stores the VLAN traffic received from the first line and a second buffer which stores the VLAN traffic received from the second line. When the reception device receives the post-switching message from the first line, the reception device starts reading of the VLAN traffic from the second buffer after reading the entire VLAN traffic stored in the first buffer. |
| US08854948B2 |
Fault tolerance and synchronous failover for broadcast video across the network
A system and a method are disclosed for detecting a multicast stream fault condition at a variety of points within a digital broadcast video distribution system. In addition, a method of seamless switchover from a primary to a redundant multicast stream is provided. |
| US08854944B2 |
Methods and apparatus for interference cancellation
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for interference cancellation in a wireless communication system. In particular, the disclosed methods and apparatus provide for interference cancellation in a wireless device, including extending linear interference cancellation techniques, such as quasi-linear interference cancellation (QLIC), in the wireless device to a first orthogonal set, which may be a first quasi orthogonal function (QOF) set for a cdma2000 system to cancel interference from that set upon another desired QOF set. QLIC may also be extended to cancellation of signals from non-intended base stations as well. Accordingly, the present methods and apparatus afford reduced interference through QLIC by canceling signals due to either undesired QOF sets or non-intended base stations, which in turn results in an increase in forward link capacity. |
| US08854943B2 |
Systems and methods for adjusting time slots of vectoring streams based on bit loading
A communication system comprises a plurality of line cards having transceivers coupled to a plurality of subscriber lines. Each line card has at least one transceiver within the same vectoring group, and each line card also has vector logic capable of cancelling crosstalk induced by a tone communicated by any member of the vector group. Further, the line cards are coupled to one another via a data connection across which a vectoring stream carrying vectoring information from one line card to the next. The bandwidth of the vectoring stream is reduced by dynamically adjusting time slots of the vectoring stream based on bit loading for the communicated tones. |
| US08854940B2 |
Device for and method of recording information
A device for recording data and data structures on a write-once storage medium. The device has writing means for recording the data and the data structures and controlling means for generating the data structures and controlling the writing means. The data structures comprise space bit map and defect management structures. The controlling means are adapted to record the data structures at a predefined temporary location on the write-once storage medium and to finalize the write-once storage medium by recording the data structures at a predefined fixed location as defined for a rewritable storage medium. |
| US08854937B2 |
Optical disc and optical disc device
In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, in read and write operations by a compatible optical disc device conforming to a plurality of optical disc standards, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced by using this information to select a tracking error signal generating method. |
| US08854934B2 |
Recording apparatus, recording method, reproducing apparatus, and reproducing method
There is provided an recording apparatus including a light irradiation unit, a reference-plane tracking control unit, a recording unit that executes recording on the recording medium by independently modulating first and second recording beams when the recording beams radiated by the first and second objective lenses are designated as the first and second recording beams, respectively, a recording-layer tracking control unit that performs tracking control of the first objective lens based on reflected light of a first servo beam and tracking control of the second objective lens based on reflected light of a second servo beam when the servo beam radiated by the first objective lens is designated as the first servo beam and the servo beam radiated by the second objective lens is designated as the second servo beam, and a control unit that controls the reference-plane tracking control unit, the recording-layer tracking control unit, and the recording unit. |
| US08854929B1 |
Disk drive calibrating laser power and write current for heat assisted magnetic recording
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk, wherein the head comprises a laser operable to heat the disk while writing data to the disk. An initial laser power of the laser is configured. After a time interval, an operating laser power of the laser is measured, and when the operating laser power falls below the initial laser power, a control signal applied to the laser is first adjusted until the operating laser power substantially matches the initial laser power. After first adjusting the control signal applied to the laser, a quality metric representing a recording quality of the head is measured, and when the quality metric indicates a poor recording quality, the control signal applied to the laser is second adjusted so that the operating laser power exceeds the initial laser power. |
| US08854915B2 |
Clock mode determination in a memory system
A clock mode configuration circuit for a memory device is described. A memory system includes any number of memory devices serially connected to each other, where each memory device receives a clock signal. The clock signal can be provided either in parallel to all the memory devices or serially from memory device to memory device through a common clock input. The clock mode configuration circuit in each memory device is set to a parallel mode for receiving the parallel clock signal, and to a serial mode for receiving a source synchronous clock signal from a prior memory device. Depending on the set operating mode, the data input circuits will be configured for the corresponding data signal format, and the corresponding clock input circuits will be either enabled or disabled. The parallel mode and the serial mode is set by sensing a voltage level of a reference voltage provided to each memory device. |
| US08854911B2 |
Memory and method of refreshing a memory
A memory includes a determination circuit, a plurality of refresh counters, and a plurality of banks. The determination circuit receives a refresh command. The plurality of refresh counters are coupled to the determination circuit. Each refresh counter of the plurality of refresh counters corresponds to one bank of the plurality of banks. The determination circuit detects whether a first bank of the plurality of banks is enabled or a number counted by a first refresh counter of the plurality of refresh counters corresponding to the first bank is equal to a predetermined value. Then, the determination circuit optionally refreshes one bank of the plurality of banks according to a detection result. Thus, the memory still refreshes an idle bank according to a refresh command even if the plurality of banks are not all idle. |
| US08854906B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device with improved integrated ratio
A nonvolatile memory device includes a number of page buffer groups each comprising a number of normal page buffers, I/O lines corresponding to the respective normal page buffers, and a column decoder generating a column address decoding signal for coupling the normal page buffers of one of the page buffer groups and the respective I/O lines in response to a normal control clock signal. |
| US08854903B2 |
Data alignment circuit
A data alignment circuit includes: a select transmission unit configured to selectively transmit a first pulse or ground voltage as a first control pulse and selectively transmit a second pulse or ground voltage as a second control pulse, in response to a control signal; and a data latch unit configured to latch data in response to the first and second pulses and the first and second control pulses, and generate first to fourth data. |
| US08854902B2 |
Write self timing circuitry for self-timed memory
A self-timed memory includes a plurality of write timer cells. A reference write driver circuit writes a logic low value to a true side of the write timer cells. Each write timer cell includes a pullup transistor whose gate is coupled to an internal true node. Self-timing is effectuated by detecting a completion of the logic value write at a complement side of the write timer cells and signaling a reset of the self-timer memory in response to detected completion. To better align detected completion of the write in write timer cells to actual completion of a write in the memory, a gate to source voltage of the write timer cell pullup transistor is lowered by increasing a lower logic level voltage at the internal true node in connection with driver circuit operation to write a low logic state into the true side of the write timer cell. |
| US08854898B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for comparing a current representative of a number of failing memory cells
Apparatuses and methods for comparing a sense current representative of a number of failing memory cells of a group of memory cells and a reference current representative of a reference number of failing memory cells is provided. One such apparatus includes a comparator configured to receive the sense current and to receive the reference current. The comparator includes a sense current buffer configured to buffer the sense current and the comparator is further configured to provide an output signal having a logic level indicative of a result of the comparison. |
| US08854897B2 |
Static random access memory apparatus and bit-line voltage controller thereof
A static random access memory apparatus and a bit-line voltage controller includes a controller, a pull-up circuit, a pull-down circuit and a voltage keeping circuit. The controller receives a bank selecting signal and a clock signal, and decides a pull-up time period, a pull-down time period and a voltage keeping time period according to the bank selecting signal and the clock signal. The pull-up circuit pulls up a bit-line power according to a first reference voltage within the pull-up time period. The pull-down circuit pulls down the bit-line power according to a second reference voltage within the pull-down time period. The voltage keeping circuit keeps the bit-line power to equal to an output voltage during the voltage keeping time period. The voltage keeping time period is after the pull-up time period and the pull-down time period. |
| US08854894B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and program method thereof
A program method of a semiconductor memory device includes performing a verify operation on selected memory cells by applying a selected word line voltage to a selected word line, continuously increasing the selected word line voltage without discharging the selected word line after the verify operation, and performing a program operation on the selected memory cells when the selected word line voltage reaches a program voltage level. |
| US08854889B2 |
Flash memory device and reading method thereof
A flash memory device and reading method of the flash memory device. The reading method includes determining a read voltage set of memory cells corresponding to a first word line from at least one of flag cell data of the first word line and flag cell data of a second word line adjacent to the first word line, and reading the memory cells corresponding to the first word line according to the determined read voltage set. |
| US08854888B2 |
High voltage switching circuitry for a cross-point array
Circuitry for generating voltage levels operative to perform data operations on non-volatile re-writeable memory arrays are disclosed. In some embodiments an integrated circuit includes a substrate and a base layer formed on the substrate to include active devices configured to operate within a first voltage range. Further, the integrated circuit can include a cross-point memory array formed above the base layer and including re-writable two-terminal memory cells that are configured to operate, for example, within a second voltage range that is greater than the first voltage range. Conductive array lines in the cross-point memory array are electrically coupled with the active devices in the base layer. The integrated circuit also can include X-line decoders and Y-line decoders that include devices that operate in the first voltage range. The active devices can include other active circuitry such as sense amps for reading data from the memory cells, for example. |
| US08854887B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device and method of programming the same
A method of 4-bit MLC programming a nonvolatile memory device includes inputting an mth program operation command and sequentially executing first to fourth logical page program operations according to first to fourth logical page program start voltages, each stored in first to fourth logical page program start voltage storage units, wherein a program voltage, which is applied at a time point at which a memory cell programmed higher than a lowest verify voltage while a program operation of each logical page is performed occurs for a first time, is updated to each logical page program start voltage. |
| US08854876B2 |
Perpendicular magnetization storage element and storage device
A storage element includes a storage layer which has magnetization perpendicular to its film surface and which retains information by a magnetization state of a magnetic substance, a magnetization pinned layer having magnetization perpendicular to its film surface which is used as the basis of the information stored in the storage layer, an interlayer of a non-magnetic substance provided between the storage layer and the magnetization pinned layer, and a cap layer which is provided adjacent to the storage layer at a side opposite to the interlayer and which includes at least two oxide layers. The storage element is configured to store information by reversing the magnetization of the storage layer using spin torque magnetization reversal generated by a current passing in a laminate direction of a layer structure including the storage layer, the interlayer, and the magnetization pinned layer. |
| US08854864B2 |
Nonvolatile memory element and nonvolatile memory device
A nonvolatile memory element includes: a first electrode; a second electrode; and a variable resistance layer comprising a metal oxide positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode. The variable resistance layer includes: a first oxide layer having a resistivity ρx, on the first electrode; a second oxide layer having a resistivity ρy (ρx<ρy), on the first oxide layer; a third oxide layer having a resistivity ρz (ρy<ρz), on the second oxide layer; and a localized region that is positioned in the third oxide layer and the second oxide layer to be in contact with the second electrode and not to be in contact with the first oxide layer, and is, in resistivity, lower than the third oxide layer and different from the second oxide layer. |
| US08854861B2 |
Mixed mode programming for phase change memory
Subject matter disclosed herein relates to a memory device, and more particularly to write performance of a phase change memory. |
| US08854858B2 |
Signal level conversion in nonvolatile bitcell array
A system on chip (SoC) includes one or more core logic blocks that are configured to operate on a lower supply voltage and a memory array configured to operate on a higher supply voltage. Each bitcell in the memory has two ferroelectric capacitors connected in series between a first plate line and a second plate line to form a node Q. A data bit voltage is transferred to the node Q by activating a write driver to provide the data bit voltage responsive to the lower supply voltage. The data bit voltage is boosted on the node Q by activating a sense amp coupled to node Q of the selected bit cell, such that the sense amp senses the data bit voltage on the node Q and in response increases the data bit voltage on the node Q to the higher supply voltage. |
| US08854853B2 |
Technology of memory repair after stacking of three-dimensional integrated circuit
A three-dimensional integrated circuit (3-D IC) includes a controller chip and at least one memory chip, in which, besides an original storage capacity, the memory chip further includes multiple spare memory cells and an address translation circuit with an external activation/enablement function. After the memory chip and the controller chip are stacked, the controller chip may still activate/enable a spare in the memory chip to repair a damaged or deteriorated memory cell in the memory chip through at least one vertical interconnect (for example, through-silicon via (TSV)), regardless of whether the damaged or deteriorated memory cell has been repaired or not before the controller chip and the memory chip are stacked. |
| US08854850B2 |
AC power supply apparatus
In an AC power supply apparatus, first and second switching circuits connected in series to an input terminal to which a DC input power supply is connected include first and second rectification elements, respectively. A capacitor, an inductor, and a capacitive load are equivalently connected in series to the second switching circuit. The capacitor is charged after the first switching circuit is turned on before the second rectification element is turned off and the charged capacitor is caused to discharge after the second switching circuit is turned on before the second rectification element is turned off. The above operations are periodically repeated. The voltage of the capacitive load is reversed with current flowing during the charge and the discharge of the capacitor to adjust the on and off periods of the first and second switching circuits in order to supply desired AC voltage to the capacitive load. |
| US08854848B1 |
Power supplying device having programmable current-balancing control
A power supplying device having programmable current-balancing control includes at least two power modules in parallel. Each power module includes a power convertor, a current sensing component, a tuning circuit, a current-balancing control circuit and an output voltage controller. The power convertor provides power to a load via an output end. The current sensing component senses output current of the power convertor to generate a current sensing signal. The tuning circuit generates a tuning signal according to a control signaling from a communicating port. The current-balancing control circuit receives the current sensing signal and the tuning signal. The current-balancing control circuit generates a current-balancing signal according to the current sensing signal. The current-balancing control circuit generates a voltage control signal according to the tuning signal. The output voltage controller tunes an output voltage of the power convertor according to the current-balancing signal or the voltage control signal. |
| US08854840B2 |
Method and apparatus to improve dynamic response of the synchronous rectifying for resonant power converters
A synchronous rectifying circuit for a switching power converter is provided. The synchronous rectifying circuit includes a power transistor, a diode, and a control circuit. The power transistor and the diode are coupled to a transformer and an output of the power converter for rectification. The control circuit generates a drive signal to switch on the power transistor once the diode is forward biased. The control circuit includes a monitor circuit. The monitor circuit generates a monitor signal an off signal to switch off the power transistor in response to a pulse width of the drive signal for generating an off signal to switch off the power transistor. The monitor circuit further reduces the pulse width of the drive signal in response to a change of a feedback signal. The feedback signal is correlated to an output load of the power converter. |
| US08854829B1 |
Standoff mounting system
In certain embodiments, a mounting apparatus includes one or more standoffs adapted to maintain two panels at a spaced apart distance from one another. The standoff includes a first end having a first threaded fastening member and a second end having a cavity in which a torque restraining member is disposed. The torque restraining member is coupled to a second threaded fastening member. The relative sizes of the torque restraining member and the cavity allow movement of the torque restraining member within the cavity. |
| US08854826B2 |
Suspension board with circuit
A suspension board with circuit includes a conductive region in which a conductive layer is formed and a mounting region for mounting a slider on which a magnetic head that is electrically connected to the conductive layer is mounted. The mounting region mounts the slider so that the slider is capable of relatively moving with respect to the conductive region, and the conductive region includes an opposing region that is opposed to the slider in the thickness direction at the time of the relative movement of the slider with respect to the conductive region and a damage preventing portion for preventing damage to the opposing region by the slider. |
| US08854818B1 |
Retaining and cooling system for line replaceable units
A device for selectively clamping an electronic module to a heat sink comprising a frame and a camshaft rotatably attached to the frame. The camshaft comprises at least one cam lobe arranged thereon for selectively applying a clamping force on the electronic module in a direction generally normal to the heat sink. |
| US08854812B2 |
Anti-theft device and method and related computer system
The present invention discloses an anti-theft device for a computer system includes a lock; a slot formed on a housing of the computer system for fixing the lock; and a switching module for cutting off power supply for a plurality of external interfaces of the computer system when the lock is fixed to the slot. |
| US08854807B2 |
Converter arrangement with an air cooling system
A converter arrangement includes a housing having a first cooling air channel, at least one capacitor disposed in the housing, a fan for generating a cooling air flow, and a first power electronics module disposed in the housing between the at least one capacitor and the fan, as viewed in a direction of the cooling air flow. The first power electronics module is positioned in relation to the fan so as to only be cooled by a first partial air flow. A second partial air flow provided for cooling the at least one capacitor is routed via the first cooling air channel past the first power electronics module such that the second partial air flow is thermally separated from the first power electronics module. |
| US08854803B2 |
Buffer assembly and application method thereof
A buffer assembly includes a buffer body and an adhesive layer on the buffer body. The buffer body includes a buffer portion and a mounting portion surrounding the buffer portion. The adhesive layer includes a first adhesive portion and a second adhesive portion surrounding the first adhesive portion. The first adhesive portion and the second adhesive portion respectively correspond to the buffer portion and the mounting portion. A first cutting line is disposed between the buffer portion and the mounting portion such that the mounting portion is separable from the buffer portion along the first cutting line. A second cutting line is disposed between the first adhesive portion and the second adhesive portion such that the second adhesive portion is separable from the first adhesive portion along the second cutting line. The second cutting line superposes the first cutting line. |
| US08854801B2 |
Portable computer display housing
A display housing for a portable computing device that utilizes a plastic cover bonded to an internal metal frame is described. To account for thermal cycling issues and in particular to prevent bond slippage, multiple types of adhesives are employed to join the metal frame and the plastic cover. In particular, a very high bond (VHB) adhesive material is used in certain areas to bond the metal inner frame to the plastic cover and a liquid adhesive is used in other areas. The plastic cover can be translucent to light. A method of coating the plastic cover to block light, such as from a backlight used for the display, is described. |
| US08854797B2 |
Power source circuit shut off apparatus
A power source circuit shut off apparatus shuts off a circuit of a battery assembly in which plural battery cells connected in series are arranged in parallel. The power source circuit shut off apparatus includes a housing, a pair of bus bars that is arranged in the housing and is connected to the adjacent battery cells respectively, a switch section that is adapted to conduct electrical connection or disconnection between the pair of bus bars, and a retaining member which is formed on the housing and is configured to be retained to a resin frame part of a side surface of the battery cell. |
| US08854785B2 |
Surge protection arrangement
An improved surge protection for protecting an electronic device is disclosed, the device having a closed casing with walls made of a non-conducting material and being internally coated with a thin metallic layer. The device also has at least one connector, being arranged in an opening in the walls and including a connector body, at least a portion of which projects outwardly from the wall and which accommodates an internal coupling device, to which a transmission cable, including a central conductor and an outer shield conductor, is connectable. According to the invention, the connector body is also made of a non-conducting material and strong currents, being present at a conducting protection sleeve, are diverted by at least one conducting diversion member to at least one metallic structure, being in permanent electric contact with ground and having a high capacity of conducting strong currents. In use, the at least one conducting diversion member is in electrical contact with the protection sleeve, and extends radially outwardly from the protection sleeve, through the connector body, to the at least one metallic structure. |
| US08854778B2 |
ESD protection circuit
An electrostatic discharge protection circuit includes an input node coupled to receive an input signal and an output node coupled to output the input signal to an internal circuit. A first inductor is coupled to the input node and to the output node, and a second inductor is coupled to the output node and to a first power supply node through a resistance. A plurality of protection devices are coupled to the first and second inductors and are disposed in parallel with each other. |
| US08854772B1 |
Adhesion enhancement of thin film PZT structure
A microactuator, for example for a disc drive, comprising a substrate, a sandwich structure on the substrate, and a passivation layer over the substrate and the sandwich structure. The sandwich structure has a bottom electrode formed from noble metal, a piezoelectric layer, and a top electrode formed from noble metal. The microactuator further has one or both of a bottom adhesion layer present between the bottom electrode and the passivation layer, and a top adhesion layer present between the top electrode and the passivation layer. That is, the microactuator may have only the bottom adhesion layer, only the top adhesion layer, or both the bottom adhesion layer and the top adhesion layer. |
| US08854770B2 |
Disk drive suspension and manufacturing method therefor
An actuator mounting section comprises a plate member includes a first plate and a second plate. The first plate is formed with an opening which accommodates an actuator element. The second plate comprises a main body portion which overlaps the first plate and supporting portions which support opposite ends of the actuator element. A narrow portion narrower than the first plate is formed at a part of the main body portion of the second plate. A weld seal portion is formed by laser-welding the first plate and the second plate at the narrow portion. Adhesive is provided between the opposite ends of the actuator element and an inner surface of the opening of the first plate. |
| US08854767B2 |
Disk drive device
A disk drive device comprises a rotor on which a recording disk is to be mounted and a fixed body rotatably supporting the rotor through a bearing unit. The rotor includes a projecting portion configured to fit into a central hole of the recording disk, a clamper configured to be fixed to the projecting portion, and a seating portion provided radially outward of the projecting portion. The projecting portion and the seating portion are configured such that the seating portion moves with respect to the projecting portion by fixing the clamper to the projecting portion with the recording disk being in between the clamper and the seating portion. |
| US08854760B1 |
Systems and methods for preventing adjacent track erasure
A data processing circuit includes a subtraction circuit operable to subtract an ideal version of a data pattern from a sampled version of a data pattern to yield a difference signal, an error calculation circuit operable to calculate an error between the ideal version of the data pattern and the sampled version of the data pattern based on the difference signal, and a comparator circuit operable to compare the error with a threshold value and operable to assert a track refresh signal if the error is greater than the threshold value. The track refresh signal is operable to trigger a magnetic storage device to refresh data on a data track. |
| US08854757B2 |
Systems and methods for old data inter-track interference compensation
Systems and methods for data processing, and more particularly to estimating or calculating interference between tracks on a storage medium. |
| US08854753B2 |
Systems and methods for auto scaling in a data processing system
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data processing. As an example, a data processing circuit having a data detection circuit is disclosed that includes: a scaling circuit, a soft output calculation circuit, and a factor calculation circuit. The scaling circuit is operable to scale a branch metric value by a scaling factor to yield a scaled output. The soft output calculation circuit is operable to calculate a soft output based at least in part on the scaled output. The factor calculation circuit operable to modify the scaling factor based at least in part on the soft output. |
| US08854742B2 |
Lens barrel
A lens barrel includes an optical system including a first lens group having at least one lens; a cam frame including a first cam groove; and a first movable frame including a first cam follower engaged with the first cam groove. When the first movable frame relatively rotates with respect to the cam frame, the first movable frame relatively moves with respect to the cam frame in an optical axis direction together with the first lens group. A region of the first cam groove, through which the first cam follower passes when a focal distance of the optical system is changed from a wide-angle end to a tele end includes first and second regions adjacent to each other. The first region has a groove width narrower than that of the second region. |
| US08854735B2 |
Virtual image display system
A thickness of a tapered part provided at the deeper side (−X side) in a light guide direction of a light transmission member is smaller toward the deeper side, and thus, a reflection angle of ghost light that has passed through a fourth reflection surface provided with a half mirror layer and reached the light transmission member gradually becomes smaller within the tapered part and no longer satisfies a total reflection condition, and the light is ejected to the outside in the position diverging from an eye of an observer. That is, the tapered part may prevent the ghost light from reaching the eye and good see-through observation can be realized. |
| US08854734B2 |
Integrating optical system and methods
An integrating optical system having a chamber, the chamber having an aperture and at least one portion having a diffuse reflective material; a light source; and a diffuse transmissive baffle. The baffle is located in relation to the chamber such that it is also located in an optical path between the light source and a treatable target. A light-ray originating from the light source is diffusely transmitted from the diffuse transmissive baffle and impinges on an interior surface of the chamber before impinging on the treatable target. |
| US08854726B2 |
Method for controlling signal gain of a Raman amplifier
A Raman amplifier comprisinga gain control unit adapted to control a pump power of an optical pump signal in response to at least one monitored optical feedback signal reflected back from a transmission line fiber connected to said pumped Raman amplifier. |
| US08854725B2 |
Wavelength conversion element, method of manufacturing the same, and LED element and semiconductor laser light emitting device using wavelength conversion element
A wavelength conversion element disclosed in the present application includes a phosphor layer including a plurality of phosphor particles and a matrix that is located among the plurality of phosphor particles and is formed of zinc oxide. The zinc oxide is columnar crystals or a single crystal in a c-axis orientation. |
| US08854724B2 |
Spatio-temporal directional light modulator
A spatio-temporal directional light modulator is introduced. This directional light modulator can be used to create 3D displays, ultra-high resolution 2D displays or 2D/3D switchable displays with extended viewing angle. The spatio-temporal aspects of this novel light modulator allow it to modulate the intensity, color and direction of the light it emits within an wide viewing angle. The inherently fast modulation and wide angular coverage capabilities of this directional light modulator increase the achievable viewing angle, and directional resolution making the 3D images created by the display be more realistic or alternatively the 2D images created by the display having ultra high resolution. |
| US08854723B2 |
Display medium and display device
A display medium includes a first substrate that is transparent to light, a second substrate, a spacing member, and a particle dispersion liquid. The second substrate is provided to be opposite to the first substrate and has a plurality of electrodes placed at a predetermined interval. The spacing member (i) is placed between the first and second substrates at another interval different from the predetermined interval of the electrodes, (ii) has a first end portion on a first substrate side of the spacing member and a second end portion on a second substrate side of the spacing member. The first end portion is transparent to light. The second end portion has different transparency from the first end portion to reduces a reflection of light incident through the first substrate onto a first substrate side of the spacing member. |
| US08854720B2 |
Tri wavelength diffraction modulator and a method for modulation
The present invention relates to a tri wavelength diffraction modulator (TWDM) and a method of tri wavelength diffraction modulation. The tri wavelength diffraction modulator includes: a stationary substrate with a bottom electrode plate formed on top of the stationary substrate; a first electrode plate comprising a first suspended beam suspended in parallel above the stationary substrate and a first connection anchored onto the stationary substrate; and a second electrode plate comprising a second suspended beam suspended in parallel above the first electrode plate and a second connection anchored onto the stationary substrate. The diffraction modulator and the method for diffraction modulation are suitable to projection system. |
