US08948625B2
Image forming apparatus including: fixing device thermally fixing unfixed image on recording sheet by causing recording sheet to pass through nip formed by pressing member pressing against outer circumferential surface of heating rotating body having resistance heating layer; temperature measuring unit measuring temperatures of resistance heating layer in measurement regions set by sectioning outer circumferential surface of heating rotating body along rotational axis; information obtaining unit obtaining information indicating temperature changes in measurement regions in one rotational period of heating rotating body, by sampling measured temperatures; and abnormality judging unit judging whether abnormality has occurred in resistance heating layer based on result of comparison of information that is made between measurement regions in each combination, wherein one or more combinations of measurement regions have been set for each of paper-passing and non-paper-passing regions in nip by using all measurement regions in each of paper-passing and non-paper-passing regions.
US08948611B1
A circuit and method for reducing power consumption in an I/R receiver system includes determining a duty cycle of a command cycle comprising a series of command pulses separated by nulls and enabling and disabling selective active components of an I/R receiver system in accordance with the duty cycle. In an embodiment, the enabling of the active components commences during a null prior to the arrival of a new command pulse. In a further example embodiment, the enabling includes first enabling a first set of active components having a first settling time, waiting for at least the first settling time, and then second enabling a second set of active components having a second settling time.
US08948607B2
In one example embodiment, a transmitter module includes a header electrically coupled to a chassis ground. First and second input nodes are configured to receive a differential data signal. A buffer stage has a first node coupled to the first input node and a second node coupled to the second input node. An amplifier stage has a fifth node coupled to a third node of the buffer stage and a sixth node coupled to a signal ground that is not coupled to the chassis ground. An optical transmitter has an eighth node coupled to a seventh node of the amplifier stage and a ninth node configured to be coupled to a voltage source. A bias circuit is configured to couple a fourth node of the buffer stage to a bias current source.
US08948600B2
A transmission apparatus of a wireless light communication system using an illumination light source can maximize a rate of data transmission while maintaining a brightness adjusting function of the illumination light source. The transmission apparatus includes a dimming level input unit which receives a dimming level of the illumination light source as an input, a coder which codes original data and outputs the coded data, a dimming coder which checks the dimming level input to the dimming level input unit, generates a symbol-codeword table corresponding to the dimming level, and dimming-codes the data output from the coder, a line coder which converts the data diming-coded by the dimming coder into pulse signals.
US08948597B2
Based on the demand information etc., an accommodation designing problem and an assignment problem are solved in a conventional method to design a network. It is confirmed whether or not a restriction on the number of wavelengths for each link is observed. When there are links exceeding the restriction of the number of wavelengths, the number of available wavelengths is subtracted from the first link having the largest number of excess wavelengths and the second link farthest from the first link in the links, and the result is set as a wavelength number limited value, thereby performing a network designing process again.
US08948593B2
An optical network interconnect device interconnects a first WDM network for transmitting a WDM optical signal with first wavelength spacing and a second WDM network for transmitting a WDM optical signal with second wavelength spacing that is wider than the first wavelength spacing. The optical network interconnect device includes a filter to remove a wavelength component which is not used in the second WDM network from an WDM optical signal transferred from the first WDM network to the second WDM network.
US08948588B2
Node equipment 1, having optical attenuator unit 21 for optically attenuating wavelength division multiplexing signals received and optical multiplexer/demultiplexer unit 5 for performing optical multiplexing/demultiplexing of the wavelength division multiplexing signals received from the optical attenuator unit 21 via an optical cord 11, includes: output level detecting unit 24 for detecting the optical power level of the wavelength division multiplexing signals at a pre-stage of the optical cord 11; input level detecting unit 52 for detecting the optical power level of the wavelength division multiplexing signals at a post-stage of the optical cord 11; deciding unit 25 for deciding abnormality of the optical power level loss through the optical cord 11 from the optical power levels detected by the output level detecting unit 24 and input level detecting unit 52; and control unit 26 for controlling the optical attenuation of the optical attenuator unit 21 according to the abnormality decision result by the deciding unit 25.
US08948585B2
An imaging method includes imaging light from an object passed through an imaging optical system to acquire a taken image, changing an imaging magnification of the imaging optical system, and switching a finder magnification of a finder optical system different from the imaging optical system from a first finder magnification to a second finder magnification when the imaging magnification increases and switching the finder magnification from the second finder magnification to the first finder magnification when the imaging magnification decreases.
US08948581B2
A warming unit and method for warming an infusion medium prior to introducing the medium into a patient's body. The apparatus includes an outer casing, inlet and outlet tubes secured to the outer casing, a fluid conduit for transporting the infusion medium through the warming unit, and a heating element disposed proximate to the fluid conduit for warming the infusion medium flowing therethrough. The warming unit can form part of a system, which further includes a controller for controlling various functions of and separate from the warming unit, a reservoir containing the infusion medium, and a power source for powering the warming unit.
US08948579B2
Provided is an infrared radiation cooker in which heat from an infrared lamp is directly applied onto food being grilled, to thus cook the upper and inner parts of the food, as well as onto a rotatable pan, to thus simultaneously cook the lower part of the food. As a result, the food cooks evenly throughout without burning or creating residual odors from above to below as well as from outer to inner, and further the rotatable pan of respectively different structures can be selected depending on an intended cooking purpose, to thereby adjust height of the rotatable pan, which changes a heat intensity, to thus vary a cooking style, and which can be used to boil, grill or roast foods as one would like.
US08948571B2
A receiver allows controlling a device to be controlled such as a display device based on reference timing acquired from reception data without delay and with low power consumption, and includes: a communication device receiving data incoming intermittently; a first control circuit analyzing the data received by the communication device to identify the presence of a predetermined reference timing signal pattern in the data; and a timer for counting a clock from an initial value, generating a control signal for the device to be controlled according to a resulting count value, and if the count value reaches a predetermined interval value, resuming counting the clock at the initial value. The timer changes the initial value to reduce a count of the clock between the initial value and the interval value if the first control circuit identifies the predetermined reference timing signal pattern to be present.
US08948567B2
A time-shifted digital content item is played via a playback screen, and an updateable companion timeline associated with the time-shifted digital content item is accessed. The updateable companion timeline includes one or more timeline events, and each timeline event has a trigger time corresponding to a playback time in the time-shifted digital content item. Responsive to reaching a playback time that matches a trigger time of one of the one or more timeline events during playback of the time-shifted digital content item, the timeline event having that trigger time is rendered.
US08948561B2
A waveguide is provided on which an electromagnetic wave impinges, the electromagnetic wave having a wavelength λ included in a given interval Δλ of interest centered on a λcentr. The waveguide comprises a film defining a surface on a plane on which the electromagnetic waves are apt to impinge, having a thickness in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface, the film being realized in a material having a first refractive index; a plurality of scatterers being randomly distributed in two directions in at least a portion of the surface of the film, the scatterers having a substantially constant cross section along said substantially perpendicular direction. The scatterers are realized in a material having a second refractive index lower than the first refractive index, wherein the wavelength of the incident electromagnetic waves is comprised between 0.1 < Δλ λ centr ≤ 3 and the area of the cross section of said scatterers is between π · ( Φ ref / 6 ) 2 ≤ A scatt ≤ π · Φ ref 2 where Φ ref = n scatt n film · λ centr .
US08948544B2
Search terms are derived automatically from images captured by a camera equipped cell phone, PDA, or other image capturing device, submitted to a search engine to obtain information of interest, and at least a portion of the resulting information is transmitted back locally to, or nearby, the device that captured the image.
US08948532B2
Certain embodiments provide systems and methods for adaptive compression, transmission, and display of clinical images. Certain embodiments provide a method for adaptive compression of image data for transmission and display at a client workstation. The method includes identifying one or more images for display, the one or more images including a plurality of image slices. The method also includes determining a compression scheme for the one or more images based on at least one of bandwidth, processing power, and diagnostic modality. The method further includes transferring the one or more images for display at the client workstation. The method additionally includes adapting the compression scheme based on resource availability.
US08948529B1
In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, devices and methods are provided for receiving uncompressed image data and performing multi-pass encoding of the uncompressed image data including encoding a frame of the uncompressed image data in a first pass, storing predictor pixels from the encoded frame in a memory, and re-encoding the frame of the uncompressed image data in a second pass using the stored predictor pixels from the first pass.
US08948528B2
A method and apparatus for restoring an image by copying a memory may include determining whether to perform an interpolation operation based on block information, and restoring a current image using a reference image depending on whether to perform the interpolation operation.
US08948522B2
Systems and methods for developing and using adaptive threshold values for different input images for object detection are disclosed. In embodiments, detector response histogram-based systems and methods train models for predicting optimal threshold values for different images. In embodiments, when training the model, an optimal threshold value for an image is defined as the value that maximizes the reduction of false positive image patches while preserving as many true positive image patches as possible. Once trained, the model may be used to set different threshold values for different images by inputting a detector response histogram for the image patches of an image into the model to determine a threshold value for detection.
US08948515B2
A method for determining a predictability of a media entity portion, the method includes: receiving or generating (a) reference media descriptors, and (b) probability estimations of descriptor space representatives given the reference media descriptors; wherein the descriptor space representatives are representative of a set of media entities; and calculating a predictability score of the media entity portion based on at least (a) the probability estimations of the descriptor space representatives given the reference media descriptors, and (b) relationships between the media entity portion descriptors and the descriptor space representatives. A method for processing media streams, the method may include: applying probabilistic non-parametric process on the media stream to locate media portions of interest; and generating metadata indicative of the media portions of interest.
US08948510B2
The present invention relates to a method for merging regions in the image/video, capable of merging plural of image regions into an image merging region. In the disclosed method, these image regions are first sequenced basing on their compactness value. Then, one of these image regions is designated as a reference image region, and a merging test process is executed by merging the reference image region with one of the nearby image regions thereof in sequence, for forming a temporal image merging region. Later, the compactness value of the temporal image merging region is compared with the compactness value of the two consisting image regions thereof, respectively. When the compactness value of the temporal image merging region is larger than either one of the compactness value of the two consisting image regions thereof, the temporal image merging region is designated as an image merging region.
US08948507B2
A controller converts the original image data into converted image data representing a first converted image, analyzes the original image data and counts a number of first characters recognized in the original image represented by the original image data, and analyzes the converted image data and count a number of second characters recognized in the converted image represented by the first converted image data. The controller compares the number of first characters with the number of second characters and determine which one of the number of first characters and the number of second characters is greater than the other. The controller outputs the original image data when the controller determines that the number of first characters is greater than the number of second characters, and outputs the converted image data when the controller determines that the number of second characters is greater than the number of first characters.
US08948500B2
The present invention uses dynamic grouping to divide up training samples to train different classification nodes. At the beginning of the training, all samples are in the same group. A clustering process is applied in the feature space of the selected feature vectors with cluster indexes accumulated. The average of all the accumulated cluster indexes is used as the threshold for splitting the samples into two groups. When the splitting criterion is met, samples are split into two groups based on their similarity in the feature space.
US08948497B2
A system uses range and Doppler velocity measurements from a lidar system and images from a video system to estimate a six degree-of-freedom trajectory (6DOF) of a target. The 6DOF transformation parameters are used to transform multiple images to the frame time of a selected image, thus obtaining multiple images at the same frame time. These multiple images may be used to increase a resolution of the image at each frame time, obtaining the collection of the superresolution images.
US08948496B2
A method for transferring volumetric image data from a server to at least one client comprising: transforming said volumetric images into a hierarchical representation comprising a plurality of coefficients, said hierarchical representation comprising a plurality of levels of essentially non-redundant data, wherein a level of said hierarchical representation comprises transform data sufficient to reconstruct said images at a resolution corresponding to said level; partitioning said coefficients into a plurality of voxels, each voxel comprising “n” coefficients in a horizontal direction, “m” coefficients in a vertical direction, and “P” coefficients in a depth direction; requesting, from a client to a server, transform data in the form of voxels from one or more levels of said hierarchical representation necessary to reconstruct at least a portion of said source volume; transferring, from a client to a server, a request for coefficients of at least a portion of said volumetric image; transferring, from said server to said client, at least one voxel in response to said request; and reconstructing, at said client, volumetric views of said volume images from said transferred at least one voxel.
US08948495B2
Inspecting a wafer and/or predicting one or more characteristics of a device being formed on a wafer
Methods for inspecting a wafer and/or predicting one or more characteristics of a device being formed on a wafer are provided. One method includes acquiring images for multiple die printed on a wafer, each of which is printed by performing a double patterning lithography process on the wafer and which include two or more die printed at nominal values of overlay for the double patterning lithography process and one or more die printed at modulated values of the overlay; comparing the images acquired for the multiple die printed at the nominal values to the images acquired for the multiple die printed at the modulated values; and detecting defects in the multiple die printed at the modulated values based on results of the comparing step.
US08948483B2
A system and method for automatic contrast enhancement for contouring. The system and method including displaying a volumetric image slice to be analyzed, receiving a delineation of a target anatomic structure in the volumetric image slice, identifying a region of interest based upon an area being delineated in the volumetric image slice, analyzing voxel intensity values in the region of interest and determining an appropriate window-level setting based on the voxel intensity values.
US08948482B2
The present disclosure provides computing device implemented methods, computing device readable media, and systems for motion compensation in a three dimensional scan. Motion compensation can include receiving three-dimensional (3D) scans of a dentition, estimating a motion trajectory from one scan to another, and calculating a corrected scan by compensating for the motion trajectory. Estimating the motion trajectory can include one or more of: registering a scan to another scan and determining whether an amount of movement between the scans is within a registration threshold; determining an optical flow based on local motion between consecutive two-dimensional (2D) images taken during the scan, estimating and improving a motion trajectory of a point in the scan using the optical flow; and estimating an amount of motion of a 3D scanner during the scan as a rigid body transformation based on input from a position tracking device.
US08948481B2
A signal processing method that includes inputting sample values of a signal and considering the signal to have a plurality of portions. For each portion, a predetermined function is fitted to the sample values of that portion of the signal by calculating values of coefficients for that predetermined function. At least one statistical information function is evaluated for the signal to determine statistical information about the signal and the calculated coefficient values are used so that the form of the statistical information function has been determined for the predetermined function used to fit the signal portion and further includes using the statistical information obtained about the signal to process the signal.
US08948464B2
A biometric authentication device is provided with an input section for inputting identification information relative to a user, an imaging section which captures images of a hand of the user a plurality of times; a matching section which extracts vein information from each image of the hand captured by the imaging section and collates the vein information with prepared vein data corresponding to the identification information; a judgment data generation section which obtains data for judgment indicating whether the image of the hand is obtained by capturing the images of a living body, on the basis of the image of the hand; and a judgment section which authenticates the user when the result of the matching by the matching section relative to each image of the hand indicates normality and the data for judgment indicates that the image of the hand is obtained by imaging the living body, but which otherwise does not authentication the user.
US08948451B2
An information presentation device includes an object information acquiring unit and an information presentation control unit. The object information acquiring unit acquires object identification information and relative positional information on the relative position between an object and a camera. The object identification information and the relative positional information are obtained by performing processing for detecting and identifying the object for image data. The information presentation control unit controls presentation of information on the basis of the object identification information and the relative positional information.
US08948448B2
A trajectory estimation apparatus includes: an image acceptance unit which accepts images that are temporally sequential and included in the video; a hierarchical subregion generating unit which generates subregions at hierarchical levels by performing hierarchical segmentation on each of the images accepted by the image acceptance unit such that, among subregions belonging to hierarchical levels different from each other, a spatially larger subregion includes spatially smaller subregions; and a representative trajectory estimation unit which estimates, as a representative trajectory, a trajectory, in the video, of a subregion included in a certain image, by searching for a subregion that is most similar to the subregion included in the certain image, across hierarchical levels in an image different from the certain image.
US08948438B2
A speaker cabinet pole mount includes a socket body and an attachment element. The socket body defines a pole socket comprising a first socket part and a second socket part extending generally from one end of the first socket part. The first socket part has a first diameter and the second socket part having a second, smaller diameter. The second socket part has an internal wall which is provided with at least one coupling element adapted to engage with a threaded pole. The attachment element is coupled to the socket body generally at the other end of the first socket part, the attachment element being adapted for connection to a wall of a speaker cabinet.
US08948434B2
A microphone includes a housing and a microphone capsule positioned within the housing. The microphone is also provided with a vibration damping, non-porous capsule support member supporting the microphone capsule within the housing and electronic circuitry transmitting the signal from the microphone capsule to other equipment.
US08948431B2
According to a first aspect, a method of controlling an electronic system includes the step of receiving by a first device a plurality of receivable wireless signals that are intended to control functions of a second device. The first device transmits a wireless signal that prevents a subset of the plurality of receivable wireless signals from controlling the second device.
US08948429B2
Hearing apparatuses, in particular hearing aids, have improved intelligibility. This is accomplished by a method for amplifying a speech signal for a hearing apparatus by detection of an input sound, determining an input level of the input sound and amplification of the input sound. A mean input level of the input sound is determined and it is established whether the input sound has a speech component. If not, the input signal is amplified in dependence on the input level in accordance with a predefined first amplification characteristic. However, if a speech component is found, the input signal is amplified in dependence on the input level in accordance with a predefined second amplification characteristic. The second amplification characteristic is formed in dependence on the mean input level such that amplification is increased with respect to first amplification characteristic in a predefined level interval below the mean input level.
US08948427B2
A system for hearing assistance devices to assist hearing aid fitting applied to individual differences in hearing impairment. The system is also usable for assisting fitting and use of hearing assistance devices for listeners of music. The method uses a subjective space approach to reduce the dimensionality of the fitting problem and a non-linear regression technology to interpolate among hearing aid parameter settings. This listener-driven method provides not only a technique for preferred aid fitting, but also information on individual differences and the effects of gain compensation on different musical styles.
US08948426B2
A hearing aid having a plurality of frequency bands is calibrated by evaluating the response of the hearing aid in each band and programming the hearing aid to produce a specific sound pressure level in each band, thereby providing a calibrated instrument that can be used for both evaluation and compensation of hearing loss. The sound pressure levels are preferably the same for each band. The evaluation step is preferably performed at the center frequency of each band.
US08948418B2
A communications headset has a microphone boom that is moveable through various distances from the user's mouth, in which movement of the boom operates electrical, mechanical or acoustic mechanisms to adjust the transmit sensitivity of the headset such that the ratio of the amplitude of the output signal of the headset to the amplitude of the sound pressure at the vicinity of the user's mouth is maintained relatively constant, independently of the position of the microphone boom.
US08948417B2
According to one embodiment, a characteristic correcting device includes: a correction filter configured to correct sound quality characteristics of a plurality of bands in a frequency range of an input signal based on a frequency characteristic which is set in advance to generate an output signal; an input module configured to input a surrounding sound signal of sound around an output device outputting the output signal; and an adjusting module configured to reduce the number of the bands of which the sound quality characteristics are to be corrected of the bands in the frequency range of the input signal in accordance with an increase in amplitude of the surrounding sound signal which is input.
US08948415B1
Methods and systems for power conservation in mobile devices are presented. In one example, a mobile communication device includes a first microphone and a second microphone. The mobile communication monitors an ambient noise level and responsive to the ambient noise level operates the mobile communication device in a normal operation mode or a power conservation mode. In power conservation mode, use of the second microphone is discretionary.
US08948413B2
An audio apparatus includes: a connector that supports a multipolar plug including a plurality of plug terminals, the connector having a plurality of connector terminals including an input terminal of an audio collection section and an output terminal that outputs a noise canceling signal; a signal amplification section that amplifies a combined signal generated by combining the noise canceling signal and a reproduction audio signal, the signal amplification section being provided on an audio signal line that connects the input terminal and the output terminal; a detection section that detects whether the multipolar plug is inserted or pulled out by detecting change of voltage of a voltage supply line connected to the audio signal line; and a suppression section that suppresses output from the signal amplification section when the multipolar plug is pulled out but does not suppress the output when the multipolar plug is inserted.
US08948411B1
Disclosed, in general, are devices that provide an air-tight chamber over a sound source while absorbing all fields of sounds from the sound source. In general, the devices feature: an anechoic chamber that is configured to receive a sound source in an air-tight manner; and an anechoic channel that is in fluid communication with the ambient atmosphere. Suitably, the anechoic chamber is adapted to capture air containing sound energy generated by the sound source, and distribute the air about an internal surface area on the inside of the chamber, wherein the internal surface area is sufficiently large to dampen or otherwise absorb the sounds energy. Preferably, the air is directed from the anechoic chamber through an anechoic channel extending therefrom to the ambient to further dampen or absorb the sound energy. In one configuration, the outer wall of the apparatus is configured to reflect ambient sounds.
US08948408B2
An active noise control apparatus for an intake system of a vehicle may include a filter mounted on a portion of the intake system for blocking foreign materials; and a speaker assembly detachably installed at the portion to which the filter is mounted.
US08948406B2
Provided is a signal processing method for processing a bitstream, an information storage medium including the bitstream, an encoding apparatus, and a decoding apparatus. The signal processing method includes: receiving a bitstream including additional information; extracting first information which is information associated with extraction of the additional information and is included in at least one of additional bitstream information, a skip field, and auxiliary data bits, which are included in the bitstream; and extracting and decoding the additional information by using the first information.
US08948401B2
Disclosed is a method of registering only an authorized optical network terminal among a plurality of optical network terminals with the same serial number, in an optical line terminal, using a public key encryption algorithm, in a Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON). According to an exemplary aspect, a GPON system encrypts a physical layer OAM message transmitted/received for serial number registration of an optical network terminal, using a key distributed according to a public key encryption algorithm, and authenticates registration of the optical network terminal using the encrypted physical layer OAM message. Accordingly, it is possible to securely authenticate registration of an authorized optical network terminal and block registration of unauthorized optical network terminals.
US08948398B2
There is provided a system and method for a universal file packager for use with an interoperable key chest. There is provided a method for distributing media contents to distributors, comprising obtaining a first key, a second key and a content, encrypting the second key using the first key to generate an encrypted second key, encrypting the content using the second key to generate an encrypted content, generating a key information file including the encrypted second key, generating a universal file including the encrypted content and a first network address for a central key repository (CKR), providing the key information file for storage in the CKR, and providing the universal file to the distributors. The universal file can then be provided to users for digital e-commerce and transferred across different distributors with the CKR negotiating key access for granting new interoperable DRM licenses.
US08948393B2
Techniques for sending information without interruption during a change in ciphering configuration are described. A user equipment (UE) communicates with a wireless communication network for a call. The UE sends first information to the wireless network using a first ciphering configuration. For a change in ciphering configuration, the UE selects an activation time for a second ciphering configuration and sends a security message with the activation time. This activation time is the time at which the UE applies the second ciphering configuration to transmission sent to the wireless network. The UE thereafter sends second information (e.g., a measurement report message) using the first ciphering configuration after sending the security message and before the activation time. The UE sends third information using the second ciphering configuration after the activation time.
US08948388B2
An elliptic curve random number generator avoids escrow keys by choosing a point Q on the elliptic curve as verifiably random. An arbitrary string is chosen and a hash of that string computed. The hash is then converted to a field element of the desired field, the field element regarded as the x-coordinate of a point Q on the elliptic curve and the x-coordinate is tested for validity on the desired elliptic curve. If valid, the x-coordinate is decompressed to the point Q, wherein the choice of which is the two points is also derived from the hash value. Intentional use of escrow keys can provide for back up functionality. The relationship between P and Q is used as an escrow key and stored by for a security domain. The administrator logs the output of the generator to reconstruct the random number with the escrow key.
US08948385B2
An electronic document encrypting system 200, for accomplishing an object of providing a system capable of distributing an electronic document containing important information with a browsing restriction being set and information with none of the browsing restriction being set without removing the important information, includes: an encryption area extracting unit 19 extracting an encryption target area from an electronic document; a digital image generating unit generating a digital image on the basis of the area extracted by the encryption area extracting unit in the electronic document; an encrypting unit 11 encrypting the digital image generated by the digital image generating unit 15 on the basis of an encryption key; and an encrypted electronic document generating unit 12 generating an encrypted electronic document in which when the electronic document is output, in place of the extracted information, an encrypted image encrypted by the encrypting unit 11 is output to an area to which the information extracted by the encryption area extracting unit 19 is to be output.
US08948382B2
A wireless computing device operating as a controller of a peer-to-peer group configured to generate unique master keys for each device joining the group. The wireless computing device may use the unique master keys to selectively remove remote devices from the group such that the remote device cannot later rejoin the group. Other remote devices, each possessing a master key that remains valid, can disconnect from the group and later reconnect to the group without express user action. To support such behavior, the wireless device may provide a user interface through which a user may manage connected remote devices by providing commands to selectively disconnect or remove remote devices from the group.
US08948381B2
In one embodiment, receive a first request in connection with accessing a set of encrypted data, wherein the set of encrypted data has an expiration date; the first request comprises a first key associated with the expiration date; and the set of encrypted data has been encrypted using the first key. Validate the first key by comparing the expiration date against a current time. Generate a second key for decrypting the set of encrypted data using the first key only if the expiration date has not passed.
US08948376B2
Methods and systems are described for format-preserving encryption. Format-preserving encryption on an entire format F may be achieved by performing format-preserving encryption on one or more subsets of F and then applying one or more permutation rounds in such a way that all elements of F enter a subset to be encrypted. A predetermined number of encryption rounds and a predetermined number of permutation rounds may be interleaved until all elements are thoroughly mixed. The resultant output data may be saved in a database in the same format as the original input data, meet all constraints of the database, and pass all validity checks applied by software supporting the database.
US08948369B2
A method and system for improving performance within a contact center are provided. The method includes monitoring one or more Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) corresponding to the contact center having one or more agents associated thereto. The method further includes determining a weighted sum of the KPIs based on a weight assigned to each key performance indicator. Further, the method includes modifying one or more parameters within the contact center to improve the weighted sum of the KPIs when the weighted sum of the KPIs crosses beyond a threshold level.
US08948367B2
A switching system that receives communications over a trunk incoming from a communications network and routes them to its subtending communications terminals responds to a stimulus, such as actuation of an actuator, by either (a) returning all of the communications that it receives on the incoming trunk at least subsequently to the stimulus to the network over a trunk outgoing to the network with instructions directing the network to redirect the returned communications to a second switching system for routing to communications terminals served by the second system, or (b) routing all of the communications that it receives on the incoming trunk at least subsequently to the stimulus to the second switching system over a trunk outgoing to the second switching system for routing to the communications terminals served by the second switching system.
US08948359B1
A telephony system is presented that enables one user to monitor another user's extension and perform functions on calls destined for the other user's extension. The system includes a server with a telephony management software (TMS) unit, a telephony application programming interface (TAPI) unit, and an application unit. The application unit includes a control module, association module, presentation module, park module, monitoring device interface module, and storage interface module. A server sends information to a monitoring device regarding the status of a monitored extension and calls offering on that extension. A server also enables a user to navigate through multiple calls offering and park a selected call.
US08948353B2
A method for establishing a communication connection between a first communication device and a second communication device, the method comprising requesting contact information for a second communication device, during a first communication connection established between a first communication device and a third communication device; receiving the contact information from the third communication device, in response to a third party interacting with the third communication device during the first communication connection; and establishing a second communication connection between the first communication device and the second communication device based on the contact information received from the third communication device, wherein the second communication connection is established by way of the first communication device independently initiating communication with the second communication device.
US08948351B2
This disclosure details the implementation of methods, systems and computer program products for enhanced call screening (hereinafter, “ECS”). ECS systems implement a live call screening application whereby users may hear voicemail messages in real time as they are being recorded, decide whether or not they wish to talk to the caller leaving the message, and engage the caller in two-way communications by indicating interest in doing so. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed, comprising: receiving a voicemail recording phase indicator, wherein the voicemail recording phase indicator indicates initiation of a recording phase for an incoming voice message by a voicemail server; establishing a communicative connection between the voicemail server and a call recipient device in response to the voicemail recording phase indicator; instructing transmission of a data stream from the voicemail server to the call recipient device via the communicative connection, the data stream comprising the incoming voice message in real-time recording progress.
US08948347B2
According to the invention, a user connection cable (TAL) that is to be associated with a user connection circuit (SLIC) and is used for connecting at least one user (TN) to at least one communication network is verified regarding switching on of a positive distribution voltage in the strands (a, b). The user connection circuit (SLIC) is initially switched to the silent interval mode and a test impedance (I) is switched between the strands (a, b) of the user connection cable (TAL), whereupon the current (i) flowing across the strands (a, b) and the voltage (u) to ground of a strand (b) are measured. Advantageously, the measurements are taken via measuring devices disposed on the user connection subassembly (SLMA).
US08948344B2
The present invention relates to X-ray generating technology in general, in particular, it relates to an anode disk element (1) for an X-ray generating device (21). The generation of electromagnetic radiation may be considered to be quite inefficient, since a substantial part of energy applied to a focal track is converted to heat rather than X-radiation. Thus, a limiting factor in the operation of X-ray tubes is the cooling of the anode element and more specifically the focal track. In the present invention, an anode disk element is provided, with an improved dissipation of heat from the focal track. Thus, the anode disk element may sustain increased heat while maintaining structural integrity. The anode disk element (1) comprises at least a first surface (2) and a second surface (3), with the first surface (2) comprising a focal track (4) and the second surface (3) comprising a conductive coating (5). The anode disk element (1) is rotatable about a rotational axis (6) with the focal track (4) being rotationally symmetrical to the rotational axis (6). The first surface (2) comprising the focal track (4) and the second surface (3) comprising the conductive coating (5) are adjacently arranged.
US08948340B2
A mammographic imaging system is optimized for use with a single fixed size flat panel digital image receptor. It accommodates compression devices (paddles) of varying sizes, and positions them properly in a field of view of the image receptor. When a compression paddle with size smaller than the field of view of the image receptor is used, the compression paddle can be shifted laterally in the direction parallel to the chest wall, so as to facilitate different views of different size breasts, and permit the image receptor to image as much of the desired tissue as possible. An automatic X-ray collimator restricts the X-ray illumination of the breast in accordance with the compression paddle size and location in the field of view. An anti-scatter grid, mounted inside the image receptor enclosure, just below the top cover of the enclosure, can be retracted out of the field of view of the image receptor for use in magnification imaging.
US08948338B2
An x-ray imaging system for imaging a subject includes an x-ray source configured to project an x-ray radiation toward a portion of the subject and a panel detector positioned opposite the x-ray source relative to the subject and configured to receive x-ray radiation passing through the subject. The panel detector includes a scintillation layer converting x-ray radiation to light rays of a selected spectrum and a plurality of microelectromechanical scanners. Each microelectromechanical scanner includes a photodetector mounted on a corresponding movable platform and configured to detect light in the selected light spectrum. The panel detector includes a scanning control module configured to move each platform in a selected scan pattern.
