Document Document Title
US08996214B2 Hybrid working vehicle
A hybrid working vehicle comprises an engine, a drive wheel, a power take-off (PTO) shaft, and a power transmission system for transmitting power from the engine to the drive wheel and the PTO shaft. The power transmission system is bifurcated at a bifurcating point into a traveling drive train for driving the drive wheel and a PTO drive train for driving the PTO shaft. A continuously variable transmission is provided on the traveling drive train, and a motor generator is provided on the power transmission system between the engine and the bifurcating point. The motor generator functions as a generator by power of the engine and functions as an electric motor for driving the power transmission system. The hybrid working vehicle includes a controller for controlling an output rotary speed of the motor generator functioning as the electric motor.
US08996211B2 Method and device for controlling micro-hybrid system with regenerative braking for motor vehicle
A method for controlling regenerative braking of an automobile micro-hybrid system is disclosed. The system includes at least a rotary electrical machine and an electrochemical battery. The method includes a step, when the electrochemical battery has a first predetermined energy state, which corresponds to an initial optimum charging state, of commanding a reduction of the first energy state, to a second energy state corresponding to an intermediate charging state, so as to make a charging capacity available in the electrochemical battery during a subsequent opportunity for recovery of electrical energy during, for example, a braking phase of the vehicle.
US08996210B2 Integrated vessel monitoring and control system
A vessel monitoring and control system. Data indicative of operational conditions for vessel systems is transmitted from the vessel to one or more remote sites and commands are received from the one or more remote sites for controlling the vessel systems. Multiple transmitting and receiving components are available on the vessel for communicating with a variety of different communications systems at the remote sites.
US08996209B2 Method for operating a railway section and corresponding railway section
A method for operating a railway section that includes section elements, which are each actuated by a processor that is reliable in terms of signaling and cyclically carries out a test routine. A railway section is configured for carrying out the method. In order to save energy and cost, the processor is operated selectively in active mode or sleep mode. From the sleep mode the processor is switched to the active mode for the duration of the test routine by way of a timer logic element that is reliable in terms of signaling.
US08996207B2 Systems and methods for autonomous landing using a three dimensional evidence grid
A method for autonomous landing of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising: obtaining sensor data corresponding to one or more objects outside of the aircraft using at least one onboard sensor; using the sensor data to create a three dimensional evidence grid, wherein a three dimensional evidence grid is a three dimensional world model based on the sensor data; combining a priori data with the three dimensional evidence grid; locating a landing zone based on the combined three dimensional evidence grid and a priori data; validating an open spots in the landing zone, wherein validating includes performing surface condition assessment of a surface of the open spots; generating landing zone motion characterization, wherein landing zone motion characterization includes characterizing real time landing zone pitching, heaving, rolling or forward motion; processing the three dimensional evidence grid data to generate flight controls to land the aircraft in one of the open spots; and controlling the aircraft according to the flight controls to land the aircraft.
US08996206B2 Aircraft power plant, an aircraft, and a method of piloting said aircraft
An aircraft power plant (2) having at least two engines (3, 4), each co-operating with respective control means (5) including respective memories (6), each memory (6) containing information for causing said engine (3, 4) to operate with a plurality of distinct utilization envelopes at iso-damage. Said power plant (2) includes determination means (10) for determining a first utilization envelope (101) for application during a takeoff stage of flight and a second utilization envelope (102) for application during a cruising stage of flight following the takeoff stage of flight, and a third utilization envelope (103) for application during a landing stage of flight following the cruising stage of flight.
US08996205B2 Method for regulating the torque of a control surface actuator with a controlled angular position on an aircraft with mechanical flight control
A method for regulating an actuator for a control surface is provided, which actuator has an angular position controlled by an autopilot on an aircraft with mechanical flight control. When the value of the torque exerted by the actuator is less than a threshold torque value, the actuator is regulated in terms of position and the maximum speed of movement of the control surface is limited to a value that is dependent on the torque value. When the value of the torque exerted by the actuator is greater than the threshold torque value, the actuator is regulated in terms of torque.
US08996204B2 Systems and methods for adjusting target approach speed
Systems and methods for adjusting target approach speed for use in a “Too Fast” approach to landing condition. An exemplary system stores predefined maximum wind setting and a predefined reference speed and a pilot set bug speed value. A processing device sets a target speed equal to the bug speed, if the bug speed is less than the reference speed plus a value associated with a predefined maximum wind setting, and sets the target speed equal to the reference speed plus the max wind added value, if the manual bug speed is not less than the reference speed plus the max wind added value. An output device outputs an alert if the received aircraft speed is greater than the set target speed plus a predefined error value when the received aircraft location is within a threshold value of a touchdown point.
US08996199B2 Vehicle accident history recorder
A vehicle accident history recorder is provided. The vehicle accident history recorder comprises: a collision detection sensor for detecting a collision of a vehicle; a collision determination section for determining an occurrence of the collision based on a detection result of the collision detection sensor; a yaw rate sensor for detecting a yaw rate of the vehicle; a damaged portion determination section for determining a damaged portion of the vehicle in the collision based on the detection result of the collision detection sensor and a detection result of the yaw rate sensor when the collision determination section determines the occurrence of the collision; and a storage device for storing a determination result of the damaged portion determination section in a readable form.
US08996197B2 Lane monitoring with electronic horizon
Apparatus for a vehicle operated on a roadway having lane markers includes an optical sensor providing optical data of the roadway. A first lane model is stored in an electronic memory in response to detected lane markers in the optical data. An electronic horizon system tracks a position of the vehicle and provides roadway data in response to the position. A second lane model is stored in the electronic memory in response to the roadway data. A confidence checker compares a discrepancy between the first and second lane models to a threshold in order to determine a confidence level. An output selector selects the first lane model when lane markers are detected in the optical data, and selects the second lane model if the lane markers are not detected in the optical data and the confidence level is greater than a predetermined level.
US08996194B2 Vehicle mount computer with configurable ignition switch behavior
A vehicle mount computer having a configurable behavior controlled by a vehicle's ignition switch. A user can configure the computer to perform an action, switch modes, or execute a software application in response to the ignition switch being pressed or the position of the ignition switch being adjusted. For example, the computer can be configured to switch to a standby mode or hibernation mode, shutdown, prompt the user to select an action, or do nothing in response to the ignition switch being placed in an off position. The ignition switch can be electrically coupled to an input of the computer so that the computer's operating system or another application can monitor the status of the ignition switch. The operating system or application can cause the computer to perform the configured response upon detecting a change in the ignition switch's position or an actuation of the ignition switch.
US08996191B2 Techniques for provisioning energy generation and storage systems
Techniques for provisioning energy generation and/or storage systems. In one embodiment, a method is provided that can comprise automatically determining, by a site gateway, information pertaining to one or more components of an energy storage system, where the site gateway and the one or more components are located at a customer site. The method can further comprise configuring, by the site gateway, the energy storage system based on the automatically determined information.
US08996186B2 System and method for managing power consumption
In accordance with a particular embodiment, a method for managing power consumption includes receiving power rate information and receiving power usage information. The method also includes receiving a plurality of personal preference profiles. Each personal preference profile of the plurality of personal preference profiles is associated with a different user of a plurality of users and includes at least one preferred state associated with a respective user. The method further includes detecting a presence of at least one user within a room. The method additionally includes adjusting at least one state associated with the room based on the at least one preferred state associated with the at least one user within the room, the power rate information, and the power usage information.
US08996179B2 Movement simulator
A movement simulator includes a base; a platform movable relative to the base; a plurality of actuators each having a controllably variable length, each of the actuators being coupled with the base and carrying the platform, wherein the dimensions of the base and the platform, and the variable lengths of the actuators determine a workspace within which the platform can move. A controller is operable to provide a motion cueing algorithm having a demanded platform state as output and a washout controller having a washout adaptation as output, which washout controller keeps the platform within its workspace by adapting the demanded platform state to a commanded platform state using the washout adaptation. The commanded platform state controls, via a kinematic transformation, the lengths of the actuators. The washout adaptation is calculated using a model predictive control algorithm.
US08996173B2 Method and apparatus for hand gesture control in a minimally invasive surgical system
In a minimally invasive surgical system, a hand tracking system tracks a location of a sensor element mounted on part of a human hand. A system control parameter is generated based on the location of the part of the human hand. Operation of the minimally invasive surgical system is controlled using the system control parameter. Thus, the minimally invasive surgical system includes a hand tracking system. The hand tracking system tracks a location of part of a human hand. A controller coupled to the hand tracking system converts the location to a system control parameter, and injects into the minimally invasive surgical system a command based on the system control parameter.
US08996163B2 Disc dispensing device, tubular container for use in such a disc dispensing device and method of dispensing discs
Disc dispensing device for dispensing discs impregnated with antibiotics onto a culture dish. The device comprises a stationary support on which a magazine is removably mounted. The magazine holds a plurality of tubular containers each containing a stack of discs to be dispensed. A moving means moves one disc from a bottom end of a tubular container to a pick-up position. From the pick-up position a transfer means picks up said one disc and transfers it to the culture dish where it is dispensed. The removable culture dish is supported by a moveable carriage which is mounted on the stationary support. The carriage is moveable relative to the magazine from a starting position to an operating position and vice versa. Control means control the operation of the device. The plurality of tubular containers is rotatable around a magazine center under control of the control means.
US08996147B2 Dynamically updated audio juke box
Embodiments discussed herein are directed to an apparatus and method for providing a library of audio files. In one embodiment, a receiver records a number of music tracks or other audio files from broadcasts or other transmissions that are sent across a number of channels. The receiver may be operable to receive a number of audio and/or video channels. The audio tracks may be recorded from the audio channels and stored on the receiver, when the receiver is not otherwise being used. In this way, the receiver accumulates a number of audio tracks that may be played back by a user at a convenient time. The receiver may adapt to record certain tracks or channels based on choices made by a user. In certain embodiments, a user may enter one or more preferences that cause the receiver to record certain tracks or channels.
US08996144B2 Remote disconnect switch assembly
Described herein are embodiments of a remote disconnect switch assembly. In one embodiment, the remote disconnect switch assembly comprises: an actuator; a shuttle that is operably moved by the actuator; one or more disconnect switches that are opened or closed by movement of the shuttle; one or more sensors; a communication interface; and a processor, wherein the processor is operably connected with the actuator, the one or more sensors and the communication interface, and wherein the processor is configured to: communicate with one or more other computing devices over a network using the communication interface; receive signals from the one or more sensors; and cause the actuator to operate in accordance with the signals received from the one or more sensors or the communications with the one or more other computing devices.
US08996141B1 Adaptive predictive functional controller
A controller device and a method for controlling a system that utilizes an adaptive mechanism to self-learn the system characteristics and incorporates this adaptive self-learning ability to predict a control parameter correctly to provide precise control of a system component.
US08996139B2 Method for synchronizing two control devices, and redundantly designed automation system
A method for synchronizing a first control device and a second control device of a redundantly structured automation device that controls a technical process is provided. The first control device and the second control device are connected to each other. The first and second devices include functional components which implement the functions that control the technical process. The first control device performs the functions in the functional components for controlling the technical process in cycles, thus creating internal states of the functional components. During control of the technical process by the first control device, information about the internal states of the functional components is transferred, distributed over several cycles, to the second control device. The second control device assigns the transmitted information about the internal states to the functional components. In addition, a corresponding redundantly structured automation device is provided.
US08996137B2 Nasal stimulation devices and methods
Described here are devices, systems, and methods for treating one or more conditions (such as dry eye) or improving ocular health by providing stimulation to nasal or sinus tissue. Generally, the devices may be handheld or implantable. In some variations, the handheld devices may have a stimulator body and a stimulator probe having one or more nasal insertion prongs. When the devices and systems are used to treat dry eye, nasal or sinus tissue may be stimulated to increase tear production, reduce the symptoms of dry eye, and/or improve ocular surface health.
US08996127B2 Using interaction to measure neural excitation
Assessment of neuron excitation is implemented by quantifying the interaction between focused and unfocused stimulation applied to a cochlear array. By applying focused and unfocused stimulation to the electrode array and comparing the difference in the responses to the two types of stimulation the interaction may be determined. The magnitude of the interaction may be related to neural excitation and using this data a neural excitation profile may be determined.
US08996111B2 Lead recognition for an implantable medical system
The disclosure describes implantable medical systems that respond to occurrence of a lead-related condition by utilizing an elongated coil electrode in defining an alternative pacing therapy vector to maintain optimal drain of an IMD power supply. An exemplary system includes a medical electrical lead having an elongated electrode and an improved sensing and therapy delivery circuitry to provide the alternative pacing therapy vector responsive to the lead-related conditions. The system includes circuitry for recognition of the lead type in order to respond to the occurrence of the lead-related condition.
US08996108B2 Activity sensor processing for phrenic nerve activation detection
An implantable cardiac device includes a sensor for sensing patient activity and detecting phrenic nerve activation. A first filter channel attenuates first frequencies of the sensor signal to produce a first filtered output. A second filter channel attenuates second frequencies of the accelerometer signal to produce a second filtered output. Patient activity is evaluated using the first filtered output and phrenic nerve activation caused by cardiac pacing is detected using the second filtered output.
US08996095B2 Guide extension catheter
Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a guide extension catheter. The guide extension catheter may include a push member having a proximal portion with a proximal stiffness, a distal portion with a distal stiffness different from the proximal stiffness, and a transition portion disposed between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The transition portion may provide a smooth transition between the proximal stiffness and the distal stiffness. The push member may have a first outer diameter. A distal tubular member may be attached to the push member. The distal tubular member may have a second outer diameter larger than the first outer diameter.
US08996094B2 Method and system for compensating a self-caused displacement of tissue
A system for compensating a neurally triggered or other self-caused displacement of a tissue of an animal including man comprises a base provided with a means for immobilizing the animal or body part thereof comprising the tissue, one or more displacement means in contact with the base, a means for sampling position data from a marker disposed in or in the proximity of the tissue, a means for sampling source activity data from one or more sources of displacement, microprocessor means for correlating position data and source activity data to generate a predictive correspondence, a means for controlling the one or more displacement means by source activity data based on the predictive correspondence. Also disclosed is a corresponding method and use.
US08996092B1 Garment to facilitate electrode placement for intraoperative monitoring
A garment is provided with an electrode and indicia to facilitate placement of the garment. The indicia is used to orient the garment such that the electrode is placed in precise orientation with respect to a stimulation site to facilitate intraoperative monitoring during surgical procedures.
US08996090B2 Noninvasive detection of a physiologic parameter within a body tissue of a patient
The invention provides a device for contacting a surface of a tissue within a patient's body to determine a physiologic parameter of the patient. The device typically comprises a sensor responsive to the physiologic parameter and a probe housing the sensor. The probe is constructed to allow the sensor to be secured at a sensing area adjacent to a surface of a patient's tissue, without need for an adhesive and without disturbing the blood flow within the measurement region of the tissue. The device may also include a means for reducing interference in the sensing area. Preferably, the device further comprises an indicating means operably connected to the sensor for indicating an analyte quantity and/or concentration associated with the physiologic parameter. The invention also provides a method for determining a physiologic parameter of a patient.
US08996088B2 Apparatus and method for improving training threshold
The present invention generally relates to a non-invasive biosensor device configured to measure physiological parameters of a subject. In one aspect, a method of determining a training threshold of a subject is provided. The method includes the step of detecting an oxygenation parameter of a tissue of the subject using Near InfraRed Spectroscopy (NIRS). The method further includes the step of processing the oxygenation parameter. Additionally, the method includes the step of determining the training threshold of the subject using the result of the processing. In another aspect, a biosensor device for determining a lactate threshold of a subject during exercise is provided. In a further aspect, a biosensor device for measuring parameters of a subject during exercise is provided.
US08996083B2 Self-shield open magnetic resonance imaging superconducting magnet
A self-shield open magnetic resonance imaging superconducting magnet comprises five pairs of coils: shim coils, first main magnetic coils, second main magnetic coils, third main magnetic coils, and shielding coils. The five pairs of coils are symmetric about the center. The shim coils are arranged closest to the center point; the first main magnetic coils, the second main magnetic coils, the third main magnetic coils, and the shielding coils are arranged in sequence outside. The first main magnetic coils are connected with reverse current. The second and third main magnetic coils are connected with positive current for providing the main magnetic field strength. The shim coils are connected with positive current for compensating the magnetic field in the central region. The shielding coils are connected with reverse current for creating a magnetic field opposite to the main magnetic field for compensating the stray magnetic field in the space.
US08996054B2 Dynamic SAR emission control to minimize RF exposure
A network node determines one or more parameters related to a Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) target, where SAR is a measure of a maximum energy or power absorbed by a unit of mass of tissue exposed to radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation generated as a result of radio transmissions generated by a UE. The network node generates content for a message for transmission to the UE including the determined one or more SAR-related parameters to be applied by a transmitter in the UE. Based on those one or more SAR-related parameters, the UE determines and implements an action in order to meet the SAR target. Other example embodiments permit the UE to determine the SAR-related parameters in other ways.
US08996053B2 Method and apparatus for updating and using updated group aliases and incident IDs
An updated group alias, based on one or more of a location, function, and purpose of a group, is transmitted to a subscriber unit (SU) and displayed at the SU, in place of a previously provisioned group ID or group alias associated with the group, during communications with, or when the SU is tuned to, the group. An incident ID, associated with one or more groups and identifying an incident, is received and stored at a SU. The SU embeds the stored incident ID in all future communications with the one or more groups and, upon request, scans a set of groups and/or channels for communications having the incident ID embedded therein. An incident ID alias described one or more of a name, location, function, or purpose of the incident, may also be received and associated with the incident ID.
US08996050B2 System and method for measuring of radio frequency in interplanetary space
A system and method for observing a radio wave in an interplanetary space are provided. The system may include a tile unit to observe a Radio Frequency (RF) signal generated from a cosmic radio source in the interplanetary space, and to generate observation data, a node unit to digitalize the generated observation data, and to store the digitalized observation data, and a data analyzing unit to analyze the digitalized observation data and to compute a characteristic of a solar wind.
US08996033B1 Systems and methods for statistically associating mobile devices to households
Embodiments of the invention relate to methods and systems for associating a mobile device to a household. In various embodiments, a plurality of latitude-longitude pairs is received for a mobile device during a time period. The latitude-longitude pairs are organized into a plurality of clusters corresponding to geographic regions visited by the mobile device during the time period. For each cluster, a score is calculated that represents a likelihood that a user of the mobile device resides in a household within the cluster. The cluster with the highest score is identified as being the location of the user's household. The computation is preferably conducted recursively over time periods. The mobile device is then associated with the user's household.
US08996032B2 Systems for and methods of determining likelihood of reference point identity duplication in a positioning system
Systems for and methods of determining likelihood of reference point identity duplication in a positioning system are disclosed. A method of determining a measure of likelihood that a designated identifier is shared by wireless devices includes determining reference points associated with any wireless device having a designated identifier. The reference points are a geographic position at which signals from any of the wireless devices were detected and/or wireless devices from which signals were also detected within a selected period of time during which the signals from any of the wireless devices having the designated identifier were detected. The method also includes determining statistical information about a temporal distribution of detection of signals of reference points, a spatial distribution of the reference points, and/or a cardinality of the reference points and determining a measure of likelihood that the designated identifier is shared by wireless devices is based on the statistical information.
US08996027B2 Mobile radio communications device, related network device and method
The present invention provides for a mobile radio communications device arranged for operation within a mobile radio communications network comprising a plurality of location areas each comprising a plurality of cells, the device including means for identifying an approaching border of an area with a neighbouring area, triggering means for triggering location update signalling from the device and to reflect a change in area responsive to the identification of the said border, and the device further including delaying means for delaying transmission of a location update signalling such that, particularly if a random delay is employed, the cell traffic load can be spread out in time and its required location.
US08996024B1 Virtual pooling of local resources in a balloon network
Disclosed embodiments relate to virtual pooling of a local resource in a balloon network. In an example, a balloon network has geographic zones, including at least a first and a second geographic zone. Further, each balloon has a sustainable utilization rate for a local resource. Each balloon utilizes the local resource according to a respective first utilization rate when located in the first geographic zone and utilizes the local resource according to a second utilization rate when located in the second geographic zone. For one or more of the balloons, the sustainable utilization rate is less than the respective first utilization rate and greater than the respective second utilization rate. However, the balloons are operable to move between the geographic zones such that the first utilization rate is substantially continuous in first geographic zone.
US08996021B2 Method and device for transmitting/receiving identifier for no-mobility mobile station in idle state in wireless communication system
Disclosed are a method and a device for transmitting/receiving an identifier for a no-mobility mobile station in an idle state in a wireless communication system. In a base station device for transmitting an identifier for a no-mobility mobile station in an idle state, according to the present invention, a receiver receives information on mobility from at least one mobile station. A processor allocates, to the at least one no-mobility mobile station in an idle state, at least one identifier for a no-mobility mobile station in an idle state for a no-mobility mobile station in an idle state on the basis of the information on mobility. A transmitter transmits the allocated identifier to the at least one no-mobility mobile station in an idle state.
US08996018B2 Method and apparatus to facilitate avoiding control signaling conflicts when using shared wireless carrier resources
A base station (500) can determine (201) which resource blocks a second base station (503) will utilize to transmit control signaling as corresponds to that second base station. The base station can then prevent (202) itself from transmitting control signaling (which control signaling corresponds to a plurality of wireless carrier resources as correspond to the base station) using resource blocks that will coincide with the resource blocks the second base station will utilize to transmit its control signaling. These teachings also provide for having the base station then transmit (203) a signal that comprises an indication that the control signaling as corresponds to the plurality of wireless carrier resources will be transmitted using the alternative resource blocks as compared to at least one ordinarily expected resource block.
US08996013B2 Method and system for load balancing of large file transfers on a wireless network
A method and system identifies a data file for transfer to a user. The invention also detects the movement of the user device from which the data file transfer was made and calculates a projected path for movement of the user device. Based on the projected path of movement, the sections of the requested data file are transferred in parallel to node areas where the user device is projected to move according to the projected path. As the user enters a node area, the section of the data file downloaded to that node area is locally transferred to the user device and thereby substantially reducing download time of a large data file.
US08996010B2 Mobile communication system, radio controller, base station, and mobility control method
A radio controller 100 includes a transmission power acquisition unit 111 configured to acquire a neighboring cell transmission power value that is a transmission power value of a radio signal transmitted from a base station forming the neighboring cell, an offset determination unit 115 configured to determine a power offset of the neighboring cell to be added to the predetermined transmission power value, based on a difference between the predetermined transmission power value and the neighboring cell transmission power value acquired by the transmission power acquisition unit, and an offset notification unit 117 configured to notify the power offset determined by the offset determination unit to the mobile station.
US08996006B2 Mobile station, radio base station, mobile communication system, and mobile communication method
A mobile station UE according to the present invention includes: a determination unit 14 configured to determine whether to notify a measurement result based on the radio quality in the serving cell and the neighboring cell measured by the measurement unit 13, and the parameter acquired by the parameter acquisition unit 12; and a notification unit 15 configured to notify the radio base station eNB of the measurement result when the determination unit 14 determines that the measurement result is to be transmitted, in which only when a first predetermined period or more has elapsed after the mobile station UE starts to communicate with the serving cell, the determination unit 14 is configured to determine whether to notify the measurement result.
US08996004B2 Methods and systems for manual cell selection in boundary area for wireless devices
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques for selecting a new cell, from a plurality of cells in a boundary area between first and second coverage areas, for a wireless device. The first and second coverage areas may include, for example, include cells controlled by first and second operators or cells in different time zones. In either case, the techniques may facilitate giving preference to cells in a same coverage area as a current cell. The wireless device may then select a cell from the list of neighbor cells as the new cell.
US08995994B2 Routing communications between telecommunications networks
A telecommunications system includes a first (home) mobile telecommunications network A5 second (roamed) mobile telecommunications network B and a third (virtual) mobile telecommunications network C. The virtual network C does not have its own radio access network but uses the radio access network of network B in accordance with a commercial contract between networks B and C. Network C is a MVNO. When a mobile telecommunications device that has network A as its home network roams to network B, the mobile telecommunications device initially registers with network B as the roamed network. Conventionally, communications between network A and network B would be transmitted via a fixed communication link (25) (such as a leased line). However, in the embodiment described, the network A transmits a command to the mobile telecommunications device, instructing that device to de-register from network B and to re-register with virtual network C. The home network A and the virtual network C include IP routing servers (29,29C) which enable voice over IP calls to be routed between the home network A and the virtual network C via the Internet (31). The calls can subsequently be routed from the virtual network C to the mobile device via the radio access network on network B. In this way, use of the fixed communication link (25) between network A and network B is reduced, thereby potentially reducing the cost of making and receiving calls while roaming.
US08995992B1 Method and system for secure mobile device number lookup and modification
Method and system for testing communication devices via network connections. A request from a user in association with testing a communication device is received by a server. The request is with respect to a feature of the communication device that is being tested. The request is forwarded to a gateway that is responsible for facilitating the testing of communication devices. Upon receiving a response by the server from the gateway, the response is sent to the user.
US08995988B2 Communication characteristic analyzing system, communication characteristic analyzing method, and communication characteristic analyzing program
[Object] To improve analysis precision of communication characteristic, while minimizing the calculation amount, to determine a local dead area, thereby providing useful information for cell site design.[Solving Means] There are included the steps of: determining, on the basis of the maximum population of an area to be analyzed, an area attribute of big city, local city or rural area (S2); accepting the designation of a target building out of buildings in the area to be analyzed; finding that one or those ones of analyzing methods including quota analysis, topology analysis and geographic feature analysis which are associated with the determined area attribute, and executing a local analysis of the communication characteristic of the target building (S3-S5); and correcting, on the basis of the analysis result, the referential estimated value (A-value) of the area to be analyzed, and outputting the corrected value as a communication characteristic value of the target building (S6). A required cell site solution is output in accordance with the corrected communication characteristic value.
US08995986B2 Detection of scrambling code confusion
Detection of a confusion caused by scrambling code reuse is provided herein. Timing measurements, as observed by a mobile device, and an identification of primary scrambling codes associated with the timing measurements are captured. The timing measurements are identified by the primary scrambling codes for the particular radio measured. The mobile device also reports its location information. Radios for which timing measurements have been received are paired. Based on the paired radios and a history of observed time difference reference values for radio pairs, comparisons are made between paired radios having at least one common radio. Radios, exhibiting a set of values that is near an expected range, are removed from the analysis. Radios, exhibiting two sets of values that are distinct, are isolated in order to identify the radio that is causing the scrambling code confusion.
US08995982B2 In-car communication between devices
Methods and systems for a complete vehicle ecosystem are provided. Specifically, systems that when taken alone, or together, provide an individual or group of individuals with an intuitive and comfortable vehicular environment. The present disclosure includes a system to generate a vehicle communication system. The vehicle communication system can determine which devices are within the vehicle. From this determination, the vehicle communication system may create a universal bus and hotspot where applications, data, multimedia information, and resources can be shared both with the vehicle and with the other devices in the vehicle.
US08995979B2 MEID-based paging to reach de-activated telematics modules
A method of operating a telematics unit includes replacing a mobile identification number (MIN) or a mobile dialed number (MDN) stored in a telematics unit with a temporary geographical mobile identification number (GMIN) that prevents the telematics unit from using all of its features; associating the GMIN with a mobile equipment identification number (MEID) of the vehicle telematics unit; storing the associated GMIN and MEID at a central facility; paging the telematics unit using the associated GMIN and MEID; and instructing the telematics unit via the page to communicate with the central facility over a wireless data connection.
US08995976B2 Embedding service provider information in a wireless call
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, in a mobile station of a terminating party, an incoming call and an identifier of a service provider of an initiating party of the incoming call, and displaying information corresponding to the initiating party service provider on a display of the mobile station. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08995970B2 Multicast communication method in a CDMA mobile communication system
A multicast communication method in a CDMA mobile communication system is disclosed, which is capable of reducing a transmission power in a base station system and performing an efficient multicast operation for a large number of mobile subscribers is provided. Starting of information distribution by a multicast operation and identification of information indicating content are notified through a broadcast channel to a mobile subscriber. Through the broadcast channel, information necessary for actual reception of communication data is notified. In the mobile subscriber, a surround environment of the mobile subscriber is checked to determine the possibility of simultaneous receiving from a plurality of other base station systems. If possible, similar notified information is also received from other base station systems. Thus, all kinds of information regarding the spread code or the like to be used for receiving distributed information are obtained.
US08995965B1 Synthetic communication network method and system
Aspects of the present invention provide a method and system of registering a phone device on a synthetic communication network. One implementation receives a request to connect the phone device to a synthetic communication network that transmits messages over a data network using one or more phone numbers from a voice network. Aspects of the present invention initially obtain a phone number and a corresponding country code presumed associated with the phone device to be used for communications over the synthetic communication network. Based on the country code, the phone number is normalized to a standard format that distinguishes the resulting normalized phone number from international phone numbers using the synthetic communication network. Before the phone device is registered, aspects of the present invention verify an association between the normalized phone number and the phone device by sending a verification message addressed to the phone device that loops back and returns to the phone device. If the phone device confirms the verification as authentic then an authorization from the synthetic communication network allows the phone device to communicate over the synthetic communication network.
US08995954B2 Mobile device notification with options
Notifying users of mobile communication devices, which may include providing options for response to notifications. A component of a communication service provider system receives an indication of a notification for a user of a mobile communication device. The notification may be received from a source internal or external to the communication service provider system. A component of the mobile communication service provider formats the notification so that it is compatible with the mobile communication device of the user and sends the notification to the mobile communication device of the user. The notification may include one or more options to respond to the notification using the mobile communication device. The notification may, for example, pertain to minutes-of-use in a mobile communication service plan, or to other information, including notifications from outside service providers such as airlines, banks, restaurants, hotels, libraries, credit card companies, etc.
US08995953B2 Mobile communication terminal that stores accumulated communication charge for an application
Information that is no longer valid due to the passage of time is not provided to a user. When a stock price information server acquires updated stock price information from a securities market network, a message that instructs that a predetermined application be started up and to which a term of validity has been attached is sent to a user terminal over a paging channel via an SMS server. When the user terminal receives the message, it determines whether or not the message is within the term of validity, and if it determines that the message is within the term of validity, starts up the instructed application from among a plurality of applications that are stored. The stock price information server then sends to the user terminal the stock price information that is requested by the started up application.
US08995939B2 Method and apparatus for power cutback in a simultaneous dual frequency band call
A method and apparatus can cut back power in a simultaneous dual frequency band call. The method may operate a dual frequency band transmit device. The method may include determining if a transmit frequency in a first frequency band from the device combined with a transmit frequency in a second frequency band from the device causes receiver desensitization at the device. The method may include determining if the transmit power in the first frequency band is above a threshold power. The method may include reducing maximum transmit power in the second frequency band by an amount proportional to transmit power in the first frequency band and transmit signal bandwidth in the second frequency band in only the portion of the second frequency band where a resultant frequency component can cause desensitization.
US08995936B2 Communication system with band, mode, impedance and linearization self-adjustment
A communication system is provided, including an antenna, a PA, a linearization circuit to enhance linearity, a filter system, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive information on the signals and conditions, and based on the information the controller controls one or more of the antenna, the PA, the linearization circuit and the filter system to provide an optimum configuration to meet specifications of signal properties under the conditions. The controller may look up a registry having entries regarding the specifications of signal properties under conditions in terms of predetermined parameters.
US08995919B2 Interference management using out-of-band signaling
In at least one embodiment, a method includes receiving a first transmission from a device, the first transmission transmitted at a first frequency. In response to receiving the first transmission, a transceiver is disabled and a second transmission is transmitted to the device, the second transmission transmitted at a second frequency. The method further includes receiving a third transmission from the device, the third transmission transmitted at the second frequency.
US08995903B2 Credential transfer management camera network
A camera detects devices, such as other cameras, smart devices, and access points, with which the camera may communicate. The camera may alternate between operating as a wireless station and a wireless access point. The camera may connect to and receive credentials from a device for another device to which it is not connected. In one embodiment, the camera is configured to operate as a wireless access point, and is configured to receive credentials from a smart device operating as a wireless station. The camera may then transfer the credentials to additional cameras, each configured to operate as wireless stations. The camera and additional cameras may connect to a smart device directly or indirectly (for instance, through an access point), and the smart device may change the camera mode of the cameras. The initial modes of the cameras may be preserved and restored by the smart device upon disconnection.
US08995899B2 Protecting agent-supplying device, process cartridge, image forming apparatus
A protecting agent-supplying device including: a rotation member configured to rotate in a certain direction; an image bearing member-protecting agent containing a fatty acid metal salt and an inorganic lubricant, and being in the form of a solid, wherein the agent is scraped off by the rotation of the rotation member, supplied to an image bearing member for protection thereof, and disposed to have a surface facing the rotation member, which surface has a width G in a direction along the certain direction, and wherein the position X (a center of the width G) is located upstream in the direction along the certain direction from the position Y (a line of intersection between the surface facing and a line extended from the rotational center of the rotation member perpendicular to the surface facing), and a distance d between these positions satisfies a formula 0
US08995896B2 Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes: an endless belt member; a secured member disposed to contact the belt member; a support roller that rotatably supports the belt member; a heating unit that heats the belt member; and a rotary pressurizing roller that includes an elastic surface layer that is elastically deformed when the belt member is pressed against the secured member to form a fixing part. The secured member includes a recessed part provided on a surface of the secured member that faces the pressurizing roller and configured to curve the belt member into a recessed shape, projecting parts provided upstream and downstream of the recessed part, respectively, and configured to curve the belt member into a projected shape, and a region provided between at least one of the projecting parts and the recessed part and having a small curvature compared to the corresponding projecting part.
US08995895B2 Fixing apparatus for an image forming apparatus
A fixing member is rotatably supported. A first pressing member faces the fixing member. A running member runs while being sandwiched between the fixing member and the first pressing member. A first mechanism urges the first pressing member against the fixing member, defining a first nip between the fixing member and the running member. A second pressing member presses the running member against the fixing member. A second mechanism includes a holding member that holds the second pressing member and an urging member therein, and urges the second pressing member against the fixing member with the running member sandwiched therebetween, defining a second nip, adjacent to the first nip, between the fixing member and the running member. The second pressing member and the holding member abut each other through a plurality of projections formed on at least one of the second pressing member and second pressing mechanism.
