US08831641B2
An answering system including a first mobile phone, the first mobile phone includes a communication unit for communicating with a second mobile phone, a position sensor, a microphone, and a processor. The position sensor detects whether the first mobile phone is flat or tilted (balanced state or unbalanced state). The microphone detects vocal commands given to the first mobile phone. The processor acknowledges any incoming call when the first mobile phone is positioned in an unbalanced state and a conversation is detected in a preset time, and hangs up a call received previously when no command or conversation is detected in the preset time and the first mobile phone is positioned in a balanced state.
US08831638B2
Provided are a location-based service system and method for generating secondary information. The location-based service system, which includes a processor, may include an information receiving unit to receive location information corresponding to a location in a route of a user, and an information adding unit to add to multimedia content that the user created, using the processor, at least a part of the received location information and location-related information which is associated with the received location information.
US08831634B2
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a help-seeking method, device and system based on a location based service, which relate to the field of location based service technologies. Help-seeking information sent by a first terminal is received, and a location area of the first terminal is determined according to the help-seeking information; the help-seeking information is sent to a second terminal located in the same location area as the first terminal; and response information fed back by the second terminal is received, and the response information is sent to the first terminal. The problem that, in the prior art, help-seeking information cannot be published in time when a user terminal needs help from another user terminal in the neighborhood of the user terminal in terms of geographic location is solved. The present invention may be applied in a mobile user terminal, for example, a smart phone terminal.
US08831628B2
A current location of a mobile system in a wireless network can be determined by using information provided by a base station in communication with the mobile system. The information can include a system identifier (SID) table and a local time offset (LTM_OFF) value and a daylight savings time (DAYLT) value. The SID table is used to provide a mobile country code (MCC) associated with a country in which the mobile device is located. The LTM_OFF value is used to provide a range of longitude values in which the mobile device is located. The current location of the mobile device is based upon at least the range of longitude values and the current country.
US08831622B2
A method comprises receiving power information transmitted by a plurality of mobile devices in a wireless communication system; processing the received power information to be a result of unknown power information multiplied by a measurement matrix relating to positions of the plurality of mobile devices, wherein a number of columns of the measurement matrix is larger than a number of rows of the measurement matrix; generating an amendment matrix satisfying restricted isometry property (RIP), for processing the measurement matrix, and obtaining a modified measurement matrix satisfying the RIP according to the amendment matrix and the measurement matrix; obtaining estimated power information according to the received power information by using L1 norm and the modified measurement matrix; and constructing at least one spectrum map of at least one frequency band according to the estimated power information.
US08831618B2
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided for reducing the amount of time for sending a measurement report message, such as a Pilot Strength Measurement Message (PSMM), after sending a completion message in wireless communication. A first radio access technology is monitored, and an indication is received on a second radio access technology. Before a transfer is made to the second radio access technology based on the indication, a UE receives neighbor information for the second radio access technology via the first radio access technology. Thereafter, a transfer is performed to transfer the UE from the first radio access technology to the second radio access technology.
US08831617B2
A wireless, multi-modal access device and system adapted to integrate a number of communications networks operating in differing communication modes to facilitate transfer of communication links during a communication session to promote efficient use of the communication networks. The system includes a plurality of Universal Multi-Modal Access Devices UMMAD that are capable of operating at different frequencies and different protocols (TDMA, AMPS, CDMA, GSM, PCS etc) to communicate with any one of a number of Wide Bandwidth Gateways (WBG), which are each capable of communication using one or more of the protocols. The communication links may be switched from one WBG to another or from one protocol to another during a communication session to continue the session under the control of a Universal System Traffic Controller. Numerous other applications of the UMMADs for unique identification and e-commerce are disclosed.
US08831616B2
A mobile communications system including a network with a source network node and a target network node that supports a handover procedure, and a mobile terminal that is allowed to access the source network node and access the target network node according to the handover procedure, in which information related to a reception status of user data is delivered between at least two among a group including the mobile terminal, the source network node, and the target network node such that the target network node may receive status information from the source network node and the target network node may receive a status report from the mobile terminal.
US08831612B2
A method of controlling handover in a server and including receiving a handover required message including information indicating that a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG) membership for a terminal in a Home (e)NodeB has expired; transmitting a handover command message to the Home (e)NodeB; receiving a status report message from the Home (e)NodeB indicating that the CSG membership for the terminal is updated; receiving information related to a CSG membership of the terminal from a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) if the terminal handover was performed from the Home (e)NodeB to another base station; determining that the terminal performs a reverse handover from the another base station to the Home (e)NodeB based on the status report message and information obtained from the HSS; and transmitting a control message to perform the reverse handover to another base station.
US08831609B2
In a wireless communications system operating according to CDMA or the like, when one terminal simultaneously performs communication using multiple wireless resources (e.g., multiple carriers), there was a problem that when it was attempted to guarantee network mobility by the same soft handoff system as in the case where communication was performed using only one wireless resource, efficiency suffered from the viewpoint of network forwarding load, processing load and wireless resource occupancy time. Soft handoff termination is judged and soft handoff is forcibly terminated according to whether or not the data rate obtained for all resources on the network side satisfies a requested rate, based on a reception state notification from a terminal concerning wireless resources. By performing this processing, the soft handoff period is shortened, sufficient received strength in the terminal is maintained and terminal mobility is guaranteed, while at the same time network forwarding load, terminal processing load and wireless resource occupancy time are suppressed to the absolute minimum.
US08831601B2
The present invention includes a plurality of native cellular nodes configured to provide wireless connectivity to one or more ground-based wireless devices, each native node including a BTS having a transceiver configured to transmit a downlink signal to the ground-based devices at a native downlink frequency and receive an uplink signal from the ground-based devices at a native uplink frequency, a plurality of augmented nodes configured to provide connectivity to one or more airborne devices, each augmented node including an augmented BTS having a transceiver configured to transmit a downlink signal to the one or more airborne communications devices via an upwardly directed antenna at the native downlink frequency and receive an air-to-ground uplink signal from the airborne devices at a selected air-to-ground uplink frequency different from the native uplink signal frequency, wherein the native nodes and the augmented nodes are configured to operate on a common backhaul infrastructure.
US08831590B2
A cellular communications system is described in which a mobile cellular device is configured to return status data to the network when instructed to obtain cell measurements. When used, the status data may indicate that measurements are in hand and that further measurement reports may or will follow. The status data may also indicate if the reporting interval and/or the measurement gaps defined by the network are suitable to make the measurements given the current status of the mobile device. A network node is also disclosed that can receive the measurement reports and interpret the status data to decide to wait for further measurement results or to issue a new reporting interval or a new cell list or arrange a new configuration of idle gaps in which cell measurements may be made.
US08831588B2
An data transmission adjustment system that comprises a server and a plurality of data transmission devices within a sensing region. The server adapts to receive a sensed data from at least one data transmission device, define a timeline, divide the timeline into a plurality of monitoring periods, calculate a ratio of the number of the monitoring periods that have received the sensing data from the data transmission device within the sensing region or not to the number of all the monitoring periods, and broadcast at least one message to the data transmission devices within the sensing region according to said ratio.
US08831571B2
A system for administering text communications may be configured to determine if an incoming communication that includes text meets any of various criteria and respond based on that determination. A reply may include information based on the criteria or information related to how other messages with the same or similar criteria have historically been handled by a user. Reply communications may be in a different form than that of the incoming communication. Other actions may be taken in addition or instead of replying, including setting calendar reminders or tasks, and sending delegate notifications. Data used for determinations may be collected over time or gathered from external systems.
US08831568B2
A method of automatically configuring a wireless device includes receiving programming credentials from a server at a programming module and authenticating the wireless device based on the programming credentials. The method includes programming the wireless device with access credentials of an access point of a network to enable the wireless device to communicate, via the access point, with one or more devices outside of the network.
US08831567B2
A mobile terminal including a communication unit configured to communicate with at least one external terminal; a memory configured to store at least first and second operating systems including at least first and second modes, respectively; and a controller configured to execute the first operating system and to activate the first mode corresponding to the first operating system, to display a first information screen on a display unit corresponding to the activated first mode, to receive a switching signal indicating the first mode is to be switched to the second mode, to attempt to switch to the second mode based on the received switching signal, and to restrict a specific application executing in the first mode when the second mode is not switched to.
US08831560B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for performing Policy and Charging Control (PCC) for packet core networks. One embodiment comprises a PCC architecture that includes an online charging system (OCS). The OCS receives a request for charging rules for an initial data service from a PCRF. The request from the PCRF includes a service indicator for the initial data service. The OCS selects a charging method for the initial data service based on the service indicator, and transmits a response to the PCRF that includes the selected charging method. The PCRF may then make a PCC decision based on the charging method selected by the OCS, and a PCEF may enforce PCC rules for the initial data service. If there is a service changing during a data session, the OCS selects a charging method for the new data service, and the PCRF updates the PCC rules accordingly.
US08831553B2
A receiver and method for operating a receiver, in particular of a radio network, is provided, whereby the receiver includes circuit blocks in a receive path for detecting a preamble of a received signal, and a controller for controlling a receive mode. Whereby at least some of the circuit blocks are designed to be capable of being turned on for a turn-on duration and turned off for a turn-off duration. Whereby, the controller is configured to alternately turn on at least some of the circuit blocks for the turn-on duration and off for the turn-off duration during the receive mode, wherein the turn-off duration is shorter than the preamble. Whereby, the controller is configured to compare a first measured value measured in the receive path to a first threshold, and the controller is configured to change the turn-on duration and/or the turn-off duration on the basis of a result of the comparison with the first threshold, and whereby the controller is configured to compare a second measured value to a second threshold in order to detect a valid signal of the preamble and, on the basis of a result of the comparison with the second threshold, to terminate the turn-off and to drive the portion of the circuit blocks into a turned-on state for a synchronization by means of the preamble.
US08831540B2
Methods and systems for amplitude modulation using a leaky wave antenna are disclosed and may include amplitude modulating an output of one or more power amplifiers in a wireless device by modulating a bias current in the power amplifiers that are coupled to one or more leaky wave antennas. The leaky wave antennas may include a balun that may be integrated on the chip, on a package to which the chip may be affixed, and/or integrated on a printed circuit board to which the chip may be affixed. An output power of the power amplifiers may be adjusted by configuring a bias voltage on the leaky wave antennas. The bias voltage may be configured utilizing a DC to DC voltage controller. The bias current may be modulated via one or more switched current sources. The switched current sources may be binary weighted and/or may be current mirrors.
US08831539B2
A mobile wireless communications device includes a housing and circuit board in the housing and having radio frequency (RF) circuitry and a power amplifier and microphone mounted thereon. An antenna is carried within the housing and operative with the RF circuitry. An RF shield surrounds and isolates the microphone from the RF circuitry, power amplifier and antenna and shields the microphone from radiated energy generated from the RF circuitry, antenna or power amplifier.
US08831538B2
A performance monitoring apparatus comprising an assembly of a performance monitoring module and a general purpose portable telecommunications device such as a mobile telephone or mobile smart phone connected for data communication mounted on a common casing. The performance monitoring module is adapted for receiving performance signals from at least one performance sensor and for converting the performance signals into performance data. The general purpose portable telecommunications device is configured to be activate-able to cause the performance monitoring module to transfer performance data to the general purpose portable telecommunications device. The common casing comprises mounting means for mounting onto a support surface. This module is adapted for cooperative operation with a general purpose portable telecommunications device to expand its processing and display power while maintaining a low cost simple design and compactness.
US08831536B2
Methods and systems for an on-chip and/or on-package T/R switch and antenna are disclosed and may include selectively coupling one or more low noise amplifiers (LNAs) and/or one or more power amplifiers (PAs) to one or more ports of a multi-port distributed antenna utilizing configurable transmit/receive (T/R) switches integrated on a chip with the LNAs and PAs. The LNAs and PAs may be impedance matched to the antenna by coupling them to a port based on a characteristic impedance at the port. The T/R switches may be integrated on a package to which the chip may be coupled. The signals transmitted and received by the antenna may be time division duplexed. The antenna, which may include a microstrip antenna, may be integrated on the chip or the package. The LNA and the PA may be coupled to different ports on the antenna via the T/R switches.
US08831533B2
An apparatus and method for non-calibrated Automatic Frequency Correction (AFC) of a portable terminal are provided. The method includes identifying, by the portable terminal, signal strengths of signals received from neighboring base stations of a cell in which the portable terminal is currently located; searching for a frequency burst serving that provides synchronization acquisition information for synchronization with a base station; determining to perform the AFC according to a result of the searching for the frequency burst; and storing AFC data extracted through the AFC.
US08831526B2
A mobile station provided with first and second antennas with a distance therebetween includes a reception quality measurement unit that measures, when the mobile station moves in a direction from a location of the first antenna toward a location of the second antenna, a reception quality of a radio signal provided by a base station via the second antenna; a notification unit that notifies the base station of the reception quality measured by the reception quality measurement unit; and a reception processing unit that performs a reception process of a radio signal that is transmitted by the base station, which performs adaptive modulation based on the reception quality notified by the reception unit, and is received by the first antenna.
US08831522B2
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate improved resource partitioning and interference management in a wireless communication system. Techniques are described herein for the transmission and use of various types of signaling, such as Access Request commands, Reverse Link Special Resource Utilization Message (R-SRUM) signaling, Forward Link Special Resource Utilization Message (F-SRUM) signaling, and the like, for managing interference associated with range extension, restricted association networks, and other jamming scenarios. As described herein, downlink resource coordination and interference management are accomplished through the use of Access Request or R-SRUM signaling conducted in a unicast or broadcast fashion, and uplink resource coordination and interference management are accomplished through the use of F-SRUM signaling. As further described herein, a clean communication channel such as a Low Reuse Preamble (LRP) channel can be utilized for interference management signaling and/or leveraged for determining timing of various signaling messages.
US08831510B2
A near-field wireless communication circuit 10 included in a terminal 1A can perform switching between a normal mode and a near mode which has a relatively short communicable distance and a relatively high transmission rate as compared with those in the normal mode. Further, a controller 13 executes preliminary processing for starting data transmission and reception in the near mode to/from a terminal 1B serving as a communication destination between the terminals 1A and 1B by using the near-field wireless communication circuit 10 which is set to the normal mode. Further, the controller 13 determines the availability of the data transmission and reception in the near mode to/from the terminal 1B by using a measured value of communication quality which has a correlation with a communication distance to the terminal 1B as a measure of the determination. Furthermore, when it is determined that the data transmission and reception in the near node are available, the controller 13 starts the data transmission and reception to/from the terminal 1B by using the near-field wireless communication circuit 10 which is set to the near mode, based on a result of the preliminary processing executed in the normal mode in advance.
US08831505B1
A method and system for recording classroom Instruction/Presentation, comprising two or more video cameras, a first camera assigned to an Instructor/Presenter/presenter and a second camera assigned to the audience, wherein the cameras are pan, tilt, zoom(PTZ)-controllable over a network. The method and system includes a first microphone for the Instructor/Presenter, and a plurality of cell-phones or handheld wireless microphones configured to function as audience microphones. Additionally included is a production control computer connected to the cameras via a network, wherein the production control computer is operable by an operator who can control multiple cameras through a single production control user interface over a network, the production control computer is configured with user interface software and controls. Further, the system and method includes a content viewer user interface on which user content is delivered over the Internet.
US08831501B2
There is described a delivery member for use in an image forming apparatus. The delivery member includes a support member and a first layer including an elastomeric matrix, a porous material and a functional material dispersed therein. The first layer is disposed on the support member.
US08831499B2
A thermally conductive silicone rubber sponge composition which is composed of 100 parts by weight of heat-curable organopolysiloxane composition, 0.1 to 50 parts by weight of organic resin hollow filler having an average particle diameter of up to 200 μm and a true specific gravity of up to 0.3, and 20 to 300 parts by weight of thermally conductive filler having an average particle diameter of 1 to 30 μm and a thermal conductivity of at least 15 W/m·K, with the highly thermally conductive silicone rubber sponge having voids accounting for 10 to 70% of the entire volume thereof. The silicone rubber sponge composition of the present invention gives a silicone rubber sponge having high thermal conductivity, small heat capacity, low hardness, light weight, and low permanent compression set.
US08831485B2
A powder container includes a container section that contains powder, an opening that is formed in the container section so as to pass the powder therethrough, a first covering member that is supported by the container section, a second covering member that is supported by the container section, a disengagement restricting portion that is disposed in an area where the second covering member moves between the second uncovered position and the second covered position, and a restricted portion that is disposed in the second covering member so as to restrict the disengagement of the second covering member by coming in contact with the disengagement restricting portion when the second covering member having moved to the second covered position moves to disengage from the container section.
US08831478B2
An image-forming device includes a main casing having a paper tray; a belt accommodated in the main casing; a plurality of developing units juxtaposed along the belt; a mounting member configured to detachably support the plurality of developing units, the mounting member being configured to be pulled outward from the main casing in a pulling direction; and a guide member configured to drawably guide the mounting member from the main casing, the guide member being configured to move between a first position and a second position, the second position being farther from the belt than the first position. When the guide member is at the second position, a first distance between the paper tray and a downstream end portion of the guide member in the pulling direction is shorter than a second distance between the paper tray and an upstream end portion of the guide member in the pulling direction.
US08831475B2
An image forming apparatus capable of easily achieving installation of developing units on a developing tray is disclosed. The disclosed image forming apparatus includes a tray section, a plurality of developing units each provided with guide protrusions, and a developing tray including a plurality of supports to support the guide protrusions of the developing units, and a plurality of guides each adapted to guide a corresponding one of the guide protrusions to a corresponding one of the supports. The guides have widths gradually increasing in a direction from a first end of the tray section to a second end of the tray section, respectively.
US08831474B2
A developing roller including a housing containing toner; and a developing roller installed in the housing and supplies the toner to an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoconductor, the developing roller including a cylindrical unit in the form of a hollow pipe and a power transmission unit connected to one end of the cylindrical unit and connected to a power transmission member for rotating the developing roller. Both ends of the cylindrical unit are supported by the housing and the power transmission unit is not restricted by the housing. Both ends of the cylindrical unit are supported by the housing and the power transmission unit is not restricted by the housing.
US08831470B2
In an image-forming device, a first roller and a second roller are arranged in a first direction, the first roller being disposed upstream of the second roller in the first direction. An endless belt spanned between the first roller and the second roller forms a straight plane extending in the first direction. The straight plane moves in the first direction when the endless belt is circularly moved. Photosensitive members are arranged in the first direction and face the straight plane. A transfer member is opposed to the first roller across the endless belt. A cleaning unit includes: a cleaning member opposed to the straight plane at an upstream of an upstream most photosensitive member in the first direction; and a treating member disposed upstream of the cleaning member in the first direction to treat residual toner collected by the cleaning member. A conveying path formed between the transfer member and a fixing member passes between the cleaning member and the treating member.
US08831464B2
An image forming apparatus includes a housing, a detection unit provided in the housing to detect temperature or humidity, an image forming section provided in the housing and including a detected portion to be detected by the detection unit, a first air inlet provided in the housing, a suction unit that sucks air outside of the housing through the first air inlet, a substantially cylindrical duct provided at a position influenced by temperature or humidity of the detected portion and including an entrance from which air flows in and an exit from which air flows out, the duct allowing the air sucked by the suction unit to pass therethrough, and an opening provided in the housing. The detection unit is provided at a position on a path of air flowing into the housing through the opening and on a path of the air that has passed through the duct.
US08831461B2
A color multifunction printer as an example of an image forming apparatus includes a plurality of cartridges each containing a photoconductor; a support frame configured to support the cartridges arranged in tandem, the support frame being allowed to be pulled out horizontally from a casing of the apparatus to a position in which each of the cartridges is detachable from the support frame; and a plurality of exposure units mounted to the support frame, wherein each of the exposure units is disposed opposite to a corresponding photoconductor and is configured to expose the photoconductor to light to form an electrostatic latent image thereon. Each of the cartridges is configured to be detachable in such a direction that the photoconductor in the cartridge moves away from the corresponding exposure unit upon detachment.
US08831457B2
A fixing device includes an excitation coil, a fixing member heated by electromagnetic induction by the excitation coil, a magnetic shunt alloy member, a Curie temperature of which is higher than a target fixing temperature, a determiner that determines whether the temperature of a non-sheet passing region of the fixing member is about to reach the Curie temperature, and a power controller that controls power supplied to the excitation coil. Until the determiner determines that the Curie temperature is about to be reached, the power controller performs feedback control to provide power to the excitation coil. When the determiner determines that the Curie temperature is about to be reached, the power controller switches to fixed power control so that a difference between power supplied when the Curie temperature is about to be reached and power supplied after reaching the Curie temperature falls within an allowable range.
US08831453B2
The image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member that bears a toner image, an image forming unit, an intermediate transfer unit, a primary transfer member, a cleaning member movable between a contact position and a non-contact position, a voltage application unit, a control unit, a current detection unit, wherein the control unit moves the cleaning member at the non-contact position, determines a transfer voltage based on a current value detected by said current detection unit when a predetermined voltage is applied from said voltage application unit to said primary transfer member before an image formation and in a condition where said cleaning member is at the non-contact position, and applies the transfer voltage to the primary transfer member in the image formation.
US08831450B2
An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable image bearing member; a first charging member for electrically charging the image bearing member; a second charging member, provided downstream of the first charging member with respect to a rotational direction of the image bearing member, for electrically charging the image bearing member; an applying device for applying a voltage to the first charging member and the second charging member; a detecting device for a DC current passing through the second charging member; and a controller for controlling, when an AC voltage and a DC voltage are applied to the second charging member while a DC voltage is applied to the first charging member, the DC voltage applied to the second charging member so that an absolute value of the DC current detected by the detecting device is within a predetermined range.
US08831447B2
A print control apparatus that controls a printing unit is provided. A determination unit determines print quality of a print image printed by the printing unit. A first counting unit counts the number of pages of each of sets whose print quality is determined by the determination unit not to satisfy a predetermined criterion. A second counting unit counts the number of same pages of the sets whose prnt quality is determined by the determination unit not to satisfy a predetermined criterion. A control unit stops printing by the printing unit if a count value counted by the first counting unit reaches a first predetermined value and stops printing by the printing unit if a count value counted by the second counting unit reaches a second predetermined value.
US08831446B2
An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable belt member, a plurality of image forming members opposing the belt in an image forming region, a first detecting member configured to detect a position of the belt member with respect to a widthwise direction, a second detecting member configured to detect a moving direction, an adjusting roller configured to adjust the moving direction in the image forming region, the adjusting roller configured to adjust the moving direction in the image forming region, and a control portion configured to control a position of the adjusting roller on the basis of outputs of the first detecting member and the second detecting member without changing a position of the belt member in the image forming region in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the belt member.
US08831444B2
In a color image forming apparatus, the amount of light of an exposure unit for a weak exposure is changed according to a remaining service life of a photosensitive drum when the weak exposure is performed for the background area of a corresponding photosensitive drum by using the exposure unit.
US08831439B2
Consistent with the present disclosure, data, in digital form, is received by a transmit nodes of an optical communication, and converted to analog signal by a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to drive a modulator. The modulator, in turn, modulates light at one of a plurality of wavelengths in accordance with the received data. The modulated light is then transmitted over an optical communication path to a receive node. At the receive node, the modulated optical signal, as well as other modulated optical signals are supplied to a photodetector circuit, which receives additional light at one of the optical signal wavelengths from a local oscillator laser. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is provided in the receive node to convert the electrical signals output from the photodetector into digital form. The output from the ADC is then filtered in the electrical domain, such that optical demultiplexing of individual channels is unnecessary.
US08831430B2
An optical signal correction apparatus includes a power information generation unit that generates power information indicating power of optical main signal in wavelength band according to optical wavelength multiplexed signal, a power information adjusting unit that generates adjusted power information obtained by adjusting the power information according to the number of the optical main signal included in the wavelength band based on optical signal identifying information which identifies the number of the optical main signal in the wavelength band, a correction amount calculation unit that calculates a tilt amount of the optical wavelength multiplexed signal according to the adjusted power information, and a correction amount for correcting a tilt of the optical wavelength multiplexed signal according to a difference between the calculated tilt amount and a target tilt amount, and an optical signal correction unit that corrects the tilt of the optical wavelength multiplexed signal according to the correction amount.
US08831426B2
A high data rate optical signal is inverse multiplexed into a multitude of lower-rate tributaries, each of which is coded by its unique OCDM code, and the combined coded tributaries are injected into a common phase scrambler. Coherent summation of these optically encoded tributaries pass through a shared phase or phase and frequency scrambler before exiting the secure location. The setting of the scrambler acts as the key. The authorized recipient with the correct key retrieves the ones and zeros of the several decoded signals.
US08831422B2
The present invention relates to the field of communication transmission, and in particular, to a method for generating a probe pulse and a coherent optical time domain reflectometer. The coherent optical time domain reflectometer includes: a control unit, configured to generate a first pulse signal and a second pulse signal which have a same period T, where the second pulse signal lags behind the first pulse signal, and T satisfies T≧t+2L/C; a driving unit, configured to generate a frequency change driving signal according to the first pulse signal; a continuous light laser device, configured to generate, as driven by the frequency change driving signal, continuous light having a changing frequency and an unchanging frequency spectrum width; and a probe pulse generating unit, configured to modulate the continuous light according to the second pulse signal to generate a probe pulse.
US08831421B2
A camera module includes a guiding rod made of metal, a lens holder, a guiding sleeve made of metal, and a lens unit. The guiding sleeve is connected to the lens holder, and is sleeved on the guiding rod. The lens unit is received in the lens holder. The material of the guiding rod and the guiding sleeve permits a more controlled and precise movement of the guiding sleeve on the guiding rod in obtaining focus, friction force between the guiding rod and the guiding sleeve is decreased, and the degree of precision achieved will endure for a significantly longer time.
US08831413B2
A storage tank and method for monitoring thereof is provided. The tank includes a first panel that defines a mounting surface for carrying a heating element. The heating element extends into the tank for heating liquids stowed therein. A sidewall interconnects the first panel and a spaced-apart second panel. A support extends from a bottom-facing surface of the second panel for supporting the tank in a spaced-apart relation from a nearby surface. The support further defines an upward-facing pocket for receiving a portion of the heating element. A control system may monitor the storage tank and alert a service provider of operative conditions thereof.
US08831406B2
The recording medium has a data structure for managing reproduction of data recorded on the recording medium. A navigation area stores at least one navigation file, and the navigation file includes at least one navigation command group. At least one navigation command group includes at least one navigation command for managing reproduction of at least video data recorded on the recording medium.
US08831398B2
Disclosed herein is an in-vehicle reproducing system, including: a reproducing device; and a display device detachably mounted to the reproducing device, wherein the reproducing device is fixed to a vehicle and includes a reproducing portion obtaining at least a video signal from an attachable storage medium, a manipulation portion carrying out control for reproduction from the attachable storage medium, a first wireless communication portion transmitting the video signal to the display device, and an electric power transmitting portion transmitting an electric power to the display device through non-contact electric power transmission, and the display device includes an electric power receiving portion receiving the electric power transmitted thereto from the reproducing device through the non-contact electric power transmission, a second wireless communication portion receiving the video signal from the reproducing device, and a display portion displaying thereon an image based on the video signal received in the second wireless communication portion.
US08831393B2
Unmanned underwater vehicles (1) which can be controlled from a carrier platform (2) by an optical waveguide cable (3) can be used for widely differing missions. For mine countermeasures, the loss of the underwater vehicle (1) is often accepted, with the optical waveguide cable (3) also being destroyed by the explosion. To reduce the costs of a mission of the underwater vehicle, the invention provides for the optical waveguide cable (3) to be connected to the underwater vehicle (1) via a connecting device (4). The connecting device (4) comprises a connecting cable (8) and connecting elements (11, 12) at the ends (9, 10) of the connecting cable (8) for an optical waveguide cable (3) at one end and for an unmanned underwater vehicle (1) at the other end.
US08831391B2
A component for peeling the coating and breaking the optical fiber, which comprises the first member made of resin material including a groove portion enabling to receive a coated optical fiber, an optical fiber cutting blade and a coat removing blade integrally formed within the groove portion, and a breaking portion in an intermediate portion, and the second member made of resin material including a groove portion corresponding to the groove portion in the first member enabling to receive a coated optical fiber, a coat removing blade corresponding to the coat removing blade in the first member, and a breaking portion in an intermediate portion corresponding to the breaking portion in the first member.
US08831382B2
The method of creating image mosaics, comprising performing following operations: component elements of images are analyzed and descriptors of matching points are revealed; pair-wise comparison of descriptors is performed; descriptors are matched with final image and rotation/translation parameters are recovered; component elements one-by-one are complemented in final image, based on recovered rotation/translation parameters.
US08831380B2
A system for displaying hybrid image data produced by embedding additional media objects within street-level panoramic images includes a user interface through which a user may view, search for, and/or navigate through additional media objects in the context of browsing a virtual environment of a location at street level. In response to user input indicating a request to view a geographic location and/or an additional media object, street-level panoramic image data associated with the geographic location, in which one or more additional media objects also associated with the geographic location have been embedded, may be provided for display through the user interface. The user interface may be provided by a client device including one or more processors that receive hybrid image data produced by one or more processors of a server and display the image data to the user.
US08831374B2
A fluoroscopy apparatus including: an illumination unit having a light source radiating illumination light and excitation light onto an observation target, a fluorescence-imaging unit acquiring a fluorescence image by imaging fluorescence generated at the observation target by the excitation light, a white-light-imaging unit acquiring a reference image by imaging light returning from the observation target by the illumination light, and an image-correction unit obtaining a correction fluorescence image by raising the luminance value of the fluorescence image to the power of a reciprocal of a first and second exponent obtained by a power approximation of a distance characteristic of luminance versus observation distance, for the fluorescence image, and that obtains a corrected fluorescence image by dividing the correction fluorescence image by the correction reference image.
US08831362B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for performing age estimation. In one aspect, a method includes receiving an image of a person, submitting the image to multiple binary classifiers that are each trained to classify the person in the image as belonging to one of two predefined age groups, or as belonging or not belonging to a particular age group, where each output includes a confidence value associated with classifying the person in the image, obtaining the confidence values from the multiple binary classifiers, aggregating the confidence values, and generating an age estimation for the person in the image based on the aggregated confidence values.
US08831361B2
A completely automated method for classifying electronic images of commercial documents such as invoices, bills of lading, explanations of benefits, etc. is based on the layout of the documents. A document is classified as belonging to a class of similarly laid out images if its distance, determined by a set of pre-defined metrics, to any of the template layouts from the same class of template layouts does not exceed a certain user-defined threshold. Alternatively, if the sum of distances from a given image to several template layouts from the same class does not exceed a user-selected threshold, the image is deemed to belong to a class of images with a specific layout.
US08831360B2
A method of making an image-based product includes storing a plurality of digital images; providing one or more image distributions, each image distribution corresponding to a theme and including a distribution of image types related to the theme; selecting a theme having a corresponding image distribution, the image distribution having a distribution of image types; using a computer to select digital images from the plurality of digital images, the selected digital images having the image distribution corresponding to the selected theme; and assembling the selected digital images into an image-based product.
US08831358B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for creating an image similarity model. In one aspect, a method includes obtaining feature vectors for images in a set of images, and determining first similarity measures for unlabeled images relative to a reference image. The first similarity measures are independent of first similarity feedback between the unlabeled images and the reference image. The unlabeled images are ranked based on the first similarity measures, and a weighted feature vector is generated based, in part, on the ranking. Second similarity measures are determined, independent of second similarity feedback, for labeled images and a second reference image. The labeled images are ranked based on the second similarity measures. The weighted feature vector is adjusted based, in part, on a comparison of the ranking to a second ranking of the labeled images that is based on the second similarity feedback.