US08948332B2
A method for calibrating a clock and data recovery circuit may include configuring a phase detector as a bang-bang phase detector. The bang-bang phase detector may be used to determine a phase difference between a sampling clock provided by an interpolator and a calibration signal. The phase detector may also be configured as a linear phase detector. While using the linear phase detector, a linear phase detector parameter may be adjusted such that the phase difference between the calibration signal and the sampling clock is zero, while keeping the phase of the sampling clock fixed.
US08948328B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for analyzing a wide frequency band with respect to signal power levels in specified narrow frequency bands, detecting narrow band signal power levels received in the specified narrow frequency bands, determining an average composite wideband power level from the narrow band signal power levels, determining an adaptive threshold from the average composite wideband power level, detecting narrow band interference according to the adaptive threshold, and configuring a filter to substantially suppress the detected narrow band interference. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08948326B2
An electrical circuit includes a local oscillator configured to generate a first reference signal and a second reference signal having a predetermined phase shift with the first reference signal, an I-channel mixer configured to inject the first reference signal to an incoming signal and generate a first output, a compensation mixer configured to multiply the first output with a constant factor to generate a second output, a first low pass filter configured to approximately attenuate frequencies in the second output to generate a third output, and a first correcting filter configured to filter the third output to generate a fourth output. The first correcting filter is configured to reduce a channel impulse response mismatch between the first low pass filter and a second low pass filter, which is configured to attenuate frequencies in a Q-channel of the incoming signal. In specific embodiments, the phase shift includes 45°.
US08948325B1
A method and apparatus to digitally remove in-band non-linear signal distortion caused by a radio frequency (RF)/intermediate frequency (IF) receiver circuit that has non-linearities, which are further affected by low-IF ADC sample aliasing.
US08948320B2
A system and method for performing frame and symbol timing synchronization on samples of a received signal that includes a series of frames. Each frame includes a known preamble and payload data. A start-of-frame time is estimated by scanning the received signal samples for the self similarity of two successive preambles. A carrier frequency offset (CFO) is estimated by maximizing a correlation between a magnitude spectrum of the received signal and a magnitude spectrum of a known preamble model. A fine estimate for the CFO is determined by computing a phase difference between samples separated by p repetitions of the base pattern for various values of index p, and computing a slope of a least squares affine fit to the phase differences. Additional operations are performed to find an optimal symbol starting point, to perform carrier phase synchronization and to detect the start of payload data.
US08948312B2
Certain disclosed embodiments pertain to suppressing interference in a wireless communication system. For example, a method of suppressing interference can include receiving one or more first signals including components from a plurality of sub-channels. Each of the first signals can be converted into a respective plurality of first sub-band frequency components. A respective spatial filter can be determined for each frequency sub-band using one or more corresponding first sub-band components for each respective spatial filter. One or more second signals including components from the plurality of sub-channels can be received. Each of the second signals can be converted into a respective plurality of second sub-band frequency components. A corresponding plurality of filtered sub-band components can be generated by applying the respective spatial filters to the corresponding second sub-band components for each of the second signals.
US08948308B2
An apparatus and a method of transmitting hierarchically modulated signals are provided. The present invention includes: a basic layer symbol generator generating a first layer signal; an enhancement layer symbol generator generating a second layer signal synchronized with the first layer signal and having different signal power; and a hierarchical modulator hierarchically modulating the first layer signal and the second layer signal, wherein the enhancement layer symbol generator performs constellation rotation rotating bundles configured as constellation points formed by the second layer signal based on constellation points of the first layer signal by a predetermined angle. According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to improve the receiving performance of the second layer signals by applying the constellation rotation technology to the second layer signals in regards of the signal transmission system using the hierarchical modulation technology.
US08948301B2
Systems and methods for radio frequency digital predistortion in a multi-band transmitter are disclosed. In one embodiment, the multi-band transmitter includes a digital upconversion system configured to digitally upconvert digital input signals to provide digital radio frequency signals. Each digital input signal and thus each digital radio frequency signal corresponds to a different band of a multi-band transmit signal to be transmitted by the multi-band transmitter. The multi-band transmitter also includes a radio frequency digital predistortion system configured to digitally predistort the digital radio frequency signals to provide predistorted digital radio frequency signals, and a combiner configured to combine the predistorted digital radio frequency signals to provide a multi-band predistorted digital radio frequency signal.
US08948298B2
Disclosed is a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system including a transmitting end and a receiving end, wherein the transmitting end includes: a hierarchical codebook in which at least one base codebook is designated as the upper matrix and a child codebook generated based on a chordal distance between respective codewords configuring the base codebook is designated as the lower matrix; a scheduler configured to receive channel state information from the receiving end and select precoding matrices from the hierarchical codebook based on the channel state information; and a precoder configured to apply the precoding matrices selected in the scheduler to data to be transmitted to the receiving end and transmit the selected precoding matrices through a plurality of antennas.
US08948297B2
In prior art, selection of precoding granularity is affected by two inter-restricting factors, i.e., precoding accuracy and channel estimation at a mobile terminal. To solve this problem, the present invention provides a method of maintaining coherency of a precoding channel in a communication network and an associated apparatus. During precoding, this method takes into account both channel coherency and system capacity. A base station adjusts phase and/or amplitude of a precoding matrix corresponding to each precoded unit to maintain coherency of associated information of the overall precoding channel. The associated information of the precoding channel includes, for example, CSI or eigenvalue matrix of the precoding channel. Afterwards, a mobile terminal performs channel estimation based on reference signals of multiple precoded units, thereby eliminating the limitation in prior art that a mobile terminal can perform channel estimation only within one or more resource block limited by a precoding granularity.
US08948293B2
A base station selects a subset of at least one geographically separated antennas for each of the plurality of user equipments. The base station forms at least layer of data stream including modulated symbols, precodes the data stream via multiplication with the NT-by-N precoding matrix where N is the number of said layers and NT is the number of transmit antenna elements and transmits the precoded layers of data stream to the user equipment via the selected geographically separated antennas. The base station signals the subset of the plurality of geographically separated antennas via higher layer Radio Resource Control or via a down link grant mechanism. The base station optionally does not signal the subset of the plurality of geographically separated antennas to the corresponding mobile user equipment.
US08948288B2
A method for generating a Linear Dispersion Code (LDC) for use in a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) communication system in which M transmit antennas are used to transmit a codeword over T time slots, each codeword encoding Q constellation symbols, is provided. The method includes determining M, T and Q, wherein M, T and Q are real numbers, generating a first matrix having 2Q columns and a predefined number m of rows, each column including a plurality of elements, each element being a real number within a respective predefined range for the respective row, deriving a second matrix having 2Q columns and m rows from the first matrix such that the elements of one row of the second matrix are dependent upon the corresponding elements of a corresponding row of the first matrix, and upon M and T, and deriving a set of 2Q LDC dispersion matrices, each including dimensions T×M, from the second matrix.
US08948286B2
A transmitter-receiver pair encode data as transmitted symbols according to knowledge about variations in noise immunity between different bit positions of the symbols as a decoded. High usefulness data may be preferentially encoded at those bit positions having greatest noise immunity to improve transmission effectiveness.
US08948284B2
Method and apparatus of transmitting PLCP header for sub 1 GHz communication is disclosed. A method of transmitting a physical layer convergence protocol (PLCP) header may comprise generating a short training field (STF) sequence over 1 orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, transforming the STF sequence to repeated waveform patterns in time domain and transmitting the PLCP header comprising the STF sequence, wherein the STF sequence may be a sequence transformed to repeated waveform patterns in time domain by inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT).
US08948283B2
In a method for generating a null data packet (NDP) sounding packet for transmission via a communication channel, a signal field and one or more long training fields are generated. The signal field and the long training fields are modulated using a plurality of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols. Symbol duration of each OFDM symbol of the plurality of OFDM symbols is at least 8 μs. The NDP sounding packet is generated to include the plurality of OFDM symbols. The NDP sounding packet omits a data payload portion.
US08948273B2
A method and apparatus for high quality signal transmission, which utilizes normal-mode current flow and produces an audio output signal with suppression of normal-mode voltage amplitude, comprising transmitting an audio input signal source though (1) a buffer amplifier; (2) a modulated current source; (3) a pair of wires; (4) a current transformer; and (5) a receiver amplifier for said current transformer.
US08948271B2
A method and apparatus for a low complexity transform unit partitioning structure for High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC). The method includes determining prediction unit size of a coding unit, and setting the size of transform unit size of Y, U and V according to the prediction unit size of the coding unit.
US08948255B2
A moving picture coding device according to the present invention includes: a QP deriving unit which derives, based on a moving picture signal, a quantization step and a small quantization step having a size smaller than a size of the quantization step; a small QP position determining unit which determines a position, within a picture, of a first block group to be quantized by using the small quantization step; and a video encoder which quantizes the first block group at the determined position by using the small quantization step and a second block group at a position within the picture other than the position of the first block group by using the quantization step.
US08948253B2
A distributed image/video processing system is disclosed herein wherein one or more of digital image/video recorders (e.g., a digital cameras, video recorders, or smart phones, etc.) are in network communication with central network site for transmitting image or video data thereto. The recorders process their image/video data dependent upon an estimate of a measurement of network bandwidth that is available for transmitting image or video data to the central network site.
US08948252B2
In a moving picture in which data corresponding to one picture is required for display, data corresponding to one picture is divided into line blocks including a predetermined number of pixel lines and captured as block data. A compression rate of each block data is dynamically set according to a capture point in time of each block data. Each block data is compressed at the set compression rate and transmitted to a reception apparatus through a transmission path. On a plurality of block data, a series of processes including the capture and the transmission of each block data is performed in parallel while shifting only a time required for the capture. Block data that is late in start order of the capture, among the data corresponding to one picture, is set to be lower in compression rate than block data that is early in start order of the capture.
US08948250B2
An interactive video/multimedia application (IVM application) may specify one or more media assets for playback. The IVM application may define the rendering, composition, and interactivity of one or more the assets, such as video. Video multimedia application data (IVMA data may) be used to define the behavior of the IVM application. The IVMA data may be embodied as a standalone file in a text or binary, compressed format. Alternatively, the IVMA data may be embedded within other media content. A video asset used in the IVM application may include embedded, content-aware metadata that is tightly coupled to the asset. The IVM application may reference the content-aware metadata embedded within the asset to define the rendering and composition of application display elements and user-interactivity features. The interactive video/multimedia application (defined by the video and multimedia application data) may be presented to a viewer in a player application.
US08948227B2
A light-emitting device, multi-channel light-emitting device, and method(s) of making the same are disclosed. The light-emitting device can include a substrate; a lower contact layer on or over the substrate comprising a first lower contact in a first region and a plurality of second lower contacts in a second region; a plurality of light-emitting thin film devices on or over the first lower contact in the first region; a plurality of light-modulating thin film devices on or over the plurality of second lower contacts in the second region; a plurality of first upper contacts on or over the plurality of light-emitting thin film devices; a plurality of second upper contacts on or over the plurality of light-modulating thin film devices; and an isolation region between the first and second regions, electrically separating the plurality of first upper contacts and the plurality of second upper contacts.
US08948219B2
The invention relates to a laser system with a passively Q-switched laser 1, a spectrally widening element 3, and a compression element 4. Laser systems of this kind are utilized for generating ultra-short laser pulses. Systems, mode-coupled solid-state lasers known from prior art allow for generating laser pulses in the sub-10 ps range only with complicated and alignment-sensitive free-beam arrangements. Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to create a laser system that generates pulse durations of less than 10 ps and which is simple and compact to produce at the same time. In order to achieve this object, the present invention proposes that the passively Q-switched laser 1 is provided with a longitudinally monomode output radiation which is spectrally widened by means of the spectrally widening element 3 by self-phase modulation and is temporally compressed by the compression element 4.
US08948218B2
A clad absorber unit is provided on a passive fiber of a high power fiber laser system and operative to trap and remove modes propagating along the waveguide clad of the fiber. The mode absorber is configured with such an optimal length that the clad light may be removed in a localized manner, substantially uniformly removed over the entire length thereof. The absorber removing clad light in a unformed fashion includes a host material impregnated with diffusers.
US08948215B2
A deserializer circuit includes demultiplexer circuitry configured to receive serial data from an input and output a plurality of divided data outputs, and multiplexer circuitry configured to receive a first logic level at a first input of said multiplexer circuitry, and receive a second logic level at a second input of said multiplexer circuitry and receive one of said divided data outputs at a control input of said multiplexer circuitry. The outputs of the multiplexer circuitry produce the received serial data in a parallel form.
US08948212B2
An integrated circuit device includes a transmitter circuit operable to transmit a timing signal over a first wire to a DRAM. The DRAM receives a first signal having a balanced number of logical zero-to-one transitions and one-to-zero transitions and samples the first signal at a rising edge of the timing signal to produce a respective sampled value. The device further includes a receiver circuit to receive the respective sampled value from the DRAM over a plurality of wires separate from the first wire. In a first mode, the transmitter circuit repeatedly transmits incrementally offset versions of the timing signal to the DRAM until sampled values received from the DRAM change from a logical zero to a logical one or vice versa; and in a second mode, it transmits write data over the plurality of wires to the DRAM according to a write timing offset generated based on the sampled values.
US08948210B2
Disclosed herein is a method, a computer program product, and a carrier for indicating one-way latency in a data network (N) between a first node (A) and a second node (B), wherein the data network (N) lacks continuous clock synchronization, comprising: a pre-synchronisation step, a measuring step, a post-synchronisation step, an interpolation step, and generating a latency profile. The present invention also relates to a computer program product incorporating the method, a carrier comprising the computer program product, and a method for indicating server functionality based on the first aspect.
US08948207B2
A system and method are provided for providing access communications between customer locations and a core network service edge. Access flows are handled as carrier-tagged flows through a packet switched network comprising network elements that interpret and manipulate carrier tag values associated with traffic-bearing data frames. Time-division multiplexed (TDM) signals are transported as carrier-tagged flows between customer premise equipment that communicates using TDM signals and a service edge that communicates using TDM signals.
US08948194B2
The embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and user terminal for receiving multicast control channel (MCCH) change notifications, which include: obtaining the transmission time of an MCCH change notification; and when the MCCH change notification is not received during one MCCH modification period, receiving, according to the transmission time of the MCCH change notification, the MCCH change notification at least N times, wherein N is the preset reception times of the MCCH change notification. In the present invention, the efficiency of receiving MCCH change notifications by user terminals is improved, and the probability of processing MCCH change notifications falsely due to too many network identifiers in a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) is reduced.
US08948189B2
A process for scheduling reservation requests among a plurality of nodes on a network, includes examining a level of network communication activity of a first node to determine whether the first node is active; allocating a reservation request to the first node, but only if the first node is determined to be active; and repeating the process of examining and allocating for one or more subsequent nodes on the network. In one embodiment, the process can utilize thresholds to determine whether a network device is active and the thresholds can be based on, for example, recent network activity for the node being evaluated.
US08948181B2
A method for optimizing next-hop table space in a dual-homed network environment is provided and includes associating an Emulated Switch Internet Protocol (ES-IP) address and an Emulated Switch Media Access Control (ES-MAC) address with an Emulated Switch Identifier (ES-ID) of an emulated switch connected to a dual-homed host having a host IP address in a network environment, and populating a host route table with a mapping between the host IP address and the ES-IP address. The method further includes receiving an outgoing packet with the host IP address as a destination address, determining the ES-IP address corresponding to the host IP address, sending out an ARP request for a MAC address corresponding to the ES-IP address, receiving the ES-MAC address, determining the ES-ID corresponding to the ES-MAC address, encapsulating the outgoing packet with the ES-ID, and forwarding the packet.
US08948180B2
A system and method are provided to route packets in a data center network. Individual packets are encapsulated at an edge of the data center network, so that each encapsulated packet includes a set of header fields, such as a tenant identifier. For each encapsulated packet, a hash class is determined from the set of header fields. A routing virtual local area network (VLAN) is selected for the packet based on the tenant identifier and the hash class.
US08948179B2
A network component for supporting packet forwarding in a United Router Farm (URF), the network component comprising a processor configured to receive a packet, encapsulate the packet using a URF header comprising a URF Layer Two (L2) header that indicates Media Access Control (MAC) addresses of current and next hops, an outer label that indicates a tunnel to a destination node in the URF, and an inner label that indicates an egress port on the destination node, and send the packet to a next hop in the URF after encapsulating the packet.
US08948178B2
A network clustering facility is described. The network clustering facility receives a message having a location identification that identifies a destination for the message and comprises at least two components, selects a network node identified by the components of the location identification, determines whether a link exists to the selected network node, and identifies a best link to the selected network node. The network clustering facility comprises a clustering subsystem, an advertising subsystem, and a routing layer.
US08948176B1
A distributed Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) Forwarder (FCF) and a distributed Fiber Channel Switch are described. The Distributed FCF is realized by instantiating respective connections between at least one Controlling FCF and a plurality of FCoE Data-Plane Forwarder (FDF) devices and between individual FDF devices. The Distributed FC Switch is realized by instantiating respective connections between at least one Controlling Switch and a plurality of FC Data-Plane Forwarder (FCDF) devices and between individual FCDF devices. The components of the distributed FCF or Switch are collectively represented by a single Domain identifier (Domain_ID), and thus the distributed FCF or Switch appears to outside entities as a non-distributed FCF or Switch.
US08948170B2
A method of using a point-to-point (P2P) label switched path (LSP) to transmit multicast data packets partially through a multiprotocol label switched (MPLS) network when one or more label switched routers (LSRs) of the MPLS are not multicast label distribution protocol (mLDP) enabled. The P2P LSP can be used to transmit multicast data packets to the head end of a point-to-multipoint (P2MP) LSP created with mLDP enabled LSRs. The P2MP LSP can be used to transmit the multicast data packets through the MPLS network to intended receivers that are external to the MPLS network. The P2MP LSP can be built from an egress edge LSR towards an ingress edge LSR, by mLDP enabled LSRs. The P2P LSP can be built from a core mLDP enabled LSR to the ingress edge LSR, across a non-mLDP enabled LSR between the core mLDP enabled LSR and the ingress edge LSR.
US08948160B1
The present invention relates to providing services for circuit-switched calls from an Internet Protocol (IP) based packet network. In essence, a call originating from or intended for a subscriber that is served by a telephony switch, such as an end office or mobile switching center, in a circuit-switched network is intercepted and routed by the telephony switch to a service node via a subscriber emulator. The subscriber emulator acts as a liaison between the telephony switch of the circuit-switched network and the service node of the packet network. Preferably, the subscriber emulator presents itself to the service node as a user agent, which acts on behalf of a subscriber that is served the telephony switch. The service node provides any requisite processing of the call to implement services for the call.
US08948155B2
Systems and methods for improved digital RF transport in a DAS are provided. In one embodiment, a transceiver comprises: a receive path circuit including an RF reception interface coupled to an ADC, the ADC receiving a down-converted analog RF spectrum from the RF reception interface and producing a digitized RF spectrum at an input sampling rate; a logic device receiving the digitized RF spectrum and producing a first set of baseband data samples at a first sampling rate, corresponding to a first spectral region of the analog RF spectrum and a second set of baseband data samples at a second sampling rate, corresponding to a second spectral region of the analog RF spectrum. The logic device maps the first set and second sets of baseband data samples to a respective first set and second set of timeslots of a serial data stream transport frame.
US08948153B2
An example communication system includes: a search communication apparatus which searches for another communication apparatus; and a search subject communication apparatus which is searched for by the search communication apparatus. The search communication apparatus includes a search request transmitter which transmits a search request signal. The search subject communication apparatus includes: a search request receiver which receives the search request signal transmitted from the search communication apparatus; and a search response transmitter which transmits a search response signal which is a response to the search request signal received by the search request receiver, to the search communication apparatus. The search communication apparatus further includes a search response receiver which receives the search response signal transmitted from the search subject communication apparatus. The search request transmitter transmits information indicating a transmission enabled period in which the search response transmitter can transmit the search response signal.
US08948150B1
In a method for transmitting information in a wireless local area network (WLAN), a plurality of different data streams corresponding to a plurality of different devices are orthogonally multiplexed onto a single symbol stream without using channel state information corresponding to a plurality of channels between a transmitting device and the plurality of different devices. One or more transmit streams are generated using the single symbol stream.
US08948149B2
Systems, methods, and apparatus for providing end-to-end L2 connectivity, are described. The system includes satellites configured to transmit data packets. The system further includes a first non-autonomous gateway in communication with the satellites. The first non-autonomous gateway is configured to receive the data packets from the satellites at L1, generate virtual tagging tuples within L2 packet headers of the data packets, and transmit the data packets each including a virtual tagging tuple. The system further includes a L2 switch in communication with the first non-autonomous gateway. The L2 switch is configured to receive the virtually tagged data packets and transmit the virtually tagged data packets. Further, the system includes a second non-autonomous gateway in communication with the L2 switch. The second non-autonomous gateway configured to receive the virtually tagged data packets and transmit the virtually tagged data packets to an entity based on the virtual tagging tuple associated with each of the virtually tagged packets.
US08948147B2
A method and apparatus for facilitating downlink data transmission in a TD-SCDMA system is provided. The method may comprise receiving, from a Node B, a channel quality indicator (CQI) request, wherein the CQI request is not associated with a payload transmission.
US08948144B1
A system and method are provided for identifying participants for a preferential ad-hoc network using a peer-to-peer (P2P) network and then establishing the ad-hoc network with the identified participants. In general, an initiating peer node provides a request for participants for an ad-hoc network to the P2P network, wherein the request includes content information describing content stored at the initiating peer node. The content information is used by the peer nodes receiving the request to determine whether to join the ad-hock network. The peer nodes receiving the request that decide to join the ad-hoc network respond to the initiating peer node via the P2P network. All or select ones of the peer nodes responding to the request are identified as the participants for the ad-hoc network. Once the participants are identified, the initiating peer node dynamically establishes the ad-hoc network with the identified participants.
US08948137B2
A method is disclosed for assisting a handover of a data session from a first routing path, associated with a first access network, to an alternative routing path, associated with an alternative access network. Data is routed over the first access network to a UT by binding a session identifier to a first routing identifier. The session identifier and the first routing identifier are defined in accordance with a standard protocol routing scheme of the first access network. The method comprises receiving a capability message uniquely identifying the UT according to both a standard protocol routing scheme of said first access network, and an alternative standard protocol routing scheme of said alternative access network. The method further comprises creating an alternative routing identifier complying with the alternative standard protocol routing scheme, associating the alternative routing identifier with the UT, and associating the session identifier with the alternative routing identifier.
US08948135B2
Examples are disclosed for user feedback to enable a handoff profile for a dual-mode hybrid mobile device. In some examples communication link handoff logic may be executed by the processor component to receive user feedback during a voice call mediated by a call server, the voice call between a hybrid mobile device and another communication device, the user feedback pertaining to one or more Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication link parameters for the communication link between the hybrid mobile device and the call server. The communication link parameters are correlated with a call quality threshold based on the user feedback and a handoff profile is established for the hybrid mobile device based on the call quality thresholds, the handoff profile operative to establish criteria for switching the VoIP communication link to a communication link over a different network.
US08948129B2
In some embodiments, a non-transitory processor-readable medium includes code to cause a processor to receive at a tunnel server, a data unit addressed to a communication device, and define, a first instance of the data unit and a second instance of the data unit. The first instance of the data unit is sent to the communication device via a first tunnel defined between at least the tunnel server and a first base station associated with a first network. The second instance of the data unit is sent to the communication device via a second tunnel defined between at least the tunnel server and a second base station associated with a second network. The second instance of the data unit is dropped by the communication device when the first instance of the data unit is received before the second instance of the data unit.
US08948123B2
According to one embodiment, a method includes scheduling at least one time and at least one set of subcarrier frequencies to be used to transmit each of a plurality of data signals. Control signals may be addressed to at least one endpoint and may indicate at least one time and at least one set of subcarrier frequencies to be used to transmit one or more of the data signals to the at least one endpoint. For each control signal, at least one time and at least one set of frequencies selected from the frequency range to be used to transmit the control signal may be scheduled. At least one of the plurality of control signals and at least one of the plurality of data signals are scheduled to be transmitted simultaneously by the transceiver. The data signals and the control signals are transmitted to the plurality of endpoints.
US08948117B2
Control channel signaling using a common signaling field for transport format and redundancy version
The invention relates to a method for providing control signalling associated to a protocol data unit conveying user data in a mobile communication system and to the control channel signal. The invention also provides a mobile station and a base station and their respective operation in view of the newly defined control channel signals. To reduce the control channel overhead, the invention suggests defining a common field for the transport format and redundancy version in the control channel information format. According to one approach, the common field is used to jointly encode transport format and redundancy version therein. According to another aspect, one shared field is provided on the control channel signal that indicates either a transport format or a redundancy version depending of whether the control channel signal relates to an initial transmission or a retransmission. In another embodiment, further enhancements to a HARQ protocol are suggested for addressing certain error cases.
US08948105B2
A method and system for dynamic adjustment of downlink/uplink resource allocation ratio in a long-term evolution (LTE) time division duplex (TDD) system is disclosed. The method includes replacing at least one uplink subframe in a subframe pattern with at least one of a mute subframe and a mute uplink pilot timeslot (UpPTS), within a geographical guard area that isolates at least two areas having different TDD allocation patterns. The method further includes scheduling an uplink transmission from at least one mobile terminal such that the at least one of the mute subframe and the mute UpPTS are unused. A simple solution or a TDD configuration index substitution solution, or any combination thereof, may be used to control the uplink transmission involving a mute subframe or a mute UpPTS.
US08948103B2
A system may receive, from one or more user devices, service information that identifies applications that are being accessed by the user devices and levels of service quality, received by the user devices, when accessing the applications; identify, based on the service information, that a user device is accessing an application at a level of service quality that is less than a threshold; assign, one or more quantities of bandwidth, to the applications, based on the service information; and transmitting, to the base station, scheduling information that identifies how the quantities of bandwidth are assigned to the applications, where transmitting the scheduling information allows the base station to use a quantity of bandwidth, assigned to the application, to provide the application to the user device at a level of service quality that is not less than the threshold.
US08948096B2
In a transmission method, a service area covered by a first cell is provided with a plurality of second cells with a smaller radius than the first cell. A first radio base station belongs to a first cell while the second radio base stations belong to different second cells. A transmitter of the first radio base station transmits a synchronization channel in a given band while a transmitter of each second radio base station transmits a synchronization channel in a band that is different from the given band and also from those of other second radio base stations. A control unit of a mobile station narrows down bands to be observed for detecting synchronization channels to the given band or, if there are some of the second cells that the mobile stations are allowed to access, to the given band and the bands corresponding to the accessible second cells.
US08948093B2
To perform rank adaptation for a mobile station in a wireless network, it is determined whether the mobile station is fast moving. In response to determining that the mobile station is fast moving, an open loop multi-antenna mode is selected to perform wireless communication between the mobile station and a base station. Also, selection is made from among plural ranks for the wireless communication according to the open loop multi-antenna mode between the mobile station and the base station.
US08948091B2
Technologies are generally described for a push management scheme for a mobile operating server. In some examples, a method performed under control of a mobile operating server may include receiving from a mobile device a request for generating one or more keep-alive messages, the request including information on a destination push server, generating the keep-alive messages, and transmitting the keep-alive messages to the destination push server.
US08948081B2
Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of multiple-stream wireless communication. For example, an apparatus may include a wireless communication unit to perform wireless peer-to-peer (P2P) communication according to a time allocation scheme defining a plurality of scheduled allocations (teeth) for wireless P2P communication within a wireless communication network based on a predefined priority scheme, which assigns a plurality of priorities to a plurality of streams corresponding to a plurality of service types, wherein a tooth may be scheduled for P2P communication between a pair of endpoints of the wireless communication network, and wherein the tooth includes one or more contiguous portions (slices), a slice having a predefined duration allocated for communication of one or more streams having the same priority.
US08948047B2
A device managing apparatus that can easily communicate under a proper communication configuration, through a network may be provided. A managing apparatus is provided with a storage and a controller (management program). The storage stores multiple different communication configurations. The controller controls the communication with the device. The controller carries out the following processes: (1) repeating a communication trial toward the device using one of stored communication configurations that are stored in the device managing apparatus, in which the communication configuration to be used is changed for each communication trial; (2) monitoring a response which is sent to the device managing apparatus from the device in a case where the communication trial has succeeded; and (3) displaying a plurality of areas, each of which is linked to each of the stored communication configurations; and displaying a symbol image representing the device in the area that is linked to the communication configuration with which the communication trial has succeeded. By using the device managing apparatus, the user can easily recognize, at a glance of the screen, devices at which the same communication configurations are set.
US08948043B2
A method, computer readable medium and apparatus for normalizing cellular communications network data are disclosed. For example, the method collects a data packet from the cellular communications network, modifies a time stamp of the data packet in accordance with a promotion delay time from the time stamp of the data packet to create a normalized data packet and processes the normalized data packet to optimize state machine configurations.
US08948035B2
A terminal speed identification unit identifies the moving speed of a wireless terminal currently in communication. A ranging control unit sets the transmission cycle of a ranging signal of a wireless terminal moving at a speed greater than or equal to a predetermined speed shorter than the transmission cycle of a ranging signal of a wireless terminal moving at a speed below the predetermined speed. A transmission unit transmits a signal notifying the transmission cycle of a ranging signal to the wireless terminal. A reception unit receives a ranging signal from a wireless terminal currently in communication.
US08948022B2
An apparatus for determining operating characteristics of radio-frequency (RF) transmitting devices while the devices are in normal operation transmitting over-the-air RF signals. The apparatus comprises at least one signal sensor for receiving the RF signals, each sensor responsive to the RF signals received at a plurality of antennas or received at a directional antenna, an analyzer for determining signal parameters of received RF signals and for determining operating characteristics of the transmitting devices from the signal parameters, wherein each RF signal includes an identifier of the transmitting device, the apparatus using the identifier to link operating characteristics determined from the RF signals to the transmitting device, and a graphical user interface for displaying the operating characteristics for each transmitting device.
US08948016B2
Techniques described herein generally include methods, devices and systems related to monitoring a flow of data packets in a communication network. Some example devices may include one or more of a stream capture unit, and/or an analyzer. The stream capture unit can be coupled to a communication network, and configured to monitor a flow of data packets associated with communication steams in the communication network, and identify a first stream of data packets and a second stream of data packets from the monitored flow of data packets. The first stream and the second stream are associated with a single destination. The analyzer can be coupled to the stream capture unit and configured to identify an event associated with from the first stream identified by the stream capture unit, identify information related to the identified event from the second stream identified by the stream capture unit, and determine a response based on the event and the information related to the event.