US08995894B2 Image fusing apparatus using carbon nano-tube heater
An image fusing apparatus includes a heating belt including a resistance heating layer, an insulating layer formed on an inner surface of the resistance heating layer, and a release layer formed on an outer surface of the resistance heating layer; a heating supporting roller disposed (positioned) inside the heating belt and rotating with the heating belt; a pressing roller disposed (positioned) parallel to the heating supporting roller and in contact with the outer surface of the heating belt to form a nip; and an electricity supplying member to supply electricity to the resistance heating layer of the heating belt. A thickness of paper non-contact areas of opposite side end portions of the resistance heating layer of the heating belt is the same as or thicker than the thickness of a paper contact area of a middle portion of the resistance heating layer thereof.
US08995891B2 Developing cartridges with fixed protrusions and manufacturing method thereof
Developing cartridges include a main body, a developer transport member, and a developer thickness regulating member. The main body includes a first and second side portions separated from each other along a direction. The developer thickness regulating member regulates a developer thickness and extends in a direction between the first and second side portions. The developer thickness regulating member includes an end portion, which is disposed near the first side portion, and a first protrusion, which extends along the particular direction from the end portion to at least the first side portion. The main body forms a cavity in the first side portion. The cavity is defined by at least a first surface, a second surface opposing the first surface, and a second protrusion that protrudes from the first surface toward the second surface. The first protrusion is fixed at a position between the second protrusion and the second surface.
US08995887B2 Developing device and image forming apparatus
A developing device includes a developer container, a developing unit, a developer outlet and a replenishment developer inlet. The developer container contains a developer composed of a toner and a first carrier. The developing unit develops an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier using the developer. The developer outlet discharges the developer. The replenishment developer inlet supplies a replenishment developer to the developer container. The replenishment developer includes a second carrier. A ratio of a poured bulk density of the second carrier to a poured bulk density of the first carrier ranges from 1.05 to 1.65.
US08995880B2 Cartridge drive shaft gear
An interior member of a print cartridge gear including one or more slots in the interior member for receiving a pin, the one or more slots including a first portion extending from a distal end of the interior member towards a base end of the interior member, the one or more slots including a second portion that extends horizontally outward.
US08995872B2 Developing device provided with developing roller and thickness regulating blade
The developing device includes a casing, a developing roller, a thickness regulating blade, and a seal member. The developing roller has an outer peripheral surface carrying developer. The thickness regulating blade is configured to regulate a thickness of the developer carried on the outer peripheral surface and has an opposed surface confronting the casing. The thickness regulating blade further has one end part supported on the casing and another end part provided with a press member in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface. The press member is located on the opposed surface and protrudes toward the developing roller. The press member is formed with a receiving portion depressed inward at its widthwise ends in an axial direction of the developing roller. The seal member is disposed between the thickness regulating blade and the casing and contacting at least a part of the receiving portion.
US08995869B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a developing module which develops a toner image on a printing medium, a fixing module which fixes the toner image onto the printing medium, and a toner neutralization module arranged on a travel path of the printing medium between the developing module and the fixing module to electrically neutralize the toner image on the printing medium.
US08995864B2 Image forming apparatus with enhanced display of guidance information
In an image forming apparatus, guidance information is stored in advance for guiding an optimal operation procedure for execution of a job, and the guidance information is displayed on a display portion based on operation input that is input to an input portion in order to execute a job of image formation. For example, a device control portion compares operation input that is input to the input portion in order to execute the job of image formation to the guidance information corresponding to the job executed by the operation input, and causes the display portion to display the guidance information in a case where an actual frequency of operation input is greater than a frequency of operation input that is specified in an operation procedure of the guidance information.
US08995863B2 Image forming apparatus and authentication method
An image forming apparatus including applications and system side software for providing system side services to the applications is provided, in which the image forming apparatus includes: an authentication module for displaying an authentication screen on an operation panel of the image forming apparatus, wherein the authentication module allows the image forming apparatus to display a screen for using the image forming apparatus instead of the authentication screen if authentication data input from the authentication screen satisfies an authentication condition, and wherein the authentication module is provided in the image forming apparatus separately from the system side software.
US08995860B2 Image fixing apparatus having end region temperature control
The present invention relates to an image fixing apparatus including a fan for cooling one end region of the image fixing apparatus and a fan for cooling another end region thereof. When a temperature of the one end region reaches a cooling starting temperature, a fan corresponding to the one end portion is driven at a first rotation speed, and another fan is driven at a second rotation speed lower than the first rotation speed even if the temperature of the other end region is lower than the cooling starting temperature so as to protect the fans from thermal damages.
US08995859B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing portion for fixing an unfixed image formed on a sheet. The fixing portion includes an endless belt, a heater contacting the inner surface of the belt and including first and second heat generators, and a pressor forming a fixing nip with the heater for nipping and feeding the sheet. The apparatus also includes a controller for controlling electric power supplied to the first and second heat generators. The controller controls the first and second heat generators independently from each other. The apparatus sets a plurality of feeding speeds of the sheet, and the controller changes the difference between the times at which electric power is supplied to the first and second heat generators in accordance with the sheet feeding speed.
US08995855B2 Printing device that executes calibration at frequency suited to user demand
A printing device including a printing unit that prints an image with print agent, a calibration unit that executes a calibration process, a specifying unit that specifies a usage amount of the print agent, and a control unit that controls the calibration unit to execute the calibration process at a lower frequency when the specifying unit specifies a lower amount as the usage amount. The calibration process is for printing a mark with the print unit, detecting the mark, and calculating a calculation value based on a detection result.
US08995850B2 Image forming apparatus with cartridge-replacement indicator
An image forming apparatus includes: a first cartridge configured to contain developer of a first color; a second cartridge configured to contain developer of a second color; a processor; and memory storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, causing the image forming apparatus to: indicate the necessity to replace the first cartridge by using at least information based on a first use amount and information based on a number of printed sheets; and indicate the necessity to replace the second cartridge by using at least information based on a second use amount without using the information based on the number of printed sheets.
US08995849B2 Printing apparatus which switches a printing mode upon resuming after a jam
A printing apparatus includes a print mechanism which performs a printing on a plurality of papers; a paper feed section on which the papers to be printed are placed; a paper discharge section on which the papers that have been printed are placed; a transport route which extends from the paper feed section to the paper discharge section via a printing position at which the printing is performed by the print mechanism; a transport mechanism which successively transports the papers along the transport route; and a controller which controls the transport mechanism. The controller controls the transport mechanism to perform a transportation of the papers by a plurality of transport modes including a first transport mode and a second transport mode.
US08995845B2 Multi-laser transmitter optical subassembly for optoelectronic modules
A multi-laser transmitter optical subassembly may include N number of lasers, where each laser is configured to generate an optical signal with a unique wavelength. The transmitter optical subassembly may further include a focusing lens and a filter assembly. The filter assembly may combine the optical signals into a combined signal that is received by the focusing lens. The filter assembly may include N−1 number of filters. Each of the filters may pass at least one of the optical signals and reflect at least one of the optical signals. The filters may be low pass filters, high pass filters, or a combination thereof.
US08995833B2 Channel wavelength assignment with transient reduction
In an automatically switched optical network operating according to a wavelength plan, the wavelengths are assigned to an optical path based on availability, performance and SRS wavelength coupling reduction. First, the wavelengths are grouped in static bins based on their reach versus cost performance, and each bin assumes a ΔQ of a middle wavelength. Then, the bins are moved into subsets of dynamic bins, constructed using bin constraints that account for the particulars of the respective optical path. The path is characterized taking into account the wavelength currently accessing at the end nodes, and the wavelength tandeming through the end nodes. Wavelength selection starts with the bins that satisfy the maximum number of constraints, and the wavelengths are checked sequentially against wavelength constraints; relaxed constraints are also applied when it is not possible to exactly satisfy one or more constraints.
US08995830B2 Communication system, optical network unit, optical line terminal, control device, and communication control method
An ONU includes a power-interruption detecting unit configured to detect power interruption of the ONU, a transmitting and receiving unit capable of being set in a power saving state, and a PON-side control unit configured to notify an OLT of, as power saving return information, a power holding time during occurrence of the power interruption of the ONU and a startup time, which is time until the transmitting and receiving unit returns from the power saving state, and, when the power-interruption detecting unit detects the power interruption, transmit a power interruption notification to the OLT. The OLT includes the PON control unit configured to determine, based on the power saving return information, whether the ONU can transmit the power interruption notification when the power interruption occurs in the power saving state.
US08995818B2 Recorder apparatus
It is provided a recorder apparatus in which a user can use simply and efficiently plural functions which can be performed simultaneously. According to an embodiment of the invention, a recorder apparatus has a display, an input section for a video being inputted, a random access recording medium for recording the video, an output section for outputting the video recorded in the recording medium, a multitask control section, a display control section and a reception section for receiving an specification of the tab and the direction of the video for a processing target for the selected function. The multitask control section performs plural functions in parallel simultaneously which plural functions includes a function for recording the inputted video in the recording medium. The display control section displays tabs assigned to the plural functions respectively and processing situation of the function selected by specifying the tab on the display.
US08995810B2 Flexible strength members for wire cables
This invention relates to a fiber reinforced plastic material with improved flexibility and high tensile strength for use in optic cables. The strength member composition comprises a polypropylene based thermoplastic resin, a continuous fiber having a modulus greater than 80 PGa, and talc.
US08995809B2 Fiber optic cables with access features
Cables are constructed with discontinuities in the cable jacket that allow the jacket to be torn to provide access to the cable core. The discontinuities can be longitudinally extending strips of material in the cable jacket. The discontinuities allow a section of the cable jacket to be pulled away from a remainder of the jacket using a relatively low peel force.
US08995807B1 Laminated light guide collimator
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an optical device comprising: a light guide film to transport light rays via total internal reflection; a first optical layer covering at least a portion of a first side of the light guide film, the first optical layer to receive an exiting portion of the light rays; a second optical layer covering at least a portion of the first optical layer; and a grating pattern located at an interface between the first optical layer and the second optical layer to out-couple light rays travelling in the light guide film, wherein the grating pattern is configured so that the exiting portion of the light rays transmit through the grating pattern twice before being total internally reflected by the grating pattern.
US08995805B2 Method and apparatus providing a coupled photonic structure
Described embodiments include optical connections for electronic-photonic devices, such as optical waveguides and photonic detectors for receiving optical waves from the optical waveguides and directing the optical waves to a common point. Methods of fabricating such connections are also described.
US08995801B2 Planar coaxial electrically and optically conductive structure
A method for fabricating a coaxial structure having an electrical conductor surrounded by an optically conductive dielectric is disclosed. The method may include creating an optical trench in an electrical conductor and depositing an optical material into the optical trench to cover an inner surface of the trench. The method may also include removing a portion of the deposited optical material from the optical trench to form an embedded trench in the deposited optical material, and building up electrically conductive material from within the embedded trench to create an inner electrical conductor. The method may also include depositing optical material around an exposed portion of the inner electrical conductor to create an optical channel encapsulating the inner electrical conductor, and depositing electrically conductive material over a top surface of the optical channel and over a top surface of the first electrical conductor to create the coaxial structure.
US08995796B2 System for generating a beat signal
The invention relates to a system (1) for generating a (high-frequency) beat signal. The system has a first light source (3) with a multimode spectrum, a second light source (4) and a coupler and filter arrangement (5) with a first port (6) for coupling in light from the first light source (3), and a second port (7) for coupling in light from the second light source (4). Furthermore, a detector (11) is provided to which light of both light sources (3, 4) can be supplied. The coupler and filter arrangement (5) has a spectral filter (20, 28) for filtering out one or several modes from the spectrum of the first light source (3), and a first fiber-optical coupler (17, 23, 26) for coupling the light of the second light source (4) and the not yet filtered or the already filtered light of the first light source (3). The coupler and filter arrangement (5) is configured to be merely fiber-optical.
US08995785B2 Light-field processing and analysis, camera control, and user interfaces and interaction on light-field capture devices
In various embodiments, the present invention relates to methods, systems, architectures, algorithms, designs, and user interfaces for capturing, processing, analyzing, displaying, annotating, modifying, and/or interacting with light-field data on a light-field capture device. In at least one embodiment, the light-field capture device communicates to the user information about the scene during live-view to aid him or her in capturing light-field images that provide increased refocusing ability, increased parallax and perspective shifting ability, increased stereo disparity, and/or more dramatic post-capture effects. Additional embodiments present a standard 2D camera interface to software running on the light-field capture device to enable such software to function normally even though the device is actually capturing light-field data. Additional embodiments provide the ability to control camera optical elements to facilitate ease of composition and capture of light-field data, and/or generating a plurality of 2D video streams derived from a stream of light-field data.
US08995783B2 System for photograph enhancement by user controlled local image enhancement
In photography, High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology typically consists of (1) acquiring a wide dynamic range image and (2) adapting the wide dynamic range image to fit to the display range of the device. The first part can be achieved by using a special sensor or by combining two or more images with same or different exposures, and is optional. The second part, contrast adaptation, locally adapts the tone mapping function thus effectively re-using the available range. Described is a system and method that enables a user to create a new image by selectively combining contrast adapted and non-contrast adapted versions of the same image. The new image can retain the natural quality of the well illuminated areas and enhance salient features as selected by the user.
US08995776B2 Image filter device, decoding apparatus, encoding apparatus, and data structure
An adaptive filter includes: an edge direction detection section which discriminates directionality of an input image in each of a plurality of unit regions constituting the input image; a region classification section which classifies the each of the plurality of unit regions into one of a plurality of unit region groups in accordance with to which of a plurality of predetermined groups the directionality of the input image in the each of the plurality of unit regions belongs, the directionality having been discriminated by the edge direction detection section; and a filter process section which calculates a pixel value of the each pixel of an output image by use of a filter coefficient group optimized for a unit region group to which a unit region including the each pixel belongs.
US08995775B2 Reducing photo-tagging spam
A photo spam detector detects illegitimate non-natively captured images through extracting image features and feeding the extracted features into a probabilistic model. The probabilistic model categorizes the photo as legitimate or illegitimate. Requests to tag one or more users in a photo are analyzed by a tag analyzer that assesses relationships between the tag requests themselves, social relationships between the tagged users, and the presence or absence of faces within the regions specified by the tag requests. Based on the classification of images or tags as illegitimate, a social networking system applies one or more social media distribution policies to the image or tags to suppress or prohibit distribution.
US08995773B2 Image measurement apparatus and method of measuring works using edge detection tools
An image measurement apparatus includes: an imager section, an obtainment section, an outline detection section, a setting section, and a measurement section. The imager section takes an image of a subject to be measured. The obtainment section obtains a taken image of the subject taken by the imager section. The outline detection section detects, by a Hough transformation, outline of a graphic included in the image obtained by the obtainment section. The setting section sets an edge detection tool on the outline detected by the outline detection section. The measurement section measures, by the edge detection tool set by the setting section, graphic information concerning the graphic.
US08995772B2 Real-time face detection using pixel pairs
The subject disclosure is directed towards a face detection technology in which image data is classified as being a non-face image or a face image. Image data is processed into an image pyramid. Features, comprising pixel pairs of the image pyramid, are provided to stages of a cascading classifier to remove sub-window candidates that are classified as non-face sub-windows within each stage. The face detection technology continues with one or more subsequent stages to output a result as to whether the image contains a face.
US08995768B2 Methods and devices for processing scanned book's data
A method for processing data of a scanned book having a plurality of pages is disclosed. The method includes obtaining page image data from a page. The method further includes segmenting and recognizing the page image data to obtain locations of rectangular boxes corresponding to the respective characters and text codes for the respective characters. The method also includes obtaining respective aggregated character line information for each line of characters. The method further includes adjusting the rectangular boxes in accordance with the obtained aggregated character line information.
US08995757B1 Automated roof identification systems and methods
Automatic roof identification systems and methods are described. Example embodiments include a roof estimation system configured to automatically detect a roof in a target image of a building having a roof. In one embodiment, automatically detecting a roof in a target image includes training one or more artificial intelligence systems to identify likely roof sections of an image. The artificial intelligence systems are trained on historical image data or an operator-specified region of interest within the target image. Then, a likely outline of the roof in the target image can be determined based on the trained artificial intelligence systems. The likely roof outline can be used to generate a roof estimate report. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US08995755B2 Two-dimensional to stereoscopic conversion systems and methods
In one embodiment, a two-dimensional to stereoscopic conversion method, comprising: estimating a local motion region in a first image relative to one or more second images, the first and the one or more second images comprising two-dimensional images; generating a color model based on the local motion region; calculating a similarity value for each of at least one image pixel selected from the first image based on the color model; and assigning a depth value for each of the at least one image pixel selected from the first image based on the calculated similarity value to generate a stereoscopic image, the method performed by one or more processors.
US08995752B2 System for making 3D contents provided with visual fatigue minimization and method of the same
Disclosed are a system for making 3D contents provided with visual fatigue minimization and a method of the same. More particularly, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a system for making 3D contents including: a human factor information unit generating guide information for making 3D contents by considering factors causing visual fatigue of the 3D contents; and a 3D contents making unit applying guide information generated by the human factor information unit to 3D contents data inputted for making the 3D contents to make the 3D contents, and a method of making 3D contents.
US08995751B2 Method for virtually expanding and enriching the field of view of a scene
The invention relates to a method for virtually expanding and enriching the field of view of the current image of a scene described by a video including several images.This method includes the following steps of: a—expanding said field of view by at least one mosaic obtained from said images and by inserting at least one contextual datum in the reference frame of the current image of said scene, b—enriching said field of view by at least one piece of information referenced in said contextual datum.
US08995750B2 Image composition apparatus, image retrieval method, and storage medium storing program
There is provided an image composition apparatus including a parallax deriving unit configured to derive a parallax of one area in a background image, the one area corresponding to one object in the background image, an image selection unit configured to select an image which has a parallax different from the parallax of the one area in the background image, as a material image, from a plurality of three-dimensional images, each of which is viewed as a specific object in a three-dimensional manner, and an image composition unit configured to superpose the material image selected by the image selection unit on the background image.
US08995745B2 Sequencer for combining automated and manual-assistance jobs in a charged particle beam device
A device for imaging and processing a workpiece having nanometric features through the use of at least one charged particle beam, by both fully automated procedures and manual assistance procedures. The device includes a user interface, including a schedule input entry device and a human operator ready input that can be placed in a first state or a second state and a procedure scheduler, accepting a schedule of procedures, including fully automated procedures and manual assistance procedures, from the schedule input entry device. Additionally, a procedure sequencer that, when the human operator ready input is in the second state, sequences through fully automated procedures until the human operator ready input is placed into the first state, at which time the sequencer begins sequencing the manual assistance procedures, after reaching a safe termination point for the fully automated procedures being performed.
US08995743B2 Identifying and locating possible lines corresponding to pallet structure in an image
A computer-implemented method is provided for finding a Ro image providing data corresponding to possible orthogonal distances to possible lines on a pallet in an image. The method comprises: acquiring a grey scale image including one or more pallets; determining, using a computer, a horizontal gradient image by convolving the grey scale image and a first convolution kernel; determining, using the computer, a vertical gradient image by convolving the grey scale image and a second convolution kernel; and determining, using the computer, respective pixel values of a first Ro image providing data corresponding to a possible orthogonal distance from an origin point of the grey scale image to one or more possible lines on one or more possible pallets in the grey scale image.
US08995742B1 Systems and methods for evaluation of a superabrasive material
Embodiments of systems and methods are disclosed for evaluating a superabrasive material by a three-dimensional model generated using a computed tomography scanner. The model is analyzed to identify a superabrasive matrix within the model and at least one performance characteristic of the superabrasive material is determined according to at least one property of the superabrasive matrix. Methods are also disclosed for characterizing crystal-to-crystal bonding regions and non-superabrasive material within an interstitial matrix of the superabrasive matrix.
US08995735B2 System and method for wide cone helical image reconstruction using blending of two reconstructions
A tomographic system includes a gantry having an opening for receiving an object to be scanned, a radiation source, a detector positioned to receive radiation from the source that passes through the object, and a computer programmed to acquire a plurality of helical projection datasets of the object, reconstruct a first image using the acquired plurality of helical projection datasets and using a first reconstruction algorithm, reconstruct a second image using the acquired plurality of helical projection datasets and using a second reconstruction algorithm that is different from the first reconstruction algorithm, extract frequency components from each of the first and second images, sum the frequency components from each of the first and second images, and inverse transform the sum of the frequency components to generate a final image.
US08995733B2 Microdissection method and information processing system
A method for use in biology, histology, and pathology includes providing a digital first image of a first slice of an object having biological material; generating a digital second image of a second slice of the object; determining a region of interest in the second image based on a region of interest in the first image; determining a region of interest in the second slice based on the region of interest in the second image; and extracting material from the region of interest in the second slice.
US08995730B2 Image processing apparatus for analyzing and enhancing fingerprint images
An image processing apparatus includes: a data storage section configured to store image data as a density image containing a fingerprint or a palm print and ridge pattern direction distribution data which shows a direction distribution of a ridge pattern in a fingerprint or a palm print; a direction usage image enhancing section configured to execute ridge direction usage image enhancement processing on the density image based on the ridge pattern direction distribution data; and a direction extracting section configured to extract a first direction distribution of a first pattern which is contained in a ridge direction usage image enhanced image, from the ridge direction usage image enhanced image as a result of the ridge direction usage image enhancement processing to the density image. The direction usage image enhancing section executes first direction usage image enhancement processing on the density image based on first direction distribution data which shows a first direction distribution.
US08995726B2 Apparatus and method for biometric authentication
A biometric authentication system includes: an image acquisition unit for acquiring an image of a living body; a light source with a predetermined wavelength band; an authentication information storage unit for, if light is emitted by the light source, setting a predetermined distance for a first distance to a first image acquired by the image acquisition unit in a depth direction so that quality of the first image is improved, extracting a first feature to be used to perform biometric authentication from the first image whose quality has been improved, and storing authentication information regarding the first feature; a feature extraction unit for, if light is emitted by the light source when performing authentication, setting the predetermined distance for a second distance to a second image acquired by the image acquisition unit in the depth direction so that quality of the second image is improved, and extracting a second feature for biometric authentication from the second image whose quality has been improved; and a comparison unit for comparing the authentication information regarding the first feature and authentication information regarding the second feature.
US08995717B2 Method for building and extracting entity networks from video
A computer implemented method for deriving an attribute entity network (AEN) from video data is disclosed, comprising the steps of: extracting at least two entities from the video data; tracking the trajectories of the at least two entities to form at least two tracks; deriving at least one association between at least two entities by detecting at least one event involving the at least two entities, said detecting of at least one event being based on detecting at least one spatio-temporal motion correlation between the at least two entities; and constructing the AEN by creating a graph wherein the at least two objects form at least two nodes and the at least one association forms a link between the at least two nodes.
US08995710B2 Information processing apparatus, processing method thereof, and computer-readable storage medium
An information processing apparatus that calculates information on a position and an orientation of an image capture device relative to an object captured by the image capture device, holds three-dimensional information including a plurality of line segments that constitute the object, acquires an image of the object captured by the image capture device, detects an image feature indicating a line segment from the acquired image, calculates a position and orientation of the image capture device based on correspondence between the image feature indicating the detected line segment and the held line segment, and determines, for each of the held line segments, whether to use the line segment for the calculation of the position and orientation thereafter, based on at least one of a result of detection of the image feature, and information acquired in the calculation of the position and orientation.
US08995699B2 Hearing aid with antenna for reception and transmission of electromagnetic signals
The invention regards a communication device which is adapted for placement in a users ear. The communication device comprises a shell part enclosing an input transducer for receiving an input signal, a signal processing device and an output N transducer for providing a signal perceivable as sound, a battery located at a surface part of the shell which is facing away from the head of the user, a transmission and reception circuit for transmission and/or reception of electromagnetic energy. According to the invention an antenna for radiating and/or receiving electromagnetic energy is provided such that it has a first surface turned towards the surroundings and a second surface located in close proximity of the battery.
US08995696B2 Speaker
A speaker includes a housing and four substantially similar electro-acoustic drivers secured inside the housing. The drivers are driven by substantially the same audio signal and are arranged such that the net mechanical vibrational force between the drivers and the housing is substantially zero. Four substantially similar passive radiators are secured inside the housing and driven by acoustic energy from the four drivers. The passive radiators are arranged such that the net mechanical vibrational force between the passive radiators and the housing is substantially zero.
US08995688B1 Portable hearing-assistive sound unit system
A system consisting of interconnectible, hearing-assistive, portable “units” which can address communication problems that persons who are hard of hearing experience in many social settings (such as while dining out with friends in a noisy restaurant). The system allows each unit operator to share multiple audio input signals coming into any of the connected units with the other participants using the system. The operator is also able to selectively amplify one or more of the incoming audio signals (such as from the voices of one or more of the participants) while blocking out or turning down another (such as from background music). The units are capable of integrating audio signals with video, word processing and internet data. An innovative method for improving communication for persons who are hard of hearing in public and private settings is also claimed.
US08995686B2 Sound volume control device, sound volume control method, and sound volume control program
A sound volume control device includes a sound input section, a band dividing section, an excessive output notification section, a correction band decision section and a sound output control section. The sound input section converts input sound into a sound signal. The band dividing section carries out band-division with respect to the sound signal. The excessive output notification section outputs excessive output notification information when output sound from the present device is excessive. The correction band decision section calculates audible signal distribution information when the excessive output notification information is not output and excessive signal distribution information when the excessive output notification information is output, for each band in the sound signal, and decides a correction band according to the audible signal distribution information and excessive signal distribution information. The sound output control section controls sound volume of sound signal for the correction band to provide output sound.
US08995682B2 Howling canceller
A howling canceller is adapted to an acoustic system having a speaker and first and second microphones. The speaker and the first microphone form a first acoustic feedback loop; the speaker and the second microphone form a second acoustic feedback loop. The howling canceller includes a howling suppressing unit for performing suppression processing in such a way that: frequency components at which howling is possibly occurring are detected in each of the sound signals picked up by the first and second microphones; the detected frequency components of the sound signals picked up by the first and second microphones are compared with each other on a per-frequency basis and a frequency component having larger power is detected; and based on the comparison results, the larger power frequency component of at least one of the sound signals picked up by the first and second microphones is suppressed.
US08995665B1 Role based encryption without key management system
A role based security infrastructure for data encryption that does not require a key management system is provided. For each defined role, a unique key pair is generated. To encrypt a data set, a random encryption key is generated on the fly, and used to encrypt the data. To allow a role access to an encrypted data set, the corresponding encryption key is encrypted with the public key of that role, and stored in association with the encrypted data set. To access an encrypted data set, a private key associated with a role allowed access is used to decrypt the copy of the associated encryption key, which has been encrypted using the corresponding public key and stored in association with the data set. The decrypted encryption key is then used to decrypt the encrypted data set.
US08995655B2 Method for creating asymmetrical cryptographic key pairs
The invention relates to a method for creating a set of asymmetrical cryptographic key pairs, wherein the set of key pairs has a first key pair (K1) and a second key pair (K2), wherein the first key pair is formed by a first private (G1) and a first public key (O1) and the second key pair is formed by a second private (G2) and a second public key (O2), wherein a first cipher (C_G2_O1) is allocated to the first and second key pair, wherein the first cipher is formed by an encryption of the second private key (G2) with the first public key (O1), having the following steps: adding a third asymmetrical cryptographic key pair (K3) to the set of key pairs, wherein the third key pair is formed by a third private (G3) and a third public key (O3); creating a second cipher (C_G3_O1) by encrypting the third private key (G3) with the first public key (O1); storing the second cipher (212; 186), wherein the set of key pairs has a directed graph structure.
US08995646B2 System and method for identifying a caller via a call connection, and matching the caller to a user session involving the caller
A method includes: determining that an agent-assisted service session should be initiated between a user and a human agent at some point after the user has initiated a user session, wherein the user session produces user session data; generating one or more temporary agent access numbers through which a communication channel may be established between the user and the human agent for the agent-initiated session; communicating a selected one or more of the temporary agent access numbers to the user in response to the determination that an agent-assisted service session should be initiated; establishing a communication channel for the agent-assisted session between the user and the human agent via a particular agent access number among the selected one or more temporary agent access numbers; associating the user session data with the agent-assisted session; and communicating the user session data to the human agent in conjunction with the agent-assisted session.
US08995645B1 System, method, and computer readable medium for routing an agent to a preferred communications platform in order to receive a customer call
A system and method for routing an agent to a preferred communications platform in order to receive a customer call. The system may include a web server call notification module that receives an automatic number identification and information relating to an establishment whose phone number was dialed, and a virtual automated call distributor (VACD). Further, the system may include an interactive voice response (IVR) system that requests an agent's identification from the VACD, wherein the VACD and the web server are coupled to the IVR system, and wherein the VACD routes a customer's information to an agent desktop environment (ADE) coupled to the VACD. Also included may be an access platform that receives the customer's information and updates an ADE phone control state session on an agent's desktop, wherein the customer's information is routed to the ADE environment through a message transfer layer.
US08995644B2 System and method for exposing customer availability to contact center agents
A system and method for establishing contact between a customer contact center agent and a customer based on customer availability information. A plurality of communication channels that may be used to communicate with the customer is monitored by the contact center. The availability of the customer is identified for each of the plurality of communication channels and user availability data is dynamically adjusted for each of the plurality of communication channels. The user availability data is provided to a contact center agent handling, for example, an offline task involving the customer. The contact center agent may use the availability data to establish contact with the customer to better handle the offline task.
US08995630B1 Telephony and applications communication in a non-mobile telephone system
Technology is described for a non-mobile telephone system which in addition to processing voice signal data and performing telephone functions, can execute applications transferring data responsive to user input received through a graphical user interface of the telephone system. The non-mobile telephone includes a telephony processing system for performing telephone functions, and an applications processing system for executing applications. The two processing systems communicate using a communication protocol between them which is independent of a telecommunication protocol used for voice signal data processed by the telephony processing system.
US08995620B2 Inductor switching LC power circuit
An electrical circuit for alternating current generation comprising a direct current control box, a first inductor, a second inductor, a first capacitor, and dual load connections. The direct current control box can alternately provide positive direct current to the first inductor then negative direct current to the second inductor. A second end of each inductor can be electrically connected together and electrically connected to a first load connection. A common connection on the control box can be electrically connected to a second load connection. The first load connection and the second load connection can be configured to be electrically connected across a load. A first capacitor can be electrically connected between the first load connection and the second load connection and configured to be electrically connected in series or parallel parallel with the load.
US08995615B2 Specimen information acquisition system
A specimen information acquisition system is provided with a first grating which divides divergent X-rays from an X-ray source to form a plurality of primary X-ray beams, and a second grating which blocks at least a part of each of the primary X-ray beams to form a plurality of secondary X-ray beams. The specimen information acquisition system is further provided with an X-ray detector which detects the secondary X-ray beams and a calculator which calculates information of a specimen arranged between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector. The primary X-ray beams do not overlap each other on each of X-ray transmitting portions of the second grating. The edges of the respective primary X-ray beams enter a plurality of X-ray blocking portions of the second grating.
US08995614B2 Method for displaying medical images and medical image display system
The present invention provides a method for displaying medical images and a medical image display system that do not require a medical practitioner to move his/her line of sight at the time of comparing/interpreting images and that can improve accuracy in diagnosis. According to the medical image display system of the present invention: an X-ray imaging device captures an image of a subject according to a first imaging mode by a fringe-scanning imaging device or a second imaging mode by a Fourier transform imaging device; a controller creates at least two images from among an X-ray absorption image, a differential phase image, and a small-angle scattering image on the basis of the captured moir image; and said at least two images that have been created are displayed in turn in the same position on a display section.
US08995613B2 X-ray imaging apparatus
An X-ray imaging apparatus which takes an image of an object to be detected, comprises: a first grating to form a periodic bright-dark pattern by a Talbot effect, based on an X-ray from an X-ray source; a second grating, disposed at a position where the bright-dark pattern is formed, to block a part of the bright-dark pattern; a detector to detect an X-ray intensity distribution of the X-ray which passed through the second grating; and a calculator to calculate phase information of the X-ray based on the detected X-ray intensity distribution, wherein the second grating includes a first region having a first blocking pattern and a second region having a second blocking pattern, and a direction in which the first blocking pattern blocks a bright section of the bright-dark pattern is different from a direction in which the second blocking pattern blocks the bright section of the bright-dark pattern.
US08995611B2 Scan start and/or end position identifier
A subject support (118) for an imaging system (100) includes a moveable portion (122) that includes a surface (204) on which the subject is loaded and that is configured to move into an examination region of the imaging system where the subject is to be scanned. The support further includes a scan position identifier (126) that generates a signal indicative of at least one of a start scan position or an end scan position for a predetermined region of interest of the subject based on a location of the region of interest on the moveable portion of the subject support for an arbitrary relative position of the moveable portion with respect to the examination region.
US08995606B2 Scanning signal line drive circuit and display device provided with same
A stage constituent circuit of a display device drive circuit includes a first-node to a third-node, a thin-film transistor that changes a potential of a scanning signal toward a VDD potential when a potential of the first-node is in a HIGH level, a thin-film transistor that changes a potential of a different stage control signal toward a potential of a clock when a potential of the second-node is in the HIGH level, a capacitor between the first-node and the second-node, and a capacitor between the second-node and the third-node. The potential of the first-node is raised on the basis of a different stage control signal output from the stage constituent circuit in the different stage, and then the potential of the second-node and a potential of the third-node are sequentially raised. Herein, an amplitude of the clock is set to be smaller than an amplitude of the scanning signal.
US08995595B2 Method and apparatus for receiving burst data without using external detection signal
Apparatus and method for receiving burst data signal without using external detection signal are disclosed. The apparatus can include a clock data recovery (CDR) circuit to generate a clock signal, and a detection circuit to detect an initial portion in the data recovered from the input signal. The CDR circuit can have a first mode that attempts to synchronize the clock signal with a reference data signal, and a second mode that attempts to synchronize the clock signal with the burst data signal and to recover data based on the clock signal. The apparatus can include a controller to conduct a process including, in sequence, setting the CDR circuit in the first mode, setting the CDR circuit in the second mode, and keeping the CDR circuit in the second mode when the detection circuit detects the initial portion in the recovered data.
US08995594B2 Baseband cancellation of platform radio interference
Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a platform may comprise a receiver to receive a signal that includes an error in the received signal due to a noise signal generated in the platform, and a processor configured to calculate a noise vector from a source of the noise signal and to send the noise vector to the receiver, The receiver may include a digital signal processor configured to estimate an error vector based at least in part on the noise vector and to subtract the estimated error vector from the received signal to cancel the noise signal from the received signal. The noise cancelled from the received signal may include platform noise generated by a bus, a memory circuit, a clock, a power supply, a circuit ground or integrated circuit substrate, or input/output circuit of the platform.
