US07685644B2
A method of managing user access to data includes detecting that a user seeks access to a data portion that belongs to a specified category. One or more authorizations are evaluated, each authorization having an authorization segment corresponding to the specified category. The method includes permitting the sought access to the data portion if at least one of the authorization segments corresponding to the specified category identifies the data portion to which access is sought. The method may permit access to data that falls within a union of granted authorizations. An authorization segment may correspond to a data dimension or to a meta dimension, such as an authorized action or data source, that does not directly relate to a data dimension.
US07685643B2
A system and method for managing non-free multimedia contents in an intranet. The system includes proxy managers provided in a server of the intranet, for example, a media center or set-top box, and clients, for example, DRM smart clients in wired/wireless digital information appliances, such as Digital TVs or PDAs. Various kinds of encrypted multimedia contents and license information are converted by the proxy managers into multimedia contents and license information having a format executable by the DRM smart clients.
US07685637B2
A method and system for ensuring system security is disclosed. The method and system split a regular expression that corresponds to a number of patterns into sub-expressions. The dependency relationships among the finite automata that correspond to the sub-expressions are maintained. Then, as data units are put through these finite automata in a sequence that is based on the dependency relationships, suspected data units are identified. The suspected data units are the ones containing content that collectively matches one or more of the aforementioned patterns. Identification of the suspected data units is based on the merged results of the finite automata. Depending on the result of identifying the suspected data units, different actions are performed.
US07685632B2
A facility for performing an access control check is provided. The facility receives a request to perform an access control check to determine whether authorization exists to access a resource. The access control check is performed against the identity of a principal, a policy that applies to the principal, and the identity of the resource the principal wants to access. The principal may either be an application program or a combination of an application program and an identity of a user in whose context the application program is executing.
US07685625B2
Disclosed is an image reproducing apparatus for updating a channel map, and a method thereof. The image reproducing apparatus includes an identification (ID) detector for detecting the ID of a broadcast information card when a broadcast information card is mounted, a comparing unit for comparing the ID of the broadcast information card detected by the detector with the ID of a existing broadcast information card, the ID being received from a broadcast station and stored in a storage unit, a deleting unit for deleting an existing first channel map when the ID of the detected broadcast information card is different from the ID of the existing broadcast information card, and a receiving unit for receiving data including a new second channel map from the broadcast station in place of the first channel map deleted by the deleting unit. Accordingly, accurate update conditions are proposed, thereby enhancing user convenience and increasing accuracy.
US07685624B2
Satellite receiving channel data 810 are described in a network information table (NIT) in a random fashion. Frequencies in the redelivering facility in a community receiving system are arranged in order of increasing frequencies for each of the networks. In a receiver unit, the frequencies 753 of the satellite receiving channel data 810 are rearranged in order of increasing frequencies and are registered to the receiving frequencies 831 in a frequency conversion table 830. The receiver unit selects the frequency according to wire frequencies 822 of a wire channel 821 in a wire frequency table 820 and registers the wire frequency of a channel that can be normally received to a conversion frequency 832 in the frequency conversion table 830. Therefore, the frequency data contained in the broadcast signals before being redelivered are corresponded to the redelivering frequency of signals really transmitted through a cable on the receiver unit side in the community receiving system.
US07685620B2
The present invention is an apparatus and method for allowing a user to search for specific content across many television channels in order to locate desirable television shows related to the searched content. Multiplexed cable signals flow thorough a logical unit which buffers text associated with the voice stream of each station via the pre-encoded closed-captioning signal or through the real-time voice translation within the logical unit. The user then enters search terms through one of a variety of different input devices. Upon entry of the search terms, the logical unit will compare the entered term with those available keywords stored in each buffer. Lexical parsing associates terms which may differ from plural to singular forms, or in tense. Additionally, synonym comparisons may be made. The logical unit will return a list of matches for the search criteria and allows the user the option of going directly to the television program. The logical unit also evaluates each returned item for its relevancy to the keywords. When not in use, the logical unit maintains a quiescent but monitoring state permitting continuous creation of lexical buffers. This permits the user who turns the television on to immediately have such search terms available. Alternatively, the logic is implemented at the cable provider and enabled through interactive links to the home. In that case, the home logical unit is unnecessary.