US08948009B1
Systems and techniques for prioritizing network traffic based on a flow deadline are presented. Data bandwidth in a network is detected. In response to congestion in the network, a transmission control protocol (TCP) window size is reduced. The TCP window size is reduced based on time remaining until the flow deadline. In one example, the TCP window size if further reduced based on a degree of congestion in the network. In response to no congestion in the network, the TCP window size is increased by a predetermined amount.
US08948004B2
Each of first and second bridges of a data network having respective external links to an external node implement a network bridge component that forwards traffic inside the network and a virtual bridge component that forwards traffic outside of the network. A virtual bridge is formed including the virtual bridge components of the first and second bridges and an interswitch link (ISL) between the virtual bridge components of the first and second bridges. Data frames are redirected via the ISL in response to a link-down condition of one of the external links.
US08948000B2
Techniques are disclosed for managing a switch fabric. In one embodiment, a server system is provided that includes a midplane, one or more server cards, switch modules and a management controller. The midplane may include a fabric interconnect for a switch fabric. The one or more server cards and the switch modules may be operatively connected to the midplane. The switch modules may be configured to switch network traffic for the one or more server cards. The management controller may be configured to manage the switch modules via the fabric interconnect.
US08947995B2
A method and a system for the fractional reuse of frequencies in a wireless network. The method includes the following steps: obtaining at least one PHY based index defining a preferred allocation of a mobile station among at least two frequency reuse zones in a cell of said communication network; and scheduling bursts of packets to transmit to the mobile station, by at least one frequency reuse zone among the at least two frequency reuse zones, in view of transmission requests and the at least one PHY based index.
US08947992B2
Combined echo and crosstalk cancellation is provided. Frequency domain adaptive filters are used to remove or reduce the effects of echo and crosstalk for a multi-channel and full-duplex communications system. Data from each transmit channel is buffered and converted to the frequency domain. The frequency domain data is multiplied by crosstalk coefficients to obtain a frequency domain correction signal for each channel. Adaptation of the crosstalk coefficients is based on correlations between the error signals and the data from each of the transmit channels. A single frequency domain transform engine, such as a Fast Fourier Transform engine, is employed for all calculations to save power and area.
US08947988B2
Upon receiving a request to allocate a storage region, a storage device may initialize the contents of the storage device to default values (e.g., zero) in order to avoid problems arising from unknown data stored in the locations of the storage region (e.g., upon writing a data set to a location involved in a mirroring relationship, uninitialized data in the corresponding mirror location may result in a mismatch that jeopardizes the written data). However, initializing the storage device may be time-consuming and inefficient. Instead, a usage bitmap may be generated that, for respective location sets of the storage region, indicates whether values exist in the location. A read request may be fulfilled by examining the usage bitmap to determine whether values exist in the specified location, and if not, the default value may be returned without accessing the storage device. Other efficiencies may also be achieved using the usage bitmap.
US08947986B1
A TAMR head is disclosed wherein a heat sink with a bilayer configuration surrounds the main pole. There is a planar plasmon generator (PPG) with a front peg portion and a larger back portion between a waveguide and a main pole bottom surface. The PPG generates a surface plasmon mode and heats a spot on a magnetic medium during a write process. A first heat sink layer made of Au contacts a back section of the top surface in the PPG back portion to enable efficient dissipation of heat away from the PPG. The second heat sink layer may be Ru and serves as a barrier between the main pole and first heat sink layer to prevent Au migration into magnetic material, and is thermally stable to at least 450° C. to prevent a thermal breakdown of the heat sink material in proximity to the PPG front end.
US08947983B2
Dial (1) for a timepiece (100) comprising a front face (2) which forms a visible display surface and is opposite a back face (3), characterized in that the dial includes, either at least one cavity (4) extending into at least one portion of the thickness of said dial (1) between said visible surface (2) and said back surface (3), or at least one peripheral surface (40) extending into at least one portion of the thickness of said dial (1) between said visible surface (2) and said back surface (3). At least one said cavity (4) or at least one peripheral surface (40) includes at least one undercut surface (5), extending into at least one portion of the thickness of said dial (1) between said visible surface (2) and said back face (3).
US08947979B2
A mounting block for fastening equipment such as a sonar transducer onto the hull or transom of a boat which consists of a flat body portion formed into a predetermined size and shape, the body further having a front face and a back face, the back face further having one or more channel grooves for retaining an adhesive, the channel grooves further having internal surfaces to provide mechanical grip to the hardened adhesive thereby preventing mechanical separation between sonar transducer or other equipment and the mounting block.
US08947970B2
A memory device comprising a plurality of static random access memory (SRAM) bit cells, and a word line driver coupled to provide a word line signal to the bit cells. The word line driver receives a global word line signal that remains active while the word line signal is asserted and subsequently de-asserted, and the word line signal is coupled between a positive supply voltage (VDD) and a supply voltage below ground (VN).
US08947964B2
A current sense amplifier may include one or more clamping circuits coupled between differential output nodes of the amplifier. The clamping circuits may be enabled during at least a portion of the time that the sense amplifier is sensing the state of a memory cell coupled to a differential input of the sense amplifier. The clamping circuits may be disabled during the time that the sense amplifier is sensing the state of a memory cell at different times in a staggered manner. The clamping circuits may be effecting in making the current sense amplifier less sensitive to noise signals.
US08947963B2
Embodiments of a memory device are disclosed that may allow for multiple pre-charge voltages. The memory device may include a plurality of data lines, and a plurality of pre-charge circuits. Each of the plurality of data lines may be coupled to a plurality of data storage cells. Each of the plurality of pre-charge circuits may be coupled to a respective data line, and be configured to charge the data line to a first voltage level responsive to a first control signal. Each of the plurality of pre-charge circuits may also be configured to charge the respective data line to a second voltage responsive to a second control signal.
US08947962B2
A memory controller is disclosed. The memory controller is configured to be connected to one or more memory devices via an address and control (RQ) bus. Each of the memory devices have on-die termination (ODT) circuitry connected to a subset of signal lines of the RQ bus, and the memory controller is operable to selectively disable the ODT circuitry in at least one memory device of the one or more memory devices.
US08947956B2
A delay circuit includes a delay unit configured to generate a delayed transfer signal by delaying a transfer signal corresponding to a first signal or a second signal, a distinguishment signal generation unit configured to generate a distinguishment signal which represents to what signal the transfer signal correspond between the first signal and the second signal and a delayed signal generation unit configured to output the delayed transfer signal as a first delayed signal or a second delayed signal in response to the distinguishment signal.
US08947954B2
A Random Access Memory (RAM) and method of using the same are disclosed. The RAM includes a plurality of memory cells arranged in columns and in rows with each memory cell coupled to at least one word line and at least one bit line. The RAM includes a plurality of switches with at least one of the switches coupled between two of the memory cells to allow data to be copied from one of the two memory cells to the other of the two memory cells. In another aspect, the two memory cells can be considered a dual bit cell that contains a copying mechanism. There are two interleaved memory planes, assembled from bit cells that contain two bits of information. One bit is the primary bit that corresponds to the normal RAM bit. The second bit is able to receive a copy and hold the primary value. When the copying mechanism is over, the two memory planes may act as two completely independent structures.
US08947952B2
An input-output line sense amplifier configured to drive input data signals over an input-output signal line to an output driver circuit, the input-output line sense amplifier having an output driver stage having a plurality of different programmable output drive capacities to tailor the output drive of the sense amplifier.
US08947946B2
Described examples include leakage measurement systems and methods for measuring leakage current between a word line at a boosted voltage and a word line at a supply voltage. The boosted voltage may be generated by charge pump circuitry. Examples of leakage measurement systems described herein may be included in memory devices.
US08947942B2
A semiconductor memory chip includes a first pad unit configured to receive a first data and a first strobe signal, and a first selection transfer unit configured to transfer the first data and the first strobe signal to a first write path circuit in a first mode, and transfer the first data and the first strobe signal to a second write path circuit in a swap mode.
US08947941B2
A non-transitory computer readable medium, a flash controller and a method for state responsive encoding and programming; the method may include encoding an information entity by applying a state responsive encoding process to provide at least one codeword; wherein the state responsive encoding process is responsive to a state of flash memory cells; and programming the at least one codeword to at least one group of flash memory cells by applying a state responsive programming process that is responsive to the state, the state being either an estimated state or an actual state.
US08947936B2
A 3D memory device includes a plurality of ridge-shaped stacks, in the form of multiple strips of conductive material separated by insulating material, arranged as strings which can be coupled through decoding circuits to sense amplifiers. Diodes are connected to the bit line structures at either the string select of common source select ends of the strings. The strips of conductive material have side surfaces on the sides of the ridge-shaped stacks. A plurality of conductive lines arranged as word lines which can be coupled to row decoders, extends orthogonally over the plurality of ridge-shaped stacks. Memory elements lie in a multi-layer array of interface regions at cross-points between side surfaces of the conductive strips on the stacks and the conductive lines.
US08947935B2
An integrated includes a memory cell, a bit line connected to the memory cell, a boosting circuit to boost the bit line up to a boosting voltage during a pre-charge operation pre-charging the bit line, and a regulation circuit connected between the bit line and an output terminal and determines a logic level of the output terminal according to the voltage of the bit line.
US08947931B1
A data storage device includes a memory die including a plurality of storage elements arranged in a three dimensional (3D) memory configuration and a controller die coupled to the memory die via a bus including a plurality of electrical contacts between adjacent surfaces of the memory die and the controller die. A method performed at the data storage device includes receiving, at the controller die, data to be stored at the memory die and generating a codeword representing the data. The codeword includes a particular number of bits. The method also includes sending signals from the controller die to the memory die via the plurality of electrical contacts. The plurality of electrical contacts includes at least as many electrical contacts as the particular number of bits of the codeword, and the signals representing the codeword are sent from the controller die to the memory die in parallel.
US08947929B1
The present disclosure describes techniques for flash-based soft information generation. In some aspects a flash-memory device includes a soft information generator configured to determine soft information for a data value stored by a flash-memory cell. The soft information includes fewer bits than a number of data bits read from the flash-memory cell from which the soft information is generated. When the flash-memory device transfers the soft information to a memory controller, fewer bits per data value are transferred. By so doing, an efficiency of a data link between the flash memory device and the memory controller may be improved.
US08947926B2
A semiconductor stack for performing at least a logic operation includes adjacent layers arranged in a stacked configuration with each layer comprising at least a phase-change memory cell in which a phase-change material is provided between a heater electrical terminal and at least two further heater electrical terminals, the phase-change material between the heater electrical terminal and each of the two further heater electrical terminals being operable in one of at least two reversibly transformable phases, an amorphous phase and a crystalline phase; wherein the semiconductor stack, when in use, is configurable to store information by way of an electrical resistance of the phase of the phase-change material between each heater electrical terminal and each of the two further heater electrical terminals in each layer, and the logic operation is performed on the basis of the information stored in the adjacent layers.
US08947925B2
A semiconductor memory device including an array of memory cells (MC) formed on a substrate each realized from a load element and thyristor that define a switchable current path whose state represents a volatile bit value stored by the MC. At least one word line corresponding to a respective row of the array is formed on the substrate and coupled to MC current paths for the corresponding row. Bit lines corresponding to respective columns of the array are formed on the substrate and can be coupled to a modulation doped QW interface of the MC thyristors for the corresponding column. Circuitry is configured to apply an electrical signal to the word line(s) in order to generate current that programs phase change material of the MC load elements into one of a high or low resistive state according to state of the current path of the MCs for non-volatile backup purposes.
US08947924B2
A data readout circuit of phase change memory, relating to one or more phase change memory cells, wherein each phase change memory cell is connected to the control circuit by bit line and word line; said data readout circuit comprises: a clamp voltage generating circuit, used to generate a clamp voltage; a precharge circuit, used to fast charge bit line under the control of a clamp voltage; a clamped current generating circuit, used to generate a clamped current to keep bit line at clamped state under the control of a clamp voltage; a clamped current operation circuit, used to perform subtraction and multiplication on clamped current to increase the difference of clamped current between high resistance state and low resistance state; a sense amplifier circuit, used to compare the operated clamped current and the reference current and output the readout result. Compared with the prior art, the data readout circuit of phase change memory provided by the present invention can effectively enhance the data readout speed, decrease the misreading window between high resistance state and low resistance state, reduce the crosstalk of data readout, and improve the reliability of data readout.
US08947923B2
Memory devices and methods described are shown that provide improvements, including improved cell isolation for operations such as read and write. Further, methods and devices for addressing and accessing cells are shown that provide a simple and efficient way to manage devices with multiple cells associated with each access transistor. Examples of multiple cell devices include phase change memory devices with multiple cells associated with each access transistor.
US08947917B2
A thermal spin torque transfer magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) apparatus includes a magnetic tunnel junction and a tunnel junction programming circuit. The magnetic tunnel junction includes a reference layer having a fixed magnetic polarity, a tunnel barrier layer, and a free layer on an opposite side of the tunnel barrier layer from the reference layer. The free layer includes a first layer having a first Curie temperature and a second layer having a second Curie temperature different from the first Curie temperature. The tunnel junction programming circuit is configured to apply a current through the magnetic tunnel junction to generate a write temperature in the magnetic tunnel junction and to write to the free layer of the magnetic tunnel junction.
US08947915B2
A thermal spin torque transfer magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) apparatus includes a magnetic tunnel junction and a tunnel junction programming circuit. The magnetic tunnel junction includes a reference layer having a fixed magnetic polarity, a tunnel barrier layer, and a free layer on an opposite side of the tunnel barrier layer from the reference layer. The free layer includes a first layer having a first Curie temperature and a second layer having a second Curie temperature different from the first Curie temperature. The tunnel junction programming circuit is configured to apply a current through the magnetic tunnel junction to generate a write temperature in the magnetic tunnel junction and to write to the free layer of the magnetic tunnel junction.
US08947912B2
Memory cells are described with cross-coupled inverters including unidirectional gate conductors. Gate conductors for access transistors may also be aligned with a long axis of the inverter gate conductor. Contacts of one inverter in a cross-coupled pair may be aligned with a long axis of the other inverter's gate conductor. Separately formed rectangular active regions may be orthogonal to the gate conductors across pull up, pull down and access transistors. Separate active regions may be formed such that active regions associated with an access transistor and/or a pull up transistor are noncontiguous with, and narrower than, an active region associated with a pull down transistor of the inverter. The major components of 6T SRAM, and similar, memory cell topologies may be formed essentially from an array of rectangular lines, including unidirectional gate conductors and contacts, and unidirectional rectangular active regions crossing gate conductors of the inverters and access transistors.
US08947907B1
An integrated circuit device can include a plurality of memory cells, each including at least one element programmable between different impedance states by application of a voltage or current; a plurality of bit line groups, each bit line group including multiple bit lines, each bit line being coupled to multiple memory cells; a plurality of current source circuits coupled to the bit line groups, each current source circuit configured to couple the bit lines of its respective group to at least a first bias node or a second bias node.
US08947898B2
A power conversion circuit converting DC electric power into AC electric power and sending the AC power to an inductive load, includes a first switching device connected to the DC power supply; a second switching device connected to the DC power supply; a first inductor provided between the first switching device and the inductive load; a second inductor provided between the second switching device and the inductive load; and a clamping diode connected between a first connection point between the first switching device and the first inductor, and a second connection point between the second switching device and the second inductor. When the first and second switching devices are turned off, a current flows through the second diode, clamping diode, first inductor and inductive load to completely flow out a current in the first inductor, and then a current flows through the second diode, second inductor and inductive load.
US08947885B2
An electronic device includes a housing, a tray, and an ejection mechanism. The housing defines a slot and a slit in a sidewall thereof. The ejection mechanism includes a button and a pivoting member. The pivoting member includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The button includes a head portion and a shaft portion. The button is slidable along the slit between a first position where the shaft portion contacts the first end portion, the first end portion is urged by the shaft portion to move away from the sidewall, and the second end portion is leveraged to push the tray to move outwardly through the slot, and a second position where the shaft portion contacts the first end portion adjacent to the axis, the first end portion is moved, the tray is entirely received in the housing, and the second end portion abuts against the tray.
US08947884B1
A device includes a printed circuit assembly (PCA) including a printed circuit board and at least one electronic component integrated with the printed circuit board, and a support to which the PCA is securable. At least one of the PCA and the support includes engaging structure elements, and some engaging structure elements are configured to secure the PCA to the support while other engaging structure elements are configured to secure the support to a securing structure within a housing of an electronic device.
US08947879B2
A container that holds rack mountable electronics equipment includes a plurality of rack enclosures and a corresponding plurality of enclosure cooling units. Each rack enclosure is movably mounted in the container such it can move from a position abutting a front of an enclosure cooling unit to a maintenance and access position spaced apart from the enclosure cooling unit. Each enclosure cooling unit is capable of providing varying amounts of cool air to the rack enclosure it abuts, so that the interior of each rack enclosure can be maintained at a different temperature.
US08947878B2
An apparatus with a handle having a release mechanism comprises a bracket having a front panel, an extracting module and a driven module. The extracting module is mounted on the bracket and includes a handle, an extracting piece, and a first contact portion. A spring is provided between the front panel and the extracting piece. The driven module is fixed on the bracket and includes a driven piece having a locking portion and a second contact portion. When the handle is not dragged forward, the locking portion is located in a locked position. When handle is dragged forward so that the extracting piece moves towards the front panel and that the first contact portion pushes the second contact portion, the locking portion is moved to an unlocked position. A system containing an apparatus having a handle is also provided.
US08947871B2
A portable electronic device including a computer body, a display, and a slide-rail structure is provided. The computer body has a first side edge. The display has a second side edge, a display surface and a back side surface. The slide-rail structure includes a sliding element and a connecting arm. The sliding element having a first combination portion is slidable between a first and a second position. The connecting arm having a second combining portion connected to the first combining portion is rotatably connected to the second side edge. When an included angle between the display surface and the computer body is first angle, the sliding element is in the first position; when the included angle is varied from the first angle to an angle greater than the first angle, the connecting arm pulls the sliding element to the second position. In addition, a slide-rail device is also provided.
US08947865B2
A mobile terminal device includes a case that forms a storage space for storing a component and that includes an open section at a first surface, a display module that is stored in the open section of the case and that includes a display surface for allowing information to be displayed thereon adjacent to the first surface, a plate that is fixed to an inner surface of the case and that partitions the storage space into a space for storing the display module and a space for storing a component other than the display module, a panel that covers the open section of the case and that supports the display module such that the display module is sandwiched between the panel and the plate, and an adhesive that adheres the panel and a surrounding region of the open section of the case.
US08947861B2
A tablet computer is composed of a tablet component and a keyboard component. The tablet component houses all of the essential hardware of tablet computer including the central processing unit (CPU), the memory, the power supply, and a touch screen display. The keyboard component is a simple peripheral device that offers no computing functionality unless connected with the tablet component. The tablet component and keyboard component can mate to form a notebook-type computer. The tablet component and keyboard component can mate in an orientation allowing use of only a tablet computing user interface. The tablet component is removable from the keyboard component and functions independently as a tablet computing device. The keyboard component has a counterbalance armature to oppose the moment of inertia due to the changing center of mass of the tablet computer as the tablet component is moved from a closed to an open position.
US08947856B2
A supercapacitor including at least one first electrode substrate having a surface coated with an active material, and at least one second electrode substrate having a surface coated with the active material, wherein the at least one first electrode substrate has a polarity reverse to that of the at least one second electrode substrate. The at least one first and second electrode substrates are stacked in an alternating arrangement. A plurality of the first electrode substrate having the same polarity or a plurality of the second electrode substrate having the same polarity is connected in parallel. The at least one first and second electrode substrates include stacking portions each having opposite surfaces arranged with a frame-shaped insulating ring. An electrolyte is accommodated in spaces enclosed by the opposite surfaces of each stacking portion of the at least one first and second electrode substrates and each insulating ring.
US08947855B2
Technologies are generally described for electrochemical capacitor devices. Some example electrochemical capacitor devices may include a composite electrode that includes an electrode substrate coupled to a polymeric electrochemical layer. The polymeric electrochemical layer may include: a conductive polymer electrically coupled to the electrode substrate; a solid state, ionically conductive electrolyte polymer; and non-conducting cross-links that covalently link the conductive polymer and the electrolyte polymer. Various example electrochemical capacitor devices may be constructed by laminating two of the composite electrodes against opposing sides of an ionically conducting separator membrane, and contacting the composite electrodes and the separator membrane with a liquid electrolyte. Some example electrochemical capacitor devices may display favorable performance such as symmetric charge storage, non-Faradic charge storage, and/or similar or greater capacity compared to carbon based systems.
US08947852B2
An improved electronic component is described. The electronic component has a capacitor with first planer internal electrodes in electrical contact with a first termination and second planer internal electrodes in electrical contact with a second termination. A dielectric is between the first planer electrodes and the second planer internal electrodes. The electronic component further comprises at least one of: an inductor comprising a conductive trace wherein said conductive trace is between the first termination and a third termination; and an overvoltage protection component comprising: a third internal electrode contained within the dielectric and wherein the third internal electrode is electrically connected to the first termination; a fourth internal electrode contained within the ceramic and electrically connected to a fourth termination; and a gap between the third internal electrode and the fourth internal electrode.
US08947848B2
An embodiment of the invention includes a device including at least one probe for delivering an electrical shock to a subject when the probe is in physical contact with the subject. A power source is connected to the probe for providing electrical power to the probe upon actuation of a trigger. The device further includes a medical device sensor for detecting signals emitted from a medical device present in the subject. In at least one embodiment, an alarm is connected to the medical device sensor, wherein the alarm provides an audio and/or a visual alert when the medical device sensor detects signals emitted from the medical device. In at least one embodiment, an override mechanism is connected to the medical device sensor, wherein the override mechanism prevents actuation of the trigger when the medical device sensor detects signals emitted from the medical device.
US08947846B2
A device for protecting piping from lightning. The piping includes tubular metal sections connected to each other by connection parts, a first portion of the connection parts being plastic material parts and a second portion of the connection parts being metal parts.
US08947842B2
An electronic circuit includes a temperature evaluation circuit. The temperature evaluation circuit includes a first sensor circuit with a first output terminal that is configured to sense a first temperature at a first position of the electronic circuit and to generate at the first output terminal a first output current that is dependent on the first temperature. A second sensor circuit includes a second output terminal and is configured to sense a second temperature at a second position of the electronic circuit and to generate at the second output terminal a second output current that is dependent on the second temperature. An evaluation circuit has an input terminal connected to the first output terminal and the second output terminal and is configured to provide an evaluation signal that is dependent on a current received at the input terminal.
US08947838B2
According to the present invention, an overcurrent fault detection device includes: an inverter converting DC current to three-phase AC currents for driving a motor; a DC voltage detector; phase current detectors; a rotational position detector that detects a rotational angle of the motor; a control circuit that controls a gate drive circuit, which controls the inverter at every predetermined cycle, based upon the phase current values, a motor rotational angle detection value, and a speed command or a torque command from a higher-order control device; and a first decision-making circuit that detects an overcurrent based upon the phase current values at every predetermined cycle, wherein: the first decision-making circuit determines whether or not the phase current values exceed a predetermined amplitude threshold value by frequency detection for any of the phase current values exceeding the predetermined amplitude threshold value, and determines that an overcurrent has occurred upon detecting the frequency.
US08947835B2
The invention provides a tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) read sensor with a long diffusion path and ex-situ interfaces in a sense layer structure. The sense layer structure comprises a first sense layer preferably formed of a ferromagnetic Co—Fe film, a second sense layer preferably formed of a ferromagnetic Co—Fe—B film, and a third sense layer preferably formed of a ferromagnetic Ni—Fe film. The sense layer structure has a long diffusion path (defined as a total thickness of the first and second sense layers) and ex-situ interfaces for suppressing unwanted diffusions of Ni atoms. Alternatively, the sense layer structure comprises a first sense layer preferably formed of a ferromagnetic Co—Fe film, a second sense layer preferably formed of a ferromagnetic Co—Fe—B film, a third sense layer preferably formed of a ferromagnetic Co—Fe—B—Hf film, and a fourth sense layer preferably formed of a ferromagnetic Ni—Fe film.
US08947821B1
According to one embodiment, a system for processing data includes an equalizer configured to use servo coefficients for processing servo data and data coefficients for processing non-servo data, wherein the equalizer includes a finite impulse response (FIR) filter configured to process data read with a magnetic tape channel using the servo coefficients to generate equalized data, one or more low-pass filters with aggressive frequency characteristics configured to filter the equalized data to output filtered data, the one or more low-pass filters with aggressive frequency characteristics being configured to remove high frequency noise from the equalized data, a peak detector configured to process peaks in a waveform of the filtered data, and at least one servo pattern detector configured to detect a servo pattern in the filtered data. Other systems and methods for processing data are described in more embodiments.
US08947814B2
A data storage system having a read channel configured to function in a normal operation mode and a test mode. In the normal operation mode, the read channel is configured to decode a readback signal to obtain data bits. In the test mode, the read channel is configured to extract gain control loop data and/or timing control loop data from the readback signal.
US08947812B1
A data storage device is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk. A read signal from the head is sampled to generate signal samples, and the signal samples are filtered with an equalizer filter to generate equalized samples. The equalized samples are filtered with an inter-track interference (ITI) filter to generate ITI attenuated samples, and a data sequence is detected based on the ITI attenuated samples. In one embodiment, the ITI filter comprises a transfer function: 1−HPF(ek) and in another embodiment the ITI filter comprises a transfer function: 1−LPF(ek) where ek represents a noise sequence in the equalized samples, HPF represents a high pass filter operating on ek, and LPF represents a low pass filter operating on ek.
US08947810B1
Techniques are provided for performing bit-locked operations on media. A first control signal is received from a first source, and a second control signal is generated at a second source in response to receiving the first control signal. The media is accessed according to the second control signal. One or more synchronization markers are located during the accessing of the media, and bit-level synchronization between the second source and the media is achieved based, at least partially, on the one or more synchronization markers. A control operation is performed on the media with bit-level synchrony between the second source and the media.
US08947804B2
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data processing. For example, a data processing system is disclosed that includes a combination data decoder circuit. The combination data decoder circuit includes: a non-binary data decoder circuit and a binary data decoder circuit.
US08947794B2
The invention features a label having a plurality of layers (e.g., at least two or more layers), in which at least one of the layers includes a thin film magnifier. Also featured are compositions to which the multi-layered label is affixed, methods of affixing the multi-layered label to compositions, and methods of making the multi-layered labels.
US08947792B2
To provide a projection lens that is compact, lightweight, low-cost, and readily portable, a first lens having a positive power and at least one surface that is an aspheric surface; a second lens having a negative power and having a concave surface on the magnification side; a third lens having a positive power and having a convex surface on the reduction side; and a fourth lens having a positive power are arranged in order from the magnification side. In addition to arranging the lenses telecentrically on the reduction side, the following formulas are satisfied simultaneously, and images formed on the conjugation surface on the reduction side are enlarged and projected on the conjugation surface on the magnification side: formula (A) 0.8
US08947784B2
A variable focus lens has a housing (1) and an actuator (8) which are mutually displaceable along an optical axis (A) of the lens. A primary membrane (15) is arranged between a first chamber (24, 26) and a second chamber (30, 32), with the first and second chambers being filled with liquids of similar density but different indices of refraction. First and second auxiliary membranes (19, 17) are provided for volume compensation. The first auxiliary membrane (19) forms a wall section of the first chamber (24, 26), and the second auxiliary membrane (17) forms a wall section of the second chamber (30, 32), at least one or both of the auxiliary membranes facing environmental air at its outer side.
US08947781B2
A monitoring system for generating a three-dimensional (3D) image, the system including: a plurality of monitoring cameras which are arranged to capture respective images of an area such that a portion of an angle of view of one monitoring camera overlaps a portion of an angle of view of another monitoring camera; and a controller which crops a plurality of overlapped images, each of which is an image of the overlapped portion, from among the respective images captured by the plurality of monitoring cameras, and generates a 3D image by adding the overlapped images.
US08947780B2
A polarization module includes: a polarizer; a plurality of first quarter-wave plates disposed over the polarizer such that their optical axes are tilted at 45 degrees with respect to the polarization axis of the polarizer; a plurality of second quarter-wave plates disposed over the polarizer such that their optical axes are tilted at 45 degrees with respect to the polarization axis of the polarizer in the direction opposite to the tilting direction of the optical axes of the first quarter-wave plates; and a transparent resin plate disposed over the plurality of first quarter-wave plates and the plurality of second quarter-wave plates and having optical isotropy.
US08947771B2
The present invention provides an optical amplifying device which can be easily downsized, increased in output, and stabilized. An optical amplifying device 1A includes an optical amplifier 10A and an energy supplier 30. The optical amplifier 10A includes an optical amplifying medium 11 and a transparent medium 12. The energy supplier 30 supplies excitation energy (for example, excitation light) to the optical amplifying medium 11. The optical amplifying medium 11 is supplied with the excitation light to amplify light and output it. To-be-amplified light passes through the transparent medium 12 in the optical amplifying medium 11 a plurality of times. The transparent medium 12 can propagate the to-be-amplified light, for example, zigzag inside.
US08947768B2
The invention provides fiber-optic light sources such as cladding-pumped master oscillator—power amplifier (MOPA) systems which use double-clad optical fibers (DCF). The inner cladding of the first DCF used in the master oscillator section has a circular cross-section in order to enable the formation of low loss optical splices in the integrated MOPA structure. The inner cladding of the second DCF in the output amplifier section has a shaped non-circular cross-section in order to enhance the absorption of the pump light in the doped core of the second DCF.
US08947767B2
An excitation light source, for Raman amplification, includes a polarization beam splitter (PBS) for splitting a laser beam from an excitation laser into two polarization components, and a polarization beam combiner (PBC) for combining the two polarization components, and a time difference generator provided between PBS and PBC. The time difference generator generates a difference in propagation time between the two polarization components.
US08947760B2
A thermotropic optical shutter device incorporates coatable, thin-film polarizers with a thermotropic depolarizer. The coatable polarizers provide a mechanism for adjusting the polarizer properties (i.e., absorption, reflection, or diffusion) by changing the thickness of the coating. For example, a thicker film may have a higher relative polarizing efficiency while a thinner film may have a lower relative polarizing efficiency. Using the same base materials and manufacturing process, the contrast ratio and other properties of a thermotropic or thermochromic shutter device (e.g., a liquid crystal-based smart window film) may be adjusted in real time on the manufacturing line.