| US08854719B2 |
Surfactant and method of manufacturing an electrowetting display device using the same
A surfactant includes a hydrophobic functional group, a hydrophilic functional group and a linker disposed between the hydrophobic functional group and the hydrophilic functional group, and the linker is connected to the hydrophobic functional group and the hydrophilic functional group. The linker has a cleavable bond with a bond energy lower than a bond energy of a bond included in the hydrophilic functional group and a bond included in the hydrophobic functional group. |
| US08854712B2 |
Display device provided with MEMS light valve and forming method thereof
A display device provided with an MEMS light valve, comprising: a substrate, a fixed optical grating located on the substrate, an MEMS light valve for controlling the opening and closing of the fixed optical grating, the MEMS light valve comprises a first light valve and a second light valve; the opening and closing of the fixed optical grating is controlled via controlling the movement of the first light valve and the second light valve, and the moving directions of the first light valve and the second light valve are opposite. Also disclosed is a method for forming a display device provided with an MEMS light valve. Thus the sensitivity of the MEMS light valve is improved. |
| US08854709B1 |
Automatic white balance based on dynamic mapping
A method of white balancing an image includes mapping pixels of the image to a color space diagram. Each of the pixels of the image include a red (“R”), a green (“G”), and a blue (“B”) subvalue. A first central tendency of each of the RGB subvalues of pixels mapped in a first pre-defined region of the color space diagram is determined and a second central tendency of each of the RGB subvalues of pixels mapped in a second pre-defined region of the color space diagram is determined. The first pre-defined region is associated with a first illuminating source and the second pre-defined region is associated with a second illuminating source. RGB values of a white pixel are generated based on the first and second central tendencies. |
| US08854708B2 |
Image sensing device for sensing an image on a recording medium
A sensing device including: a sensing section having an illuminating section that illuminates light and a light-receiving section that receives reflected light of light illuminated from the illuminating section, the sensing section sensing an image on a recording medium; a housing that accommodates the illuminating section; a covering member covering the housing, that is freely installed at and removed from the housing, having a transmitting member through which the light from the illuminating section is transmitted; and a setting section disposed at an opposite side to a housing side with respect to the covering member, the setting section being freely installed at and removed from the housing, and having a setting surface that sets a position at which the recording medium reflects light, wherein, at a positioning portion of the setting section, the covering member is positioned at least in a direction perpendicular to the setting surface, is provided. |
| US08854698B2 |
Image reading apparatus with at least three reference members arranged along sub-scanning direction for shading correction
An image reading apparatus includes a light source device, a reader, a plurality of strip-shaped density reference members, and a shading corrector. The plurality of strip-shaped density reference members that extend along main scanning direction. The plurality of strip-shaped density reference members are separately disposed in at least three positions including an upstream end portion, a center portion, and a downstream end portion in the moving direction of the sub scanning direction within a readable area of the reader. The shading corrector is configured to calculate shading correction data using density distribution data obtained by reading the plurality of strip-shaped density reference members with the reader and correct image data of the printed document on a pixel to pixel basis, based on the shading correction data. |
| US08854696B2 |
Facsimile apparatus capable of transmitting converted fax data to transmission source apparatus based on identifcation of the transmission source apparatus
A facsimile device includes a facsimile receiving unit that receives facsimile data transmitted from a transmission source device, a storing unit that stores identification information and transmission source information of the facsimile data received by the facsimile receiving unit in a storing portion. The identification information distinguishes the facsimile data received by the facsimile receiving unit from other facsimile data received by the facsimile receiving unit, and the transmission source information indicates the transmission source device of the facsimile data. The facsimile device also includes a message transmitting unit that transmits a message to an external device in response to receiving the facsimile data from the transmission source device, the message including the identification information and the transmission source information of the facsimile data stored in the storing portion, and a message receiving unit that receives a message transmitted from the external device or from another external device. |
| US08854690B2 |
Creation method of total color material amount restriction table, and recording medium
According to the present invention, it is possible to adequately restrict the total color material amount from the viewpoint of the second scale which substantially represents a color material amount, and sufficiently produce the color reproducibility which is potentially held by an image formation apparatus. Moreover, since the order of the CMY ratio in the space of the first scale is maintained, it is possible to smoothly secure the connection between tones. |
| US08854688B2 |
Raster image processor configuration determination based on per page color determination
A system comprising a host processor and a raster image processor (RIP). The host processor is to determine whether each page in a multi-page document contains color, partition a print job into a plurality of print sub-jobs, and determine a separate configuration for the RIP for each print sub-job. |
| US08854676B2 |
Merging a scanned document with an existing document
An approach for processing scanned document data includes a document merging network service receiving a request for existing electronic document data. In response, the document merging network service identifies and providing, to a scanning device, identification data that identifies existing electronic document data. The existing electronic document data may be stored by a third party storage service. In response to user selection of an existing electronic document identified in the identification data, the scanning device transmits, to the document merging network service, scanned document data, data that identifies an existing electronic document, and location insertion data. The document merging network service merges the scanned document data at one or more locations in the existing electronic document based on the location insertion data. |
| US08854667B2 |
Enabling status information of an image forming apparatus to be notified to a computer to which the connection from the image forming apparatus has failed
An image forming apparatus connected to a first network has a log notification part that transmits a communication failure log in response to a connection from a computer connected to a second network. The communication failure log contains status information planned to be transmitted by an image forming apparatus that is connected to the first network, to a computer to which the image forming apparatus failed in a connection, or location designation data for designating a location in the first network where the status information is stored. The computer has a log receiving part for receiving the communication failure log transmitted from the image forming apparatus, and a status information notification part for transmitting the status information or the location designation data contained in the received communication failure log to other computers connected to the second network. |
| US08854661B2 |
Tool for positioning an icon on a display
According to one embodiment, a print setting apparatus includes an input section, a display section configured to display, on a same screen, an icon showing a tool to perform a process of binding sheets, a preview image showing a state of a sheet after printing, and one or plural area images displayed on the preview image, and a control section configured to change, when detecting that a specified coordinate from the input section is moved from a display area of the icon to a display area of the area image, the area image to an image showing a state after the process of binding the sheets is performed. |
| US08854657B2 |
Requesting through wired communication a diagnostic signal through wireless communication
An information processing apparatus includes: a first communication section which communicates with an external device having a diagnosis function of a network using a first communication method; a second communication section which communicates with the external device using a second communication method; and a transmission section which transmits a diagnosis signal to the external device through the second communication section. The transmission section transmits the diagnosis signal according to a diagnosis request received through the first communication section from the external device. |
| US08854653B2 |
Pull print supporting image forming system, server, computer readable medium storing image forming program and image forming method
A server includes a data converting unit, a converted data storage unit, and a converted data transmitting unit. The data converting unit converts, based on device information of each image forming apparatus, print data to converted data allowing image formation by each image forming apparatus, for each image forming apparatus. The converted data storage unit stores the converted data in correspondence with information specifying the corresponding image forming apparatus. The converted data transmitting unit transmits, in response to data request from the image forming apparatus, the converted data corresponding to the image forming apparatus stored in the converted data storage unit, to the image forming apparatus. |
| US08854631B1 |
Filter device for helicopter blade tracker
A sunlight filter device for a helicopter blade tracker includes a filter housing, a filter assembly and a mounting system. The filter housing has a first opening, a second opening and a receiving cavity formed between the first opening and the second opening. The filter assembly is mounted in the receiving cavity of the filter housing, and is adapted to block sunlight. The mounting system extends from the filter housing to securely mount the filter housing on the helicopter blade tracker. |
| US08854625B2 |
Vacuum apparatus including a particle monitoring unit, particle monitoring method and program, and window member for use in the particle monitoring
A particle monitoring apparatus includes a housing disposed on a gas exhaust line, a laser beam source for emitting a laser beam to particles in the gas exhaust line, a window member disposed at the housing for monitoring the particles in the gas exhaust line. The window member has a transparent base which is formed of a transparent resin or glass containing silicon and has a gas contact surface which faces a gas within the gas exhaust line, and a surface treatment layer formed on the gas contact surface of the transparent base, wherein the surface treatment layer contains one material selected from the group consisting of yttrium and calcium fluoride. |
| US08854621B1 |
Systems and methods for determining nanoparticle dimensions
In one embodiment, the dimensions of nanoparticles are determined by focusing light on a sample of nanoparticles suspended in a solution, collecting light scattered by the nanoparticles, measuring translational and rotational decay rates of the collected light, calculating a ratio of the rotational decay rate to translational decay rate, and estimating a first dimension of the nanoparticles based upon the decay rate ratio. |
| US08854617B2 |
Compounds and markers for surface-enhanced Raman scattering
The present invention relates to compounds and markers for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), and methods for the preparation of the SERS markers. The present invention further relates to compositions, methods and uses, wherein the present SERS markers are employed. |
| US08854612B2 |
Optical system for measuring orientation with cubic wedge and mask
The field of the invention is that of optical systems for detecting the posture of a mobile object in space. The system comprises an electro-optical fixed device of known orientation comprising a first point emission source, a telecentric emission/reception optic and a photosensitive matrix sensor. An assembly comprising an optical cubic wedge is disposed on the mobile object. The input face of the cubic wedge comprises a mask in the shape of a parallelogram, each side of the parallelogram comprising a geometric marking making it possible to identify it, the image of the mask projected on the photosensitive matrix sensor, by reflection on the faces of the cubic wedge, being the intersection of the projection of the mask and of the projection of its image inverted with respect to the centeR of the cubic wedge. Analysis of this image makes it possible to determine the orientation of the cubic wedge. |
| US08854610B2 |
Apparatus and method for measuring a three-dimensional shape
Provided are an apparatus and a method for measuring a three dimensional shape with improved accuracy. The apparatus includes a stage, at least one lighting unit, a plurality of image pickup units and a control unit. The stage supports an object to be measured. The lighting unit includes a light source and a grid, and radiates grid-patterned light to the object to be measured. The image pickup units capture, in different directions, grid images reflected from the object to be measured. The control unit calculates a three dimensional shape of the object from the grid images captured by the image pickup units. The present invention has advantages in capturing grid images through a main image pickup portion and sub-image pickup portions, enabling the measurement of the three dimensional shape of the object in a rapid and accurate manner. |
| US08854609B2 |
Integrated optical time domain reflectometer
An optical time domain reflectometry system is described which provides low-power, low weight, optical fiber system integrity measurements in an in-situ optical fiber system. The system can be integrated within the transmitter component to allow both data transmission and OTDR measurement functions. A method of providing several different modes of OTDR measurement through external control is also disclosed. |
| US08854604B2 |
Microlithographic projection exposure apparatus
A microlithographic projection exposure apparatus includes an optical surface, which may be formed by a plurality of micro-mirrors, and a measurement device which is configured to measure a parameter related to the optical surface at a plurality of locations. The measurement device includes an illumination unit with a plurality of illumination members, each having a light exit facet. An optical imaging system establishes an imaging relationship between an object plane in which at least two light exit facets are arranged, and an image plane which at least substantially coincides with the optical surface. A detector unit measures the property of measuring light after it has interacted with the optical surface, and an evaluation unit determines the surface related parameter for each of the locations on the basis of the properties determined by the detector unit. |
| US08854595B2 |
Constricted convection cooling system for an electronic display
Preferred embodiments provide a cooling system for an electronic display. A constricted convection channel is used to force cooling air against a posterior surface of the electronic display. Fans may be used to propel or pull air through the constricted convection channel in a substantially uniform manner. A refrigeration unit or thermoelectric module may be employed to cool or heat the air traveling through the constricted convection channel. Some embodiments include a closed loop which extracts heat (or adds heat) to the front display surface. |
| US08854585B2 |
Liquid crystal display exhibiting Kerr effect comprising electrodes having combtooth portions that include a first convex surface with a ridge shape
According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal layer exhibiting Kerr effect, a first electrode including combtooth portions, a second electrode, and protruding portions facing a main surface of the liquid crystal layer with at least one of the first and second electrodes interposed therebetween. The combtooth portions each extends in a first direction and are arranged in a second direction. The second electrode includes a portion that faces the main surface and is positioned in a gap between the combtooth portions or faces the main surface with the gap interposed therebetween. The protruding portions each extends in the first direction and are arranged in the second direction. Each of the first protruding portions forms a convex surface having a ridge shape on a surface of the combtooth portion or a surface of the portion of the second electrode positioned at the gap. |
| US08854584B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel and pixel electrode thereof
A liquid crystal display (LCD) panel comprises scan lines, data lines and a plurality of switch units, and a pixel electrode disposed in a pixel region formed by the scan lines intersecting with the data lines. The pixel electrode comprises a peripheral portion, branch portions and an opening portion located inside the peripheral portion. The branch portions include a first branch portion having plurality of first branches parallel with each other and a second branch portion having a plurality of second branches parallel with each other. The opening portion comprises a first opening and a second opening perpendicularly connected with the first and second branches respectively. The first and second openings are located on midperpendiculars of the first branches and the second branches respectively. Extension lines of the first and second openings intersect with one scan line and one data lines to form a right triangle respectively. |
| US08854583B2 |
Semiconductor device and liquid crystal display device
In a liquid crystal display device in which a liquid crystal layer exhibiting a blue phase is sandwiched between a first substrate and a second substrate, a pixel electrode layer is electrically connected to a drain electrode layer of a transistor and a common electrode layer is electrically connected to a conductive layer formed through the same steps as the drain electrode layer. The pixel electrode layer and the common electrode layer are over an interlayer film and spaced apart from each other. An opening formed in the interlayer film is filled with liquid crystal, and the liquid crystal layer is formed. |
| US08854571B2 |
Backplate, backlight module using the same and liquid crystal display device
This invention discloses a backplate comprising a sheet metal member with a hollow structure and an aluminum extrusion heatsink connected to the end of the sheet metal member. This aluminum extrusion heatsink includes a lateral light source connection portion provided with a light source and a sheet metal member connection portion connected to the lateral light source connection portion, wherein the latter is in contact with the sheet metal member. The aluminum extrusion heatsink further includes two heat-dissipation extension portions respectively arranged at both ends of the sheet metal member connection portion and extending in a length direction of the sheet metal member. Herein, the heat-dissipation extension portion at both ends of the aluminum extrusion heatsink can enhance the heat dissipation effect at the corner region. When the backplate is applied to a liquid crystal display device, it can reduce the stress concentration degree at the corner region thereof. |
| US08854563B2 |
Active matrix substrate, liquid crystal panel, liquid crystal display device, liquid crystal display unit, and television receiver
An active matrix substrate is arranged such that each pixel region includes two pixel electrodes, each data signal line extends in a column direction, each column of pixel regions is associated with two data signal lines, one pixel electrode of the pixel region included in the column of pixel regions is connected to one of the two data signal lines via a transistor that is connected to a scanning signal line, the other pixel electrode of the pixel region is connected to the other one of the two data signal lines via a transistor that is connected to another scanning signal line, and one of pixel electrodes included in one of two adjacent pixel regions of the column and one of pixel electrodes included in the other one of the two adjacent pixel regions of the column are connected to an identical scanning signal line via respective transistors. |
| US08854560B2 |
Auto-stereoscopic display device, liquid crystal lens, and driving method thereof
An auto-stereoscopic display device is proposed. The auto-stereoscopic display device includes a display panel and a liquid crystal lens. The liquid crystal lens includes a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer. The first electrode layer includes a plurality of first electrode stripes arranged in parallel along pixel units and extending in a first or second direction. The second electrode layer includes a plurality of second electrode stripes extending slantingly relative to the plurality of first electrode stripes and being arranged in parallel. A liquid crystal lens and a driving method thereof are also proposed. Based on the present invention, a first lenticular lens unit is generated and arranged along the plurality of second electrode stripes for the 3D display mode, and a second lenticular lens unit is generated and arranged along the plurality of first electrode stripes for the 2D display mode. The invention can fulfill the 3D-mode requirement and enhance brightness and luminance in the 2D mode. |
| US08854549B2 |
Dual slider bar control
An application for a slider bar on a display has a series of ticks, each indicating one or more gradations of a parameter ranging between a minimum value and a maximum value. Two marker icons are on the display screen in relation to the ticks. A user control moves a first marker icon within a predetermined range of ticks. Once the first marker icon reaches an end of travel, if the end of travel is next the second marker icon, the first marker becomes inactive (remaining at its current location) and the second marker icon becomes the active marker icon, moving within a predetermined range for the second marker icon. |
| US08854541B2 |
Video demodulation device
A demodulator of a video demodulation device includes an analog-to-digital converter converting an analog IF signal into a digital IF signal, a luminance gain adjuster performing gain adjustment of a luminance component included in the digital IF signal such that a maximum of the luminance component within a predetermined period becomes equal to a predetermined reference value, and a synchronization corrector receiving as input a result of the gain adjustment, correcting a signal corresponding to a signaling period of the horizontal synchronizing signal, and outputting the signal as a CVBS signal. The synchronization corrector outputs, as the CVBS signal, a composite signal containing the luminance component and a color component included in the gain adjustment result when the composite signal is smaller than the reference value, or the reference value when the composite signal is equal to or greater than the reference value. |
| US08854525B2 |
Imaging device, imaging system, and imaging method
An imaging apparatus of the present invention includes: a lens optical system including a lens and a stop; an imaging device including at least a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels on which light having passed through the lens optical system is incident; and an arrayed optical device arranged between the lens optical system and the imaging device, wherein: the lens optical system includes, in a plane vertical to an optical axis, a first area that transmits therethrough light of a first wavelength band and a second area that transmits therethrough light of a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength band; and the arrayed optical device makes light having passed through the first area incident on the plurality of first pixels and light having passed through the second area incident on the plurality of second pixels. |
| US08854524B2 |
Method and apparatus for displaying first content alone or first and second content simultaneously based on movement
A digital image processing apparatus, and a controlling method thereof are provided. The digital image processing apparatus displaying first content and second content generated with respect to the first content includes: a sensing unit that senses a movement of the digital image processing apparatus; a movement detecting unit that determines a movement of the digital image processing apparatus based on a sensed signal from the sensing unit; and a display control unit that controls display of the first and second contents, wherein the display control unit controls a single reproduction of the first content or a simultaneous reproduction of the first and second contents based on the determination of the movement detecting unit. A user may easily and intuitively manage various contents by using the digital image processing apparatus. |
| US08854522B2 |
Digital photographing apparatus and control method thereof, and computer-readable medium
A method for controlling a digital photographing apparatus, which includes first and second display units, includes the operations of mapping at least one function to the second display unit, and performing the at least one function in response to a gesture input. The method may further include the operation of displaying a hotkey image, which represents the at least one function, on the second display unit. |
| US08854521B2 |
Solid-state image sensing device and control method of solid-state image sensing device
According to one embodiment, a solid-state image sensing device includes a pixel including a photoelectric conversion element, a signal detection unit, transistors, and a control signal selection circuit to select a control signal applied to the control signal line. The control signal selection circuit sets a potential of the control signal line at a first potential level while the pixel signal is read from the pixel, the control signal selection circuit sets the potential of the control signal line at a second potential level when the pixel is set in an unselected state, and the control signal selection circuit sets the potential of the control signal line at a third potential level after the pixel is set in the unselected state. |
| US08854520B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and camera system
A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array with unit pixels each having a photoelectric conversion device arranged in a matrix. Column signal lines are wired with respect to one column in the pixel arrangement and pixels are regularly connected to the column signal lines in accordance with rows in which pixels are positioned. A pixel signal reading unit has a column processing unit that reads pixel signals in units of plural pixels from the pixel array and performs column processing to read signals on a column basis, wherein the pixel signal reading unit includes a column input unit which can connect one or plural column signal lines arranged at a corresponding column to an input of one column processing unit through plural capacitors connected in parallel The column input unit has switches which can change a connection state between capacitors and column signal lines corresponding to the column. |
| US08854516B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and camera system
A solid-state imaging device and a camera system are disclosed. The solid-state imaging device includes a pixel unit and a pixel signal readout circuit. The pixel signal readout circuit includes a plurality of comparators disposed to correspond to a pixel column array, and a plurality of counters. Each counter includes a first amplifier, a second amplifier, and a mirror circuit to from a current mirror in parallel with the second amplifier. The first amplifier includes differential transistors, initializing switches connected between gates and collectors of the differential transistors, and first and second capacitors connected to each of the gates of the differential transistors. The second amplifier includes an initializing switch and a third capacitor. The mirror circuit includes a gate input transistor whose gate is inputted with a voltage sampled by the first amplifier or a voltage sampled by the second amplifier. |
| US08854512B2 |
Process, apparatus and computer program for enhancing detail visibility in an input
In the technical field of video cameras gamma correction is an often used technique to compensate the non-linear effects of the CRT (cathode ray tube), in order to enhance visibility in images to be displayed. Gamma correction is—by way of example—expressed by the gamma function: A process for enhancing detail visibility in an input image comprising a step of applying a first transfer function (11) to the input image, thereby generating an intermediate image; a step of performing a statistical measurement (12), Mmt (2) on the intermediate image; a step of applying a second transfer function (14) to the intermediate image, thereby generating an output image; a step of performing a statistical measurement (15), Mmt (3) on the output image, a step of determining gain parameters gg, gk for the first and the second transfer function (11, 14) on basis of the statistical measurement results (8, 12, 15), Mmt (1), Mmt (2), Mmt (3) is proposed. |
| US08854510B2 |
Image pickup apparatus, focus detection method, image generation method, and storage medium
An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup element 10 that includes unit cells capable of individually reading signals from pixels that receive light beams transmitting through different pupil positions of an image pickup lens 5, a detector 20 that generates a pair of image signals in a pupil division direction using a signal from a pixel corresponding to each of the unit cells to perform focus detection based on a phase difference, a defective pixel storage unit 22 that stores defective pixel information, and a defective pixel compensating unit 20 that compensates a signal of a defective pixel based on an output of the defective pixel storage unit. The defective pixel compensating unit 20 compensates the signal of the defective pixel using a signal obtained from a pixel disposed in a direction different from the pupil division direction with respect to the defective pixel. |
| US08854505B2 |
Dust-removal optical device, a dust-removal imaging device, and method of manufacturing an optical device for removing dust
An optical device comprises a vibration member 20 provided on a substrate 36 transmitting light so as to vibrate said substrate, a driving circuit 29 for driving said vibration member so as to generate nodes of vibration 99 on said substrate, a plurality of electrodes 42, at least one part thereof provided at neighbor of said nodes of vibration which transmits light, and an output circuit 28 to output voltage to said plurality of electrode so as to change an electric field of a surface of said substrate. |
| US08854503B2 |
Image enhancements through multi-image processing
Embodiments of imaging devices of the present disclosure automatically utilize sequential image captures in an image processing pipeline. In one embodiment, control processing circuitry initiates a sequential capture of a plurality of images by an image sensor; and image processing circuitry generates a composite image comprising at least portions of the images. |
| US08854491B2 |
Metadata-assisted image filters
This disclosure pertains to devices, methods, systems, and computer readable media for generating and/or interpreting image metadata to determine input parameters for various image processing routines, e.g., filters that distort or enhance an image, in a way that provides an intuitive experience for both the user and the software developer. Such techniques may attach the metadata to image frames and then send the image frames down an image processing pipeline to one or more image processing routines. Image metadata may include face location information, and the image processing routine may include an image filter that processes the image metadata in order to keep the central focus (or foci) of the image filter substantially coincident with one or more of the faces represented in the face location information. The generated and/or interpreted metadata may also be saved to a metadata track for later application to unfiltered image data. |
| US08854489B2 |
Image processing method and image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus and an image processing method, the method including: providing one or more low dynamic range images having different exposure levels; classifying each of the one of more low dynamic range images as a saturation region, an under-saturation region, and a non-saturation region with respect to an intensity value; generating feature maps indicating a similarity between patterns of the non-saturation regions; generating final feature maps converting pixels included in the feature maps into moving pixels and non-moving pixels; defining moving regions and non-moving regions included in the one or more low dynamic range images; removing noise from the moving regions and the non-moving regions by using a first noise reduction filter for the moving regions and a second noise reduction filter for the non-moving regions; and generating a radiance map corresponding to the one or more low dynamic range images. |
| US08854488B2 |
Image capture apparatus and image capture method in which an image is processed by a plurality of image processing devices
An image capture system is provided that increases processing speed after an image is captured and also increases the rate at which data is read from an image capture device during a shooting sequence. The image capture system includes an image capture device for capturing an object image and converting the captured object image into an electrical signal, a plurality of image processing devices, and a distribution device for distributing the electrical signal from the image capture device to the plurality of image processing devices. The plurality of image processing devices generate image signals by processing the electrical signal output from the distribution device and are provided in parallel with each other. Each of the plurality of image processing devices concurrently processes the electrical signal for one frame. |