US08831348B2
Systems and methods are provided for providing a navigation interface to access or otherwise use image content items. In one embodiment, an image manipulation application identifies at least one offset curve corresponding to at least one base curve. The offset curve may identify an offset curve corresponding to the outer boundary of a feathered region for an image mask. The image manipulation application identifies multiple line segments identifying the offset curve. Each line segment connects a sampled point along the path of the base curve to a corresponding point along the path of the offset curve. The image manipulation application determines that the offset curve includes a retrograde region based on analyzing the line segments. The image manipulation application modifies the at least one offset curve to eliminate at least some of the retrograde region by applying a radius-modulating filter to one or more of the line segments.
US08831342B2
A system and method provides video data and its corresponding alpha channel data using a single stream or file, compressed using the same format and decompression algorithm for each of the video data and the alpha channel data.
US08831338B2
Disclosed is an image processor generating a three-dimensional image easily three-dimensionally viewed by, and hardly causing fatigue of, an observer, and easily adjusting a three-dimensional effect of an arbitrary portion in the three-dimensional image. The disparity correction portion 101 corrects a disparity of the input disparity image within a predetermined range and outputs a disparity image storing the corrected disparity to the disparity conversion portion 103. The disparity conversion portion 103 converts the disparity of the disparity image such that a disparity corresponding to the image of the main object determined by the main object determination portion 102 reaches a predetermined value, and outputs the disparity image obtained after the conversion to an image generation portion 104. The image generation portion 104 generates an image for the left eye and an image for the right eye based on the input disparity image and the input captured image, and outputs the images to a display apparatus. As a result, the disparity is converted such that the three-dimensional effect of the main object is enhanced.
US08831331B2
A method, an apparatus and a system are provided for deriving a characteristic of a product using X-rays. X-ray image data associated with the product is received, the X-ray image data being derived by performing an X-ray scan of the product using an X-ray imaging apparatus and conveying attenuation information resulting from interaction of X-rays with the product. A response of a reference product to X-rays is then simulated to generate simulated X-ray image data. The simulated X-ray image data and the received X-ray image data are then processed to derive one or more characteristics of the product. Information conveying the derived characteristic of the product is then released. In a specific implementation, the product is a liquid product comprised of a bottle at least partially filled with liquid and the derived characteristic of the liquid product is a threat status assessment associated with the liquid in the bottle. In another aspect, a simulation engine for simulating interactions between X-rays and objects is also provided.
US08831323B2
In a method and apparatus for measuring activity of a tracer in a subject in a medical imaging protocol, comparable features in each of a time series of image data sets of the subject are detected. A first activity value for a first region of interest containing a first of the features in a first image data set is obtained, and a size of the first feature is measured. The first activity value is then modified using the measured size of the first feature. A second activity value for a second region of interest containing a second of the features in a second image data set is obtained. The modified first activity value and the second activity value are then combined to produce a measure of activity of the tracer over the time series.
US08831321B1
In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method of detecting a side branch for a vessel scanned using a probe. The method includes storing optical coherence image data obtained during a pullback through the vessel in a memory device, the optical coherence image data comprising a plurality of frames; identifying a first region having a first intensity in a first frame of the plurality of frames; identifying a second region having a second intensity in the first frame of the plurality of frames; identifying a third region having a third intensity in the first frame of the plurality of frames; comparing the first intensity to the second intensity; comparing the third intensity to the second intensity; and generating an output characterizing the second region as a candidate side branch when the first intensity and the third intensity are both greater than the second intensity.
US08831320B2
A device is disclosed for determining and visualizing the perfusion of the myocardial muscle with the aid of static CCTA images. In at least one embodiment, the device includes a segmentation unit for segmenting the coronary blood vessels and the left myocardial muscle from a CCTA image of the heart; a first simulation unit for simulating the blood flow through the coronary blood vessels; and a second simulation unit by which the local perfusion of the myocardial muscle is determined on the basis of the ascertained blood flow into different regions of the myocardial muscle. The perfusion of the different regions of the myocardial muscle is visualized in a schematized image on a visualization unit. By virtue of the proposed device it is possible to dispense with further imaging examinations after the performance of a CCTA scan, thereby relieving the pressure both on the part of the physician and on the part of the patient.
US08831314B1
Systems and methods are disclosed for assessing the quality of medical images of at least a portion of a patient's anatomy, using a computer system. One method includes receiving one or more images of at least a portion of the patient's anatomy; determining, using a processor of the computer system, one or more image properties of the received images; performing, using a processor of the computer system, anatomic localization or modeling of at least a portion of the patient's anatomy based on the received images; obtaining an identification of one or more image characteristics associated with an anatomic feature of the patient's anatomy based on the anatomic localization or modeling; and calculating, using a processor of the computer system, an image quality score based on the one or more image properties and the one or more image characteristics.
US08831311B2
A computer-implemented method for analyzing a fetal ultrasound image includes accessing a first statistical model calculated from training data representing shapes of conforming fetal abdominal tissue exemplars and accessing image data representing a scan plane in an ultrasound image. The method further includes identifying a region of interest including an abdomen in the scan plane using the first statistical model, accessing a second statistical model calculated from training data representing shapes of conforming fetal anatomical structure exemplars, determining whether one or more anatomical structures are present within the region of interest using the second statistical model, and assigning a rating to the scan plane based on the presence of the one or more anatomical structures in the region of interest. The anatomical structures may include a stomach and/or a portal vein. The method may include calculating an estimated circumference of the abdomen.
US08831295B2
An electronic device may include a housing and at least one infrared (IR) proximity sensor carried by the housing. The at least one IR proximity sensor may include an IR emitter configured to emit IR illumination toward a user, and an IR sensor configured to sense reflected IR illumination from the user. The electronic device may also include a camera carried by the housing and configured to capture an image of the user's face based upon the reflected IR illumination. The electronic device may further include a controller configured to apply facial recognition to the captured image of the user's face based upon the reflected IR illumination.
US08831293B2
A method and system for statistical mapping between genetic information and facial image data including collecting a multiplicity of sets of genetic information and matching facial image data representing a multiplicity of individuals, representing the genetic information of each of the multiplicity of individuals as a first multidimensional representation, representing the facial image data of each of the multiplicity of individuals as a second multidimensional representation; and inferring correlative, non-causal, statistical relationships between the first multidimensional representations and the second multidimensional representations. A system and method for estimating the likelihood of donor-recipient transplant compatibility using facial images of potential donors, the method including inferring correlative, non-causal, statistical relationships, indicative of transplant compatibility, between multidimensional representations of facial image data of potential donors and a multidimensional representation of information relating to a potential recipient.
US08831289B2
A computing system generates a depth map from at least one image, detects objects in the depth map, and identifies anomalies in the objects from the depth map. Another computing system identifies at least one anomaly in an object in a depth map, and uses the anomaly to identify future occurrences of the object. A system includes a three dimensional (3D) imaging system to generate a depth map from at least one image, an object detector to detect objects within the depth map, and an anomaly detector to detect anomalies in the detected objects, wherein the anomalies are logical gaps and/or logical protrusions in the depth map.
US08831288B1
A method and system for occlusion region detection and measurement between a pair of images are disclosed. A processing device receives a first image and a second image. The processing device estimates a field of motion vectors between the first image and the second image. The processing device motion compensates the first image toward the second image to obtain a motion-compensated image. The processing device compares a plurality of pixel values of the motion-compensated image to a plurality of pixels of the first image to estimate an error field. The processing device inputs the error field to a weighted error cost function to obtain an initial occlusion map. The processing device regularizes the initial occlusion map to obtain a regularized occlusion map.
US08831283B1
In an embodiment, a method for creating a residential units data set that provides light detection and ranging (LIDAR) data for a service area including data representative of rooftops of residential units and their location is provided. Based on the residential units data set, a series of embodiments are provided. In an embodiment, a method for transmitter site selection for a line of sight (LOS) radio service is provided. In another embodiment a method for identifying a location for a transmitter site for a LOS radio service is provided. In another embodiment, a method for determining whether a residential unit is capable of receiving a LOS radio service from one or more radio transmitters providing line of sight radio service within a service area is provided. In another embodiment, a method for determining the placement of an antenna on a rooftop to receive LOS radio service is provided.
US08831277B1
The present invention includes a distributed, parallel processing optical helmet tracking system. The system includes at least one imaging sensor mounted to a helmet that outputs image data at a first helmet orientation and at a second helmet orientation. The system uses a plurality of processors, each of which receives from the imaging sensor, data representative of an independently viewable, complete and separate image subsection. A designated processor receives output data from each of the plurality of processors, and processes such output data to generate a signal which is representative of differences between the first helmet orientation and the second helmet orientation. The invention also includes methods for determining movement of a sensor.
US08831274B2
The present invention relates to an application program execution method which allows information held in an image to be analyzed by means of a mobile device's image recognition function, depends on specific content of information held in the image to call a corresponding application program, and complete an execution. The information held in the image comprises the application program's exclusive username, password and connecting mode, for instance, a web hard drive, network video, or a decoding key.
US08831263B2
A ported electroacoustical device that uses the action of the port to provide cooling airflow across a heat producing device. The device includes a loudspeaker enclosure including a first acoustic port, an acoustic driver, mounted in the loudspeaker enclosure. The device also includes a heat producing device. The acoustic driver and the acoustic port are constructed and arranged to coact to provide a cooling, substantially unidirectional airflow across the heat producing device, thereby transferring heat from the heat producing device.
US08831255B2
An augmented reality (AR) audio system for augmenting environment or ambient sound with sounds from a virtual speaker or sound source positioned at a location in the space surrounding an AR participant. The sound from the virtual speaker may be triggered by an action of the listener and/or by the location or relative orientation of the listener. The AR audio system includes stereo earphones receiving an augmented audio track from a control unit, and binaural microphones are provided to capture ambient sounds. The control unit operates to process trigger signals and retrieve one or more augmentation sounds. The control unit uses an AR audio mixer to combine the ambient sound from the microphones with the augmentation sounds to generate left and right ear augmented audio or binaural audio, which may be modified for acoustic effects of the environment including virtual objects in the environment or virtual characteristics of real objects.
US08831251B2
A method of controlling driving of the pop-up tweeter speaker which includes (a) determining whether or not an opening of the tweeter speaker is normally completed and popping-down the tweeter speaker if it is determined that the opening is not normally completed, while popping-up the tweeter speaker based on a speaker control condition under an ON condition of an accessory (ACC) condition, (b) determining whether or not a close of the tweeter speaker is normally completed and popping-up the tweeter speaker if it is determined that the close is not normally completed, while popping-down the tweeter speaker based on an OFF condition of one of the speaker control condition and the ACC condition, and (c) maintaining a position state of the tweeter speaker until the speaker control condition or the ACC condition becomes an OFF condition when popping-down the tweeter speaker in (a) or popping-up the tweeter speaker in (b).
US08831249B1
A mixing system provides both clipping protection and signal level conservation while the system operates in the original width type. The mixing system includes a first input multiplier multiplying a first digital input signal by a first gain value to provide a first scaled signal, a second input multiplier multiplying a second digital input signal by the first gain value to provide a second scaled signal, a combiner combining the first scaled signal and the second scaled signal to provide a combined signal, a soft limiter soft limiting the combined signal by reducing some of the amplitudes of the combined signal to provide a soft limited signal, and an output multiplier multiplying the soft limited signal by a second gain value to provide a mixed output signal, wherein the first gain value is a value that is equal to an inverse value of the second gain value.
US08831248B2
A loudspeaker is described. The loudspeaker includes two or more segmentations of a planar radiator. Each of the segmentations has an associated frequency dependent velocity magnitude and phase with substantially uniform surface pressure. The two or more segmentations provide a substantially uniform radiation pattern across a wide range of acoustic frequencies. Apparatus, computer readable media and methods are also described.
US08831240B2
The present invention relates to a Bluetooth device and an audio playing method using the same. In which the Bluetooth device may be a Bluetooth headset, including: a locus detection unit, an identification unit and a Bluetooth module, wherein the locus detection unit is configured to detect a motion locus of the Bluetooth headset during a process where the Bluetooth headset is placed onto the user's ear; the identification unit configured to identify whether the Bluetooth headset is placed on the user's left ear or right ear by comparing the motion locus of the Bluetooth headset with predetermined left ear or right ear characteristic loci, and transmit an identification result to the Bluetooth module; the Bluetooth module is configured to receive left channel audio signal when the identification result of the identification unit is left ear, and receive right channel audio signal when the identification result is right ear.
US08831237B2
A sound source separation apparatus includes a transfer function storage unit that stores a transfer function from a sound source, a sound change detection unit that generates change state information indicating a change of the sound source on the basis of an input signal input from a sound input unit, a parameter selection unit that calculates an initial separation matrix on the basis of the change state information generated by the sound change detection unit, and a sound source separation unit that separates the sound source from the input signal input from the sound input unit using the initial separation matrix calculated by the parameter selection unit.
US08831235B2
A speaker determination device determines a polarity of a speaker connected to output terminals. Test sound is outputted to an acoustic space via the connected speaker and is collected by a microphone. A reference signal is generated based on the test signal. A polarity determining unit compares predetermined frequency range components of the microphone signal obtained by the microphone and the reference signal, and determines the polarity of the speaker, i.e., whether the speaker is connected in positive phase or in negative phase.
US08831231B2
An audio signal processing device includes a processing unit for convoluting head-related transfer functions with audio signals of a plurality of channels, and the processing unit includes a storage unit for storing data of a double-normalized head-related transfer function by normalizing a normalized head-related transfer function obtained by normalizing a head-related transfer function in a state in which a dummy head or a person is present in a position of the listener with a transfer characteristic in a pristine state in which the dummy head or the person is not present, using a normalized head-related transfer function obtained by normalizing a head-related transfer function in the state in which the dummy head or the person is present with a transfer characteristic in the pristine state, and a convolution unit for reading the data from the storage unit and convoluting the data with the audio signals.
US08831230B2
This document discusses apparatus and methods for configuring and providing crosstalk cancellation to maintain channel separation in a multi channel system. In an example, an amplifier circuit can include a crosstalk cancellation circuit configured to reduce crosstalk from a first output to a second load and from a second output to a first load where the first load and the second load share a return path.
US08831228B1
Various embodiments of a system and method for decentralized management of keys and policies are described. Various embodiments may include a computer system configured to receive a request from a remote computer system associated with a recipient of content. Such request may include an encrypted content encryption key that is encrypted with a packaging key utilized by a packaging entity. The request may also include an identifier identifying the packaging entity. In some embodiments, the request may also include policy information specifying one or more usage rights of the content. The computer system may be configured to, in response to determining the recipient is authorized to access the content, generate the packaging key based on the identifier and a secret root seed, utilize the generated packaging key to decrypt the encrypted content encryption key, and provide the decrypted content encryption key to the remote computer system.
US08831227B2
A method and system for establishing a secure connection between stations are disclosed. The method includes that: 1) a switch device receives an inter-station key request packet sent by a first user terminal; 2) the switch device generates an inter-station key, constructs an inter-station key announcement packet and sends it to a second user terminal; 3) the switch device receives an inter-station key announcement response packet sent by the second user terminal; 4) the switch device constructs an inter-station key announcement response packet and sends it to the first user terminal; 5) the switch device receives an inter-station key announcement response packet sent by the first user terminal. The switch device establishes an inter-station key for the two stations which are connected to the switch device directly, by which the embodiments of the present invention ensure the confidentiality and integrality of user data between the stations.
US08831221B2
In described embodiments, a unified Crypto Functional Unit (CFU) block architecture provides a capability for advanced communication processors to provide parallel and concurrent processing of multiple crypto operations/transactions within high-speed hardware to support different security standards (e.g. from IPsec, 3GPP). In particular, each CFU block of the unified CFU block architecture comprises a FIFO-based interface, switch, and wrapped cipher/hasher. The unified CFU block architecture allows for drop-in solutions for cipher blocks in ASIC designs with crypto function blocks.
US08831219B2
The invention relates to a method of transmitting at least one additional piece of data D in a list of access control words CWi to a scrambled content transmitted by a content server of an operator to a user equipment (2) including a reception terminal (4) associated with a security processor (6), each control word CWi of said list being designed to descramble said contents during a determined cryptoperiod, this method includes the following steps: a) prior replacement of at least one of the control words of said list with a magnitude X resulting from the treatment of said additional piece of data D by a function G having a dual function H, and, at the reception of said list by the 15 reception terminal (4), b) retrieve said additional piece of data D by treating said magnitude X with dual function H.
US08831213B2
A processing system to serve as a source device for protected digital content comprises a processor and control logic. When used by the processor, the control logic causes the processing system to receive a digital certificate from a presentation device. The processing system then uses public key infrastructure (PKI) to determine whether the presentation device has been authorized by a certificate authority (CA) to receive protected content. The processing system may also generate a session key and use the session key to encrypt data. The processing system may transmit the encrypted data to the presentation device only if the presentation device has been authorized by the CA to receive protected content. Presentation devices and repeaters may perform corresponding operations, thereby allowing content to be transmitted and presented in a protected manner. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08831209B2
A communication device recognizes a first string of characters as a telephone number and a second string of characters as additional information related to the telephone number. A menu is then displayed having a menu item including the telephone number and the additional information. When the user has selected the menu item, the telephone number and the additional information are provided to a telephone application of the communication device.
US08831207B1
A contact received by a service center from a customer may be assigned to one of a plurality of agents or representatives based on any prior experience with the customer or with the contact, any preferences of the customer or any skills required in order to address the contact. Preferably, an agent who previously handled an issue on behalf of the customer may be identified, and the contact may be assigned to that agent. Alternatively, the contact may be assigned to an agent preferred by the customer, or to a particularly skilled agent. If no preferred agents or particularly skilled agents are available to respond to the contact, the contact may be assigned at random to one or more particular agents. The contact may be initiated by way of a reply to a message containing a response to a previous contact, and the message may include metadata that associates the reply with the previous contact.
US08831205B1
A system and method for communicating in a communication network, comprising presenting a communication comprising data over a communications network to a router, said router being adapted to route the communication to one of a plurality of available network destinations; automatically executing a communication targeting algorithm in the router, based at least in part on the data, wherein the communication targeting algorithm operates to contextually jointly analyze a plurality of parameters extracted from the data and a plurality of contextual parameters, to determine an optimum target for the communication, wherein the optimum target varies in dependence on both the data and the context of the communication; and routing the communication in dependence on the algorithm execution.
US08831202B1
Computer readable media and methods are provided for initiating a failover state in a network element. A failover is when the element's traffic is routed to a redundant element which takes over the functions of the element, and any session state information stored in the element is also transferred to the redundant element. If a failover occurs with an upstream element, a downstream element is not aware of the failover and does not transfer its session state information to its redundant element. By maintaining a database of historic usage information, the downstream element can determine that an upstream failover has occurred when the amount of data it is processing drops below a minimum usage threshold. The minimum usage threshold is based on the historical usage data and a relationship between a given time in the past and the current time.
US08831197B2
A method includes receiving at a local conference coordinator a first indication of a scheduled conference that includes a plurality of conference details. The method also includes transmitting at least one of the plurality of conference details to a remote conference coordinator and receiving at least one additional conference detail regarding the scheduled conference from the remote conference coordinator. The method additionally includes determining conference scheduling information comprising at least one resource to be used for the scheduled conference based on the plurality of conference details and the at least one additional conference detail. The method also includes identifying a conference room supporting the at least one resource to be used for the scheduled conference. The method further includes transmitting conference scheduling information to the conference room such that an interface in the conference room can initiate the scheduled conference based on a single indication received from a user.
US08831196B2
A telephony interface for realtime network communications in virtual communication environments allows telephony communicants to interact with other communicants in an immersive communication environment.
US08831194B2
Processing telephonic communication is disclosed. A request to establish communication is received from a first communication participant. A first identifier associated with the request is mapped to a second identifier associated with a second communication participant. The second identifier is used to establish communication between the first and the second participant in a manner that allows at least a portion of the communication between the first and second participants to be monitored. Compliance processing is performed with respect to at least a portion of said at least a portion of the communication between first and the second participant. The first identifier is made available to the first participant in a manner that causes the first participant to associated the first identifier with the second participant, the first identifier cannot be used to reach the second participant directly, and the second identifier is not provided to the first participant.
US08831189B2
Techniques are provided for authenticating a phone or other device for a user. A phone or other device is provided to the user. A personal identification number is provided to the user. The personal identification number is used to authenticate the phone or other device in the network for the user.
US08831185B2
A method of accessing voice services through a personal computing system can include receiving, in the personal computing system, a telephone call from a user registered with the personal computing system, wherein the user is remotely located from the personal computing system, receiving a user spoken utterance over the telephone call, and speech recognizing the user spoken utterance to determine a request for a voice service. The method further can include formatting an electronic message according to the request for a voice service and sending the electronic message over a communications network to a remote computing system in accordance with the request for a voice service. Also, the method can include processing and formatting a response received from the remote computing system and playing back audio to the user over the telephone call.
US08831173B2
According to one embodiment, an X-ray diagnostic apparatus includes an X-ray tube, first detector, second detector, arm, sliding mechanism, tilting mechanism, and control unit. The X-ray tube includes an anode to generate X-rays upon receiving electrons. The first detector has the first pixel size. The second detector has the second pixel size smaller than the first pixel size. The arm pivotally supports the X-ray tube, first detector, and second detector. The sliding mechanism slidably supports the first and second detectors so as to irradiate one of the first and second detectors with the X-rays generated by the X-ray tube. The tilting mechanism tiltably supports the X-ray tube to change the size of an effective X-ray focal spot on the anode. The control unit controls the sliding of the first and second detectors by the sliding mechanism upon interlocking with the tilting of the X-ray tube by the tilting mechanism.
US08831171B2
A mammography system using a tissue exposure control relying on estimates of the thickness of the compressed and immobilized breast and of breast density to automatically derive one or more technic factors. The system further uses a tomosynthesis arrangement that maintains the focus of an anti-scatter grid on the x-ray source and also maintains the field of view of the x-ray receptor. Finally, the system finds an outline that forms a reduced field of view that still encompasses the breast in the image, and uses for further processing, transmission or archival storage the data within said reduced field of view.
US08831169B2
An X-ray diagnosis apparatus and a method for controlling an X-ray irradiation region that can appropriately narrow down an X-ray radiation aperture so as to fit a configuration of a region of interest during acquisition of X-ray projection data for reconstructing tomography images of an object. Based on a plurality of 2D image data acquired through a preliminarily X-ray imaging, a 3D region of interest is set up on an examination target portion having a strong directionality. X-ray imaging of the 3D region of interest is performed by sliding and rotating a plurality of aperture blades in an X-ray collimator based on a projected figure of the 3D region of interest along successively renewed imaging directions around a periphery of an object.
US08831161B2
Methods and apparatus for adjusting the operation of a display device so as to be at least within prescribed form factor or other constraints. In one embodiment of the invention, various operational parameters for a display element are adjusted based on considerations specific to high density form factor constraints. For example, in one such device, a Low Power DisplayPort (LPDP) device having a LPDP source and sink adjust the data rate of the visual data to minimize power consumption while still properly supporting display panel resolutions. In some embodiments, the LPDP source and sink may adjust the transceiver voltages to minimize power consumption. In an alternate embodiment, an LPDP device adjusts data rates to minimize the effects of platform noise. In another aspect of the invention, various display elements of a device coordinate quiescent (“quiet”) mode operation during periods of inactivity.
US08831159B2
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for performing both phase modulation (PM) and amplitude modulation (AM) downstream of a controlled oscillator (e.g., by providing a baseband signal having no phase modulation to a controlled oscillator and performing phase modulation on a high frequency RF signal output from the oscillator), wherein the amplitude modulation is synchronized with the phase modulation. In one particular embodiment, the method and apparatus synchronize modulation of AM and PM signal paths in a manner that provides a polar modulated signal having an amplitude of zero at a symbol boundary (e.g., a transition between different symbols) having a phase of zero (e.g., a phase that crosses through a zero crossing point).
US08831148B1
A system including a variable gain amplifier, an automatic gain control module, and a channel estimation module. The variable gain amplifier is configured to amplify an input signal in accordance with a gain. The input signal includes a plurality of orthogonal frequency domain multiplexing symbols. Each of the plurality of orthogonal frequency domain multiplexing symbols is preceded by a respective cyclic prefix. The automatic gain control module is configured to adjust, based on a signal strength of the input signal, the gain of the variable gain amplifier during the respective cyclic prefix preceding each of the plurality of orthogonal frequency domain multiplexing symbols. The channel estimation module is configured to generate a channel estimate for each of the plurality of orthogonal frequency domain multiplexing symbols, and to update the channel estimate in response to the gain of the variable gain amplifier being adjusted.
US08831146B2
A method of operation of a communication system includes: retaining an a-posteriori detector-data, a detector-extrinsic-information, an a-posteriori-decoder-data, a decoder-extrinsic-value, or a combination thereof calculated from a received signal; determining an a-priori-decoder-information or an a-priori detector-information from the a-posteriori detector-data, the detector-extrinsic-information, the a-posteriori-decoder-data, the decoder-extrinsic-value, or a combination thereof; and adjusting the a-posteriori detector-data, the detector-extrinsic-information, the a-posteriori-decoder-data, the decoder-extrinsic-value, or a combination thereof using the a-priori-decoder-information or the a-priori detector-information for communicating through a device.
US08831141B2
A leading edge associated with a received signal is detected to provide, for example, time of arrival information for a ranging algorithm. In some aspects, a method of leading edge detection involves sampling a received signal, generating a drift compensated signal based on the samples, reconstructing the received signal based on the drift compensated signal, and identifying a leading edge associated with the received signal based on the reconstructed signal.
US08831138B2
The circuit is provided for the transmission of data amplitude modulated radio frequency signals. The circuit includes a local oscillator for generating an oscillating signal at a determined carrier frequency, a unit for shaping data pulses to supply a data amplitude modulation control signal (Vmod), and a power amplifier receiving the oscillating signal and the data amplitude modulation control signal (Vmod) for the transmission of data amplitude modulated radio frequency signals by an antenna or an antenna arrangement. The data pulse shaping unit (13) includes a pulse shaper (21) for digitally adapting the data transition edges on the basis of an incoming digital data signal (d), and a digital-analog conversion stage (26, 27) for converting a digital data signal shaped in the unit, in order to supply the data amplitude modulation control signal (Vmod) to the power amplifier.
US08831135B2
An address controller includes: a plurality of lookup tables configured to hold values corresponding to a plurality of addresses; a similarity detector configured to detect similarity between the plurality of lookup tables and to group similar lookup tables among the plurality of lookup tables; and a controller configured to read the values out of the plurality of lookup tables grouped by the similarity detector, using address control information common to grouped lookup tables.
US08831125B2
Some of the example embodiments presented herein are directed towards an eNodeB (401), and corresponding method therein, for providing data transmission in a multiple antenna system. The eNodeB (401) may be configured to receive a plurality of signal quality assessments and a CSI report from a user equipment. Based on the received data the eNodeB (401) may determine a received power difference between the received data. The eNodeB (401) may further determine a beamforming direction for subsequent data transmissions. Based on the power difference, the eNodeB (401) may account for the received power difference in the subsequent data transmissions, thus improving data communications towards the user equipment.
US08831118B2
A wireless communication apparatus includes: plural antennas; a channel matrix acquiring unit acquiring a channel matrix for each sub-carrier; a channel matrix encoding unit encoding the acquired channel matrix of each sub-carrier, by decomposition from signals in fixed-point representation into data and amplitude parts with a predetermined bit width; and a channel matrix information delivery unit delivering the encoded channel matrix information to a communication party. The encoding unit retrieves a first maximum value as the maximum of channel matrix elements in all sub-carriers, in plural levels, and determines an amplitude part and a normalization coefficient for normalizing channel matrix elements to a data part having the predetermined bit width, based on a ratio between a second maximum value as the maximum of channel matrix elements with respect to each sub-carrier and the first maximum value, and multiples channel matrix elements by the normalization coefficient to obtain a data part.
US08831117B2
Method and apparatus for signal processing to minimize the peak to average power ratio of an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (“OFDM”) or Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (“OFDMA”) signal with bounded error vector magnitude for an integrated circuit are described. An Active Constellation Extension (“ACE”) iteration, using a constellation points adjustment module, is performed. Symbols outside of a bounded region after the ACE iteration are identified. The bounded region is determined responsive to an error vector magnitude target. The symbols identified are translated to the bounded region.
US08831106B2
A method and apparatus for variable accuracy inter-picture timing specification for digital video encoding is disclosed. Specifically, the present invention discloses a system that allows the relative timing of nearby video pictures to be encoded in a very efficient manner. In one embodiment, the display time difference between a current video picture and a nearby video picture is determined. The display time difference is then encoded into a digital representation of the video picture. In a preferred embodiment, the nearby video picture is the most recently transmitted stored picture. For coding efficiency, the display time difference may be encoded using a variable length coding system or arithmetic coding. In an alternate embodiment, the display time difference is encoded as a power of two to reduce the number of bits transmitted.
US08831102B2
The invention is related to prediction of a lost or damaged block of an enhanced spatial layer frame.A method for predicting a lost or damaged block of an enhanced spatial layer frame comprises the steps of determining an adjuvant frame in the enhanced spatial layer by help of reference information from a lower spatial layer frame corresponding said enhanced spatial layer frame, generating an information reduced block by help of said adjuvant frame and predicting the lost or damaged block by help of the information reduced block.The reference information of the corresponding lower spatial layer frame can be decoded independently from any lower spatial layer reference frame and the adjuvant enhanced spatial layer frame is already decoded. Thus, the computational effort is reduced. By generation of the information reduced block the prediction is made smoother which makes it less vivid and therefore less salient to a user.
US08831100B2
A moving picture coding apparatus 1 includes a counter unit 102 which counts the number of pictures following an intra coded picture; and a motion estimation unit 101 which compares respectively only reference pictures which are the intra coded picture or the following pictures, selected from among a reference picture Ref1, a reference picture Ref2 and a reference picture Ref3 stored in memories 408˜410, with a picture signal Vin, and determines the reference picture whose inter picture differential value is smallest.
US08831096B2
An encoding apparatus for encoding progressive image data and interlace image data corresponding to this progressive image data, having a first encoding unit configured to encode picture data composing the interlace image data to generate first encoded data and decoding and recomposing the first encoded data to generate recomposed image data, an up sample processing unit configured to up sample the generated recomposed image data to generate image data having the same resolution as that of the progressive image data, and a second encoding unit configured to encode the picture data composing the progressive image data to generate second encoded data using the generated image data as predictive image data.
US08831095B2
A moving image encoding method includes outputting encoded data that comprises an image code sequence corresponding to slices of a moving image and first timing information indicating times at which the slices are to be decoded.
US08831093B2
In some embodiments, macroblock-level encoding parameters are assigned to weighted linear combinations of corresponding content-category-level encoding parameters. For example, a macroblock quantization parameter (QP) modulation is set to a weighted linear combination of content category QP modulations. Content categories may identify potentially overlapping content types such as sky, water, grass, skin, and red content. The combination weights may be similarity measures describing macroblock similarities to content categories. A macroblock may be associated with multiple content categories, with different similarity levels for different content categories. A similarity measure for a given macroblock with respect to a content category may be defined as a number (between 0 and 8) of neighboring macroblocks that meet a similarity condition, provided the macroblock meets a qualification condition. The similarity condition may be computationally simpler than the qualification condition. Content-category-level statistics are generated by combining block-level statistics. Content-category-level statistics may be used in encoding subsequent frames.