US08995582B2 Priori training in a mobile DTV system
An apparatus for decoding digital data includes a processor for recreating a priori training information received with the digital data for provision to a maximum a posteriori (MAP) decoder. The processor detects locations of symbols in the input data stream and regenerates data corresponding to each location. The regenerated data is used by the processor to recreate a priori information suitable to each location of the input data stream location and provides the recreated a priori information to the MAP decoder to aid in the decoding of the digital data. In a preferred implementation, the a priori training data is structured so that after deterministic processing and trellis encoding at the transmitter, it can be regenerated by the processor as a pseudo noise (PN) sequence using a PN sequence generator.
US08995566B2 Communication apparatus and communication method
A modulator generates a modulation signal from an input signal, and a serial-parallel converter generates a subcarrier modulation signal from the modulation signal. An IFFT unit performs an inverse fast Fourier transformation on the subcarrier modulation signal, and a decomposer decomposes a calculation result into a real part data and an imaginary part data. A calculator applies a predetermined calculation with respect to each element the value of which is equal to or greater than a positive threshold value and each element the value of which is equal to or less than a negative threshold value among the real part data and the imaginary part data. A synthesizer synthesizes the real part data and the imaginary part data to generate a baseband signal, and a transmitter generates a transmission signal from the baseband signal, and transmits it to another apparatus via an antenna.
US08995559B2 Signaling message transmission in a wireless communication network
Techniques for sending signaling messages in a wireless communication network are described. In an aspect, a signaling message (e.g., a reduce interference request) may be sent by mapping it to at least one specific subcarrier among a set of subcarriers reserved for sending the signaling message. The at least one subcarrier may be selected based on the message value. A signal may be sent on the at least one subcarrier in multiple symbol periods to convey the signaling message. In another aspect, a reduce interference request may be sent based on an orthogonal resource among orthogonal resources available for sending reduce interference requests. In one design, an orthogonal sequence may be selected based on the request and may be spread across a resource segment. In another design, the reduce interference request may be processed to obtain modulation symbols, and each modulation symbol may be spread across multiple subcarriers in one symbol period.
US08995547B2 Systems and methods for reducing uplink resources to provide channel performance feedback for adjustment of downlink MIMO channel data rates
Systems and methods for improving the performance of a MIMO wireless communication system by reducing the amount of uplink resources that are needed to provide channel performance feedback for the adjustment of data rates on the downlink MIMO channels. In one embodiment, a method comprises encoding each of a set of data streams according to corresponding data rates, permuting the data streams on a set of MIMO channels according to a full permutation of combinations, transmitting the permuted data streams, receiving the permuted data streams, decoding and determining an SNR for each of the data streams, computing a condensed SNR metric for the set of data streams, providing the condensed metric as feedback, determining a set of individual SNR metrics for the data streams based on the condensed SNR metric, and adjusting the data rates at which the data streams are encoded based on the individual SNR metrics.
US08995534B2 Systems and methods for encoding and decoding
Systems and methods for multimedia encoding and decoding are disclosed. The systems and methods include multimedia format detection systems, decoder functionality generation systems, decoder instantiation systems, and multimedia processing engines which are capable of selecting a decoder or playback mechanism for each input encoded multimedia stream. The functionality of the decoder or playback mechanism is represented as syntax elements which may be further encoded. The functionality for decoding or playback is then stored or transmitted with the multimedia bitstream. Alternatively, the functionality and multimedia bitstream can be embedded in or associated with a second digital bitstream. Further, the functionality associated with an encoded multimedia stream can be used to instantiate a decoder or playback mechanism and the encoded multimedia stream decoded with the instantiated decoder or mechanism.
US08995528B2 Switch-select single frame reference
Coding techniques for a video image compression system involve improving an image quality of a sequence of two or more bi-directionally predicted intermediate frames, where each of the frames includes multiple pixels. One method involves determining a brightness value of at least one pixel of each bi-directionally predicted intermediate frame in the sequence as an equal average of brightness values of pixels in non-bidirectionally predicted frames bracketing the sequence of bi-directionally predicted intermediate frames. The brightness values of the pixels in at least one of the non-bidirectionally predicted frames is converted from a non-linear representation.
US08995522B2 Method and system for rate control
A method and system are provided for encoding a picture. The method includes encoding the picture into a first encoded picture using a first universal quantizer. If a size of the first encoded picture is greater than a maximum picture size, the method includes encoding the picture into a second encoded picture using a second universal quantizer. Before a second-pass encoding, the target size and maximum size for each slice is determined. During the second pass encoding, if a size of the encoded slice is greater than the maximum slice size, the method includes encoding the slice using a third local quantizer. If a size of the encoded slice is still greater than a maximum slice size, the method includes dropping coefficients from the encoded slice to ensure that the encoded size never exceeds the maximum size.
US08995518B1 Equalizer for heavily clipped or compressed communications signals
Apparatus and methods mitigate a problem of equalizing communications signals that have been distorted by severe non-linearities such as clipping or harsh compression. For example, severe non-linearity occurs when signal compression or signal clipping occurs at rates above 20% of the data transmission interval. Severe non-linearities may significantly reduce system performance. Disclosed techniques selectively apply DSP equalization based on the detection of non-linearity for a present sample or one or more samples prior to the present sample. These techniques can be implemented in relatively low-cost high-speed SerDes designs to improve eye openings and reduce sensitivity to InterSymbol Interference (ISI) and to improve bit error rate (BER).
US08995516B2 Devices and methods for facilitating signal-to-noise ratio estimation of received wireless transmissions
Access terminals are adapted to facilitate estimation of signal-to-noise ratios for received wireless transmissions. According to at least one example, a wireless communication device can receive a plurality of data symbols. The wireless communication device can determine a first estimate of a signal-to-noise ratio based on first estimates of a signal power and a noise power associated with the plurality of received data symbols. When the first estimate of the signal-to-noise ratio is below a predetermined threshold, a second estimate of the signal-to-noise ratio can be determined based on second estimates of the signal power and the noise power for the received data symbols. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also included.
US08995504B2 Methods and apparatuses for data transmission
In an embodiment, a communication device is provided comprising transmit circuitry and crosstalk reduction circuitry. In an embodiment, the crosstalk reduction circuitry is configured to receive crosstalk information indicative of crosstalk between a plurality of communication connections for only a part of communication channels of said communication connections.
US08995492B2 Semiconductor laser element
To provide a ridge-type semiconductor laser element capable of preventing inclination at the time of junction-down bonding and having high heat dissipation, in a semiconductor laser element including a substrate, a semiconductor portion disposed on the substrate and having a ridge on a surface at an opposite side from the substrate, an electrode disposed on a ridge, an insulating layer disposed on the semiconductor portion at the both sides of the ridge and a pad electrode disposed on the electrode, in which, the pad electrode side is a mounting surface side, the pad electrode is disposed extending on the insulating layer, and a spacer is disposed between the semiconductor portion and the pad electrode at parts spaced apart from the ridge.
US08995491B2 Edge-emitting semiconductor laser
An edge-emitting semiconductor laser includes a first waveguide layer, into which an active layer that generates laser radiation is embedded. The laser also includes a second waveguide layer, into which no active layer is embedded. The laser radiation generated in the active layer forms a standing wave, which has respective intensity maxima in the first waveguide layer and corresponding intensity minima in the second waveguide layer and respective intensity minima in the first waveguide layer and corresponding intensity maxima in the second waveguide layer at periodic intervals in a beam direction of the semiconductor laser. An at least regionally periodic contact structure is arranged at a surface of the edge-emitting semiconductor laser. A period length of the contact structure is equal to a period length of the standing wave, such that the semiconductor laser has an emission wavelength that is set by the period length of the contact structure.
US08995484B2 Temperature controlled multi-channel transmitter optical subassembly and optical transceiver module including same
A temperature controlled multi-channel transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA) may be used in a multi-channel optical transceiver. The temperature controlled multi-channel TOSA generally includes an array of lasers optically coupled to an optical multiplexer, such as an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG), to combine multiple optical signals at different channel wavelengths. The lasers may be thermally tuned to the channel wavelengths by establishing a global temperature for the array of lasers and separately raising local temperatures of individual lasers in response to monitored wavelengths associated with the lasers. A temperature control device, such as a TEC cooler coupled to the laser array, may provide the global temperature and individual heaters, such as resistors adjacent respective lasers, may provide the local temperatures. The optical transceiver may be used in a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical system, for example, in an optical line terminal (OLT) in a WDM passive optical network (PON).
US08995473B2 Ring based precise time data network clock phase adjustments
Clock phase errors are detected and adjusted in a network with loop back connections for clock signals. In one embodiment, a method is performed in a ring network with slave clock nodes. A timing packet is sent from the master clock node to a first slave clock node of the ring. A timing packet is received from a last slave clock node of the ring. A phase alignment offset is determined by comparing a recovered time from the received timing packet with the time of the master clock node local clock and a phase correction value is determined for the slave clock nodes based on the determined phase alignment offset. A phase correction packet including the phase correction value is then sent from the master clock node to at least one of the slave clock nodes.
US08995471B2 Shelf of a network synchronization device, and network synchronization device
A shelf of a network synchronization device includes: a clock input reception unit which receives an input of a clock signal; a clock output unit which outputs a clock signal; a clock interruption detection unit which detects a clock interruption if the clock input reception unit does not receive a clock; an AIS signal detection unit which detects an AIS signal if the AIS signal is received through the clock input reception unit; an AIS signal generation unit which generates the AIS signal; an alarm control unit which outputs a predetermined alarm notification when the AIS signal detection unit does not detect the AIS signal if the clock interruption detection unit detects the clock interruption; and an output signal selection unit which outputs the AIS signal generated by the AIS signal generation unit to the clock output unit if the clock interruption detection unit detects the clock interruption.
US08995458B1 Method and apparatus for delay jitter reduction in networking device
A networking device reduces delay jitter of a plurality of packets passing through the networking device. The networking device includes an input interface that receives a first packet, a packet memory that stores the first packet, a timestamp module, an egress module, and an output interface. The timestamp module generates a first timestamp corresponding to when the first packet was received. The egress module stores a first output time corresponding to the first packet. The first output time is a sum of the first timestamp and a fixed time interval. The fixed time interval is a difference between an amount of time required to receive a maximum-sized packet and an amount of time required to receive a minimum-sized packet. The output interface is configured to transmit the first packet to a destination networking device in response to a current timestamp being greater than or equal to the first output time.
US08995454B2 System and method for high throughput communication in a mesh hybrid network
System and method for increasing throughput and reducing the transmission delay in a hybrid mesh network. The hybrid mesh network including a plurality of physical mediums and a plurality of nodes linked over the plurality of physical mediums to form at least one route including a retransmitting node, linked over one physical medium with a preceding node and over other physical medium with a following node. The network is configured such that there is no link on anyone of the physical mediums between the preceding node and the following node, and each two nodes of the route with a link on one of the physical mediums do not have any links on the same physical medium with any other of nodes in the route. This enables the retransmitting node to start retransmitting a message received from the preceding node to the following node before completing receiving the message.
US08995452B2 Packet routing apparatus
A packet routing apparatus has a plurality of routing units, connected by a first connecting mechanism. The plurality of routing units comprise a first routing unit, connected to at least one port, and a second routing unit, connected to an extended function processor. The first routing unit transmits a packet, received from the port, to another first routing unit and/or a second routing unit. The second routing unit transmits the packet, received from the first connecting mechanism, to the extended function processor.
US08995445B2 System and method for re-sequencing data packets on a per-flow basis
In a network device packets are marked with sequence identifiers at ingress of the device, switched through a plurality of switching planes and re-sequenced on a per flow basis at egress of the device. The re-sequencing system includes a controller that allocates to each received data packet a temporary storage location in a packet buffer. A plurality of output registers are provided, with each one associated with a flow. A pointer uses predefined parameters to point to an output register that has been previously assigned to receive data packets from the corresponding flow. Parameters in the pointed output register are correlated with parameters in a received packet to determine if the received packet is next in sequence to packets processed through a particular queue.
US08995440B1 In-flight information distribution system, device, and method for a portable electronic device
Present novel and non-trivial system, device, and method for the distribution of in-flight information to a portable electronic device (“PED”) are disclosed. The system could be comprised of a cabin entertainment unit and one or more PEDs, where the cabin entertainment unit could be a device comprised of a discovery datagram generator, a flight navigation datagram generator, a file transfer protocol/hypertext transfer protocol (“FTP/HTTP”) server storing a custom map configuration file, and/or a trackline data generator. A discovery datagram could provide a plurality of network addresses from which the PED may listen for and receive flight navigation datagrams repeatedly, request and receive the custom map configuration file, and request and receive trackline data representative of the ground track already flown by the aircraft.
US08995436B2 Method and apparatus for generating group service flow in a mobile communication system
A method and apparatus generate a group service flow in a mobile communication system. An Advanced Mobile Station (AMS) in a mobile communication system transmits an AAI_REG-REQ message, which includes a group service request indicator indicating that it is required to generate the group service flow, to an ABS. The AMS receives an AAI_REG-RSP message and an AAI_DSA-REQ message, which includes at least one of a group service flow parameter for the group service flow, a multicasting Station Identifier (STID), a multicasting flow ID, a group service flow ID, and information indicating a use of the group service flow, from the ABS. The AMS then generates the group service flow in cooperation with the ABS in accordance with the AAI_DSA-REQ message.
US08995431B2 Communication method and system thereof
Disclosed are a communication method and a communication system. The method includes the following steps: a first communication device sends a communication request signal and a second identification code corresponding to a second communication device to a first switch device via a first exchange device by means of telephone connection; the first switch device sends the communication request signal and the second identification code to a second switch device via a cloud server by means of network connection; the second switch device sends the communication request signal to the second communication device via a second exchange device by means of telephone connection; when the second communication device confirms the communication request signal, a communication connection is set up between the first communication device and the second communication device via the first switch device, the cloud server and the second switch device.
US08995426B2 Method and apparatus for providing call routing in a network
A method and an apparatus for providing call routing in a network are disclosed. For example, the method receives a signaling message for a call, and determines if the signaling message contains information for determining if routing of the call requires an ENUM (tElephone Numbering Mapping) query. The method then processes the call by bypassing the ENUM query if the signaling message contains the information.
US08995421B2 Processing polling requests from radio link control peers
This innovation relates to systems and methods for transmission of protocol data units, and more particularly to processing polling requests from a radio link control peer. A radio link control transmitter can poll a receiver to obtain a report regarding the status of a set of data packets, and the polls can be sent in-band with a data packet. The receiver can determine to wait before sending the status report based on one or more characteristics of the received data packets.
US08995419B2 Facilitating synchronization between a base station and a user equipment
Methods and apparatus are provided for facilitating synchronization between a base station (BS) and a user equipment (UE) in a mobile communication system. The UE receives a synchronization signal originated by the BS. The synchronization signal is encoded with a selected cyclically permutable (CP) codeword. The selected CP codeword is selected from a set of CP codewords. Encoding of the synchronization signal is facilitated by a repetitive cyclically permutable (RCP) codeword derivable from the selected CP codeword. The RCP codeword has a plurality of codeword elements each associated with a value, the value of at least one codeword element in the RCP codeword being repeated in another codeword element position in the RCP codeword. And the synchronization signal is decoded in accordance with repetitive structure of the RCP codeword.
US08995409B2 Communication method using a preamble to share characteristic information, method for generating the preamble, and communication system to which the methods are applied
A communication method of a transmitter using a preamble in a wireless communication system, includes determining at least two subcarriers from among a plurality of subcarriers, for the preamble; mapping a subcarrier sequence and a subcarrier phase value of the preamble to the at least two subcarriers; and transmitting the preamble using the at least two subcarriers. The preamble may include a real component having a first repeated pattern in a preset time interval, and an imaginary component having a second repeated pattern in the preset time interval, and a relationship between the first repeated pattern and the second repeated pattern may indicate characteristic information of the wireless communication system.
US08995400B2 Method and apparatus for enabling channel and interference estimations in macro/RRH system
Aspects disclosed herein relate to channel and interference estimations in a coordinated multi-point (CoMP) environment. In the disclosed aspects, an eNB may be equipped to signal an identifier indicating a plurality of resource patterns, each associated with a resource pattern group, and each including a first resource element pattern for channel estimation and a second resource element pattern for interference estimation. The UE may be equipped to receive the signaling and perform channel estimation based at least in part on the first resource element pattern, and interference estimation based at least in part on the second resource pattern generate at least one channel state report based on the channel and interference estimations, and transmit at least one channel state report to an eNB. The eNB may determine one or more resources for use by the UE based on the at least one received channel state report.
US08995392B2 Techniques for optimizing efficiency in a situation for a possible handover of a mobile terminal
A technique is proposed for optimizing efficiency in a situation for a possible handover of a mobile terminal (106) from a first mobile access network (102) according to a first mobile access technology to a second mobile access network (104) according to a second mobile access technology different from the first mobile access technology. A method embodiment of the technique performed by the mobile terminal (106) comprises the steps of receiving information regarding an availability of at least one of the first mobile access network and the second mobile access network (104), taking a decision regarding a connection to an inter-technology interworking entity (100) adapted to interwork between the first access technology and the second access technology, and establishing a connection to the interworking entity (100) for a preparation of the handover.
US08995390B1 Method and apparatus for increasing the speed of handover in a wireless communications network
A method and apparatus for performing a handover of an Internet packet (IP) flow from a first access router to a second access router, in which the Internet packet (IP) flow comprises one or more downlink data packets. The method includes: receiving, at the first access router, a request from a user equipment (UE) to move the IP flow from the first access router to the second access router; and in response to the request, the first access router forwarding one or more downlink data packets from the first access router to the second access router.
US08995389B2 Policy management in multi-access scenarios
The invention comprises methods and arrangements for Policy Decision Point discovery in a roaming or handover scenario in an IP network (IN) comprising a plurality of network elements. The invention introduces a Re-direct Policy Decision (RPDF) Function which can deliver addresses to PDPs associated to a certain Mobile Terminal. The RPDF comprises a memory for storing addresses (APDPA, SPDPA1) of Policy Decision Points and Mobile Terminals. The RPDF makes it possible for a network element, e.g. an application function, a policy enforcement point or another policy decision point, to find a Policy Decision Point associated to the Mobile Terminal.
US08995386B2 Wireless transmission apparatus, control program, and integrated circuit
In a communication system for performing transmission using non-contiguous frequency bands, transmit power control is performed in which minimum MPR is applied. A wireless transmission apparatus allocates at least one spectrum within a system band and performs transmit power control. The wireless transmission apparatus includes a dividing unit that divides a spectrum into non-contiguous clusters on the basis of band allocation information, a power control amount determining unit that determines transmission power for the spectrum or each of the clusters in accordance with a frequency band to which the spectrum or the cluster is allocated, a power control unit that performs transmit power control on the spectrum or each of the clusters by using the determined transmission power, and an allocating unit that allocates the spectrum or each of the clusters on which transmit power control has been performed to a frequency band on the basis of the band allocation information.
US08995380B2 Scheduling in a multi-hop wireless network
Various techniques are disclosed for assigning timeslots in a multihop wireless network. One such method includes, for each node for uplink timeslot assignments, assigning a higher hop count node to a timeslot that is to occur before all time slots assigned to lower hop count nodes. The method further includes, for each node for downlink timeslot assignments, assigning a lower hop count node to a timeslot that is to occur before all time slots assigned to higher hop count nodes.
US08995369B2 Method for feeding back channel state information, and method and device for obtaining channel state information
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for feeding back channel state information, and a method and a device for obtaining channel state information. The method for feeding back the channel state information includes: compressing, by a user equipment, original time domain channel state information to obtain compressed time domain channel state information; quantizing the compressed time domain channel state information to obtain a codebook index; and sending the codebook index to a base station. With the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present invention, the total overhead used for feeding back the channel state information from the user equipment to the base station is reduced.
US08995366B2 Radio link monitoring in a wireless communication device for a enhanced control channel
A method (400) and user equipment (106) monitor a radio link for a wireless communication terminal for an enhanced control channel. A processor (304) may receive a first type of reference signal. The processor may monitor a first type of control channel. The processor may estimate a first synchronization condition associated with the radio link based on the first type of reference signal. The processor may monitor the second type of control channel. The processor may estimate a second synchronization condition associated with the radio link based on a second type of reference signal.
US08995365B2 Method and apparatus for managing group communications
A method and an apparatus for managing group communications is disclosed. The example methods disclose forming subscriber groups, signaling of group assignments, grouping physical channels, assigning logical or physical channels to subscriber groups, and defining triggers for activating channels.
US08995359B2 Method and apparatus to facilitate support for multi-radio coexistence
A user equipment (UE) monitors coexistence issues of one or more associated communication resources. The UE initiates link recovery procedures (e.g., declaring a Radio Link Failure (RLF)) in response to the monitoring when a coexistence issue is detected. The UE can also access a new channel or a new Radio Access Technology (RAT) in response to initiating the link recovery. The network may have the ability to control whether the UE can initiate the link recovery.
US08995352B2 Prohibition of sounding reference signal transmission on newly activated secondary cells
In a wireless network supporting aggregation of uplink component carriers, sounding reference signals, SRS, are transmitted on an uplink, UL, primary component carrier. An activation command corresponding to an UL secondary component carrier, SCC, is received, in response to which the receiving transceiver determines whether it has valid timing information for the UL SCC, wherein valid timing information for the UL SCC indicates that the UL SCC is UL synchronized. In response to this determination, transmission of SRS on the UL SCC is enabled if the UL SCC is synchronized, when SRS is configured for the UL SCC. Otherwise, transmission of SRS on the UL SCC is prohibited until the UL SCC is UL synchronized.
US08995334B2 Method and system for selecting access gateway and gateway selection execution node in mobile packet domain
A method and system for selecting a gateway and a gateway selection execution node in the mobile packet domain are disclosed. The method includes: encapsulating, by a gateway selection execution node upon reception of a bearer setup request transmitted from a User Equipment, an operator domain name corresponding to the bearer setup request into a DNS parse request when creating the DNS parse request, and transmitting the DNS parse request to a DNS server; parsing by the DNS server for obtaining the address of an access gateway; returning by the DNS server, to the gateway selection execution node, a DNS parse result containing the address information of the access gateway corresponding to the operator domain name; selecting by the gateway selection execution node according to the address information the access gateway corresponding to the operator domain name as the access gateway corresponding to the bearer setup request.
US08995333B2 Synchronous interface for multi-radio coexistence manager
Systems and methodologies are described herein that facilitate a synchronous bus architecture for multi-radio coexistence associated with a wireless device. As described herein, a system of buses operating in a synchronous manner, combined with optional on-chip and/or other supplemental buses, can be utilized to couple respective radios and/or other related endpoints to a coexistence management platform, thereby facilitating management of coexistence between multiple radios in a unified and scalable manner. As further described herein, communication between a coexistence manager and its respective managed endpoints can be facilitated through the use of a single bus or multiple buses (e.g., external buses, on-chip and/or other internal buses, etc.) that can operate concurrently and/or in an otherwise cooperative manner to facilitate expedited conveyance of radio event notifications and their corresponding responses.
US08995327B2 Broadcasting messages in multi-channel vehicular networks
Message are broadcast in a vehicular environment using a network of nodes, wherein each node includes a transceiver and a processor arranged in a vehicle, and a bandwidth of the network is partitioned into a control channel (CCH) and multiple service channel (SCH). Time is partitioned into alternating control channel intervals (CCHI) and service channel intervals (SCHI). A source node detects an event and broadcasts a message related to the event. The message specifies current channels and next channels used by the source node to broadcast the message. The message is received in a set of relay nodes. Then, each relay node that receives the message rebroadcasts the message during the SCHI on the CCH or any other channels not specified in the message.
US08995325B2 Multicast group management method and wireless network apparatus using the same
A wireless network apparatus provides a wireless communication service for wireless devices through a first virtual access unit. The wireless network apparatus includes a determining module for outputting a first determination result when a wireless device enables the power saving mode and joins to a multicast group; a virtual access unit creating module for creating a second virtual access unit based on the first determination result outputted by the determining module; and a control module for controlling the second virtual access unit to provide a wireless communication service for the wireless device based on the first determination result outputted by the determining module.
US08995324B2 Systems and methods for receiving data at an access point
Stations in standby mode periodically wake up to check for buffered data at the access points. Traditionally, the information is available by checking the periodic beacon frame for a traffic indication map (TIM). Unfortunately, the length of beacons has steadily increased with the progression of the various wireless standards requiring stations to wake up for longer periods to merely check for buffered data. Several approaches are disclosed which address this shortcoming, including the broadcast of TIM frames, the partial reception of beacon frames and the use of an embedded TIM frame within a beacon frame.
US08995321B2 Method and system for a time domain approach to 4G/LTE-WiFi/BT coexistence
A method and system are provided in which a device that is operable to handle WiFi communication and WiMAX communication may receive downlink medium access protocol (MAP) information in a downlink sub-frame of a WiMAX frame and disable WiFi transmission during a portion of the downlink sub-frame based on the downlink MAP information. The disabled WiFi transmission may be enabled after data within the downlink sub-frame is decoded. The device may also receive uplink MAP information in the downlink sub-frame and may control a clear channel assessment associated with the WiFi transmission based on the uplink MAP information. The MAP information may comprise data or burst profile information and/or one or more physical control messages. A similar time domain approach may be utilized for coexistence between Win and long term evolution (LTE) coexistence, Bluetooth and WiMAX, and Bluetooth and LTE. Frame aggregation may be enabled to alleviate pending WiFi traffic.
US08995315B2 Method of calculating C value used for uplink power control
A method of calculating a specified value when entering a second radio resource (RR) mode from a first RR mode is disclosed. More specifically, the method includes calculating a new specified value to be used in the second RR mode using a filter, an iteration index, and a last specified value calculated in the first RR mode if the calculation of the specified value is performed in the first RR mode, and calculating a new specified value to be used in the second RR mode by restarting the filter if the calculation of the specified value is not performed in the first RR mode.
US08995305B2 Sy session creation and recovering from inconsistent session state between PCRF and OCS
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method performed by a policy and charging rules node (PCRN), the method including: sending a first Sy spending limit request (SLR) to an online charging system (OCS) without specifying any policy counters; receiving from the OCS a first spending limit answer (SLA) including policy counters and associated status reports for a subscriber; creating an Sy session; determining required policy counters based upon the policy counter statuses; sending a second Sy SLR to the OCS for the required policy counters; and receiving a second SLA including status reports for the required policy counters.
US08995303B1 Coordinated routing of network traffic
Routing activities for a collection of routing devices in a network are coordinated. Link state information representative of connections among the devices is received from the devices. The received link state information is processed for each of the network devices. The processed link state information is provided to the network devices to enable the network devices to determine how to route network traffic. The processed link state information may represent the topology of the network differently to different devices in order to influence device routing behavior.
US08995298B2 System and method for multi-pair configuration over existing cabling infrastructure
A system and method for multi-pair configuration over existing cabling infrastructure. In one embodiment, a network device is configured through a selective activation of one or more physical layer devices that are coupled to a respective one or more of the conductor pairs that are identified in a diagnostic process. Aggregation can be performed on the data streams carried over the activated conductor pairs.
US08995289B2 Method and system for implementing energy efficient ethernet techniques in a MACSec enabled PHY
Aspects of a method and system for implementing energy efficient Ethernet techniques in a MACSec enabled PHY are provided. In this regard, an Ethernet PHY comprising memory may be operable to perform packet processing functions comprising MACSec protocol processing and energy efficient Ethernet (EEE) processing. In this regard, the memory may be utilized for implementing the MACSec protocol processing and energy efficient Ethernet (EEE) processing. The Ethernet packet processing functions may comprise packet inspection, packet generation, and packet modification. The energy efficient Ethernet (EEE) processing may comprise generating and/or inspecting messages for controlling when to transition into and out-of an energy-saving mode. The Ethernet PHY may be operable to monitor signals and/or conditions within the Ethernet PHY and control transitions into and out-of an energy-saving mode based on the monitored signals and/or conditions. The energy saving mode may comprise a low power idle mode and/or a subset PHY mode.
US08995282B2 Fast channel probing
A method and arrangement for estimating the current channel quality for a data transfer in a mobile network. In a sending system entity, a channel quality estimate (CQE) associated with a data transfer to a receiving system entity in a mobile communication network is adjusted. One or more probing packets are communicated 400 between the sending system entity and the receiving system entity, each probing packet being formatted according to a predefined combination of transmission parameters. Furthermore, is a Channel State Information (CSI) report received 404 from the receiving system entity, and the CQE is adjusted 406 based on the CSI report and which probing packets have been successfully communicated. By sending a sequence of probing packets, each formatted according to a predefined combination of transmission parameters, and not waiting for each packet to be acknowledged, a fast and accurate estimation of the current channel quality is achieved.
US08995280B2 System and method for an energy efficient network adapter
In accordance with an embodiment, a network device includes a network controller and at least one network interface coupled to the network controller that includes at least one media access control (MAC) device configured to be coupled to at least one physical layer interface (PHY). The network controller may be configured to determine a network path comprising the at least one network interface that has a lowest power consumption of available media types coupled to the at least one PHY.
US08995278B1 Managing a wireless device connection in a multioperator communication system
In operation, a plurality of data packets is received from a wireless device in communication with a first network, the data packets comprising an indication of first network congestion. The plurality of data packets are examined to determine an application requirement and a data rate of an application running on the wireless device. When a number of indications of first network congestion in relation to the data rate meets a congestion criteria, which can be based on the application requirement, a handover is performed to hand over the wireless device to a second network.
US08995276B2 Method and an arrangement in a first network node for managing congestion
A method and an arrangement (400) for managing congestion of outgoing data of at least one link in a telecommunications signalling network protocol stack, comprising a first and second layer and an interface there-between, are provided. The first network node comprises multiple processing modules (430). The first network node (110) determines (210) a congestion level between the first and second layers. The first network node (110) receives (220), from the first layer, any existing first layer congestion level indication, indicating congestion between the first layer of the first network node and the first layer of the second network node. The first network node (110) generates (230) a simulated first layer congestion level indication based on the determined congestion level. The first network node (110) generates (240) a total first layer congestion level indication based on the simulated first layer congestion level indication and said any existing first layer congestion level indication.
US08995270B2 Asynchronous communication method for a wireless sensor network
The present invention relates to an asynchronous communication method in a wireless sensor network comprising a tree structure. For each node of the network, the communication is organized as a sequence of time frames, each frame including a listening phase possibly followed by a receiving phase and/or a transmitting phase. The method, of the preamble sampling type, enables a node to make a time appointment to its child node to transmit them a time window allocation message, each child node then transmitting at least one data packet in the window it has been allocated to. By minimizing the collision risk between packets and by maximizing the time during which the sensors go to sleep, the communication method both reduces the latency and the consumption within the network.
US08995266B2 Performing path-oriented systems management
A method is disclosed for transmitting system management requests to computer systems along a network path using a network control protocol, such as RSVP. For example, an originating node may send a single system management request along a path to a destination node using a network control protocol. Each computer system along the network path may analyze the network control protocol message to determine whether the message contains a system management request. If a system management request is found in the message, the computer system may perform the system management function identified in the request, and respond to it.
US08995264B2 Packet transfer device, packet transfer method, packet transfer program and communication device
A packet transfer device includes: an address conversion unit that allocates a global address to a plurality of private addresses of the plurality of private networks and converts address information and a port number included in a header of a received packet; a transfer unit that transfers a packet having the address information and the port number which are converted by the address conversion unit; and a session restriction unit that manages a number of sessions between a user terminal in the plurality of private networks and a device in the global network for each predetermined group and, when the number of sessions is greater than a number of available sessions which is set to each group, restricts the session of the user terminal which belongs to the group having the excess number of sessions.
US08995262B2 Dynamic load balancing in a communication network
Methods and systems for providing a dynamic and real time load factor that can be shared with other network elements is disclosed. The load factor can be used in determining the relative load among a set of network elements and in distributing new sessions requests as well as existing session on the set of network elements. The load factor can also be used for determining to which network element a user equipment is handed off. The dynamic load factor can also be shared amongst network elements to determine how the load is balanced among the network elements, such as a mobility management entity (MME).
US08995261B2 Method and apparatus of network traffic offloading
Method and apparatus of network traffic offloading is disclosed. Network traffic offloading method may include receiving a first network traffic offloading frame from a base station in a cellular network, the first network traffic offloading frame comprising a frame type instructing a scanning start by broadcasting an advertising frame, traffic information indicating traffic expected to be offloaded by the base station and a transmission configuration indicating a period and a duration to transmit the advertising frame, broadcasting the advertising frame based on the transmission configuration to scan at least one access point (AP), receiving at least one invitation frame from the at least one AP and transmitting a probe request frame to an AP selected among the at least one AP to associate with the selected AP.
US08995259B2 Systems and methods for resource booking for admission control and scheduling using DRX
Systems and methods provide for performing admission control in a communications network. The method includes: receiving a request for an entity or service for admission to the communications network; calculating resources, wherein the step of calculating resources includes: estimating a first future resource use for current entities and services in the communications network; and estimating a second future resource use for the entity or service received in the request; determining admission to the communications network of the received request based at least in part on the step of calculating resources; and using a partitionable booking window, if admission is allowed for the received request, for booking the first and second future resource uses based at least in part on the step of calculating resources.
US08995258B2 Radio communication apparatus and radio communication method for determining relay processing based upon policy information
A radio communication apparatus mounted on a mobile body establishes a local network using terminals and relays a packet transmitted and received between a predetermined terminal connected to the local network and a server connected to an external network, which is another network. The radio communication apparatus includes an uplink-traffic monitoring unit and a downlink-traffic monitoring unit to extract header information from packets received from the server and the terminal, a policy table that registers policy information indicating possibility of communication connection establishment for each combination of the server and the terminal and a priority degree of the communication connection, a priority-degree determining unit to determine whether relay processing for the packet is performed, and an uplink-traffic control unit and a downlink-traffic control unit to discard the received packet when the priority-degree determining unit determines that the relay processing is not performed.
US08995256B2 Methods, systems, and computer readable media for performing diameter answer message-based network management at a diameter signaling router (DSR)
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for performing Diameter answer message-based network management at a Diameter signaling router (DSR) are disclosed. According to one method, a Diameter answer message that includes error indicator information is received from a first Diameter node at a DSR. The error indicator information included in the Diameter answer message is examined, at the DSR, and information based on the error indicator information is used to update status information for routes maintained by the DSR to the first Diameter node.
US08995252B2 VoIP multiline failover
Tools and techniques are provided to provide Voice-over-IP (VoIP) communications. On receiving a user request to initiate a telephonic connection from a local site, at which the user is using a VoIP telecommunication device which has no link failover functionality, a system establishes over wide area network links at least two tunnels between a controller at the local site and another controller. Then the system transmits VoIP traffic over at least one of the tunnels from the controller at the local site to the other controller. The system also detects failure of the primary tunnel during the call and performs failover by changing a data path during the call to transmit packets over at least one non-failed tunnel.