| US08854484B2 |
Systems and methods for establishing communication between a plurality of imaging apparatuses
An imaging apparatus includes a first communication unit configured to communicate with a control apparatus using a first communication protocol, an imaging unit configured to capture an image of a subject to obtain image data in response to an image capturing instruction from the control apparatus in a controlled state, a second communication unit configured to communicate with an external apparatus using a second communication protocol, and an activation unit configured to activate a function of receiving access using the second communication protocol from the external apparatus and transmitting the image data stored in the storage medium to the external apparatus. |
| US08854483B2 |
Image processing device, image processing method and image processing program
The image processing device for generating a color image from a color mosaic image obtained with a single chip type imaging element includes: a camera motion detection module (40) which generates a motion correction value for motion between an object and an imaging element (5) from the pixel position of the color image; a sampling coordinate calculation unit (29) which sets sampling coordinates on the color mosaic image corresponding to the pixel position of the color image when the image is deformed; a sampling unit (32) which interpolates/generates a pixel value in the sampling coordinates from the pixel value of the same color light contained in the color plane for each of the planes decomposed by the color plane decomposition unit (21); and a color generation unit (33) which synthesizes the pixel values at the sampling coordinates of the respective color planes so as to generate a pixel signal of the color image. |
| US08854482B2 |
Digital camera with integrated accelerometers
A digital camera system has integrated accelerometers for determining static and dynamic accelerations of the digital cameral system. Data relating to static and dynamic accelerations are stored with recorded image data for further processing, such as for correcting image data for roll, pitch and vibrations and for displaying recorded images with a predetermined orientation using information about, e.g., roll. Data may also be used on-the-fly for smear suppression caused by vibrations. |
| US08854480B2 |
Display control device, imaging device, and printing device
A digital camera 1 has an image recorder 12, a microprocessor 3, and an image display controller 13. The image recorder 12 records a plurality of sequentially captured images along with a panning mode signal 60 related to the panning operation of the digital camera 1. The microprocessor 3 determines the layout of the plurality of images on the basis of the panning mode signal 60 recorded to the image recorder 12. The image display controller 13 displays a plurality of images side by side on a liquid crystal monitor 55 on the basis of the determination result of the microprocessor 3. |
| US08854475B2 |
System and method for sensor failure detection
A novel image sensor includes a pixel array, a row control circuit, a test signal injection circuit, a sampling circuit, an image processing circuit, a comparison circuit, and a control circuit. In a particular embodiment, the test signal injection circuit injects test signals into the pixel array, the sampling circuit acquires pixel data from the pixel array, and the comparison circuit compares the pixel data with the test signals. If the pixel data does not correspond to the test signals, the comparison circuit outputs an error signal. Additional comparison circuits are provided to detect defects in the control circuitry of an image sensor. |
| US08854473B2 |
Remote tracking system and method for image object region using image-backward search
In one exemplary embodiment, an object region tracking and picturing module is constructed on a moving platform of a mobile end and a remote control module is constructed on another platform for an image object region tracking system. The two modules communicate with each other via a digital network for delivering required information. The object region tracking and picturing module uses a real-time image backward search technology to store at least an image frame previously captured on the moving platform into a frame buffer, and start tracking an object region from the position pointed out by the remote control module to a newest image frame captured on the moving platform, then find out a relative position on the newest image frame for the tracked object region. |
| US08854471B2 |
Infrared sensor and sensing method using the same
Disclosed herein are an infrared (IR) sensor and a sensing method using the same, in which disturbance by an external luminous object is removed using the IR sensor that irradiates IR light into a sensing area to sense an object, so that the position or distance of the object can be precisely and accurately sensed. An IR sensor includes an illumination unit that irradiates IR light into a sensing area; an image pickup device that obtains an IR image in the sensing area by sensing the IR light incident from the sensing area; and a control unit that controls the emission time at which the illumination unit irradiates the IR light and the pickup time of the image pickup device. In the IR sensor, the control unit includes an illumination controller that controls the emission time of the illumination unit; an image pickup device controller that controls the pickup time of the image pickup device; a memory that stores the IR image obtained by the image pickup device; and an image processor that calculates the position or distance of the object in the sensing area by performing comparison operation processing with respect to an IR image obtained when the illumination unit irradiates the IR light and an IR image obtained when the illumination unit does not irradiate the IR light in the IR images stored in the memory. |
| US08854468B2 |
Method and system for video surveillance system motor overcurrent protection
The present invention provides a video surveillance system, having a video camera; a motor operable to move the video camera; and a processor monitoring a value of a signal provided to the motor, the processor terminating the signal to the motor when the monitored signal value exceeds a predetermined value for a predetermined period of time. A network may be coupled to the processor for communication of the signal termination. The processor may reinitiate a signal transmission to the motor sufficient to maintain a position of the motor after a predetermined period of time, and the processor may monitor the signal transmission and adjust at least one of a zoom setting and focus setting of the video camera based at least in part on the monitored signal. |
| US08854467B2 |
Vehicle-mounted camera
A vehicle-mounted camera includes a camera module mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, and further includes a mirror occupying at least a part of an imaging range of the camera module. The camera module may be arranged to face a forward vehicle traveling direction. The mirror may occupy a lower part of the vertical direction in the imaging range. The camera module and the mirror may both be disposed in the vehicle. |
| US08854461B2 |
Method of controlling camera
A method of controlling a camera to photograph a target, the method including: obtaining position information about a plurality of reference points which are positioned around the target; obtaining panning angles and tilting angles of the camera for the reference points; obtaining position information about the target from information about the target which is received from a radar device; obtaining a panning angle and tilting angle of the camera for the target, based on the position information about the reference points, the panning angles and tilting angles of the camera for the reference points, and the position information about the target; and controlling panning and tilting of the camera based on the panning angle and tilting angle of the camera for the target. |
| US08854451B2 |
Automated bubble detection apparatus and method
An automated hydrogen bubble detection apparatus includes a horizontal support surface on which a test coupon can be supported, a transparent tube having an open top and an open bottom and operable to contain a test solution when positioned on a test coupon, a camera arranged to view a test solution in the transparent tube, and a controller in communication with the camera and effective to operate the camera such that at least one video segment is recorded by the camera and analyzed to detect first bubble and continuous bubble generation. A method of evaluating corrosion resistance of coatings on aluminum and steel in acidic solution is also included. |
| US08854449B2 |
Substrate position detection apparatus, film deposition apparatus equipped with the same, and substrate position detection method
A substrate position detection method includes rotating the susceptor so that the substrate receiving portion is moved into an image taking area of a imaging apparatus; detecting first two position detection marks provided in the process chamber so that the first two position detection marks are within the image taking area, wherein a first perpendicular bisector of the first two position detection marks passes through a rotational center of the susceptor; detecting second two position detection marks provided in the susceptor so that the second two position detection marks can be within the image taking area, wherein a second perpendicular bisector of the second two position detection marks passes through the rotational center of the susceptor and a center of the substrate receiving portion; and determining whether the substrate receiving portion is positioned in a predetermined range in accordance with the detected first two and second two position detection marks. |
| US08854444B2 |
Information processing apparatus and capsule endoscope system
An information processing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores data of the in-vivo images and information which is associated with the data of the in-vivo images and related to a position of a capsule endoscope in an inside of a subject; a positional information obtaining unit that obtains positional information of the capsule endoscope in capturing the in-vivo images based on the information related to the position; and a sequence changing unit that changes a sorting sequence of the in-vivo images based on the positional information obtained by the positional information obtaining unit. |
| US08854438B2 |
Display system, display apparatus and control method thereof
Provided is a display apparatus which includes a display unit; an image processor which scans a three-dimensional image including a left or right eye image to the display unit; and a controller which adjusts a blanking time, during which neither the left eye image nor the right eye image is scanned, to be different from a reference time and controls the image processor to alternately scan the left and right eye images to the display unit based on the adjusted blanking time. |
| US08854431B2 |
Optical self-diagnosis of a stereoscopic camera system
The present invention relates to a method for the optical self-diagnosis of a camera system and to a camera system for carrying out the method. The method comprises recording stereo images obtained from in each case at least two partial images (2, 3) creating a depth image, that is to say a disparity map (5) given by calculated disparity values, determining a number of valid disparity values (6) of the disparity map (5), and outputting a warning signal depending on the number of valid disparity values determined. A device for carrying out such a method comprises a stereo camera (1) having at least two lenses (7,8) and image sensors, an evaluation unit and a display unit. |
| US08854427B2 |
Method and system for encoding a video data signal, encoded video data signal, method and system for decoding a video data signal
Video data signals are encoded such that the encoded video data signal includes at least a primary and at least a secondary video data signal. The primary and secondary video data signals are jointly compressed. The primary video data signal is compressed in a self-contained manner, and the secondary video data signal is compressed using data from the primary video data signal. The jointly compressed video data signal is split into separate bitstreams, at least a primary bitstream including data for the primary video data signal and at least a secondary bitstream including data for the secondary video data signal. The primary and secondary bitstreams are multiplexed into a multiplexed signal, and the primary and secondary signals are provided with separate codes. |
| US08854420B2 |
High-resolution, variable depth of field image device
A high-resolution image device that is used to receive images in a variable depth of field environment may include a color image sensor, a panchromatic image sensor, and a measuring device. The color image sensor may be configured to receive a color image of an object. Similarly, a synchronous panchromatic image may be received by the panchromatic image sensor. The image device may be configured to replace a luminance component from the original color image with a luminance component from the panchromatic image. The measuring device may be configured to measure a distance between the image sensors and the object, such that the image device may be configured to use the distance to account for the effect of parallax. |
| US08854417B2 |
Initiating recording of a videoconference via a single user interaction
A videoconference may be initiated between a plurality of endpoints. At least one of the endpoints may be coupled to a recording server, which may be configured to record the videoconference. A configuration may be selected (e.g., automatically or manually) for performing the recording. The endpoint (e.g., acting as an MCU) may transmit information to endpoints and may transmit recording information to the recording server. The recording information may be different from the videoconference information. For example, it may be in a “streaming friendly” format, at a different bit rate, encoded differently, have different inputs, etc. The manner in which the videoconference is stored and/or recorded may be based on the selected configuration. Clients may be configured to receive and display the videoconference from the recording server and may be configured to change the provided layout to different layouts, e.g., based on user input. |
| US08854414B2 |
Method, application server and system for privacy protection in video call
The present invention discloses a method, an application server and a system for privacy protection in a video call, which are applied in a video call between a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the method includes: judging whether to perform privacy protection on the first terminal; and when determining to perform privacy protection on the first terminal, playing a substitute video in a media server as a video of the first terminal to the second terminal. Using the method, the application server and the system disclosed by the present invention when performing a video call between the first terminal and the second terminal not only avoids leakage of a user's own privacy and embarrassment, but also guarantees a normal operation of the video call, thus improving the convenience of 3G services. |
| US08854412B2 |
Real-time automatic scene relighting in video conference sessions
Video frames are captured at one or more cameras during a video conference session, where each video frame includes a digital image with a plurality of pixels. Depth values associated with each pixel are determined in at least one video frame, where each depth value represents a distance of a portion of the digital image represented by at least one corresponding pixel from the one or more cameras that capture the at least one video frame. Luminance values of pixels are adjusted within captured video frames based upon the depth values determined for the pixels so as to achieve relighting of the video frames as the video frames are displayed during the video conference session. |
| US08854409B2 |
Image forming apparatus having variable developer intervals
An image forming apparatus including a plurality of developers and optical scanners, each of the optical scanners having a light source and a light reflecting unit and forming an electrostatic latent image on a photo conductor of each of the developers. The optical scanners have the same focusing distance from the light source to the photo conductor. The light reflecting unit of one of the optical scanners is arranged at a position different from the light reflecting unit of another optical scanner, such that intervals between the developers vary. The plurality of developers include a yellow (Y) developer, a magenta (M) developer, a cyan (C) developer, and a black (K) developer. The optical scanners include a first optical scanner, which forms electrostatic latent images on two of the developers including the black (K) developer, and a second optical scanner, which forms electrostatic latent images on the other two developers. |
| US08854404B2 |
Method for maintaining proper page sequence while reducing printer artifacts
A printing method wherein a position of a receiver media in a printer is determined to be nearer to one of two thermal printheads at an end of a print job. A next print job is started using either one of the two thermal printheads depending on which one was determined to be nearer the receiving media. |
| US08854403B2 |
Image forming apparatus with a TFT backplane for xerography without a light source
Systems and methods are described that facilitate using TFT control of electronic discharge for surface potential reduction and latent image formation on an imaging member. Corona charging is performed to first create a background surface potential, followed by selective discharge of individual pixels using an array of TFTs to supply free charge carriers to reduce the electrostatic surface potential to nearly zero. This is followed by discharged area development (DAD) to develop the latent image on a print medium (e.g., paper). The described systems and methods do not require a HVPS to drive the backplane; therefore, the TFT matrix is electrostatically decoupled from the developer and other system components in direct contact with the imaging member. Accordingly, known addressing systems may be used to address the TFT array. |
| US08854398B2 |
Waveform observing apparatus and waveform observing system
There are provided a waveform observing apparatus and waveform observing system that solve a problem of displacement of a handwritten comment which occurs with enlargement/reduction in display in such a manner that, when a determination is NO in a process step, namely when a current compression ratio differs from a compression ratio at the time of writing a handwritten comment in displaying the handwritten comment to such a degree as to cause occurrence of non-allowable displacement, a process proceeds to a next process step, and a simple indication indicating the presence of the handwritten comment is displayed in a position associated with a portion of a waveform corresponding to a measured data number. |
| US08854392B2 |
Circular scratch shader
A computer-implemented method for generating a circular scratch highlight. The method includes generating a plurality of texture planes, where each texture plane includes a plurality of copies of a scratch texture oriented in the same direction; generating a combined texture by combining the plurality of texture planes at different angles; applying the combined texture to a surface of an object; calculating a specular gradient vector based on a light vector and a reflectance vector, wherein the specular gradient vector points in a gradient direction of a specular highlight; and generating the circular scratch highlight by assigning, for each of a plurality of points on the surface of the object, a separate weight value corresponding to each texture plane in the combined texture based on how closely an orientation of the texture plane at the point corresponds to a scratch vector that is perpendicular to the specular gradient vector. |
| US08854384B2 |
Method and system for processing pixels utilizing scoreboarding
In a graphics processing device, a plurality of processors write fragment shading results for order-dependent data to a buffer, according to the order in which the data is received. Fragment shading results for order-neutral data is written to the buffer one batch at a time. The order-dependent data comprises spatially overlapping data. Order-neutral data may not overlap. A scheduler controls the order of reception of one batch of data at a time by the processors. The order for receiving the order-dependent data may be determined. The plurality of processors may process the data in parallel. A writing order for writing results to a buffer from the processing in parallel, may be enforced. A portion of the processors may be instructed to wait before writing results to the buffer in a specified order. Processors signal when writing results to the buffer is complete. |
| US08854382B2 |
Multi-function encoder and decoder devices, and methods thereof
A technique for encoding and decoding video information uses a plurality of video processing modules (VPMs), whereby each video processing module is dedicated to a particular video processing function, such as filtering, matrix arithmetic operations, and the like. Information is transferred between the video processing modules using a set of first-in first-out (FIFO) buffers. For example, to transfer pixel information from a first VPM to a second VPM, the first VPM stores the pixel information at the head of a FIFO buffer, while the second VPM retrieves information from the tail of the FIFO buffer. The FIFO buffer thus permits transfer of information between the VPMs without storage of the information to a cache or other techniques that can reduce video processing speed. |
| US08854377B2 |
Hierarchical motion blur rasterization
Motion blur rasterization may involve executing a first test for each plane of a tile frustum. The first test is a frustum plane versus moving bounding box overlap test where planes bounding a moving primitive are overlap tested against a screen tile frustum. According to a second test executed after the first test, for primitive edges against tile corners, the second test is a tile corner versus moving edge overlap test. The corners of the screen space tile are tested against a moving triangle edge in two-dimensional homogeneous space. |
| US08854374B2 |
Tessellation patterns
Methods, systems, and computer readable media embodiments are disclosed for generating primitives in a grid. Embodiments include generating a set of vertices in a section of the grid, selecting one or more vertices in the set of vertices in an order based on a proximity of the vertices to a boundary edge of the grid, and generating primitives based on the order of the selected vertices. |
| US08854369B2 |
Systems and methods for concurrent ray tracing
For ray tracing scenes composed of primitives, systems and methods can traverse rays through an acceleration structure. The traversal can be implemented by concurrently testing a plurality of nodes of the acceleration structure for intersection with a sequence of one or more rays. Such testing can occur in a plurality of test cells. Leaf nodes of the acceleration structure can bound primitives, and a sequence primitives can be tested concurrently for intersection in the test cells against a plurality of rays that have intersected a given leaf node. Intersection testing of a particular leaf node can be deferred until a sufficient quantity of rays have been collected for that node. |
| US08854360B2 |
Water surface generation
Terrain data that represents earth features for a geographic area is received. The following meshes are generated based on the terrain data: (i) a water surface mesh including a first plurality of geometric primitives and (ii) a water bottom mesh including a second plurality of geometric primitives. Portions of the water bottom mesh appearing above the water surface mesh are identified. At least one of the water surface mesh and the water bottom mesh are corrected to cause the water surface mesh to appear above the water bottom mesh. |
| US08854354B2 |
Power supply circuit for liquid crystal display device that changes durations of control signals
A power supply circuit of a liquid crystal display device includes a first positive polarity charge charging unit including a first capacitor connected to positive and negative power terminals through switches to charge a charge, a second positive polarity charge charging unit including a second capacitor connected to the positive power terminal and a ground terminal through switches to charge a charge, a first positive polarity charge loading unit loading the charge supplied through the positive power terminal to a negative polarity terminal, a second positive polarity charge loading unit loading the charge charged in the first capacitor to a negative polarity terminal, a third positive polarity charge loading unit loading the charge charged in the second capacitor, and a positive polarity charge charging/loading control unit outputting charging control signals with a same phase to the switches, and periodically or irregularly changing durations of the charging and loading control signals. |
| US08854352B2 |
Image display device
An image display device is provided with a cover that covers a drive circuit unit and an optical unit and a falling-down detecting unit that detects the falling-down of the image display device. The falling-down detecting unit further detects, based on force to be applied to the falling-down detecting unit in a state in which the cover is attached to the image display device, whether or not the cover is detached from the image display device. |
| US08854349B2 |
Display device and method of driving the same
A display device that can reduce power and simplify a manufacturing process includes a display unit and a scan driver. The display unit includes a plurality of scan lines, a plurality of data lines, and a plurality of pixels. The scan lines are configured to receive a plurality of scan signals. The scan driver is configured to receive a synchronization signal that is generated in synchronization with a vertical synchronization signal, a first light emitting clock signal, a second light emitting clock signal representing the first light emitting clock signal shifted by a half cycle, a first initialization signal having a first phase delay relative to the second light emitting clock signal, and a second initialization signal having a second phase delay relative to the first light emitting clock signal. The scan driver is configured to generate a plurality of sequential driving signals and the plurality of scan signals. |
| US08854347B2 |
Organic light emitting display device
An organic light emitting display device for improving the yield and for reducing or minimizing manufacturing costs. The organic light emitting display device includes: a data driver coupled to data lines that are formed on the panel; a scan driver mounted on the panel and coupled to scan lines that are formed on the panel; input lines for receiving clock signals from the outside; first connecting lines overlapped with a cathode electrode and electrically coupled to the input lines and for supplying the clock signals to the scan driver; second connecting lines electrically coupled to the input lines; and third connecting lines for electrically coupling the first connecting lines to the second connecting lines. |
| US08854345B2 |
Monitor chaining and docking mechanism
A circuit that supports multiple monitors, docking functions, and protected content via one cable. The circuit includes a receiver that receives multiple video streams, each including respective video data, a mux/demux, coupled to the receiver, that determines which video stream to display on a monitor, a display interface coupled to the first mux/demux, wherein the display interface is configured to generate output signals based on the video data of the determined video stream to be displayed on the first monitor, a transmitter coupled to the mux/demux, and a transmit physical interface (TPI) coupled to the transmitter. The mux/demux sends at least a remainder of the video streams to the transmitter, which sends them to the TPI, which transmits them as output, useable as input to further instances of the circuit. |
| US08854341B2 |
Structure of touch stylus
An improved structure of touch stylus includes a barrel, a sleeve, a positioning bar, a non-conductive head, and a flexible metal fabric. The sleeve and barrel are assembled together as a unitary member and the positioning bar is received in the sleeve. The non-conductive head receives a non-conductive body fit therein and the non-conductive body is fit over the positioning bar so that the non-conductive head is supported by the non-conductive body when the flexible metal fabric that surrounds outside the non-conductive head is put in contact with the a touch screen. As such, the non-conductive head is provided, internally, with a supporting force that prevents the non-conductive head from not resuming the original shape after being pressed down by the contact and thus improving accuracy of touch and extending the lifespan. |
| US08854322B2 |
Image processing apparatus, computer readable medium, and image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes an image output apparatus and an image reading apparatus. The image output apparatus includes a writing tool information receiving unit that receives writing tool information, an information image generating unit that generates an information image, a combining unit that combines the information image with an input field in a document, and a first output unit that outputs the document onto a medium. The image reading apparatus includes a writing tool information memory that stores writing tool information, a reading unit that reads an information image that has been output onto a medium by the image output apparatus and that is used for extracting a writing position, an extracting unit that analyzes the information image, thereby extracting writing tool information, and a determining unit that determines whether or not the writing tool is suitable as a writing tool for performing writing. |
| US08854319B1 |
Method and apparatus for generating piezoelectric transducer excitation waveforms using a boost converter
Transducers formed as part of a touchscreen system emulate the motion of a pushbutton or other mechanical elements. A touchscreen system positions a transducer adjacent to an icon displayed on the touchscreen surface. When a user touches the icon, the transducer senses the touch and is then deformed in a pattern that emulates a mechanical motion, giving the user the sensation of touching a mechanical button. An excitation signal applied to the transducer is compared to a target excitation signal that, when applied to the transducer, causes the transducer to emulate the desired motion. When any differences between the two signals are detected, the excitation signal is adjusted so that the motion is corrected. The target excitation signal, or time and voltage segments defining it, are stored in memory and retrieved for comparison. The excitation signal is also selected to reduce any acoustic artifacts that can cause the transducer to generate audible clicks. |
| US08854317B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method and program for executing processing based on detected drag operation
There is provided an information processing apparatus including a display section capable of displaying information on its display surface, a touch panel capable of detecting a position in the display surface where an operation tool has contacted with as a contact position, a pressure value detection section detecting a pressure value which is a size of a pressure applied to the contact surface by a contact between the operation tool and the contact surface, a process control section specifying a first processing or a second processing as a processing subject to be executed in accordance with a change of the detected pressure value, a first processing section executing the first processing when the first processing is specified to be a processing subject to be executed, and a second processing section executing the second processing when the second processing is specified to be a processing subject to be executed. |
| US08854310B2 |
Portable electronic apparatus and operation detecting method of portable electronic apparatus
Mobile electronic apparatus includes a first sensor element group G1 and a second sensor element group G2 respectively having sensor elements R1˜R4, L1˜L4 for detecting a contact and arranged continuously in an annular shape as a whole; and a control unit 320 capable of performing a first control in which each sensor element group is individually controlled. The control unit 320 can perform a second control different from the first control by detecting a contact detection started by a sensor element in any one sensor element group, continuous contact detections by sensor elements adjacent to the start sensor element continued to end portion of the sensor group, and then continuous contact detections from an end portion of another sensor group adjacent to the end portion of said one sensor group. |
| US08854298B2 |
System for enabling a handheld device to capture video of an interactive application
Methods and systems for enabling a handheld device to capture video of an interactive session of an interactive application presented on a main display are provided. An interactive session of the interactive application defines interactivity between a user and the interactive application. An initial position and orientation of a handheld device operated by a spectator are determined. A current state of the interactive application based on the interactivity between the user and the interactive application is determined. The position and orientation of the handheld device are tracked during the interactive session. A spectator video stream of the interactive session based on the current state of the interactive application and the tracked position and orientation of the handheld device is generated. The spectator video stream is rendered on a handheld display of the handheld device. |
| US08854295B2 |
Liquid crystal display for displaying an image using a plurality of light sources
There is provided a liquid crystal display, including: a backlight having a plurality of light sources; a liquid crystal panel configured to display a video picture in a plurality of illumination regions corresponding to the light sources; an intensity value calculator calculating representative intensity values of the illumination regions based on an input video signal; a weight calculator performing a smoothing process on the representative intensity values by using first weights and to calculate second weights of the illumination regions having values which become larger as smoothed values of the representative intensity values becomes smaller than the representative intensity values; an intensity value corrector correcting the representative intensity values of the illumination regions based on the second weights and performe a smoothing process on corrected intensity values by using the first weights to obtain light source intensity values of the light sources. |