US07685602B1
A multi-node processing system includes a plurality of nodes in which various software components may be executed. To coordinate the control of the software components in the plural nodes, an instance of a manager module may be started in each of the nodes. In one example arrangement, the manager module may include a WINDOWS® NT or WINDOWS® 2000 service control manager. In the WINDOWS® NT or WINDOWS® 2000 environment, the software components that are controlled through the service control manager may be services. To perform control of the various software components, requests may be sent to the manager module instance in each of the nodes. The manager module then launches one or more server services in each node to perform the desired control task, which may be start the software component, monitor the software component, or terminate the software component.
US07685594B2
The present invention provides a method of configuring a package that enables the reduction of load on a network without a temporary need for a large recording area on the client side when reconfiguring a software package from given components. A second computer receives, from a first computer, combination information on a combination of one or more components and position information indicating storage locations of components recorded in the first computer, receives a selection of given components from a user, determines the combination of the components selected based on the combination information, receives the selected components based on the determination of the combination and the position information corresponding to the selected components, and configures the secondary software package using the received components.
US07685590B2
Implementations provide a technology for generating a minimum delta between at least two program binaries. An implementation is given a source program (S) in a binary format and a target program (T) in a binary form. It constructs control flow graphs (CFGs) of each. It matches common blocks of the S's CFGs and T's CFGs. The blocks are matched based upon their content and their local neighborhoods. In addition, the register renaming problems is solved so that blocks can be fairly compared. This implementation produces an intermediate output, which is the content of unmatched blocks. It generates a set of edge edit operations for merging the unmatched blocks into S. The combination of the unmatched blocks and the edit operations is the delta. To patch S to produce a reconstructed copy of T, the delta is merged with S.
US07685581B2
A representation of types, type-checker, method and compiler are provided for checking consistency in various forms of an intermediate language. Specifically, the typed intermediate language is suitable for use in representing programs written in multiple (heterogeneous) source languages including typed and untyped languages, loosely and strongly typed languages, and languages with and without garbage collection. An unknown type representation indicates that an element of the intermediate language is associated with an unknown type. A method of type-checking a code segment written in a programming language is provided using a rule set that contains rules for type-checking an unknown type. The unknown type allows for selectively retaining type information as the compilation process continues and allows multiple programming languages to be type-checked by the same type system.
US07685572B1
A method for detecting a race condition using static analysis that includes determining a first permit set and a second permit set, and performing a static analysis, wherein the static analysis comprises using the first permit set and the second permit set to detect a race condition, wherein the static analysis is performed before accessing critical data and includes determining whether the intersection of the first permit set and the second permit set is empty, and if the intersection of the first permit set and the second permit set is empty, then outputting a value indicating the detection of a race condition.
US07685570B2
An error/exception helper may provide tailored help when an error such as an exception is generated. A source program editor interface may be displayed and/or focus given to the program editor interface. An error/exception bubble or tool tip may be displayed, which, in one embodiment of the invention, points to the line of code that generated the exception. The error/exception bubble may include a link to a help topic or the actual help text may be displayed within the bubble. The bubble may also include one or more actions that may be taken to correct the error or a link to a procedure to perform the action(s). The source code may be edited, actions initiated and execution re-initiated at which time the bubble and editor interface display may be dismissed.
US07685569B2
A method for providing a maintenance environment for computer program code is disclosed. According to the method, portions of the computer program code are selectively stored and one or more lists of the stored portions are created. Links are created between the lists and the stored portions of the computer program code for navigational purposes. A system for providing a maintenance environment for computer program code and a computer program product for the same purpose are also disclosed.
US07685563B2
An extensible project system for software development is provided by allowing a flavor, with a specific purpose, to be applied to a base project system. More than one flavor may be applied. Where components are distributed objects, such as where COM (component object model) is used, the project system is assembled by aggregation of a base project object, which contains some data for creating a project system with a flavor object, which modifies the project system. The base project object is the participating object in the aggregation and the flavor object is the controlling object. Multiple flavors may be applied to create a project system intended for multiple purposes, corresponding to the applied flavors.