US08995244B2 Topographic feedforward system
A control mechanism may control the height and/or position of a read/write head configured to interact with a rotating information storage surface. A computation unit may compute a detected topography from gap measurements using a dynamic filter including a model of read/write head dynamics. A sensor may detect gap measurements of a side read/write track while the read/write head is interacting with a current read/write track. A memory may store the detected topography. The control mechanism may adjust the height of the read/write head based on the detected and/or stored topography. The control mechanism may be a reactionless control mechanism configured to apply a counterforce to offset movements of the read/write head and/or a slider.
US08995236B2 Electronic timepiece with internal antenna
An electronic timepiece has a case of which at least part is made from a conductive material; an annular antenna housed in the case; and a dial disposed inside the antenna. The antenna has an annular dielectric base. The base has a sloped surface that slopes toward the dial and decreases in height to the dial with proximity to the inside. The antenna element is made from a conductive material and is fed by the feed part of the antenna, and is disposed to the sloped surface of the base.
US08995234B2 Date indication display device
A date indication display device for a timepiece includes a support element having a plurality of display areas on which are arranged the indications of the days of the month. The support element moves behind an aperture arranged in a dial of the timepiece. The indications of the days of the month are divided into a first and a second group, the two groups being two different colors. A date indication of the first group is superposed on a date indication of the second group on each display area. A first optical filter whose transmittance is chosen to transmit the first color and to block the second color, and a second optical filter whose transmittance is chosen to transmit the second color and to block the first color, are alternately positioned behind the aperture.
US08995232B2 Electromagnetic seismic vibrator architecture
Aspects described herein relate to an electromagnetic seismic vibrator (EMSV) architecture that provide wide frequency range operation, ground force application with high fidelity, and low environmental impact. The EMSV architecture can include a base member that can support a force coil and mitigate electrical heating due, at least in part, to spurious currents. The EMSV architecture can include means for restricting movement of a reaction member included in the EMSV architecture relative to the base member. Such means can permit mitigation of damage of the EMSV architecture in scenarios in which control of the EMSV architecture may fail.
US08995231B2 Oscillator in liquid
A oscillator in a liquid includes an actuator element oscillating in a reciprocating manner, and a sound-producing element attached to the actuator element, whereby the actuator element generates a motion in the sound-producing element for producing a sound. The oscillator is made open, whereby the pressure of liquid acts both on a first surface and on a second surface of the wall of the sound-producing element while the sound source is in the liquid. The material and/or structure of the wall of the sound-producing element is provided to be such that the distance between the first surface and the second surface of the wall varies as sound is produced.
US08995222B2 System and method for accurate determination of ocean bottom seismometer positioning and timing
There is provided herein a system and method of seismic exploration that produces improved locations and timings for ocean bottom seismometers. The instant method utilizes linearized inversion in conjunction with a conventionally accurate clock to provide both time and positioning for each OBS unit with high accuracy as compared with the prior art approach. Inversion is one mathematical tool that effectively performs the requisite triangulation. Furthermore, the clock drift can be accounted for in the inversion scheme. The inversion not only determines the OBS position and shot timing errors, but also estimates the accuracy of the position and timing determination.
US08995220B2 Method and system for streamer depth control
Depth and tilt control systems for geophysical sensor streamers and methods of use are discussed. Such systems may include a plurality of tilt sensors disposed at spaced apart locations along the geophysical sensor streamer, each tilt sensor having a first tilt sensing element arranged to measure tilt of the geophysical sensor streamer proximate the associated spaced apart location, a plurality of LFD control devices, each disposed proximate one of the tilt sensors along the geophysical sensor streamer, and a plurality of microcontrollers, each microcontroller in signal communication with at least one of the LFD control devices and its associated tilt sensor, wherein each microcontroller is capable of utilizing the tilt measured by the associated tilt sensor to selectively operate the associated LFD control device to cause the geophysical sensor streamer to align with a selected depth profile.
US08995218B2 Semiconductor device
To provide a semiconductor device including a plurality of circuit blocks each of which is capable of performing power gating by setting off periods appropriate to temperatures of the respective circuit blocks. Specifically, the semiconductor device includes an arithmetic circuit, a memory circuit configured to hold data obtained by the arithmetic circuit, a power supply control switch configured to control supply of the power supply voltage to the arithmetic circuit, a temperature detection circuit configured to detect the temperature of the memory circuit and to estimate overhead from the temperature, and a controller configured to set a period during which supply of the power supply voltage is stopped in the case where a power consumption of the arithmetic circuit during the period is larger than the overhead period and to control the power supply control switch.
US08995198B1 Multi-pass soft programming
Disclosed herein are system, method and computer program product embodiments for utilizing soft programming a nonvolatile memory. An embodiment operates by sequentially applying a single soft programming voltage pulse to all memory cells along each word line in the nonvolatile memory that fail soft programming verification in a first phase. This sequential application of the single soft programming voltage pulse in the first phase may repeat a predetermined number of times or until a threshold is met. Once the predetermined number of times completes, or the threshold is met, soft programming proceeds to a second phase where soft programming remains with each word line until all memory cells along the word line passes soft programming verification.
US08995196B2 Method of sorting a multi-bit per cell non-volatile memory and a multi-mode configuration method
A method of sorting a multi-bit per cell non-volatile memory includes programming and reading to test an n-bit-per-cell (n-bpc) non-volatile memory, which has a plurality of m-bpc pages, where m is a positive integer from 1 through n. If the m-bpc page fails the test, counting a block associated with the failed m-bpc page to (m-1)-bpc blocks, wherein each said m-bpc page is subjected to at most one time of programming and reading. When m is equal to 1, the 0-bpc block corresponds to a bad block.
US08995186B2 Memory cells, memory cell arrays, methods of using and methods of making
A semiconductor memory cell and arrays of memory cells are provided In at least one embodiment, a memory cell includes a substrate having a top surface, the substrate having a first conductivity type selected from a p-type conductivity type and an n-type conductivity type; a first region having a second conductivity type selected from the p-type and n-type conductivity types, the second conductivity type being different from the first conductivity type, the first region being formed in the substrate and exposed at the top surface; a second region having the second conductivity type, the second region being formed in the substrate, spaced apart from the first region and exposed at the top surface; a buried layer in the substrate below the first and second regions, spaced apart from the first and second regions and having the second conductivity type; a body region formed between the first and second regions and the buried layer, the body region having the first conductivity type; a gate positioned between the first and second regions and above the top surface; and a nonvolatile memory configured to store data upon transfer from the body region.
US08995176B2 Dual-port SRAM systems
Schematic circuit designs for a dual-port SRAM cell are disclosed, together with various layout schemes for the dual-port SRAM cell. The dual-port SRAM cell comprises a storage unit and a plurality of partial dummy transistors connected to the outputs of the storage unit. Various layout schemes for the dual-port SRAM cell are further disclosed. A gate electrode serves as the gate for a pull-down transistor and a pull-up transistor, a gate of a first partial dummy transistor, and a gate of a second partial dummy transistor. A butt contact connects a long contact to the gate electrode. The long contact further connects to a drain of a pull-down transistor, a drain of a pull-up transistor, a drain of a first pass gate, and a drain of a second pass gate, wherein the first pass gate and the second pass gate share an active region.
US08995168B2 Semiconductor storage device
According to one embodiment, provided is a semiconductor storage device that includes a control circuit to control the voltage that is applied to the memory cell. The control circuit is configured to execute a reset operation that applies a reset voltage of a first polarity to a selected memory cell that is connected to a selected first wire and a selected second wire during a reset operation. The control circuit is configured to execute a cancel operation that applies a cancel voltage of a second polarity that is opposite to the first polarity to an unselected memory cell and at the same time can execute a verify operation that reads out the state of the selected memory cell by applying a readout voltage of the second polarity to the selected memory cell. The cancel voltage and the readout voltage are the same voltage value.
US08995167B1 Reverse program and erase cycling algorithms
Structures and methods for controlling operation of a programmable impedance element are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of programming the programmable impedance element can include: (i) receiving a program command to be executed on the programmable impedance element; (ii) performing a program operation on the programmable impedance element in response to the program command; (iii) determining if the program operation successfully programmed the programmable impedance element; and (iv) performing an erase operation for programming the programmable impedance element in response to the program operation failing to successfully program the programmable impedance element.
US08995159B1 High-frequency matrix converter with square wave input
A device for producing an alternating current output voltage from a high-frequency, square-wave input voltage comprising, high-frequency, square-wave input a matrix converter and a control system. The matrix converter comprises a plurality of electrical switches. The high-frequency input and the matrix converter are electrically connected to each other. The control system is connected to each switch of the matrix converter. The control system is electrically connected to the input of the matrix converter. The control system is configured to operate each electrical switch of the matrix converter converting a high-frequency, square-wave input voltage across the first input port of the matrix converter and the second input port of the matrix converter to an alternating current output voltage at the output of the matrix converter.
US08995153B2 Passive power factor correction circuit
The disclosure relates to a passive power factor correction circuit. The passive power factor correction circuit comprises: a filtering device being used for decreasing high order harmonic of an input current; a resonance device being coupled to the filtering device for controlling operation time of the input current; and a suppression device being coupled to the resonance device for suppressing ripple of the input current.
US08995151B2 Power electronic converter
A power electronic converter for high/medium voltage direct current power transmission and reactive power compensation comprises a primary converter unit and an auxiliary converter unit, the primary converter unit including at least one primary converter limb including first and second DC terminals for connection in use to a DC network and an AC terminal, the or each primary converter limb defining first and second limb portions, each limb portion including at least one primary module, the or each primary module including at least one primary switching element connected to an energy storage device, the auxiliary converter unit including at least one auxiliary converter limb including at least one auxiliary module including a plurality of auxiliary switching elements connected to the energy storage device of a corresponding primary module in the first limb portion of a respective primary converter limb, the primary switching elements of the primary modules being controllable in use to switch the respective energy storage device in and out of circuit to generate a voltage waveform at the respective AC terminal.
US08995150B2 Primary side sense output current regulation
The embodiments disclosed herein describe a method of a controller to maintain a substantially constant average output current at the output of a switching power converter. In one embodiment, the controller uses a regulation voltage that corresponds to the primary peak current regulation level to regulate the average output current.
US08995149B2 Keyboard device with a support for supporting a keyboard
The invention discloses a keyboard device including a keyboard and a support for protecting the keyboard or accommodating a portable information processing device. The support of the invention is capable of rotate in a direction away from the keyboard to be at a supporting state. The support of the invention is also capable of rotate in a direction toward the keyboard to cover whole of the top of the keyboard.
US08995148B2 Backplane for electrically coupling modular information handling resources to one or more other information handling resources
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a backplane for electrically coupling modular information handling resources to one or more other information handling resources, may include a printed circuit board, a first plurality of slots, and a second plurality of slots. The printed circuit board may have a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first plurality of slots may be mounted to the first surface and the second plurality of slots may be mounted to the second surface, such that each of the second plurality of slots are offset from an adjacent slot of the first plurality of slots in a direction parallel to a plane defined by the first surface and each of the second plurality of slots are rotated approximately 180 degrees from an adjacent slot of the first plurality of slots.
US08995145B2 Circuit board unit
A circuit board unit includes a printed circuit board and a terminal block mounted on the printed circuit board and connecting a power module and an electrical wire together. The terminal block includes a terminal connection part to be directly connected to the power module, and a wire connection part to be connected to the electrical wire. In the printed circuit board, a hole having an orthographic projection area larger than that of the terminal connection part as viewed in plane is formed. The terminal connection part is positioned below or above the hole of the printed circuit board.
US08995136B2 Communications bladed panel systems
A fiber panel system includes a chassis and at least blades configured to mount to the chassis. Each blade is moveable relative to the chassis between a retracted (closed) position and at least one extended position. Each blade may be locked into one or more positions relative to the chassis using one or more latching arrangements. Each latching arrangement includes two flexible arms. A stop member is disposed at a distal end of each flexible arm.
US08995134B2 Electrically-cooled power module
In one embodiment, an apparatus for cooling an electrical component in a vehicle is provided. The apparatus comprises a power module including the electrical component for converting energy. The power module includes a first printed circuit board (PCB) including a first ceramic substrate for receiving the electrical component. The power module further includes a plurality of thermoelectric cells being coupled to the first PCB for discharging heat away from the electrical component. The power module further includes a second PCB including a second ceramic substrate being coupled to the plurality of thermoelectric cells, the first ceramic substrate and the second ceramic substrate for electrically isolating the electrical component from the first PCB and the second PCB and for providing thermal conductance from the electrical component through the plurality of thermoelectric cells.
US08995119B2 Low cost high performance injection molded hard drive top cover
Provided herein is a low cost high performance light weight hard drive cover that is injection molded. The hard drive top cover has a flange portion that applies pressure to an elastomeric seal preventing ingress of moisture dust and other contaminants into the sensitive components. The flange portion is reinforced with a plurality of metallic strips that are placed between pressure application locations embedded within the polymer flange. The viscoelastic creep response of the polymer flange does not contribute to relaxation of pressure on the elastomeric seal due to the presence of the metallic reinforcement strips. The metallic reinforcement strips may have a convex curvature between pressure application locations. The metallic reinforcement strip may have apertures for passage of injection molded polymer creating delamination free intimate bond between the polymer in the flange and the metallic reinforcement strip.
US08995117B1 Notebook computer with improved balance
A portable computer includes a lid assembly defining a lower edge and having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a display visible on the inner surface. The portable computer also includes a base defining a front and a back assembly and having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a keyboard on the upper surface. A pair of slots through the upper surface extends from adjacent the back toward the front. A hinge structure has first and second arms rotatably affixed to the base assembly adjacent opposite sides of the back and to the lid assembly at respective locations spaced apart from the lower edge. First and second rails are disposed within the base assembly adjacent the slots and first and second slide elements are slidably connected to the rails, extend through the slots, and are rotatably connected with the lid assembly at the lower edge.
US08995114B2 Recessed lighting fixture and flexibly attached compact junction box
A recessed lighting fixture includes a lamp housing and a separate compact junction box, which contains a power supply that drives the lamp and serves in part to divide the interior cavity of the junction box into two separate wiring compartments. The junction box has two end walls spaced along an axis and a releasably secured cover The lighting fixture is particularly suitable for retrofit installations, especially where small aperture downlights are desired.
US08995089B2 Magnetic recording medium and method for producing the same
According to one embodiment, there is provided a magnetic recording medium which includes a base, a magnetic recording layer having convex-shaped magnetic layers, which is formed on the base, and a protective film formed on the magnetic recording layer. There are gaps in a region surrounded by the protective film, the surface of the base, and each side wall of each magnetic layer.
US08995087B1 Perpendicular magnetic recording write head having a wrap around shield
A perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) head is disclosed. The PMR head includes a perpendicular magnetic recording pole having at least one side, a bottom and a top wider than the bottom. The PMR head also includes at least one side gap, at least one side shield, a to gap on the PMR pole and a top shield. The side gap(s) encapsulate the side(s) of the PMR pole, has at least one width and is between the PMR pole and the side shield(s). The to gap has a thickness such that the ratio of the width(s) to the thickness is greater than one. A portion of the top gap is between at least part of the top shield and the side shield(s).
US08995081B2 Disk drive minimizing initial seek distance after load operation
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk comprising tracks defined by servo sectors, a head, and control circuitry comprising a servo control system operable to actuate the head over the disk in response to the servo sectors. The head is loaded over the disk during a load operation, and a radial velocity of the head is determined during the load operation. A target track is generated based on the determined radial velocity of the head, and the servo control system seeks the head to the target track.
US08995080B1 Non-destructive detection of slider contamination
Apparatus and method for non-destructive detection of contamination on a slider in a data storage device. In some embodiments, the slider supports a read element adjacent a rotating data recording medium. A non-repeatable runout (NRRO) component of a position error signal (PES) obtained from readback signals transduced from the read element is extracted. A power spectral density (PSD) analysis of the NRRO component is performed to identify a peak power level, and slider contamination is detected responsive to the peak power level.
US08995078B1 Method of testing a head for contamination
A method of testing a head for contamination includes detecting a first touchdown power of the head, the head having a flying height actuator; calculating a back-off power for the head using an estimated relationship between back-off power and touchdown power; determining an operating power that is equal to the detected first touchdown power minus the calculated back-off power; passing the head over a magnetic media one or more times while applying the determined operating power to the flying height actuator; detecting a second touchdown power after passing the head over the magnetic media; and determining whether contamination on the head exceeds a threshold amount based on the detected second touchdown power.
US08995076B1 Head-medium contact detection using electromagnetic attraction
An apparatus of the present disclosure generally includes a recording head, circuitry, a thermal sensor, and a detector. The recording head has an electromagnetic attraction to a recording medium. The circuitry is configured to oscillate the electromagnetic attraction between the recording head and the recording medium. The oscillating electromagnetic attraction produces a corresponding oscillating clearance between the recording head and the recording medium. The thermal sensor, located in or near the recording head, senses an oscillating temperature that is induced by the oscillating clearance and produces a sensor signal that is representative of the sensed temperature. The detector is coupled to the thermal sensor and is configured to detect at least one of head-medium contact and clearance using the sensor signal and the electromagnetic attraction.
US08995075B1 Disk drive adjusting estimated servo state to compensate for transient when crossing a servo zone boundary
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk comprising a plurality of servo sectors defining a plurality of servo tracks. The servo tracks form a plurality of servo zones, where a servo data rate of servo sectors in a first servo zone is different than a servo data rate of servo sectors in a second servo zone. A servo control system servos a head over the disk. An estimated servo state of a servo control system is generated, and when the head crosses from a first servo zone to a second servo zone, the estimated servo state is adjusted to compensate for a transient in a circumferential distance between a servo sector in the first servo zone and a servo sector in the second servo zone.
US08995074B1 Read channel optimization using evolutionary algorithms
The present disclosure includes systems and techniques relating to the use of evolutionary algorithms for tuning the performance of read channels. Instructions encoded on a medium are performed by processor cause a storage device to perform operations including obtaining values corresponding to operating parameters of a read channel of the storage device, generating one or more output parameters corresponding to use of the values with the read channel, selecting a proper subset of the values based on the one or more output parameters and a cost function, creating a new generation of the values corresponding to the operating parameters based on the proper subset and repeating the generating and the selecting using the new generation of the values until a target is achieved, and outputting two or more of the values of the proper subset of a last generation, when the target is achieved to configure the read channel.
US08995063B2 Optical device with adjustable optical surface
An adjustable optical device comprising at least a deformable optical surface activated by linear fluidic actuators comprising: a material layer comprising an upper surface on which the optical surface is provided and a bottom surface; an actuator layer comprising a plurality of linear fluidic actuators separated by at least one cavity, where at least one linear fluidic actuator is a pillar extending in the actuation direction (L) which is non parallel to the bottom surface of the material layer, said pillar comprising a wall delimiting an internal cavity and where an upper surface of said pillar is continuously linked to a zone of the bottom surface of the material layer; fluidic inlets suitable for introducing a fluid in at least one internal cavity of a pillar linear fluidic actuator.
US08995060B2 Optical film and head-up display device
A head-up display device includes an image module, a substrate, and an optical film. The image module has an emitting source, wherein the emitting source transmits at least one image. The substrate is disposed corresponding to the image module. The optical film is disposed on the substrate and includes at least one transmission layer, wherein each transmission layer has a plurality of transmitting column structures obliquely arranged side by side, and a longitudinal direction of the transmitting column structure has a tilt angle with respect to a normal of the substrate. The at least one image is transmitted to the optical film, and the obliquely disposed transmitting column structures cause the at least one image to scatter on the optical film.
US08995053B2 Positive optical amplifier power transient suppression
The present invention includes an optical amplifier and method for reducing the impact of transient events within an optical transmission system. Specifically, a positive transient power or amplifier setting adjustment limit is applied based upon a number of active channels or a current “steady state” operating condition. This adjustment limit is described in terms of a number of channels to be amplified. By controlling the adjustment limit in this manner, automatic control of the amplifier is provided for a loss of channel condition as well as for the addition of a single or few channel condition. If a larger positive transient occurs, the control will not adjust the power limit, and the positive transient power will therefore be suppressed.
US08995039B2 Switchable automotive glazing
A window glazing (10) suitable for use in automotive applications wherein a switchable film (18) is protected from UV exposure and over-temperature exposure by a coating (14) that reflects IR and UV light in combination with an interlayer (16) that absorbs UV light.
US08995038B1 Optical time delay control device
An optical time delay control device for controllably altering the transit time of an optical beam between two points. In one example, the device may include an optically transparent solid medium for receiving the optical beam, wherein at least a portion of the medium is generally a parallel piped shape characterized by a height, length and width, wherein the length is larger than the height; two mirrors affixed to two opposing parallel surfaces of the optically transparent solid medium, so that during operation the optical beam reflects between the two mirrors as the optical beam travels through the optically transparent medium; and an angle actuator for controllably altering the angle at which the optical beam enters into the optically transparent medium, thereby controllably altering the time that the optical beam travels through the device. This in effect permits control of the amount of delay of the transmission of light, and delays of 20 nanoseconds have been achieved.
US08995036B2 Printing apparatus
A printing apparatus includes a printing unit located inside a housing, a scanner unit including a cover located on top of the printing unit, and an operation unit configured to be opened and closed with respect to the housing. When the operation unit is opened, the operation unit moves to a position where the operation unit hinders the opening and closing of the cover, and a part of the printing unit is exposed.
US08995033B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes an image data acquiring portion, an image determining portion, and an image data converting portion. The image data acquiring portion is configured to acquire first image data representing a color image. The image determining portion is configured to determine whether or not the image represented by the first image data is an image mainly composed of black characters. The image data converting portion is configured to convert the first image data to second image data by converting the first image data to binary image data when the image determining portion determines that the image represented by the first image data is an image mainly composed of black characters.
US08995032B2 Producing an image and optical file from a visible first digital image and from a visible second digital image of a machine-readable optical code which encodes information associated with or derived from the first digital image
A method of making a digital image file from a visible first digital image and from a visible second digital image of a machine-readable optical code, wherein the machine-readable optical code encodes information associated with or derived from the first digital image includes using a scanner to scan the visible first digital image and using the scanner to scan the visible second digital image and using a processor to make the digital image file by storing in a memory the scanned first digital image in an image portion and storing the scanned second digital image in retrievable association with the first digital image in an information portion.
US08995031B2 Image reading apparatus and assembling method
A document reading apparatus includes a sensor configured to receive light from a document, an imaging lens configured to form an image of light from the document on the sensor, a first holding member to which the imaging lens is fixed, and a second holding member to which the sensor is fixed, wherein the first holding member and the second holding member are fixed using an adhesive and solder.
US08995023B2 Amplification modulation screening method and apparatus
An amplitude modulation screening method is provided. The method comprises a step of utilizing regular hexagon screen dots to form a threshold matrix for amplitude screening. In embodiments of the present application, an amplitude modulation screening apparatus is also provided. The apparatus may comprise a matrix module configured to constitute a threshold matrix for amplitude screening using regular hexagon screen dots. Due to the threshold matrix formed with regular hexagon screen dots, the method and apparatus of the present application resolve the problem of the screen dots in the prior art, and improve the printing quality.
US08995013B2 Information processing apparatus and control method for controlling display of a user interface screen
A UI driver determines an output region corresponding to an output paper size in a display region of the printer driver UI, and if a length of at least one side of the output region is longer than a corresponding side of an original image, performs cropping of the original image such that a removed portion of a distribution region of a main object in the original image is at the minimum after enlarging the original image, and if a length of each side of the output region is shorter than or equal to a corresponding side of the original image and not longer than a corresponding side of the distribution region of the main object, performs cropping of the original image such that a removed portion of the distribution region of the main object is at the minimum after reducing the original image.
US08995009B2 Image forming apparatus with fluorescent color recording portion
A color conversion portion generates, when fluorescent color is not included in an image of document sheet, image data according to color coordinate system of a printing device for image of the document sheet, in predetermined color conversion mode, based on image data of read image, and, when a fluorescent color is included in an image of a document sheet, generates, for colors other than the fluorescent color, image data according to the color coordinate system of a printing device for the image of the document sheet, in the predetermined color conversion mode, based on image data of a read image, and generates, for the fluorescent color, image data according to the color coordinate system of the printing device for the image of the document sheet, based on the image data of the read image, by using a color value of a color patch corresponding to the recorded fluorescent color.
US08995005B2 Image processing apparatus with memory area management portion
In an image processing apparatus, a memory area management portion generates a descriptor for a block storage area allocated in each of a first work memory and a second work memory, and generates sub-band management data associated with the descriptor for the block storage area in which compressed sub-band data is stored, sequentially according to arrangement of the sub-band data in the primary scanning direction and the secondary scanning direction in image data. A data loading portion changes, according to a rotation angle, the association between the sub-band management data and the descriptor after the compressed sub-band data is stored in the second work memory. A decompression processing portion performs rotating process in the sub-band data according to the rotation angle.
US08995003B2 Method and system for displaying a menu which has an icon and additional information corresponding to stored video data, wherein the icon can selectively display a still image and a video image of the video data with the additional information
A menu displaying system and method having an icon for editing image data in an AV (Audio and Video) device, the AV device having a recording medium capable of storing image data and audio data, and which is capable of reproducing image data and audio data. The method comprises steps for displaying icons and additional information corresponding to the image data stored at the recording medium, selecting one of the icons displayed, and reproducing image data corresponding to the selected icon. A corresponding program stored at the AV device having a recording media such as a hard disc drive, is then reproduced upon a menu screen such that image data stored at the AV device can be easily observed.
US08994993B2 Management system, management server, and recording medium
A management system for managing a management target device includes: a position detection unit configured to detect a position of a user of the management target device; a management server configured to manage Air Tag information relating to the user; and a mobile terminal. The management server includes: a positional information acquisition unit configured to acquire positional information for the position of the user based on a result of the detection by the position detection unit; a generation unit configured to generate the Air Tag information including device-relating information and the positional information of the user; and a transmission unit configured to transmit the Air Tag information to the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal displays an Air Tag image visualizing the device-relating information of the user by superposing the Air Tag image over a portion representing the user within a shot image of scenery around the mobile terminal.
US08994990B2 System management server, and management method and program
A system management server in a printing system assigns print document information and printing device information of a tenant to a plurality of servers to perform distributed management. When print document information and printing device information of a given tenant are divided and moved, the plurality of servers are searched for a server for managing the given tenant. When the found server is allowed to store the divided print document information and printing device information, the server is determined to be a destination server of the movement. The divided print document information and printing device information are moved to the determined destination server.
US08994986B2 Print control apparatus, program and method of displaying print setting screen
A print control apparatus, a program, a method of displaying a print setting screen are provided. The print control apparatus includes a display device, an acquisition unit configured to acquire a size of a displayable area of the display device, a changing unit configured to change a size of a print setting screen related to a print setting according to the size of the displayable area, and a screen displaying unit configured to display the print setting screen changed by the changing unit on the display device.
US08994979B2 Print relay system, image forming apparatus, system control method, and program
A print relay system determines whether a printing function (capability) of an image forming apparatus corresponding to user authority setting has been registered in a printing service. Having determined that the printing function has been registered, the print relay system enables other users having the same authority to share the printing function (capability) of the image forming apparatus registered in the printing service.
US08994978B2 Image processing apparatus that facilitates printing of password-protected documents, and corresponding method for forming images
An image forming apparatus performs a direct printing function. A selecting section selects at least two files from a plurality of files stored in at least one of an internal storage medium and an external storage medium. A human interface receives passwords form a user. A password determining section determines whether the selected files are protected by passwords. A file extracting section extracts the selected files from an internal storage medium or external storage medium. A password verifying section determines whether passwords contained in the selected files and the passwords inputted through the human interface coincide. A printer prints the selected files. A printing controller controls the printer, causing the printer to print at least one of selected files if the password verifying section has determined that the password contained in the at least one selected file and the password inputted by the user coincide.
US08994963B2 Sheet conveyance unit, image reading device, and image forming apparatus
A sheet conveyance unit including a sheet tray on which a stack of sheets is placed, a sheet feed member to feed sheets from the stack of sheets, a separation/feed unit to separate a topmost sheet from the rest of sheets fed by the sheet feed member and feed the topmost sheet to a predetermined position, and a pre-separation unit disposed between the sheet tray and the separation/feed unit. The pre-separation unit includes a downward sloped portion to guide a leading edge of each sheet diagonally downward, and an upward sloped portion provided downstream from the downward sloped portion in a conveyance direction of the sheets to guide the leading edge of each sheet diagonally upward. Both ends of the upward sloped portion in a lateral direction are sloped upward more gently than the center of the upward sloped portion.
US08994956B2 Optical device for observing millimetric or submillimetric structural details of an object with specular behaviour
A device for observation, by reflection, of the structural details of an object (2) that exhibits a behavior that is at least partially specular, located in an exposure area, which includes: at least one radiation source with an emission surface (6) possessing at least two distinct zones (26, 27) emitting streams of radiation, where at least one of the characteristics differs from one zone to the next; an optical projection system that is located in line with the radiation source in relation to the exposure zone, in the path of the radiation; an optical exposure system (18) designed to optically link the entry aperture (14) of the optical projection system and the emission surface (6); a projection surface (10) that is linked optically with the object in the exposure zone, and whose received radiation depends on the deflection on the object (2).
US08994953B2 Phased based sensing
Interrogation of a phase based transducer is performed by temporally overlapping and interfering a single pulse output from the transducer to determine the rate of change with time of the measurand represented as a phase change. The rate of change, or derivative of the phase change typically has a much smaller amplitude than the signal itself, and the derivative measurement therefore has reduced sensitivity. In this way, large amplitude signals which might otherwise be subject to overscaling effects can be measured more effectively.
US08994952B2 Ring laser gyro
A ring laser gyro with no piezoelectric elements for dither detection includes a laser beam receiving unit for receiving a laser beam taken out of a gyro block, a laser beam intensity measuring unit for measuring the intensity of the laser beam received by the laser beam receiving unit, a dither mechanism, a dither control unit for driving the dither mechanism, and a gyro case housing the gyro block, wherein the laser beam receiving unit is secured to the gyro case, the laser beam receiving unit has a laser beam receiving surface for receiving the laser beam from the gyro block to detect a laser beam receiving position on the laser beam receiving surface and output positional information indicating the laser beam receiving position. The dither control unit drives the dither mechanism on the basis of information indicating the amplitude of the laser beam receiving position obtained from the positional information.
US08994949B2 Optical gas detector
A gas detector including an assembly of two hemispherical caps having opposite concavities, and which are reflective on at least a portion of their opposite surfaces, and a wafer arranged in an equatorial plane of the assembly of the two caps, in the vicinity of but spaced apart from the center of the equatorial plane, including, back-to-back: a diverging light emitter directed towards the first cap and a light receiver directed towards the second cap.
US08994944B2 Methods and scatterometers, lithographic systems, and lithographic processing cells
In a method of determining the focus of a lithographic apparatus used in a lithographic process on a substrate, the lithographic process is used to form a structure on the substrate, the structure having at least one feature which has an asymmetry in the printed profile which varies as a function of the focus of the lithographic apparatus on the substrate. A first image of the periodic structure is formed and detected while illuminating the structure with a first beam of radiation. The first image is formed using a first part of non-zero order diffracted radiation. A second image of the periodic structure is formed and detected while illuminating the structure with a second beam of radiation. The second image is formed using a second part of the non-zero order diffracted radiation which is symmetrically opposite to the first part in a diffraction spectrum. The ratio of the intensities of the measured first and second portions of the spectra is determined and used to determine the asymmetry in the profile of the periodic structure and/or to provide an indication of the focus on the substrate. In the same instrument, an intensity variation across the detected portion is determined as a measure of process-induced variation across the structure. A region of the structure with unwanted process variation can be identified and excluded from a measurement of the structure.
US08994942B2 Method for identifying interference object in scatter volume of optical fire detector and optical fire detector
An interference object is identified in a scatter volume of an optical fire detector, which operates according to the scattered light principle. To achieve a higher level of interference protection using a simple structure in a compact fire detector, a common scatter volume is used instead of separate scatter volumes.
US08994941B2 Optical system, apparatus and method for performing flow cytometry
An optical system includes a radiation source, a radiation-illuminating device, and a radiation-collecting device. The radiation source is configured to generate radiation. The radiation-illuminating device is optically coupled to the radiation source and configured to direct and focus the radiation obliquely with respect to an optical axis thereof onto a sample. The radiation-collecting device is configured to collect back-scattered radiation scattered from the sample and spatially separated from noise radiation. Associated apparatus and method are also described.
US08994930B2 Method and apparatus for analyzing individual cells or particulates using fluorescent quenching and/or bleaching
A method for analyzing a blood sample is provided that includes the steps of: providing a blood sample having one or more of each first and second constituents; admixing a colorant with the sample, which colorant is operative to cause the first constituents and second constituents to fluoresce and absorb light; illuminating at least a portion of the sample; e) imaging a portion of the sample; determining a fluorescence value for each the first constituents and second constituents; determining an optical density value for each of the first constituents and second constituents; and identifying the first constituents and the second constituents using the determined fluorescence and optical density values.
US08994928B2 Laser radar device
A laser radar device mounted on a vehicle includes a first laser emission part configured to generate a measuring laser beam by using a laser beam emitted from a laser source and to illuminate a predetermined area in a front traveling direction and a second laser emission part configured to generate a measuring laser beam by using the laser beam emitted from the laser source. A beam spread angle, viewed from a side of the vehicle, of the measuring laser beam generated by the second laser emission part is larger than a beam spread angle, viewed from a side of the vehicle, of the measuring laser beam generated by the first laser emission part.
US08994927B2 Device for measuring a distance to a target object
A measuring device for the measurement of a distance to a target object has a beam source which is designed as an electrical-optical component and which emits a transmission beam. A detector, which is designed as a further electrical-optical component, receives a reception beam that is reflected and/or scattered by the target object. A beam splitting lens is configured to deflect the transmission and/or reception beam. Alternatively or additionally, the measuring device includes a beam shaping lens is configured for shaping the transmission and/or reception beam. A lens support is configured to accommodate the electrical-optical components. The lens support also accommodates the beam splitting lens and/or the beam shaping lens. The lens support has a first wafer for accommodating the electrical-optical components and a second wafer for accommodating the beam splitting lens, and/or the beam shaping lens.
US08994925B2 Optical distance measurement device
Optical range finders are configured to transmit optical bursts toward a target and detect a corresponding received burst. DC offset in the received burst due to square law detection can be offset based on a difference between high pass and low pass filtered portions of the received burst. Edge records associated with bursts can be obtained, and correlated with a reference signal or waveform to obtain a range estimate.