| US08854294B2 |
Circuitry for independent gamma adjustment points
A display architecture providing independent adjustment of gamma with respect to each color channel of a display is provided. In one embodiment, gamma adjustment circuitry may utilize separate resistor strings for each color channel of the display. Gamma adjustment voltage taps for each resistor string may each be coupled to a respective switching logic block that includes a plurality of switches, each of which may be coupled to different respective locations of the resistor string. Based upon a gamma correction profile defining optimal gamma adjustment points for a particular color channel based at least partially upon its transmittance sensitivity characteristics, appropriate control signals may be provided to each of the switching logic blocks to facilitate the connection of the gamma adjustment voltage taps to desired adjustment points on a respective resistor string in order to optimize gamma correction and provide for increased accuracy in color output. |
| US08854281B2 |
Head up display (HUD)
A Head Up Display (HUD), comprising: an image display unit, to generate input images; a virtual image generation unit, to receive said input images and generate at least a virtual image; a rotation mechanism, used to make said virtual image generation unit to change its projection angle, to project virtual images to a plurality of transmission mirrors; and a plurality of transmission mirrors, used to receive said virtual images and reflect them into a large area virtual image. Advantage of said HUD is that, size of lens and mirrors is reduced, so said HUD is miniaturized, while realizing large area image display, such that information frame of vehicle match that of outside view, hereby solving problems of single optical route display device of the prior art, that is only capable of displaying a small area image rather than a large area image. |
| US08854271B2 |
Data receiving apparatus
This invention is directed toward a data signal receiving means including an antenna and a plurality of Low Noise Blocks (LNB's). A reflective filtering means is provided and located with respect to the LNBs and antenna such that data signals received at a first frequency or frequency range pass through the reflective filter means to a first LNB and data signals at second frequency or frequency range are deflected by the reflective filtering means and do not pass therethrough and pass to the second LNB. In this way a single antenna can be used to receive and process multiple data signals received at different frequencies or frequency ranges. |
| US08854268B2 |
Tunable antenna and related radio-frequency device
A tunable antenna is disclosed. The tunable antenna includes a ground element for providing grounding, a signal feed-in terminal, a radiation unit electrically connected to the signal feed-in terminal and including a long side extended from the signal feed-in terminal along a first direction, a short side extended from the signal feed-in terminal along a second direction, and a branch electrically connected between the signal feed-in terminal and the ground element, a coupling unit for coupling to the long side, and a switch unit for connecting or disconnecting the coupling unit to/from the ground element to change a coupling relationship between the coupling unit and the long side, such that the tunable antenna respectively operates in a first frequency band and a second frequency band. |
| US08854257B2 |
Conformal array, luneburg lens antenna system
A Luneburg lens is used in conjunction with a patch antenna array. The patch antenna array is conformed or adapted to cover a portion or backside of the Luneburg len's surface with the backplane of the conformed antenna array defining a field of regard (FOR) in which objects are detected and tracked. A processor is connected to a receiver/exciter module which connects to transmit/receive modules which are connected to the individual patch antennas through a network of MEMS switches. In a receive mode, selected subarrays of the conformed patch antenna array are scanned during selected time intervals with the sum and delta beams being formed coherently in amplitude and phase to realize amplitude monopulse sensing and angle tracking of an object. |
| US08854256B2 |
Image capture apparatus and method of controlling the same
The image quality degradation of a moving image due to repeated application of color space conversion processing is suppressed. An image capture apparatus which supplies moving image signals to a plurality of output destinations decides the contents of color space conversion processing before and after color processing so as to minimize the number of times of color conversion processing required to match with the color spaces required by output destinations to which priority should be given. |
| US08854251B2 |
Object identification device and method
Provided is an object identification device and a method for the same that are capable of identifying a three-dimensional object and a road surface static object, irrespective of situations. The object identification device identifies an object, based on a transmission signal and a reflection signal caused by the object reflecting the transmission signal. The object identification device includes: a measurement section configured to measure at least one of the relative distance and the relative velocity with respect to the object; an intensity detection section configured to detect the intensity of the reflection signal; and an object identification section configured to identify the object which can be an obstacle object, based on at least one of the relative velocity and the variation in the relative distance, and on the variation in the intensity. |
| US08854244B2 |
Imagers with improved analog-to-digital converters
An imager may include analog-to-digital converter circuitry that converts an analog input voltage to a digital output value by generating a number of samples of the analog input voltage. The analog input voltage may be formed from the difference between a pixel signal and a reference signal received at first and second inputs of the analog-to-digital converter circuitry. Processing circuitry may control the number of samples generated from the analog input voltage based on a desired gain level. The analog-to-digital converter circuitry may include a counter that counts to a maximum value. Ramp generation circuitry may generate a ramp signal based on the counter value and apply the ramp signal to the pixel signal at the first input of the analog-to-digital converter circuitry. The total time for generating samples for each different desired gain level may be constant while generating the ramp signal with a slope having a constant magnitude. |
| US08854241B1 |
Time multiplexer channel corrections
A method and system for monitoring an output of an electronic processing component which detects an out-of-range value in the output of the electronic processing component during one time period during which one channel of input channels of a time multiplexer provides an input signal to the electronic processing component. Corrective actions are performed based on the detected out-of-range value. The corrective actions including excluding further multiplexing of signals from the one channel of the input channels. |
| US08854234B1 |
Decompression circuit and associated decompression method
A decompression circuit includes a first decompression unit and a second decompression unit. The first decompression unit performs a first decompression operation on data to generate first decompressed data. The first decompressed data includes a plurality of literals and a distance-length pair. The second decompression unit receives the first decompressed data, and sequentially performs a second decompression operation on the literals and the distance-length pair to generate second decompressed data. After the second decompression unit receives the distance-length pair from the first decompression unit and before the second decompression unit completes decompressing the distance-length pair, the second decompression unit transmits data required for the subsequent first decompression operation performed by the first decompression unit to the first decompression unit according to the distance-length pair. |
| US08854233B2 |
Method and system for de-binarization
A method for generating a decoded value from a codeword which is binarized utilizing a concatenated unary/k-th order Exp-Golomb code includes: identifying a first portion of the codeword, a second portion of the codeword and a third portion of the codeword; generating an offset according to the second portion; decoding the third portion to generate an index value; and generating the decoded value by adding the offset and the index value. |
| US08854230B2 |
Traffic signal broadcasting, reproducing
Reducing traffic signal obstruction, through reproducing the contents of traffic signals, so the driver of a small vehicle blocked by a big vehicle also can be aware of the contents of traffic signals indicated by an obstructed traffic signal indicator. The system of reproducing traffic signals on a vehicle includes: a signal receiver, configured to receive the contents of traffic signals, wherein the contents of traffic signals is indicated by at least one traffic signal indicator; a signal processor, configured to determine whether to reproduce the received contents of traffic signals; and a reproducer, configured to reproduce the contents of traffic signals if it is determined to do so by the signal processor. |
| US08854228B1 |
System and method for using a single point indicator as a CPU utilization indicator
A computer including a microprocessor, a memory system, a bus system, and a single point indicator. The memory system includes an operating system stored therein. The bus system couples the memory system to the microprocessor. The single point indicator is coupled to the microprocessor and is capable of emitting a single point of light of substantially any wavelength in a visible spectrum. The computer also includes logic that determines a level of a selected operational parameter of the computer and logic that generates a corresponding wavelength of light emitted from the single point indicator. The corresponding wavelength of light corresponds to the level of the selected operational parameter. A method for indicating a level of a selected operational parameter of a computer is also disclosed. |
| US08854219B2 |
System, method and program product for providing populace movement sensitive weather forecasts
A weather forecast system, method of forecasting weather and a computer program product therefor. A forecasting computer applies a grid to a forecast area and provides a weather forecast for each grid cell. Population movement sensors sense population movement in the area. A swarm detector detects patterns in area population movement that indicate swarm activity, from which the swarm detector predicts swarm patterns. A planning module receives area weather forecasts and swarm patterns, and provides swarm path indications to the forecasting system for adjusting the grid applied to the forecast area. |
| US08854214B2 |
Electronically triggered personal athletic device
An athletic device is worn by a participant during an athletic event (e.g., a race). In one example, a race course is provided with a plurality of mats or signal devices along the race course. The mats may have antennas and generate a magnetic field. The device may include a chip system having an RFID tag and a display. As the participant progress along the course, the tag is triggered at each mat and race data may be displayed on the device. Data relating to a location of the participant may also be provided to the participant during the athletic event. |
| US08854210B2 |
Eco-drive assist apparatus, eco-drive assist information generating apparatus, eco-drive assist information calculation apparatus, eco-drive state display apparatus, eco-drive assist system, and eco-drive assist information calculation method
An eco drive support apparatus which reports the eco degree of the driving operation of a vehicle by displaying a state relative to a judgment threshold which varies corresponding to the drive state of the vehicle. The apparatus has a power train ECU which computes the judgment threshold and an eco drive state amount expressing a ratio to the judgment threshold on the basis of the drive state of the vehicle and a meter ECU which indicates the eco drive state amount on the basis of information transmitted from the power train ECU. The power train ECU transmits the eco drive state amount to the meter ECU. |
| US08854207B2 |
Mobile lock with retractable cable
A mobile lock with a retractable cable. The mobile lock is an integral component of a mobile device (e.g., bicycle, scooter, stroller, etc.) or attachable thereto and includes retractable cable that is wrapped around a stationary object (e.g., tree, bike rack, etc.). The retractable cable reconnects to a lock component on a body component of the mobile lock to prevent theft of the mobile. The mobile lock is always available for locking the mobile device. The mobile lock also includes an integral wireless locator system that can precisely locate the mobile device in real-time if stolen. The wireless locator system also automatically send messages (e.g., e-mail, text, instant messages, voice, etc.) and make automatic posts to social networking sites (e.g., FACEBOOK, TWITTER, etc.) and social shopping sites (CRAIG'S LIST, E-BAY, etc.) that the mobile device has been stolen. |
| US08854205B2 |
System and method for countering terrorism by monitoring containers over international seas
The present invention is directed to a system and method for countering terrorism by monitoring shipping containers using an advanced communication system network for tracking and monitoring the container as it travels over international seas. |
| US08854199B2 |
Driver risk assessment system and method employing automated driver log
A Driver Risk Assessment System and Method Employing Automated Driver Log. The system and method provides robust and reliable event scoring and reporting, while also optimizing data transmission bandwidth. The system includes onboard vehicular driving event detectors that record data related to detected driving events, vehicle condition and/or tasking, roadway environmental conditions, selectively store or transfer data related to said detected driving events. If elected, the onboard vehicular system will “score” a detected driving event, compare the local score to historical values previously stored within the onboard system, and upload selective data or data types if the system concludes that a serious driving event has occurred. The system may respond to independent user requests by transferring select data to said user at a variety of locations and formats. Furthermore, by tracking driver identity and other environmental factors, the system may be configured to generate a driver score, a driver log, and a dispatch log. The driver score can be normalized by consideration of environmental factors related to the strenuousness of the driver's driving or the driving challenges experienced by the driver during his or her driving trip. |
| US08854196B2 |
Vehicle approach notification apparatus for electric motorcycle
An electric motorcycle includes a front cover for covering a head pipe of a vehicle body frame from a forward direction and a speaker for notifying an individual, such as a walker or the like, of the approach of a vehicle. The speaker has a sound emitting direction directed forwardly on the vehicle body and is disposed at a position on the opposite side to a key cylinder of a main switch, which is disposed in a vehicle body sideward direction of the head pipe, across the head pipe. A front stay support a front carrier disposed on the vehicle body front side of the front cover and is attached to the vehicle body front side of the head pipe is provided on the vehicle body rear side of the front cover. The speaker is disposed above the front stay as viewed in front elevation of the vehicle body. |
| US08854183B2 |
System for monitoring component of operating machine
A working machine is provided with a plurality of exchangeable components, and each component is provided with a wireless tag. A component ID is stored in advance in the wireless tag. When, on the side of the working machine, a component exchange timing or an engine starting timing is detected, the component ID stored in the wireless tag is acquired, and is transmitted to a working machine management device. The working machine management device checks the component ID which has been received from the working machine and a component ID which is stored in a component ID storage means against one another. And, if these two component IDs do not match one another, an abnormal state detection means outputs a warning signal. |
| US08854176B2 |
Wireless power transmission system
The wireless power transmission is a system for providing wireless charging and/or primary power to electronic/electrical devices via microwave energy. The microwave energy is focused to a location by a power transmitter having one or more adaptively-phased microwave array emitters. Rectennas within the device to be charged receive and rectify the microwave energy and use it for battery charging and/or for primary power. |
| US08854169B2 |
Automotive ignition coil having a core with at least one embedded permanent magnet
In a spark plug ignition assembly for a spark plug, an ignition coil assembly has a steel laminated core, said core having a first core portion and a second core portion, and a primary winding around the first core portion and a secondary winding around the primary winding. A spark plug connecting member is provided for connecting the coil assembly to the spark plug. At least one of the first and second core portions has a slot therein with a magnet located in the slot. |
| US08854164B2 |
Pressure-regulating valve
A pressure-regulating valve includes a magnetic actuator and a housing. Accommodated in the housing is an armature, which is movable in a pole tube. The pole tube is encompassed by a magnetic coil. The armature is supported in the pole tube in a film structure. |
| US08854163B2 |
Operating element having two switching or control stages
The invention relates to an operating element (10) for a regulating and/or switching functionality having at least two switching or regulating stages, comprising: an actuating part (4) which can be actuated manually and thereby moved out of a rest position; at least three permanent magnets (1, 2, 3), comprising: a first movable permanent magnet (1), which is driven synchronously in its range of movement by the actuating part (4); a second movable permanent magnet (2), which, in a first partial range of the range of movement of the first permanent magnet (1), is synchronously entrained by it through magnetic force, and whose further movement is inhibited in at least one second partial range of the range of movement of the first permanent magnet (1) by at least one stop (5a); a third permanent magnet (3), which is stationary relative to the actuating part (4), for generating a magnetic return force on the at least first permanent magnet (1). |
| US08854160B2 |
Dielectric resonator fixed by a pressing metal plate and method of assembly
A dielectric resonator in a radio frequency filter is provided, in which a dielectric resonance element is fixed at the center of a housing space formed by a cover and a housing, a guide groove is formed into a bottom of the housing, for allowing the dielectric resonance element to be inserted therein, a metal plate is interposed between the cover and the housing, and a dielectric fixing screw is engaged with the cover at a position corresponding to an upper end portion of the dielectric resonance element by screwing, for fixing the dielectric resonance element by pressing the upper end portion of the dielectric resonance element. |
| US08854156B2 |
Thin-film piezoelectric resonator and thin-film piezoelectric filter using the same
A thin-film piezoelectric resonator including a substrate (6); a piezoelectric layer (2), a piezoelectric resonator stack (12) with a top electrode (10) and bottom electrode (8), and a cavity (4). The piezoelectric resonator stack (12) has a vibration region (40) where the top electrode and bottom electrode overlap in the thickness direction, and the vibration region comprises a first vibration region, second vibration region, and third vibration region. When seen from the thickness direction, the first vibration region is present at the outermost side, the third vibration region is present at the innermost side and does not contact the first vibration region, and the second vibration region is interposed between the first vibration region and third vibration region. The resonance frequency of the primary thickness-longitudinal vibration of the vibration region (40) is f1 at the first vibration region, is f2 at the third vibration region, wherein f1 and f2 satisfy a relationship of f1 |
| US08854147B2 |
Crystal oscillator with electrostatic discharge (ESD) compliant drive level limiter
A crystal oscillator may be configured to limit crystal drive level in the crystal oscillator by clamping via a diode-resistor branch, voltage applied to a drain pad of the crystal oscillator. The crystal oscillator may incorporate Pierce crystal oscillator based implementation. The crystal oscillator may comprise an on-chip main branch, comprising at least one transistor element; an on-chip drain branch connecting the main branch to a drain pad; an on-chip gate branch connecting the main branch to a gate pad. The diode-resistor branch may be connected to the drain branch, and may comprise at least one diode and at least one resistor element. The at least one diode and the at least one resistor element may be connected in series in the diode-resistor branch. The clamped voltage may be applied from an off-chip drain node, through the drain pad. |
| US08854146B2 |
Systems and methods for external frit mounted components
Embodiments of the present invention provide improved systems and methods for external frit mounted components on a sensor device. In one embodiment, a method for fabricating a sensor device comprises securing at least one component stack on a sensor body over at least one opening in the sensor body, wherein the at least one component stack comprises a plurality of components and applying a frit to the plurality of components in the at least one component stack and the sensor body. The method further comprises heating the frit, the at least one component stack, and the sensor body such that the frit melts and cooling the frit, the at least one component stack, and the sensor body such that the at least one component stack is secured to the sensor body. |
| US08854143B2 |
Bias circuit
Proposed is a bias circuit for a transistor in a C class amplifier. The bias circuit comprises: a class AB amplifier bias voltage generating means adapted to generate a bias voltage at an output terminal; and a transistor connected between the output terminal and a first reference voltage, the control terminal of the transistor being connected to a second reference voltage via a switch. Closure of the switch connects the second reference voltage to the control terminal of the transistor to cause a shift in the bias voltage generated by the class AB amplifier bias voltage generating means to achieve a predetermined class C bias voltage at the output terminal. |
| US08854136B2 |
Fully differential operational amplifier with common-mode feedback circuit
A fully differential operational amplifier includes a differential input stage, at least one output stage and a common-mode feedback circuit connected with the input stage. The differential input stage includes a differential pair of transistors and a bias circuit for the differential pair of transistors. A start-up circuit operates to detect an operating condition of the differential pair of transistors of the input stage and in response thereto turn on the bias circuit. |
| US08854131B2 |
Active transducer probes and circuits
In an example embodiment, a method for bidirectional signal propagation comprises: a) sensing a voltage level of a first signal at a first port; b) coupling the first port to an output of an amplifier with a solid state switch if the voltage level of the first signal is less than a threshold voltage, whereby a second signal applied to a second port coupled to an input of the amplifier is propagated in a first direction from the second port to the first port; and c) bypassing the amplifier if the voltage level of the first signal is greater than the threshold voltage such that the first signal is propagated in a second direction from the first port to the second port. |
| US08854128B2 |
Amplifying device and signal processing device
Signal timing adjustment in an amplifying device is appropriately performed by phase adjustment by a digital filter. The amplifying device includes an amplifier; an amplitude-voltage converting unit 12 that performs a desired process on a signal relating to operation of the amplifier, whereby the signal is band-broadened; and a timing adjusting unit 15a that performs timing adjustment of the signal to be provided to the amplifier, by phase adjustment by a digital filter. The timing adjusting unit 15a performs the timing adjustment of the signal at a stage before the signal is band-broadened by the amplitude-voltage converting unit 12. |
| US08854125B2 |
Linear amplifier that perform level shift and method of level shifting
A linear amplifier that comprises a signal input terminal that receives an input signal having a first common mode voltage, a voltage amplifier having a non-inverting input terminal that receives a second common mode voltage, a first and a second input resistance connected in series from the signal input terminal to the inverting input terminal of the voltage amplifier, a feedback resistance connected between the inverting input terminal and the output terminal of the voltage amplifier, and a constant current source. The constant current source supplies a constant current to a middle node between the first and the second input resistances. The constant current generates a voltage drop, which is equal to a difference between the first and the second common mode voltages, across the first input resistance. Accordingly, the common mode voltage of the output signal is directly determined by the second common mode voltage. |
| US08854123B1 |
On-package multiprocessor ground-referenced single-ended interconnect
A system of interconnected chips comprising a multi-chip module (MCM) includes a first processor chip, a second processor chip, and an MCM package configured to include the first processor chip, the second processor chip, and an interconnect circuit. The first processor chip is configured to include a first ground-referenced single-ended signaling (GRS) interface circuit. A first set of electrical traces fabricated within the MCM package and configured to couple the first GRS interface circuit to the interconnect circuit. The second processor chip is configured to include a second GRS interface circuit. A second set of electrical traces fabricated within the MCM package and configured to coupled the second GRS interface circuit to the interconnect circuit. |
| US08854118B2 |
Charge pumping apparatus using optimum power point tracking and method thereof
A charge pumping apparatus includes a voltage pumping unit for pumping an input voltage, a voltage pumping control unit for controlling the voltage pumping unit according to a comparison result between the input voltage and an input criterion voltage and a comparison result between an output voltage output from the voltage pumping unit and an output criterion voltage, and an optimum power point tracking unit for tracking an optimum power point in the case of detecting that the output voltage decreases lower than the output criterion voltage, and adjusting an input impedance to change the input criterion voltage to a voltage corresponding to the optimum power point, wherein the optimum power point is a power point where an input power according to the input voltage becomes a maximum. Since the optimum power point is tracked by measuring only a voltage without a current sensor, a power loss is small. |
| US08854101B2 |
Adaptive clock generating apparatus and method thereof
An adaptive clock generating apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a fixed frequency divider, a replica, a counter, a variable frequency divider. The adaptive clock generating apparatus generates a clock whose period varies along with changes in the critical path delay of a synchronous circuit. |
| US08854095B2 |
Fast lock acquisition and detection circuit for phase-locked loops
A phase lock loop (PLL) circuit incorporates switched capacitive circuitry and feedback circuitry to reduce the time to achieve a lock condition. During a first mode, the frequency of a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) is used to adjust the control voltage of the VCO to achieve a coarse lock condition. During a second mode, a reference frequency is used to control a charge pump to more precisely adjust the control voltage to achieve fine lock of the PLL. Because the VCO frequency is significantly higher than the reference frequency, the control voltage is varied at a greater rate during the first mode. In some embodiments, the time to achieve lock may be further reduced by initializing the VCO control voltage to a particular voltage so as to reduce the difference between the control voltage at start-up and the control voltage at the beginning of the first mode during coarse lock. |
| US08854092B2 |
Constant slope ramp circuits for sampled-data circuits
A circuit includes a level-crossing detector to generate a level-crossing detection signal when an input signal crosses a predetermined voltage level. A first stage set of capacitors is operatively coupled to the level-crossing detector. A ramp circuit is operatively coupled to the set of series-connected capacitors. A second stage set of capacitors is operatively coupled to the first stage set of capacitors and the ramp circuit. The ramp circuit includes a feedback capacitor and a preset switch to provide a linear ramp output. |
| US08854091B2 |
Integrated circuit comprising fractional clock multiplication circuitry
Circuitry capable of performing fractional clock multiplication by using an injection-locked oscillator is described. Some embodiments described herein perform fractional clock multiplication by periodically changing the injection location, from a set of injection locations, where the injection signal is injected and/or by periodically changing a phase, from a set of phases, of the injection signal that is injected into the ILO. |
| US08854087B2 |
Electronic circuit with a reverse conducting transistor device
An electronic circuit includes a first transistor device with a control terminal and a load path. A drive circuit includes an input terminal and an output terminal. The output terminal is coupled to the control terminal of the first transistor device. The drive circuit is operable to drive the first transistor device dependent on an input signal received at the input terminal. A polarity detector is coupled in parallel with the load path of the first transistor device. The polarity detector includes a second transistor device and a current detector. The second transistor device includes a load path connected to the load path of the first transistor device. The current detector includes a sense path in series with the load path of the second transistor device and an output connected to the input terminal of the drive circuit. |
| US08854085B1 |
Method and apparatus for cancellation of the second harmonic in a differential sampling circuit
A compensation circuit for eliminating harmonic content resulting from a phase imbalance in a differential sampling circuit. The compensation circuit includes a pair of field effect transistors operating in saturation mode, each field effect transistor coupled in parallel with the differential switch of the sampling circuit, which operates in linear mode. The saturation region transistors across the differential switch allow the harmonic content to flow through the compensation circuit instead of the sampling capacitors of the sampling circuit. |
| US08854076B2 |
Single event transient direct measurement methodology and circuit
A circuit and method of directly measuring the Single Event Transient (SET) performance of a combinatorial circuit includes a measurement chain. The measurement chain includes a plurality of cells, each in turn including a pair of SR latches, a dual-input inverter, and a target. During measurement and testing, the targets are irradiated, and a pulse signal caused by an SET event is allowed to propagate through the measurement chain only if the pair of SR latches are active at the same time. The pulse signal is latched by the measurement chain, thus allowing the presence of an SET event to be detected. |
| US08854067B2 |
Circular transmission line methods compatible with combinatorial processing of semiconductors
Methods and structures are described for determining contact resistivities and Schottky barrier heights for conductors deposited on semiconductor wafers that can be combined with combinatorial processing, allowing thereby numerous processing conditions and materials to be tested concurrently. Methods for using multi-ring as well as single-ring CTLM structures to cancel parasitic resistance are also described, as well as structures and processes for inline monitoring of properties. |
| US08854057B2 |
Scheme to achieve robustness to electromagnetic interference in inertial sensors
A capacitive sensor system and method resistant to electromagnetic interference is disclosed. The system includes a capacitive core, differential amplifier with inverting and non-inverting inputs, capacitive paths, and chopping system. Core can include inputs and outputs coupled to variable capacitors, and common nodes coupling variable capacitors. Capacitive paths couple core outputs to amplifier inputs. When chopping system is high, one polarity voltage is applied to core inputs, a first core output is coupled to the inverting input and a second core output is coupled to the non-inverting input. When the chopping system is low, opposite polarity voltage is applied to core inputs, and core output to amplifier input couplings are flipped. Capacitive paths can include bond wires. Chopping system can be varied between high and low at frequencies that smear noise away from a frequency band of interest, or that smear noise substantially evenly across a wide frequency range. |
| US08854056B1 |
Capacitance sensing devices and methods
A system can include an input for receiving objects having a flat shape; a capacitance sensing network comprising a plurality of capacitance sensors positioned to be proximate to the received objects; an operations section coupled to the capacitance sensing network and configured to perform predetermined operations on the objects; and a processor section coupled to receive capacitance sense values from the capacitance sensors and configured to determine the presence and features of received objects, prior to the objects being forwarded to the operations section. |
| US08854054B2 |
Rotation angle sensor