US08831087B2
In generally, techniques are described for efficiently selecting a prediction mode by which to predict predictive video data from reference video data. In particular, an apparatus may include a memory that stores at least a first and second reference coded unit that each includes a first and second reference video data unit, respectively. The apparatus may further comprise a motion compensation unit that performs default weighted prediction to predict a first version of a predictive video data unit from the first and second reference video data units and calculates an offset value for the first version of the predictive video data unit. The motion compensation unit may then perform, based on the calculated offset value, either implicit weighted prediction or explicit weighted prediction to predict a second version of the predictive video data unit and encode the predictive video data unit as either the first or second version.
US08831068B2
Methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable media, are configured for receiving monitor data from a gas meter. A data stream is created based upon the monitor data. The data stream is spread with a common pseudo-noise (PN) code that is used by a plurality of nodes in communication with an access point. The spread data stream is transmitted at a first time based on a slot start time and a first randomly selected timing offset. The spread data stream is transmitted while at least a portion of a second spread data stream is transmitted at a second time based on the slot start time and a second randomly selected timing offset. The second spread data stream is spread with the common PN code.
US08831062B2
A semiconductor laser diode comprises a semiconductor body having an n-region and a p-region laterally spaced apart within the semiconductor body. The laser diode is provided with an active region between the n-region and the p-region having a front end and a back end section, an n-metallization layer located adjacent the n-region and having a first injector for injecting current into the active region, and a p-metallization layer opposite to the n-metallization layer and adjacent the p-region and having a second injector for injecting current into the active region. The thickness and/or width of at least one metallization layer is chosen so as to control the current injection in a part of the active region near at least one end of the active region compared to the current injection in another part of the active region. The width of the at least one metallization layer is larger than a width of the active region. This arrangement results in substantially uniform current distribution near the front end of the active region. Advantageously, this uniform current density significantly improves the reliability of the laser diode.
US08831055B2
There is provided a driving method of a self-oscillating semiconductor laser device including a first compound semiconductor layer having a first conductive type and composed of a GaN base compound semiconductor, a third compound semiconductor layer and a second compound semiconductor layer configuring an emission region and a saturable absorption region, are successively laminated, a second electrode formed on the second compound semiconductor layer, and a first electrode electrically connected to the first compound semiconductor layer. The second electrode is separated into a first portion to create a forward bias state by passing current to the first electrode via the emission region and a second portion to apply an electric field to the saturable absorption region by a separation groove. The current greater than a current value where kink is occurred in optical output-current characteristics is to be passed to the first portion of the second electrode.
US08831047B1
The multi-wavelength laser is a ring laser source working at room temperature. The laser has an inner cavity disposed in an outer cavity. A pair of circulators disposed in the inner cavity is configured to assure counter-propagation of light between the inner cavity and the outer cavity. A gain-clamped semiconductor optical amplifier (GC-SOA) is formed by combining a SOA and a Fiber Fabry-Perot Tunable Filter (FFP-TF) with the circulator pair. This configuration in the laser cavity results in an improvement in terms of transient gain excursions by applying an optical feedback. This attribute of the GC-SOA enables realizing a stable multi-wavelength laser source.
US08831043B2
A selective cooperative relaying method, the method including: determining, by a base station, whether a mobile station for which the base station provides a service is the mobile station necessary for direct transmission or is the mobile station necessary for cooperative relaying via a relay station; and selecting, by a base station, mobile stations using a simple relaying scheme, a cooperative transmission diversity scheme, or a cooperative receiving diversity scheme from mobile stations necessary for the cooperative relaying via the relay station.
US08831040B2
A transfer device according to an embodiment transfers blocks generated by dividing a frame into pieces of data and adding a synchronization header each of the pieces of data. The blocks comprise a first, second and third blocks in this order. The transfer device is configured to acquire a first synchronization header in the first block, a second synchronization header in the second block and a third synchronization header in the third block, judge, in a case where a value of the second synchronization header is incorrect, as to whether or not the value of the second synchronization header can be estimated based on the first and the third synchronization headers so that the second block is consistent with the first and third blocks, and correct the second synchronization header into the estimated value.
US08831039B2
A method includes generating a first coded data stream and a second coded data stream both representing the same content, the first coded data stream and the second coded data stream being independently decodable from each other, transmitting portions of the first coded data stream in first and second time-sliced bursts, and transmitting a portion of the second coded data stream in a third time-sliced burst, where the transmission of the portions of the first and second coded data streams do not overlap with each other, and occur subsequently to each other in transmission order and substantially without delay between transmission of data.
US08831034B2
A solution for extending the cell range and in particular for a solution for handling timing alignment is presented herein. The solution comprises determining a distance between user equipment and a radio access network node. User equipment located at a distance related to a pre defined timing advance value is scheduled to handle uplink communication so as to arrive at a later time slot for reducing the risk of conflicting with other transmissions towards the access node.
US08831028B2
System and methods for transmitting packets over a network are provided. A system includes a network access coordinator (NAC) configured to communicate with first and second nodes via a network backbone. The NAC is configured to coordinate access of the first and second nodes to the network backbone. The NAC is configured to receive, from the first node in a first time period, a first reservation request to transmit a first packet to the second node. The NAC is configured to allocate, in response to the first reservation request, a first slot in a second time period for the first node to transmit the first packet to the second node. The NAC is configured to allocate a second slot for the second node to transmit, to the first node, a first reply that includes an indicator of whether the second node received the first packet.
US08831023B2
In an example embodiment, there is disclosed herein an apparatus comprising a wireless transceiver and packet processing logic coupled to the wireless transceiver. The packet processing logic is responsive to receiving a packet from a first node on a first path addressed to a node on a second path via the wireless transceiver to forward the packet on the second path towards the node on the second path via the wireless transceiver. The packet processing logic is further configured to send a reply to the packet to the first node on the first path via the wireless transceiver to a second node on the first path that is within range of the wireless receiver and on the second path to the first node on the first path responsive to determining the wireless transceiver cannot send a message directly the first upstream node.
US08831015B2
Systems, methods, and apparatus for sharing resources for a network bridge configured to perform communications on a MoCA network and a WiFi network using the shared resources. The method includes: receiving a MAP from a MoCA NC and checking the MAP to determine whether the MoCA NC has scheduled MoCA communications in an upcoming MAP cycle; in instances where the MAP indicates that the MoCA NC has scheduled MoCA communications in an upcoming MAP cycle, configuring the shared network bridge resources for MoCA communications: in instances where the MAP indicates that the MoCA NC has not scheduled any MoCA communications in an upcoming MAP cycle, configuring the shared network bridge resources for WiFi communications; at the conclusion of a WiFi communication period, sending a CTS to the WiFi devices an the network and configuring the shared network bridge resources for WiFi communications.
US08831005B2
An embodiment of a method for processing data units is provided that includes receiving a plurality of data units, of a data stream, having respective sequence numbers and, employing a reordering window, determining whether a newly received data unit of the data stream is a new data unit or a repeated data unit at the receiver and defining a first and a second range of sequence numbers relative to the sequence number of a previously received data unit. A newly received data unit is determined to be either a new or a repeated data unit based on whether the sequence number of the newly received data unit falls within the first or second range, and processed at the receiver based on this determination. A handover condition is detected, and in response thereto the first and second ranges of the reordering window are adjusted for use during the handover condition.
US08830999B2
A request to add or remove a leaf node to a multicast group in a Point-to-Multipoint Label Switched Path is detected, and the leaf node can select a pre-configured tunnel in accordance with the requested multicast group. The leaf node encapsulates the received request and transmits it through the selected pre-configured tunnel. A root node for the multicast group receives the request through the tunnel and can identify the leaf node responsible for transmitting the message by the tunnel header. The root can determine if a Point-to-Multipoint Label Switched Path exists for the request multicast group and can update the membership of the multicast group by adding or removing the leaf node to the multicast group.
US08830997B1
A network device including a processor having an internet protocol (IP) address, and a processor port configured to communicate exclusively with the processor. The network device also includes a plurality of network ports configured to communicate with network nodes external to the network device. In addition, the network device includes a forwarding engine configured to selectively transfer packets (i) among the plurality of network ports, and (ii) between the processor port and the plurality of network ports; receive a broadcast packet from one of the plurality of network ports, the broadcast packet including a target IP address; and forward the broadcast packet to the processor, via the processor port, only when both (i) the broadcast packet is a control packet, and (ii) the target IP address of the broadcast packet matches the IP address of processor.
US08830985B2
Systems and methods for detecting and mitigating interference between from a wireless time division duplex (TDD) communications device and a wireless frequency division duplex (FDD) communications device includes processing quality-indicator reports received from the FDD device to determine if the FDD device has experienced interference from the TDD device. Such interference may be mitigated by adjusting a downlink configuration of the FDD base station in communication with the FDD device. To detect and mitigate interference from an FDD device to a TDD device, it is determined if a monitored value of an operational parameter of the FDD device is within a fixed range of a maximum value of the operational parameter, and if so, a specific time interval or frequency of the FDD device is assigned for communication purposes. Similar interference detection and mitigation techniques may also be used for interference scenarios between two TDD systems including TDD devices.
US08830982B2
An uplink control method for use in a communication system based on multiple carriers. The method includes allocating different types of random access channels for different types of uplink operations.
US08830977B2
A technique for encoding digital communication signals. Data symbols are augmented in pilot symbols inserted at predetermined positions. The pilot augmented sequence is then fed to a deterministic error correction block encoder, such as a turbo product coder, to output a coded sequence. The symbols in the error correction encoded sequence are then rearranged to ensure that the output symbols derived from input pilot symbols are located at regular, predetermined positions. As a result, channel encoding schemes can more easily be used which benefits from power of two length block sizes.
US08830970B2
In one or more embodiments, one or more methods and/or systems described can perform determining a position of a mobile device coupled to a first network; determining that the position of the mobile device is within a communications range of at least one wireless access point coupled to a second network; and transmitting a first signal to the mobile device via the first network, where the first signal indicates to apply power or greater power to a transceiver configured to communicate with the at least one wireless access point. In one or more embodiments, the mobile device can include a first transceiver configured to communicate with the first network and a second transceiver configured to communicate with the second network via the at least one wireless access point and can perform receiving the first signal from the first network and applying power or greater power to the second transceiver.
US08830967B2
A method for performing an adaptive modulation and coding scheme in a mobile communication system. Including receiving a signal and selecting a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) level from an MCS subset of an MCS set considering information derived from the signal, by a mobile station. The MCS subset is selected in accordance with a service type related to the mobile station and the MCS subset is configured with one or more MCS levels, the MCS set is represented by 5 bits and the MCS subset is represented by 4 bits to indicate MCS value, respectively, and the 4 bits of the MCS subset is a part of the 5 bits of the MCS set.
US08830966B2
An apparatus having a database and a circuit is disclosed. The database may be configured to store a plurality of entries. The circuit may be configured to (i) insert a plurality of indicators into a frame, (ii) generate the entries in the database and (iii) transmit the frame in response to the entries such that power is applied to an antenna corresponding to each of a plurality of data items in the frame and no power is applied to the antenna corresponding to each of the indicators in the frame. Each of the entries generally identifies a respective location in the frame. Each of the locations may begin a respective string comprising at least one of the indicators.
US08830958B2
A station device includes: a communication unit wirelessly communicating with a mobile device that forms a subnet with the station device; a user input unit that receives a user command input for terminating a connection with a first access point and connecting to a second access point; and a controller that controls the communication unit so as to transmit, to the mobile device, connection change information for changing a connection of the mobile device in response to the user command.
US08830951B2
Aspects of a method and system for servicing a plurality of users via a plurality of femtocells are provided. In this regard, a cellular enabled communication device may receive portions of a datastream from a plurality of femtocells, reconstruct the datastream from the received portions of the datastream, and process the reconstructed datastream for presentation to a user of the cellular enabled communication device. The received portions may be buffered in the cellular enabled communication device. The portions of the datastream may be associated with a plurality of CDMA channel access codes. The portions of the datastream may be received via a plurality of cellular frequencies. The portions of the datastream may be received during a plurality of TDMA timeslots. Portions of the datastream may be received from a cellular base station. Portions of the datastream may be received from a WiMAX base station.
US08830949B2
In a method for implementing a baseband resource pool in an LTE base station provided in the present invention, the LTE base station includes a main control module, a master board, and a slave board, and the master board and the slave board include baseband processing modules. In the method for implementing a baseband resource pool in an LTE base station provided in the present invention, the RACH processing capability of the LTE base station is improved by adding a slave baseband board including a baseband processing module.
US08830941B2
A first device is adapted to communicate with a second device using a protocol standard. The devices exchange security and connection setup frames using a preamble format and a header format defined in the protocol standard. The connection setup frames specify a modified protocol using a truncated preamble, a shortened header, or both. The devices configure their transceivers to transmit and receive frames formatted based on the modified protocol.
US08830940B2
There are disclosed a wireless communication apparatus and a wireless communication method whereby a flexible frequency scheduling can be performed without increasing the circuit scale of DFT (Discrete Fourier Transform). In a terminal (200), a number-of-allocated-RBs setting unit (209) sets a number of allocated RBs, which is to be used for an actual transmission band corresponding to the number of notified RBs, to a number of resource blocks that can be expressed by one of “2n×3m×5l”. The allocated RB selecting unit (210) selects, based on the resource allocation information and the number of allocated RBs, either an unused one of the notified RBs that is not used as the transmission band or an additional RB that is added to the notified RBs and used as the transmission band.
US08830938B2
Provided is a base station apparatus that employs a dynamic scheduler mode which performs wireless resource allocation for each subframe and applies a result of the allocation to the corresponding subframe, or a continuous transmission scheduler mode which performs wireless resource allocation for each subframe appearing periodically based on a period P and applies a result of the allocation for the relevant subframe to P continuous subframes from a subframe n to a subframe n+P−1. The base station apparatus includes a terminal communication device that communicates continuous transmission application ON/OFF information, which indicates whether or not the continuous transmission scheduler mode is employed, and continuous transmission period information, which indicates a period of continuous transmission scheduling according to the continuous transmission scheduler mode, to a terminal. The terminal communication device may store the continuous transmission application ON/OFF information and the continuous transmission period information in a PDCCH region.
US08830932B2
A method and device for acquiring channel information are disclosed in the present invention, to solve a technical problem in the related art that the channel information cannot be fed back flexibly according to requirements. The method includes: for one subband, User Equipment (UE) acquires Rank Indicator (RI) information of a current channel, in which the RI information indicates a rank (ν) of the current channel, and ν is a positive integral number not greater than 8; the user equipment determines the quantity of the Precoding Matrix Indicator (PMI) information required to be fed back to a base station according to ν, and transmits the PMI information in said quantity and the RI information to the base station; the base station acquires the channel information of said subband according to the PMI information in said quantity and said RI information.
US08830924B2
A method for requesting a bandwidth by a message having a variable format is disclosed. The method includes determining a bandwidth request type according to a size of an uplink bandwidth requested by a mobile station, generating a bandwidth request message having a header format according to the determined bandwidth request type, and transmitting the bandwidth request message to a base station. The determined bandwidth request type is one of a bandwidth request per connection, a bandwidth request per Quality of Service (QoS), and a bandwidth request per mobile station.
US08830923B2
Techniques are disclosed that involve bandwidth adjustment in wireless communications networks. For instance, an operating bandwidth may be established for wireless communications with one or more remote devices. This operating bandwidth may include a primary channel and one or more secondary sub-channels. Further, one or more statistics may be maintained that correspond to one of the one or more sub-channels. These statistics may be based on based on events on the corresponding sub-channel(s), such collisions, interference events, medium busy events, etc. Based on such statistics, the operating bandwidth may be decreased. Moreover, embodiments may increase the operating bandwidth based on output queue depth statistics. Further, a notification may be transmitted that indicates a change in the operating bandwidth. This notification may be in the form of a bandwidth change indication (BCI) frame.
US08830921B2
Channel assignment for wireless access networks is directed toward improved overall communication capability of the networks. A network is formed of wireless access points (APs) coupled via wired (and/or wireless) links and enabled to communicate with clients via radio channels of each of the APs. Local information is collected at each of the APs and processed to determine channel assignments according to a Neighbor Impact Metric (NIM) that accounts for one-hop and two-hop neighbors as well as neighbors not part of the network. Optionally, the NIM accounts for traffic load on the APs. The channel assignments are determined either on a centralized resource (such as a server or one of the APs) or via a distributed scheme across the APs. The local information includes how busy a channel is and local operating conditions such as error rate and interference levels.
US08830917B1
In a wireless communication system where communication devices utilize physical layer (PHY) data units that conform to a first format to communicate information associated with a layer of a protocol stack above a media access channel (MAC) layer, where the first format is associated with a first number of symbols in a preamble, a method for generating a PHY data unit that conforms to a second format includes generating a preamble of the PHY data unit, where the preamble includes a second number of symbols, wherein the second number is smaller than the first number; and generating another portion of the PHY data unit.
US08830916B2
A method of resource reservation with service guarantee in terms of throughput and deadline at the level of the N nodes of a radio network using time slots to send and transmit data is disclosed, which implements a global reservation process in which a reservation message sent uses at least one of the following two parameters: the maximum deadline required to access the radio medium, the minimum throughput required in order to satisfy the service guarantee. A dynamic time slot allocation scheme is used that is defined in the following manner: the N nodes each include K slots, including a control slot, P elastic slots and (K-1-P) session slots, and the (K-1-P) session slots are amalgamated for the allocation of resources required by a node at a given instant.
US08830915B2
A method of performing data communication with a base station by a mobile terminal in a wireless communication system includes transmitting uplink data to the base station or receiving downlink data from the base station by using first channel resource assignment information among two or more channel resource assignment information, receiving from the base station a channel resource modification indicator indicating that a channel resource for transmitting or receiving data should be modified, and transmitting the uplink data to the base station or receiving the downlink data from the base station by using second channel resource assignment information among the two or more channel resource assignment information. Therefore, the efficiency of a channel resource can be improved in a wireless communication system.
US08830914B2
An approach is provided for providing acknowledgement signaling. A transmission failure associated with data from a user equipment is determined. An allocation message is generated for signaling of the transmission failure to the user equipment. The allocation message provides allocation of resource for retransmission of the data.
US08830912B2
Implementations related to robust multipath routing are disclosed.
US08830907B2
Signals received from channels exposed to multi-path propagation via a plurality of diversity antennas and including at least one pilot signal are processed by detecting a set of multi-path components for each received signal and computing a set of channel coefficients from multi-path components of the at least one pilot signal in the set of multi-path components. The set of channel coefficients is organized as a channel coefficient vector. From the channel coefficient vector, a set of combining weights is estimated to be applied to the received signals by: computing a spatial correlation matrix of the channel coefficient vector by neglecting the correlations between multi-path components of the channel coefficient vector having different delays, whereby the correlation matrix is a block diagonal matrix including null coefficients other than for non-null sub-matrixes arranged along the diagonal of the correlation matrix, wherein the sub-matrixes have a size equal to the number of diversity antennas; deriving from the spatial correlation matrix a resulting matrix by calculating the inverse of the sub-matrixes or a scaled version thereof; and multiplying the resulting matrix and the channel coefficient vector in order to obtain the desired set of combining weights.
US08830902B2
A method, system and device for wireless communication are provided by the present invention. The method includes that: from the ending of the Transmit-Receive Guard interval (TRG) to the beginning of the Receive-Transmit Guard interval (RTG), an evolved Node B (eNB) carries Common Reference Signals (CRSs) or Demodulated Reference Signals (DMRSs) on the carriers are used for transmitting data signals and/or control signals to a Relay Node (RN); the RN demodulates, according to the CRSs or the DMRSs, the signals transmitted by the eNB; the TRG is the guard interval of the transition, for the RN, from transmitting signals to receiving signals over the backhaul link, and the RTG is the guard interval of the transition, for the RN, from receiving signals to transmitting signals over the backhaul link. The application of the present invention enables the RN to receive the data signals and/or control signals transmitted by the eNB correctly.
US08830895B2
The present invention discloses a method for obtaining a service list and multimedia broadcast multicast service data, and the method includes: obtaining electronic service guide (ESG) information, receiving a system information block (SIB)13 from system information, and obtaining a cell service list according to the ESG information and the SIB 13. The present invention also discloses a system for obtaining a service list and multimedia broadcast multicast service data; in the system, a cell service list acquisition unit is configured to obtain ESG information, receive an SIB 13 from system information, and obtain a cell service list according to the ESG information and the SIB 13. With the method and system in the present invention, the cell service list can be acquired, and the receiving of data of multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) service can be achieved after obtaining the cell service list.
US08830882B2
A repeater capable of emitting as little electromagnetic radiation as possible is described. The repeater can transmit communication signals between a base station and a network terminal in a radio transmission network, such as a mobile radio network. The repeater can include a transmitter that can transmit the communication signals as a radio signal to the network terminal. The repeater can also include a sensor for detecting a switching signal and a control unit that can change the transmitter between a passive operating state and an active operating state based on the switching signal. The transmission power of the transmitter can be lower in the passive operating state than in the active operating state.
US08830880B2
Methods and systems for utilizing undersampling for crystal leakage cancellation are disclosed and may include undersampling a composite signal comprising a desired signal and leakage signals due to one or more clock signals. Measured DC signals generated by each of the undersampled signals may be reduced by adjusting the phase and/or amplitude of the clock signals. The undersampling may be performed at one or more of the one or more clock signals, or at integer sub-harmonics of the clock signals. The composite signal may include a signal received by a wireless system or a signal to be transmitted by the wireless system. The undersampled signals may be low-pass filtered. The desired signal may include in-phase and quadrature signals or a polar signal. The undersampling may be performed by one or more sample and hold circuits and the clock signals may be generated utilizing one or more crystal oscillators.
US08830873B2
A system and method for interconnecting nodes and routing data packets in high radix networks includes constructing or redefining a network structure to provide improved performance. Computation and data storage nodes are connected to a network of switching nodes that provide near optimum bandwidth and latency for networks of any size. Specialized interconnection patterns and addressing methods ensure reliable data delivery in very large networks with high data traffic volume.
US08830871B2
According to one aspect, a Fiber Channel (FC) switch that is currently serving as a Principal Switch among a plurality of FC switches in a FC Fabric sends an Exchange Fabric Parameters (EFP) frame having an empty domain identifier list to neighboring FC switches during a first portion a Principal Switch Selection phase. During a second portion of the Principal Switch Selection phase that is after the first portion, the first Fiber Channel switch sends to neighboring FC switches an EFP frame having a non-empty domain identifier list to indicate to the neighboring FC switches that the first FC switch is to remain serving as the Principal Switch in the FC Fabric.
US08830868B2
A method of communications in a network having plurality of nodes including a base node (BN) and a plurality of levels (i) each including at least one service node (SN). The number (Ni(t)) of SNs registered in each of a plurality of i are determined. The current Keep Alive timer out (KA_TO) value for a KA timer at the BN is dynamically adjusted to an updated KA_TO value based on Ni(t) and i. Dynamically adjusting KA_TO values reduces the KA message overhead the network compared to known KA_TO value implementations.
US08830859B2
Method and devices for use in a wireless device are described herein. A signal is received over a plurality of time segments, the signal over each time segment including a plurality of resource element blocks. For each time segment, at least one resource element block is selected from the plurality of resource element blocks of the time segment based on information determined about the time segment. For each time segment, a power value associated with the at least one resource element block of the time segment is determined. For each time segment, a gain adjustment value to adjust the gain of the time segment or one or more subsequent time segments of the signal is determined based upon the power value associated with the at least one resource element block.
US08830852B2
A communication device includes a communication unit that receives a reception window size from a reception side communication device and transmits a packet of a transmission amount corresponding to a transmission window size to the reception side communication device; and a control unit that determines whether a channel with respect to the reception side communication device is in a broad band and high delay circumstance, changes a first state where the transmission window size is a first window size which is not larger than the reception window size to a second state wherein the transmission window size is a second window size which is larger than the reception window size when the channel is determined as the broad band and high delay circumstance, and transmits the packet of the transmission amount larger than the reception window size in the second state.
US08830847B1
A system for determining path stability using source routed packets in a wireless network comprises a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to select a source route on which to send one or more probing packets, wherein the source route includes a path between a first node and a second node and calculate a stability of the path based at least in part on a success or a failure location of each of the one or more probing packets. The memory is coupled to the processor and configured to provide instructions to the processor.
US08830846B2
Method and system for improving responsiveness in exchanging frames in a wireless local area network
A method and system for improving responsiveness in exchanging management and control frames in a wireless local area network are disclosed. An initiator sends a frame (action, management, control or data frame) to a responder. Upon correctly receiving the frame, the responder sends a response frame to the initiator instead of directly sending an acknowledgement (ACK) packet. The responder preferably accesses the wireless medium to send the response frame in a short inter-frame spacing (SIFS). With this scheme, a long delay associated with having to contend for the wireless medium to send the response frame is avoided and therefore, the responsiveness and timeliness of the feedback mechanism is significantly enhanced. The response frame may be piggybacked on or aggregated with another packet.
US08830843B2
A wideband cable network system includes multiple wideband cable modems and a Wideband Cable Modem Termination System (WCMTS). The WCMTS operates a Media Access Control (MAC) layer that communicates with the cable modems over multiple different downstream Radio Frequency (RF) channels and upstream RF channels. A wideband failure analytic manager tracks fault indicators associated with the MAC layer communications. Separate failure analytics are then generated, indexed, and correlated for different cable modems and different upstream or downstream channels.
US08830842B2
A communication apparatus connected to an adjacent communication apparatus through a first path and a second path to receive a frame with a path identifier through the first path or the second path, the apparatus including: a first network interface configured for communicating via the first path; a second network interface configured for communicating via the second path; and a processor configured for extracting a first monitoring frame and a second monitoring frame, which are failure monitoring frames, from frames received on the first network interface and the second network interface; detecting a failure, based on input monitoring frames; and converting the path identifier of the first monitoring frame or the path identifier of the second monitoring frame, which are extracted, to make the path identifiers equal to each other.
US08830837B2
In one embodiment, a receiving node in a computer network may detect congestion, and also identifies a set (e.g., subset) of its neighbor nodes. In response to the congestion, the receiving node may assign a transmission timeslot to each neighbor node of the set based on the congestion, where each neighbor is allowed to transmit (synchronously) only during its respective timeslot. The assigned timeslots may then be transmitted to the set of neighbor nodes. In another embodiment, a transmitting node (e.g., a neighbor node of the receiving node) may receive a scheduling packet from the receiving node. Accordingly, the transmitting node may determine its assigned transmission timeslot during which the transmitting node is allowed to transmit. As such, the transmitting node may then transmit packets only during the assigned timeslot (e.g., for a given time). In this manner, congestion at the receiving node may be reduced.
US08830836B1
A fiber channel network is configured into different zones. A first zone of the fiber channel network is configured with an initiator port, a first virtual port for a first physical port on a storage proxy, and a first virtual port for a second physical port on the storage proxy. A second zone of the fiber channel network is configured with a storage target port, a second virtual port for the first physical port on a storage proxy, and a second virtual port for the second physical port on the storage proxy. The virtual ports configured on the storage proxy increase the amount of bandwidth in the fiber channel available for asymmetric data transfers.
US08830833B2
A system and method for determining a state of a network service. Frames per second at an interface are measured to determine congestion. An effective throughput at the interface is measured to determine the congestion. An average packet size for a number of frames communicated through the interface is determined. The state for the network service is determined in response to the congestion and the average packet size. The state indicates whether the SLA is violated. A throughput rate communicated through the interface is adjusted in response to the state.
US08830829B2
Disclosed are methods, systems, paradigms and structures for processing data packets in a communication network by a multi-core network processor. The network processor includes a plurality of multi-threaded core processors and special purpose processors for processing the data packets atomically, and in parallel. An ingress module of the network processor stores the incoming data packets in the memory and adds them to an input queue. The network processor processes a data packet by performing a set of network operations on the data packet in a single thread of a core processor. The special purpose processors perform a subset of the set of network operations on the data packet atomically. An egress module retrieves the processed data packets from a plurality of output queues based on a quality of service (QoS) associated with the output queues, and forwards the data packets towards their destination addresses.
US08830827B2
An uplink dedicated control channel reporting structure includes a plurality of different bit size reports, e.g. 1 bit, 3 bit and 4 bit reports, for reporting a wireless terminal's backlog information of uplink traffic request group queues. Smaller bit size reports are transmitted more frequently than larger reports. A 1 bit request report indicates whether or not there are any MAC frames of information to be communicated in a set of two request group queues. A 3 bit request report indicates an amount of backlog information corresponding to a first set of request group queues and a second set of request group queues. A 4 bit request report indicates an amount of backlog information corresponding to a set of request group queues. The 4 bit request report is capable of reporting information on any of a plurality of uplink traffic channel request group queues being maintained by the wireless terminal.
US08830812B2
Techniques are disclosed for compensating for crosstalk using adaptation of data signals transmitted over respective channels of a communication network. In one example, a method comprises the following steps. Data is transmitted to a communication network device via a communication line during a sequence of periods. For each period of the sequence of periods, a separate value of a measure of crosstalk that was measured at the communication network device is received, each value being an average of measurements at the device of measures of crosstalk for a plurality of communication network signal subcarriers. For each individual signal subcarrier of the plurality, a matrix is updated based on the received values, the matrix being configured to precode data transmissions to the communication network device over the individual signal subcarrier. The communication network may be a DSL system, the signal subcarriers may be DSL tones, and the measure of crosstalk may be a SINR value.
US08830810B2
A holographic optical pickup device includes an image sensor that detects a diffracted beam generated from the region to be reproduced when irradiating an optical information recording medium with a reference beam, and sets the detected diffraction beam as a reproduction signal, and a photodetector that is different from the image sensor, which detects the diffracted beam generated from a recorded region in the recording medium when irradiating the recording medium with the reference beam. A light receiver of the photodetector is divided into a plurality of light receiving planes so as to generate the position error signal indicating the positional shifting of the region to be recorded/reproduced of the recording medium with respect to the objective lens from a differential signal of a plurality of signals derived from the respective light receiving planes.
US08830799B1
A near-field light generator includes a multilayer structure having a front end face. The multilayer structure includes a first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer, a third dielectric layer, a first metal layer, and a second metal layer. The first metal layer is interposed between the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer. The second metal layer is interposed between the second dielectric layer and the third dielectric layer. Each of the first to third dielectric layers and the first and second metal layers has an end located in the front end face. The dielectric material used to form the first dielectric layer, the dielectric material used to form the second dielectric layer, and the dielectric material used to form the third dielectric layer have the same permittivity.
US08830790B2
An apparatus for collecting geophysical information may include a geophysical information station disposed along a seismic communication cable. A bypass circuit responsive to a command signal is in communication with a switching circuit that is operable to route electrical power, commands, data or a combination to bypass the geophysical information station in response to the command signal. An exemplary method for bypassing a geophysical information station in a geophysical information collection system includes sending a command signal to a bypass circuit and activating one or more switching circuits using the bypass circuit to route electrical power, commands, data or a combination to bypass the geophysical information station in response to the command signal.
US08830788B2
Seismic imaging systems and methods that employ sensitivity kernel-based migration velocity analysis in 3D anisotropic media may demonstrate increased stability and accuracy. Survey data analysts employing the disclosed systems and methods are expected to provide better images of the subsurface and be better able to identify reservoirs and deposits for commercial exploitation. Certain embodiments migrate seismic survey data with an anisotropic velocity model to obtain common angle image gathers. These gathers are processed to obtain depth residuals along one or more horizons. Angle-domain sensitivity kernels are used to convert the depth residuals into velocity errors, which are then used to refine the velocity model. A user is then able to view a representation of the subsurface structure determined in part from the refined velocity model. Multiple iterations may be needed for the velocity model to converge. The velocity model may be a layered to have constant velocity values between formation boundaries.