US08994912B2 Transparent display device
A transparent display device includes a cholesteric liquid crystal display (LCD) panel to display an image, a first polarized sheet arranged on one side of the cholesteric LCD panel, and a first ¼ phase delay sheet arranged between the first polarized sheet and the display panel.
US08994907B2 Display unit comprising a substrate cover that has a screw covering region
In a display unit, measures against dropping of screws can be realized at low cost. The display unit includes: a wiring substrate in which wiring that is led out from a display panel is provided; a screw that fixes the wiring substrate to the display unit; and a substrate cover that covers the wiring substrate. The substrate cover has a screw covering region that covers a head of the screw, and part of the periphery of the screw covering region is separated from the other area of the substrate cover.
US08994906B2 Display with multilayer and embedded signal lines
A display may have a thin-film-transistor layer with a substrate layer. A layer of dielectric may be formed on the substrate layer and may have an upper surface and a lower surface. The thin-film-transistor layer may include an array of display pixels. Data lines and gate lines may provide signals to the display pixels. Gate driver circuitry in an inactive peripheral portion of the display may include a gate driver circuit for each gate line. The gate driver circuits may include thin-film transistors that are formed on the upper surface of the layer of dielectric. Signal lines such as a gate low line, a gate routing line coupled between the gate driver circuits, and a common electrode line may be formed from two or more layers of metal to reduce their widths or may be embedded within the dielectric layer between the upper and lower surfaces under the thin-film transistors.
US08994898B2 COF base tape and manufacturing method thereof and liquid crystal display module comprising same
The present invention provides a COF base tape. The COF base tape includes: a connected lead being configured to connect with a connected terminal of a liquid crystal glass; an alignment mark being set on the two sides of the connected lead being configured to align with a mark of the connected terminal, an area of the alignment mark thereof being light transparency. The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing the COF base tape and liquid crystal display module. The embodiment of the invention of a COF base tape and manufacturing method thereof and liquid crystal display module including the same enhances the strength of the COF base tape edge and raises the accurate alignment and operationally of the COF base tap connected with liquid glass. The present invention can save the material and reduce the cost of the art.
US08994887B2 Semiconductor device comprising a second organic film over a third insulating film wherein the second organic film overlaps with a channel formation region and a second conductive film
In an active matrix type liquid crystal display device, in which functional circuits such as a shift register circuit and a buffer circuit are incorporated on the same substrate, an optimal TFT structure is provided along with the aperture ratio of a pixel matrix circuit is increased. There is a structure in which an n-channel TFT, with a third impurity region which overlaps a gate electrode, is formed in a buffer circuit, etc., and an n-channel TFT, in which a fourth impurity region which does not overlap the gate electrode, is formed in a pixel matrix circuit. A storage capacitor formed in the pixel matrix circuit is formed by a light shielding film, a dielectric film formed on the light shielding film, and a pixel electrode. Al is especially used in the light shielding film, and the dielectric film is formed anodic oxidation process, using an Al oxide film.
US08994881B2 Method and apparatus for simultaneously viewing multimedia content and accepting an incoming video call communication
An example method and apparatus for audio-visual communication is provided. In some examples, a method as disclosed herein may include receiving an incoming call indication comprising a conversation request from a remote party, wherein the outgoing call request is displayed in a visual communication screen area on a display; establishing a communication link with the remote party in an instance in which an answering signal has been received, the communication link enabling a multi-directional audio and visual conversation; and causing a received video of the remote party to be displayed in the visual communication screen area, wherein the display is operable to display multimedia content in a multimedia screen area simultaneously with the received video of the remote party in the visual communication screen area.
US08994875B2 Camera module
The present invention relates to a camera module having an auto focus function, the module including a lens unit having at least one lens, a barrel into which the lens unit is inserted, and connected by a VCM (Voice Coil Motor) actuator, and an image sensor discretely positioned from the lens unit to convert light having passed the lens unit to an electrical signal, where the VCM actuator includes a gap of a reference distance position value which is a position of an object catering to a lens focal length according to the camera module, and information on a focus-met lens position value, and adjusts an initial position of the lens by using the gap of reference distance position value of the lens position value during operation of the camera module.
US08994870B2 Imaging apparatus, and system and distance measuring device using imaging apparatus
An imaging apparatus disclosed in the present application includes a lens optical system including a lens and a stop; an imaging; and an array-form optical element located between the lens optical system and the imaging device and including optical components extending in a row direction in a plane vertical to an optical axis of the lens optical system, the optical components being arrayed in a column direction in the plane. The imaging device includes pixel groups, each of which includes first pixels arrayed in the row direction and second pixels arrayed in the row direction at positions adjacent, in the column direction, to the first pixels. The pixel groups are arrayed in the column direction. Border positions between the optical components are respectively offset in the column direction with respect to corresponding border positions between the pixel groups.
US08994864B2 Solid-state imaging device, and method for driving the same
A solid-state imaging device according to the present invention includes: a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of pixels disposed on the semiconductor substrate in rows and columns; a column signal line formed for each of the columns; an inverting amplifier connected to the column signal line; and a feedback line, provided for each of the columns, to feed back output signal of the inverting amplifier to pixels in a corresponding column, wherein the amplifying transistor includes a gate connected to the pixel electrode and outputs signal voltage corresponding to the pixel electrode to a column signal line via the selection transistor, and one of a source and a drain of the reset transistor is connected to the pixel electrode and the other is connected to a corresponding feedback line.
US08994863B2 Solid state imaging device having a plurality of unit cells
A solid-state imaging device is capable of simplifying the pixel structure to reduce the pixel size and capable of suppressing the variation in the characteristics between the pixels when a plurality of output systems is provided. A unit cell (30) includes two pixels (31) and (32). Upper and lower photoelectric converters (33) and (34), transfer transistors (35) and (36) connected to the upper and lower photoelectric converters, respectively, a reset transistor (37), and an amplifying transistor (38) form the two pixels (31) and (32). A full-face signal line 39 is connected to the respective drains of the reset transistor (37) and the amplifying transistor (38). Controlling the full-face signal line (39), along with transfer signal lines (42) and (43) and a reset signal line (41), to read out signals realizes the simplification of the wiring in the pixel, the reduction of the pixel size, and so on.
US08994860B2 Molded image sensor package and method
An image sensor package includes an image sensor, a window, and a molding, where the molding includes a lens holder extension portion extending upwards from the window. The lens holder extension portion includes a female threaded aperture extending from the window such that the window is exposed through the aperture. A lens is supported in a threaded lens support. The threaded lens support is threaded into the aperture of the lens holder extension portion. The lens is readily adjusted relative to the image sensor by rotating the lens support.
US08994855B2 CMOS pixel control method
A method for controlling a pixel including at least one photodiode capable of being connected to a sense node, the method including the steps of: a) at the beginning and at the end of a first integration period included within a second integration period, controlling the pixel to transfer the charges stored in the photodiode above a first threshold onto the sense node; and b) at an intermediate time between the beginning of the second period and the beginning of the first period, controlling the pixel to transfer the charges stored in the photodiode above the first threshold onto the sense node.
US08994848B2 Method and system for handling mixed illumination in video and photography
A method including: obtaining, with an image processing apparatus, a white point that corresponds to an image captured by a camera with only the natural light as a light source; obtaining, with the image processing apparatus, a white point that corresponds to an image captured by the camera with only the artificial light as a light source; determining, with the image processing apparatus, a ratio of an intensity of natural light for a pixel to an intensity of an artificial light for the pixel within an image captured by a camera under mixed illumination of the natural light and the artificial light; and determining, with the image processing apparatus, a white point for the pixel in the image under mixed illumination based on the ratio of the intensity of natural light to the intensity of artificial light for the pixel in the image, the white point for only the natural light, and the white point for only the artificial light.
US08994847B2 Digital camera and image capturing method
A portable device and image processing method for the device are disclosed. The method includes sensing an image, performing an eye-gazing detection process on the image to detect an eye-gazing direction of at least one eye of at least one object in the image, determining whether the eye-gazing direction meets a gazing criterion, wherein the gazing criterion defines a specific angle of the eye-gazing direction of the at least one eye of the at least one object with respect to the portable device, and wherein the eye-gazing direction is determined by analyzing pupils of the at least one eye, and triggering an application of the portable device in response to the eye-gazing direction meeting the gazing criterion.
US08994834B2 Capturing photos
Implementations generally relate to continually capturing photos. In some implementations, a method includes collecting photos that are captured continually, where the photos are captured continually using a device that is operable to track a gaze of a user. The method also includes enabling the user to select one or more of the photos subsequent to the photos being captured. The method also includes enabling the user to process the selected photos.
US08994827B2 Wearable electronic device
In one embodiment, a device includes a device body that includes a touch-sensitive display and a processor. The device also includes a band coupled to the device body and an optical sensor in or on the band. The optical sensor faces outward from the band and captures images. The processor communicates with the optical sensor to process captured images.
US08994824B2 Vehicle periphery monitoring device
A vehicle periphery monitoring device is provided with a symmetrical image portion extraction unit (21) which extracts a first image portion (A1) and a second image portion (A2) which are line-symmetrical to each other in the horizontal direction; and expanded region setting unit (22) which sets a first expanded region (B1) containing the first image portion (A1); an expanded search range setting unit (23) which sets an expanded search range (C) which contains the second image portion (A2); and an object class recognition unit (24) which searches in the expanded search range (C) a second expanded region (B2) which has a correlation degree to a mirror reflection image (B1m) of the first expanded region (B1), and recognizes the image containing the first image portion (A1) and the second image portion (A2) as the image of another vehicle if the second expanded region (B2) is detected.
US08994802B2 Endoscope
An endoscope includes an objective optical system at a distal end of an inserted portion to acquire a subject image; a part that splits the subject image into two optical images focused differently; an imaging device that acquires two images by simultaneously capturing the optical images arranged on an imaging surface; and a part for cutting out at least abutting portions of the optical images on the imaging device, wherein A+B>C+D, where A is half the maximum length of light-receiving regions for the optical images at the imaging surface; where TW is an entry angle at the imaging surface when A is at the maximum image height and d is an optical-path-length difference between the optical images, B=d×tan TW; C is half the length of the light-receiving regions in a direction of the optical images arranged on the imaging surface; and D is a distance between the two light-receiving regions.
US08994797B2 Display system, display device and display assistance device
A display system comprises a display device for accomplishing 3D displays by displaying images for the left eye and images for the right eye, and a display assistance device for separating them for viewing, and the display assistance device detects the wearing status and inclination of the viewer and sends status information to the display device. The display device determines whether or not the posture of the viewer is within a normal viewing range on the basis of the status information, and if this is within the range, can recognize a 3D display even in a posture other than the horizontal direction by controlling the parallax direction of the display of images in accordance with the inclination direction. When the posture is outside the range, the display device prompts correction of the posture or weakens the effect of the 3D display.
US08994796B2 Stereo image display apparatus and stereo image display method
A stereo image display apparatus that causes a display device to display a stereo image having a parallax, wherein a stereo image of a currently displayed frame is advanced frame by frame to a stereo image of the next frame in response to a frame-by-frame advance indication, the apparatus comprising: a frame-by-frame advancing device that, once frame-by-frame advance is indicated, switches the stereo image of the current frame on the display with a parallaxless image of the current frame, thereafter advances the image frame by frame to display a parallaxless image of the next frame, and further thereafter displays a stereo image of the next frame on the display device, wherein the frame-by-frame advancing device performs the frame-by-frame advance with sliding-out/sliding-in.
US08994792B2 Method and system for creating a 3D video from a monoscopic 2D video and corresponding depth information
Image sensors and a depth sensor of a monoscopic video sensing device are utilized to capture a 2D video and corresponding depth information. Regions of interest (ROIs) for the captured 2D video are selected based on the captured corresponding depth information. The monoscopic video sensing device selectively processes the captured 2D video and the captured corresponding depth information based on the selected ROIs. A 3D video is composed from the processed 2D video for display. The captured depth information that is synchronized to the captured 2D video is stored as metadata, and may be interpolated to match video resolution of the captured 2D video. The captured 2D video and the captured corresponding depth information are enhanced through scalable video coding. With 3D video rendering, relevant image/video components of the captured 2D video are selected based on the selected ROIs to compose the 3D video together with the corresponding depth information.
US08994788B2 Image coding apparatus, method, program, and circuit using blurred images based on disparity
An image coding apparatus reduces fatigue of a viewer which is caused by three-dimensional viewing and prevents a blurring process on a significant area due to an image capturing method. The image coding apparatus includes a method determining unit which determines a method of capturing two images; a disparity detection unit which detects, for each of blocks making up the respective two images, a disparity between the two images; an adjustment unit which determines, for each of the blocks, an adjustment amount for blurring an image, based on the determined image capturing method and the disparity detected for the block; and a coding unit which codes, for each of the blocks, the two images so that an image of the block is blurred by the adjustment amount determined for the block.
US08994786B2 Multiple view display of three-dimensional images
Systems, methods, and devices that generate and display a multiple view 3-D holographic image (“image”) of a 3-D real or synthetic scene are presented. A projection system captures visual information of the 3-D scene from various perspectives and generates model data to create a 3-D model of the scene. The model data is converted to holographic data, which is respectively portioned corresponding to the respective perspectives of the scene and used to generate and display respective portions of the image on respective display sections. The display sections can be separate display sections corresponding to the various perspectives, or the display sections can be on a single display that is divided into sections for the various perspectives and a 3-D adapter is employed to facilitate display of the image in the display area, wherein reflector components can be used to reflect the portions of the image to the display area.
US08994778B2 Systems and methods for providing video conferencing services via an ethernet adapter
The present application is directed towards systems and methods for providing video conference services via a single device installed as an Ethernet adapter on a computing device. A device, based around a standard form factor such as a PCI card, with a CPU, operating system, and memory may be installed in a server or other computing device and utilize power from the computing device while operating independently. The device may comprise an audio/video media processor for mixing a plurality of video streams to generate one or more mixed video streams, which may be provided to video conference participants. In some embodiments, the device may select a mixing format or arrangement for the mixed video streams based on the number of participants or identified roles of one or more participants.
US08994775B2 Automatic video stream selection
A handheld communication device is used to capture video streams and generate a multiplexed video stream. The handheld communication device has at least two cameras facing in two opposite directions. The handheld communication device receives a first video stream and a second video stream simultaneously from the two cameras. The handheld communication device detects a speech activity of a person captured in the video streams. The speech activity may be detected from direction of sound or lip movement of the person. Based on the detection, the handheld communication device automatically switches between the first video stream and the second video stream to generate a multiplexed video stream. The multiplexed video stream interleaves segments of the first video stream and segments of the second video stream. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08994774B2 Providing information to user during video conference
A consumer electronics (CE) device is configured to execute a conferencing application for a user to audibly communicate with at least one other person at least through a first audible input configuration configured for providing audio from the user to the other person. While executing the conferencing application, the CE device receives an audible input configuration command to change from the first audible input configuration to a second audible input configuration that is configured to not provide audio from the user to the other person and is also configured for receiving audible CE device commands from the user. In the second audible input configuration, the CE device thus receives audible commands from the user to either access information and provide the information to the user, and/or to initiate a note taking feature that converts audio from the user to text for viewing of the text on the CE device.
US08994767B1 Printing device with duplex printing function
A printing device includes a print head, a paper roll, a first paper path, a second paper path, a third paper path, a cutting mechanism and a fourth paper path. The paper roll is for rolling a printing media. The first paper path has a first end and a second end, and the first end is connected to the paper roll. The second paper path is connected to the second end and oriented reverse to the first paper path for being connected to the print head. The third paper path extends from the second end. The cutting mechanism is disposed on the third paper path and for cutting the printing media into a media sheet. The fourth paper path connects the third paper path and the second paper path.
US08994766B2 Printer
The disclosure discloses a printer including a controller. The controller executes a first control, a second control and a switching control. In the first control, it is achieved that a first coordinated state wherein a pulse/dot ratio when a pulse motor rotates at a first rotation speed is set to a first ratio. In the second control, it is achieved that a second coordinated state wherein the pulse/dot ratio when the pulse motor rotates at a second rotation speed is set to a second ratio that is smaller than the first ratio. In the switching control, the pulse/dot ratio is gradually decreased from the first ratio to the second ratio when the first coordinated state is switched to the second coordinated state, and is gradually increased from the second ratio to the first ratio when the second coordinated state is switched to the first coordinated state.
US08994763B2 Display device and driving method of the same
In a display device in which a shape of a parallax barrier is changed depending on the relative positional relation to the viewer, the occurrence of crosstalk is suppressed. Images are displayed in a part of a plurality of sub-pixels included in each pixel, and images are not displayed in the other sub-pixels. That is, a display area in the pixel is reduced. Thus, the occurrence of crosstalk can be suppressed. Further, sub-pixels have a square shape or a substantially square shape. Thus, even when sub-pixels which display images are selected depending on the relative positional relation to the viewer, the shape of the display area in the pixel does not change greatly. Therefore, even in the case where the positional relationship is changed (in the case where the arranged parallax barrier is changed), the occurrence of crosstalk can be suppressed without respect to the positional relationship.
US08994757B2 System and method for providing improved display quality by display adjustment and image processing using optical feedback
A display system and method created by adjusting the properties of one or more displays to obtain coarse control over display behavior, by using sensors to optimize display parameters and meet a quality target. The display may construct a display map by selectively driving the display and sensing the optical image created. The system reports on its status, and is able to predict when the system will no longer meet a quality target. The system and method may optimize a display system and keep it optimized over time. Operators of the display who require a minimum level of quality for the display system can be ensured that the display meets those requirements. And, they can be warned in advance as to when system maintenance can be necessary, when quality falls below targeted goals system and method provides for sending out methods of the quality of the system.
US08994750B2 Cell-based composited windowing system
A system improves the performance of compositing individual images representing graphic layers into a composite image. The system may subdivide an image area of the composite image into cells such that for each one of the cells, either none of the graphic layers overlap within a respective one of the cells or all of the graphic layers that overlap within the respective one of the cells overlap throughout the respective one of the cells. A composition operation may be applicable to composite the respective one of the cells. The system may determine which processor generates the respective one of the cells based on which one of the processors is able to perform the type composition operation. The processor may generate the respective one of the cells by processing the composition operation.
US08994737B2 System for particle editing
A computer animation editing system having a sampler to sample a particle animation, a particle cache and polygon mesh editing tools configured to edit a particle simulation by converting a particle cache of the simulation into a polygon mesh, editing the polygon mesh and then converting the edited polygon mesh back into an edited particle cache.
US08994736B2 Methods and apparatus for freeform deformation of 3-D models
Methods and apparatus for interactive curve-based freeform deformation of three-dimensional (3-D) models may provide a user interface that allows a user to interactively deform 3-D models based on simple and intuitive manipulations of a curve drawn on the model (i.e., freeform deformation). The user may apply freeform deformations using touch and/or multitouch gestures to specify and manipulate a deformation curve. The deformations may be applied by deforming the space around a curve/sweep path and deforming the 3-D model accordingly. The freeform deformation methods are not dependent on manipulation of a fixed set of parameters to perform deformations, and may provide for both local and global deformation. One or more weights and user interface elements for controlling those weights may be provided that allow the user to control the extent (region of influence) of the freeform deformations along the curve and/or perpendicular to the curve.
US08994723B2 Recognition and pose determination of 3D objects in multimodal scenes
The invention provides a method for recognizing instances of a 3D object in 3D scene data and scene intensity data and for determining the 3D poses of said instances comprising the following steps: (a) providing 3D object data and obtaining object intensity data; (b) providing 3D scene data and scene intensity data; (c) extracting scene feature points from the intensity data; (d) selecting at least one reference point from the 3D scene data; (e) computing, for each selected reference point, pose candidates for the 3D object under the assumption that said reference point is part of the 3D object by maximizing the number of extracted scene feature points that are consistent with the 3D object under the given pose candidate; (f) computing a set of filtered poses from the pose candidates.
US08994718B2 Skeletal control of three-dimensional virtual world
A virtual skeleton includes a plurality of joints and provides a machine readable representation of a human target observed with a three-dimensional depth camera. A relative position of a hand joint of the virtual skeleton is translated as a gestured control, and a three-dimensional virtual world is controlled responsive to the gestured control.
US08994710B2 Electronic document reading device
We describe power control techniques for an document reader with an electrophoretic display. In embodiments the document reader comprises a main processor to display information and at least one secondary processor to detect, say, a user input gesture; a battery to provide power to both processors; and a controllable switch coupled between said battery and said main processor and having a control line coupled to said secondary processor, to switch power from said battery to said main processor while said secondary processor is powered. In embodiments a power consumption measured in months is desired so that rather than put the main processor into a standby mode power to the main processor is switched off entirely but the system is arranged to be able to start-up quickly from this configuration.
US08994706B2 Display panel and driving method thereof
A display panel includes a plurality of pixels, each of the pixels including a main sub-pixel and a secondary sub-pixel; a plurality of first scan lines, each of the first scan lines being coupled to main and secondary sub-pixels of a row of pixels; a plurality of second scan lines, each of the second scan lines being coupled to secondary sub-pixels of a row of pixels; a plurality of first data lines, each of the first data lines being coupled to main and secondary sub-pixels of (N+1)th and (N+2)th rows of pixels; a plurality of second data lines, each of the second data lines being coupled to main and secondary sub-pixels of (N+3)th and (N+4)th rows of pixels; a scan driver for turning on the main and secondary sub-pixels of the pixels; and a data driver for outputting data signals; wherein N is a multiple of 4, and N≧0.
US08994702B2 Display system and associated control method
A display system capable of being coupled to a host includes: a display controller; a display port (DP), including a main link, an auxiliary channel and a signal detection end; a DP engine, coupled to the DP via the main link, the auxiliary channel and the signal detection end, for outputting an image signal to the display controller; and a detection circuit, coupled to the DP via the auxiliary channel, for selectively outputting an indication signal to the DP engine in response to a communication signal in the auxiliary signal pair in the auxiliary channel.
US08994697B2 Method for determining touch point displacement and associated apparatus
A method for determining a displacement of a touch point is applied to a touch panel to reduce noise interfering with determination of the displacement. The method includes obtaining a displacement according to a movement of a touch point on the touch panel; checking whether the displacement is within a predetermined range; and determining that the movement is valid when the displacement is within the predetermined range.
US08994696B2 Acoustic touch apparatus with addressable multi-touch capability
An acoustic touch apparatus (100) that utilizes the transfer of surface acoustic waves from one surface (115), through the touch substrate (105), to another surface (110) and a grid of sensitivity zones (Z) formed on one of the surfaces (115) to enable multi-touch capabilities.
US08994691B2 In-cell capacitive touch panel and method of manufacturing the same
According to embodiments of the invention, an in-cell capacitive contact panel and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The in-cell capacitive touch panel comprises an array substrate. The array substrate comprises a display pixel structure and a touch circuit, and the touch circuit comprises a sensing unit and an amplifying unit connected with each other. The sensing unit is connected to a gate line in the display pixel structure. A switch-on voltage is provided by the gate line in the display pixel structure to the sensing unit, a voltage is generated in the sensing unit after the sensing unit is switched on, the voltage generated in the sensing unit is changed by a touch operation, the amplifying unit amplifies the voltage change in the sensing unit and outputs the amplified voltage change.
US08994686B2 Digitizer
A system for receiving, storing, and displaying biometric input has a case, a touchpad, and a digitizer. The case has an open position and a closed position, wherein the case protects the touchpad in the closed position, the case including a digitizer comprising a substantially transparent touch activatable overlay placed over the touchscreen, and a plurality of sensors supported by the overlay to detect input to the overlay. The digitizer includes a data outlet for transferring the detected input as overlay data so the touchpad can visually display the detected input on its touchscreen. The digitizer has sufficient sensors that the overlay data contains more information than the touchpad data would if the touchscreen were contacted directly without the digitizer present.
US08994679B2 Touch panel, touch display apparatus using the same and manufactured method thereof
A manufacturing method of a touch panel is provided. The method includes the following steps. A conductive layer is formed on a substrate, and a dielectric layer is formed to cover the conductive layer. The conductive layer and the dielectric layer are then patterned to respectively form several sensing wires and several dielectric blocks by using a first mask, which is a half-tone mask. Next, a transparent conductive layer is first formed to cover the conductive layer and the dielectric layer, and is then patterned to form a touch sensing structure by using a second mask.
US08994675B2 Mobile terminal and information processing method thereof
A mobile terminal and an information processing method for displaying a plurality of virtual key buttons on a touchscreen including one or more touch input nodes generating a touch signal corresponding to touch; receiving a touch signal corresponding to virtual key buttons displayed on the touchscreen; and outputting a key value of at least one of the plurality of virtual key buttons as a key value corresponding to the received touch signal according to touch data calculated based on the received touch signal, wherein the touch data is calculated by expanding the touch signal to a virtual touch input node in proximity to touch input nodes generating the touch signal from among the one or more one touch input nodes.
US08994674B2 Information viewing apparatus, control program and controlling method
Disclosed is an information viewing apparatus, which makes it possible for the user to conduct operations for inputting information and establishing various kinds of functions only by conducting consecutive simplified operations from a multi-touchable touch panel. The apparatus includes a display section provided with a multi-touchable touch panel having first and second touch panels, and a control section that controls the display section. In a state that the display section is displaying a document, when detecting a predetermined dragging action, the control section makes the display section displays an inputting screen, which allows the user to conduct an inputting operation from the second touch panel, during a time when a touching status is maintained in such a manner that the inputting screen overlaps the document. When the touching status is released, the control section controls the display section so as to make the inputting screen evacuate from the document.
US08994662B2 Method of graphic illumination
A computer system, a display system, a method of graphic illumination is provided to give a user an improved appearance, functionality, and aesthetics. A display system may comprise a housing, a light source, and a plurality of micro perforations. The housing may have an interior surface and an exterior surface. The light source may be located within the housing. The plurality of micro perforations may be disposed to extend from the interior surface to the exterior surface of the housing. The plurality of micro perforations may pass through the housing at different angles with respect to a plane of the exterior surface of the housing.
US08994657B2 Methods and devices for identifying users based on tremor
Systems and methods according to the present invention address these needs and others by providing a handheld device, e.g., a 3D pointing device, which uses hand tremor as an input. One or more sensors within the handheld device detect a user's hand tremor and identify the user based on the detected tremor.
US08994652B2 Model-based multi-hypothesis target tracker
The present disclosure describes a target tracker that evaluates frames of data of one or more targets, such as a body part, body, and/or object, acquired by a depth camera. Positions of the joints of the target(s) in the previous frame and the data from a current frame are used to determine the positions of the joints of the target(s) in the current frame. To perform this task, the tracker proposes several hypotheses and then evaluates the data to validate the respective hypotheses. The hypothesis that best fits the data generated by the depth camera is selected, and the joints of the target(s) are mapped accordingly.
US08994632B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of video signal lines that extends in columns in a display area, a plurality of inversion control signal line each supplied with an inversion control signal for controlling inversion, a first selector that selects one of a pair of amplifiers different in the polarity from each other to input signals corresponding to a pair of adjacent video signal lines on the basis of the inversion control signal, and a second selector that selects one of a pair of the corresponding adjacent video signal lines to input signals output from the pair of amplifiers on the basis of the inversion control signal, in which at least one of the signals to be supplied to the plurality of inversion control signal lines is a signal different from other signals.
US08994631B2 Liquid crystal display device and method for driving the same
An LCD device includes at least one data line, a plurality of first pixel cells connected in common to one side of the data line, a timing controller for alternately outputting first and second-polarity data signals at intervals of at least two successive periods, a data modulator for outputting the first and second-polarity data signals supplied from the timing controller, the data modulator modulating a grayscale value of one of the first and second-polarity data signals respectively supplied in two successive periods from the timing controller, and outputting the modulated data signal, and a data driver for receiving the first and second-polarity data signals from the data modulator, and alternately outputting the first and second-polarity data signals at intervals of at least two successive periods, to supply the first and second-polarity data signals to the data line.
US08994628B2 Display apparatus
A display apparatus includes a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel. The first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel are electrically and respectively connected to a first gate line and a second gate line adjacent to each other and are electrically connected to a data line. The display apparatus further includes a connection line disposed between sub-pixel electrodes of the first and second sub-pixels. The connection line has two ends connected to the data line and serves as an additional or alternative path for transmitting a data signal that is transmitted by the data line.
US08994624B2 Power supplying apparatus, power supplying method, organic light-emitting diode display apparatus
A power supplying apparatus, a power supplying method, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display apparatus are provided. The OLED display apparatus includes: a plurality of components which are to perform an operation of the OLED display apparatus; a power supplying unit; a rectifier which rectifies an input voltage supplied from the power supplying unit; and a voltage level converter which converts a level of the input voltage rectified by the rectifier and supplies the input voltage having the converted level to the plurality of components.
US08994621B2 Display device and method for driving same
A display device (100) includes a plurality of pixel circuits (10), a gate driver circuit (2) coupled to a plurality of scanning signal lines Gi and a plurality of control lines Ei, and a power control circuit (4) coupled to a plurality of power lines VPi via a common power line. The pixel circuits (10) each include an organic EL element, a plurality of TFTs, and a capacitor, and are controlled to collectively receive initialization potentials at the beginning of a frame through the power lines VPi, collectively perform threshold detection immediately thereafter, and then perform writing and light-emission operations. Thus, the aperture ratio of the pixel circuits (10) can be kept high, the power control circuit (4) typically has only one output buffer so that the circuit scale thereof is small, drive by potential is performed only once, so that power consumption is low, and threshold detection is performed only once, so that a sufficient amount of time can be ensured for a detection period.
US08994620B2 Electro-optical device and electronic apparatus
A pixel circuit is disposed in correspondence to an intersection of a scanning line and a data line. The pixel circuit is provided with a wiring for shielding an relay electrode connected to a source of the transistor for controlling a current flowing to a light emitting element from the data line. The wiring has a structure in which an relay electrode located on the same layer as the data line, an relay electrode located on the same layer as the relay electrode, an electrode portion of a conductive layer between the data line and the relay electrode are electrically connected to each other.
US08994616B2 Multiple anode matrix vacuum fluorescent display, and driving circuit and driving method thereof
In a Q-tuple anode matrix vacuum fluorescent display (VFD), a plurality of selected pixels are turned on one by one to sequentially emit lights in accordance with a display signal. Each selected pixel is selected from Q anode segments to be turned on to emit lights by turning on a first and a second grid electrode positioned adjacent to each other. Each selected pixel is formed of Q/2 anode segments in total including R anode segments sequentially disposed from a position closest to the first grid electrode and facing the second grid electrode and (Q/2−R) anode segments sequentially disposed from a position closest to the second grid electrode and facing the first grid electrode, R being an integer ranging from 1 to (Q/2−1).
US08994611B2 Head-mounted type display device
A head-mounted type display device includes: a spectacle frame for fixture to a user's head; a body unit 2 fixed to the spectacle frame and having an image output unit from which image output unit image light of an image to be displayed is output; an eyepiece optical unit 3 for allowing image light output from the image output unit to be incident on the eyepiece optical unit, for guiding the incident image light to the corresponding eyeball 11 of the user with the spectacle frame being mounted on the user's head, and for displaying, as a virtual image, a magnified version of the image from the image output unit within a user's visual field; and an attachment means 4 for attaching the eyepiece optical unit 3 to the body unit in a replaceable manner. The attachment means 4 may attach at least first and second eyepiece optical units to each other in a replaceable manner, the first and second eyepiece optical units having different optical axis paths L in optical systems for guiding the image light from the image output unit to the eyeball 11.
US08994608B2 Compound parts
A method for manufacturing a compound part comprises preparing a cavity in a receiving part, selecting a resin for application in the receiving part, applying the resin into the cavity, curing the applied resin, and simultaneously finishing the receiving part and the cured resin.
US08994606B2 Antenna and radio communication device
Provided is an antenna including a planar conductor to be grounded, and a three-dimensional linear conductor having at least a linear conductor, another linear conductor, and still another linear conductor that are integrally formed. The linear conductor is provided perpendicularly to the major surface of the planar conductor. The another linear conductor is parallel to the major surface. Still another linear conductor is parallel to the major surface, and is provided perpendicularly to the another linear conductor.
US08994596B2 Multi-band antenna
A multi-band inverted-F antenna including a ground plane, a signal feeding circuit, first, second and third main radiation parts is provided. The signal feeding circuit is electrically isolated from the ground plane and receives/transmits wireless signals. The first and the second main radiation part are both physically and electrically connected to the signal feeding circuit, and generate first and second frequency band operation modes for the inverted-F antenna, respectively. The third main radiation part is electrically isolated from the signal feeding circuit, the first and the second main radiation parts, and generates a third frequency band operation mode for the inverted-F antenna via to signal coupling between the first and the third main radiation parts and/or signal coupling between the second and the third main radiation parts.
US08994591B2 Locating a mobile station and applications therefor
A location system and applications therefor is disclosed for wireless telecommunication infrastructures. The system is an end-to-end solution having one or more location systems for outputting requested locations of hand sets or mobile stations (MS) based on, e.g., CDMA, GSM, GPRS, TDMA or WIFI communication standards, for processing both local mobile station location requests and more global mobile station location requests via, e.g., Internet communication between a distributed network of location systems. The following applications may be enabled by the location system: 911 emergency calls, tracking, navigation, people and animal location including applications for confinement to and exclusion from certain areas, friend finder applications, and applications for allocating user desired resources based on the user's location.
US08994588B2 Method of designing weight vectors for a dual beam antenna with orthogonal polarizations
The present invention relates to a method of generating two beams, having orthogonal polarizations, covering a selected area using an antenna (20) comprising multiple dual-polarized array elements (11). Each dual-polarized array element having a first phase center (18) associated with a first polarization and a second phase center (18) associated with a second polarization. The method comprises: designing a first weight matrix having a first non-zero weight vector for the first polarization and a second non-zero weight vector for the second polarization, calculating a second weight matrix based on the weight vectors of the first weight matrix, and applying the first and second weight matrix to the dual-polarized array elements to generate a second beam covering the selected area.
US08994586B1 Apparatus and method for detecting target in near field
An apparatus for detecting a target in near field in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: an RF transceiver configured to generate a transmitting signal of a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) and delay the signal as much as a desired time; a transmitting and receiving antenna unit configured to transmit and receive the a transmitting signal and the received signal; and a signal processing unit configured to extract a range or a velocity of the target from the signal provided from the RF transceiver.