A rotation angle sensor which has at least one capacitor having capacitor plates and a dielectric designed as a disk. The disk is situated between the capacitor plates, and fills out differently sized surface portions between the capacitor plates, depending on the rotation angle. The rotation angle sensor is designed to determine the rotation angle as a function of a measured value of the capacitance of the at least one capacitor. |
| US08854049B2 |
Timer unit, system, computer program product and method for testing a logic circuit
A timer unit includes a timer for timing the period of time the logic circuit has been in the self-test mode. A comparator is connected to the timer, for comparing the period of time with a maximum for the period of time the logic circuit is allowed to be in the self-test mode and outputting an error signal when the period of time exceeds the maximum. The test timer unit further includes a mode detector for detecting a switching of the logic circuit to the self-test mode. The mode detector is connected to the timer, for starting the timer upon the switching to the self-test mode and stopping the timer upon a switching of the logic circuit out of the self-test mode. The timer unit can be used in a system for testing a logic circuit which includes a test routine module containing a set of instructions which forms a test routine for performing a test on a tested part of the logic circuit. The system has a mode control unit containing a set of instructions which is executable by the logic circuit, for switching the logic circuit from and to a test mode in which a part of the logic circuit can be subjected to a selected test by executing a selected test routine. |
| US08854048B2 |
Sensitivity correction method for dose monitoring device and particle beam therapy system
In a particle beam therapy system which scans a particle beam and irradiates the particle beam to an irradiation position of an irradiation subject and has a dose monitoring device for measuring a dose of the particle beam and an ionization chamber smaller than the dose monitoring device, the ionization chamber measuring a dose of a particle beam passing through the dose monitoring device, the dose of the particle beam irradiated by the dose monitoring device is measured; the dose of the particle beam passing through the dose monitoring device is measured by the small ionization chamber; and a correction coefficient of the dose measured by the dose monitoring device corresponding to the irradiation position is found based on the dose of the particle beam measured by the small ionization chamber. |
| US08854041B2 |
Spatially shaped pre-saturation profile for enhanced non-contrast MRA
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is used to produce an image representative of the vasculature of a subject by applying a non-contrast MRI pulse sequence to acquire MRI k-space data from non-stationary nuclei flowing in a selected spatial region of a subject after nuclei within the region have been subjected to spatially non-uniform pre-saturation of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) magnetization. Such pre-saturation suppresses subsequent MRI signals emanating from background nuclei located within said region during said pre-saturation, while enhancing MRI signal from flowing nuclei therewithin as a function of speed, slice thickness and elapsed time until image capture as a function of the spatially shaped profile of non-uniform pre-saturation across the imaged volume. Thus, acquired MRI k-space data can then be used to reconstruct an image representing vasculature of the subject. |
| US08854033B2 |
Current sensor, inverter circuit, and semiconductor device having the same
A semiconductor device having a lateral semiconductor element includes a semiconductor substrate, a first electrode on the substrate, a second electrode on the substrate, and an isolation structure located in the substrate to divide the substrate into a first island and a second island electrically insulated from the first island. The lateral semiconductor element includes a main cell located in the first island and a sense cell located in the second island. The main cell causes a first current to flow between the first electrode and the second electrode so that the first current flows in a lateral direction along the surface of the substrate. The first current is detected by detecting a second current flowing though the sense cell. |
| US08854016B2 |
Power supply apparatus
A power supply apparatus capable of setting a ripple current to be not more than an acceptable value regardless of an input voltage is obtained. The apparatus calculates switching frequency by a current detected by a current detector so that the switching frequency is set to be low if the current is large and the switching frequency is set to be high if the current is small. The switching frequency is set to be high if the input voltage is high and switching frequency is set to be low if the input voltage is low depending on a voltage inputted to an input terminal; and a switching element is controlled by restricting the switching frequency so that the switching frequency to be set by the current detected by the current detector is not lower than the switching frequency to be set by the input voltage. |
| US08854010B2 |
Control apparatus and control method for electric storage apparatus
A control apparatus controlling discharge of a secondary battery such that a discharge power of the secondary battery does not exceed an upper limit value has a current sensor and a controller. The current sensor detects a current value during charge and discharge of the secondary battery. The controller calculates an evaluation value for determining a first deterioration component depending on nonuniformity of an ion concentration in an electrolyte of the secondary battery by using the detection result of the current sensor, and reduces the upper limit value when the integral value of the evaluation values exceeding a target value exceeds a threshold value. The controller estimates a second deterioration component depending on the material of the secondary battery and changes the threshold value such that deterioration due to the first deterioration component is permitted in association with the second deterioration component. |
| US08854008B2 |
Combined PI feedback and feedforward cell balancing method
A method and system for battery pack cell state of charge balancing using a proportional-integral feedback control combined with a feedforward control. The proportional-integral feedback control acts on the difference between the average discharge for all cells over a previous driving cycle and the discharge of a specific cell over the previous driving cycle. Thus, the feedback term is based on whether an individual cell discharges more quickly or less quickly than the battery pack average during driving. A cell which discharges more quickly will receive decreased resistive discharge balancing. The feedforward control acts on the difference between an individual cell's state of charge and the battery pack average state of charge at the beginning of a current driving cycle. The overall control effort, which determines the resistive discharge balancing on-time duty cycle for each cell, is the sum of the feedback control signal and the feedforward control signal. |
| US08854000B2 |
Rapid energy recharge system for a battery electric vehicle
A charging system is provided for an electric vehicle. A vehicle battery stores electrical energy used to drive the electric vehicle. A refillable storage device is carried by the vehicle for storing compressed fluid from an off-vehicle supply of compressed fluid. An expander is in fluid communication with the refillable storage device. The expander selectively receives the compressed fluid from the refillable storage device when the vehicle battery is in need of charging and generates a rotational energy in response to the compressed fluid flowing through the expander. A generator is rotationally coupled to the expander and electrically coupled to the vehicle battery for converting the rotational energy into electrical energy that is transferred to and stored by the vehicle battery. |
| US08853997B2 |
Apparatus, system and method for charging batteries
An apparatus, system, and method for charging batteries is provided. The apparatus comprises a monitoring unit configured for coupling to a battery and power source. The monitoring unit configured to acquire a control value indicative of a parameter, and to control the charging of the battery responsive thereto. The system comprises a plurality of battery chargers configured for coupling with respective batteries and a common power source. Each charger configured to obtain information relating to a parameter, to communicate the information to the other chargers, to acquire a control value from the information obtained thereby or received from another charger, and to control the charging of the associated battery based on the acquired control value. The method comprises providing a monitoring unit coupled to a battery and power source, acquiring a control value indicative of a parameter, and controlling the charging of the battery responsive to the control value. |
| US08853995B2 |
Devices for conveying wireless power and methods of operation thereof
Exemplary embodiments are directed to wireless power. A method may comprise receiving wireless power with a receiver and charging an accumulator with energy from the received wireless power. The method may further include conveying energy from the accumulator to an energy storage device upon a charging level of the accumulator reaching a threshold level. |
| US08853992B2 |
Method and conveyor system
A conveyor system and a method for driving a conveyor are disclosed. In the method, electric power is supplied to the drive machinery of a conveyor depending on the power requirement with a supply device to be selected from at least two different adjustable supply devices, and the supply device supplying power to the drive machinery is changed on the basis of the power requirement of the conveyor. |
| US08853990B2 |
Inverter device of rotating electrical machine, and driving method for rotating electrical machine
An inverter device of a rotating electrical machine drives a multiphase rotating electrical machine having the variable number of rotations using a switching element provided for each phase. An example of the inverter device of the rotating electrical machine includes: a frequency setting unit for determining and setting a carrier frequency of a carrier signal for use in driving the switching element for each phase depending on the state of each phase of the rotating electrical machine for each specified electrical angle obtained by equally dividing a cycle of an electrical angle; and a signal generation unit for generating a drive signal for drive of the switching element of each phase using the carrier signal of the carrier frequency set for each phase by the frequency setting unit. The carrier frequency of each phase is an integral multiple of the phase voltage frequency at the specified electrical angle. |
| US08853989B2 |
Fuel cell system and motor driving method
A motor can be driven while reducing the power loss of the entire system where a plurality of devices that causes power losses exists. The system is provided with an inverter connected to a motor, a first converter that is connected between a fuel cell and the inverter and sets an output voltage of the fuel cell, a second converter that is connected between a power storage device and the inverter and sets an input voltage Vin of the inverter, and a controller that controls the first converter and the second converter. Under the operating condition (torque, number of revolutions) required for the motor, an input voltage of the inverter which minimizes a power loss of at least one of the motor, the first converter, the second converter and the inverter is determined, and the determined input voltage is output as a necessary voltage for the inverter. |
| US08853977B1 |
Spherical mechanical energy accumulator to reduce bursts and damage caused by bursts
A mechanical energy accumulator, suitable for being mounted in a vehicle has a spherical housing with three pairs of flywheel assemblies mounted therein. Each of the pair of flywheel assemblies is rotatable in opposite directions about a respective axis. Each of the axes are perpendicular to one another. At least one permanent magnet motor is mounted within the flywheel assemblies. Each of the flywheels of the flywheel assemblies has a double conical flywheel base, a motor-generator suitable for driving the double conical flywheel base, and a flywheel lid covering the motor-generator. The mechanical energy accumulator may be mounted in a shell having an expansion member. The mechanical energy accumulator has a strong side and a weak side due to varying retention strength of windings therearound so as to create a controlled burst. |
| US08853969B1 |
Light emitting element drive device
The present disclosure provides a light emitting element drive device for driving a plurality of LED strings. The device comprises a power supply circuit, a plurality of current sources, a plurality of error amplifiers, a plurality of first diodes and a control circuit. The power supply circuit provides a driving voltage to each of the LED strings. The inverted input terminal of each error amplifier is coupled to a second terminal of the corresponding LED string. Each error amplifier output the voltage difference between the second terminal of the corresponding LED string and a first reference voltage. The anode of each first diode is coupled to the output terminal of the corresponding error amplifier, and the cathodes of the diodes are coupled to each other. The control circuit adjusts the driving voltage of the power supply circuit according to the cathode voltage of the conducted first diode. |
| US08853949B2 |
LED driver with end-of-life detection circuitry
An LED lighting device includes a DC/DC power converter having output terminals coupled to respective lamp sockets. A controller receives signals from a current sensor and a voltage sensor, and controls the DC/DC power converter to increase/decrease an output voltage based on a sensed output current with respect to a target value. A sensed output voltage is compared to predetermined upper and lower limit values, and the DC/DC power converter is disabled when the output voltage exceeds the predetermined upper limit value or falls below the predetermined lower limit. The controller further measures an accumulated lighting time of the device, and after the accumulated lighting time has exceeded a predetermined switching time, decreases the upper limit value monotonously or in increments as the accumulated lighting time passes. |
| US08853940B2 |
Display device with seal member
A display device using an organic light emitting element is provided which is structured so as to ensure excellent display performance by avoiding dot defect and improve long-term reliability. The distance between an organic light emitting element and a sealing substrate is controlled using the top of a bank that is placed in a pixel portion and the top of an insulating film that is placed in a driving circuit portion. As a result, a gap is provided between the organic light emitting element and the sealing substrate and a damage to the organic light emitting element can be avoided. Furthermore, the sealing substrate can be as close to an element substrate as possible, thereby keeping the amount of moisture that enters the display device from its sides small. |
| US08853938B2 |
Inorganic electroluminescent device comprising an insulating layer, method for fabricating the electroluminescent device and electronic device comprising the electroluminescent device
Disclosed is an inorganic electroluminescent device. The inorganic electroluminescent device comprises a hole transport layer, a light-emitting layer, an inorganic electron transport layer and an electron injecting electrode sequentially formed on a hole injecting electrode wherein an insulating layer is formed between the electron injecting electrode and the inorganic electron transport layer.Further disclosed are a method for fabricating the electroluminescent device and an electronic device comprising the electroluminescent device.The inorganic electroluminescent device achieves uniform light emission from the entire light-emitting surface of the device, resulting in an improvement in the reliability and stability of the device. The inorganic electroluminescent device is suitable for use in the manufacture of electronic devices, including display devices, illuminators and backlight units. |
| US08853933B2 |
Light emitting device, and method for manufacturing circuit board
A light emitting device comprises a light emitting element and a package constituted by a molded article and a first lead and a second lead embedded in the molded article, and having a bottom face, a top face disposed opposite to the bottom face, and a light emission face connected to the bottom face and the top face. The first lead has a first terminal part exposed at the bottom face exposed at the top face. The exposed part is provided more toward the center of the package than the first terminal part. |
| US08853919B2 |
Ultrasonic sensor device
An ultrasonic sensor device includes a housing, a circuit board disposed at the housing, and a transducer. The transducer includes an electrically conductive casing having a bottom wall and a surrounding wall. A piezoelectric member is disposed on top of the bottom wall. A first connecting pin set is disposed in the housing, and includes a first connecting pin having one end connected to the circuit board and another end connected to the piezoelectric member, and a second connecting pin having one end connected to the circuit board and another end connected to the surrounding wall. A second connecting pin set is disposed in the housing, has one end connected to the circuit board, and another end extended into a connecting portion of the housing. |
| US08853917B2 |
Carbon nanotube based electrostrictive element
An carbon nanotube based electrostrictive element includes two electrostrictive layers spaced with each other, an electrical connector, and two electrodes. The two electrostrictive layers are electrically connected to each other at a first side, and spaced and insulated from each other at a second side via the electrical connector. The two electrodes are located at the second side and electrically connected respectively to the two electrostrictive layers. |
| US08853915B2 |
Bonding on silicon substrate having a groove
A method and apparatus for bonding on a silicon substrate are disclosed. An apparatus includes a membrane having a membrane surface, a groove in the membrane surface, a transducer having a transducer surface substantially parallel to the membrane surface, and an adhesive connecting the membrane surface to the transducer surface. The groove can be configured to permit flow of adhesive into and through the groove while minimizing voids or air gaps that could result from incomplete filling of the groove. Multiple grooves can be formed in the membrane surface and can be of uniform depth. |
| US08853908B2 |
Magnet rotor assembly including a vacuum impregnated bonded magnet having increased crush strength at high temperatures
A magnet rotor assembly comprises a magnet sleeve held on a rotor shaft by a rigid adhesive layer that includes at least one axial wedge shape corresponding to an axial irregularity on at least one of the surfaces bonded by the adhesive layer. Improved crush strength in the magnet sleeve and in other bonded metal parts, both initially and after exposure to high temperatures is accomplished by impregnating the parts with a curable resin. |
| US08853902B2 |
Displacement drive, in particular window lifter drive
The present invention relates to a displacement drive (1) comprising an electric motor (2), an output shaft (3), a printed circuit board (4) and a connection interface (5), the electric motor (2) making contact with the printed circuit board (4) and being designed to drive the output shaft (3), and the connection interface (5) comprising a direct plug connection with contact making pads (38) directly on the printed circuit board (4), and the contact making pads being designed to make direct contact with spring contacts of a plug. |
| US08853901B2 |
Motor rotor system having a magnetic ring bracket
A motor rotor system including: an axis of rotation, a rotor iron core mounted on the axis of rotation, a permanent magnet, a magnetic ring bracket, and a magnetic ring. The permanent magnet, the magnetic ring bracket, and the magnetic ring are mounted on the rotor iron core. The magnetic ring is sheathed on the magnetic ring bracket. The magnetic ring bracket is located at one end of the rotor iron core and connected with an end face of the rotor iron core. The motor rotor system has excellent batch-to-batch consistency, simple structure, and convenient installation. It is suitable for large batch production and can be controlled using sine-wave driving control methods with a position sensor. |
| US08853884B2 |
Techniques for reducing no load power in electronic devices
Systems and methods (“utility”) are provided for reducing the no-load (standby) power of power devices such as chargers for electronic devices and power converters for electronic devices. The utility may include a controllable switch that is operative to decouple circuitry of the power device from a power source under certain no-load conditions. In one embodiment, the utility provides a switch control module that is operative to sense when an electronic device is coupled to the power device, and in response, to control the switch to couple the power device to the power source. The switch control module may also be operative to detect a condition when the electronic device is no longer drawing power from the power device, and in response, to control the switch to decouple the power device from the power source. |
| US08853883B2 |
System and methods for starting a prime mover of a power system
A power system includes a prime mover drivingly connected to an electric motor/generator. The power system may also include a first electrical energy storage device and a second electrical energy storage device. The power system may further include power-system controls configured to selectively start the prime mover by selectively charging the first electrical energy storage device with electricity from the second electrical energy storage device and transmitting electricity from the first electrical energy storage device to the electric motor/generator to operate the electric motor/generator as an electric motor to start the prime mover. |
| US08853880B2 |
Eddy carrier type wind power collection device
An eddy carrier type wind power collection device includes a floating body and two air guiding tubes. The floating body including a compartment filled with an uprising gas having a density lower than that of air. The floating body includes a wind shear portion. The floating body further includes a floating assembly for controlling the pressure and temperature of the uprising gas. The air guiding tubes extend through the compartment of the floating body. Each air guiding tube has an air inlet and an air outlet. The air outlet includes a peripheral wall having a windward section and a guiding section. The peripheral wall of the air outlet has a cutout portion formed between the windward section and the guiding section. An air channel is formed between and in communication with the air inlet and the air outlet. A wind power generating assembly is mounted in each air channel. |
| US08853879B2 |
System and method for downhole power generation and selective interruption of a magnetic field
A technique facilitates generation of electric power in well environments. The technique involves combining a cooperating stator and rotor assembly to create an electromagnetic generator. The cooperating stator and rotor assembly utilize an electromagnet which works with a generator coil to create electrical power. Use of the electromagnet enables the electromagnetic field created during generation of electrical power to be selectively eliminated. Elimination of the electromagnetic field allows magnetic particles to be freely flushed from the electromagnetic generator. |
| US08853877B1 |
System and method for controlling a wind farm
A method for controlling a wind farm having a power output constraint is disclosed. The method may include operating a plurality of wind turbines within the wind farm. Each wind turbine may include a baseline power output and a maximum power output. The baseline power output may be defined by a control-limited power curve as a function of wind speed. In addition, the method may include comparing a total power output for the wind farm to the power output constraint of the wind farm, controlling the operation of at least one wind turbine of the plurality of wind turbines to provide an increased power output for the at least one wind turbine when the total power output is less than the power output constraint. |
| US08853873B2 |
Power generator
An electrical power generator assembly (10a) for using kinetic energy from a flowing fluid (12) to generate electrical power. The electrical power generator (10a) includes a blade assembly (14) and at least one primary coil (52). The blade assembly (14) having a head end (16) for facing incoming flowing fluid (12), a tail end (18) spaced from the head end (16) for facing in the direction of the flowing fluid (12), and a rotational axis (20) extending between the head end (16) and the tail end (18). The blade assembly (14) includes a blade arrangement (44) which is arranged in generally helical fashion about the rotational axis (20), and at least one mounting formation (26, 36) connected to the blade arrangement (44). Each mounting formation (26, 36) is adapted to permit mounting of the blade assembly (14) for rotation about its rotational axis (20), so that in use fluid flowing past the electrical power generator assembly (10a) interacts with the blade arrangement (44) to rotate the blade assembly (14) about its rotational axis (20). The at least one primary coil (52) is connected to the blade arrangement (44) for rotation with the blade arrangement (44). The at least one primary coil (52) is energizable and being arranged in use to interact with at least one stationary secondary coil (54b) to generate electrical power in response to rotation of the blade assembly (14). |
| US08853870B2 |
Vibration energy conversion device
Some embodiments relate to an energy conversion device comprising: a casing; a magnet disposed in the casing: an object in the casing attracted to the magnet and free to move relative to the magnet in at least two degrees of freedom; and at least one transducer element positioned to be affected by changes in a magnetic field of the magnet; wherein movement of the object relative to the magnet varies the magnetic field through the at least one transducer element, thereby generating electrical potential across a part of the at least one transducer element. In some embodiments, the transducer element may comprise a magnetostrictive piezoelectric (MP) element and the electrical potential may be generated across a piezoelectric part of the MP element. Alternatively, the transducer element may comprise an electromagnetic (EM) coil element. |
| US08853868B2 |
Semiconductor structures including sub-resolution alignment marks
A method of fabricating semiconductor structures comprising sub-resolution alignment marks is disclosed. The method comprises forming a dielectric material on a substrate and forming at least one sub-resolution alignment mark extending partially into the dielectric material. At least one opening is formed in the dielectric material. Semiconductor structures comprising the sub-resolution alignment marks are also disclosed. |
| US08853856B2 |
Methodology for evaluation of electrical characteristics of carbon nanotubes
The present disclosure relates to a structure comprising 1. an electrically conductive substrate having carbon nanotubes grown thereon; 2. a cured polymeric fill matrix comprising at least one latent photoacid generator embedded around the carbon nanotubes but allowing tips of the carbon nanotubes to be exposed; 3. a layer of patterned and cured photosensitive dielectric material on the cured polymeric fill matrix, wherein tips of the carbon nanotubes are exposed within the patterns; and 4. an electrically conductive material filled into the interconnect pattern and in contact with the exposed tips of the carbon nanotubes; and to methods of making the structure and using the structure to measure the electrical characteristics of carbon nanotubes. |
| US08853855B2 |
Integrated circuit packaging system with conductive pillars and molded cavities and method of manufacture thereof
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing a substrate; forming a conductive post on the substrate, the conductive post includes a vertical side; attaching an integrated circuit to the substrate; and forming an encapsulant including a molded cavity, the vertical side circumscribed by and exposed within the molded cavity from the encapsulant. |
| US08853852B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus and electronic equipment
A method for manufacturing the semiconductor apparatus includes an anchor process of forming a barrier metal film and carrying out physical etching making use of sputter gas. The anchor process is carried out at the same time on a wire connected to the lower portion of a first aperture serving as a penetration connection hole and a wire connected to the lower portion of a second aperture serving as a connection hole having an aspect ratio different from the aspect ratio of the penetration connection hole. The first and second apertures are apertures created on a semiconductor substrate obtained by bonding first and second semiconductor substrates to each other. The present technology can be applied to the semiconductor apparatus such as a solid-state imaging apparatus. |
| US08853849B2 |
Package arrangement and a method of manufacturing a package arrangement
In various embodiments, a package arrangement is provided. The package arrangement may include a first package. The package arrangement may further include a through hole package including at least one contact terminal. The first package may include at least one hole in an encapsulant to receive the at least one contact terminal of the through hole package. The received at least one contact terminal may provide a solder contact. |
| US08853841B2 |
Lead frame which includes terminal portion having through groove covered by lid portion, semiconductor package, and manufacturing method of the same
A semiconductor package includes a lead frame including a chip mounting portion and a terminal portion, a semiconductor chip, which is mounted on the chip mounting portion and connected to the terminal portion, a through groove penetrating the terminal portion from one surface on a side of the semiconductor chip to another surface in a thickness direction of the terminal portion, a lid portion covering an end portion of the through groove on the side of the semiconductor chip, and a resin portion sealing the semiconductor chip, wherein the another surface of the terminal portion and a side surface of the terminal portion facing an outside of the semiconductor package are coated by a plating film. |
| US08853840B2 |
Semiconductor package with inner and outer leads
A semiconductor die has outer leads with an outer lead external connection section and an outer lead bonding section. Inner leads are spaced from the outer leads. Each of the inner leads has an inner lead external connection section spaced and downset from an inner lead bonding section. A non-electrically conductive die mount is molded onto upper surface areas of each inner lead external connection section. A semiconductor die is mounted on the non-electrically conductive die mount and bond wire provide interconnects for selectively electrically connecting bonding pads of the die to the inner lead bonding sections and at least one outer lead bonding section. A mold compound covers the semiconductor die, the bond wires, and the outer and inner lead bonding sections. |
| US08853834B2 |
Leadframe-type semiconductor package having EMI shielding layer connected to ground
Disclosed is a leadframe-type semiconductor package having an EMI shielding layer connected to ground, comprising a leadframe, a chip, an encapsulant, and an EMI shielding layer. The encapsulant has two lead-extending sides and two leadless sides. The EMI shielding layer covers at least one surface of the encapsulant and the leadless sides. A metal tie bar coupling to the die attach pad of the leadframe has a cut end aligned with and exposed on one of the leadless sides. A ground lead also has a cut end aligned with and exposed on one of the leadless sides Since the EMI shielding layer covers and electrically connects the cut ends of the metal tie bar and the ground lead, the die pad with its metal tie bar of the leadframe is connected to the ground lead through external electrical connection outside the encapsulant to allow the die pad having ground potential. |
| US08853828B2 |
Epitaxial substrate for semiconductor device, method for manufacturing epitaxial substrate for semiconductor device, and semiconductor device
An epitaxial substrate, in which a group of group-III nitride layers is formed on a single-crystal silicon substrate so that a crystal plane is approximately parallel to a substrate surface, comprises: a first group-III nitride layer formed of AlN on the base substrate; a second group-III nitride layer formed of InxxAlyyGazzN (xx+yy+zz=1, 0≦xx≦1, 0 |
| US08853818B2 |
3D NAND flash memory
A memory device includes an array of NAND strings of memory cells. The device includes a plurality of stacks of conductive strips separated by insulating material, including at least a bottom plane of conductive strips, a plurality of intermediate planes of conductive strips, and a top plane of conductive strips. The device includes charge storage structures in interface regions at cross-points between side surfaces of the conductive strips in the plurality of intermediate planes in the stacks and inter-stack semiconductor body elements of a plurality of bit line structures. At least one reference line structure is arranged orthogonally over the stacks, including vertical conductive elements between the stacks in electrical communication with a reference conductor between the bottom plane of conductive strips and a substrate, and linking elements over the stacks connecting the vertical conductive elements. The vertical conductive elements have a higher conductivity than the semiconductor body elements. |
| US08853817B2 |
Isolation structure profile for gap filing
An trench isolation structure and method for manufacturing the trench isolation structure are disclosed. An exemplary trench isolation structure includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion extends from a surface of a semiconductor substrate to a first depth in the semiconductor substrate, and has a width that tapers from a first width at the surface of the semiconductor substrate to a second width at the first depth, the first width being greater than the second width. The second portion extends from the first depth to a second depth in the semiconductor substrate, and has substantially the second width from the first depth to the second depth. |
| US08853816B2 |
Integrated circuits separated by through-wafer trench isolation