US07685562B2
A method and code generator system for integrating different enterprise business applications is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for integrating a local business system with an external business system, comprises using a code generator to generate integration source code, wherein using a code generator comprises; interrogating a repository containing integration data by an introspector; and using the integration data with a code filter, wherein the filter generates the integration source code.
US07685557B2
A mask, a method for creating a mask, and a method for irradiating a substrate through use of the mask. Creating the mask establishes the mask by designing the mask, forming the mask, or both designing and forming the mask. Creating the mask includes receiving a specified target transmittance (TS) of the substrate with respect to radiation propagated from a radiation source and transmitted through the mask with spatial selectivity in accordance with a spatially varying transmissivity (TM) of the mask with respect to the radiation. The mask is disposed between the radiation source and the substrate. The mask includes transparent portions and reflective portions distributed within the transparent portions. The first radiation after having passed through the mask is transmitted into the substrate in accordance with a spatially varying reflectance (R) of the substrate such that TM*(1−R) is about equal to TS.
US07685541B1
Translation of high-level design blocks into a design specification in a hardware description language (HDL). Each block in the high-level design is assigned to a group. A set of attributes is identical between the blocks in a group. For each group of blocks, a respective set of parameters having different values on subblocks of at least two blocks in the group is determined. An HDL specification is generated for each group. The HDL specification for a group has for each parameter in the set of parameters, a parameter input.
US07685539B2
Systems and methods for a user interface for stylus-based user input is described. In one aspect, a stylus-based user input is received. Responsive to receiving the input, a menu is displayed. The menu includes selectable items to allow a user, by selecting one of the selectable items, to direct the computer system to generate right-mouse button input or to interpret one or more subsequent stylus-based user inputs as hover cursor input, keyboard-like input, or handwriting input.
US07685537B2
A method and apparatus for providing an automatically upgradeable software application includes targeted advertising based upon demographics and user interaction with the computer. The software application is accessible from a server via the network and demographic information on the user is acquired by the server and used for determining what advertising will be sent to the user. The software application includes programming that accesses the sewer to determine if one or more components of the application need upgrading. If so, the components can be downloaded and installed without further action by the user. A distribution tool is provided for software distribution and upgrading over the network. Also provided is a user profile that is accessible to any computer on the network. Furthermore, multiple users of the same computer can possess Internet web resources and files that are personalized, maintained and organized.
US07685534B2
A three-dimensional browser wherein in an exemplary embodiment, information from a uniform resource locator is converted into at least one texture. The texture is mapped onto a surface of a three-dimensional object located in a virtual three-dimensional space in order to provide a three-dimensional navigation mechanism. In an alternate arrangement an event associated with an image is intercepted and the location of the event in the corresponding geometric surface of the virtual three-dimensional space is computed. This location is converted to a two-dimensional coordinate and thereafter information pertaining to the event is placed on the surface on the three-dimensional object in the virtual three-dimensional space.
US07685532B2
A method for displaying a plurality of key icons on a display includes displaying a first screen on the display, the first screen having at least one first key icon and a plurality of second key icons, wherein the first key icon corresponds to a first input instruction while each of the second key icons respectively corresponds to a respective one of a set of second input instructions; and displaying a second screen on the display, the second screen having at least one third key icon and a pull down menu, wherein the third key icon is bigger than the first key icon but corresponds to the first input instruction, and the pull down menu corresponds to the set of second input instructions.
US07685529B2
A graphical user interface is disclosed for providing a visual and/or numeric aid facilitating the use formatting styles in word processing application programs and others. Visual and numeric indicators are assigned to all styles defined within the word processing application program. The visual indicator may be a unique color assigned and applied to each defined style. Upon launching the visual aids functionality, each style name in a styles pallet is displayed with its assigned visual and numeric indicators. The visual and numeric indicators are also displayed along side the text, with text of a given style being displayed with the visual and numeric indicator assigned to the style name. Thus, the visual aids allow a user to quickly ascertain which styles are applied to what text.