US08994583B2 Method and device for continuous wave radar measurements
This invention relates to a method for determining at least one of a distance and a relative velocity by means of continuous wave radar measurements. The method includes generating a measurement signal in the form of a continuous wave radar signal; transmitting the measurement signal by means of an antenna (112); reflecting the measurement signal by means of a reflector (118), thereby providing a desired reflected measurement signal; receiving the desired reflected measurement signal; and determining at least one of a distance and a relative velocity between the antenna and the reflector by means of the desired reflected measurement signal. The reflection of the measurement signal involves asymmetrically modulating the measurement signal at the reflector. The determination of at least one of a distance and a relative velocity includes detecting the desired reflected measurement signal among several received reflections of the measurement signal, by means of information added by the asymmetric modulation.
US08994571B1 Compact high-speed analog-to-digital converter for both I and Q analog to digital conversion
An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a receiver that includes the ADC is disclosed. The ADC includes a first filter configured to receive a signal in an I-signal path of the receiver and a second filter configured to receive a signal in a Q-signal path of the receiver. The ADC further includes a quantizer alternatingly in connection with the first and second filters, and at least one DAC alternatingly in connection with the first and second filters. Switches in the ADC are configured to alternate connection between an input of the quantizer and outputs of the first and second filters, and are also configured to alternate connection between an output of the at least one DAC and inputs of the first and second filters.
US08994568B2 Method and apparatus for closed loop control of supply and/or comparator common mode voltage in a successive approximation register analog to digital converter
A method and apparatus for controlling supply voltage for a successive approximation register analog to digital converter and comparator common mode voltage. The method comprises: measuring a successive approximation register conversion time; comparing the successive approximation register conversion time with a desired conversion time; and if necessary, performing a closed loop adjustment of at least one of the supply and/or comparator common mode voltage. The apparatus consists of a common mode voltage and regulator correction module. The common mode voltage and regulator correction module includes a phase frequency detector, a charge pump and may include a transconductance cell.
US08994565B2 Analog to digital conversion apparatus with a reduced number of ADCs
An analog to digital conversion includes a multiplexor circuit for receiving analog input signals and, responsive to a select input, an analog to digital converter circuit to convert a selected analog signal into a digital signal, a conversion starting device to send a conversion start signal on the basis of a trigger event, the conversion starting device being responsive to a select input, a sequencer to control the analog to digital converter circuitry to execute one sequence conversion on the basis of one conversion sequence instruction, and a FIFO register block to receive conversion sequence instructions and being able to queue each new received conversion sequence instruction if an actual conversion sequence is in progress and to control the sequencer to execute a new sequence conversion instruction after the conversion sequence is executed.
US08994564B2 Analog to digital converter including a pre-charge circuit
An analog to digital converter comprising at least one sampling capacitor connected to a sample node, and a pre-charge circuit arranged to cause the voltage on the sample node to substantially match the input voltage prior to the analog to digital converter entering an acquire mode in which the sample node is connected to the input node by a sample switch.
US08994560B2 Managing parking space availability
A method, system or computer usable program product for a data processing system to anticipate parking space availability including receiving from the first user a request for a parking space for a first vehicle, obtaining location tracking data of a set of users, each of the set of users associated with one of a set of vehicles, each vehicle located at one of a set of parking spaces, predicting a set of departure times based on the location tracking data for a subset of the set of users away from and associated with vehicles located in parking spaces, determining a subset of departure times that are within an acceptable period of time, and sending to the first user a subset of parking spaces with vehicles associated with users having the subset of departure times.
US08994554B2 Method to extract billing type peak data from an existing electric meter installation
Techniques are disclosed for monitoring the consumption of a plurality of metered resources. The techniques involve receiving a KYZ pulse from a first utility meter, where the first utility meter is coupled to a source of one of the metered resources, and where the first utility meter outputs the KYZ pulse based on a predefined amount of metered resource being passed through the utility meter. A first counter is incremented, where the first counter is associated with the utility meter and stored in a memory.
US08994548B2 Automobile location detector
A system includes a receiver configured to receive a signal representing a sequence of user inputs to a portable electronic device and an audible device configured to generate a sound based at least in part on the sequence of user inputs. A duration and volume of the sound is based at least in part on the sequence of user inputs received within a predetermined time interval. A method includes receiving the signal provided to the portable electronic device within a predetermined time interval and generating the sound based at least in part on the sequence of user inputs.
US08994546B2 Remote monitoring of material storage containers
Arrangement and method for monitoring a material storage container which includes a housing defining an interior receivable of removable material. An interior sensor system is arranged on the housing to obtain information about any material in the interior of the housing different than the location of the container. A location determining system is arranged on the housing to monitor the location of the container, and a communication system is coupled to the interior sensor system and the location determining system and transmits information about the material in the housing and the location of the container to one or more remote facilities. The communication system may be arranged on the housing itself, which is especially applicable when the housing is movable, for example, such as the housing of a Frac tank. The location and condition of the material in the container can thus be known at all times.
US08994545B2 Systems and methods for alert device removal
The embodiments described herein include systems and methods for removal of alerts for a device. In one embodiment, an industrial process control system includes a controller a controller coupled to a field device. The industrial process control system further includes an alert server coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to detect, via a first protocol, removal of the field device and to communicate, in a second protocol, the removal of the field device to the alert server.
US08994537B2 Hand sanitizer compliance detection system
A hand sanitizer compliance detection system for RFID-tagged employees comprises a hand sanitizer station with a detector enclosure having a sensor and an aperture that narrows a field of view by the sensor to define a hand detection zone.
US08994530B2 Systems and methods to activate a security protocol using an object with embedded safety technology
The present invention provides means for initiating a distress signal by knocking over an object, such as a table, decorative piece, furniture, etc., that includes a built-in or embedded safety device. When the safety device senses substantial movement (i.e., toppling) of the object, the safety device transmits a distress signal to third-party responders, and also can initiate various events in the environment surrounding the object to deter, delay, or disrupt a perpetrator.
US08994526B2 Sensor interface making use of virtual resistor techniques
Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a sensor interface module. The sensor interface module includes a comparator having a first comparator input, a second comparator input, and a comparator output. A current- or voltage-control element has a control terminal coupled to the comparator output and also has an output configured to deliver a modulated current or modulated voltage signal to an output of the sensor interface module. A first feedback path couples the output of the current- or voltage-control element to the first comparator input. A summation element has a first summation input, a second summation input, and a summation output, wherein the summation output is coupled to the second comparator input. A supply voltage module provides a supply voltage signal to the first summation input. A second feedback path couples the comparator output to the second summation input.
US08994518B2 Haptic feedback generation based on resonant frequency
A system that generates a haptic effect generates a drive cycle signal that includes a drive period and a monitoring period. The drive period includes a plurality of drive pulses that are based on the haptic effect. The system applies the drive pulses to a resonant actuator during the drive period and receives a signal from the resonant actuator that corresponds to the position of a mass in the actuator during the monitoring period.
US08994517B2 Detection using transmission notification
A remote controller is arranged for selecting a light source among a plurality of light sources. The remote controller has an omnidirectional transmitter and is arranged to instruct, by means of the omnidirectional transmitter, the light sources to transmit a directional signal comprising a code, which is unique for each light source. Further, the remote controller has a directional signal receiver, and is arranged to receive the directional signals from the light sources, and signal comparison circuitry connected with the directional signal receiver. The remote controller is arranged to select one of the light sources on basis of the received directional signals. Furthermore, the remote controller comprises a transmission indicator, which is arranged to generate an indication signal, indicative of a successful omnidirectional transmission, and it is arranged to initiate the selection of one of the light sources by means of the indication signal.
US08994514B1 Event indicator creation using first and second sets of values
An apparatus comprises a transceiver, a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to obtain an identifier and a first set of values from a device via the transceiver, to determine a second set of values, the second set of values being based at least in part on the first set of values and a probabilistic function, to transmit the second set of values to the device via the transceiver, and to create an event indicator associated with the identifier in the memory, the event indicator comprising at least a portion of the first set of values.
US08994512B2 RFID system
An antenna is disposed near a route of mobile object. A fixed tag is disposed at a location where a radio wave can be received from the antenna. When receiving a read command from the antenna, a mobile tag attached to the mobile object and the fixed tag send back a response signal at prescribed timing. A signal received from the fixed tag by the antenna is substantially constant. The signal from the fixed tag cannot be read while buried in a signal transmitted from the mobile tag to the antenna while the mobile tag is positioned at a location where communication with the antenna is expected. Conversely, when the mobile tag is at least a prescribed distance away from the antenna, the signal from the mobile tag cannot be read while buried in the signal from the fixed tag.
US08994510B2 Adaptation of a transmission between a terminal and an electromagnetic transponder
A method for determining a transponder type to which an electromagnetic transponder in the field of a terminal belongs, wherein the type is determined based on a difference between a measured value of a piece of information representative of the current in an oscillating circuit of the terminal and a no-load value of this piece of information.
US08994499B2 Locking and unlocking a mobile device using facial recognition
In an embodiment of the invention, an unlocked mobile device is configured to capture images, analyze the images to detect a user's face, and automatically lock the device in response to determining that a user's face does not appear in the images. The camera capturing and face recognition processing may be triggered by the device having detected that it has been motionless for a threshold period of time. In another embodiment, a locked mobile device is configured to capture an initial image using its camera, capture a new image in response to detecting movement of the device, determine that the device moved to a use position, capture a subsequent image in response to determining that the device moved to a use position, analyze the subsequent image to detect a user's face, and unlock the device in response to detecting the user's face. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08994489B2 Fuses, and methods of forming and using fuses
Some embodiments include a fuse having a tungsten-containing structure directly contacting an electrically conductive structure. The electrically conductive structure may be a titanium-containing structure. An interface between the tungsten-containing structure and the electrically conductive structure is configured to rupture when current through the interface exceeds a predetermined level. Some embodiments include a method of forming and using a fuse. The fuse is formed to have a tungsten-containing structure directly contacting an electrically conductive structure. An interface between the tungsten-containing structure and the electrically conductive structure is configured to rupture when current through the interface exceeds a predetermined level. Current exceeding the predetermined level is passed through the interface to rupture the interface.
US08994482B2 Electromagnetic contactor
An electromagnetic contactor has an arc extinguishing chamber housing a contact mechanism having a pair of fixed contacts and a movable contact that contacts with the pair of fixed contacts. The arc extinguishing chamber has a plate-shaped fixed contact support insulating substrate including through holes to fix at least the pair of fixed contacts and formed with a metal foil on an outer peripheral circumferential edge of one surface by a metalizing process. The pair of fixed contacts and a metal cylindrical body are brazed and joined to the metal foils of the fixed contact support insulating substrate, and an insulating cylindrical body is disposed on an inner peripheral surface of the metal cylindrical body.
US08994476B2 Multilayer electronic component and mounted structure of electronic component
A ferrite bead inductor comprises a ferrite bead element body having magnetic layers and inner electrodes stacked therein, and first and second outer electrodes arranged on first and second side faces of the ferrite bead element body. The inner electrode extends in the direction of shorter sides which are shorter than longer sides, so as to connect with the first and second outer electrodes. The ferrite bead element body has an interstice for allowing the magnetic layers adjacent to each other in the stacking direction to join together within an inner electrode region adapted to form the inner electrode on the magnetic layer.
US08994471B2 Stacked diode limiter
A stacked diode limiter, which can suppress and eliminate a malicious high-power electromagnetic pulse signal and an Intentional Electromagnetic Interference (IEMI) signal that are input to the antenna line of a wireless system and that include a communication service frequency component having a power of several kW or more, includes a stacked diode unit including one or more diode stack parts formed on a center electrode of a coaxial line formed between an input connector and an output connector, each diode stack part being configured such that a plurality of diodes are arranged in series and stacked on top of one another, and an impedance matching unit for configuring dielectrics between the connectors and the coaxial line as heterogeneous dielectrics and matching impedances between the connectors and the coaxial line.
US08994470B2 Circuit substrate having noise suppression structure
A circuit substrate has three wiring layers, wherein a signal line is formed in a first wiring layer; a ground plane is formed in a second wiring layer; a resonant line is formed in a third wiring layer. A circumferential slit is formed in the ground plane, wherein an island electrode separated from the ground plane is formed inside the slit. The left end of the resonant line is connected to the island electrode through an interlayer-connecting via, while the right end of the resonant line is connected to the ground plane through an interlayer-connecting via. A transmission line (or a microstrip line) is formed using the signal line and the ground plane, and therefore a complex resonator is formed to embrace the transmission line. This achieves band elimination with regard to a signal component of a resonance frequency among signals propagating through the microstrip line. Thus, it is possible to form a noise suppression structure without mounting additional parts on the circuit substrate, and therefore it is possible to effectively eliminate power distribution noise and noise propagating through the signal line with a small and simple configuration.
US08994468B2 Modulation method and control device having the same
A modulation method is provided. The modulation method includes the steps of receiving multiple sinusoidal signals, obtaining the maximum value of the sinusoidal signals, obtaining the median value of the sinusoidal signals, and obtaining the minimum value of the sinusoidal signals within a period to generate a difference between the maximum value and the minimum value, generating a difference according to an upper limit and a lower limit of a predetermined comparison value, and comparing the two differences to generate an optimized modulation signal.
US08994459B2 Oscillator arrangement for generating a clock signal
There is provided an oscillator arrangement for generating a clock signal. The oscillator arrangement comprises a current controlled oscillator, a frequency to voltage converter, and an operational amplifier. The oscillator arrangement is connectable to a supply voltage source. In one embodiment, the oscillator arrangement may achieve a stable clock frequency insensitive to supply and temperature variation with low current consumption and low area. This may be achieved by using Vref and Vout as input signals to the operational amplifier, both signals being directly derived from the supply voltage. In a further embodiment, a trimming resistor may be used in the frequency to voltage converter for adjusting the frequency.
US08994456B2 Multi-stage amplifier using tunable transmission lines and frequency response calibration of same
A multi-stage amplifier is provided that uses tunable transmission lines, as well as a calibration method for the multi-stage amplifiers. A multi-stage amplifier, comprises a plurality of tunable amplification stages, wherein each of the tunable amplification stages comprises a tunable resonator based on a transmission line having a tunable element. The tunable elements may vary a capacitance or an inductance to tune a frequency of an applied signal. A calibration method is provided for a multi-stage amplifier having a plurality of transmission lines, an input stage and an output stage. The multi-stage amplifier is calibrated by generating a signal to determine a frequency for a substantially maximum power; generating an error signal by comparing the frequency for the substantially maximum power with a desired frequency; varying a digital control code applied to each of the tunable transmission lines, input stage and output stage until the error signal satisfies predefined criteria.
US08994454B2 Amplifier circuit
According to embodiments of the present invention, an over-input signal may be limited to be within a range between adjustable upper limit voltage and lower limit voltage while suppressing deterioration of a noise figure. An amplifier circuit includes an input transistor; an input transistor; a resistor element having a first terminal connected to a gate of the input transistor and a second terminal connected to a bias voltage; and a protective circuit connected to the gate of the input transistor and limiting an input to the gate of the input transistor to be within a range between an upper limit voltage and lower limit voltage adjustable based on the bias voltage.
US08994453B2 Power amplifier
There is provided a power amplifier including a bias circuit unit generating a bias voltage of an amplifying unit, a voltage drop unit disposed between the bias circuit unit and the amplifying unit to drop the bias voltage to a base voltage, and a bypass circuit unit including an impedance element connected to the voltage drop unit in parallel and performing a switching operation according to a magnitude of an input signal.
US08994442B2 Switching circuit and controller circuit
New designs of high power switching circuits and controller circuits are provided. Principal silicon bipolar switch is connected in parallel to snubber switch that is formed of a wide bandgap material. The snubber switch is activated during at least one of turn-on and turn-off of the principal silicon switch so as to minimize (or reduce) the switching loss and to bypass safe operation area limitations.
US08994438B2 Circuit arrangement for switching a current, and method for operating a semiconductor circuit breaker
A control voltage is generated at a control input of a semiconductor circuit breaker by an actuation circuit at switching flanks of a switching signal, said control voltage having a profile which is flattened in relation to the profile of the switching signal. With the disclosed method, the switching losses in a semiconductor circuit breaker are reduced. By defining a value for a switching parameter of a control device of the actuation circuit, the switching behavior of the actuation circuit can be influenced by the switching parameter. A specific parameter value of the switching parameter can be varied during operation of the actuation circuit.
US08994428B2 Period signal generation circuits
A period signal generation circuit including a control voltage generator and a period controller. The control voltage generator selecting one of temperature-dependent voltages to output the selected temperature-dependent voltage as a control voltage. The first and second temperature-dependent voltages varying according to a temperature and the third temperature-dependent voltage is constant regardless of variation of the temperature. The period controller configured to determine an amount of a current discharging from an internal node in response to the control voltage and outputs a periodic signal whose cycle time is determined according to a level of an internal signal induced at the internal node.
US08994427B2 Method and apparatus for duty cycle distortion compensation
A method and apparatus for duty cycle distortion compensation is disclosed. In one embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a differential signal transmitter having a main data path and a compensation data path. The main data path includes a first and second differential driver circuits each having output terminals coupled to a differential output. A transmission controller is configured to transmit data into the main and compensation data paths, the data corresponding to pairs of sequentially transmitted bits including an odd data bit followed by an even data bit, and further configured to determine respective duty cycle widths for each of the odd and even data bits as received by the transmission controller. The transmission controller is configured to cause the first and second driver circuits to equalize the respective duty cycle widths of the odd and even data bits, as transmitted, based their respective duty cycle widths as received.
US08994424B2 Distributing multiplexing logic to remove multiplexor latency on the output path for variable clock cycle, delayed signals
A logic unit is configured with least one multiplexor distributed along a delay path of a logic unit, wherein each at least one multiplexor is configured to receive two inputs and output one of the two inputs, wherein each at least one multiplexor is configured to select one of the two inputs to control a particular programmable number of clock cycles of delay added to a signal from 1 to N clock cycles. The logic unit is configured with at least two latches distributed along the delay path of the logic unit, wherein each at least one latch is configured to add a clock cycle of delay, wherein a terminating latch from among the at least two latches is configured to output the signal delayed by the particular programmable number of clock cycles.
US08994419B2 Semiconductor device, semiconductor system including the same, and method for operating the same
A semiconductor device may include first to fourth output lines, an input signal latch unit suitable for latching first to fourth input signals that are sequentially inputted in response to first to fourth clocks having sequential phases, respectively, a valid signal latch unit suitable for latching a valid signal in response to one clock among the first to fourth clocks, where the valid signal corresponds to one input signal among the first to fourth input signals and represents whether the corresponding input signal is valid or not, and a signal transfer unit suitable for transferring the latched input signals, which are obtained by latching the input signals in response to the first to fourth clocks, to the first to fourth output lines based on a correspondence relationship that is decided based on a valid signal latch result of the valid signal latch unit.
US08994412B2 Output driver for high voltage and wide range voltage operation and data output driving circuit using the same
An output driver and a data output driving circuit using the output driver includes a pull-up driver including at least three pull-up transistors connected between a high voltage and an output node in a stack structure of three stages or more and a pull-down driver including at least three pull-down transistors connected between a ground node and the output node in a stack structure of three stages or more.
US08994397B2 Thermal pad shorts test for wire bonded strip testing
A method of testing a packaged semiconductor device under test (DUT) including a leadframe having a plurality of pins and at least one thermal pad with a semiconductor die having topside bond pads wire-bonded by bond wires to the plurality of pins and secured to the thermal pad. A leadframe sheet is provided including a plurality of packaged DUTs including support members that connect to the packaged DUTs. The thermal pads are shorted to one another, and the leadframe sheet is trimmed for electrically isolating the pins from one another. A first electrical contact is provided to the thermal pad. Active pins of the plurality of pins are electrically contacted with a contactor. Automatic testing identifies shorts between the active pins and the thermal pad.
US08994393B2 High-frequency cobra probe
A test device including cobra probes and a method of manufacturing is disclosed. The test device includes a conductive upper plate having an upper guide hole and a conductive lower plate having a lower guide hole. The test device also includes a conductive cobra probe disposed between the upper guide hole of the upper plate and the lower guide hole of the lower plate. A dielectric material insulates the cobra probe from the upper plate and the lower plate.
US08994391B2 Internal line replaceable unit high intensity radiated field detector
Various embodiments for detecting a high Intensity radiated field (HIRF) in a line replaceable unit are provided. In an embodiment, the internal detector comprises a receiving means for receiving HIRF and generating an AC signal proportional to the HIRF, an RF filter configured to sample the AC signal to create a DC signal; and a detecting section configured to compare the DC signal with a threshold and output a result of the comparison to a built-in test section. The internal detector may be used to test EMI filter pin connectors of a closed line replaceable unit.
US08994390B2 Test systems with a probe apparatus and index mechanism
A probe apparatus has probe wires with a contact pattern on one side. The contact pattern is for contacting a respective contact pattern on another test equipment or component, such as a circuit board. The probe wires have tips that probe a device desired for testing. Signals are transmitted through the probe wires from the probe card, for example, through a circuit board to other diagnostic equipment. The contact of the probe card with the circuit board allows signals to be transferred through the probe wires to the other diagnostic equipment. On another side of the probe card is a connector structure. The connector structure includes a retainer that can allow the probe card to be replaced from a test system, such as allowing it to be connected and disconnected from a holder.
US08994386B2 Method and device for measuring permittivity and/or permeability
The invention relates to a method for measuring the permittivity and/or perviousness of a sample of a nonconductive material, said method comprising: a) measuring a value representative of an admittance Ytestco, b) measuring a value representative of an admittance Ytestcc only from the amplitude and the phase of the electromagnetic waves reflected onto an interface between the sample and the end of a second waveguide having at least one conductive web separated from a conductive sheath by a layer of dielectric material, said second waveguide also including a short circuit between the central web and the sheath at the interface with the sample, and c) calculating the permittivity of the sample from the values representative of the admittances Ytestco and Ytestcc and/or calculating the perviousness of the sample from the values representative of the admittances Ytestco and Ytestcc.
US08994383B2 Method and sensor for sensing the electrical permittivity of an object
The invention disclosed enables sensing of the electrical permittivity of an object. A sensor is provided that includes a dielectric layer that presents a surface defining the base of a volume in which a test object may be placed and an electrically active layer beneath the dielectric layer, comprising a first set of electrodes that extend in a first direction and a second set of electrodes that extend in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. By applying a signal to a first electrode in said first set of electrodes, an electric field is generated that extends outside of the sensor. An output signal is then produced in each of the second electrode set by capacitive coupling to the first electrode. The electrical permittivity of the volume above the first receiver electrode is then determined based on the output signals in the said set of electrodes.
US08994382B2 Absolute position determination of movably mounted member in medication delivery device
The present invention relates to a medication delivery device for expelling set doses of medicament, the medication delivery device comprising a position determining arrangement for detecting absolute positions of a movably mounted member, such as a dose indicator barrel, relative to a housing of the medication delivery device. The position determining arrangement comprises a plurality of electrically conducting electrodes arranged on an outer surface of the movably mounted member, and a plurality of contacts members fixedly arranged relative to the housing of the medication delivery device. A first and a second contact member are arranged to follow a first path across the electrically conducting electrodes upon movement of the movably mounted member relative to the housing, whereas a third and a fourth contact member are arranged to follow a second path across the electrically conducting electrodes upon movement of the movably mounted member relative to the housing.
US08994363B2 Grid monitoring system and related method
The present invention relates to a grid monitoring system, in particular a grid monitoring system enabling real-time monitoring of grid variables, e.g. voltage and current, in electrical power systems, such as single or three-phase networks. The grid monitoring system includes a harmonic detection unit being adapted to subtract harmonics of an input signal before feeding the input signal to a plurality of signal generators in the harmonic detection unit.
US08994359B2 Fault detection based on current signature analysis for a generator
A method of detecting faults in a wind turbine generator based on current signature analysis is disclosed herein. The method includes acquiring a set of electrical signals representative of an operating condition of a generator. Further, the electrical signals are processed to generate a normalized spectrum of electrical signals. A fault related to a gearbox or bearing or any other component associated with the generator is detected based on analyzing the current spectrum.
US08994355B2 DC-DC down-converter with time constant comparison regulation system
A voltage converter device includes a voltage regulator having a supply terminal for receiving a supply voltage and an output terminal for providing a regulated voltage. A voltage multiplier is for receiving the regulated voltage and providing a boosted voltage higher in absolute value than the regulated voltage. The voltage multiplier includes circuitry for providing a clock signal that switches periodically between the regulated voltage and a reference voltage, and a sequence of capacitive stages that alternately accumulate and transfer electric charge according to the clock signal for generating the boosted voltage from the regulated voltage. The voltage regulator includes a power transistor and a regulation transistor each having a first conduction terminal, a second conduction terminal and a control terminal.
US08994354B2 Electronic power converter with ground referenced lossless current sensing
A current sensing circuit for an electronic power converter having an inductor that is not referenced to ground is configured to provide an output signal that is referenced to ground and is proportional to the current flow between the inductor and a load in an electrical power system. The current sensing circuit includes outputs associated with a voltage of the inductor, a current source circuit, a current steering circuit responsive to the voltage outputs and a level shifting circuit.
US08994352B2 Switching regulator and control method for same
A switching regulator and control method for the same. The switching regulator employs a hybrid mode. A ramp voltage signal is added to the current sense signal to make the ramp voltage signal overtake the current information when the duty cycle becomes low.
US08994346B2 Systems and methods for dynamic management of switching frequency for voltage regulation
Systems and methods are provided that may be implemented to dynamically manage voltage regulator switching frequency. In one embodiment, the disclosed systems and methods may be implemented to dynamically find the optimal voltage regulator switching frequency based on the load current (IOUT) and efficiency in a switching voltage regulator device (VR), such as a voltage regulator down device (VRD) that is embedded on a system board of an information handling system.
US08994345B2 Control of multi-level supply stage
There is described a buck-boost converter comprising: a voltage source; an inductor, wherein a first terminal of the inductor is switchably connected to the voltage source; and a plurality of capacitors switchably connected to a second terminal of the inductor, wherein a respective plurality of output voltages are formed across the plurality of capacitors, further comprising: an error determination means, for determining an error in each of the plurality of voltages, an inner control loop adapted to switchably connect one of the plurality of capacitors to the second terminal of the inductor in dependence on the determined errors; and an outer control loop adapted to control switching between buck mode and boost mode in dependence upon the determined errors.
US08994343B2 Switching power supply circuit, and method for control of switching power supply circuit
A circuit includes a reactor, a diode, and a switching element. The reactor and the diode are connected in series with each other on a power supply line. The switching element is provided between a power supply line and a point between the reactor and the diode. A circuit includes a reactor, a diode, and a switching element. The reactor and the diode are connected in series with each other on a power supply line. The switching element is provided between the power supply line and a point between the reactor and the diode. Characteristics of at least any of the reactors, the switching elements, and the diodes are different from each other.
US08994335B2 Power supply apparatus, charging method, rechargeable battery cell unit, and charging apparatus
A power supply apparatus supplies a power supply voltage to a charge monitor that monitors charge states of rechargeable battery cells. The apparatus includes: a first capacitative element that supplies a power supply voltage to the charge monitor; a second capacitative element that is charged from the rechargeable battery cell and charges the first capacitative element; a switch group including a first switch that connects the first and second capacitative elements, and a second switch that connects the rechargeable battery cell and the second capacitative element; and a controller that controls the switch group. The controller repeats charging the second capacitative element by the rechargeable battery cell by connecting the rechargeable cell and the second capacitative element by the first switch, and charging the first capacitative element by the second capacitative element by connecting the first and second capacitative elements by the second switch.
US08994320B2 System and method for controlling regenerating energy in an adjustable speed drive
A system and method for controlling an adjustable speed drive (ASD) to decelerate an AC load during a generating mode of operation is disclosed. The ASD includes a capacitor and an inverter coupled to a DC link. A current sensor system is coupled to an output of the inverter. The ASD further includes a control system programmed to calculate an energy of the capacitor, generate a reference power using the calculated capacitor energy, and calculate a feedback power from realtime current signals received from the current sensor system. The control system compares the feedback power to the reference power, defines a frequency offset based on the comparison, generates a speed command using the frequency offset, and outputs the speed command to the inverter to maintain a smooth DC link voltage during deceleration.
US08994316B2 Stepper motor controller
A method for controlling multiple stepper motors with a single micro-controller output set uses a demultiplexer to split a single micro-controller output set into individual control signals for a plurality of stepper motors.
US08994310B2 Motor controller having multi-functional pin and control method thereof
The present invention provides a motor controller having one or more multi-functional pins. The motor controller includes a plurality of pins but does not include a dedicated pin for transmitting a clock signal and a dedicated pin for transmitting a motor specification database setting signal, wherein the clock signal and the motor specification database setting signal are for setting motor specification data. The clock signal and the motor specification database setting signal are transmitted through two of the plural pins which are multi-functional function pins shared by other functions in a normal operation mode. In a motor specification database setting mode, these multi-functional function pins are used for transmitting the clock signal and the motor specification database setting signal. In the normal operation mode, these multi-functional function pins are used for other functions.
US08994309B2 Pulse width modulation signal generating circuit and motor driving circuit
There are provided a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generating circuit and a motor driving circuit. The PWM signal generating circuit includes: a proportional-to-absolute temperature (PTAT) voltage generating unit generating a PTAT voltage in proportion to an absolute temperature; a reference wave signal generating unit generating a preset reference wave signal; and a PWM signal generating unit comparing the PTAT voltage and the reference wave signal with each other to generate a PWM signal, wherein the PTAT voltage generating unit adjusts the PTAT voltage according to a control signal.
US08994302B2 Regulator/brush-holder assembly for a motor-vehicle alternator, manufacturing process and corresponding alternator
The regulator/brush-holder assembly (1) comprises a support (2) and an electrical circuit (5, 6) comprising a regulating element (5) connected by microwires to a trace circuit (6). The electrical circuit further includes a filtering circuit (10) separate from the regulating element and connected by microwires to the trace circuit. According to one particular embodiment, the filtering circuit comprises an insulating substrate (11) and surface-mounted components (C1, C2, S1, S2, V). A ground plane (19) and/or one or more ground pads may be provided for connection to a ground trace of the trace circuit. The filtration frequencies of the filter circuit extend from 100 kHz to 1 GHz.
US08994298B2 Movement control apparatus, movement control method, and movement control circuit
A movement control apparatus includes: an actuator that causes a driven body connected to a driving coil to perform reciprocating movement; a signal generation unit that generates a velocity command signal which indicates a target velocity of the driven body; a driving unit that supplies electric current corresponding to a driving signal to the driving coil; a voltage detection unit that detects induced voltage generated in the driving coil, and outputs a voltage signal corresponding to the induced voltage; a signal correction unit that corrects, based on the driving signal and the voltage signal, the voltage signal to adjust a shift of a resistance value from a reference resistance value of the driving coil, thereby generating a velocity signal; and a control unit that generates the driving signal based on the velocity command signal and the velocity signal, and outputs the driving signal to the driving unit.
US08994297B2 Low-voltage, Multi-Beam Klystron
A low-voltage, multi-beam radio frequency source that operates at a voltage less than or equal to approximately 20-40 kV and that generates at least 600 kW at a pulse width of approximately 5-30 ms. The RF source includes an electron gun having a cathode configured to generate a plurality of beamlets. An input cavity and output cavity are common to the plurality of beamlets. A plurality of gain cavities are provided between the input and output cavities, each having a plurality of openings corresponding to the plurality of beamlets. The cathode may include 10-20 beamlet cathodes formed in a ring, each being configured to generate a single beamlet and each having beamlet optics independent of each other. A beam collector having a plurality of openings corresponding to each of the beamlets may be provided within the output section, where the openings have no RF coupling to each other.
US08994283B2 Circuit for controlling a lighting unit having a periodic power supply with a thyristor
A circuit capable of receiving, in series with at least one light-emitting diode, a rectified A.C. voltage, comprising: a first gate turn-off thyristor connected to first and second terminals of the circuit; and a control circuit for turning off the first thyristor when the voltage between the first and second terminals exceeds a threshold.
US08994280B2 Driving circuits and driving methods thereof
A driving circuit includes a first PWM driving module and a second PWM driving module. The first PWM driving module generates a first square-wave signal to drive a first illumination unit according to a first data signal of a data stream, wherein the first square-wave signal, having a rising edge located at the beginning of the display cycle, represents an illumination period of the first illumination unit in a display cycle. The second PWM driving module generates a second square-wave signal to drive a second illumination unit according to a second data signal of the data stream, wherein the second square-wave signal, having a falling edge located at the end of the display cycle and having a rising edge being behind the rising edge of the first square-wave signal, represents an illumination period of the second illumination unit in the display cycle.
US08994269B2 Lamp using solid state source
A lamp includes a single string of light emitting diodes (LEDs), driven in common, configured to cause the lamp to emit a visible light output via a bulb. The lamp also includes a lighting industry standard lamp base, which has connectors arranged in a standard three-way lamp configuration, for providing electricity from a three-way lamp socket. Circuitry connected to receive electricity from the connectors of the lamp base as standard three-way control setting inputs drives the string of LEDs. The circuitry is configured to detect the standard three-way control setting inputs and to adjust the common drive to the string of LEDs to selectively produce a different visible light outputs of the lamp via the bulb responsive to the three-way control setting inputs. The lamp may also include nanophosphors pumped by emissions of the LEDs, so that the lamp produces a white light output of particularly desirable characteristics.
US08994266B2 Display device
A display device including a substrate, a display unit on the substrate, a sealing substrate coupled to the display unit, a plurality of power pads on the sealing substrate and electrically coupled to the display unit, and a connector including a housing unit, a power connection unit electrically coupled to the plurality of power pads, and a power contact unit for maintaining contact between the plurality of power pads and the power connection unit.
US08994264B2 Organic light emitting display device and method of manufacturing the same
An organic light emitting display device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The organic light emitting display device includes: a substrate including a display portion displaying an image as a plurality of sub-pixels that are arranged, and a non-display portion extending at an edge of the display portion; and a sealant formed along a periphery of the display portion, wherein an organic film having an emissive layer is formed on the plurality of sub-pixels, and an emissive layer storage unit storing an emissive layer coated on the non-display portion is formed between the display portion and the sealant. By forming the emissive layer storage unit by removing at least a part of a pixel defining layer on an edge of the substrate, a raw material of the emissive layer coated on the non-display portion on the substrate is easily processed via the emissive layer storage unit.
US08994258B1 End-hall ion source with enhanced radiation cooling
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an end-Hall ion source has an electron emitting cathode, an anode, a reflector, an internal pole piece, an external pole piece, a magnetically permeable path, and a magnetic-field generating means located in the permeable path between the two pole pieces. The anode and reflector are enclosed without contact by a thermally conductive cup that has internal passages through which a cooling fluid can flow. The closed end of the cup is located between the reflector and the internal pole piece and the opposite end of the cup is in direct contact with the external pole piece, and wherein the cup is made of a material having a low microhardness, such as copper or aluminum.