An isolated semiconductor circuit comprising: a first sub-circuit and a second sub-circuit; a backend that includes an electrically isolating connector between the first and second sub-circuits; a lateral isolating trench between the semiconductor portions of the first and second sub-circuits, wherein the lateral isolating trench extends along the width of the semiconductor portions of the first and second sub-circuits, wherein one end of the isolating trench is adjacent the backend, and wherein the isolating trench is filled with an electrically isolating material. |
| US08853812B2 |
Photodetector, optical communication device equipped with the same, method for making of photodetector, and method for making of optical communication device
The present invention provides a photodetector which solves the problem of low sensitivity of a photodetector, an optical communication device equipped with the same, and a method for making the photodetector, and a method for making the optical communication device. The photodetector includes a substrate, a lower cladding layer arranged on the substrate, an optical waveguide arranged on the lower cladding layer, an intermediate layer arranged on the optical waveguide, a optical absorption layer arranged on the intermediate layer, a pair of electrodes arranged on the optical absorption layer, and wherein the optical absorption layer includes a IV-group or III-V-group single-crystal semiconductor, and the optical absorption layer absorbs an optical signal propagating through the optical waveguide. |
| US08853810B2 |
Integrated circuits that include deep trench capacitors and methods for their fabrication
Methods are provided for fabricating an integrated circuit that includes a deep trench capacitor. One method includes fabricating a plurality of transistors on a semiconductor substrate, the plurality of transistors each including gate structures, source and drain regions, and silicide contacts to the source and drain regions. A trench is then etched into the semiconductor substrate in proximity to the drain region of a selected transistor. The trench is filled with a layer of metal in contact with the semiconductor substrate, a layer of dielectric material overlying the layer of metal, and a second metal overlying the layer of dielectric material. A metal contact is then formed coupling the second metal to the silicide contact on the drain region of the selected transistor. A bit line is formed contacting the source region of the selected transistor and a word line is formed contacting the gate structure of the transistor. |
| US08853806B2 |
Memory element and memory
There is provided a memory element including a magnetic layer that includes at least one kind of element selected from a group consisting of Fe, Co, and Ni, and carbon, has a content of carbon that is equal to or greater than 3 atomic % and less than 70 atomic % with respect to a total content of Fe, Co, and Ni, and has magnetic anisotropy in a direction perpendicular to a film face; and an oxide layer that is formed of an oxide having a sodium chloride structure or a spinel structure and that comes into contact with the magnetic layer. |
| US08853799B2 |
Vertically integrated systems
Embodiments of the present invention provide an integrated circuit system including a first active layer fabricated on a front side of a semiconductor die and a second pre-fabricated layer on a back side of the semiconductor die and having electrical components embodied therein, wherein the electrical components include at least one discrete passive component. The integrated circuit system also includes at least one electrical path coupling the first active layer and the second pre-fabricated layer. |
| US08853791B2 |
SRAM memory cell having a dogleg shaped gate electrode structure
A memory cell includes diffusion regions formed in a substrate. Each of the diffusion regions extends along a vertical direction in a layout view at a substrate level. A first gate electrode structure at a gate electrode level is generally dogleg shaped. The first gate electrode structure extends in an oblique direction, turns to a horizontal direction, extends over and crosses the diffusion regions in the horizontal direction. A first contact structure at a contact level is generally rectangular shaped in the layout view of the cell. The first contact structure electrically connects a first source/drain region of the first diffusion region to the first gate electrode structure and the first source/drain region of the second diffusion region. The first contact structure extends from the first source/drain region of the first diffusion region to the first source/drain region of the second diffusion region at the contact level. |
| US08853790B2 |
Semiconductor nanowire structure reusing suspension pads
An integrated circuit apparatus is provided and includes first and second silicon-on-insulator (SOI) pads formed on an insulator substrate, each of the first and second SOI pads including an active area formed thereon, a nanowire suspended between the first and second SOI pads over the insulator substrate, one or more field effect transistors (FETs) operably disposed along the nanowire and a planar device operably disposed on at least one of the respective active areas formed on each of the first and second SOI pads. |
| US08853785B2 |
Integrated circuit with electrostatically coupled MOS transistors and method for producing such an integrated circuit
An integrated circuit including at least: a first MOS transistor; a second MOS transistor, arranged on the first MOS transistor, the second MOS transistor including a channel region in at least one semiconductor layer including two approximately parallel primary faces; a portion of at least one electrically conductive material electrically connected to a gate of the first transistor and arranged between the gate of the first transistor and the channel region of the second transistor; a dielectric layer arranged at least between the portion of the electrically conductive material and the channel region of the second transistor; and a section of the channel region of the second transistor in a plane parallel to the two primary faces of the semiconductor layer is included in a section of the portion of the electrically conductive material projected in said plane. |
| US08853784B2 |
ESD protection circuit
A device having a substrate defined with a device region which includes an ESD protection circuit is disclosed. The ESD protection circuit has first and second transistors. A transistor includes a gate having first and second sides, a first diffusion region in the device region adjacent to the first side of the gate, and a second diffusion region in the device region displaced away from the second side of the gate. The first and second diffusion regions include dopants of a first polarity type. The device includes a first device well which encompasses the device region and second device wells which are disposed within the first device well. A well contact is coupled to the second device wells. The well contact surrounds the gates of the transistors and abuts the first diffusion regions of the transistors. |
| US08853782B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device has a so-called SOI structure in which an element is constituted by a semiconductor layer on an insulating surface, and the semiconductor layer is extremely thin as 5 nm to 30 nm. The semiconductor device is provided with a field effect transistor that includes in addition to such a semiconductor layer, a gate insulating layer with a thickness of 2 nm to 20 nm and a gate electrode, and a channel length is ten times or more and less than 40 times the thickness of the semiconductor layer. When the semiconductor layer is formed to be thin, the semiconductor device operates so as not to be easily influenced by a concentration of impurity imparting one conductivity type added to a channel formation region. |
| US08853780B2 |
Semiconductor device with drain-end drift diminution
A device includes a semiconductor substrate, source and drain regions in the semiconductor substrate, a channel region in the semiconductor substrate between the source and drain regions through which charge carriers flow during operation from the source region to the drain region, and a drift region in the semiconductor substrate, on which the drain region is disposed, and through which the charge carriers drift under an electric field arising from application of a bias voltage between the source and drain regions. A PN junction along the drift region includes a first section at the drain region and a second section not at the drain region. The drift region has a lateral profile that varies such that the first section of the PN junction is shallower than the second section of the PN junction. |
| US08853778B2 |
Devices for shielding a signal line over an active region
A multi-path transistor includes an active region including a channel region and an impurity region. A gate is dielectrically separated from the channel region. A signal line is dielectrically separated from the impurity region. A conductive shield is disposed between, and dielectrically separated from, the signal line and the channel region. In some multi-path transistors, the channel region includes an extension-channel region under the conductive shield and the multi-path transistor includes different conduction paths, at least one of the different conduction paths being in the extension-channel region to conduct substantially independent of a voltage on the signal line. In other multi-path transistors, the conductive shield is operably coupled to the impurity region and the multi-path transistor includes different conduction paths, at least one of the different conduction paths being under the conductive shield to conduct substantially independent of a voltage on the signal line. |
| US08853776B2 |
Power transistor with controllable reverse diode
An electronic circuit includes a transistor device that can be operated in a reverse operation mode and a control circuit. The transistor device includes a source region, a drain region, a body region and a drift region, a source electrode electrically connected to the source region, a pn junction formed between the body region and the drift region, a gate electrode adjacent the body region and dielectrically insulated from the body region, and a depletion control structure adjacent the drift region. The depletion control structure has a control terminal and is configured to generate a depletion region in the drift region dependent on a drive signal received at the control terminal. The control circuit is coupled to the control terminal of the depletion control structure and configured to drive the depletion control structure to generate the depletion region when the transistor device is operated in the reverse operation mode. |
| US08853773B2 |
Semiconductor device, memory system including the same, and method of manufacturing the same
The semiconductor device includes a vertical channel layer formed on a substrate; conductive layer patterns and insulating layer patterns alternately formed around a length of each of the vertical channel layer; and a charge storing layer pattern formed between each of the vertical channel layers and the conductive layer patterns, where each of the charge storing layer patterns is isolated by the insulating layer patterns. |
| US08853765B2 |
Dense arrays and charge storage devices
There is provided a monolithic three dimensional array of charge storage devices which includes a plurality of device levels, wherein at least one surface between two successive device levels is planarized by chemical mechanical polishing. |
| US08853759B2 |
Resistive memory devices and methods of manufacturing the same
A resistive memory device includes a first electrode and a first insulation layer arranged on the first electrode. A portion of the first electrode is exposed through a first hole in the first insulation layer. A first variable resistance layer contacts the exposed portion of the first electrode and extends on the first insulation layer around the first hole. A first switching device electrically connects to the first resistive switching layer. |
| US08853756B2 |
Array of pixels with good dynamic range
An array comprises a plurality of pixels logically arranged in rows and columns. The pixels comprise a photoreceptor (11) for converting impinging radiation into electronic charge, a transfer element (12) for transferring the electronic charge towards a sense node, a reset transistor (13) for resetting the sense node (16), means for converting the electronic charge onto the sense node (16) into a voltage, and for outputting the voltage as a pixel signal, and means adapted for biasing the sense nodes at a low voltage lower than a reset voltage which is meant to initialize the photoreceptor, during integration of impinging radiation on the photoreceptors. The means for converting and outputting comprise a source follower (14) for converting the electronic charge, and a select transistor (15) for outputting the voltage as a pixel signal, and the reset transistor of at least one pixel is coupled with one main electrode to the gate of the reset transistor of another pixel. |
| US08853755B2 |
Image sensor pixel circuit
A pixel circuit of an image sensor includes a sense node for storing a charge transferred from one or more photodiodes, a source follower transistor having its gate coupled to the sense node and its source node coupled to an output line of the pixel circuit via a read transistor, wherein a body contact of the source follower transistor is connected to the output line. |
| US08853751B2 |
Reducing the inversion oxide thickness of a high-K stack fabricated on high mobility semiconductor material
A semiconductor structure includes a high mobility semiconductor, an interfacial oxide layer, a high dielectric constant (high-k) layer, a stack, a gate electrode, and a gate dielectric. The stack comprises a lower metal layer, a scavenging metal layer comprising a scavenging metal, and an upper metal layer formed on the scavenging metal layer. A Gibbs free energy change of a chemical reaction, in which an atom constituting the high mobility semiconductor layer that directly contacts the interfacial oxide layer combines with a metal oxide material comprising the scavenging metal and oxygen to form the scavenging metal in elemental form and oxide of the atom constituting the high mobility semiconductor layer that directly contacts the interfacial oxide layer, is positive. |
| US08853740B2 |
Strained silicon channel semiconductor structure
A strained silicon channel semiconductor structure comprises a substrate having an upper surface, a gate structure formed on the upper surface, at least one recess formed in the substrate at lateral sides of the gate structure, wherein the recess has at least one sidewall which has an upper sidewall and a lower sidewall concaved in the direction to the gate structure, and the included angle between the upper sidewall and horizontal plane ranges between 54.5°-90°, and an epitaxial layer filled into the two recesses. |
| US08853738B2 |
Power LDMOS device and high voltage device
A power LDMOS device including a substrate, source and drain regions, gates and trench insulating structures is provided. The substrate has a finger tip area, a finger body area and a palm area. The source regions are in the substrate in the finger body area and further extend to the finger tip area. The neighboring source regions in the finger tip area are connected. The outmost two source regions further extend to the palm area and are connected. The drain regions are in the substrate in the finger body area and further extend to the palm area. The neighboring drain regions in the palm area are connected. The source and drain regions are disposed alternately. A gate is disposed between the neighboring source and drain regions. The trench insulating structures are in the substrate in the palm area and respectively surround ends of the drain regions. |
| US08853728B2 |
LED mounting substrate and method of manufacturing the same
An LED mounting substrate includes a base substrate, a conductive pattern formed on the base substrate and including a recessed portion on an upper surface thereof, and a light reflecting film formed in an inter-pattern gap of the conductive pattern on the base substrate and in the recessed portion of the conductive pattern. |
| US08853727B1 |
Light emitting diode cable and heat sink
A high output light emitting diode (LED) based lighting module includes a plurality of LEDs on a substrate board, a fiber optic mounting assembly that securely holds a plurality of fiber bundles that form a fiber cable to said LEDs so that each LED mates to a fiber bundle making each fiber bundle slightly overlap the active area of its respective LED and mechanical means for holding each fiber optic bundle a fixed distance from said LED substrate. |
| US08853724B2 |
Solid-state light-emitting element, light-emitting device, and lighting device
A solid-state light-emitting element includes a structure body having a property of transmitting visible light and an uneven structure on each of the top side and the bottom side thereof; a high refractive index material layer provided on one surface of the structure body; and a light-emitting body with a refractive index of greater than or equal to 1.6 provided over the high refractive index material layer. One surface of the high refractive index material layer is flatter than the other surface thereof which is in contact with the structure body. The refractive index of the high refractive index material layer is greater than or equal to 1.6. The refractive index of the structure body is greater than 1.0 and less than that of the high refractive index material layer. |
| US08853705B2 |
Image sensor including guard ring and noise blocking area to block noise and method of manufacturing the same
An image sensor including a deep guard ring and a noise blocking area and a method of manufacturing the same. The image sensor includes the deep guard ring and a deep P well surrounding the noise blocking area, thereby preventing crosstalk between adjacent pixels. In addition, an ion implantation layer is divided by the noise blocking area, so that substrate crosstalk is effectively eliminated. |
| US08853703B2 |
Thin film transistor array panel
A thin film transistor array panel includes a substrate, gate lines, each including a gate pad, a gate insulating layer, data lines, each including a data pad connected to a source and drain electrode, a first passivation layer disposed on the data lines and the drain electrode, a first electric field generating electrode, a second passivation layer disposed on the first electric field generating electrode, and a second electric field generating electrode. The gate insulating layer and the first and second passivation layers include a first contact hole exposing a part of the gate pad, the first and second passivation layers include a second contact hole exposing a part of the data pad, and at least one of the first and second contact holes have a positive taper structure having a wider area at an upper side than at a lower side. |
| US08853700B2 |
Cross-coupling of gate conductor line and active region in semiconductor devices
Cross-coupling between a gate conductor and an active region of a semiconductor substrate is provided by forming a gate dielectric layer on the semiconductor substrate and lithographically patterning the gate dielectric layer to form opening therein over a portion of the active region at which electrical contact with the gate conductor is desired. After implanting electrical dopants, a gate conductor layer is deposited and patterned. A remaining portion of the gate conductor layer includes an integral conductor structure, which includes a first portion overlying a gate dielectric over an active region and a second portion contacting the semiconductor material of the same active region or a different active region. The gate dielectric layer can be deposited within gate cavities in planarization dielectric material layer in a replacement gate scheme, or can be deposited on planar surfaces of active regions and/or shallow trench isolation structures in a gate first processing scheme. |
| US08853689B2 |
Thin film transistor structure and method for manufacturing the same
A thin film transistor (TFT) structure includes a metal oxide semiconductor layer, a gate, a source, a drain, a gate insulation layer, and a passivation layer. The metal oxide semiconductor layer has a crystalline surface which is constituted by a plurality of grains separated from one another. An indium content of the grains accounts for at least 50% of all metal elements of the metal oxide semiconductor layer. The gate is disposed on one side of the metal oxide semiconductor layer. The source and the drain are disposed on the other side of the metal oxide semiconductor layer. The gate insulation layer is disposed between the gate and the metal oxide semiconductor layer. The passivation layer is disposed on the gate insulation layer, and the crystalline surface of the metal oxide semiconductor layer is in direct contact with the gate insulation layer or the passivation layer. |
| US08853679B2 |
Organic semiconductors
A semiconducting compound comprising the structure: where R1 to R4 independently comprise, but are not limited to, optionally substituted straight, branched or cyclic alkyl chains having 2 to 20 (e.g. 2 to 12) carbon atoms, alkoxy, amino, amido, silyl, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl or hetero aryl; where X1 and X2 independently comprise S, O, NR5 or SiR6R7 where R8 to R7 independently comprise C1 to C5 branched, straight or cyclic alkyl chains; and where Ar1 comprises a heterocyclic ring, and where n is an integer between 1 and 4. |
| US08853676B2 |
Organic light emitting diode and manufacturing method thereof
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The OLED includes a substrate, and a first electrode serving as an anode, an organic material layer, a second electrode serving as a cathode, and a sealing layer are formed on the substrate in sequence, and the second electrode is a composite transparent structure layer realizing light emission at the top portion. By forming the composite transparent cathode with a light-transmissive top portion, the OLED emits lights from the top portion, so as to effectively enhance a light utilization ratio and a light transmission ratio, and thus not only an aperture ratio of a display screen is enhanced, but also an excellent displaying effect is obtained. Meanwhile, by adding a mesh-shaped current collection layer on a high-resistance semi-transparent metal layer, a current conducting capability is enhanced while ensuring a high light transmission ratio, thereby effectively satisfying the demands for the top-emitting OLED, which is applicable to a double-sided display device. The OLED has a simple structure and simple and reliable manufacturing technique, which thus has a wide application prospect. |
| US08853672B2 |
Gallium nitride substrate and epitaxial wafer
A gallium nitride substrate includes a plurality of physical level differences in a surface thereof. All the physical level differences existing in the surface have a dimension of not more than 4 μm. A relationship of (H−L)/H×100≦80 is satisfied in all the physical level differences, where H represents a higher value of cathodoluminescence emission intensities of a wavelength corresponding to a bandgap of the gallium nitride substrate, and L represents a lower value of the cathodoluminescence emission intensities, the cathodoluminescence emission intensities being measured in an upper step and a lower step of the physical level difference. |
| US08853669B2 |
Limiting strain relaxation in III-nitride hetero-structures by substrate and epitaxial layer patterning
A method of fabricating a substrate for a semipolar III-nitride device, comprising patterning and forming one or more mesas on a surface of a semipolar III-nitride substrate or epilayer, thereby forming a patterned surface of the semipolar III-nitride substrate or epilayer including each of the mesas with a dimension l along a direction of a threading dislocation glide, wherein the threading dislocation glide results from a III-nitride layer deposited heteroepitaxially and coherently on a non-patterned surface of the substrate or epilayer. |
| US08853665B2 |
Semiconductor constructions, memory cells, memory arrays and methods of forming memory cells
Some embodiments include a construction having oxygen-sensitive structures directly over spaced-apart nodes. Each oxygen-sensitive structure includes an angled plate having a horizontal portion along a top surface of a node and a non-horizontal portion extending upwardly from the horizontal portion. Each angled plate has an interior sidewall where an inside corner is formed between the non-horizontal portion and the horizontal portion, an exterior sidewall in opposing relation to the interior sidewall, and lateral edges. Bitlines are over the oxygen-sensitive structures, and have sidewalls extending upwardly from the lateral edges of the oxygen-sensitive structures. A non-oxygen-containing structure is along the interior sidewalls, along the exterior sidewalls, along the lateral edges, over the bitlines, and along the sidewalls of the bitlines. Some embodiments include memory arrays, and methods of forming memory cells. |
| US08853663B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device and manufacturing method thereof
A nonvolatile memory device is disclosed, in which a first electrode, a first material layer having a positive Peltier coefficient, an information storage layer, a second material layer having a negative Peltier coefficient, and a second electrode are laminated. |
| US08853660B2 |
Semiconductor memory devices having lower and upper interconnections, selection components and memory components
Semiconductor devices include lower interconnections, upper interconnections crossing over the lower interconnections, selection components disposed at crossing points of the lower interconnections and the upper interconnections, respectively, and memory components disposed between the selection components and the upper interconnections. Each of the selection components may include a semiconductor pattern having a first sidewall and a second sidewall. The first sidewall of the semiconductor pattern may have a first upper width and a first lower width that is greater than the first upper width. The second sidewall of the semiconductor pattern may have a second upper width and a second lower width that is substantially equal to the second upper width. |
| US08853658B2 |
Face-to-face opto-coupler device and method of manufacture
An optoelectronic device is disclosed. The optoelectronic device may be employed as a single or multi-channel opto-coupler that electrically isolates one circuit from another circuit. The opto-coupler may include one or more folded leads that establish an enhanced isolation gap. The enhanced isolation gap may include an interruption in the insulation of the opto-coupler between the light source and the light detector. In addition, this interruption may further include a efficiency enhancer, or lens, to direct light emitted from the light source. Accordingly, the creepage distance and operational voltages of the opto-coupler can be increased while maintaining high efficiency levels. |
| US08853642B2 |
Beam regulating apparatus for an EUV illumination beam
A beam regulating apparatus for an EUV illumination beam has a position sensor device and a control/regulating device, which is signal-connected to the position sensor device. Furthermore, at least one beam regulating component which influences the beam path of the illumination beam is signal-connected to the control/regulating device. The position sensor device has at least one diffraction grating for generating at least two reference partial beams from the illumination beam. Furthermore, the position sensor device has a respective position sensor assigned to one of the reference partial beams, for detecting the assigned reference partial beam. This results in a beam regulating apparatus which enables well-controllable illumination in conjunction with a simple construction. |
| US08853634B2 |
Resin detection system
A method and apparatus for inspecting a composite structure. A resin inspection system comprises a housing having an open section, a movement system associated with the housing, a light source associated with the housing, an infrared measurement system associated with the interior of the housing, and a visible light sensor system. The movement system is configured to move the housing on a surface of a composite structure. The light source is configured to emit light. The infrared measurement system is configured to generate infrared measurement information from infrared light detected by the infrared measurement system through the open section. The visible light sensor system is configured to generate image information about the surface of the composite structure. |
| US08853624B2 |
Single and multiple operating mode ion sources with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization
An Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI) source interfaced to a mass spectrometer is configured with a corona discharge needle positioned inside an APCI inlet probe assembly. Liquid sample flowing into the APCI inlet probe is nebulized and vaporized prior to passing through the corona discharge region all contained in the APCI inlet probe assembly. The APCI probe is configured to shield the electric field from the corona discharge region while allowing penetration of an external electric field to focus APCI generated ions into an orifice into vacuum for mass to charge analysis. Ions that exit the APCI probe are directed only by external electric fields and gas flow maximizing ion transmission into a mass to charge analyzer. Sample ions and gas phase reagent ions are generated in the APCI probe from liquid or gas inlet species or mixtures of both. |
| US08853623B2 |
Electrostatic mass spectrometer with encoded frequent pulses
A method, apparatus and algorithms are disclosed for operating an open electrostatic trap (E-trap) or a multi-pass TOF mass spectrometer with an extended flight path. A string of start pulses with non equal time intervals is employed for triggering ion packet injection into the analyzer, a long spectrum is acquired to accept ions from the entire string and a true spectrum is reconstructed by eliminating or accounting overlapping signals at the data analysis stage while using logical analysis of peak groups. The method is particularly useful for tandem mass spectrometry wherein spectra are sparse. The method improves the duty cycle, the dynamic range and the space charge throughput of the analyzer and of the detector, so as the response time of the E-trap analyzer. It allows flight extension without degrading E-trap sensitivity. |
| US08853622B2 |
Tandem mass spectrometer
A tandem mass spectrometer includes a two-dimensional ion trap that has an elongated ion-trapping region extending along a continuously curving path between first and second opposite ends thereof. The elongated trapping region has a central axis that is defined substantially parallel to the curved path and that extends between the first and second opposite ends. The two-dimensional ion trap is configured for receiving ions through the first end and for mass selectively ejecting the ions along a direction that is orthogonal to the central axis, such that the ejected ions are directed generally toward a common point. The tandem mass spectrometer also includes a collision cell having an ion inlet that is disposed about the common point for receiving the ions that are ejected therefrom and for causing at least a portion of the ions to undergo collisions and form product ions by fragmentation. A mass analyzer in communication with the collision cell receives the product ions from the collision cell and obtains product ion mass spectra with a rapid scan rate. In this way, a plurality of product ion spectra may be obtained for a large number of precursor ions in a sample without the need for data-dependent operation. |
| US08853617B1 |
Photomultiplier for well-logging tool
A photomultiplier includes a tube and plurality of dynodes within the tube and including at least one first dynode and at least one second dynode. A respective insulator is between adjacent pairs of dynodes. The at least one first dynode includes a conductive outer ring and a medial conductive member coupled to the conductive outer ring in spaced relation therefrom. The at least one second dynode includes a conductive outer ring and a conductive inner ring supported within the conductive outer ring. |
| US08853615B2 |
Ultraviolet radiation measurement sensor
A method for measuring radiation of energy photons, such as ultraviolet radiation, on a surface, may include programming at least one transistor by at least transmitting an electric charge to it. The method may further include measuring an electrical quantity of the at least one transistor receiving radiation of energy photons and estimating, based on this electrical quantity, an amount of radiation received. |
| US08853614B2 |
Method for calibrating at least one detector array formed by a plurality of detectors
In a method for calibrating at least one detector array formed by a plurality of detectors that is exposed to a high-energy, fan-shaped expanding radiation emanating from an approximately point-like energy source, serving the penetration of a material for measuring physical properties due to the absorption capacity of the material, it is provided that at least two in each case homogeneously formed calibration bodies whose gradually differing absorption is designed in a way that the absorption capacity of the one calibration body is lower and the one of the other calibration body is higher than the absorbance capacity of the material to be measured. |
| US08853611B2 |
System and method for a high dynamic range sensitive sensor element or array
A high dynamic range sensitive sensor element or array is provided which uses periodic sampling phase domain integration techniques to accurately capture high and low intensity images. The sensor element of the present invention is not limited by dynamic range characteristics exhibited by prior art solid-state pixel structures and is thus capable of capturing a full spectrum of electromagnetic radiation to provide a high quality output image. |
| US08853609B2 |
Solid-state imaging device with multiplexed read-out and shutter states
According to one embodiment, a vertical selection circuit that sets an electronic shutter state and a read-out state in time division multiplexing for each selected row of a pixel array unit in which the pixels are arranged in a matrix pattern, a pulse selector circuit that drives the pixels belonging to the selected row in accordance with the electronic shutter state and the read-out state, and a timing generator circuit that controls operational timing of the vertical selection circuit and the pulse selector circuit are included. |
| US08853597B2 |
Heat spreading/temperature uniformity device for a bake oven
A heat spreading/temperature uniformity device for a bake oven is disclosed. The heat spreading/temperature uniformity device is applicable to the bake oven, including at least one rack body movably disposed in a receiving space defined by the bake oven, and multiple heat spreading members distributed over and arranged on the rack body and integrally connected therewith. Each heat spreading member and the rack body contain a first angle and a second angle. The heat spreading/temperature uniformity device is up and down adjustably disposed in the bake oven for transferring heat to the relatively low heating intensity areas of the receiving space in the form of heat radiation. Accordingly, the food placed in the bake oven can be uniformly heated at a uniform heating intensity and a uniform temperature. |