US07685525B2
A transaction module having a summary interface is provided as part of a software suite for enabling viewing and manipulation of multiple categories of aggregated data compiled from a plurality of data sources and accessible through a single interfacing node operated on a data-packet-network. The transaction module comprises, an interactive main interface accessible through the summary interface, the main interface for listing new transactions related to registered financial accounts, an interactive history link embedded in the main interface for providing access to a secondary interface for viewing transaction history, an interactive menu provided within the main interface for assigning categories to the listed transactions, an interactive save feature for saving category assignments to the listed transactions; a interactive bill-payment link provided within the main interface for linking the interface to a bill-payment module and an interactive transfer-funds link provided within the summary interface of the module for linking the summary face of the module to a secondary interface for transferring funds from one account to another. A user operating the main interface from a remote node having access to the data-packet-network may view all transactions according to option of category, account, and time period.
US07685524B2
The invention enables users to virtually attach information to situations in the real world, and also enables users to quickly and easily find out desired information. An IR sensor receives an IR signal transmitted from an IR beacon, and supplies the received signal to a sub-notebook PC. A CCD video camera takes in a visual ID from an object, and supplies the inputted visual ID to the sub-notebook PC. A user inputs, through a microphone, a voice to be attached to situations in the real world. The sub-notebook PC transmits position data, object data and voice data, which have been supplied to it, to a server through a communication unit. The transmitted data is received by the server via a wireless LAN. The server stores the received voice data in a database in correspondence to the position data and the object data.
US07685523B2
A method and system of speech recognition presented by a back channel from multiple user sites within a network supporting cable television and/or video delivery is disclosed.
US07685522B1
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for generating a form and extracting user data from a form, the form including one or more data fields. Zoning information and structural information about the data fields are defined and encoded according to a symbology defined by rules for encoding information in a medium in which the form will be presented. The encoded zoning and structural information is incorporated in a representation of the form to be presented in the medium. Data entered on the form by a user can be extracted based on the encoded zoning and structural information.
US07685519B1
A method and apparatus for providing a customizable content tooltip provides a customizable content tooltip including a customization control that, when activated, allows a user to choose and/or edit the content displayed by the customizable content tooltip.
US07685518B2
An object in a virtual reality space is made perform complicated movements. A user (or a keeper) who controls an object (or a pet) in a virtual reality space enters a command at the client terminal of the user by means of chat operation. The entered command is sent to a server. The server has a table listing the relationship between commands and movements to be performed by the object in the virtual reality space. For example, the relation is between command “Jump” and movement of jumping. The server interprets the received command by referencing this table. The interpretation result is sent to the client terminal. On the client terminal, the object (the pet) in the virtual reality space performs complicated movements such as dancing according to the received interpretation result.
US07685513B2
A method receives a request at a server from a browser for at least one markup language page. The method can then determine which CSS classes are used with the requested markup language page using a usage map. Then, the method loads the markup language page and loads only the CSS classes that are used with the markup language page to the browser.
US07685506B2
A system for facilitating the information transfer and processing associated with home construction and home sales. Various discrete software modules are disclosed each handling a specific task associated with home construction and sales. Also, a system for communicating between separate data bases is disclosed wherein separate and distinct sales offices, each having their own data base, may communicate with a parent, market office having its own data base wherein the data bases of the sales offices and the market office are synchronized according to the method of the present invention so that any data updates in any of the sales offices would be automatically updated in the associated market offices. This aspect of the present invention allows a corporation responsible for home construction and sales amongst various regional, market, and sales offices to coordinate a plurality of discretely separate data bases in a way such that they are all synchronized with one another at a predetermined time.
US07685498B2
A digital broadcasting system transmitting and receiving a broadcast stream created from a broadcast source. The system includes a hierarchical coding unit (2) coding the broadcast source depending on a characteristic of the broadcast source and generating, from the coded broadcast source, a first layer code and a second layer code which can respectively be used for reproduction of the broadcast source and includes a synthesis unit (5) generating data bursts, each including the generated first and second layer code. The system also includes a multiplexing unit (7) creating the broadcast stream by multiplexing the generated data bursts, a transmission unit (9) transmitting the created broadcast stream to the network, a tuning/demodulation unit (301) receiving the transmitted broadcast stream, a synchronization unit (302) extracting, from the received broadcast stream, at least one of the first layer code and the second layer codes and a TS decoder (303) reproducing the broadcast source using the extracted code.