US08994240B2 Permanent magnet type rotating electrical machine
A permanent magnet type rotating electrical machine includes a rotor having a rotor core. Magnet holes circumferentially arranged at regular intervals in the rotor core include pairs of first magnet holes and pairs of second magnet holes. Each pair of first magnet holes are symmetric with respect to an imaginary line extending through a rotor core center. Each pair of second magnet holes are located on a radially inner side of the rotor core and are symmetric with respect to the imaginary line. Each pair of second magnet holes are located on an inner circumferential side of the paired first magnet holes with respect to a radial direction of the rotor core. A first magnet angle made by permanent magnets located in each pair of first magnet holes is larger than a second magnet angle made by permanent magnets located in each pair of second magnet holes.
US08994239B2 Axial flux halbach rotor
An axial flux Halbach rotor comprise: a first magnet set and a second magnet set. Further comprises: a plurality of first magnets that are respective featured by their respective first magnetizing directions and are arranged interconnecting to each other by the use of a first connecting element while allowing any two neighboring first magnets to be spaced from each other by a first distance; and the second magnet set further comprises: a plurality of second magnets that are respectively featured by their respective second magnetizing directions and are arranged interconnecting to each other by the use of a second connecting element while allowing any two neighboring second magnets to be spaced from each other by a second distance. In addition, the first magnet set and the second magnet set are arranged inlaid into each other while allowing the plural first magnets and the plural second magnets to be dispose alternatively.
US08994236B2 Electromagnetically actuated axial one-way clutch
A clutch including a rotatable member including a first ramp and first teeth, a second member held against rotation, axially displaceable, including a second ramp and second teeth, a spring urging the first and second members apart, and an electromagnet causing the first and second teeth to engage and prevent rotation in a first direction, rotation in a second direction separating the first and second members as the first ramp ascends the second ramp.
US08994235B2 Electric motor for a small electric device
An electric motor for operating a small electric device is disclosed. The electric motor includes at least one first oscillatory motor component; an inductor for producing a magnetic field; and a first magnet arrangement including a first permanent magnet that generates a force for activating a rotatory oscillating movement (R) of the at least one first oscillatory motor component around a rotating axis (z). The at least one first oscillatory motor component and the first magnet arrangement are configured such that a magnetic reluctance torque acting between the first oscillatory motor component and the first permanent magnet operates as a righting moment for the rotatory oscillating movement (R).
US08994231B1 Medium voltage power distribution
A data center includes an enclosure defining an interior space, a medium voltage power distribution system in the interior space, a plurality of transformers in the interior space, and a plurality of groups of racks in the interior space. The medium voltage power distribution system is electrically connected to a medium voltage power source outside the enclosure and includes a plurality of interconnected medium voltage power access units. Each transformer is electrically connected to an associated medium voltage power access unit and configured to step-down medium voltage power from the associated power access unit to low voltage power. Each rack includes a plurality of rack-mounted computers. Each group of racks is electrically connected to an associated transformer or to an adjacent rack or group of racks such that the associated transformer provides low voltage power to the group of racks.
US08994229B2 Wireless non-contact switch for automatic doors
The wireless non-contact switch detects movement of human body in the beam-shaped detection are which extends from the upper area on the wall toward the floor surface, and controls opening and closing of the automatic door. Regardless of the height of the location of the movement, as long as it is in the detection area, the switch detects the movement of different height location in the detection area. Therefore, regardless of the difference of regulation between each states, it can be operated at any height of the movement.
US08994225B2 Wireless power transmission system and resonator for the system
Provided is a wireless power resonator. The wireless power resonator, including a transmission line and a capacitor, may form a loop structure, and may additionally include a matcher to determine an impedance of the wireless power resonator.
US08994220B2 Vehicle-mounted electronic control device
In a vehicle-mounted electronic control device having a switching power supply in which a switching element is controlled to obtain a predetermined intermediate voltage Va stepped down from a vehicle-mounted battery, and to which a downstream side coil, a flywheel diode, and an output capacitor are connected to suppress a pulsating voltage, a circuit for suppressing reverse conduction for the switching element is provided in order to prevent that the switching element is reversely conducted and thus a charging voltage of the output capacitor is abnormally lowered when a power supply voltage Vb of the vehicle-mounted battery is abnormally lowered.
US08994218B2 Smart and scalable off-grid mini-inverters
A method and apparatus is disclosed for intelligently inverting DC power from DC sources such as photovoltaic (PV) solar modules to single-phase or three-phase AC power to supply power for off-grid applications. A number of regular or redundant off-grid Mini-Inverters with one, two, three, or multiple input channels in a mixed variety can easily connect to one, two, three, or multiple DC power sources such as solar PV modules, invert the DC power to AC power, and daisy chain together to generate and supply AC power to electrical devices that are not connected to the power grid including motors, pumps, fans, lights, appliances, and homes.
US08994217B2 Energy storage system
An energy storage system includes a converter coupled between an inverter and both a power generator and a battery, thereby reducing the number of devices for circuit implementation and the size of a printed circuit board (PCB). The energy storage system is coupled to an electric power system that generates a system power, and the energy storage system includes a battery for generating a battery power and a converter coupleable to a power generator for generating an electric power and the battery in parallel, wherein the converter is configured to boost or drop a voltage of at least one of the electric power, the battery power, or the system power.
US08994215B1 Self-recharging electric generator system
A self-recharging electric generator system in communication with an external system and that includes a battery unit configured to supply power to the self-charging electric generator system, an automatic switching unit configured to switch between a main power supply source and the self-recharging electric generator system, at least one electric motor configured to receive power from the battery unit, and at least one generator configured to produce power to be supplied to the external system when a failure occurs at the main power supply source, where the power produced by the at least one generator is further supplied to the automatic switching unit for performing continuous recharging of the self-recharging electric generator system.
US08994212B2 Electric power supply apparatus
A control device of an electric power supply apparatus controls a voltage applied to an inverter to fall within a voltage range between a first voltage that is the voltage of one of a first electric power supply and a second electric power supply and a second voltage that is the sum of the voltage of the first electric power supply and the voltage of the second electric power supply, by alternately switching between a series state in which a current loop that connects the first electric power supply, the second electric power supply, and a reactor in series with the inverter is formed, and a parallel state in which the first electric power supply and the second electric power supply are connected in parallel with the inverter as an electric load.
US08994209B2 Electrical-power-feed connector and electrical power source
The present invention relates to: an electrical-power-feed connector connecting an electrical power source and an electrical-power-fed object, the electrical-power-feed connector having a configuration to form a signal path as a closed system, the signal path being to transmit a signal between the electrical-power-feed connector and the electrical power source, the signal having a value to vary depending on: an electrical connection status of the electrical-power-feed connector with the electrical power source, and an instruction to allow feeding of electrical power from the electrical power source to the electrical-power-fed object; and an electrical power source being feedable electrical power to an electrical-power-fed object by being connected with the electrical-power-fed object via the electrical-power-feed connector, the electrical power source having a configuration corresponding to the configuration of the electrical-power-feed connector.
US08994195B2 Microelectronic assembly with impedance controlled wirebond and conductive reference element
A microelectronic assembly can include a microelectronic device having device contacts exposed at a surface thereof and an interconnection element having element contacts and having a face adjacent to the microelectronic device. Conductive elements, e.g., wirebonds connect the device contacts with the element contacts and have portions extending in runs above the surface of the microelectronic device. A conductive layer has a conductive surface disposed at at least a substantially uniform distance above or below the plurality of the runs of the conductive elements. In some cases, the conductive material can have first and second dimensions in first and second horizontal directions which are smaller than first and second corresponding dimensions of the microelectronic device. The conductive material is connectable to a source of reference potential so as to achieve a desired impedance for the conductive elements.
US08994193B2 Semiconductor package including a metal plate, semiconductor chip, and wiring structure, semiconductor apparatus and method for manufacturing semiconductor package
A semiconductor package includes: a metal plate including a first surface, a second surface and a side surface; a semiconductor chip on the first surface of the metal plate, the semiconductor chip comprising a first surface, a second surface and a side surface; a first insulating layer that covers the second surface of the metal plate; a second insulating layer that covers the first surface of the metal plate, and the first surface and the side surface of the semiconductor chip; and a wiring structure on the second insulating layer and including: a wiring layer electrically connected to the semiconductor chip; and an interlayer insulating layer on the wiring layer. A thickness of the metal plate is thinner than that of the semiconductor chip, and the side surface of the metal plate is covered by the first insulating layer or the second insulating layer.
US08994192B2 Integrated circuit packaging system with perimeter antiwarpage structure and method of manufacture thereof
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system comprising: providing a package carrier; mounting an integrated circuit to the package carrier; and forming a perimeter antiwarpage structure on and along a perimeter of the package carrier.
US08994184B2 Semiconductor device and method of forming interposer and opposing build-up interconnect structure with connecting conductive TMV for electrical interconnect of FO-WLCSP
A semiconductor device has a substrate with a plurality of conductive vias and conductive layer formed over the substrate. A semiconductor die is mounted over a carrier. The substrate is mounted to the semiconductor die opposite the carrier. An encapsulant is deposited between the substrate and carrier around the semiconductor die. A plurality of conductive TMVs is formed through the substrate and encapsulant. The conductive TMVs protrude from the encapsulant to aid with alignment of the interconnect structure. The conductive TMVs are electrically connected to the conductive layer and conductive vias. The carrier is removed and an interconnect structure is formed over a surface of the encapsulant and semiconductor die opposite the substrate. The interconnect structure is electrically connected to the conductive TMVs. A plurality of semiconductor devices can be stacked and electrically connected through the substrate, conductive TMVs, and interconnect structure.
US08994183B2 Multilayer interconnects with an extension part
A semiconductor device includes a stacked via structure including a plurality of first vias formed over a substrate, a first interconnect formed on the plurality of first vias, a plurality of second vias formed on the first interconnect, and a second interconnect formed on the plurality of second vias. One of the first vias closest to one end part of the first interconnect and one of the second vias closest to the one end part of the first interconnect at least partially overlap with each other as viewed in the plane, and the first interconnect has a first extension part extending from a position of an end of the first via toward the one end part of the first interconnect and having a length which is more than six times as long as a via width of the first via.
US08994165B2 Power semiconductor device
A power semiconductor device includes power semiconductor elements joined to wiring patterns of a circuit substrate, cylindrical external terminal communication sections, and wiring means for forming electrical connection between, for example, the power semiconductor elements and the cylindrical external terminal communication sections. The power semiconductor elements, the cylindrical external terminal communication sections, and the wiring means are sealed with transfer molding resin. The cylindrical external terminal communication sections are arranged on the wiring patterns so as to be substantially perpendicular to the wiring patterns, such that external terminals are insertable and connectable to the cylindrical external terminal communication sections, and such that a plurality of cylindrical external terminal communication sections among the cylindrical external terminal communication sections are arranged two-dimensionally on each of wiring patterns that act as main circuits.
US08994160B2 Resin-encapsulated semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A resin-encapsulated semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor element mounted on a die pad portion; a plurality of lead portions disposed so that distal end parts thereof are opposed to the die pad portion; a metal thin wire for connecting an electrode of the semiconductor element to the lead portion; and an encapsulating resin for partially encapsulating those components. A bottom surface part of the die pad portion, and a bottom surface part, an outer surface part, and an upper end part of the lead portion are exposed from the encapsulating resin. A plated layer is formed on the exposed lead bottom surface part and the exposed lead upper end part.
US08994150B2 Systems and methods for lowering interconnect capacitance
Methods and apparatus for lowering the capacitance of an interconnect, are disclosed. An example apparatus may include an interconnect formed in at least one integrated circuit and configured to pass a signal through at least a portion of the at least one integrated circuit. The apparatus may include a transmitter to operate at a first voltage and a second voltage, and to output to an end node of the interconnect a reduced swing signal ranging from the first voltage to a third voltage. The third voltage may be between the first and second voltages, and the reduced swing signal may operate to reduce a capacitance of the interconnect when compared to operating the transmitter at the second voltage. Additional apparatus and methods are disclosed.
US08994141B2 Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor includes an N-type impurity region provided in a substrate. A P-type RESURF layer is provided at a top face of the substrate in the N-type impurity region. A P-well has an impurity concentration higher than that of the P-type RESURF layer, and makes contact with the P-type RESURF layer at the top face of the substrate in the N-type impurity region. A first high-voltage-side plate is electrically connected to the N-type impurity region, and a low-voltage-side plate is electrically connected to a P-type impurity region. A lower field plate is capable of generating a lower capacitive coupling with the substrate. An upper field plate is located at a position farther from the substrate than the lower field plate, and is capable of generating an upper capacitive coupling with the lower field plate whose capacitance is greater than the capacitance of the lower capacitive coupling.
US08994133B2 Multi-layer input/output pad ring for solid state device controller
Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit includes a solid state device controller configured to control a plurality of flash memory devices, a first set of input output IO pads, coupled to the solid state device controller, arranged as a first pad ring around a perimeter of the integrated circuit, and a second set of IO pads arranged adjacent to at least one side of the first pad ring, wherein one of the second set of IO pads includes a power source node configured to receive a power supply voltage for the solid state device controller, a ground node, and a bond pad configured to receive an external signal.
US08994118B2 Semiconductor devices comprising getter layers and methods of making and using the same
Semiconductor devices comprising a getter material are described. The getter material can be located in or over the active region of the device and/or in or over a termination region of the device. The getter material can be a conductive or an insulating material. The getter material can be present as a continuous or discontinuous film. The device can be a SiC semiconductor device such as a SiC vertical MOSFET. Methods of making the devices are also described.
US08994114B1 Performance enhancement of active device through reducing parasitic conduction
An apparatus having an active device, a plurality of traces and one or more areas is disclosed. The active device may have a channel layer. A buffer layer is generally disposed between the channel layer and a substrate. A parasitic layer may be formed at an interface between the buffer layer and the substrate. The traces may be connected to the active device. The areas are generally proximate at least one of (i) the active device and (ii) at least two of the traces from which the parasitic layer is removed.
US08994109B2 High-K heterostructure
A method for preparing a multilayer substrate includes the step of deposing an epitaxial γ-Al2O3 Miller index (001) layer on a Si Miller index (001) substrate.
US08994102B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device of the present invention includes a semiconductor layer, a plurality of gate trenches formed in the semiconductor layer, a gate electrode filled via a gate insulating film in the plurality of gate trenches, an n+-type emitter region, a p-type base region, and an n−-type drift region disposed, lateral to each gate trench, in order in a depth direction of the gate trench from a front surface side of the semiconductor layer, a p+-type collector region disposed on a back surface side of the semiconductor layer with respect to the n−-type drift region, an emitter trench formed between the plurality of gate trenches adjacent to each other, and a buried electrode filled via an insulating film in the emitter trench, and electrically connected with the n+-type emitter region, and the emitter trench is disposed at an interval of 2 μm or less via an n−-type drift region with the gate trench.
US08994080B2 Stacked carbon-based FETs
Stacked transistor devices include a lower channel layer formed on a substrate; a pair of vertically aligned source regions formed over the lower channel layer, where the pair of source regions are separated by an insulator; a pair of vertically aligned drain regions formed on the lower channel layer, where the pair of drain regions are separated by an insulator; a pair of vertically aligned gate regions formed on the lower gate dielectric layer; and an upper channel layer formed over the source regions, drain regions, and gate regions.
US08994073B2 Hydrogen mitigation schemes in the passivation of advanced devices
Embodiments of a Silicon Nitride (SiN) passivation structure for a semiconductor device are disclosed. In general, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body and a SiN passivation structure over a surface of the semiconductor body. In one embodiment, the SiN passivation structure includes one or more Hydrogen-free SiN layers on, and preferably directly on, the surface of the semiconductor body, a Hydrogen barrier layer on, and preferably directly on, a surface of the one or more Hydrogen-free SiN layers opposite the semiconductor body, and a Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) SiN layer on, and preferably directly on, a surface of the Hydrogen barrier layer opposite the one or more Hydrogen-free SiN layers. The Hydrogen barrier layer preferably includes one or more oxide layers of the same or different compositions. Further, in one embodiment, the Hydrogen barrier layer is formed by Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD).
US08994066B2 Manufacturing method of semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a first-conductivity-type semiconductor layer including an active region in which a transistor having impurity regions is formed and a marginal region surrounding the active region, a second-conductivity-type channel layer formed between the active region and the marginal region and forming a front surface of the semiconductor layer, at least one gate trench formed in the active region to extend from the front surface of the semiconductor layer through the channel layer, a gate insulation film formed on an inner surface of the gate trench, a gate electrode formed inside the gate insulation film in the gate trench, and at least one isolation trench arranged between the active region and the marginal region to surround the active region and extending from the front surface of the semiconductor layer through the channel layer, the isolation trench having a depth equal to that of the gate trench.
US08994064B2 Led that has bounding silicon-doped regions on either side of a strain release layer
A strain release layer adjoining the active layer in a blue LED is bounded on the bottom by a first relatively-highly silicon-doped region and is also bounded on the top by a second relatively-highly silicon-doped region. The second relatively-highly silicon-doped region is a sublayer of the active layer of the LED. The first relatively-highly silicon-doped region is a sublayer of the N-type layer of the LED. The first relatively-highly silicon-doped region is also separated from the remainder of the N-type layer by an intervening sublayer that is only lightly doped with silicon. The silicon doping profile promotes current spreading and high output power (lumens/watt). The LED has a low reverse leakage current and a high ESD breakdown voltage. The strain release layer has a concentration of indium that is between 5×1019 atoms/cm3 and 5×1020 atoms/cm3, and the first and second relatively-highly silicon-doped regions have silicon concentrations that exceed 1×1018 atoms/cm3.
US08994062B2 LED module
A LED module includes a substrate, a LED chip supported on the substrate, a metal wiring installed on the substrate, the metal wiring including a mounting portion on which the LED chip is mounted, an encapsulating resin configured to cover the LED chip and the metal wiring, and a clad member configured to cover the metal wiring to expose the mounting portion, the encapsulating resin arranged to cover the clad member.
US08994061B2 Light emitting diode package
A light emitting diode package includes a first lead frame comprising a first hole cup, a second lead frame comprising a second hole cup and disposed to face the first lead frame with a gap disposed between the first lead frame and the second lead frame, a first light emitting diode chip disposed on the first hole cup, and a second light emitting diode chip disposed on the second hole cup, the first lead frame comprising a first enlarged region formed between the gap and the first hole cup, and the second lead frame comprising a second enlarged region formed between the gap and the second hole cup.
US08994058B2 Light emitting device having an ohmic layer with a plurality of protruding contact portions
Disclosed is a light emitting device including a conductive substrate, a first electrode layer disposed on the conductive substrate, a light emitting structure disposed on the first electrode layer, the light emitting structure including a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, and an active layer disposed between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer, and a second electrode layer electrically connected to the second semiconductor layer, wherein the first electrode layer includes a transparent electrode layer disposed between the conductive substrate and the first semiconductor layer, and an ohmic layer comprising a plurality of metal contact portions vertically passing through the transparent electrode layer, wherein each metal contact portion includes AuBe.
US08994050B2 Method for transferring a uniform phosphor layer on an article and light-emitting structure fabricated by the method
A method of transferring a uniform phosphor layer on an article and a light-emitting structure having a uniform phosphor layer. The method includes disposing a surface of the article in a proximity of a carrier having the uniform phosphor layer on a surface thereon, and causing the uniform phosphor layer to be secured to the surface of the article. Therefore, the uniform phosphor layer is secured to the articles according to a contour of the article.
US08994044B2 Electro-optical device, electrode therefore, and method and apparatus of manufacturing an electrode and the electro-optical device provided therewith
The present invention relates to an electro-optical device provided with an electrode (10). The electrode comprising an electrically conductive structure extending in a plane. The structure comprises a grid of elongated elements (12) with length L and a width dimension D in said plane. The electrically conductive structure further comprises one or more contactfields (14) having an inscribed circle with a radius of at least 2D and a circumscribed circle with a radius of at most three times L. The area occupied by the contactfields (14) is at most 20% of the area occupied by the grid of elongated elements (12).
US08994043B2 Light-emitting element, light-emitting device, display device, electronic device, and lighting device
Disclosed is a light-emitting element comprising a plurality of light-emitting units which are separated from one another by a charge generation layer. The light-emitting units each have a light-emitting layer which is featured by a stack of two layers. Each of the two layers includes a host material and a phosphorescent material where the phosphorescent material in one of the two layers is blue emissive while the phosphorescent material in the other of the two layers exhibits a maximum emission peak in a range from 500 nm to 700 nm. The phosphorescent material exhibiting a maximum emission peak in a range from 500 nm to 700 nm may be different from light-emitting unit to light-emitting unit. An additive may be included in at least one of the two layers so that an exciplex is formed with the host material.
US08994038B2 Light emitting device package and light unit having the same
Disclosed is a light emitting device package. The light emitting device package includes a package body having a first cavity and a second cavity; a plurality of reflective frames comprising a first reflective frame and a second reflective frame on the first cavity and the second cavity, respectively, and each of the first reflective frame and the second reflective frame comprises a bottom frame and at least two side wall frames extending from the bottom frame; and a light emitting device on the first reflective frame, wherein the first reflective frame and the second reflective frame are electrically separated from each other.
US08994035B2 Semiconductor device with low-conducting buried and/or surface layers
A device including one or more low-conducting layers is provided. A low-conducting layer can be located below the channel and one or more attributes of the low-conducting layer can be configured based on a minimum target operating frequency of the device and a charge-discharge time of a trapped charge targeted for removal by the low-conducting layer or a maximum interfering frequency targeted for suppression using the low-conducting layer. For example, a product of the lateral resistance and a capacitance between the low-conducting layer and the channel can be configured to be larger than an inverse of the minimum target operating frequency and the product can be smaller than at least one of: the charge-discharge time or an inverse of the maximum interfering frequency.
US08994031B2 Gallium nitride compound semiconductor light emitting element and light source provided with said light emitting element
In a gallium nitride based compound semiconductor light-emitting element including an active layer, the active layer includes a well layer 104 and a barrier layer 103, each of which is a semiconductor layer of which the growing plane is an m plane. The well layer 104 has a lower surface and an upper surface and has an In composition distribution in which the composition of In changes according to a distance from the lower surface in a thickness direction of the well layer 104. The In composition of the well layer 104 becomes a local minimum at a level that is defined by a certain distance from the lower surface and that portion of the well layer 104 where the In composition becomes the local minimum runs parallel to the lower surface.
US08994017B2 Light emitting device containing iridium complex
A triplet light emitting device which has high efficiency and improved stability and which can be fabricated by a simpler process is provided by simplifying the device structure and avoiding use of an unstable material. In a multilayer device structure using no hole blocking layer conventionally used in a triplet light emitting device, that is, a device structure in which on a substrate, there are formed an anode, a hole transporting layer constituted by a hole transporting material, an electron transporting and light emitting layer constituted by an electron transporting material and a dopant capable of triplet light emission, and a cathode, which are laminated in the stated order, the combination of the hole transporting material and the electron transporting material and the combination of the electron transporting material and the dopant material are optimized.
US08994013B2 Light-emitting element, light-emitting device, display device, electronic device, and lighting device
An object is to provide a light-emitting element which includes an exciplex being used as an energy donor capable of efficiently transferring energy to a substance exhibiting thermally activated delayed fluorescence. The exciplex comprises two kinds of substances and its singlet and triplet excited states are close to each other. Thus, by making light emission of the exciplex overlap with an absorption band on the longest wavelength side which corresponds to absorption by the substance exhibiting thermally activated delayed fluorescence, i.e., an energy acceptor, in a singlet excited state, it becomes possible to achieve efficient energy transfer from a singlet excited state of the exciplex to a singlet excited state of the substance exhibiting thermally activated delayed fluorescence, and it also becomes possible to achieve efficient energy transfer from a triplet excited state of the exciplex to a triplet excited state of the substance exhibiting thermally activated delayed fluorescence.
US08994008B2 Reverse printing ink composition, printing method using the same, method of manufacturing display unit using the same
A reverse printing ink composition capable of realizing printing with a uniform film thickness and high-definition patterning, a printing method using the same, and a method of manufacturing a display unit using the same are provided. The reverse printing ink composition includes a solvent containing an aromatic carbon hydride and a straight-chain carbon hydride and a low-molecular material.
US08994002B2 FinFET having superlattice stressor
A fin field effect transistor (FinFET) device is provided. The FinFET includes a superlattice layer and a strained layer. The superlattice layer is supported by a substrate. The strained layer is disposed on the superlattice layer and provides a gate channel. The gate channel is stressed by the superlattice layer. In an embodiment, the superlattice layer is formed by stacking different silicon germanium alloys or stacking other III-V semiconductor materials.
US08993998B2 Electro-optic device having nanowires interconnected into a network of nanowires
An electro-optic device includes a first electrode, an active layer formed over and electrically connected with the first electrode, a buffer layer formed over and electrically connected with the active layer, and a second electrode formed directly on the buffer layer. The second electrode includes a plurality of nanowires interconnected into a network of nanowires. The buffer layer provides a physical barrier between the active layer and the plurality of nanowires to prevent damage to the active layer while the second electrode is formed.
US08993984B2 All fiber coupled ultraviolet planar laser induced fluorescence detection system
A high energy UV fiber-coupled laser-induced fluorescence system is provided having a transmission component and a receiving component. The transmission component includes a laser source configured to produce high-energy UV pulses, a UV-enhanced fused-silica fiber coupled to the laser source, and optics coupled to the UV-enhanced fused-silica fiber for transmitting the high-energy UV pulses to a target area. The receiving component receives laser-induced florescence events from the target area and includes additional UV-enhanced fused-silica fiber coupled to optics and a receiving means.
US08993980B1 Dual stage scanner for ion beam control
An ion beam scanner includes a first scanner stage having a first opening to transmit an ion beam, the first scanner stage to generate, responsive to a first oscillating deflection signal, a first oscillating deflecting field within the first opening; a second scanner stage disposed downstream of the first scanner stage and having a second opening to transmit the ion beam, the second scanner stage to generate, responsive to a second oscillating deflection signal, a second oscillating deflecting field within the second opening that is opposite in direction to the first oscillating deflecting field, and a scan controller to synchronize the first oscillating deflection signal and second oscillating deflection signal to generate a plurality of ion trajectories when the scanned ion beam exits the second stage that define a common focal point.
US08993979B2 Beam control assembly for ribbon beam of ions for ion implantation
A beam control assembly to shape a ribbon beam of ions for ion implantation includes a first bar, second bar, first coil of windings of electrical wire, second coil of windings of electrical wire, first electrical power supply, and second electrical power supply. The first coil is disposed on the first bar. The first coil is the only coil disposed on the first bar. The second bar is disposed opposite the first bar with a gap defined between the first and second bars. The ribbon beam travels between the gap. The second coil is disposed on the second bar. The second coil is the only coil disposed on the second bar. The first electrical power supply is connected to the first coil without being electrically connected to any other coil. The second electrical power supply is connected to the second coil without being electrically connected to any other coil.
US08993973B2 Pixel-type two-dimensional image detector
In a lattice-like pixel structure in which reflecting plates that reflect a fluorescent light from a fluorescent material-based neutron detecting sheet are arranged along vertical and horizontal axes at a regular interval, a lattice-like fluorescent light detecting member is provided, in which grooves may be formed at an upper half position of the vertical axis direction reflecting plate and at a center position in a vertical axis interval for accommodating a wavelength shifting fiber for vertical axis detection and at a lower half position of the horizontal axis direction reflecting plate and at a center position in a horizontal axis interval for accommodating a wavelength shifting fiber for horizontal axis detection; and a fluorescent material-based neutron detecting sheet is arranged only at a front surface or at both of a front surface and a back surface of the lattice-like fluorescent light detecting member.
US08993959B2 Screening for phthalates in food samples
A method includes the steps of dipping a capillary (e.g., a disposable glass capillary) into a food matrix to deposit a food sample on the capillary; attaching the capillary onto an Atmospheric Solids Analysis Probe (ASAP); loading the ASAP into an atmospheric pressure ionization (API) source enclosure; ionizing the food sample on the capillary within the API source enclosure; and analyzing the ionized sample for the presence of one or more phthalates.
US08993957B2 Downhole sensor tool for nuclear measurements
A downhole measurement apparatus includes a tool body supporting a logging tool. The logging tool includes a detector outsert coupled into and exposed through an exterior pocket of the tool body to position the outer surface of the outsert adjacent or in close proximity to the outer diameter of the tool body. A stabilizer or off-center stabilizer may be provided to further deflect the outsert portion of the logging tool toward an earth formation to increase detector proximity to the formation. The axial distance between the detector and a nuclear source can be calibrated using configurations of the nuclear source holder and the outsert. Retention mechanisms for the source holder and the outsert further enhance proximity and calibration.
US08993954B2 Optical encoder having a high resolution detection mode to detect a fine pitch pattern and a low resolution detection mode to detect a coarse pitch pattern
An optical encoder includes a light source, a scale which is irradiated by the light source and has a fine pitch pattern and a coarse pitch pattern in one track, a photo detector array which detects transmitting light or reflected light from the scale which are emitted from the light source, a signal processing unit including a first initial-stage amplifier unit that generates a position detection signal from the photo detector array, and a control unit that uses an output signal from the first initial-stage amplifier unit to control a light amount variation of the light source. The optical encoder can operate in a high resolution detection mode that forms the photo detector array at a first pitch to detect the fine pitch pattern and a low resolution detection mode that forms the photo detector array at a second pitch to detect the coarse pitch pattern.
US08993952B2 Transimpedance amplifier, semiconductor device, and optical module to include an adding circuit for adding first and second current variation
An optical module including a transimpedance amplifier capable of realizing a high-speed and high-quality receiving operation is provided. A transimpedance amplifier includes: a pre-amplifier using a single-end current signal as an input and converting the single-end current signal to a single-end voltage signal; an automatic decision threshold control detecting a center electric potential of the single-end voltage signal serving as an output of the pre-amplifier; a post-amplifier differentiating and amplifying the single-end voltage signal of the output of the pre-amplifier; and a power circuit supplying power to the pre-amplifier. Particularly, in accordance with an input voltage signal or an output voltage signal of the pre-amplifier, the power circuit outputs a varied current that flows to a supply terminal of the pre-amplifier and a varied current having a phase opposite to that of the varied current. Thus, the power supply current change is cancelled out.
US08993949B2 Optical sensor array and method for solar concentrator alignment
In a solar concentrator of a type having a curved mirror adapted to focus light onto an energy collecting body mounted at the mirror's focal axis, an alignment correction apparatus and method includes a linear array of light detectors adapted to be mounted at a bottom of and across a centerline of the curved mirror so as to intercept the shadow cast by the energy collecting body mounted along the focal axis. Outputs of each of the detectors are measured and plotted according to an order of arrangement of the light detectors on the array. The output results in a dip across adjacent detectors when a shadow falls across the array. A shadow detection means is adapted to determine a center point of the dip and correction means are configured to output a correction command if the center point is different from an optimal position.
US08993943B2 Systems for operating multiple plasma and/or induction heating systems and related methods
In some aspects of the invention, a system for operating a plurality of plasma and/or induction heating processing systems includes an operating unit that has a display device on which a graphic user interface can be displayed, at least two power generators that supply power to a plasma process or an induction heating process, and a network that connects the operating unit to the power generators to transmit signals between the operating unit and the power generators. The graphic user interface includes a static region and a dynamic region, and a selection device for selecting information to be displayed in the dynamic region.
US08993942B2 Apparatus for induction hardening
An apparatus for magnetic induction hardening of a workpiece includes a magnetic tool having a body portion formed of a generally non-magnetic material. The body portion has a surface configured to be positioned in close proximity to the workpiece being hardened. The apparatus further includes a magnetic arrangement coupled to the body portion at or adjacent the surface of the body portion and configured to provide regions of alternating polarity. A workpiece holder is configured to support the workpiece in close proximity to the surface of the magnetic tool. A drive arrangement for rotating the magnetic tool relative to the workpiece holder about an axis of rotation is provided to induce heating of the workpiece to achieve a temperature in the austenitic range of the workpiece resulting in hardening of the workpiece through a microstructural transformation.
US08993940B2 Dielectric component with electrical connection
A dielectric component with electrical connection is provided for a laminated heater mat (3) for an ice protection system for an aircraft (1). The dielectric component with electrical connection comprises at least one dielectric layer (50, 55) comprising thermoplastic material, and the dielectric layer (50) or a stack of the dielectric layers (50, 55) has first and second main surfaces and a hole (505) extending between the first and second main surfaces. A first sprayed metal coating (501) comprises a first portion (503) deposited on the first main surface (502) adjacent to the hole (505) and a second portion (5014) which projects into the hole. A second sprayed metal coating (5013, 5513) comprises a third portion deposited on the second main surface (506, 552) adjacent to the hole (505) and a fourth portion (5015) which projects into the hole (505). The second portion (5014) overlaps the fourth portion (5015) to form a continuous conductive path between the first main surface and the second main surface. This provides a cheap, neat and thin connection through the dielectric layer or the stack of dielectric layers.
US08993937B2 Heater module
A heater module (22L, 22R) of the present invention is provided along a heated surface (13CLa) of an object to be heated (13CL, 13CR). The heater module includes a plate-like heater body (34) that faces the heated surface of the object to be heated, and an insulating holder (31) that holds the plate-like heater body in a manner as to face the heated surface of the object to be heated. The insulating holder is fixed, at one edge thereof, to a mounting surface (14a) on which the object to be heated is mounted, and located on one side of the plate-like heater body away from the heated surface of the object to be heated. The insulating holder is provided, at another edge opposite to the one edge, with a regulation member (31a) that projects toward the heated surface of the object to be heated from the plate-like heater body.
US08993932B2 Rotary drier for plants for the production of bituminous macadams with the use of recycled materials
A rotary drier for plants for the production of bituminous macadams with the use of recycled materials comprises a hollow rotary cylinder (2), heating means (9) connected to one end (4) of the cylinder (2), an aggregates infeed section (7) connected to one end (3), (4) of the cylinder (2), and a dried material outfeed section (8) connected to the other end (3), (4), an insertion section (24) for inserting recycled material into the cylinder (2), the insertion section being connected to an intermediate portion of the cylinder (2). The inside of the cylinder (2) is axially divided into a first, convection heat exchange zone (12), equipped with material tipping blades (14), and into a second, radiation and conduction heat exchange zone, and the cut material insertion section (24) is positioned inside the first heat exchange zone (12). A first group (25) of tipping blades (14) is mounted circumferentially inside the cylinder (2) between the insertion section (24) and the second heat exchange zone (13).