| US08853593B2 |
Heat pipe cooling system for use with a welding torch
A heat pipe cooling system adapted for exemplary use with a gas metal arc welding torch, includes a container enclosing a capillary structure and quantity of working fluid, and functions to accelerate the dissipation of heat energy from a heated zone generated by the torch through the vaporization and condensation of the fluid and the capillary action of the structure. |
| US08853578B2 |
Multi motion switch with multiplier arm
A power tool having a paddle switch is configured to allow easier actuation of a switch mechanism. The power tool comprises a housing, a support surface disposed within the housing, a switch mechanism having a first position and a second position, a paddle member including an input surface and a hinge pin positioned a distance from the support surface, and a multiplier member pivotally connected to the hinge pin and having a first arm and a second arm. The first arm of the multiplier member extends from the hinge pin along a first longitudinal axis, and the second arm of the multiplier member extends from the hinge pin along a second longitudinal axis that is not parallel to the first longitudinal axis. The second arm is disposed to contact the support surface when force is applied to the input surface, causing rotation of the multiplier member about the hinge pin. The rotation of the hinge pin causes the first arm to contact the switch mechanism and move it from the first position to the second position. |
| US08853562B2 |
Electromagnetic shielding method and electromagnetic shielding film
An electromagnetic shielding method includes the steps of disposing a flexible electromagnetic shielding film including a laminate of at least an insulating layer and a conductive metal layer to cover a portion to be electromagnetically shielded on a printed wiring board so that the insulating layer faces the printed wiring board, the conductive metal layer having a higher melting temperature than that of the insulating resin layer; and heating the electromagnetic shielding film to a temperature to melt and contract the insulating layer, thereby bonding the conductive metal layer to a grounding conductor of the printed wiring board and electrically connecting the conductive metal layer to the grounding conductor. The heating temperature is higher than the melting temperature of the insulating layer and lower than the melting temperature of the conductive metal layer. |
| US08853560B2 |
Electromagnetic bandgap structure and printed circuit board
An electromagnetic bandgap structure and a printed circuit board that solve a mixed signal problem are disclosed. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the electromagnetic bandgap structure includes a first metal layer; a first dielectric layer, stacked in the first metal layer; a second metal layer, stacked in the first dielectric layer, and having a holed formed at a position of the second dielectric layer; a second dielectric layer, stacked in the second metal layer; a metal plate, stacked in the second dielectric layer; a first via, penetrating the hole formed in the second metal layer and connecting the first metal layer and the metal plate; a third dielectric layer, stacked in the metal plate and the second dielectric layer; a third metal layer, stacked in the third dielectric layer; and a second via, connecting the second metal layer to the third metal layer. |
| US08853558B2 |
Interconnect structure
A microelectronic assembly includes a first surface and a first thin conductive element exposed at the first surface and having a face comprising first and second regions. A first conductive projection having a base connected to and covering the first region of the face extends to an end remote from the base. A first dielectric material layer covers the second region of the first thin element and contacts at least the base of the first conductive projection. The assembly further includes a second substrate having a second face and a second conductive projection extending away from the second face. A first fusible metal mass connects the first projection to the second projection and extends along an edge of the first projection towards the first dielectric material layer. |
| US08853557B2 |
Wiring board and mount structure
A circuit board provided with a first resin layer and with a first conductive layer formed on the first resin layer. The first conductive layer has a metal carbide layer containing a carbide of a transition metal selected from Group IV, Group V, or Group VI in the Periodic Table and bonded to the first resin layer. The first resin layer has a first region to which the metal carbide layer is bonded and a second region located in an inner portion of the first resin layer from the first region. The first region has a larger ratio of number of atoms of nitrogen relative to number of atoms of carbon than in the second region. |
| US08853555B2 |
Bonding structure
A bonding structure includes a substrate, multiple first pads, multiple second pads, an insulation layer and a patterned conductive layer. The substrate has a bonding region and a predetermined-to-be-cut region. The first pads are disposed on the substrate and within the bonding region. The second pads are disposed on the substrate and within the predetermined-to-be-cut region. The insulation layer is disposed on the substrate and covers the first and second pads. The insulation layer has multiple first and second openings respectively exposing parts of the first and second pads. The patterned conductive layer is disposed on the substrate and covers the insulation layer and the parts of the first and second pads exposed out by the first and second openings, in which the patterned conductive layer is electrically connected to the first and second pads via the first and second openings. |
| US08853550B2 |
Circuit board including mask for controlling flow of solder
A circuit board includes a solder wettable surface and a metal mask configured to restrict solder from flowing outside the solder wettable surface of the circuit board. |
| US08853549B2 |
Circuit substrate and method of manufacturing same
A circuit substrate capable of reducing and preventing deviations of circuit characteristics includes a relatively hard region and a relatively soft region. A main body of the circuit substrate includes a stack of a plurality of flexible sheets made of a flexible material and includes rigid regions and a flexible region, the flexible region being more easily deformable than the rigid regions. Wiring conductors are disposed in the main body and define circuitry. Reinforcing insulative films are disposed so as to cover the portions where the wiring conductors are not disposed in the rigid regions on the flexible sheets when seen in plan view from the z-axis direction. |
| US08853545B2 |
Test card with a cuttable goldfinger structure
A test card includes a substrate and a goldfinger structure disposed on a side of the substrate. The goldfinger structure includes a first conductive section and a second conductive section. The first conductive section is inserted into a slot of a socket for electrically connecting to the socket. The second conductive section is connected to the first conductive section in a separable manner, and the second conductive section is inserted into the slot of the socket for electrically connecting to the socket after the first conductive section is cut for separating from the second conductive section. |
| US08853544B2 |
Method of transferring thin film components and circuit board having the same
Various aspects of the present invention provide a transfer method for peeling off an MIM structure (comprising lower electrode/dielectric layer/upper electrodes) film formed on a supporting substrate and then transferring onto a transfer substrate with sufficiently uniform and low damage. Various aspects of the present invention also provide a thin film element provided with one or more thin film components which are transferred onto a substrate by using said method. |
| US08853539B2 |
Cable with current leakage detection function
A cable having a current leakage detection function includes three current-carrying core wires. Each current-carrying core wire is wrapped by an insulating layer, so that the current-carrying core wires are electrically insulated from one another. The insulating layer of at least one of the current-carrying core wires is wrapped by a metal wire net. Current guiding wires in contact with the metal wire net or a single-sided conductive film laminated outside the metal wire net is utilized to achieve the effect of timely and effectively conducting a leakage current to a leakage current detection device, so as to improve the reliability of leakage current detection. |
| US08853525B2 |
Frameless photovoltaic module
A photovoltaic module employing an array of photovoltaic cells disposed between two optically transparent substrates such as to define a closed-loop peripheral area of the module that does not contain a photovoltaic cell. The module is sealed with a peripheral seal along the perimeter; and is devoid of a structural element affixed to an optically transparent substrate and adapted to mount the module to a supporting structure. The two substrates may be bonded together with the use of adhesive material and, optionally, the peripheral seal can include the adhesive material. The module optionally includes diffraction grating element(s) adjoining respectively corresponding PV-cell(s). |
| US08853523B2 |
Solar cell module and manufacturing method of the same
A solar cell module includes an antireflective film (4) which has a curved shape depressed towards a side to place photovoltaic cells (1) so as to make a film thickness of the antireflective film (4) in boundary regions (E2) between regions (E1) immediately above the adjacent photovoltaic cells (1) smaller than a film thickness of the antireflective film (4) in the regions (E1) immediately above the photovoltaic cells (1). |
| US08853515B1 |
Reversible cymbal
A reversible cymbal includes a central cup surrounded by a remainder of the cymbal. The cymbal is repeatedly reversible between a first configuration, in which curvatures of the cup and the remainder of the cymbal are in the same direction, and a second configuration, in which the curvatures are opposite, without damage to the cymbal. The cymbal can be played in both first and second configurations. |
| US08853508B2 |
Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH760284
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH760284. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH760284, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH760284 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 CH760284. |
| US08853502B1 |
Maize variety hybrid X08A233
A novel maize variety designated X08A233 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 X08A233 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X08A233 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X08A233, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X08A233. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X08A233. |
| US08853499B2 |
Cotton variety P07X.8213.RF
A cotton variety, designated P07X.8213.RF, the plants and seeds of the cotton variety P07X.8213.RF, methods for producing a cotton plant, either varietal or hybrid, produced by crossing the cotton variety P07X.8213.RF with itself or with another cotton plant, and hybrid cotton seeds and plants produced by crossing the variety P07X.8213.RF with another cotton variety or plant and to methods for producing a cotton plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic cotton plants produced by that method. This disclosure also relates to cotton varieties derived from cotton variety P07X.8213.RF, to methods for producing other cotton varieties derived from cotton variety P07X.8213.RF and to the varieties derived by the use of those methods. |
| US08853479B2 |
Methods for co-production of alkylbenzene and biofuel from natural oils
Embodiments of methods for production of linear alkylbenzene and optionally biofuel from natural oil are provided. Natural oils are deoxygenated to form a stream comprising paraffins. A first portion of the paraffins are dehydrogenated to provide mono-olefins. Then, benzene is alkylated with the mono-olefins under alkylation conditions to provide an alkylation effluent comprising alkylbenzenes and benzene. Thereafter, the alkylbenzenes are isolated to provide the alkylbenzene product. Optionally, a second portion of the paraffins may be processed to form biofuel. |
| US08853473B2 |
Azeotropic or azeotrope-like composition and process for producing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene
The present invention provides a process for producing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, comprising distilling a mixture of water and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene to separate the mixture into a first stream and a second stream, the first stream containing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene with a water content higher than the original mixture, and the second stream containing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene with a water content lower than the original mixture; and obtaining 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene with a reduced water content from the second stream. The process of the invention can efficiently remove water from 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf). |
| US08853463B2 |
Decarboxylation of levulinic acid to ketone solvents
Ketones, specifically Methyl ethyl ketone (“MEK”) and octanedione, may be formed from six carbon sugars. This process involves obtaining a quantity of a six carbon sugar and then reacting the sugar to form levulinic acid and formic acid. The levulinic acid and formic acid are then converted to an alkali metal levulinate and an alkali metal formate (such as, for example, sodium levulinate and sodium formate.) The alkali metal levulinate is placed in an anolyte along with hydrogen gas that is used in an electrolytic cell. The alkali metal levulinate within the anolyte is decarboxylated to form MEK radicals, wherein the MEK radicals react with hydrogen gas to form MEK, or MEK radicals react with each other to form octanedione. The alkali metal formate may also be decarboxylated in the cell, thereby forming hydrogen radicals that react with the MEK radicals to form MEK. |
| US08853462B2 |
Method for producing hexafluoroacetone or hydrate thereof
Hexafluoroacetone or a hydrate thereof is produced with a high yield by subjecting a 1-fluoro-4,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)-2,3,5-trioxolanyl ether compound represented by the general formula: wherein R is an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an aryl group, or a benzyl group, which has been obtained by ozone oxidation of a heptafluoroisobutenyl ether compound, to a reduction reaction in the presence of a reducing agent selected from dialkyl sulfide containing an alkyl group having 3 or 4 carbon atoms, diaryl sulfide, diaryl disulfide, and diaralkyl sulfide. |
| US08853460B2 |
Method for separating carotenoid
The present invention provides a method for collecting a carotenoid from a culture of a carotenoid-producing bacterium at high yield. Specifically, the present invention provides a method for separating a carotenoid comprising a step of precipitating a concentrate containing the carotenoid from a culture of a carotenoid-producing bacterium under acidic conditions; and a method for producing a carotenoid comprising the steps of precipitating a concentrate containing the carotenoid from a culture of a carotenoid-producing bacterium under acidic conditions and collecting the carotenoid from the obtained precipitate. |
| US08853458B2 |
Process for production of hexamethylenediamine from carbohydrate-containing materials and intermediates therefor
Processes are disclosed for the conversion of a carbohydrate source to hexamethylenediamine (HMDA) and to intermediates useful for the production of hexamethylenediamine and other industrial chemicals. HMDA is produced by direct reduction of a furfural substrate to 1,6-hexanediol in the presence of hydrogen and a heterogeneous reduction catalyst comprising Pt or by indirect reduction of a furfural substrate to 1,6-hexanediol wherein 1,2,6-hexanetriol is produced by reduction of the furfural substrate in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst comprising Pt and 1,2,6-hexanediol is then converted by hydrogenation in the presence of a catalyst comprising Pt to 1,6 hexanediol, each process then proceeding to the production of HMDA by known routes, such as amination of the 1,6 hexanediol. Catalysts useful for the direct and indirect production of 1,6-hexanediol are also disclosed. |
| US08853454B2 |
Quaternary ammonium salts as microbe inhibitors
The present invention relates to quaternary ammonium salts and their use as mold inhibitors. The quaternary salts can be prepared by a chloride ion-promoted reaction between a tertiary amine and an alcohol or polyol in strong acid solution. The quaternary ammonium salts can be applied to a substrate in order to impart anti-mold properties to the substrate. Preferably, the quaternary ammonium salt compounds are applied to paper substrates in an amount of about 1000 ppm. Preferably, the quaternary ammonium salts compounds are applied as mixtures of more than one quaternary ammonium salt compound. The treated substrate does not require encapsulators, binders, or retention aids. |
| US08853452B2 |
Compounds, their syntheses, compositions, and methods to treat cancer
Compounds and their syntheses are disclosed herein. Compositions and pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound are also described, and include compositions also comprising liposomes. Methods for the treatment of cancer in animals comprising administering a compound or a composition comprising a compound are also described. |
| US08853439B2 |
Processes for the preparation of lacosamide and intermediates thereof
The invention relates to improved processes for the preparation of lacosamide. The invention also relates to a novel intermediate useful in the preparation of lacosamide. The invention also relates to process for the purification of lacosamide. |
| US08853437B2 |
Anti-inflammatory compounds
An object of the present invention is to provide a compound having a novel structure for overcoming the defects of conventional steroid agents and NSAIDs. It is found that the particular dihydroxy bodies of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, which have not conventionally been known (11,18-dihydroxy eicosapentaenoic acid (11,18-diHEPE), 17,18-dihydroxy eicosapentaenoic acid (17,18-diHEPE) etc.), have activity of inhibiting neutrophil, thereby solving the object. The present invention unexpectedly remarkably inhibits infiltration into a tissue of, and activation of neutrophil found out at acute inflammation. The compound of the present invention is a compound which has not conventionally been known. Therefore, utility as a new therapeutic is provided. |
| US08853431B2 |
Process for the preparation of 17-(3-hydroxypropyl)-17-hydroxysteroids
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of 17α-(3-hydroxypropyl)-17β-hydroxysteroids of the formula I starting from 17-ketosteroids of the formula III via the intermediates of the formula V wherein the radicals R3, R5, R6, R7, R10, R13, R15, R16, R40, R41 and R42 have the meaning indicated in the description. |
| US08853430B2 |
Crystalline hydrochloride salt of darunavir
The present invention provides novel crystalline hydrochloride salt of darunavir, process for its preparation and to pharmaceutical composition comprising it. The present invention also provides novel process for preparation of darunavir amorphous form and pharmaceutical composition comprising it. |
| US08853412B2 |
Pyrrolidinone derivatives as GPR119 modulators for the treatment of diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia and related disorders
The present invention relates to pyrrolidinone derivatives. The pyrrolidinone derivatives are GPR119 modulators and useful for the prevention and/or treatment of diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia and related disorders. The invention furthermore relates to the use of pyrrolidinone derivatives as active ingredients in pharmaceuticals, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them. |
| US08853406B2 |
Substituted phenylenediamines as inhibitors of the interaction between MDM2 and P53
The present invention provides compounds of formula (I), their use as an inhibitor of a p53-MDM2 interaction as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds of formula (I). |
| US08853402B2 |
Process for reducing the 6-keto group of a morphinan alkaloid to the 6-hydroxy group by hydrogenation
A process for the reduction of a 6-keto group in a morphinan alkaloid to the corresponding 6-hydroxy group includes hydrogenating the 6-keto group using gaseous hydrogen in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst and a solvent, to yield the 6-hydroxy morphinan alkaloid, wherein the reduction is carried out at a pH in the range of about 5 to about 7, and the 6-hydroxy morphinan alkaloid has an α:β ratio of >85:15. |
| US08853387B2 |
Mimetics of sulfated oligosaccharides
The present invention is directed to sulfated oligosaccharides having 4, 5 or 6 saccharidic units and wherein a glycosidic bond between two saccharide units is substituted by a C—C bond, and wherein the sulfation degree expressed as percentage of OH groups substituted by a OSO3− group is comprised between 50 and 100%. The sulfated oligosaccharides according to the invention are useful as a drug, in particular in the treatment of angiogenesis, metastasis, and inflammation. |
| US08853386B2 |
Starch esters, methods of making same, and articles made therefrom
Starch esters are made by: reacting a starch with an esterifying agent in the presence of a catalyst in a solvent for the starch ester, the esterifying agent including a mixture of at least two esterifying agents; or pre-treating a starch in a bath being free of an esterifying agent, and reacting the pre-treated starch with an esterifying agent in the presence of a catalyst. Articles are made by blending cellulose ester and starch ester, may be cross-linked, and may include internal plasticizers. |
| US08853379B2 |
Chimeric poly peptides and the therapeutic use thereof against a flaviviridae infection
The invention relates to building a chimeric polypeptide used for preventing or treating a Flaviviridae infection. The use of the inventive chimeric polypeptide for producing recombinant viral vectors such as a measles living viral vector is also disclosed. |
| US08853370B2 |
Plant-produced glycoprotein comprising human-type sugar chain
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a glycoprotein having a human-type sugar chain comprising a step in which transformed plant cell is obtained by introducing to a plant cell the gene of glycosyltransfetase and the gene of an exogenous glycoprotein, and a step in which the obtained transformed plant cell is cultivated. |
| US08853366B2 |
Binding domain-immunoglobulin fusion proteins
The invention relates to novel binding domain-immunoglobulin fusion proteins that feature a binding domain for a cognate structure such as an antigen, a counterreceptor or the like, a wild-type IgG1, IGA or IgE hinge region polypeptide or a mutant IgG1 hinge region polypeptide having either zero, one or two cysteine residues, and immunoglobulin CH2 and CH3 domains, and that are capable of ADCC and/or CDC while occurring predominantly as polypeptides that are compromised in their ability to form disulfide-linked multimers. The fusion proteins can be recombinantly produced at high express levels. Also provided are related compositions and methods, including cell surface forms of the fusion proteins and immunotherapeutic applications of the fusion proteins and of polynucleotides encoding such fusion proteins. |
| US08853365B2 |
Dual variable domain immunnoglobulins and uses thereof
The present invention relates to engineered multivalent and multispecific binding proteins, methods of making, and specifically to their uses in the prevention, diagnosis, and/or treatment of disease. |
| US08853363B2 |
Substance binding human IgG Fc receptor IIb (FcγRIIb)
The invention relates to novel immunogens carrying conformationally discriminating epitopes (CDEs) and to immunization methods for producing antibodies that specifically recognize proteins with very closely related homologues. In particular, the invention relates to antibodies which are specific for either FcγRIIb or FcγRIIa. |
| US08853352B2 |
Functionalized polymer and method for making
A functionalized polymer includes a directly bonded moiety, which can be located at a terminus of the polymer, defined by the formula —CR1R2NH-Q-M where M is (N═CR1R2) or N-(QN═CR1R2)2 each Q independently is a substituted or unsubstituted, cyclic or acyclic C1-C40 alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl radical, and each R1 and R2 independently is a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, allyl, aralkyl, alkaryl, or alkynyl group. The polymer can be provided by introducing a polyimine compound into a system that includes carbanionic (living) polymer. Such polymers can be used in the production of compositions that include particulate fillers. |
| US08853345B2 |
Polymer, method for producing the same, and resist composition containing the same
Provided is a copolymer. The copolymer, when incorporated into a resist composition, can provide a satisfactory resist pattern with high sensitivity, high resolution, high etching resistance and a reduced amount of outgas. |
| US08853341B2 |
Composition featuring enhanced adhesion to porous substrates
The present invention relates to compositions based on silane-functional polymers that are suitable for the adhesive bonding, sealing and coating of porous substrates, more particularly of porous mineral substrates, and that even after water storage ensure effective adhesion of the composition to the substrate. |
| US08853336B2 |
Boron trifluoride-catalyst complex and process for preparing high-reactivity isobutene homopolymers
A catalyst complex composed of boron trifluoride and a cocatalyst mixture of 10 to 90% by weight of a monohydric primary C1- to C20-alcohol and 90 to 10% by weight of a monohydric secondary C3- to C20-alcohol, where the molar ratio of boron trifluoride to the sum of all alcohols is 2:1 to 1:10. This catalyst complex is used in the preparation of high-reactivity isobutene homopolymers having a number-average molecular weight of 300 to 50 000, using, as the feedstock, a C4 hydrocarbon mixture comprising at least 20% by weight of isobutene and a total of at least 10% by weight of other C4 olefins. |
| US08853333B2 |
Process for operating a mixing kneader
The invention relates to a process for operating a mixing kneader, comprising one or more shafts on whose surfaces are disposed kneading bars and which are surrounded by a casing, comprising the following steps: (a) supplying reactants at an addition site in the mixing kneader, (b) converting the reactants in an exothermic reaction, the reaction at first forming a coherent kneadable intermediate, (c) tearing and dividing the coherent kneadable intermediate to form a product, the exothermic reaction optionally continuing during the tearing and division, (d) withdrawing the product at a withdrawal site in the mixing kneader, wherein at least one of the shafts and/or the casing is heated to a temperature above 20° C. during the operation of the mixing kneader. |
| US08853329B2 |
Adhesives made from polymer systems
The present invention relates to an adhesive, comprising at least one polymer system obtained by a process for reducing the melt viscosity of at least one polymer blend starting material, wherein the process comprises the step of treating at least one polymer blend with at least one radical donor under shear stress at a temperature above the softening point of said polymer blend. |
| US08853324B2 |
Mobile telephone housing comprising polyamide resin composition
A mobile telephone housing comprising a polyamide composition having excellent stiffness and low moisture absorption. |
| US08853321B2 |
Laser curable polymerisable composition for the protection of hard tissue
One-component heat-curable sealant composition for the protection of exposed dental surfaces, comprising (a) a polymerizable monomer and/or oligomer which has at least two polymerizable double bonds per molecule, and (b) an initiator system comprising benzoylperoxide in an amount of at least 2 wt.-% based on the total composition. |
| US08853317B2 |
Coating comprising multipopulation fumed silica particles
The invention provides a coating comprising fumed silica particles, wherein the fumed silica particles comprise aggregates of primary particles, wherein (a) the primary particles have a bimodal or multimodal particle size distribution representing populations of particles having at least a smallest average primary particle size and a largest average primary particle size, and wherein primary particles having a smaller average primary particle size are attached to primary particles having a larger average primary particle size, or (b) the aggregates have a bi-modal or multi-modal aggregate size distribution, and a carrier. The invention additionally provides a method for preparing a coated article comprising the coating. |
| US08853316B2 |
Thermoplastic elastomer composition
A thermoplastic elastomer composition, and more particularly, a thermoplastic elastomer composition for use in manufacturing a joint connecting a glass run and an inner-belt. The thermoplastic elastomer composition includes an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), polybutene (PB), polypropylene (PP), paraffin oil, a peroxide cross-linking agent, and an antioxidant. |
| US08853312B2 |
Resin composition and semiconductor device produced by using the same
A quick curing resin composition, which can be used in conventionally used ovens, and a semiconductor device, which is excellent in reliability such as solder crack resistance or the like when the resin composition, is used as a die attach material for semiconductor. The resin composition has a sufficient low stress property, good adhesion and excellent bleeding property. The resin composition includes a filler (A), compound (B) having the structure represented by the formula (1) and a functional group represented by the formula (2) and a thermal radical initiator (C), and substantially not containing a photo polymerization initiator. |
| US08853311B2 |
Block copolymer-comprising compositions and methods of purifying PS-b-PXVP
In one embodiment, a block copolymer-containing composition includes PS-b-PXVP and a lithium salt, where “X” is 2 or 4. All lithium salt is present in the composition at no greater than 1 ppm by weight. In one embodiment, a homogenous block copolymer-including comprising has PS-b-PXVP present in the composition at no less than 99.99998% by weight, where “X” is 2 or 4. Methods of forming such compositions are disclosed. |
| US08853310B2 |
Process for preparing a lubricated thermoplastic polymer
A method for preparing a lubricated thermoplastic polymer, in particular a lubricated polyamide is described. A method for preparing a lubricated thermoplastic polymer, in particular a lubricated polyamide, according to which a mixture of lubricants is added to the molten polymer during the polymerization process is also described. |
| US08853305B2 |
Setting retarder for hydrate-forming binders
A method for producing a setting retarder for hydrate-forming binders, wherein a) a first reactant A, comprising an amino acid and/or an amino acid derivative, is reacted with b) a second reactant C, including an amine-free carboxylic acid and/or an amine-free carboxylic acid derivative, to form a reaction product, characterized in that the reaction is carried out at a pH value of 7.5-11.5 and the pH value is held constant in the specified range of 7.5-11.5 during the reaction. In order to hold the pH value constant in the specified range and to avoid fluctuations, in one process step an aqueous solution of reactant A is prepared and a pH of 7.5-11.5, preferably 8-11, in particular 8.5-10.5, is set by adding a base. |
| US08853297B2 |
Method and means for infiltrating enamel lesions
The present invention refers to a method of infiltrating enamel for the prevention and/or treatment of carious lesions comprising (a) exposing an enamel area to a conditioner comprising hydrochloric acid; (b) exposing the conditioned enamel area to an infiltrant; and (c) curing the infiltrant. The present invention further refers to a kit for carrying out the method of infiltrating enamel, which comprises a conditioner comprising hydrochloric acid and an infiltrant comprising at least one low viscous dental resin. Alternatively, the kit comprises ready-to-use means for carrying out the method of infiltrating enamel, e.g. application strips with delivery pads soaked with conditioner or infiltrant. The present invention also refers to a method for identifying an infiltrant by calculation of the penetration coefficient, and to an infiltrant identified by the method having a penetration coefficient of >50 cm/s or comprising a low viscous light curing resin having a penetration coefficient of >50 cm/s. |
| US08853289B2 |
Foam compositions for selective recovery of oil spills and other applications
A polymer composition for use in the removal and recovery of oil slicks or spills floating on the surfaces of bodies of water or present on land, such as beaches comprising a foam of a blend of polyethylene and an ethylene-alkyl acrylate copolymer and a process for using such foams in the selective removal of oil from fresh water or salt water and the recovery of the absorbed oils from the foams is disclosed. The polymer composition is also for use in other applications in which absorption of liquids is desired. |
| US08853285B2 |
Polymer electrolyte membrane chemically bonded with ionic liquid and fuel cell using the same
The present disclosure provides a polymer electrolyte membrane chemically bonded with an ionic liquid. More particularly, the present disclosure provides a polymer electrolyte membrane chemically bonded with an ionic liquid by reacting the ionic liquid with a novel polymer chain terminal. The polymer electrolyte membrane described herein has a high hydrogen ionic conductivity, even in a high-temperature and anhydrous environment. Additionally, the membrane displays electro-chemical and thermal stability. Moreover, the polymer electrolyte membrane may also be applied to a high-temperature and dry-out bio fuel cell. |
| US08853283B2 |
Stable crystal modifications of DOTAP chloride
The invention relates to enantiomerically pure DOTAP chloride and stable crystal modifications of (2R,S)-, (2S)- and (2R)-DOTAP chloride, to a process for the preparation of these modifications, and to the use thereof as constituent for the preparation of medicaments. |
| US08853281B2 |
Cysteine protease inhibitors