US07685492B2
A mechanism for improved data transmission between units in a telecommunication network, where at least one of the units utilizes multiple transport channels for transmitting data. An acknowledgeable data transmission is started over a first transport channel if no other on-going acknowledgeable data transmission on a second transport channel starts or ends within a pre-defined or assigned transmission period for the first channel. Thereby, unique identification of acknowledgements messages is enabled.
US07685491B2
Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems used for generating test patterns as may be used as part of a test pattern generation process (for example, for use with an automatic test pattern generator (ATPG) software tool). In one exemplary embodiment, hold probabilities are determined for state elements (for example, scan cells) of a circuit design. A test cube is generated targeting one or more faults in the circuit design. In one particular implementation, the test cube initially comprises specified values that target the one or more faults and further comprises unspecified values. The test cube is modified by specifying at least a portion of the unspecified values with values determined at least in part from the hold probabilities and stored.
US07685486B1
Functional testing of an integrated circuit (IC) is a part from a more comprehensive and thorough testing. An IC including an embedded select circuit module coupled to receive numerous input signals. The IC may also include control circuit coupled to receive input control signals, where at least one input control signal of the input control signals is a mode signal. Asserting the mode signal may operate the select circuit module in a test mode.
US07685484B2
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise a method for the support of a JTAG interface for the testing of connectivity between integrated circuits. The method comprises delivering output from a JTAG register to a primary register, delivering a JTAG control signal to the primary register and a clock signal gating control logic, delivering output from the primary register and a secondary register to a multiplexer, delivering clock signal output from the clock signal gating control logic to the multiplexer, wherein the clock signal is delivered is a constant and known value, and delivering the output from the multiplexer to an I/O driver.
US07685464B2
A method for reducing radiation effects in an electronic circuit is disclosed. The method involves periodically transferring operation of the electronic circuit to at least one alternate processing element of a plurality of processing elements. With the at least one alternate processing element in control, the method reconfigures one or more processing elements of the plurality of processing elements. Once the one or more processing elements are reconfigured, the method synchronizes the one or more processing elements with the at least one alternate processing element.
US07685459B1
A backup system can be provided, which system can comprise an identifier operable to identify a data object for possible backup and a generator operable to generate an identity representation for the data object on the basis of the content thereof. The identity representation can be transmitted to a backup store where it can be tested against identity representations for previously stored objects. The system can also comprise a receiver operable to receive from the backup store an indication of whether the data object described by the identity representation has previously been stored at the backup store. The system can be operable to transmit the data object to the backup store in the event that the data object described by the identity representation has not previously been stored at the backup store.
US07685456B1
Systems and techniques for improved bus control, which may be particularly useful for double data rate (DDR) data transfer. A circuit may include a clock transmitter in communication with a clock bus, a clock receiver in communication with the clock bus, and a driver in communication with the clock bus. The driver may drive a voltage of the clock bus to a first voltage level when the clock transmitter is not transmitting a clock signal on the clock bus and the clock receiver is not receiving a clock signal on the clock bus.
US07685454B2
A signal buffering and retiming (SBR) circuit for a plurality of memory devices. A PLL-based clock generator generates a set of phase-shifted clock signals from a received host clock signal. Each of a plurality of phase selectors independently selects a subset of contiguous clock signals from the set of phase-shifted clock signals. Each subset of contiguous clock signals is applied to a different set of one or more verniers, each vernier independently selecting one of the contiguous clock signals as its retiming clock signal for use in generating either (1) an output clock signal or a retimed bit of address or control data for one or more of the memory devices or (2) a feedback clock signal for the PLL-based clock generator. The SBR circuit can be designed to satisfy relatively stringent signal timing requirements related to skew and delay.