US08993930B2 Cooking device with electrodes in a lower face of the top plate
The cooking device includes a top plate on which a container is to be placed, heating devices provided below the top plate, electrodes provided in a lower face of the top plate and including a boiling-over detection parts placed near an outer periphery of a portion of the top plate positioned above the heating devices, contact parts for supplying an AC current to the boiling-over detection parts, and contact parts for connecting the contact parts and one-side ends of the boiling-over detection parts to each other, respectively, an electrode-use capacitance detection device for detecting changes in capacitance of the boiling-over detection parts, and a control device for controlling the heating devices based on changes in capacitance detected by the electrode-use capacitance detection device. The contact parts are provided at positions farther from the heating devices and on a more front side of the cooking device than the boiling-over detection parts, and the connection parts run through on the outer peripheral side of the boiling-over detection parts.
US08993910B2 Group of momentary-contact switches as control panel which can be illuminated in motor vehicles
A pushbutton switch array is proposed which provides an illuminatable operating surface and manages with only few light sources without requiring any separate optical waveguide structures. The pushbutton switch array has a frame which is covered by a transparent film and includes recesses which have actuating elements accommodated therein for displacement. The actuating elements are configured to have light-guiding and light-coupling structures. A shared light source is, or only few shared light sources are, optically coupled to the light-coupling structures of the actuating elements which, for their part, are optically coupled to each other by adjoining light-coupling structures. The light-guiding structures guide the light coupled into the actuating elements to the actuating surface adjacent to the film. The actuating elements may be provided with symbols on their actuating surface adjoining the film, the symbols being visible through the film. Preferably, however, it is the film itself which is provided with symbols and/or legends which are assigned to the actuating elements arranged therebehind. These symbols are then illuminated by the actuating elements.
US08993906B2 Vehicle switch
A vehicle switch includes a case having an opening, an operation body, a mounting plate, a cover, a switch contact, and a spacer. The operation body is accommodated in the case, has an operation portion protruding from the opening, and moves in the direction perpendicular to the opening. The mounting plate is mounted on the periphery of the opening of the case. The cover covers the operation body and the mounting plate. The switch contact is housed in the case, and performs electric contact according to movement of the operation body. The spacer is disposed on at least the periphery of the opening on a surface that faces the cover of the mounting plate.
US08993905B2 Steering wheel mounted switch device
A steering switch device mounted on a spoke portion of a steering wheel allows a first operating knob which can operate to press an operating surface upward obliquely of the front side to be adjacent to a second operating knob which can operate to tilt an operating surface approximately toward the rear of a vehicle. The first and second operating knobs are arranged such that the operating surface and the operating surface of each other are smoothly continuous due to the presence of a minute gap, and are continuous so as to form a surface following the surface entirely from an upper surface (surface opposing a driver) up to a lateral surface (front side surface when viewed from the driver) of the steering wheel.
US08993897B2 Photosensitive resin composition and use thereof
The photosensitive resin composition contains a (A) binder polymer, (B) cross-linked polymer particles, (C) thermosetting resin, (D) photo-polymerization initiator, and a (E) phosphoric flame retardant, in which a content of the (B) cross-linked polymer particles is 30 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight with respect to the 100 parts by weight of the (A) binder polymer, and an average particle diameter of the (B) cross-linked polymer particles is 1 μm to 10 μm. Therefore, the photosensitive resin composition (i) obtains an excellent tack-free property after being applied and dried, (ii) can be subjected to fine processing, (iii) is formed into a cured film having excellent flexibility, flame retardancy, and electrical insulation reliability, and (iv) causes a substrate to have a small warpage after being cured.
US08993896B2 Lead electrode and preparation method thereof
A lead electrode and a preparation method thereof are provided. The lead electrode includes an inner terminal, a lead, and an outer terminal, which are sequentially connected. The lead includes: an insulating substrate; an adhesive material coated on the insulating substrate, the adhesive material defining a trenched mesh; and a conductive material filled in the trenched mesh, wherein an angle formed by a grid line of the trenched mesh and a demolding direction is from 0° to 90°. Since the angle formed by the grid line and the demolding direction is very small, little adhesive material will be attached to the mold, such that the residues of the adhesive material are prevented.
US08993895B2 Membrane wiring board
The present invention is a membrane wiring board provided with an insulating substrate, and at least one circuit portion provided on the insulating substrate and obtained by coating a circuit layer, formed by an electrically conductive paste containing electrically conductive particles, with an insulating coating layer, wherein the circuit layer contains a resin component having a gel fraction of 90% or more.
US08993894B2 Printed wiring board and method for manufacturing the same
A printed wiring board includes a core substrate having first and second surfaces, a first conductor formed on the first surface of the substrate, a second conductor formed on the second surface of the substrate, a first through-hole conductor formed through the substrate and connecting the first and second conductors, and a second through-hole conductor formed through the substrate and connecting the first and second conductors. The second through-hole conductor has a diameter which is greater than a diameter of the first through-hole conductor, the first through-hole conductor has a roughened inner wall forming an interior space, the second through-hole conductor has a roughened inner wall forming an interior space, and the roughened inner wall of the first through-hole conductor has an arithmetic average roughness which is set lower than an arithmetic average roughness of the roughened inner wall of the second through-hole conductor.
US08993893B2 Multilayer substrate
A multilayer substrate that retains a curved state without causing fluctuations in electrical characteristics includes a main body including a plurality of insulating sheets to be stacked and made of a flexible material. A signal wire extends in the main body. A ground conductor is provided at a positive-direction side in a z-axis direction relative to the signal wire in the main body, and overlaps the signal line in a plan view seen from the z-axis direction. A ground conductor is provided on a negative-direction side in the z-axis direction relative to the signal wire in the main body, and overlaps the signal line in a plan view seen from the z-axis direction. The state in which the main body is curved so that the signal wire defines an arc is retained by plastic deformation of the ground conductors.
US08993892B2 Wiring board and method of manufacturing the wiring board
A wiring board includes: a substrate; first connection electrode portions which are disposed on a surface of the substrate and which are to be connected to individual-electrode connection terminals of an actuator via first bumps; first wires having electrical continuity with the first connection electrode portions; a second connecting electrode portion which is disposed on the surface of the substrate and which is to be connected to the a common-electrode connection terminal of the actuator via a second bump; and a second wire having electrical continuity with the second connection electrode portion. The second connecting electrode portion is located in an edge portion of the substrate. The second wire has a conducive-material absent portion that is located between an edge of the substrate and the second connecting electrode portion.
US08993881B2 Architectures and criteria for the design of high efficiency organic photovoltaic cells
A method for fabricating an organic photovoltaic cell includes providing a first electrode; depositing a series of at least seven layers onto the first electrode, each layer consisting essentially of a different organic semiconductor material, the organic semiconductor material of at least an intermediate layer of the sequence being a photoconductive material; and depositing a second electrode onto the sequence of at least seven layers. One of the first electrode and the second electrode is an anode and the other is a cathode. The organic semiconductor materials of the series of at least seven layers are arranged to provide a sequence of decreasing lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (LUMOs) and a sequence of decreasing highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMOs) across the series from the anode to the cathode.
US08993873B2 Solar cell with a backside via to contact the emitter layer
A solar cell structure is provided for reducing shadow losses without increasing series resistance in the solar cell device. The solar cell device may form an electrical contact to a solar cell emitter layer from the backside of the solar cell device. With this structure, the emitter contact shadow losses may be reduced significantly while simultaneously decreasing device series resistance.
US08993863B1 Harmonica and technology for retrofitting harmonica
A harmonica with a tube plate that provides production of sweeter, clearer notes with a minimum of skill. The tube plate has a plurality of tubes and sits over the reeds and the comb under the cover plate, a tube coupled with each air chamber in the comb. The tubes form tunnels with the air chambers, enhancing reverberation and separating the sound waves emanating from the reed in each chamber. The tube plate can be added to a conventional harmonica. The harmonica has a plurality of reed units, each reed in a separate unit. Each reed unit is individually replaced when a reed requires replacement or when modification of the harmonica key is desired. The reed units can replace a reed plate in a conventional harmonica.
US08993861B2 Soybean promoters SC194 and flower-preferred expression thereof in transgenic plants
The promoters of a soybean SC194 polypeptide and fragments thereof and their use in promoting the expression of one or more heterologous nucleic acid fragments in plants are described.
US08993855B2 Insect resistant plant
The present invention relates to novel pepper plants resistant to insects, and to seeds and fruits of said plants. The present invention also relates to methods of making and using such plants and their fruits. The invention further relates to markers and the use thereof in marker assisted breeding and for identifying the insect resistance trait. In particular, the present invention provides a cultivated Capsicum annuum plant which is resistant, particularly intermediately resistant, to infestations by insects of the family Thripidae and/or the genus Bemisia, but especially to infestations by Bemisia tabaci and Frankliniella occidentalis.
US08993854B1 Soybean variety XB41T13
A novel soybean variety, designated XB41T13 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB41T13, cells from soybean variety XB41T13, plants of soybean XB41T13, and plant parts of soybean variety XB41T13. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB41T13 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XB41T13, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB41T13, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XB41T13. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB41T13 are further provided.
US08993852B2 Soybean variety XB11K13
A novel soybean variety, designated XB11K13 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB11K13, cells from soybean variety XB11K13, plants of soybean XB11K13, and plant parts of soybean variety XB11K13. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB11K13 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XB11K13, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB11K13, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XB11K13. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB11K13 are further provided.
US08993848B2 Poneloya lettuce variety
A new lettuce variety designated ‘Poneloya’ is described. ‘Poneloya’ is a cutting lettuce variety exhibiting stability and uniformity.
US08993839B2 Plant-based production of heterologous proteins
Described herein are viral amplicon-based protein expression systems and methods useful for producing heterologous proteins, such as enzymes, by agroinfiltration. The methods involve producing an Agrobacterium with a Ti plasmid encoding a heterologous protein, infecting plant cells with the Agrobacterium, allowing expression of the heterologous protein, and recovering the heterologous protein from the plant cells. In one embodiment, the protein produced is an endoglucanase.
US08993838B2 Yield increase in plants overexpressing the SHSRP genes
A transgenic crop plant transformed by a Serine Hydroxymethyltransferase-Like Stress-Related Polypeptide (SHSRP) coding nucleic acid, wherein expression of the nucleic acid sequence in the crop plant results in the plant's increased root growth, and/or increased yield, and/or increased tolerance to environmental stress as compared to a wild type variety of the plant. Also provided are agricultural products, including seeds, produced by the transgenic crop plants. Also provided are isolated novel SHSRPs, and isolated novel nucleic acids encoding SHSRPs, and vectors and transgenic plant containing the same.
US08993837B2 Chimeric promoters and methods of use
Compositions and methods comprising promoters from the 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) gene and active variants and fragments thereof, as well as chimeric promoters employing regulatory regions of the HPPD promoters are provided. Further provided are expression cassettes and plants comprising the various promoters disclosed herein operably linked to a polynucleotide of interest. Methods employing the various promoters described herein to modulate the expression of polynucleotides of interest are further provided.
US08993830B2 Absorbent articles comprising an iron complexing agent
An absorbent article for menses absorption comprising an iron complexing agent, which is able to change the menses color.
US08993828B2 Method of radium stabilizing in solid effluent or effluent containing substances in suspension
Method of stabilizing radium present in radium-containing effluent, in which the effluent and a metal chloride are mixed, then the previously obtained mixture is reacted with a sulfate ion to obtain effluent containing stabilized radium. The chloride can be a barium, strontium or lead chloride. The sulfate ion can be supplied by the addition of sulfuric acid, sulfuric anhydride, soluable sulfate or soluble sulfate salt. The method applies in particular to the treatment of solid radium-containing effluents or effluents containing substances in suspension coming from chemistry or metallurgy of zirconium or treatment of uranium-containing minerals.
US08993827B2 Method for stabilization and removal of radioactive waste and non hazardous waste contained in buried objects
A method and apparatus for the stabilization and safe removal of buried waste that is tested and classified as being transuranic or not transuranic waste and disposed accordingly. The buried waste (usually in vertical pipe units) is enclosed in a casing and ground and mixed with the surrounding soil. This process allows for chemical reactions to occur that stabilizes the mixture. The entire process is contained within the casing to avoid contamination. In situ or external testing is done for radio isotopes to classify the waste. If it is classified as transuranic the waste is removed in a controlled way into a retrieval enclosure and disposed off in drums. If the waste is not transuranic then grout is introduced into the mixture, allowed to set and the resulting monolith is removed and buried in trenches.
US08993821B2 Hydrocarbon processes using UZM-43 an EUO-NES-NON zeolite
A new family of crystalline aluminosilicate zeolites has been synthesized that has been designated UZM-43. These zeolites are similar to previously known ERS-10, SSZ-47 and RUB-35 zeolites but are characterized by unique x-ray diffraction patterns and compositions and have catalytic properties for carrying out various hydrocarbon conversion processes. Catalysts made from these zeolites are useful in hydrocarbon conversion reactions.
US08993818B2 Combination of zeolite upgrading with hydrogenation upgrading to produce renewable gasoline from biomass
Technologies to convert biomass to liquid hydrocarbon fuels are currently being developed to decrease our carbon footprint and increase use of renewable fuels. Since sugars/sugar derivatives from biomass have high oxygen content and low hydrogen content, coke becomes an issue during zeolite upgrading to liquid hydrocarbon fuels. A self-sustainable process was designed to reduce the coke by co-feeding sugars/sugar derivatives with the paraffin products from hydrogenation of sugars/sugar derivatives. Paraffins without complete conversion result in products with less aromatics and relatively low density compared with the products directly from zeolite upgrading. Thus, the process is more economically favorable.
US08993815B2 Process for vapor phase hydrogenation
A process for selective formation of ethanol from acetic acid includes contacting a feed stream containing acetic acid and hydrogen at an elevated temperature with catalyst comprising platinum and tin on a high surface area silica promoted with calcium metasilicate. Selectivities to ethanol of over 85% are achieved at 280° C. with catalyst life in the hundreds of hours.
US08993810B2 Preparation method of lycopene intermediate 3-methyl-4,4-dialkoxy-1-butaldehyde
Disclosed is a preparation method of the lycopene intermediate 3-methyl-4,4-dialkoxy-1-butaldehyde. The preparation method comprises the following steps: (1) reacting 2-methyl-3,3-dialkoxy-1-halopropane with magnesium powder in the solvent of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran at a temperature of 45˜65° C. to generate a mixture of Grignard reagents under the protection of an inert gas; and (2) adding N,N-disubstituted carboxamide to the mixture of Grignard reagents and reacting at a temperature of 10° C.˜35° C. to obtain 3-methyl-4,4-dialkoxy-1-butaldehyde. The process route of the present invention is simple and direct, the operation is easy, the conditions are mild and the yield is good, and thus the invention has commercial value.
US08993809B2 Process for refining chemicals from pulp and paper mill wastewaters
A process for isolating at least one target compound, such as manool, geranyl linalool, ethyl guaiacol, eugenol, veratraldehyde, squalene, terpin, cholesterol, beta-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, stigmastenol and dehydroabietic acid, from biomass, the process including steps of: obtaining a condensate from a recovery evaporator, a reverse osmosis retentate of a condensate of a pulp and paper mill, or both, the condensate, retentate or both being substantially free of higher molecular weight (approximately >1000 Da) cellulose and/or lignin and/or lignin-derived material; optionally pH adjusting and filtering the condensate to collect insoluble material; extracting the condensate, the collected insoluble material, or both, with solid phase extraction (SPE), liquid-liquid extraction or solid-liquid extraction to produce an extract containing the at least one target compound; and optionally purifying the extract containing the at least one target compound by thermal fractionation, chromatographic separation, recrystallization ion exchange, chelation, adsorption/desorption, lyophilization and sublimation or combinations thereof. The method is particularly useful for isolating the target compounds from wastewaters produced in a kraft pulp and paper mill, especially from recovery evaporator condensates produced during the treatment of black liquor.
US08993796B2 Process for the manufacturing of vinyl acetate
The present invention relates to a process for the separation of vinyl acetate from a gas mixture formed by the reaction of ethylene with acetic acid and oxygen in the gas phase over catalysts comprising palladium or palladium compounds.
US08993791B2 Process for producing epoxy compounds
To provide an efficient method of producing an epoxy compound comprising reacting hydrogen peroxide and acetonitrile with the carbon-carbon double bond of an organic compound having a carbon-carbon double bond. A method of producing an epoxy compound comprising epoxidizing the carbon-carbon double bond of an organic compound having a carbon-carbon double bond in the presence of acetonitrile by using hydrogen peroxide as an oxidizing agent, wherein the reaction proceeds while controlling the acetonitrile concentration in the reaction system in the range of 0.6-5 mol/L by using a solvent containing an alcohol.
US08993788B2 Chiral intermediates useful for the preparation of hydroxyphosphine ligands
A compound of formula (I), wherein R1 is hydrogen or a hydroxyl protecting group; and R2 and R3 are same or different and are independently selected from halogen or —O—SO2—X; wherein X is —C1-C4 alkyl; C1-C4 alkyl substituted with one or more halogen; or substituted or unsubstituted phenyl wherein said phenyl substituent is selected from halogen, nitro and C1-C4 alkyl; provided that when R3 is bromine, X is not p-toluoyl; and a process for the preparation thereof.
US08993786B2 Crystalline fosamprenavir calcium and process for the preparation thereof
The main object of the present invention relates to a novel crystalline form of Fosemprenavir Calcium designated as Form A. Another object of the present invention relates to a process for the preparation of Crystalline Form A of Fosemprenavir Calcium. Yet another object of the present invention relates to crystalline Forma A of Fosemprenavir Calcium characterized by a PXRD diffraction having reflections at about 3.1±0.2, 4.4±0.2, 5.0±0.2, 6.3±0.2, 7.4±0.2, 8.0±0.2, 2θ.
US08993783B2 Compound for organic photoelectric device and organic photoelectric device including the same
A compound for an organic photoelectric device, the compound being represented by the following Chemical Formula 1:
US08993775B2 Chromium and nickel catalysts for oligomerization reactions and process for obtaining alpha-olefins using said catalysts
The present invention refers to the synthesis of precatalysts and the use of such precatalysts in ethylene oligomerization reactions for the selective production of alpha-olefins. More specifically, it refers to the preparation and use of coordination compounds containing polydentate ligands comprising Group 6 and 10 transition metal compounds, in particular chromium (III) and nickel (II). Such catalytic precursors present high catalytic activity and selectivity for the production of alpha-olefins.
US08993773B2 Process to prepare pioglitazone via several novel intermediates
A novel process for preparing thiazolidinediones, preferably Pioglitazone, as described. Also described are novel intermediates involved in its synthesis and process for their preparation and use in medicine.
US08993767B2 Multiphoton activable quinoline derivatives, their preparation and their uses
The present invention relates to multiphoton activable organic compounds responding to the following formula (I). The present invention also relates to a method of synthesizing the compounds of the invention, to an aqueous solution comprising at least one compound of the invention, and to their specific uses. The present invention also concerns a method of liberating organic ligands, said method involving the step of irradiating a compound according to the invention.
US08993764B2 Use of oripavine as a starting material for buprenorphine
There is provided a method for the synthesis of norbuprenorphine, and ultimately buprenorphine, utilizing oripavine as the starting material. Conventional methods of producing buprenorphine utilize thebaine as the starting material, requiring an O-demethylation step, typically a low to moderate yield transformation. The present use of oripavine as a starting material does not require an O-demethylation step, since the oripavine molecule lacks an O-3 methyl group.
US08993762B2 Total synthesis of thaxtomin A analogues and their intermediates
Improved synthetic methods for the production of thaxtomin analogs, particularly thaxtomin A, and intermediates therefore such as substituted tryptophans and in particular, 4-nitro-L-tryptophan, and substituted phenyl acrylic acids are disclosed. Bioassays show that the synthetic thaxtomin A is not significantly different from the natural one in herbicidal activity.
US08993760B2 Rock inhibitors and uses thereof
The subject invention concerns compositions and methods for blocking cancer cell growth or proliferation and/or inducing cancer cell death. Compositions of the present invention are compounds that inhibit Rho-protein associated kinase function. Compounds of the invention include piperazinyl pyridines, piperazinylmethyl pyridines, piperazinyl ureas and carbamates, piperazinyl pyridines and quinoilines (including isoquinliones) as well as piperazinyl (including piperazinylmethyl) pyridines and quinolines (including isoquinolines). Compounds of the invention disrupt Rho-kinase activation and function and significantly inhibit tumor cell growth and induce tumor cell death.
US08993759B2 Transamination of nitrogen-containing compounds to make cyclic and cyclic/acyclic polyamine mixtures
A transamination process is described to prepare polyamine product mixtures from reactants comprising mixed nitrogen-containing compounds with binary carbon spacing between nitrogen-containing groups (a binary component). A second nitrogen-containing component with a second carbon atom spacing between nitrogen-containing groups may also be employed. The molar ratio between the binary and second components can be adjusted to customize the product composition for desired end uses.
US08993757B2 N-piperidin-4-yl derivatives
The invention relates to a N-piperidin-4-yl derivative having the general Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same and to the use of said N-piperidin-4-yl derivatives for the treatment and prevention of endometriosis, for the treatment and prevention of pre-menopausal and peri-menopausal hormone-dependent breast cancer, for contraception, or for the treatment of uterine fibroids or other menstrual-related disorders.
US08993754B2 Iridium complex and light emitting material formed from same
Provided is an iridium complex having a substructure represented by the following formula (1), which is a luminescent element material capable of luminescence with high brightness/high efficiency and excellent in durability and can be used in a luminescent element, etc.
US08993751B2 Process for preparing tetrazole-substituted anthranilic acid diamide derivatives by reacting benzoxazinones with amines
The present invention relates to a process for preparing tetrazole-substituted anthranilic acid diamide derivatives of the formula (I) in which R1, R2, R3, R4, Q and Z have the meanings given in the description, by reacting benzoxazinones with amines.
US08993723B2 Innovative discovery of therapeutic, diagnostic, and antibody compositions related to protein fragments of alanyl-tRNA synthetases
Provided are compositions comprising newly identified protein fragments of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, polynucleotides that encode them and complements thereof, related agents, and methods of use thereof in diagnostic, drug discovery, research, and therapeutic applications.
US08993718B2 Methods and compositions for detecting and modulating O-glycosylation
The invention relates to methods and products for modulating glycosylation of proteins. The invention is useful for identifying therapeutic compounds to treat glycosylation-associated disorders such as neurodegeneration, diabetes, including complications of diabetes such as insulin resistance, nephropathy, microvascular damage, and endothelial dysfunction. The invention is also useful for identifying therapeutic compounds to treat de-glycosylation-associated disorders such as ischemic damage and traumatic injury. The invention also relates in part to assays that are useful for identifying and testing candidate compounds for modulating glycosylation of proteins and also relates in part to compounds to treat glycosylation-associated diseases and disorders.
US08993711B2 Semiconducting polymers and optoelectronic devices incorporating same
The present invention relates to certain polymeric compounds based upon a head-to-head (H—H) alkylthio-substituted bithiophene repeating units (e.g., 3,3′-bis(tetradecylthio)-2,2′-bithiophene). Such compounds can exhibit desirable electronic properties and possess processing advantages including solution-processability and/or good stability at ambient conditions.
US08993703B2 Polypropylene-based terpolymers for films
A terpolymer containing propylene, ethylene and an alpha olefins of formula CH2═CHZ wherein Z is an hydrocarbon group having from 2 to 10 carbon atoms wherein: (i) the content of ethylene derived units ranges from 0.5 wt % to 5.0 wt %; (ii) the content of alpha olefin derived units ranges from 1.0 wt % to 5.0 wt %; (iii) the amount (Wt %) of alpha-olefin (C6), the amount (Wt %) of ethylene (C2) and the melting point (Tm) of the terpolymer fulfil the following relation (1) Tm>−(C2+0.8C6)*6+157 (1) (iv) the polydispersity index (PI) ranges from 3 to 8.
US08993701B2 Copolymers of isoprenol, monoethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acids and sulfonic acids, methods for production thereof and use thereof as deposit inhibitors in water-bearing systems
The invention relates to a copolymer of (a) 5 to 40% by weight of isoprenol, (b) 5 to 93% by weight of at least one monoethylenically unsaturated C3 to C8 monocarboxylic acid, an anhydride or salt of same, (c) 2 to 90% by weight of one or more sulfonic acid group-comprising monomers.
US08993698B2 4- and 5 substituted 1,2,3-triazole moieties with at least one remote polymerizable moiety and polymers thereof
The present invention provides novel 4- and 5-substituted 1,2,3-triazole moieties, with at least one remote polymerizable moiety. The novel mixtures of 4- and 5-substituted regioisomers of 1,2,3-triazole moieties can be separated by chromatography to provide the purified 4- and 5-substituted 1,2,3-triazole moieties. The novel mixtures of 4- and 5-substituted regioisomers of 1,2,3-triazole moieties, and the purified 4- and 5-substituted 1,2,3-triazole moieties, with at least one remote polymerizable moiety, can be converted to a wide variety of useful polymers. The novel compounds of the invention can be employed in a wide variety of compositions. E, Q, Z, X, a, and R1-R4, in the structures below, are defined herein.
US08993694B2 Advanced transition metal catalytic systems in terms of comonomer incorporations and methods for preparing ethylene homopolymers or copolymers of ethylene and alpha-olefins using the same
Provided is a homogeneous catalytic system for use in preparing an ethylene homopolymer or a copolymer of ethylene and α-olefin, and more particularly a Group 4 transition metal compound in which a cyclopentadienyl derivative 3,4-positions of which are substituted with alkyls and an electron-donating substituent are crosslinked around a Group 4 transition metal. Also provided is a method of preparing an ethylene homopolymer or a copolymer of ethylene and α-olefin, having high molecular weight, under high-temperature solution polymerization conditions using the catalytic system including such a transition metal compound and a co-catalyst composed of an aluminum compound, a boron compound or a mixture thereof. The catalyst according to present invention has high thermal stability and enables the incorporation of α-olefin, and is thus effective in preparing an ethylene homopolymer or a copolymer of ethylene and α-olefin, having various properties, in industrial polymerization processes.
US08993689B1 Polyphenols and high-performance resins from syringaldehyde
A method to generate renewable high performance composites and thermoplastics. These materials can be generated from a renewable phenol (syringaldehyde) that can be derived from lignocellulosic biomass. The use of syringaldehyde as a precursor to composites has the potential to reduce the cost and environmental impact of structural materials, while meeting or exceeding the performance of current petroleum derived resins.
US08993688B1 Polyphenols and high-performance resins from syringaldehyde
A method to generate renewable high performance composites and thermoplastics. These materials can be generated from a renewable phenol (syringaldehyde) that can be derived from lignocellulosic biomass. The use of syringaldehyde as a precursor to composites has the potential to reduce the cost and environmental impact of structural materials, while meeting or exceeding the performance of current petroleum derived resins.
US08993682B2 Polyelectrolyte and process for producing the polyelectrolyte
The present invention provides an electrolyte having high conductivity even under high-temperature low-humidification conditions (e.g. at a temperature of 100 to 120° C. and a humidity of 20 to 50% RH) and thereby makes it possible to realize a higher performance fuel cell. The present invention is a fluoropolymer electrolyte having an equivalent weight (EW) of not less than 250 but not more than 700 and a proton conductivity of not lower than 0.10 S/cm as measured at a temperature of 110° C. and a relative humidity of 50% RH and comprising a COOZ group- or SO3Z group-containing monomer unit, wherein Z represents an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, hydrogen atom or NR1R2R3R4 in which R1, R2, R3 and R4 each independently represents an alkyl group containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms or hydrogen atom.
US08993677B2 Reactive polyamide resins and polyamide resin compositions
Provided is a polyamide resin composition comprising an elastomer etc, and a reactive polyamide resin excellent in reactivity. The polyamide resin composition comprises 0.5 to 100 parts by mass of an elastomer per 100 parts by mass of a reactive polyamide resin, wherein the reactive polyamide resin obtained by polycondensing a diamine (A) containing 70 mol % or more of a diamine structural unit derived from xylylenediamine and a dicarboxylic acid (B) containing 50 mol % or more of a dicarboxylic acid structural unit derived from sebacic acid, and has a concentration of reactive functional groups of 100 μeq/g or more and a molar ratio of reacted diamine to reacted dicarboxylic acid (the number of moles of reacted diamine/the number of moles of reacted dicarboxylic acid) of 1.0 or more.
US08993675B2 Method of production of radial conjugated diene polymer
An alkali metal-reacted aromatic compound which has three or more carbon atoms which are directly bonded to alkali metal atoms and aromatic rings in one molecule is used as a polymerization initiator to polymerize a monomer mixture which is contains at least one conjugated diene compound to thereby produce a radial conjugated diene polymer. Further, active ends of the polymer having active ends which is obtained by this method is made to react with a modifier which can react with the active ends to thereby produce an end-modified radial conjugated diene polymer. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a method of production of the radial conjugated diene polymer which gives a high degree of freedom of polymer design and easy control of the polymer structure.
US08993665B2 Amphiphilic multi-arm copolymers and nanomaterials derived therefrom
The present invention relates to polymers, nanomaterials, and methods of making the same. Various embodiments provide an amphiphilic multi-arm copolymer. The copolymer includes a core unit and a plurality of amphiphilic block copolymer arms. Each block copolymer arm is substituted on the core unit. Each block copolymer arm includes at least one hydrophilic homopolymer subunit and at least one hydrophobic homopolymer subunit. In some examples, the copolymer can include a star-like or bottlebrush-like block copolymer, and can include a Janus copolymer. Various embodiments provide a nanomaterial. In some examples, the nanomaterial can include Janus nanomaterials, and can include nanoparticles, nanorods, or nanotubes. The nanomaterial includes the amphiphilic multi-arm copolymer and at least one inorganic precursor. The inorganic precursor can be coordinated to at least one homopolymer subunit of one of the amphiphilic block copolymer arms to form the nanomaterial. Various embodiments also provide methods of making the copolymer and the nanomaterial.
US08993664B2 Rubber composition for tires and pneumatic tire
The present invention provides a rubber composition for tires capable of improving handling stability, fuel economy, wet grip performance, elongation at break, and abrasion resistance together while maintaining the balance between them. The present invention also provides a pneumatic tire including the rubber composition. The present invention relates to a rubber composition for tires containing a diene rubber, silica having a BET specific surface area of 170 to 270 m2/g, sulfur, and a liquid resin having a softening point of −20 to 45° C., wherein the amount of the liquid resin is 0.5 to 20 parts by mass, and the amount of the silica is 40 to 120 parts by mass, each per 100 parts by mass of the rubber component of the rubber composition.
US08993657B2 Stable emulsions for producing polymer modified asphalt
An acid modified asphalt binder is combined with an emulsifier solution to produce an emulsified asphalt binder. The acid modified asphalt binder may be formed by combining an asphalt binder, a phosphorous-based acid, and, optionally, a polymer modifier. The emulsifier solution may be produced by forming an aqueous solution of an amine and a phosphorous-based acid, which forms an aqueous solution comprising an amine phosphate. The emulsified asphalt binder may be combined with an aggregate to form a paving material. In other examples, the emulsified asphalt binder may be used alone, for example in a chip seal application, or in a diluted form, for example in a fog seal application.
US08993650B2 Mixable and color tone freely reproducible dental coloring material composition, and set and method thereof
A dental coloring material composition comprising containing: (a) a polymerizable monomer and/or an oligomer, (b) a polymerization catalyst, and (c) a pigment and/or a dye, wherein a color tone thereof is a cyan color based on three subtractive primary colors, or a color tone thereof is a magenta color based on three subtractive primary colors, or a color tone thereof is a yellow color based on three subtractive primary colors, and a dental color material set using the dental coloring material compositions in combination.
US08993649B2 Pressure-sensitive adhesive for polarizing plates, pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet, polarizing plate with pressure-sensitive adhesive and production process for the same and optical film and production process for the same
Provided is a pressure-sensitive adhesive for polarizing plates which can adhere a polarizing plate on a liquid crystal cell with good adhesion durability and has the characteristic that a liquid crystal display device obtained therefrom is less liable to cause light leakage even under the environment of high temperature and high humidity and which makes it possible remove the polarizing plate.The pressure-sensitive adhesive for polarizing plates is prepared by irradiating a pressure-sensitive adhesive material comprising (A) an acrylic base polymer having a weight average molecular weight of 1,000,000 or more comprising a monomer having a hydroxyl group in a monomer composition ratio of 10 mass % or less, (B) an acrylic base polymer having a weight average molecular weight of 1,000,000 or more comprising a monomer having a carboxyl group in a monomer composition ratio of 10 mass % or less and (C) an active energy beam-curable compound with an active energy beam, wherein a mass ratio of the component (A) to the component (B) is 100:1 to 100:50, and a storage elastic modulus (G′) at 23° C. is 0.3 MPa or more.
US08993647B2 Foams, foaming compositions and applications thereof
[Objects] It is an object to provide a foam having a low specific gravity and a small compression set, more preferably a foam having a low specific gravity, a small compression set and uniform quality, a foaming composition, and applications of the foam.[Means for Solution] The foam is obtained by foaming an olefin polymer, wherein the foam has a specific gravity (d) in the range of 0.03 to 0.30, and a compression set (CS, %) and the specific gravity (d) satisfy the formula of CS≦−279×(d)+95. The foam is preferably obtained from a foaming composition that includes an ethylene polymer (A) including a specific ethylene/α-olefin copolymer (A1) and an ethylene/polar monomer copolymer (A2) in a specific mass ratio, and a specific ethylene/C3-20 α-olefin/non-conjugated polyene copolymer (B).
US08993641B2 Preservation of cosmetics, toiletry and pharmaceutical compositions
A composition for and methods of preserving a topical cosmetic, toiletry or pharmaceutical formulation against microbiological contamination or growth are described in which the compositions used herein include at least one hydroxamic acid, salt or complex thereof, and the methods include addition of an effective amount of such compounds to a cosmetic, toiletry or pharmaceutical formulation. Compositions further including alkanediols and/or solubilizing agents in blends with hydroxamic acid are also described.
US08993635B2 Method of increasing or maintaining the reproductive performance of sows
The present invention relates to methods and feed compositions for increasing or maintaining the reproductive performance of sows. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods of increasing or maintaining the reproductive performance of sows by administering a biologically active compound during lactation, and food compositions comprising said biologically active compound for the purposes of increasing or maintaining the reproductive performance of sows. The present invention also relates to a method of increasing or maintaining ovarian function in sows.