US08947744B2
A print media (200) comprises paper or other substrate, on which image content, whether text or images are printed with accompanying hidden data (220). The image content is printed with one or more normal printing process visible colorants (340), while the hidden data (220) is printed with spectral edge markers (320). The spectral edge marker materials (320) have a substantial spectral absorption just outside the human visible spectrum, and only slight visible absorption, which is masked by the visible colorants (340). Although the hidden data is nominally visually imperceptible, an image capture device (250) having a visible spectral response that extends into a spectral region just outside the visible spectrum where the spectral edge marker absorption occurs, can then detect the hidden data.
US08947741B2
An image processing unit, includes: an overlap portion detection unit that detects an overlap portion between plural objects from image data configured by objects expressed by geometrical information and color values; a color value calculation unit that for the overlap portion between the plural objects, calculates a color value of the overlap portion from the plural objects according to an overlap processing method of the overlap portion; an object producing unit that produces a new object from the overlap portion between the plural objects detected by the overlap portion detection unit, and the color value calculated by the color value calculation unit; and a control unit that controls the object produced by the object producing unit to be superimposed on the overlap portion between the plural objects with a knock-out method.
US08947731B2
An imaging unit includes a frame having an opening; a sensor unit that captures, via the opening, a subject located outside the frame; a reference chart unit that is arranged on the frame and is captured by the sensor unit together with the subject; and a cover member that covers the opening.
US08947728B2
A luminance value for a second printing medium that has been obtained by reading a pattern image formed on the second printing medium different from a first printing medium is converted into a corresponding density value on the first printing medium. Calibration for the first printing medium can then be performed using the second printing medium.
US08947721B2
An image forming apparatus operates according to setting information, and includes a storage unit for storing the setting information; an interface for connecting a portable storage medium; a processing unit for reading/writing the setting information from/to the storage unit, and reading/writing the setting information from/to the portable storage medium via the interface, and a log creating unit for creating a first processing result log indicating a first processing result of a reading/writing process when the processing unit reads the setting information from the storage unit and writes the setting information in the portable storage medium, and storing the first processing result log, and creating a second processing result log indicating a second processing result of a reading/writing process when the processing unit reads the setting information from the portable storage medium and writes the setting information in the storage unit, and storing the second processing result log.
US08947717B2
A print data processing apparatus is provided which includes: a generation unit configured to generate image information and attribute information from print data; a conversion unit configured to convert an attribute of a first area included in the attribute information, wherein an attribute of a second area included in the attribute information is not converted; a compression unit configured to compress the image information and the attribute information in which the attribute of the first area has been converted by the conversion unit; an area information generation unit configured to generate area information indicating the first area having the converted attribute; and a transmission unit configured to transmit the image information compressed by the compression unit, the attribute information compressed by the compression unit, and the area information generated by the area information generation unit, to a printing apparatus as transfer data.
US08947714B2
The service providing device transmits a registration screen to the information processing device upon receipt of a registration request of an image forming device from the information processing device, transmits a command for causing the information processing device to search the image forming device and to respond to the service providing device with a search result upon receipt of an instruction from the information processing device via a registration instruction unit displayed on a registration screen, registers the image forming device depending on information included in the search result responded according to the command, and initiates communication with the registered image forming device.
US08947713B2
A system has information processing devices and a server which controls information processing executed by the devices. One of the devices includes a querying part to transmit a query to the server whether the device is permitted to execute the information processing, a notifying part to notify the server of location information indicating a location of the device, and an executing part to execute the information processing in response to an instruction from the server. The server includes a receiving part to receive the query from the device, an identifying part to identify an area in which the device exists according to the information notified by the device which has transmitted the query, and an instructing part to instruct the device which has transmitted the query to execute the information processing based on how many other devices are executing the information processing in the area.
US08947704B2
By selecting information about print option processing to be performed on an image based on a user's instruction, the print option can be specified without a necessity of any complicated procedure, so that convenience of a user of a printing apparatus can be improved.
US08947701B2
For a web application requiring a time to execute processing, it is necessary to maintain Internet connection between a web browser and the web application until the processing is completed. Conventionally, the connection is maintained by causing the web browser to inquire a web application server about the execution state of the processing at regular intervals. In this case, however, the web browser cannot execute another different web application until the processing in the web application server is completed. In this invention, a web application server provides processing of converting from document data into print data as a software process asynchronous to a web application and the web application only accepts an execution request for the conversion processing.
US08947700B2
An information processing apparatus includes a receiving unit and a provision unit. The receiving unit receives a display instruction regarding information about data whose printing is reserved from a device. The provision unit provides the device with a screen for displaying a reservation job including a print button for instructing print of data at a time of receiving reservation and a print button for instructing print of data at a time of receiving the display instruction in a case where the display instruction is received by the receiving unit and data at the time of receiving the reservation are different from data at the time of receiving the display instruction.
US08947685B2
A method implemented in a printer for PDF direct printing. The printer includes a PDF interpreter such as APPE (Adobe PDF Print Engine), and at least one other interpreter also capable of interpreting PDF data, such as a PostScript interpreter. The printer automatically selects either APPE or the PS interpreter or both to interpret a PDF document. If the PDF document is PDF/VT, PDF/X-4 or later, then APPE is selected. If the PDF document is not one of these versions but contains transparency data, APPE is selected to interpret the pages containing transparency data, and the other pages may be interpreted using the PS interpreter. If the PDF document is not one of the above versions and contains no transparency data, the PS interpreter is selected. Other factors such as the busy status of the interpreters may be considered in making the selection.
US08947683B2
A method for controlling a printing apparatus includes holding a plurality of jobs including a cover job having print data for a cover and a content job having print data for content, which are used in bookbinding processing, and performing control for displaying, on a display, a correspondence relationship between the cover job and the content job.
US08947681B2
An insertion system includes an enclosure supply device, an envelope supply device, an insertion device to insert an enclosure supplied from the enclosure supply device into the envelope supplied from the envelope supply device, a first input unit to input identification data of the enclosure inserted into the envelope in each of multiple insertion setting records, a second input unit to input identification data of the enclosure set in the enclosure container of the enclosure supply device, and a controller to determine whether the identification data of the enclosure to be inserted, input by the first input unit, matches the identification data of the enclosure set in the enclosure container, input by the second input unit, and to control supply of the envelope by the envelope supply device as well as supply of the enclosure by the enclosure supply device based on a result of the determination.
US08947680B2
An image forming apparatus to perform direct printing of print data, wherein the image forming apparatus receives print data encoded in a first encoding method, determines whether the received print data includes a character expressed in 2 bytes, converts the print data encoded in the first encoding method to be encoded in a second encoding method of analyzing the character expressed in 2 bytes in the image forming apparatus if the print data includes the character expressed in 2 bytes, and forms an image of the converted print data.
US08947661B2
A device (FIG. 2) that uses light to detect particles in fluid is disclosed. The device incorporates a lens and reflector on a flow cell to increase the numerical aperture of a subsequent light collection system without any increase in spherical aberration.
US08947660B2
An improved method and an improved device for carrying out an optical comparison between at least two samples, preferably by comparing sections that can be selected, is characterized by the following characteristics: the sample (UR, LE, I) that is to be examined and is characterized by a non-uniformity in the structure and/or color is illuminated by diffused light; from the light reflected by the sample (UR, LE, I) to be examined, an interference spectrum is created by means of a spectrometer; the interference spectrum created by the spectrometer is depicted on a camera; the interference spectrum obtained in this way and/or values of the sample (I) to be examined derived therefrom are used as sample values which are compared to sample values of a reference sample (UR, LE) obtained accordingly.
US08947657B2
Isolation of biological or chemical organisms can be accomplished using a surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) system. The SERS system can be a single or a stacked plurality of photonic crystal membranes with noble-metal lined through pores for flowing analyte potentially containing the biological or chemical organisms. The through pores can be adapted to trap individual biological or chemical organisms and emit SERS spectra, which can then be detected by a detector and further analyzed for viability of the biological or chemical organism.
US08947649B2
An apparatus and method for determining optical center in camera module are provided, the method for determining optical center in camera module according to an exemplary embodiment comprising receiving a target image from a camera module including a lens; generating an error data, which is a difference between a pixel value of the target image and a pixel value of a Gaussian distribution image; and determining the optical center of the lens based on the error data.
US08947647B2
In one aspect, a method includes forming range bins from range compressed data, the range compressed data comprising a train of coherent pulses formed based on a transmitted signal from a laser detection and ranging (LADAR) sensor and having a large time-bandwidth product and for each range bin, compensating for motion of the LADAR sensor, performing a Fourier transform on the compressed range data, determining a centroid of individual velocity measurements and performing Fourier transform of the centroid to determine a vibration.
US08947646B2
A first photoelectric conversion element for detecting light and converting the light into photoelectrons comprises one buried photodiode formed in a semiconductor substrate, and a plurality of MOS diodes each having an electrode formed on the semiconductor substrate with an insulator interposed therebetween. The buried photodiode has a comb shape, in which a plurality of diverging portions are disposed to diverge from one portion, when viewed from the top thereof, and the respective electrodes of the MOS diodes are disposed so as to be nested between the plurality of diverging portions of the buried photodiode when viewed from the tops thereof.
US08947645B2
A first photoelectric conversion element, which detects light and converts the light into photoelectrons has: one MOS diode having an electrode formed on a semiconductor base body with an insulator therebetween; and a plurality of embedded photodiodes formed in the semiconductor base body. The electrode of the MOS diode has, when viewed from the upper surface, a comb-like shape wherein a plurality of branch portions are branched from one electrode portion. Each of the embedded photodiodes is disposed to nest between the branch portions of the electrode when viewed from the upper surface.
US08947644B2
In one aspect, a method includes transmitting a tone waveform from a laser detection and ranging (LADAR) sensor, detecting a target using an echo of the tone waveform reflected from the target, determining a radial velocity of the target using the echo of the monotone waveform from the target, transmitting, from the LADAR sensor, linear frequency modulation (FM) chirp signals and determining a range to target using echoes from the linear FM chirp signals.
US08947630B2
A method controls scanning function of a lithographic apparatus. A monitor wafer is exposed to determine baseline control parameters pertaining to the scanning function. The baseline control parameters are retrieved from the monitor wafer. Parameter drift is determined from the baseline control parameters. Compensation is performed based on the determination. A different parameterization is used for control of the scanning control module than for communication between the scanning control module and the lithographic apparatus.
US08947626B2
A liquid crystal display includes: first and second substrates placed opposite each other; first and second electrodes each provided on one face of the first and second electrodes extending in first and second directions intersecting with each other; and a liquid crystal layer provided between the one face of the first substrate and the one face of the second substrate. A pixel is formed in a region where the first and second electrodes intersect, and a pixel edge of the pixel has a line segment which is oblique relative to the first direction. The first and second substrates are respectively subject to alignment treatment, and the liquid crystal layer is a substantial vertical alignment having a twisted structure, and an alignment direction of liquid crystal molecules at a substantial center in a layer thickness direction and the oblique line segment are not orthogonal.
US08947623B2
A manufacturing method of a liquid crystal display includes: forming an etch target layer including a conductive material on a first substrate; forming a first mask layer on the etch target layer; forming a block copolymer coating layer including a plurality of polymers on the first mask layer; processing the block copolymer coating layer to form a block copolymer pattern layer including first and second polymer blocks; removing one of the first or second polymer blocks to form a second mask pattern layer; etching the first mask layer by using the second mask pattern layer as an etching mask to form a first mask pattern layer; and etching the etch target layer by using the first mask pattern layer as an etching mask to form a first electrode. The first electrode includes a plurality of the first minute patterns extending in a predetermined direction and having a polarization function.
US08947622B2
Disclosed are an apparatus and method for fabricating an alignment layer for liquid crystal displays, capable of shortening process time, preventing scratches of alignment layers and decreasing black luminance. The method includes coating an alignment agent on a substrate, arranging a nano pattern mold with a groove and a protrusion to contact the alignment agent, pre-curing the alignment agent, separating the nano pattern mold from the alignment agent, and hard-curing the alignment agent separated from the nano pattern mold to form an alignment layer.
US08947620B2
The invention provides a broadband cholesteric liquid crystal film, a method for fabricating the same, a polarization device employing the same, and high light efficiency liquid crystal display employing the same. The cholesteric liquid crystal film is a single-layer liquid crystal material structure, and has a top surface and a bottom surface. Further, the cholesteric liquid crystal film includes a first region, a second region, and a third region, and the first region is adjacent to the top surface of the cholesteric liquid crystal film, the third region is adjacent to the bottom surface of the cholesteric liquid crystal film, and the second region is located between the first and third regions, and the average helical pitch P1 of the first region and the average helical pitch P3 of the third region are both larger than the average helical pitch P2 of the second region.
US08947619B2
A photoluminescence color display comprises a display panel that displays red, green and blue pixel areas, an excitation source operable to generate excitation radiation for operating the display, and a photoluminescence color-element plate. The color-element plate comprises at least one photoluminescence material, such as a phosphor material or quantum dots, that is operable to emit light corresponding to red, green and blue pixel areas of the display in response to said excitation radiation. Additionally, the photo-luminescence color display comprises a wavelength selective filter that is provided between the color-element plate and the excitation source. The filter has a transmission characteristic that allows the passage of excitation radiation from the excitation source to excite the at least one photoluminescence material whilst preventing the passage of photoluminescence light back to the excitation source thereby prevent cross contamination of light among the different pixel areas of the display.
US08947617B2
Disclosed herein are a backlight assembly and a liquid crystal display (LCD) having the same, wherein the backlight assembly includes a light guide panel having a plurality of lateral sides; and a plurality of light source units each emitting light to a respective lateral side of the plurality of lateral sides, wherein at least two lateral sides of the plurality of lateral sides, which receive light emitted from two respective light source units of the plurality of light source units, are neighboring lateral sides, and wherein at least one lateral side is longer than an incident surface which receives light emitted from the light source unit.
US08947611B2
The present invention provides a flat panel display device. The flat panel display device includes a backlight system and a display panel, wherein: the backlight system includes a light source, a light homogenization mechanism, and a back frame; the back frame carries the light source and the light homogenization mechanism and the back frame includes at least first and second primary assembling pieces, in which the first primary assembling piece has an end forming at least two joint sections, and each of the joint sections has a structure mating an end of the second primary assembling piece. The back frame further includes a plurality of bracing pieces that are fixed to the primary assembling pieces. The bracing pieces include adjustable bumps mounted thereon and the adjustable bumps provide various mounting structures. The present invention also provides a stereoscopic display device and a plasma display device. The present invention has a mold for back frame that is of a simple structure, reduces the expenditure of the back frame mold, and also saves the material used for back frame so as to lower down the cost. Further, the bracing piece includes an adjustable bump mounted thereon to provide various mounting structures.
US08947610B2
An organic EL display device includes scanning lines, video signal lines, and pixels, each including a TFT having a semiconductor layer and an organic EL layer located between a lower electrode and an upper electrode. A source electrode connecting the semiconductor layer and the lower electrode is formed of three layers including a barrier metal, an Al-containing metal, and a cap metal. The barrier metal is formed of a first layer in contact with the semiconductor layer and a second layer in contact with the Al-containing metal. Each of the first layer, the second layer, and the cap metal is formed of a metal comprising a high melting point metal, and an amount of oxygen in the first layer is larger than an amount of oxygen in the second layer.
US08947609B2
LCD device includes two substrates, a first and second color filters, two liquid crystal layers. The first color filters are formed on portions of the second substrate corresponding to border area The second color filters are formed on portions of the second substrate corresponding to the display area except the border area. A first liquid crystal layer between the first and the second substrate is comprised in border area, and a zero electric field is formed on the first liquid crystal layer so as to completely transmit light incident into the first liquid crystal layer therethrough. A borderline having various colors can be displayed by forming various patterns of color filters having various colors on portions of the second substrate corresponding to the border area under normally white mode, thereby producing picture frame effect while images are displayed on the screen.
US08947604B2
A cholesteric liquid crystal writing tablet includes a first substrate that is transparent and flexible on which a writing pressure is applied and a second substrate spaced apart from the first substrate. One electrically conductive layer is in contact with the first substrate and is transparent and another of the electrically conductive layers is in contact with the second substrate. The electrically conductive layers are separated from each other by a cell gap. Cholesteric liquid crystal material is disposed between the electrically conductive layers. Spacers are disposed in the liquid crystal material that control the cell gap. The spacers have a size and concentration in the liquid crystal material that restricts flow of the liquid crystal material when the cell gap is reduced upon application of the writing pressure.
US08947603B2
A roof assembly for a vehicle is disclosed and includes a display device supported at the roof assembly. The display device is selectively movable between a use position and a stowed position. The roof assembly also includes a user interface associated with the display device, a light source supported at the roof assembly that is configured to illuminate the user interface and a switch for activating the light source when the display device is selectively moved from the stowed position. Another roof assembly for a vehicle is disclosed that includes a vehicle component that is at least partially supported at a transparent roof panel. A method of manufacturing a perimeter trim member for a vehicle is disclosed and includes designing the perimeter trim member as a plurality of sections and molding the plurality of sections as a single sheet of material.
US08947593B2
A solid-state image sensing apparatus includes a solid-state image sensing device, signal processing circuit device, and a multi-layer wiring package. The solid-state image sensing device has a pixel in an image sensing area thereof. The pixel receives incident light and generate a signal electric charge. The signal processing circuit device is arranged to face the image sensing area and applies signal processing to a signal output from the solid-state image sensing device. The multi-layer wiring package has wiring layers, the solid-state image sensing device, and the signal processing circuit device. Each of the wiring layers is laminated via an insulator. The multi-layer wiring package is formed such that a first wiring layer provided between the solid-state image sensing device and the signal processing circuit device has a greater thickness than second wiring layers and has heat conductivity higher than or equal to heat conductivity of the second wiring layers.
US08947590B2
This invention provides a vision system housing having a front plate assembly that accommodates a plurality of lens mount types. The front plate includes a central aperture that is located at a predetermined axial (camera axis) distance from a plane of an image sensor. The aperture is stepped from a wider diameter adjacent to the front to a narrower diameter more adjacent to the sensor. This arrangement enables threaded mounting of a plurality of lens mount types, for example M12 and C-Mount. The exterior (front) surface of the front plate includes threaded holes and a removable spring clip arrangement constructed to accommodate a liquid lens positioned over the aperture with an associated lens assembly mounted within the aperture and in optical communication with the liquid lens. The lens is operated using an electrical connection provided by a cable that interconnects with a multi-pin socket positioned on the front plate.
US08947588B2
A flash detection unit calculates a line average luminance of each line of the current screen of image data and a screen average luminance of a past screen at least one screen before the current screen and compares the calculated line average luminance with the calculated screen average luminance to detect whether the current screen includes a line of high luminance due to a flash. A holding unit holds the past screen of the image data. A flash correction unit, if it is detected that some lines of the current screen have high luminance, replaces the lines having high luminance in the current screen with corresponding lines of the past screen held in the holding unit to correct the image data.
US08947582B2
A digital photographing apparatus and a method of controlling the same. The digital photographing apparatus includes a body unit and an exchangeable lens installed to the body unit, wherein the exchangeable lens includes: a power zoom performer for performing a power zoom operation; and an iris for adjusting an amount light penetrating through an imaging lens, the body unit includes: an image pickup device for generating an image signal by capturing the light; a shutter for controlling light exposure of the image pickup device; and a release controller for controlling operations of the shutter and the iris, and the power zoom operation is prohibited when the release controller starts to drive the shutter or the iris. Accordingly, the power zoom operation is stably controlled.
US08947576B2
An optical viewfinder to observe an object image focused as a primary image by an objective lens includes a first display unit of self-luminous type and a second display unit of non-self-luminous type. The first display unit is arranged at a position closer to a primary image plane of the objective lens than the second display unit in a direction of an optical axis.
US08947559B2
A player according to the present disclosure includes: an interface that retrieves an audio file from a storage medium on which the audio file and a still picture file are stored; and a controller that retrieves a still picture file, which is selected by the file name of the audio file, from the storage medium and that reads audio and a still picture from the audio file and the still picture file, respectively.
US08947556B2
Image pickup apparatus, control method therefor, and storage medium storing control program therefor
An image pickup apparatus that is capable of reducing the load of the process required to combine images with different exposures to generate a composite image. An image pickup unit performs continuous image pickup that shoots a subject continuously under different exposure conditions. A control unit controls the image pickup unit so that the exposure condition for the first shot in a current set, which is a second or later set, is coincident with the exposure condition for the last shot in the previous set when a plurality of sets of the continuous image pickup are performed. A composing unit composes the images acquired by one set of the continuous image pickup by the image pickup unit to generate one output image.
US08947553B2
An image processing device including a subject frame setting section which, by operating a subject detector which detects a subject captured in an image, sets a subject frame which surrounds a predetermined range of the subject detected from the image; an acceptance frame setting section which sets an acceptance frame with a range wider than the subject frame according to the context of the image; a position detecting section which detects a specified position on an image which is specified by a user; and a recognizing section which recognizes a subject which is a tracking target based on the acceptance frame set by the acceptance frame setting section and the specified position detected by the position detecting section.
US08947552B2
A portable telephone is provided with a camera module (13) for outputting a captured image as image information, a memory (105) for storing the image information, a face registration unit (504) for holding information relating to a face image, a face extraction unit (501), a face parameter extraction unit (502), and a matching determination unit (505) which serve as the configuration for detecting the face image held in the face registration unit (504) from the captured image, and an image-capturing control unit (506) for executing control processing for image capturing. The image-capturing control unit (506) stores the image information in the memory (105) on the basis of the fact that after the face image held in the face registration unit (504) is detected, the face image becomes undetected, and the face image is then detected again.
US08947549B2
A substantially rectangular spectral representation is synthesized, which is adapted to produce image capture device sensor outputs if applied to an image capture device. The synthesized substantially rectangular spectral representation can be utilized in generating output color values of an output color space from image capture device sensor outputs, where the image capture device sensor outputs correspond to an image captured by an image capture device. The generated output color values correspond to colors perceived by the human visual system for the same image as that captured by the image capture device. Image capture device gamut is also determined.
US08947535B2
A system and method are provided to perform operations for racing entertainment, including providing each of multiple racers with a device to capture images and sounds as perceived by the racer during a race, obtaining information pertaining to each of multiple users such as account information and selection of a racer whom the user wants to got connection with, managing transactions, processing the images and sounds, and transmitting the processed images and sounds from the racer to a client terminal of the user who selected the racer. The present system and method may be configured to allow users to play a racing game based on the captured images and sounds by actual racers.
US08947519B2
An image processing apparatus which processes virtual slide image data to be displayed in an image display apparatus includes an image data obtaining unit which obtains image data obtained by capturing an image of a target object, and an image data generation unit which generates display image data corresponding to the image of the target object to be displayed in the image display apparatus in a display magnification corresponding to a predetermined field number of a microscope.
US08947515B2
An apparatus for identifying active access, by a viewer, of a source containing an advertisement includes a video capture device for recording user interaction in an area and a video processor electrically coupled to the video capture device. The video processor is configured to analyze the video obtained by the video capture device. The video process analysis includes identification of active access, by the viewer, of the source containing the advertisement. The source is electrically decoupled from the video capture device.
US08947514B2
An endoscope system has a light source system configured to emit illumination light on a target area, a scanner configured to periodically scan the illumination light over a target area at predetermined time intervals, and an imager configured to receive the illumination light reflected from the target area and to acquire in succession a sequence of image-pixel signals. Further, the endoscope system has a luminance detector that detects in succession a sequence of luminance data of the object image from the sequence of image-pixel signals; and a brightness adjuster that adjusts the brightness of an observed image on the basis of the sequence of luminance data. Then, the brightness adjuster adjusts an amount of illumination light in accordance with a scanning position of the illumination light.
US08947513B2
In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for tracking and analyzing information in a location using a light based positioning system. In some embodiments, the method includes determining a position of a device in a location using a light based positioning system, electronically receiving data from the device, and updating a database with said data. In some embodiments, determining the position of the device includes receiving a position determination from the device. In some embodiments, determining the position of the device includes electronically receiving from the device one or more identification codes of one or more light sources that the device has detected using an image sensor on the device and calculating the position of the device using the one or more identification codes.
US08947509B2
A structured light system based on a fast, linear array light modulator and an anamorphic optical system captures three-dimensional shape information at high rates and has strong resistance to interference from ambient light. A structured light system having a modulated light source offers improved signal to noise ratios. A wand permits single point detection of patterns in structured light systems.
US08947502B2
A system, method, and computer program product for selecting qualifying frames from an image sequence for use in subsequent stitching into a composite panoramic image are disclosed. Incoming frames from any source may be cropped and downscaled prior to evaluation against qualifying criteria relating to image overlap and local motion. Qualifying images are saved and/or output. The resulting panoramic image generally uses fewer qualifying images and appears smoother and has fewer artifacts than those of the prior art. The qualifying criterion for image overlap is a predetermined overlap margin or percentage between a current image and a previous image from the sequence. The qualifying criterion for image motion includes a maximum amount of local motion, often due to passing objects. The embodiments may process incoming images in real time or from stored sequences. Problems may trigger user warnings.
US08947501B2
A technique of enhancing a scene containing one or more off-center peripheral regions within an initial distorted image captured with a large field of view includes determining and extracting an off-center region of interest (hereinafter “ROI”) within the image. Geometric correction is applied to reconstruct the off-center ROI into a rectangular frame of reference as a reconstructed ROI. A quality of reconstructed pixels is determined within the reconstructed ROI. Image analysis is selectively applied to the reconstructed ROI based on the quality of the reconstructed pixels.
US08947500B1
A telepresence communication system for group meeting rooms and personal home and office systems provides improved human factor experience through substantially life size images with eye level camera placement. The system provides switched presence interfaces so that conferees can select when to transmit their images during a conference and optionally provides individual microphones for each of conferee. Switched presence between presets of conferees are viewed on multipoint windows overlaying life-size images upon eye contact camera regions and eliminate seeing camera image movement during pan, tilt and zoom operations. An ambient light rejecting filter system enables an eye level camera to be hidden behind a projection screen and provides bright, high contrast images under normal meeting room and office environments. A telepresence organizational enablement system brings all the features of a corporate office complex and its social and organizational benefits, into a virtual community eliminating the need to centralize employees.
US08947496B2
The invention relates to a method for connecting at least one man-machine interface for manipulating, particularly remotely manipulating, at least one data source connected to a video conferencing system within the scope of video conferences, wherein signals generated by the man-machine interface are transmitted to the video conferencing system via a transmission channel provided for controlling a video camera. The invention further relates to an arrangement comprising means for carrying out the method.
US08947487B2
A High Speed Serial Bus connecting teleconference devices, such as video conference unit, speakerphone, external loudspeakers or microphones is disclosed. The disclosed embodiments enable the distributing and sharing of controls among the linked devices. They enable incremental upgrades or capacity increases of the teleconference system.
US08947482B2
Embodiments described herein are directed to a system for reducing electrostatic fields underneath print heads in a direct marking printing system. The system includes: one or more print heads for depositing ink onto a media substrate; a media transport for moving the media substrate along a media path past the one or more print heads; a conductive platen contacting the media transport belt; an electrostatic field reducer that includes an alternating current charge device positioned upstream of the one or more print heads; and one or electrically isolated biased electrodes in registration with the ink deposition areas of the one or more print heads. The media transport includes a media transport belt and, when the media is on the transport belt it has an electrostatic field, which can cause printing defects. The electrostatic field reducer and electrodes reduce the electrostatic field on the surface of the media and thereby reduce printing defects.
US08947469B2
A display device includes a display panel on which images are displayed and which includes a plurality of display regions; a plurality of driving units that display the images in the plurality of display regions; a displayable region detecting unit that detects a displayable region at a time of abnormality of the display panel; an abnormality-time display image generating unit that generates an abnormality-time display image according to the displayable region detected by the displayable region detecting unit; and an abnormality-time display control unit that displays the abnormality-time display image generated by the abnormality-time display image generating unit in a displayable region while causing a driving unit of the plurality of driving units of which a corresponding display region is the displayable region to display an image in the corresponding display region.
US08947468B2
A method and apparatus are provided for enhancing the readability of a character. The method includes determining ambient light of a mobile terminal and controlling background color and character color of a character image according to the determined ambient light. The method may further include performing an additional control according to the types of displays when controlling the background color and character color. Through this, it is possible to display a character image with enhanced visibility, while minimizing current consumption.
US08947466B2
Display panel, method for driving the display panel, and display apparatus for performing the method
A display panel includes first and second substrates. The first substrate includes a light blocking layer having an opening through the light blocking layer. The opening is arranged in a pixel area. The second substrate includes first and second transistors, first and second driving electrodes, and a shutter. The first transistor is turned on in response to a low level control voltage. The second transistor is electrically connected to the first transistor and is turned on in response to receiving a low level voltage from the first transistor. The first driving electrode is electrically connected to the first transistor, and the second driving electrode is electrically connected to the second transistor. The shutter exposes or covers the opening by moving to the first driving electrode or the second driving electrode according to the relative levels of voltages applied to the first and second driving electrodes.
US08947463B2
An information processing apparatus include: a control detection block configured to detect a control in a predetermined detection space; a position detection block configured to detect a three-dimensional position of a control detected by the control detection block; a threshold value setting block configured, if the control has approached the control detection block beyond a threshold value set to a predetermined distance through the control detection block on the basis of a three-dimensional position detected by the position detection block, to set the threshold value farther from the control detection block than the predetermined distance; a setting change block configured, if the control has exceeded the threshold value set by the threshold value setting block, to change setting values for predetermined processing; and a processing execution block configured to execute the processing by use of the setting values set by the setting change block.
US08947460B2
A method and an apparatus for operating a graphic menu bar and a recording medium using the same, suitable for a portable electronic device having a touch screen, are provided. First, a graphic menu bar is provided, which includes M graphic items arranged in sequence, where M is a positive integer. Next, the touch screen is divided into N display blocks along a coordinate axis direction for displaying N connected graphic items in graphic menu bar, where N is a positive integer smaller than M. When the touch screen detects a touch signal in display blocks and the touch signal is moved toward the coordinate axis direction for a first displacement, the graphic menu bar displayed on the touch screen is moved toward a direction opposite to the coordinate axis direction for a second displacement, and the second displacement is equal to the product of the first displacement and (M−N)/N.