US08830787B2
Disclosed is a method for estimating a property of an earth formation penetrated by a borehole. The method includes: transmitting acoustic waves into the formation from an acoustic source disposed in the borehole and away from a wall of the borehole; generating radial acoustic eigenwaves within a space between the wall of the borehole and the acoustic source using the transmitted acoustic waves; receiving an acoustic signal with an acoustic receiver disposed at the wall of the borehole; sensing an electric field signal with an electric field sensor disposed at the wall of the borehole; and estimating the property using the received acoustic signal and the sensed electric field signal.
US08830782B2
A circuit including a memory circuit, the memory circuit includes a first plurality of memory arrays and a first plurality of keepers, each keeper of the first plurality of keepers is electrically coupled with a corresponding one of the first plurality of memory arrays. The memory circuit further includes a first current limiter electrically coupled with and shared by the first plurality of keepers.
US08830780B2
The disclosure relates to an apparatus for deactivating one or more predecoded address lines of a memory circuit in response to one or more of the predecoded address lines being activated upon powering on of at least a portion of the apparatus. In particular, the apparatus includes a memory device; an address predecoder configured to activate one or more of a plurality of predecoded address lines based on an input address, wherein the plurality of predecoded address lines are coupled to the memory device for accessing one or more memory cells associated with the one or more activated predecoded address lines; and a power-on-reset circuit configured to deactivate one or more of the predecoded address lines in response to the one or more of the predecoded address lines being activated upon powering on the at least portion of the apparatus.
US08830773B2
Disclosed herein is a device that includes: first and second memory mats each including a plurality of bit lines; a sense area arranged between the first and second memory mats; a column selection line provided on the first memory mat; and a compensation capacitance provided on the second memory mat. The sense area includes a plurality of sense amplifiers. Each of the sense amplifiers is connected to an associated one or ones of the bit lines. At least one of the sense amplifiers is selected based on a column selection signal supplied via the column selection line. At least a part of the compensation capacitance is formed in a same wiring layer as the column selection line.
US08830763B2
A semiconductor device and an operating method thereof comprise peripheral circuits configured to apply an erase voltage to memory cells when performing an erase operation, and sense a voltage change of bit lines by an erase verification voltage applied to word lines of the memory cells when performing an erase verification operation to thereby detect cells which are not erased, and a control circuit configured to control the peripheral circuits by changing a sensing reference level for determining the voltage change of the bit lines when the cells which are not erased are detected when performing the erase verification operation, so that the erase verification operation is repeatedly performed.
US08830757B2
According to one embodiment, a method for operating a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, the device includes a memory unit having a memory string, and a control unit. The memory string includes a plurality of transistors and has a first group being part of the transistors, a adjusting transistor connected next to the first group, and a second group including transistors connected to a side opposite the first group with respect to the adjusting transistor. The method includes rewriting the threshold values of the transistors of the first group, and then performing control so as to set a first threshold value for adjustment to the adjusting transistor to adjust an amount corresponding to relative variations in the threshold values of the transistors of the second group, the relative variations being caused by the rewrite of the threshold values of the transistors of the first group.
US08830747B2
A system and method for storing data uses multiple flash memory dies. Each flash memory die includes multiple flash memory cells. A charge pump is adapted to supply charge at a predetermined voltage to each flash memory die of the flash memory dies, and an interface is adapted to receive instructions for controlling the charge pump.
US08830746B2
A method includes reading a group of analog memory cells using first explicit read thresholds, to produce first readout results. The group is re-read using second explicit read thresholds, to produce second readout results. The group is read using one or more sets of auxiliary thresholds so as to produce auxiliary readout results, such that the number of the auxiliary thresholds in each set is the same as the number of the first explicit read thresholds and the same as the number of the second explicit read thresholds. A readout performance of third read thresholds, which include at least one of the first explicit read thresholds and at least one of the second explicit read thresholds, is evaluated using the first, second and auxiliary readout results.
US08830742B2
A magnetic memory according to an embodiment includes: a magnetic structure extending in a first direction and having a circular ring-like shape in cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the first direction; a nonmagnetic layer formed on an outer surface of the magnetic structure, the outer surface extending in the first direction; and at least one reference portion formed on part of a surface of the nonmagnetic layer, the surface being on the opposite side from the magnetic structure, the at least one reference portion containing a magnetic material.
US08830740B2
The purpose of the present invention is to improve a rewriting transmission rate and reliability of a phase change memory. To attain the purpose, a plurality of phase change memory cells (SMC or USMC) which are provided in series between a word line (2) and a bit line (3) and have a selection element and a storage element that are parallel connected with each other are entirely set, and after that, a part of the cells corresponding to a data pattern is reset. Alternatively, the reverse of the operation is carried out.
US08830734B2
Method and apparatus for writing data to a magnetic memory cell, such as a spin-torque transfer random access memory (STRAM) memory cell. In accordance with various embodiments, a write current is applied through a selected magnetic memory cell to initiate magnetic precession of the selected cell to a desired magnetic state. A field assist current is concurrently flowed through an adjacent memory cell to generate a magnetic field that assists in the precession of the selected cell to the desired magnetic state.
US08830728B2
A resistance change memory device includes an array of resistance change memory cells, and a writing circuit configured to reset a selected memory cell to a high resistance state by supplying a RESET current to the selected memory cell in the array of resistance change memory cells in a program operation mode, wherein a level of the RESET current depends on a distribution of initial RESET currents for the array of resistance change memory cells.
US08830727B2
The present disclosure provides a data storage device that includes multi-level memory cells. The data storage device may include circuitry configured to write data to the multi-level memory cell. The write circuitry may include compliance circuitry configured to implement continuously tunable switching. The write circuitry may be configured to select a compliance mode for the switching, the compliance mode being selected from the group comprising current compliance and voltage compliance.
US08830726B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a variable resistive element, a current supply unit and a control signal generating unit. The resistance of the variable resistive element is changed depending on current flowing therethrough. The current supply unit controls the current in response to a control signal. The control signal generating unit generates the control signal by sensing the change in the resistance of the variable resistive element.
US08830724B2
A method of operating a PRAM device includes reading a PRAM reference cell to determine an initial programmed resistance of the PRAM reference cell and determining whether the initial programmed resistance has been reduced to below a predetermined reference threshold resistance.
US08830716B2
Memory bandwidth management. In a two-level memory (2LM) system far memory bandwidth utilization at least a far memory is monitored and the available far memory bandwidth availability is dynamically modified based on monitored far memory bandwidth utilization. The operational state of at least one processing core is dynamically modified in response to modification of available far memory bandwidth.
US08830715B2
A semiconductor memory device is disclosed. The semiconductor memory device includes a memory array block, a first word line and a second word line. The memory array block includes a plurality of adjacent columns of memory cells, each column of memory cells including a plurality of consecutive memory cells having a plurality of respective consecutive cell transistors that comprise at least a first group of cell transistors and a second group of cell transistors. The first word line is disposed above the plurality of respective consecutive cell transistors and electrically connected to the first group of cell transistors, and the second word line is disposed below the plurality of respective consecutive cell transistors and electrically connected to the second group of cell transistors.
US08830712B2
A method of controlling an inverter device, a control device, an inverter device and a direct current power transmission system are provided. The direct current power transmission system is provided for connection to an AC voltage bus of an AC power system and includes the control device and the inverter device that converts between DC power and AC power. The control device receives measurements of the voltage (VAC) at the AC voltage bus and controls the inverter device to provide a constant AC voltage on the bus.
US08830703B2
The power supply apparatus includes a first control part that controls a switching operation of a first converter, a second control part that controls a switching operation of a second converter, a zero crossing circuit that outputs a zero crossing signal of a voltage to be input; and a voltage supply part that supplies a DC voltage obtained by rectifying an output of an auxiliary coil of a transformer of the first converter to the first control part, the second control part, and the zero crossing circuit. When the first converter stops, the supply of the DC voltage to the second control part and the zero crossing circuit is stopped to reduce a power consumption.
US08830702B2
Described are improvements in power factor control and systems embodying said improved power factor control. Improvements lie in a method of zero voltage switching in which a capacitor is placed in parallel with a switching device, and the switching device is operated responsive to a change in the polarity of the current through the capacitor. Switching therefore occurs at zero or close to zero voltage across the switching device in both on and off modes resulting in very low switching losses and electromagnetic interference. Systems employing the method include a power factor controller, LED light source, boost converter and a power source comprising one or more photovoltaic cells.
US08830694B2
The device includes a first inductor, a first insulating layer, a second inductor, and a third inductor. The first inductor includes a helical conductive pattern. The second inductor is located in a region overlapping the first inductor through the first insulating layer. The second inductor includes a helical conductive pattern. The third inductor is connected in series to the second inductor, and includes a helical conductive pattern.
US08830687B2
A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material molded to provide details to accept audio devices and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips.
US08830683B2
A motherboard assembly includes a motherboard and an expansion card. The motherboard includes an expansion slot, a storage device interface, a power connector, and a central processing unit (CPU). The expansion slot includes a protrusion, first signal pins connected to the CPU, first power pins connected to the power connector. The expansion card includes a circuit board. A storage unit, a display unit, a power circuit, and a serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) connector connected to the storage unit and the storage device interface of the motherboard are all arranged on the circuit board. A notch is defined in a bottom edge of the circuit board, to receive the protrusion. An edge connector is arranged on a bottom edge of the circuit board and includes second power pins connected to the power circuit, and second signal pins connected to the display unit.
US08830677B2
The present invention is to provide an engaging structure applicable to a display device and including a housing and an inflatable element, wherein the housing serves as a protective case of the display device and is formed with at least one assembly hole, and the inflatable element is formed with at least one connecting portion, such that, when the housing is assembled into an accommodating space of the inflatable element and the inflatable element is fully inflated, the connecting portion is engaged in the corresponding assembly hole. Thus, the portions of the inflatable element that correspond in position to the accommodating space are tightly pressed against the sides of the housing other than the side where a screen is installed at the display device. Since the inflatable element is lightweight and occupies a tiny space while in a deflated state, it will effectively reduce storage space and transportation costs.
US08830672B2
A computer system includes a rack-mountable server unit with a closed server housing. The server housing has a channel with a recessed channel wall in conductive thermal communication with a processor or other heat-generating component. An elongate conduit is received into the channel of the server housing in conductive thermal communication with an external surface of the server housing. The server is cooled by conductive fluid flow through the conduit, with no appreciable airflow through the server housing. The system may be operated in an optional burst cooling mode, wherein a volume of cooling fluid is trapped in the conduit for a period of time before being quickly released.
US08830669B2
There is provided a display apparatus including a head portion attached to a display panel which displays an image and having a hole arranged at a lower portion, a support pillar portion extending in a vertical direction and fixed to the head portion by being inserted into a hole of the head portion, the support pillar portion being detachably attached to the head portion, and a base portion in a flat plate shape, the support pillar portion being vertically attached to the base portion in a detachable manner.
US08830662B2
Electronic devices may have openings that serve as potential pathways for moisture intrusion into interior portions of the devices. An electronic device may be provided with moisture repelling coatings in the vicinity of these openings to help prevent moisture from reaching the interior of the device. The openings may be associated with gaps between adjacent housing structures, openings for buttons, openings for audio and connector ports or other openings in device structures. The moisture repelling coatings may be applied to housing surfaces, button members, structures associated with audio and connector ports, and other device structures.
US08830661B2
A portable electronic device that can operate even when electric power supplied through contactless charge by electromagnetic induction is low is provided. The portable electronic device includes a reflective liquid crystal display which includes a transistor including an oxide semiconductor, a power source portion which includes a rechargeable battery capable of charge by contactless charge, and a signal processing portion which includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device. In the portable electronic device, electric power stored in the rechargeable battery is used in the reflective liquid crystal display and the signal processing portion.
US08830648B2
A magnetic manipulation and navigation system for moving a magnetic element through a body comprising at least six electromagnets fixed in relation to said body and a control unit supplying the current for the electromagnets. The electromagnets have soft magnetic cores and the current supplied by the control unit to each of the electromagnets is adapted to operate the electromagnetic coils of each of the electromagnets in their core's linear regions being delimited by the value of the flux density of each electromagnet being in an interval between the negative and positive saturation value of each electromagnet, the lower representation showing the deviation due to the use of soft magnetic cores in all electromagnets.
US08830638B2
A switching apparatus allows coupled coils to be dynamically switched in or out of a circuit using small control currents. The apparatus includes at least one latching circuit, one or more control circuits and diodes. The latching circuit may have two bipolar transistors connected in a transistor latch configuration with at least two diodes, such that at least one diode may be connected in series with a base of the each bipolar transistor. The control circuits may be connected to the latch circuit for operating the bipolar transistors. The diodes may be connected in the circuit for protecting the latching and control circuits from being exposed to high voltages and currents during the turn-off or turn-on of the inductor coils. This allows overall efficiency levels to be maintained while changing the inductance of the circuit as per requirements. The circuits may be used in switch mode power supplies (SMPS).
US08830636B2
A high voltage DC switchyard comprises at least one busbar, at lest two DC lines connected to said at least one busbar through DC breakers comprising a section of at least one semiconductor device of turn-off type and rectifying member in anti-parallel therewith. At least one said DC line is connected to at least one said busbar through a unidirectional said DC breaker, i.e. a DC breaker that may only block current therethrough in one direction.
US08830620B2
A method for reducing skew angle variation range in a shingled magnetic recording system, the method including the following steps: 1) determining whether a starting magnetic track is in an inner recording zone, if yes, the process proceeds to step (2), otherwise the process proceeds to step (4); 2) using an inner writing corner to start shingled magnetic recording at a starting track; 3) using a shingled magnetic method to write rest magnetic tracks sequentially by the inner writing corner, keeping a writing pole moving in a direction from an inner recording zone to an outer recording zone; 4) determining whether the starting magnetic track is in the outer recording zone; 5) using an outer writing corner to start shingled magnetic recording at the starting track; and 6) using the shingled magnetic method to write the rest magnetic tracks sequentially by the outer writing corner.
US08830617B1
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 based on the servo sectors. An estimated acceleration EstAccel of the head over the disk is generated based on at least one of the servo sectors. When the EstAccel is determined to be reliable, an estimated velocity EstVel of the head over the disk is generated based on the EstAccel. When the EstAccel is determined to be unreliable, the EstAccel is adjusted to generate an adjusted acceleration AdjAccel and the EstVel of the head over the disk is generated based on the AdjAccel.
US08830613B2
Described embodiments provide a method of cancelling inter-track interference (ITI) from one or more sectors read from a desired track of a storage medium. A read channel reads sectors in a desired track of the storage medium. An iterative decoder of the read channel decodes the read sectors, and if the read sectors are incorrectly recovered from the storage medium, selected sectors of a first adjacent track are read. An ITI canceller of the read channel estimates ITI in the read sectors of the desired track corresponding to the selected sectors of the adjacent track and subtracts the estimated ITI of the adjacent track from the data for the sectors of the desired track, providing updated sector data. The ITI cancelled data is replayed to the iterative decoder, which decodes the ITI cancelled data and provides the decoded ITI cancelled data as output data of the read channel.
US08830611B1
An apparatus for indicating working states of hard disks includes a south bridge chip, a CPLD controller chip, a BMC chip, and indicating lights. The south bridge chip stores hard disk information of the hard disks. The CPLD controller chip reads position signals and data signals from the hard disk information and converts the position signals and the data signals into working states signals of the hard disks. The BMC chip receives the working states signals. If working states of the hard disks changes, the BMC chip converts the working states signals into changed position signals and changed data signals. The corresponding indicating lights receive the changed position signals and the changed data signals and indicates the changed working states of the hard disks according to the changed position signals and the changed data signals.
US08830606B2
An interchangeable lens to be detachably attached to a camera body, that includes a holding unit at which a plurality of contacts is arranged, in the interchangeable lens, the first contact is arranged on one end and the eleventh contact is arranged on another end of the arrangement of the twelve contacts; the second contact is arranged next to the first contact in the arrangement of the twelve contacts; and the twelfth contact is arranged next to the eleventh contact in the arrangement of the twelve contacts.
US08830596B2
Disclosed herein is an imaging lens, including: a first lens having positive (+) power and being biconvex; a second lens having negative (−) power and being concave toward an image side; a third lens having positive (+) power and being biconvex; a fourth lens having positive (+) power and being convex toward the image side; and a fifth lens having negative (−) power and being concave toward the image side, wherein the first lens, the second lens, the third lens, the fourth lens, and the fifth lens are sequentially disposed from an object side.
US08830593B2
A zoom lens includes: a first lens group having a negative refractive power; and a second lens group having a positive refractive power, provided in this order from an object side. Magnification is changed by moving the first lens group and the second lens group. The first lens group includes a first lens having a negative refractive power, a second lens having a positive refractive power, a third lens having a negative refractive power, and a fourth lens having a positive refractive power, provided in this order from the object side. The zoom lens satisfies the following conditional formulae, when fw is the focal length of the entire system at the wide angle end, f1 is the focal length of the first lens group, and f2 is the focal length of the second lens group: 0.00
US08830591B2
A projection lens for projecting image information displayed on a reduction side conjugate position to a magnification side conjugate position, including a negative first lens group, a positive second lens group, a positive third lens group, and a positive fourth lens group arranged in this order from the magnification side, which satisfies predetermined conditional expressions.
US08830589B2
Techniques are disclosed for creating optical systems and devices that enable a mobile device (e.g., smartphone or other mobile phone, personal media player, and/or other personal electronic device) to be coupled with an optical device (e.g., a riflescope, spotting scope, etc.) such that information shown on the display of the mobile device is viewable to a user looking into the eyepiece of the optical device. Additionally or alternatively, an image from the optical device can be communicated to the mobile device. A modular design can utilize an apparatus configured to encase a mobile device, which can be coupled with the optical device via and optical and/or electrical interface.
US08830583B2
A position controller for a removable optical element in an optical system includes an advancing/retracting ring; a removable optical element holding member supported by the advancing/retracting ring and rotatable about a first rotational axis between an insertion position on the optical axis and a removed position; an insertion holder which holds the removable optical element holding member at the insertion position; a removal drive member supported by the advancing/retracting ring and rotatable about a second rotational axis between an insertion allowance position and a forced removing position; and an insertion/removal controller. A rotational radius from the second rotational axis to a contact point between the removable optical element holding member and the removal drive member is greater than a rotational radius from the first rotational axis to the contact point.
US08830580B2
Imaging optics having reduced susceptibility to thermally-induced stress birefringence for imaging an object plane to an image plane; comprising an aperture stop positioned between the object plane and the image plane; a first group of optical elements located on the object plane side of the aperture stop; and a second group of optical elements located on the image plane side of the aperture stop. The optical elements in the first and second groups that are immediately adjacent to the aperture stop are refractive lens elements fabricated using optical materials having a negligible susceptibility to thermal stress birefringence, and the other optical elements are a combination of reflective optical elements and refractive lens elements fabricated using optical materials having at most a moderate susceptibility to thermal stress birefringence.
US08830578B2
An optical isolator 1 element comprises a Faraday rotator 11 that rotates a polarization plane of light; a first polarizer of optical absorption type 12 arranged on one surface side of the Faraday rotator 11, the first polarizer 12 having a layer in which metal particles are distributed; and a second polarizer of optical absorption type 13 arranged on another surface side of the Faraday rotator 11, the second polarizer 13 having a metal particle layer in which metal particles are distributed in a density higher than the density of metal particles distributed in the metal particle layer of the first polarizer 12. The optical isolator 1 makes it possible to reduce a deterioration of isolation caused by occurring a reflected light reflected between the second polarizer 13 and the first polarizer 12.
US08830571B1
An all-reflective afocal lens is comprised of eight-reflective mirrors which can fold the light path into a very compact and thin configuration while maintaining diffraction limited performance. Such an afocal arrangement is usable with a traditional optical imager of an appropriate aperture dimension and FOV range, or with an annular aperture optical system with the appropriately scaled aperture and acceptable FOV angles. When combined the resulting FOV is scaled by the magnification produced by the afocal. The afocal arrangement can be used in either a magnification mode or a demagnification mode. Such an afocal arrangement can be used as either a focal length extender or as a FOV switch enabling a very short length two FOV multi-spectral system with a length that can be an order of magnitude shorter than a known optical system.
US08830562B2
A multi-color electrophoretic display (EPD) device, an image sheet, and a method of manufacturing the same. The method of manufacturing the multi-color EPD device includes: forming capsules including photosensitive color-developing capsule shells each of which stores a dielectric fluid and at least one type of electrophoretic particles dispersed in the dielectric fluid; disposing the capsules in a unit color pixel area on a substrate; exposing the capsules to light to form a latent image of a color pattern image on the capsules; and developing the photosensitive color-developing capsule shells of the capsules to form unit color pixels including color capsules.
US08830554B2
The present subject matter can include a two-dimensional electrochemical writing assembly and uses thereof. The writing assembly can enable for time-dependently displaying of a physical parameter, such as a time-dependent display or recording of the temperature. The writing assembly comprises two different types of electrochemical processors, of which one type is used for controlling the time-dependent switching of the second type of electrochemical processors used in the writing assembly.
US08830547B2
An authentication hologram uses a Lippmann hologram that enables a 3D object image having a vertical and horizontal field of vision as well as planar with added information viewable at a specific angle alone. In that authentication hologram, a hologram for reconstructing a 3D object image and a hologram mirror pattern that is formed at a pattern portion corresponding to the added information and has planar interference fringes placed one upon another and parallel at a constant spacing are recorded in a superposing fashion.
US08830544B2
An image reading apparatus includes an image reader unit that has a plurality of light receiving elements for reading an image on an original, and moves relative to a frame for applying a pressing force to a read-target surface of the original; and a driven roller that is rotatable, comes into contact with the original, and moves relative to the frame and independent of the image reader unit in a direction in which the image reader unit applies the pressing force to the original, thereby applying a pressing force to the original independent of the image reader unit.
US08830542B2
An illumination apparatus for use in an image reading apparatus that forms a reduction image of a read area of an original on an image pickup element by an imaging optical system, includes: a light source illuminating the original; and a light guide guiding light to the original; wherein the light guide has a first surface on which light is incident or that diffuses light, a second surface from which light exits toward the read area, and a third and fourth surfaces arranged between the first and second surfaces in a sub-scanning section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the light guide, the third surface arranged on a side closer to an optical axis of the imaging optical system, and the fourth surface arranged on a side farther from the optical axis, wherein the third and fourth surfaces are reflective surfaces having the same paraxial power which is appropriately set.
US08830540B2
The present disclosure relates to an image reading device, including: a light emitting portion; a light guiding member; a holding member that holds the light emitting portion and the light guiding member; and a case member that holds the holding member. In the image reading device, the light guiding member is shaped like a stick, of which end portion is disposed to face the light emitting portion. The holding member holds the light emitting portion and the light guiding member. In addition, the holding member has: and a holding portion that disposes the light guiding member along a main scanning direction, and positions and holds an end portion on the light emitting portion side in the main scanning direction. The case member holds the holding member.
US08830537B2
A data communication apparatus is disclosed. In the data communication apparatus, when plural documents including destination information are transmitted to an external apparatus by using a facsimile function, reference destination information in image data of a reference document is compared with destination information in image data of documents other than the reference document. When the destination information in the image data of the documents other than the reference document is the same as the reference destination information in the image data of the reference document, the image data of the plural documents are transmitted to the external apparatus.
US08830532B2
A printing control method of a printer is implemented in a printing system including an information providing device and a printer. The printer is connected to the information providing device for printing data sent by the information providing device. Once a printing driver program of the information providing device receives page data to be outputted, the printing driver program converts a number of first color components of the page data into a number of second color components and checks if any one of the second color components contains zeroes for all the content. If one second color component is found to have zeroes for all the content, this very second color component will not be sent to the printer, whereas the rest of the second color components will be sent to the printer for output.
US08830531B2
A printing system is disclosed. The printing system includes an image processor to selectively rasterize a plurality of objects, and to determine if a size of a first object is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold perform a single-cell halftone process on the first object if the size of the first object is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold and perform a super-cell halftone process on the first object if the size of the first object is greater than the predetermined threshold.
US08830528B2
The blocking unit generates first block property data having a first value if all pixels in the block image do not have a color of the color plane, and generates first block property data having a second value if at least one pixel in the block image has the color. The gamma correction unit performs gamma correction for the block image having the second value and does not perform gamma correction for the block image having the first value. The screen process unit generates a block dot image by performing a screen process for the block image after the gamma correction. The toner adhesion amount calculating unit identifies values of the first block property data of block images adjacent to an objective block image, and identifies the toner adhesion amount of the object block as a value changed correspondingly to the identified values of the first block property data.
US08830524B2
Banding can be prevented and image-quality degradation can be reduced. An image processing apparatus includes first creation means configured to distribute density of image data to a pixel on another scanning line on the basis of a difference between an actual print position of the image data and a reference position and to create position-corrected image data, second creation means configured to correct the image data using a correction value corresponding to a position of the image data and to create density-corrected image data, and generation means configured to generate output image data using the position-corrected image data created by the first creation means and the density-corrected image data created by the second creation means.
US08830521B2
An image forming apparatus includes the following elements. An image forming unit forms an image by using plural predetermined colors. An index forming unit causes the image forming unit to form two or more consecutive image correcting indexes of one type by using an identical color, the image correcting indexes being used for correcting misregistration of an image to be formed. The image correcting indexes are sequentially transferred to an image carrier. A detector includes a light source emitting light to the image correcting indexes and a light receiver receiving light reflected by the image carrier and the image correcting indexes to generate a detection signal. A position specifying unit specifies a position between two consecutive image correcting indexes by using the detection signal. A misregistration correcting unit corrects misregistration of an image to be formed by using the specified position.
US08830520B2
A computer-implemented method and system for enhancing black density of a halftoned bitmap are provided. The method includes receiving a halftoned bitmap into computer memory, and, using a computer, identifying at least one black-only pixel in the halftoned bitmap. The method further includes for each of the identified black-only pixels, identifying at least one black-only pixel as a candidate for adding color based at least in part on the location of the black-only pixel with respect to an edge in the halftoned bitmap, modifying the halftoned bitmap by adding color to at least one of the candidate black-only pixels, and outputting the modified halftoned bitmap.
US08830511B2
According to one embodiment, an environmental contribution supporting apparatus provided for a system including a printing apparatus and an erasing apparatus includes a duplex-reduction calculating unit, an aggregation-reduction calculating unit, a sheet-reduction-ratio calculating unit, a printing-state-character selecting unit, a sheet-reuse-ratio calculating unit, a reuse-state-character selecting unit, a sheet-reduction-message selecting unit, a sheet-reuse-message selecting unit, an advice setting unit, and a report creating unit configured to edit a character selected by the printing-state-character selecting unit, a character selected by the reuse-state-character selecting unit, and a message set by the advice setting unit into a predetermined form.
US08830506B2
An image processing system includes intermediate-data generating apparatuses and one or more drawing-data generating apparatuses. The intermediate-data generating apparatuses interpret data of pages forming PDL document data, the pages being assigned to the corresponding intermediate-data generating apparatuses, to generate elements of intermediate data of the pages. The drawing-data generating apparatuses each obtain assigned elements of the intermediate data and each draw the obtained elements to generate drawing data including information concerning pixels forming each obtained element. The drawing-data generating apparatuses each include a memory that stores intermediate data or drawing data of a common element used in the obtained elements. If the intermediate data or the drawing data of the common element is stored in the memory, the drawing-data generating apparatuses generate drawing data of the obtained elements using the stored intermediate data or drawing data. The number of drawing-data generating apparatuses is smaller than that of intermediate-data generating apparatuses.
US08830498B2
An information processing apparatus (printing server) of one aspect of the present invention generates print data from a print target file attached to the electronic mail received from a mobile terminal via a network, and causes a printer designated in the electronic mail to execute printing based on the print data. In a case where a printer notifies a printing server of the occurrence of an error during the execution of printing based on print data, the printing server instructs the printer to automatically skip an error which has occurred, if it is designated in received electronic mail that the error should be automatically skipped.
US08830495B2
An image forming apparatus comprises a display unit; and a display controlling unit that causes the display unit to display a first ready screen and a second ready screen. The first ready screen is displayed when a job can be accepted, and the first ready screen indicates that a job can be accepted and has a first button for detecting operator's input of a request for displaying a screen having first information. The second ready screen is displayed when a job can be accepted after input of the request is detected, and the second ready screen has the first information and has a second button for detecting input of a request for displaying second information other than the first information.
US08830490B2
Methods and systems feed print media from a print media storage device to a scanner positioned along a paper path, and feed the print media along the paper path from the scanner to a marking device positioned along the paper path. The scanner is positioned between the print media storage device and the marking device along the media path. The scanner scans the print media as the print media travels along the paper path before the print media reaches the marking device. The methods and systems control actions of the marking device based upon patterns of markings detected on the print media by the scanner using a processor operatively connected to the scanner and the marking engine, and print markings on the print media using the marking device.
US08830489B2
The invention describes a laser plotter and a method for engraving, marking or inscribing a workpiece. Two lasers are installed in a housing of the laser plotter and may alternatively operate on the workpiece. The workpiece is positioned on a processing platform and a laser beam is sent to at least one focusing unit configured for both lasers, from which the laser beam is deflected in the direction of the workpiece. Control of the workpiece is obtained by software running in a control unit. Graphic and/or text data are prepared on an external computer or other control device, and transferred to the control unit of the laser plotter. The lasers are allocated to the transferred data based on color code, whereby a height correction value to compensate for the various focal lengths of the lasers is preloaded in the data bank for the different colors.
US08830468B2
A colorimeter or other instrument measures the color composition and texture of a person's skin and an individual custom formulation is produced. A computer system accepts data from a colorimeter 300 or like instrument and uses a main executable program 502 and a subroutine 504 for color analysis to derive an average color that is used to select a closest matching color from a database of approximately 20,000 interpolated colors, the interpolated colors sometimes derived from a database of approximately 2,000 human skin colors. The closest match may also be found within a database comprising approximately 2,000 human skin colors and 20,000 interpolated human skin colors. The disclosed machines and methods then custom formulate such color to produce foundation, concealer, tinted moisturizer, skin care products, nail polish, hair dye, lipstick, lip gloss, blush, mascara, eyeliner eye shadow and other products.
US08830467B2
A spectrophotometer 300, webcam 302 or other instrument measures the color composition and texture of a person's face 400 or other body part. A computer system 301 includes a processor 501 and a non-transitory, non-signal computer readable medium 500 containing machine readable instructions that accept data from a spectrophotometer 300 or like instrument and uses a main executable program 502 and a subroutine 504 for color analysis to derive a mix of color to create a cosmetic product matching or enhancing the color composition and/or texture of the person's face or other body part. Customer skin color may be custom matched on the fly and specifically formulated and created. Or, a database of approximately 22,000 human skin colors may be drawn upon to find a best match for a customer's skin color. A color from the database may then be custom formulated and dispensed.
US08830466B2
An arrangement for providing passive alignment of optical components on a common substrate uses a set of reference cavities, where each optical device is positioned within a separate reference cavity. The reference cavities are formed to have a predetermined depth, with perimeters slightly larger than the footprint of their associated optical components. The reference cavity includes at least one right-angle corner that is used as a registration corner against which a right-angle corner of an associated optical component is positioned. The placement of each optical component in its own reference cavity allows for passive optical alignment to be achieved by placing each component against its predefined registration corner.
US08830461B2
An inspection apparatus for a display substrate includes a reflection plate, a liquid crystal layer, an electrode layer, a ¼ wavelength retardation plate and a polarization plate. The liquid crystal layer is disposed on the reflection plate and includes liquid crystal molecules which have a retardation value of about 140 nanometers to about 200 nanometers and are operated in a twisted nematic mode. The electrode layer is disposed on the liquid crystal layer and generates an electric field in cooperation with an electrode of the display substrate. The ¼ wavelength retardation plate is disposed on the electrode layer and the polarization plate is disposed on the ¼ wavelength retardation plate.