Compounds of the formula I wherein R1a is H; and R1b is C1-C6 alkyl, Carbocyclyl or Het; or R1a and R1b together define a saturated cyclic amine with 3-6 ring atoms; R2a and R2b are H, halo, C1-C4alkyl, C1-C4haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy; or R2a and R2b together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a C3-C6cycloalkyl; R3 is a branched C5-C10alkyl chain, C2-C4haloalkyl or C3-C7cycloalkylmethyl, R4 is Het, Carbocyclyl, optionally substituted as defined in the specification and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates and N-oxides thereof; are inhibitors of cathepsin S and have utility in the treatment of psoriasis, autoimmune disorders and other disorders such as asthma, arteriosclerosis, COPD and chronic pain. |
| US08853278B1 |
Compositions comprising a biocidal polyamine
Compounds, compositions, and methods comprising a polyamine compound are described, which may be used to kill, disperse, treat, reduce biofilms, and/or inhibit or substantially prevent biofilm formation. In certain aspects, the present invention relates to compounds, compositions, and methods comprising polyamine compounds that have antimicrobial or dispersing activity against a variety of bacterial strains capable of forming biofilms. |
| US08853273B2 |
Medicinal agent for prevention and/or treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma
The present invention relates to provision of a pharmaceutical agent useful for the prevention and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, and the pharmaceutical agent for the prevention and/or treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma contains an acyclic retinoid, a salt thereof, or a solvate of any of these, in combination with a branched-chain amino acid, a salt thereof, or a solvate of any of these. |
| US08853272B2 |
Method for treating an inflammation or lesion caused by a virus
A method for treating an inflammation or lesion caused by herpes virus, comprising topically applying to said inflammation or lesion a composition consisting essentially of a C1 to C3 monohydroxy alcohol or a C2 to C4 diol and a sufficient amount of an acid to adjust the pH of the composition to below 4.6. Topical administration of the composition is preferred and is effective in treating lesions associated infections by viruses such as Herpes simplex. Nasal deliverable forms are effective in treating symptoms due to viruses that cause the common cold. Pharmaceutical compositions for use in the present method are provided. |
| US08853264B2 |
Use of lignan compounds for treating or preventing inflammatory disease
The present invention relates to the use of lignan compounds for treating or preventing an inflammatory disease. More particularly, it relates to a method for preventing or treating an inflammatory disease, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of macelignan represented by Chemical Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The lignan compound has the effect of inhibiting inflammatory reactions by inhibiting the production or expression of inflammation mediators NO, iNOS, PGE2, COX-2 and TNF-α and by treating or preventing inflammatory disease in vivo. Accordingly, the lignan compound or a Myristica fragrans extract will be highly useful for the treatment or prevention of an inflammatory disease. |
| US08853263B2 |
Co-therapy for the treatment of epilepsy and related disorders
The present invention is directed to co-therapy for the treatment of epilepsy and related disorders comprising administering to a subject in need thereof, co-therapy with a therapeutically effective amount of a benzo-fused heterocycle sulfamide derivative and a therapeutically effective amount of one or more anticonvulsant and/or anti-epileptic agents. |
| US08853261B2 |
Nutraceutical composition from Garcinia mangostana
Pharmaceutical, cosmetic, nutraceutical and dietary compositions derived from Garcinia mangostana are rich in γ-mangostin and other demethylated xanthones. These compositions exhibit potent antioxidative activity and reduce inflammation. These compositions may be used in a method of treating TNF-α, and aP2 mediated disorders. The compositions are prepared by subjecting a hydroalcoholic extract of fruit pericarp (fruit hull) of Garcinia mangostana, wherein said hydroalcoholic extract comprises predominantly α-mangostin, to demethylation in the presence of a Lewis acid, an organic base and a catalyst. |
| US08853258B2 |
C-linked hydroxamic acid derivatives useful as antibacterial agents
The present invention is directed to a new class of hydroxamic acid derivatives of Formula I, wherein the variables G, T, D, L, A, X, R1 and R2 are as described hereinabove, and their use as LpxC inhibitors, and more specifically their use to treat bacterial infections. |
| US08853249B2 |
Method for producing intermediates for the production of macrocycles that are inhibitors of the proteasomic degradation of p27, such as argyrin and derivatives thereof
The present invention relates to an improved method for the synthesis of particular macrocycles that are inhibitors of the proteasomic degradation of p27, in particular argyrin and derivatives thereof. |
| US08853247B2 |
Oligomer-nitroimidazole anti-infective conjugates
The invention provides (among other things) small molecule drugs that are chemically modified by covalent attachment of a water soluble oligomer. |
| US08853244B2 |
Thiophene-carboxamides useful as inhibitors of protein kinases
The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of protein kinase. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising said compounds and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disease, conditions, or disorders. The invention also provides processes for preparing compounds of the inventions. |
| US08853230B2 |
Inhibitors of JAK
The present invention is directed to compounds of formula I and tautomers and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof which are selective inhibitors of JAK. The present invention is also directed to intermediates used in making such compounds, the preparation of such a compound, pharmaceutical compositions containing such a compound, methods of inhibition JAK activity, and methods to prevent or treat a number of conditions mediated at least in part by JAK activity. |
| US08853220B1 |
Synthesis of 2,6,9-tri-substituted-4,8-dinitro-2,6,9-triazabicyclo[3.3.1]nona-3,7-diene intermediates toward the preparation of polyaza-adamantanes
The present invention relates to methods for synthesizing energetic compounds and intermediates thereof. Specifically, the present invention relates to methods for synthesizing adamantanes and intermediates that are useful in such synthesis. Synthesized intermediates are useful in the synthesis of bicyclic and tricyclic substituted adamantanes. Examples of various intermediates are: acyclic 2-nitromalonaldehyde intermediates, 2,6,9-tri-substituted-4,8-dinitro-2,6,9-triazabicyclo[3.3.1]nona-3,7-dienes and 2,6-dinitro-4,8,9,10-tetra-aza-4,8,9,10-tetra-substituted adamantanes. Intermediates synthesized according to the methods of the present invention are useful toward the synthesis of tetraaza-adamantanes, which can serve as precursors to potentially superior new high-energy-density compounds (HEDCs). The tricyclic intermediate compound has a structure of Formula III: where R is one of a benzyl, 4-methoxybenzyl, acetyl, nitro, formyl, allyl, and a carboethoxyl group. |
| US08853207B2 |
Heterocyclic pyrazole compounds, method for preparing the same and use thereof
The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I): or hydrates, solvates, prodrugs, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1, R2, X, Y, ring A, R3 and R4 are as defined in the detailed description and claims. The compound of formula (I) are receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitors and have efficacy for the treatment, prevention, or amelioration of RTK-related diseases. |
| US08853205B2 |
Heteropyrrole analogs acting on cannabinoid receptors
Disclosed are biologically active hetero pyrrole analogs such as imidazoles, thiazoles, oxazoles and pyrazoles capable of interacting with the CB1 and/or CB2 cannabinoid receptors. Aspects disclose hetero pyrrole analogs acting as CB1 and/or CB 1 receptor antagonists, having selectivity for the CB 1 or CB2 receptor, acting as neutral antagonists, acting preferentially on CB 1 receptors located in the peripheral nervous system, and/or acting as nitric oxide donors. Pharmaceutical preparations employing the disclosed analogs and methods of administering therapeutically effective amounts of the disclosed analogs to provide a physiological effect are also disclosed. |
| US08853193B2 |
Thienopyrimidines containing a substituted alkyl group for pharmaceutical compositions
The present invention relates to novel thienopyrimidine compounds of general formula pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and their therapeutic use for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of diseases which can be influenced by the inhibition of the kinase activity of Mnk1 and/or Mnk2 (Mnk2a or Mnk2b) and/or variants thereof. |
| US08853192B2 |
Fat or oil composition
A fat or oil composition containing the following ingredients (A) and (B): (A) 100 parts by weight of a fat or oil containing 15 wt. % or more of diacylglycerols having, in the constituent fatty acids thereof, an unsaturated fatty acid content of 80 wt. % or more, a conjugated linoleic acid content of from 2 to 92 wt. %, and an ω3 unsaturated fatty acid content of less than 15 wt. %; having a monoacylglycerol content of 5 wt. % or less and a free fatty acid content of 5 wt. % or less; and containing 1,3-diacylglycerol/1,2-diacylglycerol at a weight ratio of from 1 to 5; and (B) from 0.001 to 2 parts by weight of a tocopherol. |
| US08853184B2 |
Polysaccharide gel formulation having increased longevity
Described herein are polysaccharide gel formulations including at least one inhibitor of polysaccharide degradation and methods of making the same. The methods described herein involve the steps of providing at least one polysaccharide and incorporating at least one inhibitor of degradation into the polysaccharide. In some embodiments, the incorporating step comprises 1) mixing the at least one inhibitor with the at least one polysaccharide at a highly hydrated state thereby encapsulating the at least one inhibitor in a polysaccharide network, and 2) dehydrating the polysaccharide network thereby controlling release kinetics or final swell ratio. In another embodiment, the incorporating step comprises 1) encapsulating at least one inhibitor into a biocompatible or biodegradable vessel and 2) combining the polysaccharide and the vessel into a gel formulation. The polysaccharide gel formulations described herein can be used for a variety of cosmetic applications. |
| US08853180B2 |
Methods and materials for modulating deubiquitinases and ubiquitinated polypeptides
This document relates to methods and materials involved in modulating deubiquitinases (e.g., USP10 polypeptides) and/or ubiquitinated polypeptides (e.g., tumor suppressor polypeptides or mutant versions of tumor suppressor polypeptides). For example, methods and materials for increasing deubiquitinase (e.g., a USP10 polypeptide) expression or activity, methods and materials for decreasing deubiquitinase (e.g., a USP10 polypeptide) expression or activity, methods and materials for stabilizing tumor suppressor polypeptides (e.g., wild-type p53 polypeptides), methods and materials for de-stabilizing mutant versions of tumor suppressor polypeptides (e.g., mutant p53 polypeptides), and methods and materials for reducing cancer cell proliferation, increasing cancer cell apoptosis, and/or treating cancer (e.g., cancers having reduced levels of wild-type p53 polypeptides or cancers having increased levels of mutant p53 polypeptides) are provided. This document also provides methods and materials for identifying agonists or antagonists of USP10 polypeptide mediated stabilization of p53 polypeptides. |
| US08853179B2 |
Reengineering mRNA primary structure for enhanced protein production
Described herein are rules to modify natural mRNAs or to engineer synthetic mRNAs to increase their translation efficiencies. These rules describe modifications to mRNA coding and 3′ UTR sequences intended to enhance protein synthesis by: 1) decreasing ribosomal diversion via AUG or non-canonical initiation codons in coding sequences, and/or 2) by evading miRNA-mediated down-regulation by eliminating one or more miRNA binding sites in coding sequences. |
| US08853163B2 |
Methods for increasing vascular density and maintaining viability of microvascular endothelial cells using trk receptor ligands
The present invention relates to methods of inducing or inhibiting the angiogenic process and promoting vessel growth or stabilization in an organ by modulating the trk receptor pathway. The present invention also relates to a method for treating a pathological disorder in a patient which includes administering a trk receptor ligand or an inhibitor or expression or activity of a trk receptor ligand. The present invention also relates to a method of screening for a modulator of angiogenesis, vessel growth, or vessel stabilization. Another aspect of the present invention is a method of diagnosing or monitoring a pathological disorder in a patient which includes determining the presence or amount of a trk receptor ligand or activation of a trk receptor ligand in a biological sample. |
| US08853162B2 |
Interpenetrating polymer network comprising fibrin
There is provided a method of forming a hydrogel, the method comprising: providing a mixture of a polymer comprising a cross-linkable pendant phenolic group, peroxidase, H2O2, fibrinogen, and thrombin, at concentration sufficient to enzymatically cross-link the polymer and to cleave the fibrinogen to yield fibrin; and allowing the mixture to form a hydrogel. There is also provided a hydrogel comprising a cross-linked network of a polymer interpenetrated by fibrin fibers, the polymer cross-linked by oxidative coupling between phenolic groups pendant on the polymer. |
| US08853156B2 |
Treatment for diabetes in patients inappropriate for metformin therapy
The present invention relates to the finding that certain DPP-4 inhibitors are particularly suitable for treating and/or preventing metabolic diseases, particularly diabetes, in patients for whom metformin therapy is inappropriate due to intolerability or contraindication against metformin. |
| US08853144B2 |
Cleaning composition containing a polysaccharide graft polymer composition and methods of improving drainage
A composition includes a polysaccharide graft polymer composition. In one embodiment, the polysaccharide graft polymer composition includes a polysaccharide residue present in an amount from about 5% to about 90% by weight of the polysaccharide graft polymer composition and a residue of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer present in an amount from about 10% to about 75% by weight of the polysaccharide graft polymer composition. |
| US08853138B1 |
Gear lubricant comprising carbon black
A gear oil composition is provided. The composition comprises a major amount of base oil comprising a mixture of a mineral base oil and polybutene; and 0.1 to 0.5 wt % of carbon black, based on the total weight of the gear oil composition. Such compositions can provide improved viscosity stability. |
| US08853130B2 |
Yield enhancing agent for harvesting part of crop
A means for enhancing the yield of a harvesting part of a crop is provided. A yield enhancing agent for a harvesting part selected from the group consisting of seed, fruit, hypocotyl, root and stem in a crop, the yield enhancing agent comprising: 5-aminolevulic acid or a derivative thereof represented by the following formula (1), or a salt thereof; and a gibberellin biosynthesis inhibitor: R2R1NCH2COCH2CH2COR3 (1), wherein R1 and R2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an acyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryl group or an aralkyl group; and R3 represents a hydroxyl group, an alkoxy group, an acyloxy group, an alkoxycarbonyloxy group, an aryloxy group, an aralkyloxy group or an amino group, wherein the yield enhancing agent is an agent to be applied at the time when the harvesting part of the crop becomes enlarged. |
| US08853124B2 |
Resin bonded sorbent
A multi-functional resin bonded sorbent material including a blend of a resin, a sorbent and an electrically conductive material. The sorbent includes a plurality of sorbent particles uniformly dispersed within the resin so that each sorbent particle of the plurality of sorbent particles is fully surrounded by the resin and the electrically conductive material includes a plurality of conductive particles dispersed within the resin so that the plurality of conductive particles forms a conductive path. |
| US08853118B2 |
Propylene polymerization catalyst system
The invention relates to a catalyst system for polymerization of propylene, the catalyst system comprising a Ziegler Natta procatalyst, an organoaluminium cocatalyst, a monoester of an aromatic carboxylic acid as the internal donor and ethyl-4-isopropoxy benzoate as the selectivity control agent. The invention also relates to a process for polymerization using the catalyst system as well as to polymers prepared by the process. |
| US08853107B2 |
Industrial two-layer fabric
An industrial two-layer fabric includes a first warp set and a second warp set that are placed alternately and form a weave design of the upper side fabric. The first warp set contains two upper side warps. At least one of the upper side warps of the first warp set functions as a warp binding yarn that binds the upper side fabric and the lower side fabric. The second warp set contains one of upper side warps and one of lower side warps placed below the one of the upper side warps. At a position where two adjacent lower side warps are woven with one of the lower side wefts, the warp binding yarn placed between the two adjacent lower side warps is woven with the same one of the lower side wefts. |
| US08853103B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor wafer
A method of manufacturing a silicon wafer, an oxygen concentration in a surface layer to be maintained more than a predetermined value while promoting a defect-free layer. Strength of the surface layer can be made higher than that of an ordinary annealed sample as a COP free zone is secured. A method of manufacturing a silicon wafer doped with nitrogen and oxygen, includes growing a single crystal silicon doped with the nitrogen by Czochralski method, slicing the grown single crystal silicon to obtain a single crystal silicon wafer; heat treating the sliced single crystal silicon wafer in an ambient gas including a hydrogen gas and/or an inert gas; polishing the heat treated single crystal silicon wafer, after the heat treatment, such that an obtained surface layer from which COP defects have been removed by the heat treatment is polished away until an outermost surface has a predetermined oxygen concentration. |
| US08853102B2 |
Manufacturing method of circuit structure
A manufacturing method of a circuit structure is provided. A metal layer having an upper surface is provided. A surface passivation layer is formed on the metal layer. The surface passivation layer exposes a portion of the upper surface of the metal layer, and a material of the metal layer is different from a material of the surface passivation layer. The metal layer and the surface passivation layer are dipped into a modifier, and the modifier is selectively absorbed and attached to the surface passivation layer, so as to form a covering layer. The covering layer has a plurality of nanoparticles and covers the surface passivation layer. |
| US08853094B2 |
Method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure comprising complementary bipolar transistors, wherein for manufacture of a PNP-type structure, an emitter layer having a surface oxide layer is present on top of an NPN-type structure, the emitter layer comprising lateral and vertical surfaces, and wherein for removal of the oxide layer, an ion etching step is applied, wherein for the on etching step a plasma for providing ions is generated in a vacuum chamber by RF coupling and the generated ions are accelerated by an acceleration voltage between the plasma and a wafer comprising the semiconductor structure, and wherein the plasma generation and the ion acceleration are controlled independently from each other. |
| US08853085B1 |
Grapho-epitaxy DSA process with dimension control of template pattern
A method for defining a template for directed self-assembly (DSA) materials includes patterning a resist on a stack including an ARC and a mask formed over a hydrophilic layer. A pattern is formed by etching the ARC and the mask to form template lines which are trimmed to less than a minimum feature size (L). Hydrophobic spacers are formed on the template lines and include a fractional width of L. A neutral brush layer is grafted to the hydrophilic layer. A DSA material is deposited between the spacers and annealed to form material domains in a form of alternating lines of a first and a second material wherein the first material in contact with the spacers includes a width less than a width of the lines. A metal is added to the domains forming an etch resistant second material. The first material and the spacers are removed to form a DSA template pattern. |
| US08853083B2 |
Chemical mechanical polish in the growth of semiconductor regions
A method includes performing a first planarization step to remove portions of a semiconductor region over isolation regions. The first planarization step has a first selectivity, with the first selectivity being a ratio of a first removal rate of the semiconductor region to a second removal rate of the isolation regions. After the isolation regions are exposed, a second planarization step is performed on the isolation regions and a portion of the semiconductor region between the isolation regions. The second planarization step has a second selectivity lower than the first selectivity, with the second selectivity being a ratio of a third removal rate of the portion of semiconductor region to a fourth removal rate of the isolation regions. |
| US08853082B2 |
Polishing liquid for CMP and polishing method using the same
An object of the present invention is to provide a polishing liquid for CMP with which polishing scratches can be reduced and a sufficiently high polishing rate can be obtained in a CMP step for an ILD film, aggregation of an abrasive grain is difficult to occur, and high flatness is obtained, and provide a polishing method using the same. The polishing liquid for CMP according to the present invention is a polishing liquid for CMP containing an abrasive grain, an additive, and water, wherein the abrasive grain comprises a cerium-based particle, and the additive comprises a 4-pyrone-based compound and at least one of a nonionic surfactant or a cationic surfactant: [wherein X11, X12, and X13 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituent]. |
| US08853080B2 |
Method for depositing tungsten film with low roughness and low resistivity
Methods of producing low resistivity tungsten bulk layers having low roughness and associated apparatus are provided. According to various embodiments, the methods involve CVD deposition of tungsten at high pressures and/or high temperatures. In some embodiments, the CVD deposition occurs in the presence of alternating nitrogen gas pulses, such that alternating portions of the film are deposited by CVD in the absence of nitrogen and in the presence of nitrogen. |
| US08853078B2 |
Method of depositing material
Material is deposited in a desired pattern by spontaneous deposition of precursor gas at regions of a surface that are prepared using a beam to provide conditions to support the initiation of the spontaneous reaction. Once the reaction is initiated, it continues in the absence of the beam at the regions of the surface at which the reaction was initiated. |
| US08853076B2 |
Self-aligned contacts
Self-aligned contacts in a metal gate structure and methods of manufacture are disclosed herein. The method includes forming a metal gate structure having a sidewall structure. The method further includes recessing the metal gate structure and forming a masking material within the recess. The method further includes forming a borderless contact adjacent to the metal gate structure, overlapping the masking material and the sidewall structure. |
| US08853068B2 |
Method of fabricating dual high-k metal gate for MOS devices
The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region, forming a high-k dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate, forming a capping layer over the high-k dielectric layer in the first region, forming a first metal layer over capping layer in the first region and over the high-k dielectric in the second region, thereafter, forming a first gate stack in the first region and a second gate stack in the second region, protecting the first metal layer in the first gate stack while performing a treatment process on the first metal layer in the second gate stack, and forming a second metal layer over the first metal layer in the first gate stack and over the treated first metal layer in the second gate stack. |
| US08853063B2 |
Method and system for carbon doping control in gallium nitride based devices
A method of growing an n-type III-nitride-based epitaxial layer includes providing a substrate in an epitaxial growth reactor, forming a masking material coupled to a portion of a surface of the substrate, and flowing a first gas into the epitaxial growth reactor. The first gas includes a group III element and carbon. The method further comprises flowing a second gas into the epitaxial growth reactor. The second gas includes a group V element, and a molar ratio of the group V element to the group III element is at least 5,000. The method also includes growing the n-type III-nitride-based epitaxial layer. |
| US08853061B1 |
Methods for manufacturing nonplanar graphite-based devices having multiple bandgaps
A method for forming a graphite-based device on a substrate having a plurality of zones is provided where the substrate is carbon doped in zones. Each such zone comprises a plurality of dopant profiles. One or more graphene stacks are generated in the doped zones. A graphene stack so generated comprises a non-planar graphene layer characterized by a bending angle, curvature, characteristic dimension, graphene orientation, graphene type, or combinations thereof. A method for forming a graphite-based device on a substrate is provided, the substrate comprising a graphene foundation material and a plurality of zones. The substrate is patterned to form features in the zones. One feature comprises a non-planar surface or at least two adjacent surfaces that are not coplanar. One or more graphene stacks are concurrently generated, at least one of which comprises a non-planar graphene layer overlaying the non-planar surface or the at least two adjacent surfaces. |
| US08853059B2 |
Method of uniform selenization and sulfurization in a tube furnace
A method for high temperature selenization of Cu—In—Ga metal precursor films comprises ramping the precursor film to a temperature between about 350 C and about 450 C in an inert gas and at a pressure between about 1 atmosphere and about 2 atmospheres. A partial selenization is performed at a temperature between about 350 C and about 450 C in a Se-containing atmosphere. The film is then ramped to a temperature between about 450 C and about 550 C in an inert gas and at a pressure between about 1 atmosphere and about 2 atmospheres, followed by an additional selenization step at a temperature between about 450 C and about 550 C in a Se-containing atmosphere. The film is then annealed at a temperature between about 550 C and about 650 C in an inert gas. |
| US08853053B2 |
Capacitive element, manufacturing method of the same, solid-state imaging device, and imaging apparatus
A capacitive element, includes: an active region parted by an element isolation region formed in a semiconductor substrate; a first electrode formed of a diffusion layer in the active region; an insulating layer formed on the first electrode; and a second electrode formed on a planar surface of the first electrode via the insulating layer, wherein the second electrode is formed within the active region and within the first electrode in a planar layout. |
| US08853052B2 |
Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. An exemplary method includes a providing substrate. A dielectric layer is formed over the semiconductor substrate and a stop layer is formed over the dielectric layer. The stop layer and the dielectric layer comprise a different material. The method further includes forming a patterned hard mask layer over the stop layer and etching the semiconductor substrate through the patterned hard mask layer to form a plurality of trenches. The method also includes depositing an isolation material on the semiconductor substrate and substantially filling the plurality of trenches. Thereafter, performing a CMP process on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the CMP process stops on the stop layer. |
| US08853047B2 |
Self aligned fin-type programmable memory cell
A fin-type programmable memory cell includes a bottom electrode electrically coupled to an access device, a top electrode, and an L-shaped memory material element electrically coupled to the bottom and top electrodes. A memory array includes an array of such memory cells, electrically coupled to an array of access devices. Method for making a memory cell, includes: forming a dielectric support layer over a bottom electrode, the dielectric support layer having an upper surface; forming a cavity through the dielectric support layer, exposing a surface of the bottom electrode and defining a dielectric support structure having a sidewall; forming a film of memory material over the dielectric support structure and in the cavity; depositing a dielectric spacer layer over the memory material film; forming a dielectric sidewall spacer from the dielectric spacer layer and a memory material structure having a generally horizontal portion underlying the dielectric sidewall spacer and a generally vertical portion between the dielectric sidewall spacer and the sidewall of the dielectric support structure; forming a dielectric fill; planarizing the dielectric fill to expose upper ends of the vertical portion of the memory material structure; depositing a top electrode material over the planarized dielectric fill; and forming a top electrode from the top electrode material and a memory material element from the memory material structure. |
| US08853045B2 |
Low capacitance precision resistor
A precision low capacitance resistor is formed, e.g., in a bulk substrate. An embodiment includes forming a source/drain region on a substrate, patterning a portion of the source/drain region to form segments, etching the segments to substantially separate an upper section of each segment from a lower section of each segment, and filling the space between the segments with an insulating material. The resulting structure maintains electrical connection between the segments at end pads, but separates the resistor segments from the bottom substrate, thereby avoiding capacitive coupling with the substrate. |
| US08853043B2 |
Silicon germanium (SiGe) heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT)
A heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT), an integrated circuit (IC) chip including at least one HBT and a method of forming the IC. The HBT includes an extrinsic base with one or more buried interstitial barrier layer. The extrinsic base may be heavily doped with boron and each buried interstitial barrier layer is doped with a dopant containing carbon, e.g., carbon or SiGe:C. The surface of the extrinsic base may be silicided. |
| US08853036B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
In a power feeding region of a memory cell (MC) in which a sidewall-shaped memory gate electrode (MG) of a memory nMIS (Qnm) is provided by self alignment on a side surface of a selection gate electrode (CG) of a selection nMIS (Qnc) via an insulating film, a plug (PM) which supplies a voltage to the memory gate electrode (MG) is embedded in a contact hole (CM) formed in an interlayer insulating film (9) formed on the memory gate electrode (MG) and is electrically connected to the memory gate electrode (MG). Since a cap insulating film (CAP) is formed on an upper surface of the selection gate electrode (CG), the electrical conduction between the plug (PM) and the selection gate electrode (CG) can be prevented. |
| US08853029B2 |
Method of making vertical transistor with graded field plate dielectric
An electronic device has a plurality of trenches formed in a semiconductor layer. A vertical drift region is located between and adjacent the trenches. An electrode is located within each trench, the electrode having a gate electrode section and a field plate section. A graded field plate dielectric having increased thickness at greater depth is located between the field plate section and the vertical drift region. |
| US08853024B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
The present invention discloses a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising the steps of: forming a plurality of source and drain regions in a substrate; forming a plurality of gate spacer structures and an interlayer dielectric layer around the gate spacer structures on the substrate, wherein the gate spacer structures enclose a plurality of first gate trenches and a plurality of second gate trenches; sequentially depositing a first gate insulating layer and a second gate insulating layer, a first blocking layer and a second work function regulating layer in the first and second gate trenches; performing selective etching to remove the second work function regulating layer from the first gate trenches to expose the first blocking layer; depositing a first work function regulating layer on the first blocking layer in the first gate trenches and on the second work function regulating layer in the second gate trenches; and depositing a resistance regulating layer on the first work function regulating layer in the first gate trenches and on the first work function regulating layer in the second gate trench. |
| US08853018B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device having multi-channels
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device having multi-channels is provided. The method includes etching an active region of a gate region and a device isolation layer of the gate to form a gate recess, forming a first gate buried in a lower portion of the gate recess, forming an active bridge on the first gate for connecting portions of the active region at both sides of the first gate, and forming a second gate on the first gate to cover the active bridge. Therefore, a multi-channel region can be formed. |
| US08853012B2 |
Display device and method for manufacturing the same
A gate insulating film has a convex portion conforming to a surface shape of a gate electrode and a step portion that changes in height from a periphery of the gate electrode along the surface of the gate electrode. An oxide semiconductor layer is disposed on the gate insulating film so as to have a transistor constituting region having a channel region, a source region, and a drain region in a continuous and integral manner and a covering region being separated from the transistor constituting region and covering the step portion of the gate insulating film. A channel protective layer is disposed on the channel region of the oxide semiconductor layer. A source electrode and a drain electrode are disposed in contact respectively with the source region and the drain region of the oxide semiconductor layer. A passivation layer is disposed on the source electrode and the drain electrode. |