US08947459B2
A contents playback apparatus and the like are provided which allow a user to promptly designate a desired portion when displaying a part of a content in an expanded manner, and are thus excellent in operability. A contents playback apparatus includes an associating unit and a playback unit. The associating unit generates association information for a plurality of characteristic portions contained in a content by referring to priority orders of the respective characteristic portions relative to each other, the association information associating each of the characteristic portions individually with a predetermined operation key of an input device included in the apparatus in accordance with the priority orders. The playback unit plays back, in response to detecting an operation of an operation key during display of the content, the characteristic portion corresponding to the operation key in an expanded display mode, in accordance with the association information.
US08947455B2
An augmented reality design system is disclosed. The augmented reality design system allows a user to create a design for an article in real time using a proxy. The system can be configured using a head mounted display for displaying at least one virtual design element over a proxy located in a real-world environment. The system can also be configured using a projector that projects at least one virtual design element onto a proxy located in the real world.
US08947450B2
The invention relates to method and system for viewing and enhancing images on the display of a mobile device, which includes the display, memory and a processing means for bit images, and an input device for receiving bit images. A bit image is received and processed to a smaller scale in two stages, using pre-selected scaling algorithms, in which the first scaling produces a bit image of an intermediate size and the second scaling produces a second bit image of the size to be displayed. The bit image to be displayed is enhanced. The second bit image is enhanced using an enhancing chain comprising at least two enhancing algorithms.
US08947448B2
A parallax representation unit in a displayed image processing unit uses a height map containing information on a height of an object for each pixel to represent different views caused by the height of the object. A color representation unit uses, for example, texture coordinate values derived by the parallax representation unit to render the image, shifting the pixel defined in the color map. The color representation unit uses the normal map that maintains normals to the surface of the object for each pixel to change the way that light impinges on the surface and represent the roughness accordingly. A shadow representation unit uses a horizon map, which maintains information for each pixel to indicate whether a shadow is cast depending on the angle relative to the light source, so as to shadow the image rendered by the color representation unit.
US08947447B1
A new hardware architecture defines an indexing and encoding method for accelerating incoherent ray traversal. Accelerating multiple ray traversal may be accomplished by organizing the rays for minimal movement of data, hiding latency due to external memory access, and performing adaptive binning. Rays may be binned into coarse grain and fine grain spatial bins, independent of direction.
US08947445B2
A display controller includes a graphic memory, a graphic memory control unit and a scan control unit. The graphic memory has a storage capacity defined by a first directional size multiplied by a second directional size. The graphic memory control unit converts two-dimensional (2-D) addresses to one-dimensional (1-D) addresses based on an input clock signal and first directional total pixel number of a display panel for displaying input data, converts the 1-D addresses to physical 2-D addresses based on the first directional size and controls the graphic memory to store the input data. The display panel has a resolution corresponding to the first directional total pixel number multiplied by a second directional total pixel number of the display panel. The scan control unit increases scan addresses one line by one line to display data stored in the graphic memory according to a display resolution.
US08947444B1
A data structure that includes pointers to vertex attributes and primitive descriptions is generated and then processed within a general processing cluster. The general processing cluster includes a vertex attribute fetch unit that fetches from memory vertex attributes corresponding to the vertices defined by the primitive descriptions.
US08947442B2
An image display apparatus, comprising: an image display section which displays an image; an attention decision section which determines a degree of attention of a user with respect to the image; an image identifier extraction section which extracts a plurality of identifiers which are assigned to the image and indicate an attribute of the image; an attention identifier detection section which detects an attention identifier from an attention image determined to have a high degree of attention of the user by the attention decision section; and a display control section which detects an image to be displayed having the attention identifier from among the images to be displayed on the image display section, and performs a display control of the image display section so as to further increase the frequency at which the image to be displayed is displayed.
US08947439B2
Computer-implemented methods, computer program products and data processing systems for presenting dynamic data pertaining to a process. In one aspect, region information identifying a plurality of user-selected regions of the process, switching information identifying criteria for switching among the user-selected regions, and dynamic data pertaining to the process, are used to generate a dynamic visual representation of the process which emphasizes, at any given time, only one of the user-selected regions. The user-selected region emphasized at any given time is automatically determined according to the criteria for switching. In another aspect, region information identifying at least one user-selected region of the process and dynamic data pertaining to the process are used to generate a dynamic visual representation of at least a portion of the process containing the at least one user-selected region. The visual representation emphasizes each user-selected region within the context of the portion of the process.
US08947434B2
A machine-implemented process for determining, scaling, providing, and presenting comparative information in an accurate, scaled, useful, easily recognized, and understandable manner, including: reading the data sets; setting first and second boundaries of a first reference axis using first coordinates of data points of one data set having maximum and minimum values, respectively; setting first and second boundaries of each of the other reference axes by adjusting either the first coordinate of one data point of the selected data set having a maximum value or the first coordinate of one data point of the selected data set having a minimum value, wherein every E-value calculated based on the thus-obtained final first and second boundaries of the each of the other reference axes is substantially equal to an E-value of the first data set; and plotting the data points of the data sets. An electronic device capable of presenting a multiple-axis graph is also disclosed.
US08947422B2
Implementations of the present invention involve methods and systems for creating depth and volume in a 2-D planar image to create an associated 3-D image by utilizing a plurality of layers of the 2-D image, where each layer comprises one or more portions of the 2-D image. Each layer may be reproduced into a corresponding left eye and right eye layers, with one or both layers including a pixel offset corresponding to a perceived depth. Further, a depth model may be created for one or more objects of the 2-D image to provide a template upon which the pixel offset for one or more pixels of the 2-D image may be adjusted to provide the 2-D image with a more nuanced 3-D effect. In this manner, the 2-D image may be converted to a corresponding 3-D image with a perceived depth.
US08947421B2
A method and server computer for generating map images and providing the map images to users through the Internet are described. Web sites are automatically and recursively visited and downloaded through hyperlinks. Content items containing address and establishment information are retrieved from the information as downloaded from the visited web sites. The content retrieved items are indexed to associate the address information items contained therein with the establishment information items contained therein about establishments which are located in the addresses associated therewith respectively. A visual indication indicative of the establishment corresponding to an establishment information item is superimposed on a map image in a position corresponding to the address of this establishment with reference to the indexed content items. The map image is transmitted to a user through the Internet in response to a request message from the user.
US08947418B2
A display device in which low power consumption is realized without lowering an aperture ratio is provided. A liquid crystal capacitive element Clc is sandwiched between a pixel electrode 20 and an opposite electrode 80. The pixel electrode 20, one end of a first switch circuit 22, one end of a second switch circuit 23 and a first terminal of a second transistor T2 form an internal node N1. The other terminals of the first switch circuit 22 and the second switch circuit 23 are connected to a source line SL. The second switch circuit 23 is a series circuit composed of a first transistor T1 and a diode D1. A control terminal of the first transistor T1, a second terminal of the second transistor T2 and one end of a boost capacitive element Cbst form an output node N2. The other end of the boost capacitive element Cbst and the control terminal of the second transistor T2 are connected to a boost line BST and a reference line REF, respectively. The diode D1 has a rectifying function from the source line SL to the internal node N1.
US08947413B2
Displaying an image on a display screen is provided by periodically changing the scanning order in which rows of sub-pixels of the display screen are scanned. One scanning order can be selected to scan the rows in the update of a first image frame of the display, and then a different scanning order can be selected to scan the rows in the update of a second image frame. Particular scanning orders can be selected in order to reduce or eliminate the appearance of visual artifacts by changing the location of the visual artifacts across multiple image frames. For example, different scanning orders that result in visual artifacts at different positions on the display screen can be used, and the selection of scanning order can periodically change among the different scanning orders such that the position of the visual artifacts changes periodically during the updating of multiple image frames.
US08947411B2
The sensing device is provided. A sensing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a lower panel, an upper panel facing the lower panel, a liquid crystal layer positioned between the lower panel and the upper panel, an infrared ray sensor formed in at least one of the lower panel and the upper panel, a visible light sensor formed in at least one of the lower panel and the upper panel, and a backlight device positioned at an outer surface of the lower panel, wherein the backlight device includes a plurality of light emitting members representing different colors and an infrared ray light emitting member.
US08947410B2
A display device with multiple light sources includes a first detector for detecting a brightness of one or more different portions of the image formed on the display device, a second detector that measures output intensities of the light sources, and a controller that records correlation values that correlate input power settings of the light sources with the detected brightness and the measured output intensities. During operation of the display device, the controller applies the correlation values to determine the proper input power settings of the light sources so that brightness uniformity among the multiple light sources can be achieved.
US08947409B2
A display panel has an amorphous silicon gate driver. A variable capacitor is formed at one end of a gate line to prevent the deterioration of display quality due to high temperature noise. A predetermined level of capacitance is provided to the variable capacitor to the reduce ripple of gate voltage and eliminate the high temperature noise.
US08947400B2
Apparatus including a support configured to support a portable device; and a display coupled to the support and configured to receive and display a projected image, the projected image being generated by the portable device.
US08947396B2
A resistive touch panel includes an ITO layer, a glass layer, and an insulation layer sandwiched between the ITO layer and the glass layer. The ITO layer is cut into a continuous zigzag-shaped ITO strip by a number of first and second etched lines which are equidistantly spaced and arranged in an alternate fashion. The ITO strip is connected between a positive electrode and a negative electrode. The glass layer includes an ITO covering portion and a peripheral output bus surrounding the ITO covering portion. The resistance touch panel defines a Cartesian coordinate system for locating a touch point thereon, each touch point spatially corresponding to a given position on the ITO strip, the power supply generates a given voltage at given position of the ITO strip, the output bus transmits a signal associated with the voltage to an outside processor. A related electronic device is also provided.
US08947389B1
The present invention generally relates to a touch panel including first electrodes, second electrodes, first signal wires connected to the first electrodes, and second signal wires connected to the second electrodes, two or more flexible printed circuit boards (FPCBs) being attached to one side of the touch panel to be spaced apart from each other by a distance which allows installation of an application component can be installed, and a display device including the same.
US08947383B2
The user interface system of the preferred embodiments includes a sheet that defines a surface on one side and at least partially defines a cavity on an opposite side; a volume of a fluid contained within the cavity; a displacement device that modifies the volume of the fluid to expand the cavity, thereby outwardly deforming a particular region of the surface; and a sensor that detects a force applied by a user that inwardly deforms the particular region of the surface. The user interface system has been specifically designed to be used as the user interface for an electronic device, more preferably in an electronic device that benefits from an adaptive user interface, but may alternatively be used in any suitable application.
US08947380B2
A method includes displaying keys of a keyboard in a keyboard area on a touch-sensitive display, at least one of the keys being associated with multiple letter characters, the keyboard area located adjacent to a first side of the touch-sensitive display, detecting a touch in a keyboard area of the touch-sensitive display, the touch being associated with a character input, detecting a gesture in a gesture input area of a touch-sensitive display, the gesture area located adjacent to a second side of the touch-sensitive display, the second side opposite to the first side; wherein the gesture is associated with a keyboard-related function at the processor and the keyboard-related function is operable on the character input or a next character input.
US08947372B2
An electronic device includes a base, a touch-sensitive display moveable relative to the base, piezo actuators disposed between the base and the touch-sensitive display, the piezo actuators including a first piezo actuator and a second piezo actuator spaced from the first piezo actuator, and a controller configured to control the piezo actuators to alternately actuate the first piezo actuator and the second piezo actuator and apply forces to the touch-sensitive display, thereby causing the touch-sensitive display to pivot relative to the base.
US08947370B2
A touch panel includes a plurality of first electrode patterns being serially connected by a plurality of first connection patterns; a plurality of second electode patterns being serially connected by a plurality of second connection patterns; and a plurality of routing lines; wherein at least two of the plurality of first electrode patterns are connected to at least one of the plurality of routing lines.
US08947367B2
A character input apparatus to input a character using a touch and drag method, the character input apparatus including: an interface to display a character on a touched location, if a touch is detected on the interface; a control unit to control the interface to change the displayed character and a location of the displayed character according to a dragging trace, if the touched location is dragged; and an input unit to input the displayed character displayed when the touch is completed. Accordingly, characters may be conveniently input on a narrow screen.
US08947365B2
A region in a displayed image is scraped away in accordance with a trail of touch with a touch pen or the like and an object showing “shavings” corresponding to the scraped-away region is generated. A display position of each of particles generated in accordance with a user's operation with the touch pen 27 or the like varies over time, in line with physical motion in accordance with actual gravity. Namely, a speed of each of the particles successively varies in accordance with prescribed acceleration (comparable to gravity) and the display position thereof is successively updated in accordance with the successively varying speed.
US08947362B2
First detection information related to electrical connection between each row signal line and each column signal line is received from a key matrix circuit (S101). Based on the first detection information, it is determined whether a possibility exists that a user has pressed at least three key switches simultaneously and electrical connection between signal lines for a key switch that has not been pressed has been erroneously detected (S108). Information in accordance with key switches pressed by the user is output based on the first detection information when the determination is negative (S109), whereas output of information based on the first detection information is blocked when the determination is positive.
US08947358B2
The personal care appliance kit includes a display device; and a handle for an electric device. The display device includes a continuous front panel; a window area being a part of the front panel, which window area is transmissible with respect to an infrared signal radiation; a display area being a part of the front panel, which display area is less transmissible than the window area with respect to the infrared signal radiation; and a receiver unit placed on a backside of the window area and adapted for receiving the infrared signal radiation from a transmitter unit for emitting the infrared signal radiation of the handle for indicating a handle use status; wherein the front panel is a liquid crystal display panel having at least one polarization filter layer; and wherein the at least one polarization filter layer is provided with a cut-out in the window area.
US08947349B1
Described herein are systems and techniques for detecting a location of a medium and projecting content onto the medium at the detected location. These systems and techniques also track the changing location of the medium while continuing to project the content onto the medium as the location changes. A user consuming the content on the medium is able to move the display medium relative to a projection device that projects the content without interrupting the consumption of the content.
US08947340B2
A backlight unit includes a plurality of light sources, a boost circuit, a plurality of balance circuits, and a plurality of first resistors. The boost circuit boosts an input alternating current voltage and applies a driving alternating current voltage to the light sources. Each of the balance circuits includes a first capacitor and is disposed between an output terminal of the boost circuit and the light sources. Each of the first resistors connects two balance circuits among the balance circuits.
US08947337B2
An object is to provide a display device that performs accurate display. A circuit is formed using a transistor that includes an oxide semiconductor and has a low off-state current. A precharge circuit or an inspection circuit is formed in addition to a pixel circuit. The off-state current is low because the oxide semiconductor is used. Thus, it is not likely that a signal or voltage is leaked in the precharge circuit or the inspection circuit to cause defective display. As a result, a display device that performs accurate display can be provided.
US08947329B2
An organic light emitting display includes a scan driver for driving scan lines and emission control lines, a data driver for driving data lines, a display unit including pixels at crossing regions of scan lines and data lines, first power source lines coupled to a first power source configured to supply a first voltage and coupled to pixels in columns, horizontal power source lines extending in a direction parallel with scan lines and coupled to pixels in rows, and a second power source line coupled to the horizontal power source lines and to a second power source configured to supply the same voltage as the first power source, each of the pixels being configured to store a voltage corresponding to voltages of the second power source and a data signal and to control an amount of current that flows from the first power source in accordance with the stored voltage.
US08947324B2
A display apparatus, that can prevent thermal destruction and burning with a simple structure, has been disclosed. In the apparatus it is judged that there is possibility of a pattern, whose area with high brightness is small, being displayed frequently, when a state in which the total light emission pulse number remains large occurs with high frequency, and if such a state is detected, the total light emission pulse number (sustain frequency) is reduced to prevent the thermal destruction and burning.
US08947318B2
An antenna apparatus that includes a first antenna having a first feed point, a second antenna having a second feed point, and a first non-feed element grounded at a first ground point disposed at a first predetermined distance from the first feed point and the second feed point.
US08947316B2
Antenna arrangement for a multi-radiator base station antenna, the antenna having a feeding network based on air filled coaxial lines (1, 2, 3), wherein each coaxial line comprises an outer conductor (8) and an inner conductor (4, 5, 6), wherein an adjustable differential phase shifter including a dielectric part (9) is arranged in the antenna and said dielectric part being movable longitudinally in relation to at least one coaxial line 1, 2, 3).
US08947315B2
An antenna that resonates at each of at least operating two frequency bands includes a first LC parallel circuit having a first impedance between a feeding element and a feeding circuit, and a second LC parallel circuit having a second impedance between a parasitic element and ground. The feeding element and the parasitic element are configured such that multiple resonant frequencies are positioned between the two operating frequency bands in a case where the impedances of the first and second LC parallel circuits are set to 0, and the LC parallel circuits having the first and second impedances cause the multiple resonance frequencies to shift to an operating frequency band on the lower frequency side and to the higher frequency side, of the two operating frequency bands.
US08947305B2
An electronic device may have a housing in which an antenna is mounted. An antenna window may be mounted in the housing to allow radio-frequency signals to be transmitted from the antenna and to allow the antenna to receive radio-frequency signals. Near-field radiation limits may be satisfied by reducing transmit power when an external object is detected in the vicinity of the dielectric antenna window and the antenna. A capacitive proximity sensor may be used in detecting external objects in the vicinity of the antenna. The proximity sensor may have conductive layers separated by a dielectric. A capacitance-to-digital converter may be coupled to the proximity sensor by inductors. The capacitive proximity sensor may be interposed between an antenna resonating element and the antenna window. The capacitive proximity sensor may serve as a parasitic antenna resonating element and may be coupled to the housing by a capacitor.
US08947295B2
A bistatic radar measurement system is provided having a radar source configured to produce a radio frequency signal. A transmitting antenna is configured to transmit the radio frequency signal toward a target. A receiving antenna is configured to receive a reflected radio frequency signal from the target. A support system is configured to support the receiving antenna. The support system includes a plurality of low scattering dielectric strings configured to orient the receiving antenna.
US08947294B1
A system and method of providing to a beamformer a modified complex beam steering vector includes collecting subarray I/Q samples from a plurality of subarrays receiving clutter, performing coherent integration of the subarray I/Q samples to increase the CNR, adaptively modifying a complex beam steering vector to form a null in the direction of the received clutter, and outputting to a beamformer the modified complex beam steering vector. The beamformer receives complex I/Q data samples representing a radar signal containing near-horizon clutter and applies the modified beam steering vector to generate a beamformed signal having an elevated mainlobe and a spatial sidelobe null in the direction of the received clutter.
US08947287B2
An A-type converter circuit compares an input voltage with multiple threshold voltages, judges which segment it belongs to, and generates first and second voltages with the input voltage segment between them. The A-type converter circuit generates third and fourth voltages by amplifying the differences between the first and the input voltages and between the second and the input voltages. A B-type converter circuit divides the range between the third and fourth voltages into multiple segments, and judges which segment includes the common voltage. Subsequently, the B-type converter circuit generates fifth and sixth voltages with the common voltage segment between them. The B-type converter circuit generates a seventh (the next stage's third voltage) and an eighth voltage by amplifying the differences between the fifth and the common voltages and between the sixth and the common voltages.
US08947284B2
An A/D converter includes a plurality of AD converting sections that sequentially operate at predetermined intervals. The AD converting section has an ADC that converts an analog signal into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal, a memory that stores, as a specific polarity value, the polarity of a signal obtained by the ADC digitizing an analog signal at a reference voltage, an analog polarity converting circuit that inverts the polarity of the analog signal based on the specific polarity value and a set polarity value, which is previously set, and a digital polarity converting circuit that inverts the polarity of the digital signal based on the specific polarity value and the set polarity value.
US08947281B1
Apparatus and methods for digital-to-analog conversion are disclosed. In one embodiment, an electronic system includes a bias circuit and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) including an input that receives a digital input signal and an output that drives a transmission line. The digital input signal can be used to control a magnitude and polarity of an output current of the DAC. The DAC further includes one or more p-type metal oxide semiconductor (PMOS) termination transistors that receive a first bias voltage from the bias circuit and one or more n-type metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS) termination transistors that receive a second bias voltage from the bias circuit. The bias circuit controls the voltage levels of the first and second bias voltages to control the termination transistors' small signal resistance to actively terminate the DAC's output.
US08947277B2
A sample-and-hold circuit including an operational amplifier configured to output a result signal to the ADC; a feedback capacitor connected between an input terminal and an output terminal of the operational amplifier to form a feedback path; a plurality of sampling capacitor blocks each connected to one of a plurality of channels and configured to sample and hold an analog signal input to each of the channels; a plurality of controllers each connected between one of the sampling capacitor blocks and the operational amplifier; and a reset unit connected between a reference voltage source and the input terminal of the operational amplifier to reset the operational amplifier when the operational amplifier does not perform a holding operation. The plurality of controllers configured to switch the sampled signal so that held signals for the respective channels are sequentially input to the operational amplifier.
US08947270B2
A processor is described that includes an instruction execution pipeline having an instruction fetch unit to fetch and decode an instruction. The processor also has an execution unit to execute the instruction. The execution unit has a state machine and content addressable memory (CAM) circuitry. The state machine is to receive a pointer to a stream of DEFLATE encoded information, fetch a section of the DEFLATE encoded information and apply the section of the DEFLATE encoded information to the CAM to obtain decoded DEFLATE information.
US08947266B2
A display module for displaying passenger-specific display information in an aircraft, comprising: a display, a control unit, a storage device, and a first interface, wherein the first interface is connected to the control unit, and wherein the control unit is designed, on the basis of a signal that is present at the first interface, to read out a storage device content stored in the storage device and associated with the signal in relation to display information, and on the basis of the read-out storage device content and of the signal present at the interface to control the display.
US08947264B2
A structure for a crosswalk providing both an advertising effect and pedestrian safety. A first support is erected vertically from a center of an entrance of a crosswalk. A second support is disposed parallel to and at a predetermined interval from the first support. The first and second supports have the same shape. A respective inner end of first steel members is fixed to an upper end of the first support, and outer ends of the first steel members extend perpendicularly to the direction of the crosswalk. Second steel members are disposed parallel to and at a predetermined interval from the first steel members. The first and second steel members have the same shape. A laser curtain beam radiating device is disposed on an underside of an outer end of one of the first and second steel members, and radiates a laser curtain beam in the direction of the crosswalk.
US08947260B2
A parking assistance system includes a usage status acquisition unit configured to acquire usage status information indicating a usage status at a plurality of parking positions in a parking lot, a moving vehicle information acquisition unit configured to acquire a position of a vehicle moving in the parking lot, a control unit configured to select a parking position for the vehicle in accordance with the usage status information and the position of the vehicle, and transmit guidance image information for guiding the vehicle to the selected parking position, and a projection unit configured to project a guidance image based on the guidance image information onto an inside of the parking lot to present the parking position to the vehicle.
US08947258B2
A system, method and computer program product provides for power line communications (PLC) over electric power lines includes a device mountable near an electrical distribution transformer (DT) to provide a high speed interface and communicates with one or multiple access devices, which provide low speed interfaces for analog signals or digital signals over RS 232, RS 485, optical, wireless and Ethernet. The device transmits data to/from these access devices over the electric lines to other repeaters over one or more wires of an electrical line or over multiple lines, and serves to strengthen and improve signal quality. Upon detecting a wire or line is having problems carrying data, the data is sent over other wires, and upon power line failures, wireless backup to mobile/GSM and WiMax networks is utilized. The device permits utilities and others to read electric meters, monitor the power quality of the distribution grid and detect power losses/failures/outages, and permits telecom service providers and others to provide a communications link to cell phone towers, WiFi Access Points and enable broadband Internet and telephony in rural, remote or sparely populated areas.
US08947248B2
Damaging a touch sensor is prevented by an input apparatus including a pressing load detection unit 102 for detecting a pressing load applied by a pressing object pressing a touch sensor, a contact area detection unit 103 for detecting a contact area of the object on the sensor, a memory unit 105 for storing a pressing load threshold for receiving an input and a damage threshold higher than the pressing load threshold and varies according to the contact area, a control unit 104 for obtaining the pressing load threshold and the damage threshold corresponding to the contact area from the memory unit, and receiving the input when the pressing load reaches the pressing load threshold, or generating a warning signal when the pressing load reaches the damage threshold, and a notification unit 106 for receiving the warning signal from the control unit and outputting a warning.
US08947235B2
An inventory and anti-theft alarm tag system that has (1) one or more RFID tags and (2) a master database. The RFID tags can include an RFID transmitter and an RFID inlay having a unique item number encoded therein. The RFID transmitter allows communication between the RFID tags and the master database. The master database can compare information from the RFID tags with information stored in the master database to determine if the RFID tags are authentic and have been opened or closed a defined number of times indicated in the master database, and if not, a message can be sent for investigation.
US08947218B2
An ECU of a driving support device predicts the risk of contact between a host vehicle and obstacles around the host vehicle when the host vehicle travels by a driving action related to at least one normative action candidate, which is a normative driving action candidate of the host vehicle for the surrounding conditions of the host vehicle. Therefore, it is possible to provide the normative action candidates considering the risk of contact between the host vehicle and the obstacles around the host vehicle.
US08947215B2
A system and method are provided for implementing an automated workstation elevation position tracking and control scheme. Software running on the user's computer generates reminders and/or to forces an individual to periodically readjust the height of the workstation in a manner that promotes standing while at work. A current position, and an elapsed time that the workstation has been at the current position, is detected with an objective of providing pre-programmed routine or random automated reminders to a user to change the current position of the workstation from one elevation state to the other. The software tracks the percent of time that a user is standing and optionally compares this with a pre-defined goal. Automatic control via the user workstation, of workstation elevator actuators is provided in a manner that makes it easier, or otherwise unavoidable, for the user to initiate repositioning from a sitting to a standing position.
US08947213B2
Present invention relates to method for confirming location of product using RFID. Method for confirming location of product on a shelf in a product location confirmation system including: a plurality of shelf areas; a location tag which is provided at each shelf and transmits an RFID signal; a reader which is provided at each shelf and reads the RFID signal; and a server for analyzing the information collected through the reader comprises the steps of: the reader confirming whether a location tag signal is received; the server determining the absence of the product on the corresponding shelf when the location tag signal is received; the reader confirming whether a product tag signal as the RFID signal transmitted from the product is received when the location tag signal is not received; and the server determining the presence of the product within the corresponding shelf when the product tag signal is received.
US08947203B2
An aftermarket, sound activated, wireless, vehicle door unlocking device comprising a sound sensor, processor, memory, and an RF transmitter, transponder, or transceiver capable of generating an unlocking signal, and method of using the device. The device may be easily installed by unskilled users without modifying the vehicle wires or structure. The operator of the device will program the device with an unlocking sound sequence, and the RF unlocking codes needed to unlock the vehicle door. The device continually monitors the sensor for unlocking sounds, and delivers a door unlocking signal when this sound is detected. Various embodiments, including embedded RF key embodiments, solar powered embodiments, and alternative ways of programming the device are also discussed.
US08947198B2
A plurality of access models comprise patterns of accesses to resources protected by an Access Control System (ACS). The access models are used to classify the accesses to the resources as either normal or anomalous. The system stores attributes for the individuals for whom the access models are available, receives attributes of an individual not associated with an access model, and compares the attributes of the individual not associated with an access model to the attributes of the individuals for whom access models are available. The system further selects an access model for the individual not associated with an access model based on the comparison, and uses the selected access model for the individual not associated with an access model to classify access to the one or more resources protected by the ACS by the individual not associated with an access model as either normal or anomalous.
US08947197B2
A method for verifying a person's identity is of the general type which comprises storing a personal pattern of a pre-determined number of locations on a grid in association with personal identification data, and subsequently using the pattern in a verification process. According to the invention, the subsequent verification process comprises the steps of: (a) presenting to the person a challenge grid of locations occupied by a pseudo-random set of symbols, and challenging the person to identify a response set of symbols occupying locations in the challenge grid corresponding to the stored personal pattern; (b) receiving from the person the response set; (c) generating from the challenge grid and the stored pattern a verification set of symbols occupying locations in the challenge grid corresponding to the stored personal pattern; (d) comparing the response set of symbols with the verification set of symbols; and (e) verifying the identity of the person if the response set is the same as the verification set.
US08947192B2
A fusible link unit includes a conductive bus-bar having a fusible portion, a resin housing molded integrally with the bus-bar and including a locking projection, and an exposing window portion for exposing the fusible portion, such that the resin cover is capable of being locked to the locking projection so as to cover the fusible portion, where a half-fitting prevention projection is provided at a periphery of the exposing window portion to prevent half-fitting while suppressing an increase in projection costs.
US08947179B2
The invention discloses a high-frequency filter in coaxial design which allows a simple option for tuning resonators contained in the high-frequency filter. In order to tune the resonator(s), a first tuning element is mechanically anchored in the second terminating wall such that the element is rotationally fixed and the axial length thereof cannot be varied, and a second tuning element, the position of which can be varied, is provided in the longitudinal opening of the inner conductor, wherein the second tuning element consists of a dielectric material, or comprises dielectric material, at least in the region facing the second outside wall, wherein the axial position of the second tuning element can be varied in the spacing area between the inside face of the inner conductor and the first tuning element. The second tuning element can be accessed and/or actuated from the outer side of the first terminating wall to effect a variation of the axial position.
US08947170B2
According to one embodiment, a spin-torque oscillator includes a non-magnetic unit, one or more first magnetic unit, and a second magnetic unit. The non-magnetic unit is formed of a non-magnetic body. The one or more first magnetic unit is connected to the non-magnetic unit and generates a pure spin current indicating the flow of the electron spin that does not accompany an electric charge current. The second magnetic unit is connected to the non-magnetic unit in a manner such that a distance between the second magnetic unit and the first magnetic unit is shorter than a spin diffusion length indicating a distance that an electronic spin polarization is maintained in the non-magnetic unit. The second magnetic unit oscillates by the pure spin current.
US08947167B2
Embodiments provide a reference-less frequency detector that overcomes the “dead zone” problem of conventional circuits. In particular, the frequency detector is able to accurately resolve the polarity of the frequency difference between the VCO clock signal and the data signal, irrespective of the magnitude of the frequency difference and the presence of VCO clock jitter and/or ISI on the data signal.
US08947163B2
Split capacitors scheme for suppressing overshoot voltage glitches in class D amplifier output stage
A class D power amplifier is provided. The class D power amplifier includes a class D driver circuit having a plurality of output transistors, at least one active clamp circuit coupled to at least one output transistor of the plurality of output transistors, and at least one filter bank circuit coupled to the at least one active clamp circuit for controlling a voltage of the at least one output transistor. Accordingly, a voltage across a drain node and source node (VDS), a voltage across a gate node and source node (VGS), and a voltage across the gate node and drain node (VGD) of the output transistors is reduced to increase reliability of the power amplifier while consuming less power and utilizing less die area.