US08830455B2
In an aspect, an inspection method for detecting the presence or absence of a defect on an object, the object comprising a recess having a physical depth, is disclosed. The method includes directing radiation at the object, the radiation having a wavelength that is substantially equal to twice an optical depth of the recess, detecting radiation that is re-directed by the object or a defect on the object, and determining the presence or absence of a defect from the re-directed radiation.
US08830452B2
A geodetic target 1 for use in geodesy comprises an orienting device 10 with a bearing direction P, a first inclinometer 20 with a first axis of inclination 20A, a reflector 30 reflecting incident measurement beams S, an imaging optics 40 that focuses the incident measurement beams S, a matrix sensor 50, whose receiving surface 51 is situated in an image plane of the imaging optics 40, and an interface 60, which is connected to the first inclinometer 20 and the matrix sensor 50. The spatial arrangement and orientation of the optical axis and/or axis of symmetry 30A of the reflector 30 relative to the bearing direction P of the orienting device 10 is predetermined here. The first axis of inclination 20A makes an angle α other than zero with an optical axis 40A of the imaging optics 40. The optical axis 40A of the imaging optics 40 coincides with an optical axis 30A and/or axis of symmetry of the reflector 30 or is parallel to it or make an angle with it. The interface 60 is designed to put out the signals received from the first inclinometer 20 and the matrix sensor 50 for determining a spatial orientation of the reflector 30 reflecting the measurement beams relative to the target point Z.Moreover, a position determining system comprising this target and a method which uses this target is disclosed.
US08830444B2
A lithographic apparatus comprising a source that generates a beam of radiation, a support structure supporting a patterning device, a substrate table for holding a substrate, and a projection system projecting the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate. The lithographic apparatus further comprises a vibration measurement apparatus configured to measure relative vibration between the patterning device and the substrate during exposure of the target portion. A control apparatus adjusts power of the radiation beam to compensate for the effect of the measured relative vibration on the pattern projected onto the substrate.
US08830443B2
A lithographic projection apparatus that is arranged to project a pattern from a patterning device onto a substrate using a projection system has a liquid supply system arranged to supply a liquid to a space between the projection system and the substrate. The apparatus also includes a liquid collecting system that includes a liquid collection member having a permeable member through which a liquid is collected from a surface of an object opposite to the liquid collection member, wherein the permeable member has a plurality of passages that generate a capillary force.
US08830438B2
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel and its manufacturing method. The LCD panel comprises a first substrate, a second substrate, a sealant, and a barrier wall. The first substrate and the second substrate are disposed relatively. The sealant disposed surrounding between the first substrate and the second substrate. The barrier wall is disposed at the outer side of the area surrounded by the sealant, and the barrier wall is respectively abutted against the first substrate and the second substrate. In summary, the present invention could improve the overflow of the sealant, reducing the difficulty for narrow frame design and the requirement for cutting precision of the LCD panel.
US08830423B2
A method of making a liquid crystal device is provided, the method comprising (i) providing a cell containing a mixture of a liquid crystal and pre-polymer (ii) applying a stimulus to arrange the liquid crystal in a first predetermined state and (iii) subsequent to, or contemporaneously with, step (ii), causing the pre-polymer to form polymer when the liquid crystal is in a second predetermined state, wherein steps (ii) and (iii) are performed a plurality of times.
US08830419B2
The present invention provides a backlight module, which comprises a waveguide has an incident surface and light-emitting surface. A light source is arranged on a side of the incident surface. An optical module is arranged above the waveguide and facing the light-emitting surface. The optical module includes a least one optical film having a crease at one side thereof. At least a positioning arrangement is arranged on a side surface of the waveguide other than the incident surface. A space is defined between the positioning arrangement and the side surface of the waveguide. The crease of the optical film is received within the space. The present invention further provides a liquid crystal display module incorporated with a backlight module disclosed. Accordingly, when the optical films is experiencing an expansion or contraction resulted from temperature gradient, the robust can always make the optical films properly seated within the receiving space defined by the positioning arrangement and the waveguide. As a result, the optical films can be effectively prevented from being deformed or creating a wave-form deformation.
US08830408B2
Aspects of the present invention provide an electro-active lens and method for manufacturing the same that encapsulates liquid crystal using solid transparent optical material using an improved liquid crystal seal feature. The seal feature greatly reduces the visibility of the liquid crystal seal feature in an assembled electro-active lens. The seal feature is also structurally robust such that the electro-active lens can be processed to fit a spectacle frame without disturbing containment of the liquid crystal and without disrupting electrical connectivity to the lens used to alter the refractive index of the liquid crystal, thereby ensuring fabrication of a commercially viable electro-active lens.
US08830389B2
An image detecting module includes a socket, a circuit board, an image sensor, an elastic element, a filter and a holder. The socket comprises an inner circumference wall along a main axis for defining an inner space and a platform that extended from the inner circumference wall. Pluralities of mounting holes are provided on the holder and pluralities of protrusions are provided on the socket; thus the elastic element and the filter could be fixed between the platform and the holder by fitting the protrusions into the mounting holes.
US08830379B2
The image pickup apparatus of the present invention includes: an optical imaging system for forming an object image; an image pickup device including a plurality of pixels that photoelectrically converts the object image; a defocus quantity calculation section for calculating a defocus quantity based on a phase difference between a plurality of signals for focus detection obtained from a plurality of pixels for focus detection that respectively receive a light flux that passes through a different pupil region of the optical imaging system; a focusing section for driving the optical imaging system so as to achieve an in-focus state, in accordance with the defocus quantity calculated at the defocus quantity calculation section; an addition practicability determination section for determining a practicability of performing inter-frame addition on a plurality of signals for focus detection before calculating the defocus quantity, based on an analysis result of a signal component of the object image; and an inter-frame addition processing section for performing inter-frame addition based on a determination result of the addition practicability determination section.
US08830372B2
A CCD image sensor includes vertical CCD shift registers and gate electrodes disposed over the vertical CCD shift registers. The gate electrodes are divided into distinct groups of gate electrodes. The CCD image sensor is adapted to operate in an accumulation mode and a charge transfer mode, an accumulation mode and a charge shifting mode, or an accumulation mode, a charge transfer mode, and a charge shifting mode. The charge transfer mode has an initial charge transfer phase and a final charge transfer phase. The charge shifting mode has an initial charge shifting phase and a final charge shifting phase.
US08830368B2
In a solid-state imaging device, an amplification transistor amplifies a signal generated by a photoelectric conversion unit and outputs the amplified signal. An analog memory accumulates the amplified signal output from the amplification transistor. A select transistor electrically connects the analog memory to a vertical signal line and selects any one of a first state in which the amplified signal accumulated in the analog memory is output to the vertical signal line and a second state in which the analog memory is electrically disconnected from the vertical signal line. A differential amplification circuit includes a first input terminal connected to a reference voltage and a second input terminal connected to the vertical signal line.
US08830348B2
An imaging device is configured to include an optical system which captures an image of a subject, an image sensor which converts the image captured by the optical system into an electric signal, a classifying unit which classifies the captured image into a plurality of areas according to brightness information and color information, a white balance correcting unit which set different white balance correction coefficients for the plurality of areas; and a white balance correction coefficient adjusting unit which adjusts a difference in the white balance correction coefficients for the plurality of areas to be within a first predetermined range.
US08830339B2
This disclosure describes techniques for triggering recording of digital video in a fast frame rate mode. In one example, a digital video recording apparatus includes a video sensor that captures digital video data at a fast frame rate in a fast frame rate mode, a video buffer that buffers the captured digital video data according to a first-in-first-out storage schema, a video storage that stores digital video data, and a motion detection unit that detects fast motion in the buffered digital video data, that stores digital video data from the video sensor in the video storage after detecting the fast motion, and that copies the contents of the video buffer to the video storage prepended to the stored video data. The digital video recording apparatus may be incorporated in a wireless communication device, such as a cellular phone.
US08830338B2
In an imaging device with a wide dynamic range function by combining images, focus is controlled to establish an in-focus state for each image to enlarge the dynamic range with reducing blur, thereby improving visibility. The device includes an imaging unit with a variable focal distance focus lens, an exposure controller for controlling the imaging unit's exposure to implement several shooting operations for a subject with different sensitivity, a processing unit for processing a signal outputted from the imaging unit to generate an image signal and a focus evaluation value indicating focus degree, an image combining unit for combining signals generated by the processing unit and outputting the combined signal, the processing unit generates a focus evaluation value for each outputted signal and the focus controller controls the focus lens for shooting operations of the imaging unit with mutually different sensitivity values, based on focus evaluation values respectively associated therewith.
US08830327B2
A video surveillance system includes at least one of a camera or a streamer. A data base server is coupled to the camera and can store metadata for a video clip from the camera or streamer. A media storage server is coupled to both the camera or, the streamer, and to the data base server to store the clip in the absence of any network video recorders.
US08830318B2
An on-vehicle three-dimensional video system is provided for a vehicle and a method is provided for monitoring a surrounding environment of a vehicle. The on-vehicle three-dimensional video system includes, but is not limited to cameras, a display screen, a control module, and a power supply device. The cameras are provided in pairs for filming the surrounding environment of the vehicle from different angles, and the display screen is able to bring about a three-dimensional video effect according to pairs of video signals from the cameras. With the on-vehicle three-dimensional video system, a realistic three-dimensional output of the surrounding environment of the vehicle is realized on the display screen so that the driver can clearly know about the precise relative position of a corresponding portion of the vehicle with respect to the surrounding environment.
US08830311B2
The disclosure provides an electronic device and a detecting position method adapted for the electronic device. The device stores an infrared sensing mode and a capture mode. The method includes steps of: entering the infrared sensing mode in response to an input signal and capturing infrared signals from an external environment, amplifying the infrared signals and converting the infrared signals into digital signals, evaluating whether part of the infrared signals falls into a predetermined waveband, if yes, focusing on an infrared thermal source whose infrared signals fall into the predetermined waveband, switching from the infrared sensing mode to the capture mode, taking a photo of the infrared thermal source, and processing the photo to identify a position of the infrared thermal source in the photo and displaying the position of the infrared thermal source in the photo.
US08830310B2
A capsule endoscope includes: a light emitting unit; an imaging unit; an image signal processing unit; and a setting unit that controls the light emitting unit and the imaging unit to perform pre-exposure, measures at least one of a light emission time and a light emission intensity, sets the measured time or intensity for a main exposure process when the measured time or intensity is within a predetermined acceptable range, and sets at least one of the preset light emission time and light emission intensity for the main exposure process when the measured time or intensity is out of the acceptable range, wherein an acquisition process of an image is performed in accordance with the set light emission time or the set light emission intensity.
US08830309B2
A hierarchical pattern matching process is improved for use in three-dimensional reconstruction by calculating a disparity field for low-resolution data, and using this low-resolution disparity field to estimate the disparity field for higher-resolution images. By pre-warping a template according to the estimated disparity field, improved correlation results can be obtained.
US08830294B2
In the field of communications, a method and a system for video conference control, videoconferencing network equipment, and a videoconferencing site are provided. The method for video conference control includes: assigning a site identifier to a videoconferencing site, and constructing a site list to be delivered to the videoconferencing site; receiving a conference control request sent by the videoconferencing site, the conference control request carrying a site identifier and an operation type of a controlled site; and performing a conference control operation on the controlled site according to the conference control request.
US08830291B2
Embodiments described can more effectively complete complicated service transactions in a more efficient manner by having a team of well-trained professionals who are instantly “streamed” into any location as necessary. A two-way communication system can provide instant or quick access to the right expert at the right point in time, thereby converting what might otherwise be a negative customer experience into a positive sales and service opportunity. A computer implemented method for providing customer support comprises receiving, by a touchpoint device, identification information from a user of the touchpoint device; receiving the identification information; providing an electronic document to the user; receiving an input from the user requesting a session with a representative; selecting a representative based at least in part on the electronic document; providing information about the electronic document to the representative; and establishing a connection between the representative and the touchpoint device.
US08830290B2
An audio-video synchronization method is executable in a video conference device. The method includes determining a first presence time of a predetermined visual effect in a captured video sample stream and a second presence time of a predetermined sound effect in a captured audio sample stream, calculating a time difference between the first and second presence time, and adjusting timestamps of each real-time transport protocol packet in an audio stream sent out by the video conference apparatus based on the time difference. The method further includes receiving an adjustment value from an user input, and adjusting timestamps of each real-time transport protocol packet in an audio stream received by the video conference apparatus based on the adjustment value.
US08830287B2
A surface-emission laser array comprises a plurality of surface-emission laser diode elements arranged in the form of a two-dimensional array, wherein a plurality of straight lines drawn perpendicularly to a straight line extending in a first direction from respective centers of the plurality of surface emission laser diode elements aligned in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, are formed with generally equal interval in the first direction, the plurality of surface-emission laser diode elements are aligned in the first direction with an interval set to a reference value, and wherein the number of the surface-emission laser diode elements aligned in the first direction is smaller than the number of the surface-emission laser diode elements aligned in the second direction.
US08830277B2
An image display device includes an image display panel configured of pixels made up of first, second, third, and fourth sub-pixels being arrayed in a two-dimensional matrix shape, and a signal processing unit into which an input signal is input and from which an output signal based on an extension coefficient is output, and causes the signal processing unit to obtain a maximum value of luminosity with saturation S in the HSV color space enlarged by adding a fourth color, as a variable, and to obtain a reference extension coefficient based on the maximum value, and further to determine an extension coefficient at each pixel from the reference extension coefficient, an input signal correction coefficient based on the sub-pixel input signal values at each pixel, and an external light intensity correction coefficient based on external light intensity.
US08830276B2
An imaging apparatus includes a first display unit of which brightness is adjustable, a second display unit which can illuminate a display surface, an operation member configured to be operated by a user, and a control unit configured to display a screen for adjusting brightness of the first display unit on the first display unit and to turn on or turn off an illumination of the second display unit by operating the operation member when both of the first display unit and the second display unit are in a display state.
US08830263B2
The medical image display device is provided with a medical image reading unit configured to read a medical image obtained by a medical image diagnostic apparatus, a projected image creating unit configured to project the medical image onto a projection plane to created the projected image, and a projected image display unit configured to display the projected image, wherein the projected image creating unit has a virtual liquid generating unit configured to generate virtual liquid, the light transmittance of which is not zero and a virtual liquid adding unit configured to add the virtual liquid to the surface of an organ within the medical image, and creates a projected image of the medical image to which the virtual liquid has been added.
US08830257B2
An image displaying apparatus executes FRC process, wherein image deterioration in a boundary portion between a still image display area and its periphery is prevented. When the magnitude of the motion vector of an object in the periphery of a still image display area is less than a predetermined threshold value, an interpolation frame generation portion defines the pixel values of a still image display area and its periphery of the frame #n as the interpolation pixel values of a still image display area and its periphery of the interpolation frame #I.When the magnitude of the motion vector of the object is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value, the pixel values of the still image display area and its periphery of the frame n+1 are defined as the interpolated pixel values of the still image display area and its periphery of the interpolation frame #I.
US08830252B2
A color-temperature-compensation (CTC) method and applications thereof are provided, and which includes determining intensities of weights of three colors in an inputted three-dimension color signal; if yes, performing a lookup table mechanism to find-out a first set of multi-primary-color (MPC) signal corresponding to the three colors with the same weights, and performing a digital-gamma-correction (DGC) to the first set of MPC signal for providing a first set of CTC signal accordingly; if no, performing the lookup table mechanism to find-out a second set of MPC signal corresponding to the three colors with different weights, and performing the DGC to the second set of MPC signal for providing a second set of CTC signal accordingly; and making at least one same color with the same intensity in the three colors with the same weights and in the three colors with different weights displaying on an MPC display have different brightness.
US08830245B2
Disclosed are various embodiments for facilitating load balancing between central processing units (CPUs) and graphics processing units (GPUs). A request is obtained to execute a first application in one or more computing devices. In one embodiment, a second application associated with the first application is assigned to be executed in GPUs of the one or more computing devices instead of CPUs of the one or more computing devices when a resource usage profile associated with the first application indicates that the first application is relatively more CPU intensive than GPU intensive. Conversely, the second application is assigned to be executed in the CPUs instead of the GPUs when the resource usage profile indicates that the first application is relatively more GPU intensive than CPU intensive.
US08830242B2
A method, system, and computer-readable storage medium are disclosed for simulating brush behavior. In one embodiment, user input may be received to modify an image using a brush model, wherein the brush model comprises data stored in a memory of a computer system. The brush model may comprise a plurality of bristle representations. The user input may comprise a motion of the brush model. An effect of each of the plurality of bristle representations on the image throughout the motion may be determined. The image may be modified based on the determined effect of each of the plurality of bristle representations on the image throughout the motion.
US08830235B1
An irregular connectivity mesh representative of a surface having an arbitrary topology is processed using a non-uniform relaxation procedure. The non-uniform relaxation procedure minimizes differences between vectors normal to faces of pairs of triangles having a common edge and located within a designated neighborhood of a given vertex. The relaxation procedure may be used to construct subdivision and pyramid algorithms for performing processing operations such as upsampling, downsampling and filtering on irregular connectivity meshes. The signal processing algorithms may be utilized in applications such as smoothing, enhancement, editing, texture mapping and compression.
US08830227B2
A method for depth mapping includes capturing an electronic image of a scene using an imaging device. The electronic image is processed to generate depth data with respect to the scene. The gain of the imaging device is set responsively to the depth data.
US08830226B2
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for integrating a three-dimensional asset with a three-dimensional model. Each asset can include a base surface and either a protrusion or a projection extending from the base. Once the asset is placed at a particular position with respect to the model, one or more vertices defining a periphery of the base surface can be projected onto an external surface of the model. Then, one or more portions of the asset can be deformed to provide a smooth transition between the external surface of the asset and the external surface of the model. In some cases, the asset can include a hole extending through the external surface of the model for defining a cavity. A secondary asset can be placed in the cavity such as, for example, an eyeball asset placed in an eye socket asset.
US08830222B2
Information processing apparatus, information processing system, control methods, and storage medium
An apparatus determines whether a current display is a web screen, when a user operation performed via the web screen indicates a display of a native screen and when a web server instructs the apparatus to display the native screen. The apparatus switches the current display to the native screen when the current display is the web screen, and maintains the current display when the current display is not the web screen.
US08830205B2
The present invention provides a mutual capacitive multi-touch screen. The conductive strip pattern allows that, when a touch range of each external conductive object on the mutual capacitive multi-touch screen is larger than a predetermined condition, capacitive coupling between each external conductive object and first conductive strip is greater than capacitive coupling between each external conductive object and second conductive strip, such that the proportion of a driving signal flowing out of the first conductive strip via at least one first external conductive object in the external conductive objects and into the second conductive strip via at least one second external conductive object in the external conductive objects decreases as the number of second external conductive objects increases.
US08830196B2
An information processing apparatus may include a touchpad, a hardware processor, and a storage medium coupled to the processor. The storage medium may store instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the information processing apparatus to receive a proximity signal indicative of whether a user is providing input to the touchpad; receive a movement signal indicative of whether the input includes movement of an object relative to the touchpad and/or whether the input includes movement of the object from an outer area surrounding an inner area of the touchpad to the inner area of the touchpad; and select one of a pointing user input mode or a scrolling user input mode based on the signals.
US08830190B2
Display devices, methods, and programs display an image on a touch panel. The devices, methods, and programs detect a start position, which is a detected position where a user's finger starts to contact the touch panel, calculate a moving amount by multiplying a distance between the detected start position and a detected second position of the user's finger by a predetermined coefficient of less than one, and update the display position of the image in a direction moving from the detected start position toward the detected second position until the moving amount is equal to or less than a minimum moving amount.
US08830189B2
A monitoring unit is presented for use in monitoring a behavior of at least a part of a physical object. The monitoring unit comprises: a data input module configured for receiving measured data indicative of a behavior of at least a part of the physical object in a certain coordinate system associated with a predetermined sensing surface; and a digital signal processor configured and operable to be responsive to said measured data for transforming the measured data into an approximate representation of said at least portion of the physical object into a virtual coordinate system such that the transformation maintains a positional relationship between virtual points and corresponding portions within said at least part of the physical object. This technique enables further formatting of said approximate representation into a predetermined data input format of a certain electronic device.
US08830181B1
An apparatus and method for identifying gestures performed on a touch-sensing surface. In one embodiment, a gesture recognition unit processes an input signal to determine input metrics associated with contacts at the touch-sensing surface. The gesture recognition unit identifies a gesture based on comparing at least one of the input metrics with a threshold value associated with the gesture.
US08830173B2
A signal line used in a key matrix is shared between a signal line used in a first display unit and a signal line used in a second display unit. Two types of periodical pulse signals are superimposed on a level signal which indicates data displayed on the second display unit. One type is a pulse signal for detecting key input and another type is a pulse signal which indicates data displayed on the first display unit.
US08830170B2
An optical pointing system includes a plurality of light sources, an image receiver, and an analyzing unit. The plurality of light sources are disposed on multiple locations of an object and configured to provide light having distinct wavelengths. The image receiver is configured to detect optical signals of the plurality of light sources, thereby generating a plurality of corresponding images. The analyzing unit is configured to calculate a relative position or angle of the image receiver with respect to the object according to the images.
US08830166B2
A sleeve of control device is provided for controlling a cursor motion of an electronic device. A touch-feel enhancing mechanism is formed on an outer surface of the sleeve. The touch-feel enhancing mechanism is not related to the function of operating the control device to detect the rotating action or the moving action by the user. The touch-feel enhancing mechanism is only used to enhance comfort and touch feel of operating the control device.
US08830162B2
The present invention relates to a system and method that generates outputs based on the operating position of a sensor which is determined by the biomechanical positions or gestures of individual operators. The system including a garment on which one or more than one sensor is removably attached and the sensors provide a signal based on the biomechanical position, movement, action or gestures of the person wearing the garment, a transmitter receiving signals from the sensors and sends signals to a computer that is calibrated to recognize the signals as representing particular positions that are assigned selected outputs. Suitably the outputs are audio outputs of an instrument, such as a guitar, and the outputs simulate the sound of a guitar that would be played when the biomechanical motion, action, gesture or position of the operator resembles those that would occur when an actual instrument is played.
US08830161B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to methods and systems for providing customized “haptic messaging” to users of handheld communication devices in a variety of applications. In one embodiment, a method of providing virtual touch to a handheld communication device includes: receiving an input signal associated with a virtual touch; outputting a request relating to a contact with a user-interface member coupled to a handheld communication device; and providing a control signal associated with the contact to an actuator coupled to the handheld communication device, the control signal being configured to cause the actuator to output a haptic effect associated with the virtual touch.
US08830157B2
Display apparatus, quantity-of-light adjusting method for display apparatus and electronic equipment
A display apparatus includes display means for displaying an image, a light source that irradiates light to the display means, and control means for controlling the quantity of light of the light source with pulse width modulation. The control means controls the quantity of light of the light source based on the ratio of the light-on period with pulse width modulation to the light-off period when the light source is turned off.
US08830151B2
Provided are a backlight unit capable of improving light efficiency and acquiring a high-luminance image by implementing a color image without using a color filter having the large light loss and a liquid crystal display including the same. The backlight unit includes: a white light source generating white light, a light guide plate into which the white light is inputted, a blue phosphor sheet formed above the light guide plate and transmitting the white light, and a multi-color phosphor sheet formed on the same plane above the blue phosphor sheet and including a plurality of red phosphor layers, green phosphor layers, and transparent layers which transmit the light transmitted through the blue phosphor sheet.
US08830146B2
An EL display device capable of performing clear multi-gradation color display and electronic equipment provided with the EL display device are provided, wherein gradation display is performed according to a time-division driving method in which the luminescence and non-luminescence of an EL element (109) disposed in a pixel (104) are controlled by time, and the influence by the characteristic variability of a current controlling TFT (108) is prevented. When this method is used, a data signal side driving circuit (102) and a gate signal side driving circuit (103) are formed with TFTs that use a silicon film having a peculiar crystal structure and exhibit an extremely high operation speed.
US08830142B1
Disclosed herein are a head-mounted display and a method of controlling the same, more particularly, a method of providing a first content or second content to a display unit according to detachment or mounting of a camera from or to the head-mounted display.
US08830141B2
A substantially transparent windscreen head-up display of a vehicle is configured to display graphical images from a light source. The windscreen head-up display includes multiple layers having an outer layer including a transparent substrate. The multiple layers further include a second transparent substrate layer including light emitting material, wherein the light emitting material emits visible light in response to absorption of ultraviolet light from the light source, and wherein the light emitting material includes a plurality of light emitting particles. The multiple layers further include an inner ultraviolet anti-reflective layer.
US08830137B2
An integrated distributed active radiator (DAR) device includes first and second conductors disposed adjacent to each other. The conductors define curves which close on themselves to within a distance of a gap. The first conductor first end is electrically coupled to the second conductor second end across the gap. The second conductor first end is electrically coupled to the first conductor second end across the gap. At least one active element is configured to produce a self-oscillation current at a frequency f0. The self-oscillation current has a first direction in the first conductor and a second direction in the second conductor. The DAR device is configured to generate a harmonic current which has the same direction in both conductors. The DAR device is configured to efficiently radiate electromagnetic energy at a harmonic frequency and to substantially inhibit the radiation of electromagnetic energy at the frequency f0.
US08830133B2
A circularly polarized array antenna (30) is disclosed. A single layer dielectric substrate (36) has a ground plane (32) located on its upper surface of the substrate and covering only part of the upper surface. A plurality of antenna elements (40-54) are also located on said upper surface of the substrate. Each antenna element has a slot element (60-74) formed in the ground plane and a respective loading element (80-94) located within each slot element. The antenna elements being arranged in a regular array where each respective slot element is sequentially rotated in space with respect to adjacent slot elements, and the loading elements generate a perturbation under excitation. A microstrip feed network (100) is located on the underside of the substrate to provide excitation to each slot element, and including feeds of different lengths to be electrically sequentially rotated in common with spatial rotation of the slot elements. A single microstrip feed point (108) extends to the edge of the substrate for connection purposes. A reflecting plane is located parallel to and spaced apart from the underside of the substrate. The ground plane extends to cover the entire microstrip feed array.
US08830126B2
An apparatus having multiple mushroom structures is disclosed. Each of the multiple mushroom structures includes: a ground plate; a first patch provided parallel to the ground plate with a separation of a distance to the ground plate; and a second patch provided parallel to the ground plate with a separation of another distance to the ground plate, which another distance being different from the distance from the first patch to the ground plate, wherein the second patch is a passive element which is capacitatively coupled with at least the first patch.
US08830118B2
A method of monitoring operation of a radar level gauge system installed at a tank and arranged to determine a filling level of a product contained in the tank. The method comprises the steps of: providing a first propagation property discontinuity at a first distance from a reference position at a top of the tank; generating and transmitting an electromagnetic signal; propagating the transmitted electromagnetic signal towards the product contained in the tank; receiving a reflected electromagnetic signal comprising a plurality of echoes resulting from reflections at propagation property discontinuities encountered by the transmitted electromagnetic signal, including a first reference echo resulting from reflection at the first propagation property discontinuity and a surface echo resulting from reflection at a surface of the product contained in the tank; identifying the surface echo; determining the filling level based on the surface echo; evaluating a first portion of the reflected electromagnetic signal exhibiting a time-of-flight corresponding to the first distance from the reference position; determining, based on the evaluation, whether or not the first reference echo is detectable in the first portion of the reflected electromagnetic signal. If it is determined that the first reference echo is detectable in the first portion of the reflected electromagnetic signal, a first signal indicative of the filling level is provided; and if it is determined that the first reference echo is non-detectable in the first portion of the reflected electromagnetic signal, a second signal different from the first signal is provided.
US08830115B2
A multiple-sensor tracking method, notably implemented in an air traffic control system, making it possible to reduce the latency time introduced by the tracking system, characterized in that the correlation (302) and association (303) functions work on the basis of membership of the detections (502) and of the tracks (503, 504) to cells (510, 511) defining a subdivision into a grid (501) of the surveillance area represented on a stereographic projection plane.
US08830114B2
A mobile object detecting apparatus includes first radiation detecting means; and second radiation detecting means for radiating an electromagnetic wave having the same frequency as the electromagnetic wave radiated by the first radiation detecting means such that the radiated electromagnetic wave passes near a point in the first radiation detecting means from which the electromagnetic wave is radiated, and detecting a standing wave which is generated due to reflection of the radiated electromagnetic wave at an object; wherein a distance, over which the electromagnetic wave radiated by the first radiation detecting means travels until it reaches near the first radiation detecting means, corresponds to a distance of an integral multiple of a wave length of a half cycle of the electromagnetic waves radiated by the radiation detecting means plus a wave length of a predetermined period which is smaller than the half cycle.
US08830099B1
Various embodiments of the invention provide for cancellation of a residue amplifier output charging current at the reference voltage source of the reference buffer thereby preventing the charging current from altering the effective reference voltage of a reference buffer. In certain embodiments, current cancellation is accomplished by subtracting a current of the same magnitude.
US08830094B1
An exemplary integrated circuit for performing time skew extraction includes a first subtractor, an array of subtractors separate from the first subtractor, and an array of averaging circuits. Inputs of the first subtractor are coupled to outputs of a plurality of channels of an interleaved analog-to-digital-converter and computes distances between samples of a signal that are measured consecutively by pairs of channels in the plurality of channels. At least some averaging circuits in the array of averaging circuits compute an average of those of the distances that correspond to a respective one of the pairs of channels; one averaging circuit in the array of averaging circuits computes an average of all of the distances. Each subtractor in the array of subtractors computes a difference between an average computed by one of the at least some of the averaging circuits and the average of all of the distances.
US08830092B2
Techniques for encoding data based at least in part upon an awareness of the decoding complexity of the encoded data and the ability of a target decoder to decode the encoded data are disclosed. In some embodiments, a set of data is encoded based at least in part upon a state of a target decoder to which the encoded set of data is to be provided. In some embodiments, a set of data is encoded based at least in part upon the states of multiple decoders to which the encoded set of data is to be provided.
US08830080B2
An emergency lighting system for a building includes at least one LED-based light. An emergency detector is operable to detect an emergency. The emergency detector produces an emergency signal in response to the emergency. A controller is operable to control the at least one LED-based light in response to the emergency signal.
US08830075B2
A method of utilizing device indicator lights is disclosed herein. The method includes providing a device that includes a plurality of device indicator lights and a user control, and monitoring a first set and a second set of device states. The first set of device states correspond to binary device states, and the second set of device states correspond to analog device states. The method also includes utilizing each of the plurality of device indicator lights individually to communicate one of first set of device states, determining whether the user control has been activated, and utilizing at least two of the plurality of device indicator lights in concert to communicate one of the second set of device states upon a determination that the user control has been activated.
US08830072B2
A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag according to one embodiment includes a controller for setting one or more alarm states upon occurrence of one or more alarm conditions, and a visual display device under control of the controller, the visual display device providing a visual, audible, and/or tactile indicator of an alarm condition when an alarm state is set. The visual, audible, and/or tactile indicator of the alarm condition optionally can only be reset by an authorized entity, or cannot be reset.
US08830062B2
Systems and methods to use radar systems for radio frequency identification (RFID) applications. In one embodiment, radar systems are adapted to use RFID communications protocols and methods to enhance the usefulness of radar systems beyond the determination of the presence, distance, direction and/or speed of a vehicle or object, to additionally include the transmission of data such as object identification and additional messages or data.