US08947158B2
To reduce a variation in the electrical characteristics of a transistor. A potential generated by a voltage converter circuit is applied to a back gate of a transistor included in a voltage conversion block. Since the back gate of the transistor is not in a floating state, a current flowing through the back channel can be controlled so as to reduce a variation in the electrical characteristics of the transistor. Further, a transistor with low off-state current is used as the transistor included in the voltage conversion block, whereby storage of the output potential is controlled.
US08947157B2
DC to DC converter circuitry includes a dual phase charge pump and at least one pair of multiplier phase circuits. The dual phase charge pump is coupled to each one of the at least one pair of multiplier circuits and adapted to receive a DC input voltage and only four control signals, and produce a stepped-up output voltage. Each one of the at least one pair of multiplier phase circuits are adapted to receive the stepped-up output voltage, a cross-coupled control signal from the other multiplier phase circuit in the pair of multiplier phase circuits, and a different one of the control signals and further multiply the stepped-up output voltage to produce a multiplied stepped-up output voltage with a magnitude that is approximately three times that of the DC input voltage or greater.
US08947148B2
In one example, there is disclosed a hybrid analog-digital point-of-load controller (ADPOL) for use in a power supply. The ADPOL is configured to respond to transient current loads. In the presence of moderate current transients, power is clocked by a digital power core, which may be programmatically configured to adjust pulse width in response to the transient. In the presence of larger current transients, control may be passed to an analog transient compensator, which includes high-speed circuitry selecting between a very high-duty-cycle clock and a very low-duty-cycle clock, which will drive the transient back to the digital control domain.
US08947146B2
A pulse-based flip-flop that latches a data input signal to convert the data input signal into a data output signal in response to a first clock signal and the second clock signal. The pulse-based flip-flop includes a pulse generator and a data latch. The pulse generator includes a first inverter and a signal delay circuit to receive the first clock signal and generate the second clock signal; the data latch includes a delivery circuit, a latch circuit and a control circuit. The data latch is used to latch the data input signal and output the data output signal in response to the first and the second clock signals.
US08947145B2
A PWM signal generation circuit according to the present invention includes a duty setting unit (10) configured to generate a duty control signal designating a duty ratio corresponding to each period of a PWM signal on the basis of an initial duty setting signal, a target duty setting signal, a slope setting signal, and a clock signal, a period setting unit (20) configured to output a period setting value, and an output control unit (30) configured to generate the PWM signal having a period corresponding to the period setting value and having a duty ratio corresponding to a value of the duty control signal. The duty setting unit (10) increases the value of the initial duty ratio to the value of the target duty ratio each time the number of a clock pulse of the clock signal reaches the period setting value reaches the slope setting value.
US08947140B2
Circuits and methods for implementing a continuously adaptive timing calibration training function in an integrated circuit interface are disclosed. A mission data path is established where a data bit is sampled by a strobe. A similar reference data path is established for calibration purposes only. At an initialization time both paths are calibrated and a delta value between them is established. During operation of the mission path, the calibration path continuously performs calibration operations to determine if its optimal delay has changed by more than a threshold value. If so, the new delay setting for the reference path is used to change the delay setting for the mission path after adjustment by the delta value. Circuits and methods are also disclosed for performing multiple parallel calibrations for the reference path to speed up the training process.
US08947134B2
A decoupling circuit includes an inverter. The inverter includes i (i is an integer of 1 or more) PMOS transistors each having a first gate electrode, and j (j is an integer of 0 or more) PMOS transistors each having a second gate electrode. The inverter includes m (m is an integer of 1 or more) NMOS transistors each having a third gate electrode, and n (n is an integer of 0 or more) NMOS transistors each having a fourth gate electrode. The first to fourth gate electrodes are coupled to an input end of the inverter. A total area of the first and second gate electrodes is different from a total area of the third and fourth gate electrodes.
US08947132B2
A semiconductor device includes a normal code generation unit capable of generating a normal code, a test code output unit capable of storing a plurality of preliminary test codes to output a test code in response to a test control signal, and a reference voltage generation unit capable of generating a normal reference voltage in a normal operation mode and generating a test reference voltage in a test operation mode in response to the normal code and the test code.
US08947127B2
Disclosed is a discharge path circuit of input terminal for a driver IC (Integrated Chip), the circuit providing a discharge path to the input terminal of the driver IC including a power input port connected to a first input and an operation mode selection port connected to a second input, the discharge path circuit including an LC (Inductance Capacitance) filter interconnected between the first input and the power input port to filter noise on a power source, and a resistance element interconnected between the first input and a ground terminal, wherein the resistance element provides a discharge path for discharging power charged by the input terminal of the driver IC.
US08947121B2
A programmable logic device that verifies whether configuration data is stored correctly is provided. The programmable logic device includes a configuration memory storing configuration data input to a first wiring and a switch controlling conduction or non-conduction between a second wiring and a third wiring in accordance with the configuration data stored in the configuration memory. Further, whether the configuration data input to the first wiring agrees with configuration data actually stored in the configuration memory is verified by comparing the potential of the second wiring with the configuration data input to the first wiring.
US08947120B2
A circuit for implementing latch array functions on an integrated circuit. Portions of the logic devices included in the implementation of the latch array functions that are controlled by a common signal, may be arranged in a particular alignment. A single layer uni-directionally conductive material may connect the common signal to the logic devices.
US08947119B2
An impedance calibration circuit includes a first calibration voltage driver configured to operate in response to a first enable signal, compare a first calibration voltage signal with a first reference voltage signal, and drive the first calibration voltage signal, a first control code generator configured to operate in response to a second enable signal, compare the first calibration voltage signal with a first target voltage signal, and generate a first control code signal, and a first reference voltage generator configured to generate the first reference voltage signal in response to the first control code signal.
US08947115B2
A method for testing the sensitivity of electronic components and circuits against particle and photon beams using plasma acceleration, in which the flexibility of the multifaceted interaction can produce several types of radiation such as electron, proton, ion, neutron and photon radiation, and combinations of these types of radiation, in a wide range of parameters that are relevant to the use of electronic components in space, such as satellites, at high altitudes or in facilities that work with radioactive substances such as nuclear power plants. Relevant radiation parameter ranges are accessible by this method, which are hardly accessible with conventional accelerator technology. Because of the compactness of the procedure and its versatility, radiation testing can be performed in smaller laboratories at relatively low cost.
US08947106B2
Methods of detecting a plug insertion into a plug aperture of a communications connector are provided in which a control signal is received that is electromagnetically coupled across a plug aperture of the communications connector using a reactive coupling element. A determination may be made that a mating plug (e.g., an RJ-45 plug or a connector on a fiber optic jumper cable) has been inserted into the plug aperture based on this received control signal. Related connectors are also provided.
US08947105B2
In one embodiment, a system includes a touch sensor comprising a first set of electrodes and a first set of bond pads electrically coupled to the first set of electrodes. The system also includes a second set of bond pads capacitively coupled to the first set of bond pads. Each bond pad of the second set of bond pads is coincident with a bond pad of the first set of bond pads. The system also includes a circuit electrically coupled to the second set of bond pads such that signals may be communicated from the first set of bond pads to the circuit.
US08947099B2
An equivalent power method for reducing the effects of voltage variation during at least one active material actuation event, includes determining an applied real output based on the ideal voltage of a voltage source, the corresponding ideal output of a controller, and a measured real voltage, and for providing voltage out of bounds compensation, by further determining a difference based on the maximum available power output of the controller during said at least one event, and applying the difference to determine the applied real output during subsequent event(s).
US08947098B2
An ionization gauge that measures pressure has an electron source that emits electrons, and an anode that defines an ionization space. The gauge also includes a collector electrode to collect ions formed by an impact between the electrons and a gas and to measure pressure based on the collected ions. The electron source is dynamically varied in emission current between a plurality of emission levels dependent on pressure and a second parameter other than pressure. The ionization gauge may also vary various operating parameters of the gauge components according to parameters stored in a non-volatile memory and selected by a user.
US08947090B2
An electromagnet assembly comprises a first pair of substantially co-planar coils wound in opposite senses to each other. It further comprises a second pair of co-planar coils also wound in opposite senses to each other. The coil pairs are arranged substantially parallel to, and spaced apart from, each other. In use, the field shape and direction produced by the first coil pair are substantially mirrored by those produced by the second coil pair.
US08947083B2
In a current detecting apparatus, a container member which constitutes a insulating housing includes an element supporting portion, a connector supporting portion, and a substrate fixing portion. The element supporting portion is formed with a depression to which a magnetism detecting portion of a Hall element is fitted. The connector supporting portion achieves positioning of a body portion of the connector by a fitting structure in three-dimensional directions where a lead terminal of a connector extends in parallel with lead terminals of the Hall element. The substrate fixing portion is a portion where a circuit board is fixed at one point. The body portion of the connector is also fixed to the circuit board with a screw.
US08947075B2
A variable reluctance angle sensor includes a stator, a rotor, and a computation section. The stator includes a core member having teeth, which are arranged in a circumferential direction, and excitation coils, which are respectively wound about the teeth such that magnetic poles of the teeth have different polarities alternately in the circumferential direction. An input voltage is supplied to the excitation coils. The rotor radially faces the teeth of the stator. The rotor has a shape such that gap permeance with respect to the stator changes in a sinusoidal fashion in accordance with the rotational angle of the rotor. The computation section obtains output voltages of two or more phases having different phases based on the voltages of the excitation coils, and detects the rotational angle of the rotor based on the output voltages.
US08947073B2
A sensor arrangement and method for an inductively rotational sensor consisting of a remote clone coil connected to a processor. The clone coil is located between a proximity sensor including a sensor and a rotating target so that when in an input or interrogatory mode rotational speed of the targets on a rotatable body is detected by the clone coil as a base rotational speed. The processor and the clone coil in an injection or output mode presenting emulating pulses to the sensor to mask the normal sensor coil to target interaction so the sensor coil sees the emulating pulses as the indicator of rotational speed. The emulating pulses proportional to the base speed and adjustable to desired levels of variation from the base speed as a reference.
US08947071B2
A system and method for measuring frequency which reduces the impact of noise. The system and method includes the steps of sampling a signal train over a first signal portion of the signal train, determining a first average period for the first signal portion (t1) of the signal train, sampling the signal train over a second signal portion (t2) of the signal train, wherein, the second portion of the signal train overlaps with the first signal portion, determining a second average period for the second signal portion (t2) of the output signal train, and then determining the average of the determined average periods.
US08947054B2
A battery charger is disclosed for use with various batteries, such as automotive and marine-type batteries. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the charging current is alternated between non-zero DC charging current levels. By alternating the charging current between non-zero DC charging levels, the battery can be charged to a higher capacity (i.e., ampere hours) faster, thus reducing the charging time and at the same time allow the rating of the battery charger to be increased. In accordance with another important aspect of the invention, the technique for alternating the charging current can be implemented in both linear and switched-mode battery chargers.
US08947045B2
A method for controlling a power transmission in a wireless power transmission apparatus, and a power transmission apparatus thereof. The method includes detecting via an object detecting sensor whether a foreign object is placed on a charging position of the wireless power transmission apparatus during a wireless charging; calculating a power loss of the wireless charging by a controller of the wireless power transmission apparatus if the foreign object is detected by the object detecting sensor; and stopping the wireless charging if the power loss is over a reference value.
US08947044B2
The invention discloses a wireless charging system for transmitting data. The wireless charging system includes a charging device for wirelessly transmitting a source signal and adjusting a current corresponding to the source signal according to a transmitted datum, and a receiving device which includes a first coil for receiving the source signal according to the electromagnetic effect and generating a corresponding AC current signal, and an output module for obtaining the transmitted datum according to the AC current signal.
US08947041B2
Exemplary embodiments are directed to wireless power transfer. A wireless power transceiver and device comprise an antenna including a parallel resonator configured to resonate in response to a substantially unmodulated carrier frequency. The wireless power transceiver further comprises a bidirectional power conversion circuit coupled to the parallel resonator. The bidirectional power conversion circuit is reconfigurable to rectify an induced current received at the antenna into DC power and to induce resonance at the antenna in response to DC power.
US08947040B2
A universal charger includes a portable charger housing, an universal charging arrangement, and an energy input device. The universal charging arrangement includes a charging circuitry for managing electricity charging of the rechargeable battery, and a plurality of charging terminals movably provided in the battery compartment of the portable charging housing, wherein the charging terminals are adapted to move in the battery compartment to accurately and adjustably align with the battery terminals of the rechargeable battery. The energy input device is electrically connected with the charging circuitry, which is capable of charging a wide variety of electronic devices by acquiring power through a convention USB port.
US08947025B2
A regeneration control device of an electrically powered vehicle includes a motor generator which performs electric power regeneration by braking a driving wheel of the electrically powered vehicle, and a battery to which electric power regenerated by the motor generator is supplied. A monitoring unit includes at least one of a charging rate detection unit configured to detect a charging rate of the battery and a voltage value detection unit configured to detect a voltage value of the battery. A control unit controls the electric power regeneration of the motor generator according to at least one of the charging rate and the voltage value of the battery detected by the monitoring unit. The control unit is configured to decrease regenerative electric current of the motor generator as at least one of the charging rate and the voltage value is increased.
US08947022B2
A garbage container of the present invention includes a main body, a sensor, a pedal, a connecting member, a driving mechanism, and a lid. A receiving opening is formed on a top of the main body. The pedal contacts with the sensor. The lid connects with the connecting member. When the pedal is pressed or released, a resistance of the sensor changes, and then the sensor sends a signal to a controller. After receiving signals, the controller drives the connecting member to elevate or to descend via the driving mechanism. When the pedal is pressed, the connecting member is elevated, and the lid is lifted to enable the receiving opening to communicate with an external space. When the connecting member is descended, the lid covers the receiving opening to unenable the receiving opening to communicate with the external space.
US08947021B2
An accelerator includes an inflector through which a beam entering from an ion source passes and which introduces the beam to an acceleration orbit. The inflector includes a beam convergence unit that converges the beam passing through the inflector. A cyclotron, which accelerates a beam in a convoluted acceleration orbit, includes magnetic poles, D-electrodes, and an inflector. The magnetic poles generate a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to the acceleration orbit. The D-electrodes generate a potential difference, which accelerates the beam, in the acceleration orbit. A beam, which enters in an incident direction perpendicular to the acceleration orbit, passes through the inflector, and the inflector bends the beam so as to introduce the beam to the acceleration orbit. The inflector includes a beam convergence unit that converges the beam passing through the inflector.
US08947018B2
A dimmable LED driver adapted to be operated with a dimmer that is configured to generate a predetermined conductive angle, wherein the dimmable LED driver comprises: a rectifier configured to convert an alternating current output by the dimmer to a direct current, a buck PFC block configured to adjust an output voltage of the direct current so as to obtain a stable output voltage, a second buck DC/DC block configured to realize output of a constant current after the stable output voltage is realized, a dimming block configured to, after realizing output of the constant current, accomplish a dimming function jointly with the second buck DC/DC block, and an MCU configured to control the buck PFC block, the second buck DC/DC block and the dimming block.
US08947008B2
A low output voltage driver circuit for a light-emitting device is provided according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Also, an offset voltage cancellation and/or level shifter is incorporated into the driver circuit to increase the accuracy of the driving current. In addition, an error detection circuit and method are employed in order to adaptively detect the minimum output voltage of the inventive driver circuit.
US08947002B2
A light-emitting diode (LED) bulb comprises a base and a shell connected to the base. A first set of LEDs is disposed within the shell and is configured to emit light at a first color corresponding to a first black-body color temperature. A second set of LEDs is also disposed within the shell and is configured to emit light at a second color corresponding to a second black-body color temperature that is different from the first black-body color temperature. A control circuit is configured to provide a transitional-power state to the first and second sets of LEDs to transition between an initial-power state and a reduced-power state by producing a shifting color output that corresponds to a predetermined light-output curve.
US08946991B2
An apparatus, system, and method for solid state lighting is envisioned which, according to aspects of the invention, provides primary event and/or utility lighting during normal power conditions, and which, during periods of interrupted power, provides uninterrupted event lighting for a desired duration, provides a gradual transition from event lighting levels to utility lighting levels, and provides a gradual transition from utility lighting levels to emergency lighting levels.
US08946982B2
The invention relates to coated phosphor particles comprising luminescent particles and at least one, preferably substantially transparent, metal, transition-metal or semimetal oxide coating, and to a process for the production thereof.
US08946978B2
A lighting device (2) comprises a light source (210) having a main forward emission direction (20), and an envelope (220) in which the light source (210) is arranged. The envelope (220) comprises an upper portion (225) having scattering properties and being arranged to reflect a part of the light from the light source (210) laterally and backwardly relative to the main forward emission direction (20) and transmit a part of the light from the light source (210). The light intensity distribution of the lighting device (2) is more uniform, as backward and lateral light intensity is increased while the light in the main forward emission direction (20) is still admitted.
US08946977B2
A spark plug includes a center electrode, a ground electrode, and a tip joined to the center electrode and forming a spark discharge gap with the ground electrode. The tip is joined to the center electrode via a fusion zone, which has an exposed surface exposed to the external environment. In a section containing an axis and the center of the exposed surface, C−B≧0.02 is satisfied, where C (mm) is the distance on the side surface of the tip between the fusion zone and the distal end of the tip, and B (mm) is the distance between a distal end surface of the tip and a portion of the fusion zone located closer to the axis than the side surface of the tip and located closest in the fusion zone to the distal end surface of the tip.
US08946967B2
A tooth portion of a stator is divided into first and second tooth portions and in a relatively movable manner between a first position in which a magnetic resistance between the tooth portions is small and a second position in which the magnetic resistance is relatively larger than in the first position. When the second tooth portion is in the first position, the following equation is satisfied: (total magnetic resistance of main magnetic circuit C1)<(total magnetic resistance of magnetic short-circuit C2)≦(total magnetic resistance of magnetic circuit between permanent magnets C3). When the second tooth portion is in the second position, it is satisfied: (total magnetic resistance of the magnetic short-circuit C2)<(total magnetic resistance of the main magnetic circuit C1), and (total magnetic resistance of the magnetic short-circuit C2)≦(total magnetic resistance of the magnetic circuit between permanent magnetics C3).
US08946964B1
The invention incorporates a modular winding system for an electrical machine that includes a plurality of readily assembled modular windings for engaging a plurality of stator teeth of the machine. Windings comprise a pair of opposed legs terminating in upper and lower flanges, and are readily secured together to make consistent electrical contact between adjacent windings.
US08946963B2
A polyphase stator for an internally ventilated rotating electrical machine comprises a body (14) provided with slots and carrying a coil (12) having at least one winding per phase. A plurality of pairs of lateral branches are mounted in a slot of the body (14). A plurality of connecting heads (50 to 55) extend outside the body (14) so as to form a first lead-out (42) and interconnect each pair of lateral branches. A plurality of coupling feet (150 to 155) are offset circumferentially with respect to the plurality of connecting heads and extend outside the body (14) so as to form a second lead-out (43) and interconnect each pair of lateral branches. One of the pluralities has a generally pointed shape and has an axial length of between 15 and 20 mm. The stator is used with an alternator or alternator-stator for a motor vehicle. An internally ventilated electrical machine is equipped with the stator.
US08946960B2
An axial flux electric motor is disclosed. The motor includes a rotor having a first rotor face, a second rotor face, a primary bearing locator on the first rotor face and one or more permanent magnets mounted to the first rotor face. Also included is a stator having a first stator face, a second stator face, a secondary bearing locator on the first stator face, a stator winding having one or more conductors and a connector for connection of the stator winding to a power source. A bearing assembly is also provided and positioned between the first face of the rotor and the first face of the stator for rotationally supporting movement of the rotor relative to the stator, the bearing assembly axially displacing the rotor from the stator to provide an air gap therebetween. The bearing assembly is engaged by the primary and secondary bearing locators to correctly position the bearing assembly.
US08946957B2
A cable arrangement system for one or more sets of cables to an electric machine is provided. The cable arrangement system includes a terminal box, a compression plate, multiple glands, and a multipoint connector. The terminal box is disposed on a housing of the electric machine and includes a first side having a first set of openings. The compression plate is releasably engaged with the first side and defines a second set of openings axially aligned with the first set of openings. The glands are configured to receive the first set of cables. Each of the glands includes a first and a second portion received in the first and the second set of openings respectively. The multipoint connector is disposed within the terminal box and includes a first and a second set of terminals configured to engage with lugs associated with the first and a second set of cables.
US08946956B2
A fixing structure of a radial lead of a rotating electrical machine connects slip rings provided to a rotation shaft of a rotor and axial leads disposed in a center hole of the rotation shaft and supplying a current to a rotor coil. A radial lead is inserted into a radial lead hole penetrating through the rotation shaft in a radial direction from the center hole and a tapered male screw formed at one end is threaded into a tapered female screw formed in the axial lead while the other end is electrically connected to the slip ring. A sealing member installed to a step portion of the radial lead hole is fastened, via a spacer, by a fastening nut threaded into a straight screw of the radial lead, so that a side of the center hole is maintained airtight from an outside.
US08946955B2
Control over an electric motor is especially critical in large drilling rigs and a means of accurately and quickly measuring the speed of the rotor of an electric motor and correlating that information with other real-time information has been hampered by the failure of the prior art to attach optical encoders to electric motors with precision. The present device attaches to arbor of a cap on the end of the rotor which provides a centralized and sealed shaft extending through a covering plate on the end of the motor and directly attaching to an optical encoder.
US08946954B2
An outer rotor motor is provided for use in a machine. The motor includes a rotor and a stator. A control board assembly configured to control at least one operational characteristic of the motor is mounted at least in part radially inside the stator.
US08946951B2
A fan (20) comprises a fan hub (22), fan blades (24) which are mounted on the fan hub (22), and a drive motor having an outer rotor (30), wherein the outer rotor (30) is arranged inside the fan hub (22). The outer rotor (30) is arranged in the fan hub (22) in such a way that the outer rotor (30) is supported in a radially outward direction on the radial outer wall (36) of the fan hub (22), by means of cooling fins (32) which are formed integrally with the fan hub (22).
US08946947B2
A linear stepper motor is used for the displacement of an armature parallel to a stator having N steps. The stator includes (N+2) stator pole pieces which are enclosed by a magnetic guiding element and are each approximately the same distance from neighboring stator pole pieces. Furthermore, at least one coil is located between two stator pole pieces. The armature is enclosed by the stator in the radial direction and has a permanent magnet magnetized parallel to the stator which is disposed between two armature pole pieces. As a result of the reluctance forces, the armature occupies stable idle positions inside the stator in which the stator pole pieces lie opposite the armature pole pieces. By energizing the coils with a short current pulse, the armature can be displaced inside the stator between the different stable idle positions.
US08946943B2
A semiconductor chip includes at least one power semiconductor switch configured to activate and deactivate current conduction from a first supply terminal, which is connected to a first supply line that provides an unstabilized first supply voltage, to the at least one output terminal in accordance with a respective control signal. In operation, the unstabilized first supply voltage is monitored and an under-voltage is signaled when the unstabilized first supply voltage falls below a first threshold value. The first supply terminal is short circuited with a third terminal when the an under-voltage is signaled.
US08946939B2
Embodiments are directed to detecting and limiting power transfer to communication device, such as NFC and RFID cards. A method may include detecting one or more communication devices positioned within a wireless power transfer region of a wireless power transmitter. The method may further include limiting an amount of power transmitted by a transmitter in response to the detection.
US08946921B2
This invention is directed to a system that generates a sufficient level of electricity through access to a municipal water supply line to run a furnace during below freezing temperatures. The system includes an inlet that draws water from a water supply line. A first conduit, in communication with the inlet, transports the water into a DC generator that includes an impeller to generate electricity. Water is then routed through a second conduit which then returns the water to the water supply line through an outlet. A solenoid valve may be positioned between the inlet and first conduit which remains closed when the electric grid runs normally but will open during a power outage to supply water to the DC generator. A lithium battery stores power created by the DC generator, which may include a voltage regulator and inverter to convert to DC.
US08946919B2
Various embodiments of linear electric generators and arrangements thereof are disclosed. One such generator includes a permanent magnetic array with magnets that are oriented such that like poles of the magnets are disposed adjacently to concentrate a magnetic field through a coil array. To enhance the magnetic field distribution, the magnets are affixed under a compressive strain due to repulsive forces resulting from proximity of the like poles. According to another aspect, a plurality of vibrational linear electric generators (VLEGs) can be arranged so that magnets of different VLEGs are oriented so that poles of opposite polarity are disposed adjacently to further enhance magnetic field concentration through coil arrays. In addition, a plurality of wave energy converters can be arranged in very close proximity, at most 8 times a height of a buoyant portion of the converters, to act as a seawall and thereby protect various structures from ocean waves.
US08946915B2
A method of determining an optimal operating speed of a variable speed genset is provided. The method may include determining whether an actual operating speed of the genset approximates a desired operating speed, the desired operating speed being predetermined based on a measured load value associated with the genset, the desired operating speed being associated with an applied offset value that is adjustable between a minimum offset value and a maximum offset value; incrementing the applied offset value of the desired operating speed to decrease the actual operating speed if the actual operating speed approximates the desired operating speed, and the applied offset value is less than the maximum offset value; and determining the desired operating speed as the optimal operating speed if the actual operating speed approximates the desired operating speed, and the applied offset value is equal to the maximum offset value.
US08946914B2
A method for forming CA power rails using a three mask decomposition process and the resulting device are provided. Embodiments include forming a horizontal diffusion CA power rail in an active layer of a semiconductor substrate using a first color mask; forming a plurality of vertical CAs in the active layer using second and third color masks, the vertical CAs connecting the CA power rail to at least one diffusion region on the semiconductor substrate, spaced from the CA power rail, wherein each pair of CAs formed by one of the second and third color masks are separated by at least two pitches.
US08946908B2
Disclosed is a semiconductor structure which includes a semiconductor substrate and a wiring layer on the semiconductor substrate. The wiring layer includes a plurality of fin-like structures comprising a first metal; a first layer of a second metal on each of the plurality of fin-like structures wherein the first metal is different from the second metal, the first layer of the second metal having a height less than each of the plurality of fin-like structures; and an interlayer dielectric (ILD) covering the plurality of fin-like structures and the first layer of the second metal except for exposed edges of the plurality of fin-like structures at predetermined locations, and at locations other than the predetermined locations, the height of the plurality of fin-like structures has been reduced so as to be covered by the ILD.
US08946907B2
A method for creating structures in a semiconductor assembly is provided. The method includes etching apertures into a dielectric layer and applying a polymer layer over the dielectric layer. The polymer layer is applied uniformly and fills the apertures at different rates depending on the geometry of the apertures, or on the presence or absence of growth accelerating material. The polymer creates spacers for the etching of additional structure in between the spacers. The method is capable of achieving structures smaller than current lithography techniques.
US08946906B2
To provide a multilayer wiring substrate in which the connection reliability of via conductors is enhanced, via holes are formed in a resin interlayer insulation layer which isolates a lower conductor layer from an upper conductor layer, and via conductors are formed in the via holes for connecting the lower conductor layer and the upper conductor layer. The surface of the resin interlayer insulation layer is a rough surface, and the via holes open at the rough surface of the resin interlayer insulation layer. Stepped portions are formed in opening verge regions around the via holes such that the stepped portions are recessed from peripheral regions around the opening verge regions. The stepped portions are higher in surface roughness than the peripheral regions.
US08946903B2
Some embodiments include electrical interconnects. The interconnects may contain laminate structures having a graphene region sandwiched between non-graphene regions. In some embodiments the graphene and non-graphene regions may be nested within one another. In some embodiments an electrically insulative material may be over an upper surface of the laminate structure, and an opening may extend through the insulative material to a portion of the laminate structure. Electrically conductive material may be within the opening and in electrical contact with at least one of the non-graphene regions of the laminate structure. Some embodiments include methods of forming electrical interconnects in which non-graphene material and graphene are alternately formed within a trench to form nested non-graphene and graphene regions.
US08946899B2
An opening such as a small-diameter via is formed in a semiconductor substrate such as a monocrystalline silicon chip or wafer by a high etch rate process which leaves the opening with a rough interior surface. A smoothing layer such as a polysilicon layer is applied over the interior surfaces of the openings. The smoothing layer presents a surface smoother than the original interior surface. An insulating layer is formed over the smoothing layer or formed from the smoothing layer, and a conductive element such as a metal is formed in the opening. In a variant, a glass-forming material such as BPSG is applied in the opening. The glass-forming material is reflowed to form a glassy insulating layer which presents a smooth surface. The interface between the metal conductive element and the insulating or glassy layer is smooth, which improves mechanical and electrical properties.
US08946897B2
A semiconductor device including a semiconductor substrate, an integrated circuit on the semiconductor substrate, an insulation layer covering the integrated circuit, and a plurality of metal line patterns on the insulation layer. First and second adjacent metal line patterns of the plurality of metal line patterns are spaced apart from each other by a space, and each of the first and second adjacent metal line patterns has at least one slit.
US08946896B2
A dielectric layer overlies a semiconductor substrate. The substrate has components and appropriate contacts formed therein. The dielectric layer electrically insulates the substrate and components from overlying conductive interconnect layers. A barrier layer is arranged over the dielectric layer to isolate the interconnect layers from other structures. A copper layer is then deposited over the barrier layer and thick interconnect lines having a first width and a first height are realized. Then, the barrier layer is etched using one of many alternative techniques. The barrier layer has a second width and a second height wherein the second width of the barrier liner is selected to be greater than the first width of the thick copper interconnect.
US08946894B2
Methods and apparatuses for forming a package for high-power semiconductor devices are disclosed herein. A package may include a plurality of distinct thermal spreader layers disposed between a die and a metal carrier. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08946893B2
Apparatus for performing dicing of die on wafer interposers. Apparatuses are disclosed for use with the methods of dicing an interposer having integrated circuit dies mounted thereon. An apparatus includes a wafer carrier mounted in a frame and having a size corresponding to a silicon interposer, a fixture mounted to the wafer carrier and comprising a layer of material to provide mechanical support to the die side of the silicon interposer, the fixture being patterned to fill spaces between integrated circuit dies mounted on an interposer; and an adhesive tape disposed on a surface of the fixture for adhering to the surface of a silicon interposer. Additional alternative apparatuses are disclosed.
US08946890B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a chip that comprises a base metal layer formed over a first semiconductor die and a first metal layer formed over the base metal layer. The first metal layer includes a plurality of islands configured to route at least one of (i) a ground signal or (ii) a power signal in the chip. The chip further comprises a second metal layer formed over the first metal layer. The second metal layer includes a plurality of islands configured to route at least one of (i) the ground signal or (ii) the power signal in the chip.