US08830053B2
Methods and apparatus for monitoring remotely located objects with a system including at least one master data collection unit, remote sensor units, and a central data collection server are described. The master unit is configured to monitor any object, mobile or stationary, including monitoring multiple remote sensor units associated with the monitored objects. The master unit may be in a fixed location or attached to a mobile object. The master unit is configured for monitoring objects that enter and leave an area. The master unit may act as a parent controller for one or more child devices including remote sensors or monitors of measurable conditions including environmental conditions, substance identification, product identification, and/or biometric identification. The master unit may discover remote sensor units as they enter or leave the area where the master unit is located. The master unit can be remotely reprogrammed such as with authenticated instructions.
US08830047B2
A system and method are provided for monitoring transportation system vehicle operator use of a mobile device. A directional antenna detects a signal produced by a mobile device within a vehicle operator area of a transit vehicle. The signal is transmitted from the directional antenna to an antenna controller. An event signal corresponding to the signal is generated at the antenna controller and the event signal is transmitted from the antenna controller to a logic unit. The logic unit determines a current status of the vehicle. The logic unit stores mobile device use event data in a memory based on the event signal and the current status of the vehicle.
US08830045B2
A light display is mounted on the spokes of a rotating bicycle wheel. The display includes a plurality of individual arrays of lights forming a set. The set of arrays are attached together into a single rigid light display apparatus attached to a spoke of the wheel at the tip of each array of lights. At least one sensors on the apparatus, senses the angular velocity and angular position of the rotating wheel. A microprocessor, is mounted on one of the arrays of lights and connected to the sensor, and is further connected to a shared electrical bus which traverses every array of lights. The shared electrical bus is formed by the electrical connection of all the arrays of lights in a line or loop topology. Each array of lights has at most two connection points to the shared electrical bus. The microprocessor modulates the plurality of arrays of lights via the shared electrical bus and without a direct connection to every array of lights. The arrays of lights are modulated according to a selected one of a plurality of display patterns and the sensed angular velocity and position of the rotating wheel, to form a stabilized, upright, forward-reading image on both sides of the wheel using persistence of vision of a viewer.
US08830032B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for confirming/verifying an identity of a test taker using a biometric analysis. For example, in the medical field, it is desirous to ensure that a given test is being administered to a correct individual (e.g., “test taker’). By comparing a given/submitted identity against a biometric-based identity, such verification can be performed. In one embodiment, the individual will submit biometric information via a biometric reader or the like coupled to a testing apparatus. The identity submitted by or on behalf of the individual (referred to herein as a “submitted identity”) will then be confirmed against the individual's identity as determined based on the biometric reading (referred to herein as a “biometric-based identity”). If the submitted identity and the biometric-based identity match, results of the test will be accepted. If the two identities do not match, then results of the test will be denied. Alternatively, if the identities do not match, then the testing apparatus could refuse to commence or complete the test.
US08830019B2
The structure includes cylindrical columnar and tubular bonded magnets. The columnar magnet has at least one pair of N and S poles that are alternately produced in the longitudinal direction. The tubular magnet surrounds the columnar magnet, and has at least one pair of N and S poles that are alternately produced in the longitudinal direction. Poles of the columnar and tubular magnets that are opposed to each other in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the columnar magnet as the propulsion force direction are of opposite magnetic polarity so that magnetic fields are produced in the direction perpendicular to the propulsion force direction. The surface magnetic flux density profile balance can be smoothed by adjusting higher and lower parts of the profiles of the columnar and tubular magnets.
US08830018B1
A solenoid-driven automatic bus transfer switch may automatically transfer one or more electrical loads from a first power source to a second power source, or vice versa, in the event of a power failure or other casualty that affects either power source. The transfer switch may be operated in response to the energization of a solenoid coil, which causes a main shaft having a transfer element to rotate from being in contact with the first power source to being in contact with the second power source. The transfer element may be spring-mounted to the shaft, which ensures that a sufficient electrical contact exists between the surfaces of the transfer element and the respective leads of the first and second power sources, regardless of any wear or degradation that may be experienced at any of the surfaces.
US08830012B2
In one aspect of the invention, the acoustic wave resonator includes a resonator structure having a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer formed on the first electrode, and a second electrode formed on the piezoelectric layer, and a composite layered structure associated with the resonator structure such that the immunity of the acoustic wave resonator to environmental change and aging effects is improved, the trimming sensitivity is substantially minimized, and/or dispersion characteristics of the acoustic wave resonator is optimized.
US08830002B2
Apparatuses, methods, systems, algorithms, and circuits for reference clock frequency determination are disclosed. In one embodiment, a circuit for detecting a reference clock frequency can include a clock counter configured to count a number of cycles of the reference clock over a predetermined portion of a sleep clock to provide a reference clock cycle count, where the sleep clock has a known frequency and a predetermined accuracy; a frequency estimator configured to estimate the reference clock frequency from the reference clock cycle count and the known frequency of the sleep clock; and a frequency selector configured to select a closest frequency to the estimated reference clock frequency from a plurality of allowed frequencies.
US08830000B2
Provided is a multi-band amplifier and a method of amplifying a multi-band. The multi-band amplifier includes a wireless signal input terminal into which a first frequency band signal and a second frequency band signal are input, a first impedance matching part connected to the wireless signal input terminal and configured to match an input impedance in a first frequency band, a second impedance matching part connected to the wireless signal input terminal and configured to match an input impedance in a second frequency band, a common source amplifier to which the first impedance matching part and the second impedance matching part, and a common gate amplifier connected to the common source amplifier. Accordingly, performance degradation can be reduced in comparison with a conventional amplifier, broadband amplification as well as narrow band amplification can be performed, and an amplification gain can be adjusted.
US08829999B2
A low noise amplifier includes a first Group III-nitride based transistor and a second Group III-nitride based transistor coupled to the first Group III-nitride based transistor. The first Group III-nitride based transistor is configured to provide a first stage of amplification to an input signal, and the second Group III-nitride based transistor is configured to provide a second stage of amplification to the input signal.
US08829998B2
A Doherty power amplifier including a main amplifier, an auxiliary amplifier and a controller governing the operation of the auxiliary amplifier, the controller being operative to switch the operational state of the auxiliary amplifier between an operational state and a non-operational state as a function of input signal voltage supplied to the power amplifier such that the auxiliary amplifier is inoperative when the input voltage is below an input voltage threshold and is operative when the input voltage is above the input voltage threshold.
US08829991B2
This document discusses, among other things, an amplifier circuit including first and second amplifiers configured to receive an input signal and to provide a differential output signal using a feedback loop including a transconductance amplifier. A non-inverting input of a first amplifier can be configured to receive an input signal. The feedback loop can be configured to receive the outputs from the first and second amplifiers and to provide a feedback signal to the non-inverting input of the second amplifier, for example, to reduce a DC offset error or to increase a dynamic range of the amplifier circuit.
US08829990B2
An amplifier may include two or more pulse-width modulators controlling respective sets of switches to produce an amplified version of a source signal. A positive DC-offset based on the source signal may be applied to the pulse-width modulator controlling one respective set of switches, and an equal value negative DC-offset may be applied to the pulse-width modulator controlling the other respective set of switches, to provide an effective offset between the respective points in time of the rising/falling edges of the different pulse-width modulated control signals. The addition of alternating positive and negative DC-offset values doesn't affect the output load, and doesn't degrade the signal. The DC-offsets may be added at a frequency selected to be beyond the signal baseband, and the value of the small input signal level may be determined using an RMS level comparator or similar measurement technique.
US08829987B2
The invention relates to modulation and demodulation circuits, such as envelope detectors used to demodulate amplitude-modulated (AM) signals. By coupling an analog circuit to a port of a digital component, a compact envelope detector can be obtained, which achieves demodulation of AM signals for direct coupling into a digital input port. Accordingly, a compact envelope detector may be used in the data receiving part of a sealed device requiring post-manufacturing data transfer, in combination with additional components that provide electromagnetic coupling, such as inductive, capacitive, or radiative. An example of such a device is a credit card sized authentication token.
US08829984B2
A system and method are disclosed for securely transmitting and receiving a signal. A nonlinear keying modulator is used in the transmitter to encrypt the signal using a nonlinear keying modulation technique. A nonlinear keying demodulator is used in the receiver to decrypt the signal.
US08829983B1
An embodiment of an apparatus is disclosed. For this embodiment, an output driver and a bias voltage controller are included. The bias voltage controller is coupled to provide first and second bias voltages to the output driver. The bias voltage controller comprises a bias generator coupled to a first voltage supply, a second voltage supply, and a ground node. The bias generator has a first bias node for sourcing the first bias voltage. The first voltage supply is configured to provide a higher voltage level than the second voltage supply. A resistor-divider network is coupled to the first voltage supply and the ground node. A watch dog circuit is coupled to the resistor-divider network, bias generator, and the ground node. A comparison circuit is coupled to the bias generator and the second voltage supply. The comparison circuit has a second bias node for sourcing the second bias voltage.
US08829976B2
A switching-element drive circuit that is configured to be applied to a power converter includes: a switching element; and a control unit that controls an operation of the switching element. The control unit includes a drive-voltage control unit that is configured to be capable of changing a switching speed of the switching element based on a power supply current.
US08829974B2
A frequency mixer circuit includes a mixer, a load stage, and again stage. The load stage cooperates with the mixer to generate a differential output voltage signal with a mixed frequency according to a differential local oscillator voltage signal and a differential input voltage signal. The gain stage has a transconductance, and a magnitude of the differential current signal and the transconductance have a positive relationship therebetween, so as to result in a positive relationship between the transconductance and a conversion gain which is a ratio of magnitude of the differential output voltage signal to magnitude of the differential input voltage signal.
US08829963B1
In an embodiment of the invention, a flip-flop circuit contains a 2-input multiplexer, a master latch, a transfer gate and a slave latch. The scan enable control signals SE and SEN of the multiplexer determine whether data or scan data is input to the master latch. Clock signals CKT and CLKZ and retention control signals RET and RETN determine when the master latch is latched. The slave latch is configured to receive the output of the master latch, a second data bit D2, the clock signals CKT and CLKN, the retain control signals RET and RETN, the slave control signals SS and SSN. The signals CKT, CLKZ, RET, RETN, SS, SSN RE, and PREN determine whether the output of the master latch or the second data bit D2 is latched in the slave latch. Control signals RET and RETN determine when data is stored in the slave latch during retention mode.
US08829957B1
A clock signal from a first electronic subsystem is distributed to a second electronic subsystem. The second electronic subsystem is remote from the first electronic subsystem and coupled to the first electronic subsystem by a bidirectional signal path. A first clock signal is generated on the first electronic subsystem and a training signal is generated on the first electronic subsystem clocked by the first clock signal. The training signal is sent on the bidirectional signal path on a round trip to the second electronic subsystem and back to the first electronic subsystem. A phase of the training signal is adjusted symmetrically on the way to the second electronic subsystem in a first phase adjuster and on the way back to the first electronic subsystem in a second phase adjuster until the measured time for the round trip is equal to an even number of clock cycles.
US08829938B2
A measuring method and device for characterizing a semiconductor component (1) having a pn junction and a measuring surface, which has a contacting subarea, covered by a metallization. The method including: A. Planar application of electromagnetic excitation radiation onto the measuring area of the semiconductor component (1) for separating charge carrier pairs in the semiconductor component (1), and B. spatially resolved measurement of electromagnetic radiation originating from the semiconductor component (1) using a detection unit. In one step A, a predetermined excitation subarea of the measuring surface has a predetermined intensity of the excitation radiation and at least one sink subarea of the measuring surface has an intensity of the excitation radiation which is less than the intensity applied to the excitation subarea. The excitation and sink subareas are disposed on opposite sides of said contacting subarea and adjoin it and/or entirely or partially overlap it.
US08829934B2
An apparatus for interrogating an electronic circuit supported by a substrate includes a tester external to the substrate and comprising an tester transceiver. A testing circuit is supported by the substrate and connected to the electronic circuit. The testing circuit includes a processor and a testing circuit transceiver in communication with the tester transceiver for transmitting instructions from the tester to the processor and for transmitting results of an interrogation from the processor to the tester. The processor being programmed to process instructions from the tester to interrogate the electronic circuit with an interrogation corresponding to the instructions.
US08829931B2
A testing method is described of at least one device provided with an integrated testing circuit and in communication with at least one tester where messages/instructions/test signals/information are exclusively sent from the tester to the device. A testing architecture is also described for implementing this testing method.
US08829930B2
An apparatus and method of testing electrical impedance of a multiplicity of regions of a photovoltaic surface includes providing a multi-tipped impedance sensor with a multiplicity of spaced apart impedance probes separated by an insulating material, wherein each impedance probe includes a first end adapted for contact with a photovoltaic surface and a second end in operable communication with an impedance measuring device. The multi-tipped impedance sensor is used to contact the photovoltaic surface and electrical impedance of the photovoltaic material is measured between individual first ends of the probes to characterize the quality of the photovoltaic surface.
US08829921B2
An AC voltage detection circuit includes a conversion module, a comparison module, and a prompt module. The conversion module connects to an AC power source and converts the AC voltage provided by the AC power source to an AC current, and then converts the AC current to a direct current (DC) voltage reflecting the AC voltage. The comparison module is connected to the conversion module, and compares the DC voltage with a first predetermined voltage and a second lesser predetermined voltage, and produces a control signal when the DC voltage is greater than the first predetermined voltage or less than the second predetermined voltage. The prompt module produces a prompt signal when receiving the control signal.
US08829919B2
Method and system for monitoring the condition of the capacitor arrangement (14-16) of the DC-voltage intermediate circuit of a power electronics appliance, such as of a frequency converter, at the place of usage, in which method the discharge voltage over the capacitor arrangement as a function of time is measured, and in which method the intermediate circuit is pre-charged with a pre-determined DC voltage, the pre-charging is removed from the intermediate circuit, the voltage of the intermediate circuit is measured by sampling at regular intervals, the voltage drop as a function of time is determined on the basis of the measured voltage of the intermediate circuit, the capacitance or the relative change in it is determined on the basis of the voltage drop, the value of the determined capacitance or of the relative change in it is compared to a pre-determined limit value on the basis of the voltage drop, and the necessary condition monitoring procedure is performed when the value determined with the measurement reaches the pre-determined limit value or is close to it.
US08829917B1
A physical layer device configured to interface with a plurality of pairs of wires. The physical layer device includes a cable test module configured to transmit a pulse over the plurality of pairs of wires, measure a reflection of the pulse as received from the plurality of pairs of wires, and determine whether a short circuit exists in one of the plurality of pairs of wires based on the measure of the reflection of the pulse. An autonegotiation module is configured to perform autonegotiation to establish a link at a particular speed over the plurality of pairs of wires. The particular speed at which the link is established over the plurality of pairs of wires is based, at least in part, on whether a short circuit exists in one of the plurality of pairs of wires as determined by the cable test module.
US08829897B2
A paper position sensor for a ticket printer is disclosed. The ticket printer includes a blank ticket tray and a paper guide consisting of an upper and lower guide, which lower guide contains a position sensor wheel that rotates as a result of the frictional contact with the blank ticket, as the ticket passes over the sensor wheel on its way through the guides. The wheel contains an embedded magnetic element such that as the wheel turns, which magnetically provides rotational position information to an adjacently-mounted sensor chip, which is able to determine, magnetically, the position of the wheel. The sensor chip provides data to the printer control as to the position of the ticket through the printer, and thus the printer control is now able to determine the precise position of the ticket in the printer.
US08829891B2
A digital multimeter includes a single chip processor, a sound chip connected to the single chip processor, a signal amplifying circuit, a speaker connected to the signal amplifying circuit, and a power source for providing electrical energy for the digital multimeter. The single chip processor collects high and low level signals, and converts the signals into codes which the sound chip can recognize, and transmits the codes to the sound chip. The sound chip converts the codes into audio signals and transmits the audio signals to the signal amplifying circuit. The signal amplifying circuit amplifies the audio signals and outputs the amplified audio signals to the speaker. The amplified audio signals reports the measurement values of the digital multimeter.
US08829889B2
A laser protective wall element for a housing in laser machining stations with which increased protection, in particular for the eyes of living beings, can be achieved. In a laser protective wall element for a housing at laser machining stations, an intermediate layer is present which has hot conductor properties. The intermediate layer can be formed between electrically conductive plate-like elements, an electrically conductive plate-like element and an electrically conductive coating or also two electrically conductive layers or can be arranged there. The electrically conductive plate-like elements, the coating and/or the layers are connected to an electrical voltage source as well as a measuring instrument which detects electrical current, electrical resistance and/or electrical capacity and whose measured signal change can be used for the condition monitoring of the laser protective wall element.
US08829884B2
The present invention provides a current balancing circuit and method for balancing the respective currents in a plurality of parallel circuit branches in a target circuit. The current balancing circuit including: a plurality of balancing transistors, each having a collector, an emitter, and a base, the collector and emitter of each balancing transistor connected in series with a respective circuit branch; and a selection circuit for selectively connecting the circuit branch having the smallest current amongst the circuit branches to the bases of each balancing transistor.
US08829882B2
Current circuits, circuits configured to provide a bias voltage, and methods for providing a bias voltage are described, including a current circuit configured to receive a reference current and having an output at which an output current is provided. One such current circuit includes a first current mirror configured to receive a first portion of the reference current and further configured to mirror the first portion of the reference current to provide a first current. The current circuit further includes a second current mirror configured to receive a second portion of the reference current and receive the first current. The second current mirror is further configured to provide a portion of the first current to the output of the current circuit as the output current and to receive another portion of the first current and mirror the same as the second portion of the reference current.
US08829881B2
A reference current generation circuit is provided, in which a current generated according to a bandgap voltage is not directly used as a reference current, but the current generated according to the bandgap voltage is used to adjust an output reference current. In this way, the reference voltage is generated without using an external resistor, so as to effectively decrease the production cost.
US08829878B2
A switching regulator includes a first switching element connected between an input terminal and an output terminal; a second switching element connected between the output terminal and a ground; a switching-time control circuit to generate a first switching-time control signal indicating finish timing of an ON-period of the first switching element, based on a ratio of a length of the ON-period of the first switching element to a sum of lengths of ON-periods of the first and second switching elements; a comparator generate a second switching-time control signal indicating finish timing of the ON-period of the second switching element when a feedback voltage is smaller than a reference voltage; and a switching-element control circuit to control switching of the first and second switching elements so that the first and second switching elements are turned on complementarily based on the first and second switching-time control signals.
US08829874B2
The invention relates to an electronic device and a method for DC-DC-conversion. The electronic device includes energizing switch and a commutating switch coupled at a switching node. The switching node is configured to be coupled to an inductor. The electronic device is configured to repeatedly suspend the regular synchronous switching of the commutating switch during a load detection period, to sense the voltage at the output node during the load detection period and to determine a high-load condition or a light-load condition of the DC-DC-conversion based on the sensed voltage at the output node.
US08829870B2
A voltage conversion apparatus is disclosed in which a current passes through first and second loop circuits alternately in accordance with ON/OFF operation of a first switching element provided in the first circuit. The direction of a magnetic field through the first loop circuit formed at the ON operation is the same as a direction of a magnetic field through the second loop circuit formed at the OFF operation. The first loop circuit and the second loop circuit are provided on opposite sides of a printed circuit board, respectively, in such a manner that the first loop circuit and the second loop circuit are opposed to each other. A heat sink is provided on a surface of the printed circuit board. A solid pattern of a metal material is provided on an inner layer of the printed circuit board to be connected to the heat sink via a through hole.
US08829869B2
A welding or cutting system is provided using an interleaved buck-boost stage which dynamically controls power factor correction and operation of the interleaved buck-boost modules to optimize efficiency and operation of the welding system.
US08829858B2
Systems and methods are provided for initiating a charging system. The method, for example, may include, but is not limited to, providing, by the charging system, an incrementally increasing voltage to a battery up to a first predetermined threshold while the energy conversion module has a zero-percent duty cycle, providing, by the charging system, an incrementally increasing voltage to the battery from an initial voltage level of the battery up to a peak voltage of a voltage source while the energy conversion module has a zero-percent duty cycle, and providing, by the charging system, an incrementally increasing voltage to the battery by incrementally increasing the duty cycle of the energy conversion module.
US08829852B2
A method and device for charging a battery is provided. A charging device transmits a charging initiation request including the meter identifier and a charging identifier to a server, and receives a charging initiation response in response to the charging initiation request from the server. The charging device transmits a charging completion message indicating power consumed for the charging to the server upon completion of the charging, and receives charging information indicating billing information according to the charging of the battery from the server.
US08829838B2
The present invention provides a power converter which, while ensuring safety, implements control for the flow of a constant current in a specified switching element, more accurately determines the lifetime of a switching element, and reduces the number of temperature detectors. The power converter is provided with a mechanism which causes a brake device to operate or which confirms that a brake mechanism is operating. The power converter supplies current to the d-axis and the q-axis of a rotational coordinate system, within the range of the braking torque of the brake mechanism, and passes the desired current to the desired element. Furthermore, temperature detectors are attached only in chips in sections where a crack readily develops in the upper solder layer or peeling is readily generated in the wire bonding, and in chips where a crack readily develops in the lower solder layer.
US08829833B2
A motor control device has a motor driving circuit for driving a motor, a current detection circuit for detecting a motor current flowing through the motor driving circuit, and a controller for calculating a detected value of the motor current based on an output of the current detection circuit, comparing the detected value with a target value of the motor current, and generating a command value for allowing a motor current of the target value to flow through the motor based on a deviation therebetween, to output the command value to a motor driving circuit. The current detection circuit is configured of a first current detection circuit having a positive first gain and a second current detection circuit having a negative second gain obtained by inverting the first gain.
US08829831B2
A parameter estimating apparatus for permanent magnet synchronous motor driving system is disclosed, the apparatus estimating an inductance and a magnet flux linkage of a permanent magnet through a real-time magnetic flux estimation, whereby an operation performance of the PMSM can be enhanced.
US08829827B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods, systems and apparatus for controlling operation of an electric machine in a vector controlled motor drive system when the electric machine operates in an overmodulation region. The disclosed embodiments can reduce variations/errors in the phase voltage command signals applied to the multi-phase machine so that phase current may be properly regulated thus reducing current/torque oscillation, which can in turn improve machine efficiency and performance, as well as utilization of the DC voltage source.
US08829822B2
A light source that generally includes multiple light emitting diode (LED) sources emitting light at different colors. A controller energizes the LED sources for establishing a changing pattern of the light colors to provide a decorative effect while simultaneously establishing white light illumination of a target area.
US08829814B2
A backlight module detecting abnormal lamp tubes and an LCD employing such a backlight module are proposed. The LCD includes a voltage calculator for detecting voltage applied on ends of a lamp tube to monitor the lamp tube. Once the lamp tube becomes abnormal, the voltage varies accordingly. The voltage calculator calculates a voltage signal from a plurality of lamp tubes and produces a voltage value. A protection circuit regards the voltage value as a feedback signal to decide if there are any abnormalities. Once any of the lamp tubes is abnormal, the protection circuit transmits the voltage signal to a pulse-width modulated integrated circuit (PWM IC) to activate a protective function. The protection circuit of the present invention obtains the protection signal by sampling the voltage signal of the ends of the lamp tube and then gets the control signal by means of the calculation of the voltage calculator. Thus, voltage level retrieved from the protection signal are less easily affected by dimming and temperature.
US08829809B2
An example control arrangement includes a power supply, a first load operative to receive power when coupled to the power supply, and a second load operative to receive power when coupled to the power supply. A receiver is programmable to couple the first load, the second load, or both to the power supply in response to a wireless signal. A switch includes a wireless transmitter portion powered by a self-energizing portion. A wireless transmitter portion communicates the wireless signal to the receiver in response to an actuation of the switch.
US08829806B2
A variable output module provides accurate full range dimming or adjustment of power output. The variable output module utilizes the characteristics of an AC or other periodic signal rather than its power output to accurately determine the level of dimming a user desires. In this manner, the variable output module provides accurate full range dimming without the need for calibration to specific AC signals. The variable output module can detect the period of an AC signal allowing the driver to be used with various frequencies without the need for calibration. In one or more embodiments, the driver compares the pulse widths of a dimmed AC signal to the period of the AC signal to determine the desired level of dimming.
US08829801B2
Disclosure has power controllers and control methods used therein. A disclosed power controller is adapted for a power converter to power at least one light emitting diode. The power converter includes a power switch with a control gate to make an inductive energized or de-energized. The power converter receives a dimming signal to substantially control the lighting of the light emitting diode. The power controller has a gate-driving circuit, for driving the control gate according to a pulse-width signal and the dimming signal. When the dimming signal is asserted the gate-driving circuit has a first driving force. When the dimming signal is deasserted the gate-driving circuit has a second driving force less than the first driving force.
US08829796B2
In a lighting control system according to an embodiment, a storing unit stores a correspondence relation in which at least one of a plurality of type 2 groups is associated with each of type 1 groups. Methods of distribution of K luminaires are different in the type 1 groups and the type 2 groups. The control unit controls a lighting state of the type 1 groups indicated by an input control signal and subjects a lighting state of the type 2 groups associated with the type 1 groups to be controlled in the correspondence relation to associated control.
US08829794B2
A vehicle lamp include san LED package as a light source. The LED package includes a first series element section having a plurality of LED elements connected in series with each other, a second series element section having at least one LED element, the number of which is smaller than the number of LED elements of the firs series element section, a first anode electrode provided on an anode side of the first series element section, a first cathode electrode provided on a cathode side of the first series element section, a second anode electrode provided on an anode side of the second series element section, and a second cathode electrode provided on a cathode side of the second series element section.
US08829790B2
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display is disclosed. In one embodiment, the display includes 1) a display panel including i) a display area configured to display an image and ii) a pad area adjacent to the display area and configured not to display an image, 2) a bezel configured to receive the display panel and 3) a reinforcing member positioned between the pad area of the display panel and the bezel. According to at least one embodiment, the deformation of the portion corresponding to the pad area of the display panel among the bezel may be prevented during an external impact, and thereby the twisting strength and the bending strength may be improved.
US08829789B2
An electrode for use in an organic optoelectronic device is provided. The electrode includes a thin film of single-wall carbon nanotubes. The film may be deposited on a substrate of the device by using an elastomeric stamp. The film may be enhanced by spin-coating a smoothing layer on the film and/or doping the film to enhance conductivity. Electrodes according to the present invention may have conductivities, transparencies, and other features comparable to other materials typically used as electrodes in optoelectronic devices.
US08829786B2
In a display apparatus including an organic EL element utilizing the optical interference effect, and a lens, a light absorbing layer is disposed such that, of light radiated from the organic EL element into a protective layer, light radiated at a larger angle than an angle, at which a light intensity distribution of the light radiated into the protective layer with respect to a radiation angle of the light takes a local minimum value, is not output to the outside of the display apparatus through the lens.
US08829784B2
A surface light source device includes an organic electroluminescent element including a luminescent layer and a light-emitting surface structure layer disposed on one of the surfaces of the organic electroluminescent element. In the surface light source device, the light-emitting surface structure layer includes a concave-convex structure provided on a surface thereof on the side toward a device light-emitting surface, and the concave-convex structure includes a plurality of concave portions having oblique surfaces and flat portions disposed around the concave portions. The flat portions and/or the concave portions have a size difference in one or more of their width, height, depth, and spacing, the size difference being larger than the difference that causes interference of one or both of emitted light and reflected light.
US08829775B2
The present invention discloses a semiconductor-based planar micro-tube discharger structure and a method for fabricating the same. The method comprises steps: forming on a substrate two patterned electrodes separated by a gap and at least one separating block arranged in the gap; forming an insulating layer over the patterned electrodes and the separating block and filling the insulating layer into the gap. Thereby are formed at least two discharge paths. The method can fabricate a plurality discharge paths in a semiconductor structure. Therefore, the structure of the present invention has very high reliability and reusability.
US08829774B1
An illumination source includes a heat sink with an inner core region and an outer core region having structures to dissipate heat from the inner core region. An LED assembly is pressed into a thermally-conductive compound disposed between the LED assembly and the inner core region. A retaining clamp is used to mechanically press the LED assembly into the thermally-conductive compound.
US08829773B2
A lighting apparatus with light-emitting diode chips and a remote phosphor layer includes a plurality of LED chips, a cover, a heat sink, a first end cap, a second end cap, at least one PCB, and a LED driver. The plurality of LED chips is positioned on the at least one PCB and electronically connected with the LED driver. The LED driver is electrically connected with male contacts which traverse through the first end cap and the second end cap. The at least one PCB is enclosed with the cover, the heat sink, the first end cap, and the second end cap. The blue light and ultraviolet light from the plurality of LED chips coverts into white or yellow light from a phosphor layer of the cover, where the phosphor layer is remotely positioned from the plurality of LED chips.
US08829771B2
A lighting device includes a heat sink for dissipating heat from a light source. The heat sink is located between an inner case and an outer case, and a power controller is located in the inner case. The light source may include one or more light emitting diodes.
US08829770B2
The excitation source consists of at least three identical electrodes arranged symmetrically in relation to the axis of the central tube, which supplies an analytical sample, and electrode cooling agent supply and removal systems. The electrodes are mounted in an electrically isolated metal housing so that the electrode tops are placed at the central tube outlet, and their ends are shorted in the power supply point with the microwave connections embedded in the housing on the extension of the electrode longitudinal axis and the connections are coupled with the microwave power source, the length of each electrode is ¼ L, where L is the length of the microwave. Each electrode has a hollowed longitudinal flow chamber for the cooling agent connected with metal side tubes, which supply and remove the cooling agent, while outside tube ends are electrically shorted with the housing.
US08829769B1
A keybar or clamping bolt with a high-resistivity coating to protect an electric machine. The coating engages the laminations, flanges and frame rings and forms a part of electrical circuits through which harmful eddy currents circulate. One class of eddy currents, viz., core-fault currents, due to edge burrs or insulation defects, are forced to flow through this coating. The high resistance of the coating weakens the fault currents, preventing creation of hotspots that can cause core failure. Such coated keybar is in inexpensive alternative to traditional recoating and/or core-fault detection. Another class of eddy currents, viz., keybar currents, caused by over-fluxing, are also forced to flow through this coating. The high resistance of the coating weakens the keybar currents, so prevents core-end overheating. A coated keybar also allows the machine to operate at higher leading power factor. It also prevents core-decompression hence protects the machine against loose laminations.
US08829767B2
A generator includes a substrate, a first electrode layer, a dense plurality of vertically-aligned piezoelectric elongated nanostructures, an insulating layer and a second electrode layer. The substrate has a top surface and the first electrode layer is disposed on the top surface of the substrate. The dense plurality of vertically-aligned piezoelectric elongated nanostructures extends from the first electrode layer. Each of the nanostructures has a top end. The insulating layer is disposed on the top ends of the nanostructures. The second electrode layer is disposed on the non-conductive layer and is spaced apart from the nanostructures.
US08829766B2
An acoustic wave resonator device comprising a resonant layer that comprises a series of side-by-side areas of first and second dielectric materials. In one embodiment the first dielectric material is a piezoelectric, in particular the first dielectric material can be a piezoelectric and the second dielectric material can be non-piezoelectric. In another embodiment, the first dielectric material is a piezoelectric of first polarity and the second dielectric material is a piezoelectric of opposite polarity or different polarity. Where needed, the resonant layer is supported on a reflector composed of series of layers of high acoustic impedance material(s) alternating with layers of low acoustic impedance material(s). For example, the reflector comprises AlN, Al2O3, Ta2O5, HfO2 or W as high impedance material and SiO2 as low impedance material.