US08946888B2
A package on packaging structure provides for improved thermal conduction and mechanical strength by the introduction of a sold thermal coupler between the first and second packages. The first package has a first substrate and through vias through the first substrate. A first set of conductive elements is aligned with and coupled to the through vias of the first substrate. A solid thermal coupler is coupled to the first set of conductive elements and to a die of the second package. A second set of conductive elements is coupled to the die and a bottom substrate is coupled to the second set of conductive elements. The thermal coupler may be, e.g., an interposer, a heat spreader, or a thermal conductive layer.
US08946882B2
A semiconductor module includes at least one intermediate plate which has heat conductivity, power semiconductor elements which are provided for respective main surfaces of the intermediate plate, heat sinks which are arranged so that the power semiconductor elements are held between the heat sinks and the intermediate plate, and a mold part which seals the intermediate plate, the power semiconductor elements, and the heat sinks with mold resin. Surfaces of the heat sinks opposite to the side of the power semiconductor elements are exposed from the mold part. The intermediate plate has an intermediate radiator which projects in the direction parallel to the main surface from the mold part.
US08946877B2
A semiconductor package comprises: a substrate comprising a semiconductor device; a cap comprising a seal ring disposed over a surface of the cap; and a gap between the substrate and the surface of the cap. The seal ring comprises a tread comprising at least two columns.
US08946867B2
A semiconductor component includes a two-sided semiconductor body, an inner zone with a basic doping of a first conduction type, and two semiconductor zones. The first zone, disposed between the first side and inner zone, is of the first conduction type with a doping concentration higher than that of the inner zone. The second zone, disposed between the second side and inner zone, is of a second conduction type complementary to the first type with a doping concentration higher than that of the inner zone. At least one first edge chamfer extends at a first angle to the extension plane of the transition from the second zone to the inner zone at least along the edge of the second zone and inner zone.At least one buried zone of the second conduction type is provided between the first zone and inner zone, and extends substantially parallel to the first zone.
US08946857B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a heat generating device, and a heat radiating part. The heat generating device is provided on the semiconductor substrate, and the heat radiating part is provided above the heat generating device. The heat radiating part is thermally coupled with the semiconductor substrate through at least one contact part.
US08946849B2
A device includes a semiconductor substrate having a front side and a backside. A plurality of image sensors is disposed at the front side of the semiconductor substrate. A plurality of clear color-filters is disposed on the backside of the semiconductor substrate. A plurality of metal rings encircles the plurality of clear color-filters.
US08946848B2
A backside illuminated image sensor has a carbon nanotube transparent conductive coating formed on the backside of the image sensor. In one implementation the carbon nanotube transparent conductive coating acts as a wavelength selective filter to filter out infrared light. In one implementation the carbon nanotube transparent conductive coating has an optical transparency between 50% and 80% for blue and green color bands.
US08946840B2
A solid state imaging device having a light sensing section that performs photoelectric conversion of incident light includes: an insulating layer formed on a light receiving surface of the light sensing section; a layer having negative electric charges formed on the insulating layer; and a hole accumulation layer formed on the light receiving surface of the light sensing section.
US08946835B2
A planarization process may planarize a media disk that has data trenches between data features and larger servo trenches between servo features. A filler material layer is deposited on the media disk and provides step coverage of the trenches. The filler material has data recesses over the data trenches and servo recesses over the servo trenches that must be removed to produce a planar media surface. A first planarization process is used to remove the data recesses and a second planarization process is used to remove the servo recesses.
US08946834B2
High thermal stability free layer with high out-of-plane anisotropy for magnetic device applications
A CoFeB or CoFeNiB magnetic layer wherein the boron content is 25 to 40 atomic % and with a thickness <20 Angstroms is used to achieve high perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and enhanced thermal stability in magnetic devices. A dusting layer made of Co, Ni, Fe or alloy thereof is added to top and bottom surfaces of the CoFeB layer to increase magnetoresistance as well as improve Hc and Hk. Another embodiment includes a non-magnetic metal insertion in the CoFeB free layer. The CoFeB layer with elevated B content may be incorporated as a free layer, dipole layer, or reference layer in STT-MRAM memory elements or in spintronic devices including a spin transfer oscillator. Thermal stability is increased such that substantial Hk is retained after annealing to at least 400° C. for 1 hour. Ku enhancement is achieved and the retention time of a memory cell for STT-MRAM designs is increased.
US08946831B2
A microphone system includes a diaphragm suspended by springs and including a sealing layer that seals passageways which, if left open, would degrade the microphone's frequency response by allowing air to pass from one side of the diaphragm to the other when the diaphragm is responding to an incident acoustic signal. In some embodiments, the sealing layer may include an equalization aperture to allow pressure to equalize on both sides of the diaphragm.
US08946825B2
During various processing operations, ions from process plasma may be transfer to a deep n-well (DNW) formed under devices structures. A reverse-biased diode may be connected to the signal line to protect a gate dielectric formed outside the DNW and is connected to the drain of the transistor formed inside the DNW.
US08946822B2
Apparatus and methods for precision mixed-signal electronic circuit protection are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a p-well, an n-well, a poly-active diode structure, a p-type active region, and an n-type active region. The poly-active diode structure is formed over the n-well, the p-type active region is formed in the n-well on a first side of the poly-active diode structure, and the n-type active region is formed along a boundary of the p-well and the n-well on a second side of the poly-active diode structure. During a transient electrical event the apparatus is configured to provide conduction paths through and underneath the poly-active diode structure to facilitate injection of carriers in the n-type active region. The protection device can further include another poly-active diode structure formed over the p-well to further enhance carrier injection into the n-type active region.
US08946817B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body including an inner region, and an edge region, a first doped device region of a first doping type in the inner region and the edge region and coupled to a first terminal, and at least one second doped device region of a second doping type complementary to the first doping type in the inner region and coupled to a second terminal. Further, the semiconductor device includes a minority carrier converter structure in the edge region. The minority carrier converter structure includes a first trap region of the second doping type adjoining the first doped device region, and a conductor electrically coupling the first trap region to the first doped device region.
US08946809B2
According to one embodiment, a method is disclosed for manufacturing a semiconductor memory device. The method includes forming a first stopper film forming a lower gate layer, making a recess in the lower gate layer, filling a sacrificial film into the recess, forming a second stopper film, making an opening in the second stopper film, forming a stacked body. The stacked body includes electrode films and insulating films. The method includes, making a slit in the stacked body, making a hole in the stacked body, removing the sacrificial film via the hole, forming a memory film including a charge storage film. The method includes forming a channel body on a side wall of the memory film. An etching rate of the first stopper film and the second stopper film is lower than an etching rate of the electrode films and the insulating films.
US08946805B2
A single poly EEPROM cell in which the read transistor is integrated in either the control gate well or the erase gate well. The lateral separation of the control gate well from erase gate well may be reduced to the width of depletion regions encountered during program and erase operations. A method of forming a single poly EEPROM cell where the read transistor is integrated in either the control gate well or the erase gate well.
US08946802B2
The specification and drawings present a new method, device and computer/software related product (e.g., a computer readable memory) are presented for realizing eDRAM strap formation in Fin FET device structures. Semiconductor on insulator (SOI) substrate comprising at least an insulator layer between a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer is provided. The (metal) strap formation is accomplished by depositing conductive layer on fins portion of the second semiconductor layer (Si) and a semiconductor material (polysilicon) in each DT capacitor extending to the second semiconductor layer. The metal strap is sealed by a nitride spacer to prevent the shorts between PWL and DT capacitors.
US08946801B2
An improved field effect transistors (FETs) and methods of manufacturing the field effect transistors (FETs) are provided. The method of manufacturing a zero capacitance random access memory cell (ZRAM) includes comprises forming a finFET on a substrate and enhancing a storage capacitance of the finFET. The enhancement can be by either adding a storage capacity to the finFET or altering a portion of the finFET after formation of a fin body of the finFET.
US08946791B2
A gate dielectric and a gate electrode are formed over a plurality of semiconductor fins. An inner gate spacer is formed and source/drain extension regions are epitaxially formed on physically exposed surface of the semiconductor fins as discrete components that are not merged. An outer gate spacer is subsequently formed. A merged source region and a merged drain region are formed on the source extension regions and the drain extension regions, respectively. The increased lateral spacing between the merged source/drain regions and the gate electrode through the outer gate spacer reduces parasitic capacitance for the fin field effect transistor.
US08946788B2
A method of growing a III-nitride-based epitaxial structure includes providing a substrate in an epitaxial growth reactor and heating the substrate to a predetermined temperature. The method also includes flowing a gallium-containing gas into the epitaxial growth reactor and flowing a nitrogen-containing gas into the epitaxial growth reactor. The method further includes flowing a gettering gas into the epitaxial growth reactor. The predetermined temperature is greater than 1000° C.
US08946785B2
An ionic field effect transistor includes: a substrate; a polymer layer that is formed on the substrate and in which a first flow path and a second flow path that is separately disposed from the first flow path are formed; and a gate electrode that is formed between the substrate and the polymer layer and that contacts the first flow path and the second flow path, wherein a heterogeneous triangular nanochannel that connects the first flow path and the second flow path is formed between the gate electrode and the polymer layer.
US08946771B2
The present disclosure relates to an enhancement mode gallium nitride (GaN) transistor device. The GaN transistor device has an electron supply layer located on top of a GaN layer. An etch stop layer (e.g., AlN) is disposed above the electron supply layer. A gate structure is formed on top of the etch stop layer, such that the bottom surface of the gate structure is located vertically above the etch stop layer. The position of etch stop layer in the GaN transistor device stack allows it to both enhance gate definition during processing (e.g., selective etching of the gate structure located on top of the AlN layer) and to act as a gate insulator that reduces gate leakage of the GaN transistor device.
US08946765B2
Semiconductor structures comprising a III-nitride (e.g., gallium nitride) material region and methods associated with such structures are provided. In some embodiments, the structures include an electrically conductive material (e.g., gold) separated from certain other region(s) of the structure (e.g., a silicon substrate) by a barrier material in order to limit, or prevent, undesirable reactions between the electrically conductive material and the other component(s) which can impair device performance. In certain embodiments, the electrically conductive material may be formed in a via. For example, the via can extend from a topside of the device to a backside so that the electrically conductive material connects a topside contact to a backside contact. The structures described herein may form the basis of a number of semiconductor devices including transistors (e.g., FET), Schottky diodes, light-emitting diodes and laser diodes, amongst others.
US08946757B2
Heat spreading substrate with embedded interconnects. In an embodiment in accordance with the present invention, an apparatus includes a metal parallelepiped comprising a plurality of wires inside the metal parallelepiped. The plurality of wires have a different grain structure than the metal parallelepiped. The plurality of wires are electrically isolated from the metal parallelepiped. The plurality of wires may be electrically isolated from one another.
US08946753B2
A light emitting diode including a substrate, a first semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second semiconductor layer is provided. The first semiconductor layer includes a first surface and a second surface, and the first surface is connected to the substrate. The active layer and the second semiconductor layer are stacked on the second surface in that order, and a surface of the second semiconductor layer away from the active layer is configured as the light emitting surface. A first electrode electrically is connected with the first semiconductor layer. A second electrode is electrically connected with the second semiconductor layer. A number of first three-dimensional nano-structures are located on the surface of the first surface of the first semiconductor layer. A number of second three-dimensional nano-structures are located on the substrate, and a cross section of each of the three-dimensional nano-structures is M-shaped.
US08946751B2
A semiconductor light emitting device includes a first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, an active layer and a second conductivity-type semiconductor layer sequentially stacked on a substrate. A first electrode is disposed on a portion of the first conductivity-type semiconductor layer. A current diffusion layer is disposed on the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer and includes an opening exposing a portion of the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer. A second electrode covers a portion of the current diffusion layer and the exposed portion of the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer, wherein the portion of the current diffusion layer is near the opening.
US08946741B2
A light emitting device having a plurality of light extracting elements defined on an upper surface of a semiconductor layer of the device, wherein the light extracting elements are adapted to couple light out of the device and to modify the far field emission profile of the device. Each element comprises an elongate region having a length at least twice its width and also greater than the effective dominant wavelength of light generated in the device. The elongate region extends orthogonal to the upper surface but not into the light emitting region of the device and may be oriented at an angle of less than 45° relative to one of a pair of basis axis defining a plane parallel to the semiconductor layer. Each elongate region is spatially separated from neighboring elongate regions such that it perturbs light generated in the light emitting region independently of the neighboring regions.
US08946736B2
An optoelectronic device comprising, a substrate and a first transition stack formed on the substrate comprising a first transition layer formed on the substrate having a hollow component formed inside the first transition layer, a second transition layer formed on the first transition layer, and a reflector rod formed inside the second transition layer.
US08946732B2
A touch panel and fabricating method thereof are provided. The patterned transparent conductive layer, disposed on the substrate, includes first electrodes. The photo-sensing layers are disposed on the first electrodes. The first patterned conductive layer includes gate electrodes, scan lines and second electrodes. The gate electrodes and the scan lines are disposed on the substrate. The second electrodes are disposed on the photo-sensing layers. The first electrodes, the photo-sensing layers and the second electrodes constitute photo-sensors. The second patterned conductive layer includes source electrodes and drain electrodes, wherein the gate electrodes, the channel layers, the source electrodes and the drain electrodes constitute read-out transistors and each of the read-out transistors is electrically connected to the corresponding photo-sensor respectively.
US08946727B2
There is provided a zinc oxide based compound semiconductor device in which drive voltage is not raised, property of crystal is satisfactory and device characteristics is excellent, even when the semiconductor device is formed by forming a lamination portion having a hetero junction of the ZnO based compound semiconductor layers. The zinc oxide based compound semiconductor device includes a substrate (1) made of MgxZn1-xO (0≦x≦0.5), the principal plane of which is a plane A (11-20) or a plane M (10-10), and single crystal layers (2) to (6) made of zinc oxide based compound semiconductor, which are epitaxially grown on the principal plane of the substrate (1) in such orientation that a plane parallel to the principal plane is a plane {11-20} or a plane {10-10} and a plane perpendicular to the principal plane is a plane {0001}.
US08946711B2
An organic light-emitting display device including: a substrate; a plurality of pixels each including a first electrode, a second electrode, and an organic emission layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a black matrix-containing neutral density (ND) film formed in a direction in which light is emitted from the plurality of pixels.
US08946708B2
The band tail state and defects in the band gap are reduced as much as possible, whereby optical absorption of energy which is in the vicinity of the band gap or less than or equal to the band gap is reduced. In that case, not by merely optimizing conditions of manufacturing an oxide semiconductor film, but by making an oxide semiconductor to be a substantially intrinsic semiconductor or extremely close to an intrinsic semiconductor, defects on which irradiation light acts are reduced and the effect of light irradiation is reduced essentially. That is, even in the case where light with a wavelength of 350 nm is delivered at 1×1013 photons/cm2·sec, a channel region of a transistor is formed using an oxide semiconductor, in which the absolute value of the amount of the variation in the threshold voltage is less than or equal to 0.65 V.
US08946703B2
To provide a method by which a semiconductor device including a thin film transistor with excellent electric characteristics and high reliability is manufactured with a small number of steps. After a channel protective layer is formed over an oxide semiconductor film containing In, Ga, and Zn, a film having n-type conductivity and a conductive film are formed, and a resist mask is formed over the conductive film. The conductive film, the film having n-type conductivity, and the oxide semiconductor film containing In, Ga, and Zn are etched using the channel protective layer and gate insulating films as etching stoppers with the resist mask, so that source and drain electrode layers, a buffer layer, and a semiconductor layer are formed.
US08946701B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a thin film transistor, an array substrate and a display device. The thin film transistor comprises a gate layer, a first insulating layer, an active layer, an etch stop layer and a source/drain electrode layer, wherein the active layer is made of a metal oxide material, the first insulating layer, the active layer, the etch stop layer and the source/drain electrode layer are sequentially stacked from bottom to top, the source/drain electrode layer contains an interval separating a source electrode and a drain electrode therein, the etch stop layer is located below the interval, and the etch stop layer has a width greater than that of the interval, and the first insulating layer comprises a laminate of a first sub-insulation layer and a second sub-insulation layer, the second sub-insulation layer is in contact with the active layer and made of an oxygen-rich insulating material.
US08946700B2
An object is to provide a method for manufacturing a highly reliable semiconductor device including thin film transistors which have stable electric characteristics and are formed using an oxide semiconductor. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes the steps of: forming an oxide semiconductor film over a gate electrode with a gate insulating film interposed between the oxide semiconductor film and the gate electrode, over an insulating surface; forming a first conductive film including at least one of titanium, molybdenum, and tungsten, over the oxide semiconductor film; forming a second conductive film including a metal having lower electronegativity than hydrogen, over the first conductive film; forming a source electrode and a drain electrode by etching of the first conductive film and the second conductive film; and forming an insulating film in contact with the oxide semiconductor film, over the oxide semiconductor film, the source electrode, and the drain electrode.
US08946697B1
Novel iridium complexes containing phenylpyridine and pyridyl aza-benzo fused ligands are described. Iridium complexes containing aza-benzo fused ligands in which an aryl group is conjugated to the aza ring of the specific aza-dibenzofuran ring system results in the formation of yellow phosphorescent compounds with superior device stability and efficiency. These complexes are useful as light emitters when incorporated into OLEDs.
US08946695B2
The present invention provides a new compound which may significantly improve the service life, efficiency, electrochemical stability, and thermal stability of an organic light emitting device, and an organic light emitting device which comprises an organic material layer comprising the compound.
US08946682B2
The present invention relates to novel donor-acceptor fluorene compounds, which can be used as for the fabrication of electroluminescent devices, and a process of preparing said novel compounds. More particularly, the present invention relates to amine donor and nitrile/ester acceptor fluorenes, fluorenones their π-conjugated systems and related compounds, processes for preparing the said compounds including oxidation of fluorenes to corresponding fluorenones and their use in preparing organic electronic devices such as organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), photovoltaic/solar cell, Field effect transistors and other useful electroluminescent devices. The compounds are prepared by reacting 2H-pyran-2-ones in isolated or rigid conformations with cyclic ketones containing methylene carbonyl moiety in the presence of a base in an organic solvent. The present invention also relates to a new concept and approach to overcome the problem of ‘Green emission defect’ in 9-unsubstituted fluorene-based organic light emitting diodes which occurs due to the conversion of fluorenes to fluorenones that show emission mainly in green-yellow region. In the present invention we have placed donor-acceptor substituents in such a way that donor-acceptor fluorenones show emission in the blue region (instead of green-yellow region) thus improving the blue color purity and overcoming the problem of green emission defect.
US08946680B2
A tunnel field effect transistor (TFET) includes a source region, the source region comprising a first portion of a nanowire; a channel region, the channel region comprising a second portion of the nanowire; a drain region, the drain region comprising a portion of a silicon pad, the silicon pad being located adjacent to the channel region; and a gate configured such that the gate surrounds the channel region and at least a portion of the source region.
US08946674B2
A layered group III-nitride article includes a single crystal silicon substrate, and a highly textured group III-nitride layer, such as GaN, disposed on the silicon substrate. The highly textured group III-nitride layer is crack free and has a thickness of at least 10 μm. A method for forming highly textured group III-nitride layers includes the steps of providing a single crystal silicon comprising substrate, depositing a nanostructured InxGa1-xN (1≧x≧0) interlayer on the silicon substrate, and depositing a highly textured group III-nitride layer on the interlayer. The interlayer has a nano indentation hardness that is less than both the silicon substrate and the highly textured group III-nitride layer.
US08946672B2
A resistance changing element according to the present invention comprises a first electrode (101) and a second electrode (103); and an ion conducting layer (102) that is formed between the first electrode (101) and the second electrode (103) and that contains at least oxygen and carbon.
US08946648B2
A spectrometer (100) for detecting a source of radioactive emissions having a detector (120) that produces a detector signal (20), with an amplifier (30) followed by a single digitizer (40) followed by a digital signal processing unit (50), within which the signal processing implements two distinct pathways (51, 52), and associated firmware to utilize the two resulting sets of processed data in nuclear isotope identification.
US08946640B2
Various techniques are disclosed for providing reference signals to image detectors in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. For example, in one or more embodiments, switched capacitors may be used to provide bias voltages to individual unit cells of a focal plane array such that the bias voltages are held by the unit cells over one or more integration periods while the unit cells are decoupled from an input line. As a result, the bias voltages may be free from noise incident on the input line and thus may more accurately bias the individual unit cells.
US08946639B2
In some embodiments, apparatus and systems, as well as methods, may operate to receive radiation at an active detector of a pair of radiation detectors to provide a first signal proportional to an intensity of the radiation, to receive none of the radiation at a blind detector of the pair of radiation detectors to provide a second signal proportional to the reception of no radiation, and to combine the first signal and the second signal to provide an output signal representing the difference between the first signal and the second signal. The pair of radiation detectors may comprise thermopile detectors. Combination may occur via differential amplification. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08946636B2
A method for generating an infrared (IR) beam for illuminating a scene to be imaged comprises providing at least two IR emitters, including a first IR emitter operable to emit a wide beam component of the IR beam, and a second IR emitter operable to emit a narrow beam component of the IR beam, wherein the wide beam component has a linear profile that has a lower standard deviation than a linear profile of the narrow beam component. The method also comprises selecting a desired linear profile for the IR beam, and selecting a power ratio of power directed to the first IR emitter and power directed to the second IR emitter that produces the IR beam with the desired linear profile when the narrow beam component and wide beam component are combined; and directing power to the first and second IR emitters at the selected power ratio to generate the wide and narrow beam components, and combining the generated wide and narrow beam components to produce the IR beam.
US08946634B2
A radiographic image capture device of the present invention includes: a radiation detection panel including a photoelectric conversion element that converts radiation into an electrical signal; a signal processing board that is disposed facing towards the radiation detection panel and that performs signal processing on electrical signals obtained by the radiation detection panel; a flexible substrate that includes wiring lines disposed on a base film provided between the radiation detection panel and the signal processing board and including a low wiring density region and a high wiring density region, and electronic component(s) that are electrically connected to the wiring lines; a reinforcement member that is provided at a low wiring density region and that raises the mechanical strength of the wiring lines.
US08946633B2
Terahertz wave detection device, terahertz wavelength filter, imaging device, and measurement device
A terahertz wave detection device includes a wavelength filter transmitting terahertz waves having a predetermined wavelength, and a detection portion detecting the terahertz waves having the predetermined wavelength that have passed through the wavelength filter by converting the terahertz waves into heat, wherein the wavelength filter includes a metal layer having a plurality of holes communicating with an incident surface onto which the terahertz waves are incident and an emission surface from which the terahertz waves having the predetermined wavelength are emitted, and a dielectric portion filling in the plurality of holes and made of a dielectric, wherein the plurality of holes are formed with a predetermined pitch along a direction that is perpendicular to a normal line of the incident surface.
US08946628B2
There is a limit in range and distance in which an electron beam can interfere and electron interference is implemented within a range of a coherence length. Therefore, interference images are consecutively recorded for each interference region width from an interference image of a reference wave and an observation region adjacent to the reference wave by considering that a phase distribution regenerated and observed by an interference microscopy is a differential between phase distributions of two waves used for interference and a differential image between phase distributions of a predetermined observation region and a predetermined reference wave is acquired by acquiring integrating phase distributions acquired by individually regenerating the interference images. This work enables a wide range of interference image which is more than a coherence length by arranging phase distribution images performed and acquired in the respective phase distributions in a predetermined order.
US08946625B2
In a mass spectrometer that uses a space-restricted magnetic field, such as an ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer, ions with a wide mass range generated in an ion supply located outside the magnetic field are transported in the direction of the magnetic field lines to an ion storage device located inside the magnetic field without losing ions by guiding the ions through the region in which the magnetic field strength increases with a special ion guide. This ion guide consists of an arrangement of coaxial ring diaphragms which are alternately supplied with the phases of an RF voltage. In an alternative embodiment, the ion guide uses two wires wound in a double helix where each wire is supplied with one phase of a two-phase RF voltage.
US08946610B2
The present invention provides a CMOS type semiconductor image sensor module in which the aperture ratio of the pixel is improved and at the same time chip use efficiency is attempted to be improved and furthermore, simultaneous shuttering of all the pixels is made possible, and a method of manufacturing the same. The semiconductor image sensor module of the present invention is constituted by laminating a first semiconductor chip including an image sensor in which a plurality of pixels, each constituted by a photoelectric conversion element and transistors, are arranged, and a second semiconductor chip including an A/D converter array. Preferably, a third semiconductor chip including a memory element array is further laminated. Also, a semiconductor image sensor module of the present invention is constituted by laminating a first semiconductor chip provided with the aforesaid image sensor and a fourth semiconductor chip provided with an analog type nonvolatile memory array.
US08946608B2
An automated method causes a terrestrial solar cell array to track the sun. The solar cell system includes motors that adjust a position of the array along different respective axes with respect to the sun, wherein a first motor adjusts the inclination angle of the array relative to the surface of the earth and a second motor rotates the array about an axis substantially perpendicular to that surface. The method includes (a) using a software algorithm to predict a position of the sun at a future time; (b) using a computer model to determine respective positions for the motors corresponding to the solar cell array being substantially aligned with the sun at the future time; and (c) activating and operating the motors at respective particular speeds so that at the future time the solar cell array is substantially aligned with the sun. The future time may correspond to any time during operation. An initial future time may correspond to a start up time after sunrise at which point the solar cell is to begin tracking the sun.
US08946607B2
Deployment and control actuation mechanisms are incorporated in unmanned aerial vehicles having folding wings and/or folding canards and/or a folding vertical stabilizer. The folding canards and folding vertical stabilizer can be deployed using respective four-bar over-center mechanisms. Elevators pivotably mounted to the folding canards and a rudder pivotably mounted to the folding vertical stabilizer can be controlled by means of respective twist link mechanisms. The folding wings have respective wing roots that are driven by respective gas springs to pivot on bearings about a wing root hub having control servo wire paths.
US08946605B2
Disclosed herein is a microwave heating device. A material conduit runs into and out of a microwave irradiation cavity through a cavity wall of the microwave irradiation cavity. A waveguide tube for guiding microwave is installed on the cavity wall. A heat exchange tube is disposed inside the material conduit and enters and leaves the material conduit from the nozzle or wall of the material conduit. The microwave heating device is used in chemical reactions. The microwave heating device may control the temperature of the material inside the material conduit under continuous irradiation of microwave.
US08946597B2
The subject of the invention is a method of obtaining a heated window, comprising depositing a continuous thin film of a transparent electronically conductive oxide, having a sheet resistance that is uniform over the entire area of the film, on a glass sheet; and subjecting the thin film to a plasma treatment in which a device that emits excited species of an oxygen plasma is placed facing a region of the thin film, and then a relative movement is created between the thin film and the device in order to treat differentially the various regions of the thin film, so that after the thin film has been treated it has regions with different sheet resistances.
US08946593B2
In a laser irradiation device, a patterning method and a method of fabricating an Organic Light Emitting Display (OLED) using the same. The laser irradiation device includes a light source, a mask, a projection lens, and a Fresnel lens formed at a predetermined portion of the mask to change an optical path. When an organic layer pattern is formed using the laser irradiation device, laser radiation is irradiated onto a region of an organic layer, which is to be cut, and the laser radiation is appropriately irradiated onto a region of the organic layer, which is to be separated from a donor substrate. The laser radiation irradiated onto an edge of the organic layer pattern has a laser energy density greater than that of the laser radiation irradiated onto other portions of the organic layer pattern. As a result, it is possible to form a uniform organic layer pattern and reduce damage of the organic layer.
US08946583B2
A method of controlling the position of a tilt/tilt style plasma arc torch relative to a workpiece for a bevel cutting operation is provided that includes: calculating a bevel pivot length, wherein the bevel pivot length is a function of a torch height; piercing the workpiece with the plasma arc torch; adjusting a position of the plasma arc torch by at least one linear offset value based on the bevel pivot length; rotating the plasma arc torch about its center of rotation to the desired cutting angle and maintaining a torch center point; and translating the plasma arc along its longitudinal axis to maintain a desired arc voltage between the plasma arc torch and the workpiece.
US08946577B2
In at least one embodiment, an auxiliary switch includes a rotation part and a switching lever assigned to a configuration of the auxiliary switch, the switching lever being embodied to detect a switching state of the electrical switch and transmit it to the rotation part. Further, different switching states of the auxiliary switch are set by different rotary positions of the rotation part, with the rotation part having at least two engagement points and with the switching lever assigned to a configuration engaging in the engagement point assigned to this configuration.
US08946576B2
The present invention is directed to a switch device that includes a first switch portion that is configured to rotate a first angular amount in a first direction about a first fixed axis of rotation and has a first pivot arm length. The first and second switch are coupled to the interface portion. The second switch portion rotates a second angular amount in a second direction and has a second pivot arm length. The second angular amount is greater than the first angular amount and a function of the first pivot arm length and the second pivot arm length. A set of switch contacts includes at least one fixed contact and a movable contact separated by a predetermined minimum distance that is a function of the first pivot arm length and the second pivot arm length.
US08946574B2
In one embodiment, an method apparatus includes an optically clear adhesive (OCA) layer between a cover sheet and a substrate. The substrate has drive or sense electrodes of a touch sensor disposed on a first surface and a second surface of the substrate. The first surface is opposite the second surface and the drive or sense electrodes are made of a conductive mesh of conductive material including metal.
US08946569B2
A multi-directional button assembly includes a first switch, a second switch, a support piece, a pressing slice, a center button body, and a directional button body. The first switch and the second switch respectively provide a first trigger point and a second trigger point to be pressed to generate a first trigger signal and a second trigger signal. The support piece is disposed above the first switch and includes an aperture corresponding to the first trigger point. The pressing slice extends from the support piece to a position above the second switch. The center button body includes an extension post and is pressed for driving the extension post to press the first trigger point via the aperture. The directional button body is disposed above the pressing slice and is pressed to bias the pressing slice to press the second trigger point without pressing the first trigger point.
US08946564B2
A packaging substrate having an embedded through-via interposer is provided, including an encapsulant layer, a through-via interposer embedded in the encapsulant layer and having a plurality of conductive through-vias therein, a redistribution layer embedded in the encapsulant layer and formed on the through-via interposer so as to electrically connect with first end surfaces of the conductive through-vias, and a built-up structure formed on the encapsulant layer and the through-via interposer for electrically connecting second end surfaces of the conductive through-vias. As such, the first end surfaces of the conductive through-vias are electrically connected to the redistribution layer to thereby be electrically connected to electrode pads of a semiconductor chip having smaller pitches, while the second end surfaces of the conductive through-vias electrically connect with conductive vias of the built-up structure having larger pitches, thereby allowing the packaging substrate to be coupled with the semiconductor chip.