US08829759B2
A rotating electrical machine includes a rotor configured to rotate about an axis. The rotor includes a rotor lamination stack having a plurality of sheets pressed into a composite assembly in an axial direction and being radially divided into an inner mechanical part and an outer electrical part. A rotor winding is disposed in the electrical part of the rotor lamination stack. A stator is concentrically surrounding the rotor. A plurality of shear bolts is disposed in the mechanical part and configured to reach through the rotor lamination stack. A plurality of further bolts is disposed in the electrical part, the plurality of shear bolts and a plurality of further bolts being configured to press the plurality of sheets in the axial direction.
US08829757B2
A multipolar motor is simply wire-wound and an output thereof is capable of being switched. The motor includes at least 8 magnetic poles, an armature including at least 10 tooth sections; a commutator including at least 20 commutator segments, and brush-sets including 2 positive electrode brushes and 2 negative electrode brushes. A hook-holding section arranged to hook-hold conductor wires is installed on each of the commutator segments. Further, a group of coils is defined by using a single conductor wire that is wound onto each of the plurality of tooth sections and hooked onto the plurality of hook holding sections. This motor can switch the state in which the brush-set is energized.
US08829753B2
A motor includes: a rotor comprising: a rotary shaft; a magnetic body rotatable together with the rotary shaft; and first and second permanent magnets fixed on an outer circumference or an inner circumference of the magnetic body, and a stator comprising: an iron core arranged around the rotor; and a coil for exciting the iron core.
US08829751B2
An electric motor includes a motor casing formed with a shaft insertion hole and a motor output shaft extending in the shaft insertion hole and projecting to a speed reducing mechanism. An annular oil seal is disposed between the shaft insertion hole and the motor output shaft and the annular oil seal includes an annular seal retainer buried in the annular oil seal for reinforcement. A C-shaped stopper member extending circumferentially from a first end to a second end spaced from the first end, is held in a holding portion or a fitting groove of the shaft insertion hole, and arranged to prevent movement of the oil seal toward the speed reducing mechanism. The stopper member includes a plurality of beam segments confronting the seal retainer from an axial direction of the motor output shaft.
US08829749B2
A method for making a rotary electric machine comprises the steps of: preparing a core (18) having a plurality of pole expansions and a plurality of windings (100, 200, 300) made of electrically conductive material on the pole expansions, where at least a part of the windings (100, 200, 300) is made from a conductor wire having a free end (14) that can be connected electrically to a mains power supply; stably coupling to each other at least two free ends (14) of different windings (100, 200, 300) so as to connect them to a single power supply terminal; twisting the coupled ends (14) together to form a single electrical termination (5, 6, 7) twisted along a principal line of extension of the electrical termination (5, 6, 7).
US08829748B2
The present invention relates to a connection molding for automation of a three-phase motor winding, which specifically comprises: a fixed coil part fixed inside of a main body, a coil part installed within the fixed coil part, a central shaft fixed to the main body and passing through the coil part, and a connector part coupled to the top of the coil part so that the coil of the coil part is connected thereto and the central shaft passes and is coupled therethrough.
US08829745B2
A stator system for an electric machine, in particular a generator of a wind turbine is disclosed. The stator system includes a stator segment, a plate, supply system and a manifold segment. The stator segment includes a cooling channel which includes an opening at an axial front face of the stator segment. The plate is mounted to the axial front face for reinforcing the stator segment. The supply system is adapted for supplying cooling fluid to the cooling channel. The manifold segment is welded to the plate for forming a guide channel for the cooling fluid between the manifold segment and the plate. The plate includes a through-hole for generating a connection between the opening of the cooling channel and the guide channel. The supply system is connected to the guide channel.
US08829740B2
A sealed linear motor system is provided. The sealed linear motor system includes a sealed coil assembly having a plurality of coil windings within a base plate and comprising covers disposed about the base plate and coil windings to prevent moisture and/or chemical ingress into the base plate and the coil windings. The sealed linear motor system also includes a sealed magnet assembly disposed adjacent to the coil assembly and comprising a plurality of magnets mounted on a magnet mounting plate and a magnet housing disposed on a surface of the magnet mounting plate to cover and seal the plurality of magnets within the housing.
US08829725B2
Power is fed from a power feeding coil L2 to a power receiving coil L3 by magnetic resonance. A VCO 202 alternately turns ON/OFF switching transistors Q1 and Q2 at a drive frequency fo, whereby AC power is supplied to the power feeding coil L2, and then the AC power is supplied from the power feeding coil L2 to the power receiving coil L3. A phase detection circuit 114 detects a phase difference between current and voltage phases, and the VCO 202 adjusts the drive frequency fo such that the phase difference becomes zero. When load voltage is changed, the detected voltage phase value is adjusted with the result that the drive frequency fo is adjusted.
US08829718B2
A voltage drop of an output voltage of a DC-DC converter, caused by a wiring resistance, can properly be compensated at low cost. The DC-DC converter is connected to a low-voltage battery through an ignition switch and started up by the ignition switch. A transformation unit transforms a voltage inputted from a high-voltage battery and supplies the voltage to the low-voltage battery. A control circuit calculates a wiring resistance between the transformation unit and the low-voltage battery based on the voltage inputted from the low-voltage battery through the ignition switch in connecting the ignition switch and an output voltage and an output current of the transformation unit. The control circuit corrects a command value of the output voltage of the transformation unit based on the calculated wiring resistance to control the output voltage of the transformation unit. The invention can be applied to a DC-DC converter for electric-powered vehicle.
US08829707B2
A method for controlling an aircraft power system having a plurality of generators includes determining a load set for controlling aircraft power as a function of a number of generators providing power and as a function of a health status of a load to be included in said load set.
US08829697B2
An energy storage apparatus for storing energy transmitted by a power transmission line includes an elastically deformable component and an actuator-generator. The actuator-generator is coupled to the elastically deformable component such that electrical actuation of the actuator-generator generates tension in the elastically deformable component. The actuator-generator is further coupled to the elastically deformable component such that mechanical actuation of the actuator-generator via a release of tension in the elastically deformable component causes a generation of electrical energy by the actuator-generator.
US08829687B2
A semiconductor package is provided, which includes: a semiconductor substrate having opposite first and second surfaces; an adhesive layer formed on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate; at least a semiconductor chip disposed on the adhesive layer; an encapsulant formed on the adhesive layer for encapsulating the semiconductor chip; and a plurality of conductive posts penetrating the first and second surfaces of the semiconductor substrate and the adhesive layer and electrically connected to the semiconductor chip, thereby effectively reducing the fabrication cost, shortening the fabrication time and improving the product reliability.
US08829685B2
Provided are: a circuit device demonstrating an improved connection reliability while being mounted; and a method for manufacturing the same. The circuit device of the present invention includes: an island; leads arranged around the island, each lead having a lower surface and a side surface exposed to the outside; and a semiconductor element mounted on the island and electrically connected to the leads through thin metal wires. Furthermore, the exposed end portion of the lead is formed to spread toward the outside. By forming the lead in this manner, the area where the lead comes into contact with a brazing filler material is increased, thus improving the connection strength therebetween.
US08829675B2
A system for repairing pillar bumps includes a pillar bump repair device that is adapted to form a plurality of strain-relieving notches in a pillar bump that is positioned above a metallization system of a semiconductor chip. The system further includes a pillar bump support device that is adapted to substantially support the pillar bump while the pillar bump repair device is forming each of the plurality of strain-relieving notches.
US08829666B2
Semiconductor packages and methods of forming a semiconductor package are disclosed. The method includes providing at least one die having first and second surfaces. The second surface of the die includes a plurality of conductive pads. A support carrier is provided and the at least one die is attached to the support carrier. The first surface of the at least one die is facing the support carrier. A cap having first and second surfaces is formed to encapsulate the at least one die. The second surface of the cap is disposed at a different plane than the second surface of the die.
US08829664B2
A three-dimensional semiconductor device, comprising: a first module layer having a plurality of circuit blocks; and a second module layer positioned substantially above the first module layer, including a plurality of configuration circuits; and a third module layer positioned substantially above the second module layer, including a plurality of circuit blocks; wherein, the configuration circuits in the second module control a portion of the circuit blocks in the first and third module layers.
US08829660B2
A resin-sealed semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip including a silicon substrate; a die pad on which the semiconductor chip is secured via a solder layer; a sealing resin layer sealing the semiconductor chip; and lead terminals connected electrically with the semiconductor chip. One end portion of the lead terminals is covered by the sealing resin layer. The die pad and the lead terminals are formed of copper and a copper alloy, and the die pad is formed with a thickness larger than a thickness of the lead terminals, which is a thickness of 0.25 mm or more.
US08829657B2
A semiconductor substrate includes a substrate body divided into device regions and a peripheral region outside the device region, and having one surface, another surface substantially facing away from the one surface, trenches defined in the device regions under the one surface and inner surfaces which are formed due to defining of the trenches; active regions formed in the trenches; and a gettering layer formed between the inner surfaces of the substrate body and the active regions.
US08829648B2
A semiconductor package includes a semiconductor element, a capacitor, and a package substrate. The capacitor supplies transient current to the semiconductor element. The semiconductor element and the capacitor are mounted on the package substrate. The semiconductor element includes an integrated circuit, a first connecting part, and a second connecting part. The capacitor includes a third connecting part and a fourth connecting part. The package substrate includes a first metallic layer, a second metallic layer, and a dielectric layer. The first metallic layer includes a first conductive region, a second conductive region, a third conductive region, and a fourth conductive region. The first conductive region is connected via a fifth connecting part to the second metallic layer. The third conductive region is connected via a sixth connecting part to the second metallic layer. The second and fourth conductive regions are connected to each other inside the first metallic layer.
US08829641B2
In one general aspect, a method of forming a field effect transistor can include forming a well region in a semiconductor region of a first conductivity type where the well region is of a second conductivity type and has an upper surface and a lower surface. The method can include forming a gate trench extending into the semiconductor region to a depth below a depth of the lower surface of the well region, and forming a stripe trench extending through the well region and into the semiconductor region to a depth below the depth of the gate trench. The method can also include forming a contiguous source region of the first conductivity type in the well region where the source region being in contact with the gate trench and in contact with the stripe trench.
US08829632B2
A semiconductor package includes a wiring board, an electronic component mounted on the wiring board, and an enclosing frame arranged on an upper surface of the electronic component. The enclosing frame includes a basal portion, which has the form of a closed frame and extends along the upper surface of the electronic component, and an adhesion portion, which is wider than the basal portion and is arranged on the upper surface of the basal portion. A cap is adhered to an upper surface of the adhesion portion. A molding resin contacts a lower surface of the adhesion portion and seals the electronic component and the wiring board that are exposed from the enclosing frame.
US08829631B2
There is disclosed a memory element including a memory layer that has a magnetization perpendicular to a film face and a magnetization direction thereof varies corresponding to information; a magnetization-fixed layer that has a magnetization that is perpendicular to the film face and becomes a reference for the information stored in the memory layer; and an insulating layer that is provided between the memory layer and the magnetization-fixed layer and is formed of a non-magnetic layer, wherein an electron that is spin-polarized is injected in a lamination direction of a layered structure having the memory layer, the insulating layer, and the magnetization-fixed layer, and thereby the magnetization direction varies and a recording of information is performed with respect to the memory layer, and a magnitude of an effective diamagnetic field which the memory layer receives is smaller than a saturated magnetization amount of the memory layer.
US08829630B2
[Subject] To provide a pressure sensor capable of implementing cost reduction and miniaturization.[Solving Means] A pressure sensor 1 includes a silicon substrate 2 provided therein with a reference pressure chamber 8, a diaphragm 10, consisting of part of the silicon substrate 2, formed on a surface layer portion of the silicon substrate 2 to partition a reference pressure chamber 8, and an etching stop layer 9 formed on a lower surface of the diaphragm 10 facing the reference pressure chamber 8. A through-hole 11 communicating with the reference pressure chamber 8 is formed on the diaphragm 10, and a filler 13 is arranged in the through-hole 11.
US08829628B2
A MEMS package structure, including a substrate, an interconnecting structure, an upper metallic layer, a deposition element and a packaging element is provided. The interconnecting structure is disposed on the substrate. The MEMS structure is disposed on the substrate and within a first cavity. The upper metallic layer is disposed above the MEMS structure and the interconnecting structure, so as to form a second cavity located between the upper metallic layer and the interconnecting structure and communicates with the first cavity. The upper metallic layer has at least a first opening located above the interconnecting structure and at least a second opening located above the MEMS structure. Area of the first opening is greater than that of the second opening. The deposition element is disposed above the upper metallic layer to seal the second opening. The packaging element is disposed above the upper metallic layer to seal the first opening.
US08829613B1
A semiconductor device is formed with a stepped field plate over at least three sequential regions in which a total dielectric thickness under the stepped field plate is at least 10 percent thicker in each region compared to the preceding region. The total dielectric thickness in each region is uniform. The stepped field plate is formed over at least two dielectric layers, of which at least all but one dielectric layer is patterned so that at least a portion of a patterned dielectric layer is removed in one or more regions of the stepped field plate.
US08829608B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, a second semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type, a third semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type, a fourth semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type, a fifth semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type, a control electrode, a first main electrode, a second main electrode, and a sixth semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type. The second semiconductor layer and the third semiconductor layer are alternately provided on the first semiconductor layer in a direction substantially parallel to a major surface of the first semiconductor layer. The fourth semiconductor layer is provided on the second semiconductor layer and the third semiconductor layer. The fifth semiconductor layer is selectively provided on a surface of the fourth semiconductor layer. The control electrode is provided in a trench via an insulating film. The trench penetrates through the fourth semiconductor layer from a surface of the fifth semiconductor layer and is in contact with the second semiconductor layer. The first main electrode is connected to the first semiconductor layer. The second main electrode is connected to the fourth semiconductor layer and the fifth semiconductor layer. The sixth semiconductor layer is provided between the fourth semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer. An impurity concentration of the sixth semiconductor layer is higher than an impurity concentration of the second semiconductor layer.
US08829605B2
A MOSFET includes: a substrate made of silicon carbide and having a first trench and a second trench formed therein, the first trench having an opening at the main surface side, the second trench having an opening at the main surface side and being shallower than the first trench; a gate insulating film; a gate electrode; and a source electrode disposed on and in contact with a wall surface of the second trench. The substrate includes a source region, a body region, and a drift region. The first trench is formed to extend through the source region and the body region and reach the drift region. The second trench is formed to extend through the source region and reach the body region.
US08829602B2
The invention includes a semiconductor structure having a gateline lattice surrounding vertical source/drain regions. In some aspects, the source/drain regions can be provided in pairs, with one of the source/drain regions of each pair extending to a digit line and the other extending to a memory storage device, such as a capacitor. The source/drain regions extending to the digit line can have the same composition as the source/drain regions extending to the memory storage devices, or can have different compositions from the source/drain regions extending to the memory storage devices. The invention also includes methods of forming semiconductor structures. In exemplary methods, a lattice comprising a first material is provided to surround repeating regions of a second material. At least some of the first material is then replaced with a gateline structure, and at least some of the second material is replaced with vertical source/drain regions.
US08829600B2
Provided is a power semiconductor device including a semiconductor substrate, in which a current flows in a thickness direction of the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate includes a resistance control structure configured so that a resistance to the current becomes higher in a central portion of the semiconductor substrate than a peripheral portion of the semiconductor substrate.
US08829596B2
The nonvolatile memory device includes a semiconductor layer including trenches formed in a first direction, isolation layers filling the trenches, and active regions divided by the isolation layer, first insulating patterns formed on the semiconductor substrate in a second direction crossing the first direction, charge storage layer patterns formed over the respective active regions between the first insulating patterns, and second insulating patterns formed on the isolation layers between the charge storage layer patterns.
US08829585B2
In a vertical dynamic memory cell, monocrystalline semiconductor material of improved quality is provided for the channel of an access transistor by lateral epitaxial growth over an insulator material (which complements the capacitor dielectric in completely surrounding the storage node except at a contact connection structure, preferably of metal, from the access transistor to the storage node electrode) and etching away a region of the lateral epitaxial growth including a location where crystal lattice dislocations are most likely to occur; both of which features serve to reduce or avoid leakage of charge from the storage node. An isolation structure can be provided in the etched region such that space is provided for connections to various portions of a memory cell array.
US08829582B2
A semiconductor device includes MOS transistors, capacitor elements, a voltage generating circuit, a contact plug, and a memory cell. The MOS transistor and the capacitor element are formed on a first one of the element regions and a second one of the element regions, respectively. In the voltage generating circuit, current paths of the MOS transistors are series-connected and the capacitor elements are connected to the source or drain of the MOS transistors. The contact plug is formed on the source or the drain to connect the MOS transistors or one of the MOS transistors and one of the capacitor elements. A distance between the gate and the contact plug both for a first one of the MOS transistors located in the final stage in the series connection is larger than that for a second one of the MOS transistors located in the initial stage in the series connection.
US08829580B2
According to one embodiment, a magnetoresistive memory includes first and second contact plugs in a first interlayer insulating film, a lower electrode on the first interlayer insulating film, a magnetoresistive effect element on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode on the magnetoresistive effect element. The lower electrode has a tapered cross-sectional shape in which a dimension of a bottom surface of the lower electrode is longer than a dimension of an upper surface of the lower electrode, one end of the lower electrode is in contact with an upper surface of the first contact plug. The magnetoresistive effect element is provided at a position shifted from a position immediately above the first contact plug in a direction parallel to a surface of the semiconductor substrate.
US08829573B2
A semiconductor device with minimized current flow differences and method of fabricating same are disclosed. The method includes forming a semiconductor stack including a plurality of layers that include a first layer having a first conductivity type and a second layer having a first conductivity type, in which the second layer is on top of the first layer, forming a plurality of mesas in the semiconductor layer stack, and forming a plurality of gates in the semiconductor layer stack having a second conductivity type and situated partially at a periphery of the mesas, in which the plurality of gates are formed to minimize current flow differences between a current flowing from the first layer to the plurality of mesas at a first applied gate bias and a current flowing from the first layer to the plurality of mesas at a second applied gate bias when voltage is applied to the semiconductor device.
US08829569B2
A semiconductor apparatus includes a first semiconductor layer formed on a substrate, a second semiconductor layer formed on the first semiconductor layer, a gate recess formed by removing at least a portion of the second semiconductor layer, an insulation film formed on the gate recess and the second semiconductor layer, a gate electrode formed on the gate recess via the insulation film, source and drain electrodes formed on one of the first and the second semiconductor layers, and a fluorine containing region formed in at least one of a part of the first semiconductor layer corresponding to a region in which the gate recess is formed and a part of the second semiconductor layer corresponding to the region in which the gate recess is formed.
US08829564B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate and a MOS transistor. The semiconductor substrate has the first main surface and the second main surface facing each other. The MOS transistor includes a gate electrode (5a) formed on the first main surface side, an emitter electrode (11) formed on the first main surface side, and a collector electrode (12) formed in contact with the second main surface. An element generates an electric field in a channel by a voltage applied to the gate electrode (5a), and controls the current between the emitter electrode (11) and the collector electrode (12) by the electric field in the channel. The spike density in the interface between the semiconductor substrate and the collector electrode (12) is not less than 0 and not more than 3×108 unit/cm2. Consequently, a semiconductor device suitable for parallel operation is provided.
US08829556B2
A large area, flexible, OLED assembly has improved thermal management by providing a metal cathode of increased thickness of at least 500 nm. A thermal heat sink trace may be used as alternative or in conjunction with the increased thickness cathode where the trace leads from a central region of the OLED toward a perimeter region, or by other backsheet thermal management designs. External heat sinking, for example to a plate, fixture, etc. may be additionally used or in conjunction with the increased thickness cathode and/or backsheet design to provide further thermal management.
US08829555B2
A semiconductor light emission element (1) includes: a substrate (110); multi-layered semiconductor layers (100) including a light emission layer (150) and layered on the substrate (110); a transparent electrode (170) including an indium oxide and layered on the multi-layered semiconductor layers (100); a first junction layer (190) including tantalum as a valve action metal and layered on the transparent electrode (170) in such a manner that a side of the first junction layer (190) being in contact with the transparent electrode (170) is a tantalum nitride layer or a tantalum oxide layer; and a first bonding pad electrode (200) layered on the first junction layer (190) and used for electrical connection with outside. This improves a bonding property of the transparent electrode or the semiconductor layer with the connection electrode and reliability of the electrodes.
US08829545B2
A group III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device comprises an n-type gallium nitride-based semiconductor layer, a first p-type AlXGa1-XN (0≦X<1) layer, an active layer including an InGaN layer, a second p-type AlYGa1-YN (0≦Y≦X<1) layer, a third p-type AlZGa1-XN layer (0≦Z≦Y≦X<1), and a p-electrode in contact with the third p-type AlZGa1-ZN layer. The active layer is provided between the n-type gallium nitride-based semiconductor layer and the first p-type AlXGa1-XN layer. The second p-type AlYGa1-YN (0≦Y≦X<1) layer is provided on the first p-type AlXGa1-XN layer. The p-type dopant concentration of the second p-type AlYGa1-YN layer is greater than the p-type dopant concentration of the first p-type AlXGa1-XN layer. The third p-type AlZGa1-ZN layer (0≦Z≦Y≦X<1) is provided on the second p-type AlYGa1-YN layer. The p-type dopant concentration of the second p-type AlYGa1-YN layer is greater than a p-type dopant concentration of the third p-type AlZGa1-ZN layer.
US08829542B2
An organic light emitting diode device including an anode, a cathode facing the anode, and a light emitting member between the anode and cathode, wherein the light emitting member includes at least two light emitting units displaying the same or different color as one another, and a charge-generation layer between the at least two light emitting units, the charge-generation layer including a first charge-generation layer and a second charge-generation layer that each include an undoped material, and wherein the first charge-generation layer has an ionization energy that is about the same as or less than an electron affinity of the second charge-generation layer.
US08829537B2
Disclosed is an integrated apparatus including an isolative substrate, a plurality of driver chips provided on a side of the isolative substrate, a power supply provided on the side of the isolative substrate and electrically connected to the driver chips, and LED chips provided on another side of the isolative substrate and electrically connected to the driver chips. Thus, the driver chips, the power supply and the LED chips are integrated on the isolative substrate. The production is easy. The integrated apparatus is not vulnerable to surges and lightning strikes. Electromagnetic interferences are reduced. Heat radiation of the integrated apparatus is excellent so that the LED chips are protected from thermal effect.
US08829535B2
A silicon carbide semiconductor device includes an insulation film, and a silicon carbide layer having a surface covered with the insulation film. The surface includes a first region. The first region has a first plane orientation at least partially. The first plane orientation is any of a (0-33-8) plane, (30-3-8) plane, (-330-8) plane, (03-3-8) plane, (-303-8) plane, and (3-30-8) plane.
US08829534B2
Provided is a power semiconductor device including: a power semiconductor element; a metal block as a first metal block that is connected to the power semiconductor element through an upper surface electrode pattern as a first upper surface electrode pattern selectively formed on an upper surface of the power semiconductor element; and a mold resin filled so as to cover the power semiconductor element and the metal block, wherein an upper surface of the metal block is exposed from a surface of the mold resin.
US08829533B2
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device (1) in silicon carbide, with a highly doped substrate region (11) and a drift region (12). The present invention specifically teaches that an additional layer (13) is positioned between the highly doped substrate region (11) and the drift region (12), the additional layer (13) thus providing a wide safe operating area at subsequently high voltages and current densities.
US08829532B2
Semiconductor layer structure and a method for producing a structure are provided, including a substrate made of semiconductor material, on which a layer made of a second semiconductor material is situated, furthermore a region (3) enriched with impurity atoms, which region is situated either in layer (2) or at a specific depth below the interface between layer (2) and substrate (1), additionally a layer (4) within the region (3) enriched with impurity atoms, which layer comprises cavities produced by ion implantation, furthermore at least one epitaxial layer (6) applied to layer (2) and also a defect region (5) comprising dislocations and stacking faults within the layer (4) comprising cavities, the at least one epitaxial layer (6) being largely crack-free, and a residual strain of the at least one epitaxial layer (6) being less than or equal to 1 GPa.
US08829530B2
A crystal producing apparatus includes a crystal forming unit and a crystal growing unit. The crystal forming unit forms a first gallium nitride (GaN) crystal by supplying nitride gas into melt mixture containing metal sodium (Na) and metal gallium (Ga). The first GaN crystal is sliced and polished to form GaN wafers. The crystal growing unit grows a second GaN crystal on a substrate formed by using a GaN wafer, by the hydride vapor phase epitaxy method, thus producing a bulked GaN crystal.
US08829528B2
A step for forming an island-shaped semiconductor layer of a semiconductor device used in a display device is omitted in order to manufacture the semiconductor device with high productivity and low cost. The semiconductor device is manufactured through four photolithography processes: four steps for forming a gate electrode, for forming a source electrode and a drain electrode, for forming a contact hole, and for forming a pixel electrode. In the step for forming the contact hole, a groove portion in which a semiconductor layer is removed is formed, whereby formation of a parasitic transistor is prevented. An oxide semiconductor is used as a material of the semiconductor layer in which a channel is formed, and an oxide semiconductor having a higher insulating property than the semiconductor layer is provided over the semiconductor layer.
US08829506B2
An optoelectronic device including a first electrode arranged on a substrate, a second electrode that includes a first surface facing the first electrode, and a semiconductor material layer that is in electric contact with the first and second electrodes. The second electrode includes a side wall that is adjacent to the first surface and is covered with the semiconductor material layer by the insertion of a self-assembled monolayer.
US08829505B2
The present invention is provided an organic light emitting diode structure and display device therefor, wherein an organic light emitting diode comprises a transparent substrate; and multi-rowed and multi-columned light emitting pixel units formed on the transparent substrate, which comprising a plurality of light emitting pixels. The organic light emitting diode also comprises ultraviolet light emitting pixels for emitting ultraviolet light. The present invention is caused the OLED display device to carry out colorful display and also can use to be ultraviolet light.
US08829502B2
A condensed polycyclic compound which emits green light and which has a high chemical stability and an organic light emitting element including the same are provided. A condensed polycyclic compound represented by the general formula [1] or [2] described in claim 1 is provided. In the formula [1] and [2], R1 to R10 are independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, a straight or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 22 carbon atoms.
US08829501B2
The invention relates to an organic light emitting device having an electrode, a counter electrode, at least one light emitting region that includes a stack of organic layers between the electrode and the counter electrode, which stack of organic layers is provided between a metal substrate and a transparent encapsulation, a current supply layer, electrically connected to the electrode or the counter-electrode, the current supply layer being partially provided overlapping an electric insulating layer provided in direct contact with the metal substrate, and at least one electrical feedthrough through the metal substrate and through the electric insulating layer, which electrical feedthrough provides an electrical connection to the current supply layer and is electrically isolated from the metal substrate.
US08829499B2
A semiconductor element including an organic semiconductor layer and a layer disposed on the upper surface of the organic semiconductor layer, wherein the outline of the layer is inside the outline of the organic semiconductor layer.
US08829486B2
A light-emitting device comprises a substrate, and a light-emitting structure formed on the substrate. The light-emitting structure comprises a first active layer emitting the light with a first wavelength, and a second active layer emitting the light with a second wavelength. The light-emitting structure is formed by the first active layer and the second active layer stacked alternately.
US08829478B2
An EUV light source is disclosed herein which may comprise a droplet generator producing a stream of target material droplets, a first optical gain medium amplifying light on a first beam path without a seed laser providing a seed laser output to the first beam path, a second optical gain medium amplifying light on a second beam path without a seed laser providing a seed laser output to the second beam path, and a beam combiner combining light from the first beam path and the second beam path for interaction with a target material droplet to produce EUV light emitting plasma.
US08829471B1
Techniques for spatial spectral holography include a doped crystal comprising Thulium doped into a host crystal of Yttrium Lutetium Aluminum Garnet wherein a concentration of Thulium atoms is less than 3 atomic percent. Techniques further include an apparatus with a source for optical electromagnetic radiation and a cryocooler configured to maintain an operating temperature in a range from about 3 Kelvin to about 6 Kelvin. The cryocooler includes a first optical window. The apparatus also includes a doped crystal comprising Thulium doped into a host crystal of Yttrium Lutetium Aluminum Garnet disposed inside the cryocooler in a position to be illuminated by incident optical electromagnetic radiation derived from the source. The apparatus also includes a detector configured to detect optical electromagnetic radiation emitted from the doped crystal. Techniques include a method for using at least one of the above doped crystals.
US08829467B2
An IMS or other analytical instrument has a corona discharge needle (20) to ionize sample gases or vapours. A gate (3) is opened or closed to admit or prevent entry of the ions produced by the corona discharge to a drift chamber (4). The operation of the corona discharge needle (20) and the gate (3) are controlled such that the gate is open during at least two discharges, to admit faster ions produced by the most recent discharge together with slower ions produced by an earlier discharge.
US08829466B2
A scanning power source that outputs the excitation current for a scanning electromagnet and an irradiation control apparatus that controls the scanning power source; the irradiation control apparatus is provided with a scanning electromagnet command value learning generator that evaluates the result of a run-through, which is a series of irradiation operations through a command value for the excitation current outputted from the scanning power source, that updates the command value for the excitation current, when the result of the evaluation does not satisfy a predetermined condition, so as to perform the run-through, and that outputs to the scanning power source the command value for the excitation current such that its evaluation result has satisfied the predetermined condition.
US08829458B2
In a weathering chamber, a UV radiation device is arranged and at least one sample can be arranged in a sample plane spaced apart from the UV radiation device. The UV radiation device has a plurality of UV light emitting diodes (UV LEDs) containing two or more classes of UV LEDs having different emission bands. The emission bands are chosen in such a way that a spectral distribution with which a specific spectral UV characteristic is approximated can be obtained in the sample plane.
US08829452B1
An avalanche photodiode (APD) electro-magnetic radiation (EMR) detector for visible to near infrared wavelengths is described. The detector includes an EMR absorption region, a voltage biasing element, and a charge multiplication region. The EMR absorption region includes a substantially regular array of silver or aluminum nanoparticles embedded in a matrix material. The voltage biasing element is configured to apply a bias voltage to the matrix material such that electrical current is directly generated in the EMR absorption region based on a cooperative plasmon effect in the detector material when electro-magnetic radiation in the visible to near infrared wavelength range is incident upon the detector material, where the dominant mechanism for decay in the cooperative plasmon effect is non-radiative. The charge multiplication region is arranged relative to the EMR absorption region to avalanche multiply the electrical current generated in the EMR absorption region.
US08829446B2
Among other things, one or more tiles for an indirect-conversation radiation detector array are provided herein. Respective tiles comprise a detector sub-assembly and an electronic sub-assembly, which are operably coupled together, yet selectively removable, via a connection interface. When an electronic sub-assembly portion of a tile, which comprises a signal acquisition system (e.g., an integrated circuit, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), functions improperly, the electronic sub-assembly portion of the tile may be selectively removed for repair/replacement without removing and/or replacing the detector sub-assembly (e.g., which may be much more costly to replace). Similarly, when the detector sub-assembly portion of a tile functions improperly, the detector sub-assembly portion of the tile may be selectively removed for repair/replacement without removing and/or replacing the electronic sub-assembly portion of the tile (e.g., although some manipulation of the properly functioning sub-assembly may occur).
US08829439B2
A method and system for detecting targets comprising at least one first receiver for receiving radiation, the radiation comprises beams of radiation spaced horizontally; at least one second receiver for receiving radiation, the radiation comprises beams of radiation spaced horizontally and vertically such that the beams of radiation received by the second receiver travel through different predetermined heights from the horizontal plane; at least one processor for receiving data from the first and second receivers, the at least one receiver operating to locate a target passing in the vicinity of the first and second receivers and determine the height of the target based upon the recordation of certain of the beams at a predetermined heights relative to the horizontal plane and the width of a target based upon the horizontal spacing of the beams.