US08946562B2
A printed circuit board includes a first layer stack and a second layer stack coupled to the first layer stack. The first layer stack includes a first electrically-insulating layer, a first electrically-conductive layer, and a cut-out area defining a void that extends therethrough. The first electrically-insulating layer includes a first surface and an opposite second surface. The first electrically-conductive layer is disposed on the first surface of the first electrically-insulating layer. The second layer stack includes a second electrically-insulating layer. The second electrically-insulating layer includes a first surface and an opposite second surface. One or more electrically-conductive traces are disposed on the first surface of the second electrically-insulating layer. The printed circuit board further includes a device at least partially disposed within the cut-out area. The device is electrically-coupled to one or more of the one or more electrically-conductive traces disposed on the first surface of the second electrically-insulating layer.
US08946553B2
A shield wire including a cylindrical braid defining a central passage, the cylindrical braid having an end portion folded into the central passage against itself to form an overlap portion. An electric wire extends through the central passage with an inner ring between the electric wire and the overlap portion. An outer ring surrounds the overlap portion and clamps to the inner ring to secure the overlap portion therebetween.
US08946546B2
Provided are methods of surface treatment of nanocrystal quantum dots after film deposition so as to exchange the native ligands of the quantum dots for exchange ligands that result in improvement in charge extraction from the nanocrystals.
US08946545B2
Disclosed is a photovoltaic device. The photovoltaic device includes: a substrate; a first electrode placed on the substrate; a second electrode which is placed opposite to the first electrode and which light is incident on; a first unit cell being placed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and including an intrinsic semiconductor layer including crystalline silicon grains making the surface of the intrinsic semiconductor layer toward the second electrode textured; and a second unit cell placed between the first unit cell and the second electrode.
US08946544B2
The present invention provides a photovoltaic device having an active face, an active area on the active face and an operating wavelength range; and a cover element attached to the photovoltaic device and disposed over the active area of the active face of the photovoltaic element, the cover element having an opacity of at least about 25%. The present invention also provides photovoltaic systems, arrays, roofs and methods using such photovoltaic devices. In one embodiment of the invention, the photovoltaic device is a photovoltaic roofing element in which a photovoltaic element is integrated with a roofing substrate.
US08946538B2
A method for converting heat to electric energy is described which involves thermally cycling an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes. The material is heated by extracting thermal energy from a gas to condense the gas into a liquid and transferring the thermal energy to the electrically polarizable material. An apparatus is also described which includes an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes and a heat exchanger for heating the material in thermal communication with a heat source, wherein the heat source is a condenser. An apparatus is also described which comprises a chamber, one or more conduits inside the chamber for conveying a cooling fluid and an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes on an outer surface of the conduit. A gas introduced into the chamber condenses on the conduits and thermal energy is thereby transferred from the gas to the electrically polarizable material.
US08946536B2
The present invention includes a method and apparatus for temporary dampening and temporary conversion of a wide range of an analog percussion surfaces into electronic percussive surfaces by means of a modular self-dampening trigger system attachable in an openly modular configuration to the underside of said analog percussive surfaces in a manner that allows physical variations to traverse different media and span distance and time and allowing for discrete detection and manipulation of said variations. A trigger system that is releasably attachable to an acoustic percussion element has a metal cover plate releasably affixable to an undersurface of the acoustic percussion element, the metal cover plate partially covering less than half of the undersurface. A plurality of piezo sensors are releasably affixable to the undersurface of the acoustic percussion element. A rubber dampening element with a footprint substantially similar to a footprint of the metal cover plate is formed from a flexible thin sheet of rubber with an opening corresponding to and aligned with each of the piezo sensors, the openings each sized slightly larger than the piezo sensor. The rubber dampening element is sandwiched between the undersurface of the cymbal and the metal cover plate.
US08946532B2
A protective apron that protects a soft-metal musical instrument, where in the apron may have one, two, or more layers. The outer layer prevents the soft-metal musical instrument from being scratched, dented, or tarnished while said instrument is being played. An inner layer may be used to inhibit moisture from the player from reaching the soft-metal musical instrument.
US08946528B2
Hybrids and derived cultivars of the rice cultivar designated ‘CL151’ are disclosed. The invention relates to hybrid rice seeds and plants produced by crossing the cultivar ‘CL151’ with another rice cultivar. The invention further relates to other derivatives of the rice cultivar ‘CL151.’
US08946525B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH164731. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH164731, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH164731 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 CH164731.
US08946514B2
Markers tightly associated with a sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) cms fertility restorer gene are identified, as well as genes containing the pentatrico peptide repeat (PPR) motif. Methods for marker assisted selection of restorer and non-restorer sorghum lines are provided. The markers can be used to facilitate development of the maintainer, restorer and cms sorghum lines used to make hybrids.
US08946513B2
A polyploid castor plant being at least as fertile as a diploid castor plant isogenic to the polyploid castor plant when grown under similar conditions.
US08946502B2
A sanitary napkin structure, particularly for a slight incontinence, said sanitary napkin structure comprising a first substantially permeable sheet, a second substantially impermeable sheet and an absorbing pad enclosed between said first and second sheets, characterized in that said absorbing pad comprises an absorbing pad layer including a flexible cotton fiber and a superabsorbing polymer matrix, wherein the cotton fibers in said matrix have a random orientation along three axes and do not have a preferential orientation in a X-Y plane.
US08946496B2
The invention relates to a process for preparing lower olefins from an oxygenate, the process comprising: subjecting C4 hydrocarbons obtained in an oxygenate-to-olefins conversion step to extractive distillation to an etherification step to convert isobutene into an alkyl tertiary butyl ether to obtain an isobutene-depleted C4 hydrocarbon stream and alkyl tertiary-butyl ether; subjecting the isobutene-depleted C4 hydrocarbon stream to extractive distillation to obtain a stream enriched in unsaturated C4 hydrocarbons and a stream enriched in saturated C4 hydrocarbons; and recycling at least part of the stream enriched in unsaturated C4 hydrocarbons and/or at least part of the alkyl tertiary-butyl ether to the oxygenate-to-olefins conversion step.
US08946495B2
A process is disclosed for making styrene and/or ethylbenzene by reacting toluene with a C1 source over a catalyst in at least one radial reactor to form a product stream comprising styrene and/or ethylbenzene.
US08946493B2
The present invention relates to a method for producing 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropane, involving reacting gaseous phase 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene with hydrogen in a superstoichimetric amount in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst in a reactor, and recirculating a part of the gaseous effluent from the reactor.
US08946490B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing fatty alcohols, in which a stream comprising at least one fatty acid triglyceride is provided and this stream is subjected to a hydrogenation in the presence of a heterogeneous copper catalyst.
US08946486B2
A method of forming an alkoxylated fluoroalcohol is accomplished by providing a boron compound having or providing at least one boron-oxygen bond and an iodine source. The boron compound and iodine source are combined with reactants of a fluoroalcohol and an alkylene oxide in the presence of a base. The reactants are allowed to react to form an alkoxylated fluoroalcohol reaction product.
US08946485B2
Disclosed is branched poly(trimethylene ether) polyols prepared from the acid catalyzed polycondensation reaction of 1,3-propanediol, and at least one triol comonomer selected from 1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)ethane and 1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)propane. Also disclosed is a branched poly(trimethylene ether) polyol with an equivalent hydroxyl functionality of about 2.1 to about 3.2 and a Mn of about 200 to about 6000. The polyols are useful in the preparation of polyurethane rigid and flexible foams.
US08946476B2
The present patent application relates to an alternative process for the preparation of amino derivatives. In particular, the present application relates to an improved process for the manufacture of Lacosamide (LCM), (R)-2-acetamido-N-benzyl-3-methoxypropion-amide, which is useful as an anticonvulsive drug. In a particular aspect, the present invention relates to a process of manufacture of optically enriched (R)-2-acetamido-N-benzyl-3-methoxypropion-amide (I) comprising resolution of 2-acetamido-N-benzyl-3-methoxypropion-amide (II).
US08946472B2
Bio-based terephthalic acid (bio-TPA), bio-based dimethyl terephthalate (bio-DMT), and bio-based polyesters, which are produced from a biomass containing a terpene or terpenoid, such as limonene are described, as well as the process of making these products. The bio-based polyesters include poly(alkylene terephthalate)s such as bio-based poly(ethylene terephthalate) (bio-PET), bio-based poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (bio-PTT), bio-based poly(butylene terephthalate) (bio-PBT), and bio-based poly(cyclohexylene dimethyl terephthalate) (bio-PCT).
US08946464B2
A hydrosilylation method is provided. In this hydrosilylation method, silylation of the carbon atom other than the terminal carbon atom and generation of the by-product isomer by internal migration of the double bond are suppressed without sacrificing the hydrosilylation reactivity, even if an olefin compound having tertiary amine atom which can be a catalyst poison was used. In the hydrosilylation, an olefin compound having carbon-carbon unsaturated bond, and a compound having hydrogensilyl group are reacted in the presence of an acid amide compound, a nitrile compound and an aromatic hydroxyl compound, or an organoamine salt compound, by using catalytic action of platinum and/or its complex compound.
US08946462B2
The invention relates to a process for preparing formic acid by reaction of carbon dioxide with hydrogen in a hydrogenation reactor in the presence of a transition metal complex as a catalyst comprising at least one element from group 8, 9 or 10 of the Periodic Table and at least one phosphine ligand with at least one organic radical having at least 13 carbon atoms, of a tertiary amine and of a polar solvent to form a formic acid-amine, adduct, which is subsequently dissociated thermally to formic acid and the corresponding tertiary amine. on unit.
US08946448B2
A semiconducting compound with the structure: where X1 and X2 are independently S, Se, SiR1R2, O, CR3R4, C2R5R6, N, NR7, where R1 to R7 independently comprise hydrogen, straight, branched or cyclic alkyl, akenyl or alkynyl groups, alkoxy, aryl, silyl or amino; where each of Ar1 to Ar4 is optional and independently comprises, if present, an aryl or heteroaryl group; and where Y1 to Y4 independently comprise hydrogen, reactive groups, optionally substituted straight, branched or cyclic alkyl, alkoxy, akenyl, alkynyl, amido or amino groups, optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl where at least one of Y1 to Y4 does not comprise hydrogen; and methods and devices related thereto.
US08946447B2
The invention relates to compounds of formula (I) where A1, A2, A3, A4, G, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined in claim 1; or a salt or JV-oxide thereof. Furthermore, the present invention relates to processes and intermediates for preparing compounds of formula (I), to insecticidal, acaricidal, nematicidal and molluscicidal compositions comprising the compounds of formula (I) and to methods of using the compounds of formula (I) to control insect, acarine, nematode and mollusc pests.
US08946446B2
The invention provides modulators for the orphan nuclear receptor RORy and methods for treating RORy mediated diseases by administrating these novel RORy modulators to a human or a mammal in need thereof. Specifically, the present invention provides pyrrolo sulfonamide compounds of Formula (1) and the enantiomers, diastereomers, tautomers, solvates and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
US08946441B2
The present invention relates to crystalline form I of Febuxostat as well as to pharmaceutical compositions comprising crystalline form I as an active pharmaceutical ingredient. Furthermore the present invention relates to a further polymorphic form of Febuxostat designated as form II and to a novel solvate of Febuxostat. The present invention also relates to methods of making crystalline form I, form II and the novel solvate of Febuxostat.
US08946434B2
The present invention is directed to novel dihydropyridin-2(1H)-one compounds useful as S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR) inhibitors and/or Neurokinin-3 (NK3) receptor antagonists, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and methods of making and using the same.
US08946432B2
Disclosed is a compound of formula (I): wherein ‘D’, ‘E’, ‘m’, ‘n’ and R1-R4 are as described herein, as a modulator of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors particularly the α7 subtype, in a subject in need thereof, as well as analogues, prodrugs, isotopically substituted analogs, metabolites, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, polymorphs, solvates, isomers, clathrates, and co-crystal thereof, for use either alone or in combinations with suitable other medicaments, and pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and analogues. Also disclosed are a process of preparation of the compounds and the intended uses thereof in therapy, particularly in the prophylaxis and therapy of disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, senile dementia, and the like.
US08946429B2
While methodologies for the Kinetic Resolution of alcohols are well established, no analogous direct methods exist for the highly selective, direct catalytic Kinetic Resolution of thiols (i.e., R—SH). The present invention relates to a method for resolving stereoisomeric mixtures of thiols. In particular, the present invention relates to purely organocatalytic mediated resolution of enantiomeric mixtures of thiols without the need for enzymes. Also disclosed are some novel catalysts. Such catalysts may comprise a cinchona alkaloid-derived moiety.
US08946420B2
Provided herein are novel neuromodulatory compounds and compositions thereof. In other embodiments, provided herein are methods of treatment, prevention, or amelioration of a variety of medical disorders such as, for example, migraine and Parkinson's disease, using the compounds and compositions disclosed herein. In still other embodiments, provided herein are methods of agonizing receptors such as, for example, the 5-HT1D and/or the 5-HT1B receptor, without agonizing the 5-HT2B receptor using the compounds and compositions disclosed herein. In still other embodiments, provided herein are methods of antagonizing or inhibiting activity at receptors such as, for example, the adrenergic alpha2A and/or the alpha2B receptors using the compounds and compositions disclosed herein. In other embodiments, provided herein are methods of agonizing dopaminergic D2 receptors and/or antagonizing or inhibiting activity of receptors such as the 5-HT2 receptors using the compounds and compositions disclosed herein.
US08946415B2
Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-based compounds of the formula: are disclosed, wherein R1, R2 and R3 are defined herein. Compositions comprising the compounds and methods of their use to treat, manage and/or prevent diseases and disorders mediated by adaptor associated kinase 1 activity are also disclosed.
US08946414B2
The present invention relates to the active pharmaceutical ingredient dipyridamole. In particular, it relates to efficient processes for the preparation of dipyridamole which are amenable to large scale commercial production and provide the required product with improved yield and purity. The present invention also relates to a novel crystallization method for the purification of dipyridamole.
US08946400B2
The subject matters of this invention are a sequence of double-stranded RNA: ATN-RNA, intervention using interference RNA (iRNAi), use of a sequence of double-stranded RNA: ATN-RNA, a method of treating a brain tumor and a method of inhibiting a brain tumor cells which express tenascin, a kit for inhibiting cancer cell which expresses tenascin and a method for a kit preparation in a brain tumor therapy. Malignant gliomas preferentially express a number of surface markers that may be exploited as therapeutic targets, including tenascin-C, an extracellular matrix glycoprotein that is ubiquitously expressed by malignant gliomas and probably contributes to tumor cell adhesion, invasion, migration and proliferation. For tenascin-C inhibition, RNA interference intervention (iRNAi) approach have been applied.
US08946388B2
The present invention provides antibodies useful as therapeutics for treating and/or preventing diseases associated with cells expressing GT468, including tumor-related diseases such as breast Cancer, lung Cancer, gastric Cancer, ovarian Cancer, hepatocellular Cancer, colon Cancer, pancreatic Cancer, esophageal Cancer, head & neck Cancer, kidney Cancer, in particular renal cell Carcinoma, prostate Cancer, liver cancer, melanoma, sarcoma, myeloma, neuroblastoma, placental choriocarcinoma, cervical cancer, and thyroid Cancer, and the metastatic forms thereof. In one embodiment, the rumor disease is metastatic cancer in the lung.
US08946385B2
An objective of the present invention is to provide chimeric receptors containing a mouse Fcγ receptor extracellular domain and a human Fcγ receptor transmembrane domain, or chimeric receptors containing a mouse Fcγ receptor extracellular domain and a human γ chain transmembrane domain. Another objective of the present invention is to provide methods for measuring the ADCC activity of mouse antibodies and methods of screening for mouse antibodies having ADCC activity, using the chimeric receptors.To accomplish the above-mentioned objectives, the present inventors produced chimeric molecules by fusing the extracellular domain of mouse FcγR3 or mouse FcγR4 with the transmembrane domain/intracellular domain of human γ chain or human FcγR3, and expressed the chimeric molecules in human NK92 cells. It was revealed that the ADCC activity can be induced by the chimeric receptors produced by any combination of the domains, and that the ADCC activity of mouse antibodies can be measured using the chimeric receptors of the present invention.
US08946378B2
Conducting polymer systems for hole injection or transport layer applications including a composition comprising: a water soluble or water dispersible regioregular polythiophene comprising (i) at least one organic substituent, and (ii) at least one sulfonate substituent comprising sulfonate sulfur bonding directly to the polythiophene backbone. The polythiophene can be water soluble, water dispersible, or water swellable. They can be self-doped. The organic substituent can be an alkoxy substituent, or an alkyl substituent. OLED, PLED, SMOLED, PV, and ESD applications can be used.
US08946374B2
A polyurethane resin composition for optical applications can contain, as essential components, a polyisocyanate and a polyester-ether polyol obtained by polycondensation of a glycol component containing an alkylene oxide adduct of a bisphenol and an aromatic carboxylic acid component and particularly preferably having a glass transition temperature of 50° C. or lower. An optical material using the composition is also provided for.
US08946363B2
Solid, particulate catalysts comprising bridged bis indenyl π-ligands are disclosed, together with methods for the preparation and use thereof, for example, in olefin polymerization.
US08946360B2
The present invention relates to a process for continuously preparing polymer by RAFT solution polymerization, the process comprising: introducing into a flow reactor a reaction solution comprising one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers, RAFT agent, non-reactive solvent and free radical initiator; and promoting RAFT polymerization of the one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers within the reactor so as to form a polymer solution that flows out of the reactor.
US08946357B2
A solution is a liquid organosilicon compound represented by general formula (1) as described below: wherein, X is each independently a group represented by formula (I), formula (II) or formula (III) as described below, and when the number of the group represented by formula (I) per one molecule of the liquid organosilicon compound represented by general formula (1) is defined as a, the number of the group represented by formula (II) per one molecule thereof is defined as b, and the number of the group represented by formula (III) per one molecule thereof is defined as c, 0≦a≦3.5, 0≦b≦3.5, and 0≦c≦1 are obtained, and also a+b+2c=4 is obtained:
US08946356B2
A resin composition having a high thermal aging property and molding stability in mass production of molded articles while keeping molding fluidity and thermal creep resistance is provided. A resin composition, containing 100 parts by mass in total of a polypropylene resin (a) and a polyphenylene ether resin (b), and 1 to 20 parts by mass of a compatibilizer (c), wherein in the component (a), the proportion of the component having a molecular weight of 30,000 or less is from 3.0 to 5.1% of the entire component (a), and the proportion of the component having a molecular weight of 10,000,000 or more is from 1.0 to 1.6% of the entire component (a).
US08946350B2
Provided are a curable composition and its use. The curable composition can exhibit excellent processibility and workability. The curable composition exhibits excellent light extraction efficiency, hardness, thermal and shock resistance, moisture resistance, gas permeability and adhesiveness, after curing. In addition, the curable composition can provide a cured product that exhibits long-lasting durability and reliability even under harsh conditions, and that does not cause whitening and surface stickiness.
US08946348B2
Various processes and methods are disclosed for incorporating polyvinyl alcohol additives into products. In one embodiment, polyvinyl alcohol particles are dissolved in a solvent without the use of external heat to form a polyvinyl alcohol solution for incorporation into a product. In an alternative embodiment, polyvinyl alcohol particles are directly incorporated into a starch-based adhesive composition. Through the processes of the present disclosure, solid polyvinyl alcohol particles can be delivered directly to a manufacturing facility where the product that incorporates the polyvinyl alcohol additive is being made or formulated. In this manner, since the polyvinyl alcohol particles are not predissolved, the costs associated with shipping and transporting the polyvinyl alcohol product are greatly reduced.
US08946337B2
Provided are a thermoplastic resin composition including a thermoplastic resin and an amorphous sheet-shaped metal particle having a ratio of thickness relative to long diameter of about 1:20 to about 1:1, and a molded product using the same.
US08946329B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards coating compositions comprising from 50 to 85 percent of an aqueous dispersion based on a total weight of the coating composition; a stabilizing solvent composition comprising a first alcohol and a second alcohol, wherein each alkyl chain of the first alcohol and the second alcohol is one to three carbon atoms, with the proviso that neither the first alcohol nor the second alcohol is propylene glycol; a basic water composition; and a crosslinker.
US08946326B2
Bimodal high density polyethylene composition for producing molded articles comprising—an ethylene homopolymer or an ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer which is a bimodal high density polymer (COMPONENT A) in combination with—an alphanucleating agent (COMPONENT B),—a slip agent being a primary fatty acid amide, (COMPONENT C) and—one or more additives selected from antioxidants, acid scavengers, pigments and UV-stabilizers (COMPONENT D), the composition showing an increased the crystallization temperature and a decreased coefficient of friction compared to a bimodal HDPE composition prepared with the sole use of nucleating agent and compared to the sole use of a slip agent; and its use for producing injection molded articles, especially caps and closures.
US08946321B2
Disclosed herein is a composition having a thermoset polymer and a plurality of hollow microsphere homogenously dispersed in the composition. The polymer is a cyanate ester thermoset, a phthalonitrile thermoset, a crosslinked acetylene thermoset, or a hydrosilation thermoset. Also disclosed herein is a method of: providing a thermosetting compound; adding microspheres to the thermosetting compound; and mixing the thermosetting compound while initiating crosslinking of the thermosetting compound.
US08946315B2
The invention relates to hydrophilic, aliphatic polyurethane foams, which are accessible by reacting hydrophilic polyisocyanates in the presence of water. Due to the absorption properties thereof, the polyurethane foams are in particular suited for producing wound dressings, cosmetic articles or incontinence products.
US08946310B2
Compositions suitable for producing polyurethane foams which include at least a polyol component, a catalyst catalyzing the formation of a urethane or isocyanurate bond, optionally a blowing agent, optionally further additives and optionally an isocyanate component, which are characterized in that they additionally include an admixture including at least one specific amide and at least one siloxane compound, wherein the mass ratio of siloxane compounds to compounds of formula (I) is above 1:10.
US08946308B2
The invention relates to a process for increasing the carbon monoxide content of a feed gas mixture comprising carbon dioxide, hydrogen and carbon monoxide via a catalytic reversed water gas shift reaction, comprising the steps of (1) heating the feed gas mixture having an initial feed temperature of at most 350° C. in a first zone to a temperature within a reaction temperature range in the presence of a first catalyst; and (2) contacting the heated feed gas in a second zone within the reaction temperature range with a second catalyst. This process shows relatively high conversion of carbon dioxide, and virtually no methane or coke is being formed, allowing stable operation.
US08946305B2
The disclosure provides a method for crosslinking a colloid, including: (a) providing a colloid solution; (b) adding a crosslinking agent and solid particles to the colloid solution, wherein the amount of solid particles added is enough to convert the colloid solution into a solid mixture, and wherein a crosslinking reaction proceeds in the solid mixture; and (c) removing the solid particles from the solid mixture.
US08946303B2
To maintain physical fitness and health of middle-aged and older persons living in the threshold of the aging society, the present invention provides a fatigue reducing agent which is highly effective for preventing and reducing fatigue, wherein the agent is made of a composition of substances that are very safe so that long-term administration is possible. A composition containing reduced coenzyme Q was found to be effective for preventing and reducing fatigue, including muscle fatigue. Since the fatigue reducing effect of the composition of the present invention is seen not only in young rats but also more pronounced in aged rats, the present invention can provide the fatigue reducing agent which is very useful, especially, for middle-aged and older persons as well as for young people.
US08946302B2
The invention provides compounds of the formulas described herein and compositions thereof. The invention further provides methods of using the compounds and compositions. The compounds of the invention can provide high affinity binding to sigma-1 receptors in a mammal. The compounds can exhibit selectivity for the sigma-1 receptor over the sigma-2 receptor. The compounds and compositions of the invention can also be used to treat conditions that involve the sigma-1 receptor, such as addiction, cardiovascular conditions, and cancer, for example, cancer of the breast, lung, prostate, ovarian, colorectal, or the CNS.
US08946299B2
A product comprising a calixarene for its use in the treatment of pathologies involving at least one bacterial strain having a resistance to at least one defined antibiotic, on patients undergoing simultaneous or sequential treatment with a given antibiotic to which said bacterial strain optionally has a resistance.
US08946292B2
The present invention is directed to a pharmaceutical composition containing a unit dose of a diclofenac compound effective to induce analgesia; and a beta-cyclodextrin compound; wherein the dose of the diclofenac compound is less than 75 mg, e.g., from about 18.75 mg to about 37.5 mg. The present invention is also directed to methods of treating a subject in need of analgesia with the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention.
US08946272B2
The invention relates to crystalline forms of 4-[3,5-bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)-[1,2,4]triazol-1-yl]benzoic acid and to its amorphous form, to processes for the preparation thereof, to compositions containing the same and their uses for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of the human body.
US08946267B2
A therapeutic agent or a prophylactic agent for neuropathic pain provides a synergistically-enhanced analgesic effect at a dose at which a calcium channel α2δ ligand does not produce any side effects as well as which agent does not produce any new side effects on the central nervous system. The therapeutic agent or a prophylactic agent for neuropathic pain includes as effective ingredients a cyclohexane derivative, represented by the following formula, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a prodrug thereof, and a calcium channel α2δ ligand.
US08946261B2
The present invention relates to novel substituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolin-7-yl carbamates, their preparation, and use as therapeutic agents, particularly in the prevention or treatment of neurodegenerative or Alzheimer's disease, or senile dementia, or memory disturbances, and more particularly to the prevention, treatment and amelioration of Alzheimer's disease with the novel substituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolin-7-yl carbamates, which act as inhibitors of central cholinesterase enzymes, particularly acetylcholinesterase (AChE) following the indirect cholinomimetic pathway. The present invention particularly relates to compounds of formula A: Formula A wherein R1=alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl; R2=H, methyl; R3=H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aralkyl, substituted aralkyl, aryl, heteroaryl.
US08946247B2
The invention provides novel quinazoline carboxamide azetidine compounds according to Formula (I) and use for the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases, such as cancer.
US08946244B2
The present invention relates to 2′-Fluoro-6′-methylene carbocyclic nucleosides, pharmaceutical compositions containing these nucleosides and their use in the treatment or prophylaxis of a number of viral infections and secondary disease states and conditions thereof, especially including Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and secondary disease states and conditions thereof (cirrhosis and liver cancer), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), Herpes Simplex virus I and II (HSV-1 and HSV-2), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) and Epstein Barr virus (EBV) and secondary cancers which occur thereof (lymphoma, nasopharyngeal cancer, including drug resistant (especially including lamivudine and/or adefovir resistant) and other mutant forms of these viruses.
US08946240B2
Compounds are provided that act as potent antagonists of the CCR1 receptor, and have in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. The compounds are 4-amino-3-imidazoyl-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine derivatives and are useful in pharmaceutical compositions, methods for the treatment of CCR1-mediated disease, and as controls in assays for the identification of competitive CCR1 antagonists.
US08946237B2
The invention encompasses pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives which selectively inhibit microtubule affinity regulating kinase (MARK) and are therefore useful for the treatment or prevention of Alzheimer's disease. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use are also included.
US08946235B2
The present invention relates to certain 2-(2,4,5-substituted-anilino)pyrimidine compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof which may be useful in the treatment or prevention of a disease or medical condition mediated through certain mutated forms of epidermal growth factor receptor (for example the L858R activating mutant, the Exon19 deletion activating mutant and the T790M resistance mutant). Such compounds and salts thereof may be useful in the treatment or prevention of a number of different cancers. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds and salts thereof, especially useful polymorphic forms of these compounds and salts, intermediates useful in the manufacture of said compounds and to methods of treatment of diseases mediated by various different forms of EGFR using such compounds and salts thereof.
US08946233B2
In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds having the formula: wherein: Ar, Z, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. These compounds have AT1 receptor antagonist activity and neprilysin inhibition activity. In another aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods of using such compounds; and process and intermediates for preparing such compounds.
US08946232B2
The present disclosure relates to compounds effective as human protein tyrosine phosphatase beta (HPTP-β) inhibitors thereby regulating angiogenesis. The present disclosure further relates to compositions comprising said human protein tyrosine phosphatase beta (HPTP-β) inhibitors, and to methods for regulating angiogenesis.
US08946221B2
The present invention provides compounds of formula (I), their use as PARP inhibitors as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, L1, L2, X, Y, Q and Z have defined meanings.
US08946213B2
Alkylated piperazine compounds of Formula I are provided, including stereoisomers, tautomers, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, useful for inhibiting Btk kinase, and for treating cancer mediated by Btk kinase. Methods of using compounds of Formula I for in vitro, in situ, and in vivo diagnosis, and treatment of cancer in mammalian cells, or associated pathological conditions, are disclosed.
US08946211B2
A compound represented by the general formula: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a solvate thereof, wherein Ring A is a C6-14 aryl group or the like, L is —NReCO— or the like (wherein Re is a hydrogen atom or the like), Ring B is a C6-14 aryl group or the like, X is a C1-3 alkylene group or the like, Y is a single bond or the like, Z is a C1-3 alkylene group or the like, R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom or the like, and R3, R4, R5 and R6 are independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or the like, has an Aβ production inhibitory effect or a BACE1 inhibitory effect and is useful as a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for a neurodegenerative disease caused by Aβ and typified by Alzheimer-type dementia.
US08946207B2
The present invention provides processes and intermediates for the preparation of 3-benzazepines and salts thereof which can be useful as serotonin (5-HT) receptor agonists for the treatment of, for example, central nervous system disorders such as obesity.
US08946206B2
Provided herein are methods, drug formulations, and dosing regimens for improving cognitive function in a normal or cognitively impaired subject. For instance, methods provided herein comprise administering a GABAA receptor antagonist so that peak concentration of the GABAA receptor antagonist occurs when the subject is asleep.
US08946201B2
The present invention provides methods for inhibiting or blocking TGF-β activity in cells and/or tissues expressing TGF-β comprising, contacting cells and/or tissues expressing TGF-β with an amount of cholesterol or cholesterol derivative effective to inhibit the activity of TGF-β. The present invention further provides a method for treating a condition associated with overactivity of TGF-β or negative regulation in normal physiology by TGF-β in a subject in need of treatment, comprising contacting cells and/or tissue overexpressing TGF-β in the subject with an amount of cholesterol or cholesterol derivative effective to inhibit activity of TGF-β thereby treating the condition. In a preferred embodiment, the cholesterol derivative is oxidized 7-DHC.