US08829437B2
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for determining an unknown degree of amorphicity in a bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy. A specimen can be prepared from the alloy, irradiated with passive radiation, imaged to provide a thermal image, and the image analyzed to assess the differences in emissivities in the image. The degree of amorphicity can be determined based on the differences in thermal emissivities.
US08829436B2
A method of fabricating a phase plate, for use in a transmission electron microscope, with simple process steps is offered. The method includes a step (S100) of forming a first layer on a substrate, a step (S102) of patterning the first layer to form through-holes extending through the first layer, a step (S104) of etching the surface of the substrate opposite to the surface on which the first layer is formed to form an opening which is in communication with the through-holes and which exposes the first layer, and a step (S106) of forming a second layer on the first layer.
US08829434B2
A mass spectrometer is provided including: a collision chamber of generating fragment ions by superimposingly applying an AC voltage and a first DC voltage between linear multipolar electrodes, and accelerating the fragment ions by applying a second DC voltage between a front stage electrode and a later stage electrode; a mass spectrometer unit of carrying out mass separation of the fragment ions; and a control unit of determining the second DC voltage based on the mass-to-charge ratios such that the rates of the fragment ions in the collision chamber become equal regardless of the mass-to-charge ratios. Herein, the control unit increases the second DC voltage as the mass-to-charge ratios selected by the mass spectrometer unit become larger. This allows the mass window to be wider even when a DC electric field is generated in order to solve a crosstalk drawback, in the movement direction of the molecular ions.
US08829431B2
A coupled nanomanipulation and nanospray mass spectrometry (NMS) system for single cell, single organelle, and ultra-trace molecular analysis is disclosed herein. The system primarily comprises a bio-workstation coupled to a NMS. The bio-workstation primarily comprises of a nanomanipulator stage with a plurality of nano-positioners attached to a cabinet with a piezo voltage source and a pressure injector. The present invention further describes a fingerprint lift method that when coupled with the system disclosed herein can be used for retrieval and analysis of trace amounts of drug and explosive residues. The system described herein has been used in the areas of trace and document analysis within the forensic field, trace fiber analysis, and electrostatic lifts for illicit drugs, as well as document and painting analysis.
US08829425B1
A portable or handheld mass spectrometer making use of a cryogenic pumping, ion pumping or getter pumping system. The portable mass spectrometer contains a cryopump, ion pump, or getter pump, and operates in conjunction with a fixed docking station. The docking station contains a backing pump to bring the mass spectrometer manifold down to operating pressure prior to being placed into portable operation using the cryopump, ion pump, or getter pump. The individual pumps may be operated either separately or simultaneously. This configuration permits the portable mass spectrometer module to be small, lightweight and rugged, and yet be easily and quickly recharged and regenerated for use in either a field or laboratory environment.
US08829423B2
System and methods for a vacuum cell apparatus for an atomic sensor are provided. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a cell wall encircling an enclosed volume, the cell wall having a first open end and a second open end opposite from the first open end and a first panel over the first open end of the cell wall and having a first surface, the first surface facing the enclosed volume and having a first set of diffractive optics therein. Further, the apparatus comprises a second panel over the second open end of the cell wall and having a second surface, the second surface facing the enclosed volume and having a second set of diffractive optics therein; wherein the first set of diffractive optics and the second of diffractive optics are configured to reflect at least one optical beam within the enclosed volume along a predetermined optical path.
US08829420B2
An encoder system and method are provided, that is designed to improve 2D encoder systems and methods in areas such as accuracy, compactness, stability, resolution, and/or light efficiency. Moreover, the system and method of this invention provides a new concept in a retroreflector that while particularly useful in applicants' system and method, is believed to have more general utility in optical imaging systems and methods.
US08829416B2
The invention relates to a passive mechanical athermalization device, comprising: a barrel (1) that is made of a first material having a first thermal expansion coefficient (11) and that has a longitudinal axis (AA), said barrel comprising at least one first portion (11) and at least one second portion (12), the device being characterized in that it comprises: at least three beams (7) made of the first material, each of the beams (7) circumferentially connecting the first portion (11) and the second portion (12) relative to the longitudinal axis (AA); at least three bars (8) made of a second material having a second thermal expansion coefficient (12) that is different from the first thermal expansion coefficient, circumferentially distributed around the barrel (1) relative to the longitudinal axis (AA), each bar (8) axially connecting the first portion (11) and the second portion (12) relative to the longitudinal axis (AA) such that the thermal expansion of the barrel (1) results in a deformation of the beams (7) and of the bars (8) along the longitudinal axis (AA). The invention also relates to an optical system comprising such a passive athermalization device.
US08829406B2
Optical apparatus includes a device package, with a radiation source contained in the package and configured to emit a beam of coherent radiation. A diffractive optical element (DOE) is mounted in the package so as to receive and diffract the radiation from the radiation source into a predefined pattern comprising multiple diffraction orders. An optical detector is positioned in the package so as to receive and sense an intensity of a selected diffraction order of the DOE.
US08829404B1
Embodiments of a multi-mode seeker are provided for use in conjunction with a predetermined laser designator. In one embodiment, the multi-mode seeker includes a focal plane array and a bi-modal processing system. The focal plane array includes a detector array and a Read-Out Integrated Circuit (ROIC) operatively coupled to the detector array. The bi-modal processing system is operatively coupled to ROIC and is switchable between: (i) an imaging mode wherein the bi-modal processing system generates video data as a function of signals received from ROIC indicative of irradiance across the detector array, and (ii) a semi-active laser guidance mode wherein the bi-modal processing system generates line-of-sight data as a function of signals received from ROIC indicative of laser pulses detected by the detector array and qualified as corresponding to the predetermined laser designator.
US08829402B2
The present invention relates to an autofocus aperture stop (5, 6) in a triangulating autofocusing device (21) for a microscope (40), wherein the autofocus aperture stop (5, 6) comprises at least one diaphragm opening (3, 4) with which a measuring beam pencil (34) used for the autofocusing and running in the direction of the optical axis (18) of the autofocusing device (21) can be limited in its cross section, wherein the diaphragm opening (3, 4) of the autofocus aperture stop (5, 6) is arranged in a decentred position at a spacing from the optical axis (18) of the autofocusing device (21), wherein a decentred autofocus measuring beam (36) can be generated by the diaphragm opening (3, 4) in one half of the cross section (17) of the measuring beam pencil (34).
US08829398B2
In a coffee maker (1) having a boiler (6) and heating means (62) for heating a content of the boiler (6), safety measures are taken to prevent breakdown of the coffee maker (1) in the case in which the heating means (62) are activated while the boiler (6) is empty. The coffee maker (1) comprises a controller (10) having a memory (15) in which a flag indicating a filled state of the boiler (6) can be raised, which controller (10) is programmed to activate the heating means (62) to supply reduced heating power if the memory (15) does not contain the flag. A situation in which the boiler (6) gets overheated, even if the heating means (62) are shut off after having been operated, is prevented thereby.
US08829389B2
A method of manufacturing a helical bar concave from a flat, rolled laser cut arrangement that provides a net helical concave functionality. Laser cutting a flat metal sheet to form helical cutouts defining a percent open area having a helical geometry in combination with configurable rub bars mounted in a helical fashion results in a configurable helical bar concave in which the number or aggressiveness of the threshing surface on the inside radius of the grate may be changed and/or the rub bars may be moved to the outside of the grate to change the percent open area and hence the separation characteristics of the concave.
US08829385B2
A nozzle, retaining cap, or shield for a plasma arc torch that includes a surface defining a conductive contact portion for exchanging heat with an adjacent torch component. The adjacent torch component can be a retaining cap, electrode or nozzle. The surface of the nozzle, retaining cap, or shield can also at least partially define a cooling channel having a curvilinear surface. A sealant portion can be positioned between the conductive contact portion and the cooling channel. The sealant portion can form or create a fluid barrier between the cooling channel and the conductive portion.
US08829380B2
The disclosure relates to an arc chute for a medium voltage circuit breaker having a housing, at least one stack of a plurality of substantially parallel metal plates arranged in the housing, the at least one stack defining a first axis in parallel to a stacking direction; an arc space arranged in the housing, wherein the arc space is adapted to allow an arc to expand therein; and at least one arc quenching plate disposed in the housing, wherein the arc guiding plate has at least one surface which has a surface plane extending in parallel to the first axis. Further, the present disclosure relates to a circuit breaker having a switching unit with a first switch contact and a second switch contact, movable between a first position, wherein the first switch contact contacts the second switch contact, and a second position, wherein the first switch contact is separated from the second switch contact, and an arc chute. Additionally, the disclosure relates to a polymer plate selected of a group containing a flame retardant polymer, a flame retardant polymer having a flame retardant filler, and a polymer having a flame retardant filler as an arc quenching plate.
US08829372B1
An air break electrical switch includes a first electrical terminal and a second electrical terminal supported apart from the first electrical terminal. The switch further includes a blade support configured to be electrically insulatively supported apart from the second electrical terminal. A blade is pivotally supported by the blade support, and the blade is pivotable from an open contact position to a closed contact position and vice versa. The switch further includes an indicator connected to the blade. At least a portion of the indicator is fixed to the blade so as to rotate with the blade and display a first color when the blade is in the open contact position and obscure the first color when the blade is in the closed contact position.
US08829369B2
In order to take maximum advantage of the modularity provided by a multipole circuit breaker (100) with double enclosure, a new architecture is proposed. A part of the outer case (48) of the switchgear apparatus is formed directly when assembly of the breaking device (600) is performed by juxtaposition and securing between single-pole breaking units (10), spacers (46) and side walls (50). It is thus possible to use the spacers (46) for various functionalities, and in particular to modify the external aspect of the switchgear apparatus (100) or the nature of the trip device in delayed manner.
US08829363B2
A receptacle for supporting a transponder on a support structure includes a housing having a first housing portion securable to the transponder and a second housing portion securable to the support structure. The first housing portion is pivotally secured to the second housing portion. The first housing portion and second housing portion include a shield for attenuating the transmission of electromagnetic signals. The first housing portion has a first position wherein the first housing portion and second housing portion form a chamber for enclosing the transponder and restricting the transmission of electromagnetic signals from the chamber. The first housing portion has a second position wherein the first housing portion and the transponder are displaced from the second housing portion thereby opening the chamber and exposing the transponder to permit the transmission of electromagnetic signals to and from the transponder.
US08829360B2
The connector for PV cells is a strip of electrically conductive material which has a flat cross-section with two broad sides and with two narrow sides which each connect opposite edges of the broad sides. At least one broad side has a corrugated structure running in longitudinal direction of the strip and is pre-tinned in an area the length of which is somewhat less than the length of the edge of a PV cell. To produce the pre-tinned strips, in a first step a metal foil is guided through a roll gap of a rolling mill in which at least one work roll has a surface with a corrugated structure with the result that a corrugated structure which has crests or peaks and troughs is embossed into at least one side of the metal foil, in a second step soldering tin in the form of solder preforms is applied to the side of the metal foil with the embossed corrugated structure, wherein the soldering flux necessary for pre-tinning has been applied in advance to the solder preforms or the metal foil, in a third step the solder preforms are connected to the metal foil and melted on and in a fourth step the pre-tinned metal foil with the embossed corrugated structure is separated into parallel ribbons. The solder preforms are sufficiently thick for the corrugated structure to be at least full after the solder preforms have been melted on.
US08829357B2
A wiring board includes a core substrate having an opening portion and a through hole adjacent to the opening portion, a capacitor positioned in the opening portion, and a through-hole conductor formed in the through hole of the core substrate and having a conductor filling the through hole. The core substrate has a first surface and a second surface on the opposite side of the first surface, the opening portion of the core substrate penetrates from the first surface to the second surface, the through-hole conductor has a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion connected to the first conductive portion in the core substrate, the first conductive portion of the through-hole conductor becomes narrower from the first surface toward the second surface, and the second conductive portion of the through-hole conductor becomes narrower from the second surface toward the first surface.
US08829356B2
A packaging substrate includes: a dielectric layer unit having top and bottom surfaces; a positioning pad embedded in the bottom surface of the dielectric layer unit; at least a passive element having a plurality of electrode pads disposed on upper and lower surfaces thereof, the passive element being embedded in the dielectric layer unit and corresponding to the positioning pad; a first circuit layer disposed on the top surface of the dielectric layer unit, the first circuit layer having first conductive vias electrically connected to the electrode pads disposed on the upper surface of the passive element; and a second circuit layer disposed on the bottom surface of the dielectric layer unit, the second circuit layer having second conductive vias electrically connected to the electrode pads disposed on the lower surface of the passive element. Through the embedding of the passive element, the overall structure may have a reduced height.
US08829348B2
A communications cable includes a plurality of longitudinally extending pairs of conducting elements, a low profile male connector secured to a first end of the cable, and a low profile female connector secured to an opposite second end of the cable. The plurality of pairs of conducting elements terminate at the male connector in a first orientation and terminate at the female connector in a second orientation. The first and second orientations are such that each respective conducting element can be connected to itself when the male and female connectors are matingly engaged with each other.
US08829343B1
A seal kit with torque limiting spacers for use with a field communication cable connector having a housing containing a cable contact circuit board includes a plurality of seals and spacers. Inner and outer seals are provided. The inner seal is sized for reception in an inner channel of the cable connector housing. The outer seal, having a plurality of compressible ribs, is sized for reception in an outer channel in the cable connector housing. The spacers provide space between the cable contact circuit board and the cable connector housing. Each spacer has a bore for receiving a fastener therethrough. The spacers are sized in accordance with the size of the cable connector unit and the cable connected to the cable connector unit.
US08829334B2
A thermo-photovoltaic power generator for efficiently converting thermal energy into electric energy including a selective thermal emitter for receiving thermal energy and emitting thermal radiation with black body emissivity over a range of wavelengths, low-bandgap photovoltaic cells responsive to thermal radiation at wavelengths within a particular band of said range of wavelengths and operative to convert such thermal radiation to electric energy, and a band pass filter disposed between the thermal emitter and the photovoltaic cells for transmitting thermal radiation from the emitter at wavelengths within the particular band to the photovoltaic cells, and for reflecting thermal radiation from the emitter at wavelengths outside the particular band back to the emitter.
US08829333B2
A highly reliable solar cell module and method for manufacturing same are disclosed. The solar cell module is provided with first and second solar cell elements, each of which has a semiconductor substrate and an output taking out electrode; a circuit film which electrically connects together the first solar cell element and the second solar cell element; and a sealing material disposed between the circuit film and the second surface of the first and the second solar cell elements. The sealing material has a through hole, and the circuit film has: a base sheet having a protruding section which protrudes toward the second surface of the solar cell element; and a wiring conductor which electrically connects the output taking out electrode of the first solar cell element and the output taking out electrode of the second solar cell element.
US08829332B1
A photovoltaic device includes lateral P-I-N light-sensitive diodes disposed on a silicon island formed by a P− epitaxial layer and surrounded by trenches that provide lateral isolation, where the island is separated from the substrate by a porous silicon region that is grown under the island and isolates the lower portions of the photovoltaic device from the highly doped substrate. The trenches extend through the P− epitaxial material into the P+ substrate to facilitate self-limiting porous silicon formation at the bottom of the island, and also to suppress electron-hole recombination. A protective layer (e.g., SiN) is formed on the trench walls to further restrict porous silicon formation to the bottom of the island. Black silicon on the trench walls enhances light capture. The photovoltaic devices form low-cost embedded photovoltaic arrays on CMOS IC devices, or are separated to produce low-cost, HV solar arrays for solar energy sources, e.g. for solar concentrators.
US08829330B2
In an example, a solar energy system includes multiple PV modules, multiple reflectors, and a racking assembly. Each of the reflectors is positioned opposite a corresponding one of the PV modules. The racking assembly mechanically interconnects the PV modules and the reflectors to form an interconnected system. The racking assembly defines gaps within the racking assembly and between adjacent PV modules and reflectors. The interconnected system includes multiple contact points associated with the gaps. The gaps and contact points configure the interconnected system to accommodate surface unevenness of an installation surface up to a predetermined surface unevenness.
US08829329B2
An integrated photovoltaic cell and battery device, a method of manufacturing the same and a photovoltaic power system incorporating the integrated photovoltaic cell and battery device. The integrated photovoltaic cell and battery device includes a photovoltaic cell, a battery, and interconnects providing three-dimensional integration of the photovoltaic cell and the battery into an integrated device for capturing and storing solar energy. Also provided is a design structure readable by a machine to simulate, design, or manufacture the above integrated photovoltaic cell and battery device.
US08829326B2
The invention relates to a thermoelectric-based power generation system designed to be clamped onto the outer wall of a steam pipe or other heating pipe. The system can include a number of assemblies mounted on the sides of a pipe. Each assembly can include a hot block, an array of thermoelectric modules, and a cold block system. The hot block can create a thermal channel to the hot plates of the modules. The cold block can include a heat pipe onto which fins are attached.
US08829323B2
Systems and methods are provided for enhancing interaction with a music simulation program. A controller interacts with the music simulation program in conjunction with a motion sensor to enable selection from among various operating modes, each representing a musical instrument or role. Distinct gestures and/or movements are detected by the motion sensor and serve to switch among the various modes during the course of the duration of a song or video without interrupting the progression of the song/video or gameplay.
US08829312B1
A novel maize variety designated PH1VTJ and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1VTJ with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1VTJ through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1VTJ or a locus conversion of PH1VTJ with another maize variety.
US08829307B1
A novel maize variety designated X18C101 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X18C101 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X18C101 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X18C101, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X18C101. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X18C101.
US08829300B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH096048. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH096048, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH096048 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH096048.
US08829296B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH481662. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH481662, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH481662 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH481662.
US08829283B1
A novel canola variety designated NS5870MC and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a canola plant that comprise crossing canola variety NS5870MC with another canola plant. Methods for producing a canola plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into NS5870MC through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the canola seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid canola seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the canola variety NS5870MC or a locus conversion of NS5870MC with another canola variety.
US08829282B2
A canola line designated SCV425044 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of canola line SCV425044, to the plants of canola SCV425044, to plant parts of canola line SCV425044 and to methods for producing a canola plant produced by crossing canola line SCV425044 with itself or with another canola line. The invention also relates to methods for producing a canola plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic canola plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to canola lines or breeding lines and plant parts derived from canola line SCV425044, to methods for producing other canola lines, lines or plant parts derived from canola line SCV425044 and to the canola plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid canola seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the line SCV425044 with another canola line.
US08829277B2
The present invention relates to methods of manipulating senescence in plants. The invention also relates to vectors useful in such methods, transformed plants with modified senescence characteristics and plant cells, seeds and other parts of such plants.
US08829272B2
The present invention relates generally to methods and transcriptional control sequences suitable for effecting expression of a nucleotide sequence of interest in a plant. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and transcriptional control sequences suitable for directing specific or preferential expression of a nucleotide sequence of interest in a plant seed. Of particular interest as a transcriptional control sequence in this invention is the promoter PR602 (SEQ ID NO: 1) found in the 5′-untranslated region of the rice END1-like gene and isolated from a rice panicle library.
US08829271B1
A novel maize variety designated PH1M8A and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1M8A with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1M8A through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1M8A or a locus conversion of PH1M8A with another maize variety.
US08829264B2
The present invention provides methods for attenuating gene expression in a cell, especially in a mammalian cell, using gene-targeted double stranded RNA (dsRNA), such as a hairpin RNA. The dsRNA contains a nucleotide sequence that hybridizes under physiologic conditions of the cell to the nucleotide sequence of at least a portion of the gene to be inhibited (the “target” gene).
US08829262B2
A method of gasification using a downdraft gasifier having a plurality of vertically positioned tubes to create a pyrolysis zone, an oxidation zone beneath the pyrolysis zone and a reduction zone beneath the oxidation zone. The shape of the tubes eliminates the need for a restriction (hearth) in the gasifier, which limits the maximum achievable throughput. A rotating and vertically adjustable grate is located beneath, but not attached to, the reduction zone of the gasifier.
US08829258B2
Integrating a biomass pyrolysis and upgrading process into a fluid catalytic cracking unit. The process uses conventional FCC feed and a mixture of a solvent and biomass to produce upgraded fuel products. A slurry stream composed of solid biomass particles and a solvent is fed into an FCC riser through a slurry pump to achieve biomass pyrolysis and in situ pyrolysis oil upgrading. The catalytic cracking of the conventional petroleum feed also occurs in the riser.
US08829256B2
Process and systems for converting lower molecular weight alkanes to higher molecular weight hydrocarbons that include fractionation of brominated hydrocarbons, wherein the brominated hydrocarbons are formed by reaction of the lower molecular weight alkanes with bromine.
US08829255B1
Provided are (Z,Z,E)-1-chloro-6,10,12-pentadecatriene that can be synthesized without an oxidation reaction and a method for preparing (Z,Z,E)-7,11,13-hexadecatrienal by using (Z,Z,E)-1-chloro-6,10,12-pentadecatriene while not using an oxidation reaction. More specifically, provided is a method for preparing (Z,Z,E)-7,11,13-hexadecatrienal including a step of reacting a Grignard reagent into which (Z,Z,E)-1-chloro-6,10,12-pentadecatriene is converted with ethyl orthoformate to obtain (Z,Z,E)-1,1-diethoxy-7,11,13-hexadecatriene, and a step of treating the (Z,Z,E)-1,1-diethoxy-7,11,13-hexadecatriene with an acid to obtain (Z,Z,E)-7,11,13-hexadecatrienal.
US08829246B2
The subject of the present invention is a process for preparing acrolein by dehydration of glycerol in the presence of a catalyst system based on iron phosphorous oxide containing, in addition, one or more elements chosen from alkali metals, alkaline-earth metals, AI, Si, B, Co, Cr, Ni, V, Zn, Zr, Sn, Sb, Ag, Cu, Nb, Mo, Y, Mn, Pt, Rh and the rare earths La, Ce, Sm. The process is preferably carried out in the gas phase in the presence of oxygen starting from aqueous solutions of glycerol. The process according to the invention makes it possible of obtain high acrolein selectivities.
US08829241B2
The invention describes a process for the purification of iodinated aryl compounds where the purification is performed by continuous crystallization of a crude product in a solvent with addition of anti-solvent. The continuous crystallization process is performed in one or more crystallizers at a temperature up to the boiling point of the content of the crystallizer.
US08829240B2
Process for the production of urea from ammonia and carbon dioxide in a urea plant containing a high-pressure synthesis section comprising at least one reactor section, a stripper and a condenser wherein all the high-pressure equipment is placed in a low position, wherein the height of the high-pressure section is less than 35 m from ground level and at least one of the reactor sections comprises means for the separate distribution of ammonia in the bottom of the reactor section.
US08829239B2
An object of the present invention relates to a porous metal organic framework comprising at least one first organic compound and ions of at least one metal, with the skeleton of the framework being formed at least partly by the at least one first organic compound coordinating at least partly in a bidentate fashion to at least two ions of the at least one metal, where the at least one metal is lithium and the at least one first compound is derived from formic acid or acetic acid. Also provided a process for preparing the porous metal organic framework and its use for gas storage or separation.
US08829236B2
The present invention relates to a method for preparing a halogenoacetyl fluoride and the derivatives thereof. The inventive method for preparing a halogenoacetyl fluoride acid is characterized in that said method includes: a step of preparing a halogenoacetyl halide by photo-oxidation of a halogenoethylene compound in conditions such that the transformation rate of the halogenoethylene compound into halogenoacetyl halide is no higher than 80%, producing a reaction mixture essentially including halogenoacetyl halide and the excess halogenoethylene compound; a step of partial fluorination of the mixture obtained by reacting the latter with hydrofluoric acid suitable for obtaining a mixture of halogenoacetyl fluoride and the excess halogenoethylene compound; a step of separating the halogenoacetyl fluoride and the excess halogenoethylene compound. The invention can be used, specifically, for preparing the trichloroacetyl fluoride used as an intermediate species in the production of trifluoroacetic acid.
US08829228B2
There are provided a novel carboxylate compound useful as a blending perfume raw material and having a brisk pine-like odor and a method of producing the same and a perfume composition containing such a carboxylate compound.The carboxylate compound of the invention is represented by a general formula (1): wherein R is an alkyl group having two to four carbon atoms.
US08829225B2
An improvement in the production of 1,1-disubstituted ethylenes is attained by contacting a 1,1-disubstituted ethylene with alumina and separating the alumina to obtain a 1,1-disubstituted ethylene with a good combination of cost, purity, shelf life and cure rate.
US08829223B2
The invention relates to a novel way to synthesize acrylonitrile from a renewable raw material and more particularly relates to a method for producing acrylonitrile by the ammoxidation of glycerol in gaseous phase. The method can be implemented in a single step, or the glycerol can be previously submitted to a dehydration step. The acrylonitrile thus obtained meets the requirements of green chemistry.
US08829222B2
A process for the manufacture of dialkyl phosphites is disclosed. In detail, dialkyl phosphites are prepared starting from P4O6, or partially hydrated species thereof cumulatively P—O, by reacting specific molar ratios of alcohol and P—O, containing from 1 to 6 P—O—P bonds in the molecule, in the presence of trialkylphospite (TAP) to thus yield high purity and high yield of dialkyl phosphites. The P—O reactant is preferably represented by liquid P4O6.
US08829217B2
Methods of forming single source precursors (SSPs) include forming intermediate products having the empirical formula ½{L2N(μ-X)2M′X2}2, and reacting MER with the intermediate products to form SSPs of the formula L2N(μ-ER)2M′(ER)2, wherein L is a Lewis base, M is a Group IA atom, N is a Group IB atom, M′ is a Group IIIB atom, each E is a Group VIB atom, each X is a Group VIIA atom or a nitrate group, and each R group is an alkyl, aryl, vinyl, (per)fluoro alkyl, (per)fluoro aryl, silane, or carbamato group. Methods of forming polymeric or copolymeric SSPs include reacting at least one of HE1R1E1H and MER with one or more substances having the empirical formula L2N(μ-ER)2M′(ER)2 or L2N(μ-X)2M′(X)2 to form a polymeric or copolymeric SSP. New SSPs and intermediate products are formed by such methods.
US08829209B2
Cycloalkylcarbonylamino acid ester derivatives, which are raw material intermediates for a novel cycloalkane carboxamide derivative having an action that selectively inhibits cathepsin K, and a production process thereof, are provided.A cycloalkylcarbonylamino acid ester derivative represented by formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: (wherein, R1 and R2 represent alkyl groups, alkenyl groups, alkynyl groups, aromatic hydrocarbon groups, heterocyclic groups, etc., R8 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and ring A represents a cyclic alkylidene group having 5, 6 or 7 carbon atoms).
US08829207B2
Cyclic acetals can be produced in a reactive distillation apparatus by combining a polyhydroxyl compound and an aldehyde. High concentrations of cyclic acetals are removed as liquid products from the column while water is removed as an overhead vapor stream.
US08829203B2
Indirubin derivatives of formula (I) wherein R represents -(A)n- R1 or —CO—N(R2,R3) with •A being C1-C5 alkylene group, optionally substituted by one or several A1 radical, A1 being an halogen Br, OH, OR4 or NH2, R4 being C1-C5 alkyl; —R1 being halogen, OH, N(R2, R3); R2 and R3, identical or different, being C1-C5 alkyl, optionally substituted by A1 such as above defined, or R2 and R3 are part of a cycle with 5 or 6 elements optionally comprising another heteroatom such as O or N; •n=1−5. It also relates to the biological application thereof.
US08829200B2
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (IA) and (IB): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1-R7 are as defined herein. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, methods of using these compounds in the treatment of various diseases and disorders, processes for preparing these compounds and intermediates useful in these processes.
US08829196B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods that modulate at least one TRP family member. Specifically, the present invention relates to novel TRPA1 antagonists and their use in the treatment of pain such as chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Compounds that can modulate one or more TRPA1 functions are useful in many aspects including, but not limited to, maintaining calcium homeostasis; maintaining sodium homeostasis; modulating intracellular calcium levels; modulating membrane polarization (membrane potential); modulating cation levels; and/or treating or preventing diseases, disorders, or conditions associated with calcium homeostasis, sodium homeostasis, calcium or sodium dyshomeostasis, or membrane polarization/hyperpolarization (including hypo and hyperexcitability), and/or treating or preventing diseases, disorders, or conditions associated with regulation or misregulation of TRPA1 expression or function. The present invention further relates to methods and compositions that antagonize both a function of TRPA1 and a function of one or more additional TRP channels.
US08829194B2
The present invention relates to novel crystalline forms of (4-{4-[5-(6-Trifluoromethyl-pyridin-3-ylamino)-pyridin-2-yl]-phenyl}-cyclohexyl)-acetic acid, sodium and their use in the treatment or prevention of a condition or a disorder associated with DGAT1 activity in animals, particularly humans. It also relates to processes for making such novel crystalline forms.
US08829190B2
The present invention relates to a compound according to formula (I), wherein X and Y are either C and N or N and C; Z is CH2, CH2—CH2, CH2—NH, or NH; R1 is halogen, or R1 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryl, all of which are optionally substituted; R2 is hydrogen, or R2 is alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, amino, all of which are optionally substituted; A is aryl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl or heterocycloalkenyl, all of which are optionally substituted; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, or solvates hereof. The invention further relates to said compounds for use in therapy, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds, to methods of treating diseases, e.g. dermal diseases, with said compounds, and to the use of said compounds in the manufacture of medicaments, in particular for the treatment of dermal diseases.
US08829188B2
The invention relates to fluoroalkylfluorophosphorane adducts and the use thereof for masking OH groups in organic compounds.
US08829184B2
A compound of formula (I): which is substantially free of any of the corresponding compound of formula (IB): methods of making such compounds, and the further transformation of such compounds.
US08829180B2
Provided a method of producing a purified hyaluronic acid type which comprises adding a water-soluble organic medium to a solution which comprises a hyaluronic acid type having an average molecular weight of 400 to 100,000 and has a pH of 3 or less to obtain a suspension, and adjusting a pH of the suspension in a range of 3.5 to 8 to precipitate a purified hyaluronic acid type.
US08829171B2
Artificial transposon sequences having code tags and target nucleic acids containing such sequences. Methods for making artificial transposons and for using their properties to analyze target nucleic acids.
US08829170B2
The present invention relates generally to constructs and in particular genetic constructs comprising polynucleotide sequences capable of release in covalently closed, circular form from a larger nucleotide sequence such as, but not limited to, a genome of a eukaryotic cell. Preferably, once released, a polynucleotide sequence is reconstituted in a form which permits expression of the polynucleotide sequence. In one embodiment, the reconstituted polynucleotide sequence comprises a coding sequence with all or part of an extraneous nucleotide such as, but not limited to, an intronic sequence or other splice signal inserted therein. Expression and in particular transcription of the coding sequence involves splicing out the extraneous sequence. The release and circularization is generally in response to a stimulus such as a protein-mediated stimulus. More particularly, the protein is a viral or prokaryotic or eukaryotic derived protein or developmentally and/or tissue specific regulated protein.
US08829162B2
The invention relates to an in vitro method for diagnosing prostate cancer and to antibodies and fragments thereof directed against CK2-α and their use for the diagnosis and prognosis of prostate cancer.
US08829158B2
Human proIslet Peptides (HIP) and HIP analogs and derivatives thereof, derived from or homologous in sequence to the human REG3A protein, chromosome 2p12, are able to induce islet neogenesis from endogenous pancreatic progenitor cells. Human proIslet Peptides are used either alone or in combination with other pharmaceuticals in the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes and other pathologies related to aberrant glucose, carbohydrate, and/or lipid metabolism, insulin resistance, overweight, obesity, polycystic ovarian syndrome, eating disorders and the metabolic syndrome.