US07685451B2
A method and apparatus for compensating for current-change induced voltage changes is disclosed. In one embodiment, a digital throttle unit coupled to an instruction pipeline may generate a compensating current signal, which may then cause a dummy load to consume a compensating current. In another embodiment, a counter responsive to changes in clock frequency may generate a ramp current signal, which may then cause a dummy load to consume a current corresponding to the ramp current signal.
US07685443B2
One aspect of the present invention provides a server card that is removably insertable into a server chassis. An electronic power switching mechanism is disposed on the server card and is configured to cause three power states of the server card including a fully operational state, a standby state, and a fully shutdown state. In the fully operational state, a system power of the server card is enabled and a standby power of the server card is enabled. In the standby state, a system power of the server card is disabled and the standby power of the server card is enabled. In a shutdown state, the system power of the server card is disabled and the standby power of the server card is disabled.
US07685432B2
The present invention provides authentication equipment having functions for prevention of erroneous authentication using biometrics data, and which can reduce the burden of registration placed on users. The authentication equipment is characterized in comprising an input portion, which generates primitive-format information of biological characteristics based on biological characteristics specific to individuals; a primary information extraction portion, which extracts primary information identifying the biological characteristics from the primitive-format information; a secondary information extraction portion, which extracts, as secondary information, a part of the primitive-format information using the primary information; a registration portion, which stores in a storage portion the secondary information extracted by the secondary information extraction portion; and a verification portion, which compares the secondary information extracted by the secondary information extraction portion with secondary information stored in the storage portion, and judges whether authentication has been successful.
US07685423B1
This invention is a validation protocol for determining whether an untrusted authentication chip is valid, or not. In another aspect it concerns a validation system for the protocol. The protocol may be used to determine the physical presence of a valid authentication chip. In this case a system may call the trusted chip to generate a random number and a digital signature for it, encrypt them with a first key and then call a prove function in the untrusted chip. The prove function decrypts the random number and signature, and calculates another signature from the decrypted random number, for comparison with the decrypted one. If the comparison is successful the random number is encrypted with another key and sent back. Finally, a test function is called in the trusted chip to generate its own encrypted version of the random number using the second key and then compare it with the received version to validate the untrusted chip. The untrusted chip may be associated with a consumable so that validation of the untrusted chip authenticates the consumable.
US07685416B2
A method and system are directed towards enabling content security in a distributed environment. The system includes a data store for content associated with an application that may be tagged as exclusively memory resident at a client. The content may also be encrypted and digitally signed. When an authenticated client requests the content, it is provided at a constrained rate that enables a portion of the content to start execution on the client before the application associated with the content is completely downloaded. Additional portions of the content are provided to the client when the additional portions are required for execution by the application.
US07685412B1
Configuration settings are described which may be utilized to indicate a configuration of an application. In an exemplary implementation, a method includes validating a configuration setting of a first application for use with a second application. The configuration setting includes a first field and a first description of a first condition for the first field. The second application is composed of computer instructions that include an attribute. The attribute provides a second description of a second condition for a second field. If the first field corresponds to the second field, then the first description of the first condition is compared with the second description of the second condition to determine whether the first condition is met by the second condition. If the first condition is met, the configuration setting is determined to be valid for use with the second application.
US07685404B2
An apparatus is provided for processing data under control of a program having program instructions and subgraph suggestion information identifying respective sequences of program instructions corresponding to computational subgraphs identified within the program. A memory stores a program formed of separate program instructions. Processing logic executes respective separate program instructions from said program. Accelerator logic, in response to reaching an execution point within the program associated with a subgraph suggestion, executes a sequence of program instructions corresponding to the subgraph suggestion as an accelerated operation instead of executing the sequence of program instructions as respective separate program instructions with the processing logic.
US07685401B2
Embodiments of apparatuses, methods, and systems for guest to host address translations for devices to access memory in a partitioned system are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an interface, partitioning logic, first address translation logic, and second address translation logic. The interface is to receive a request from a device to access memory in a partitioned system. The partitioning logic is to determine whether the device is assigned to a first partition or a second partition. The first address translation logic is to translate a first guest address to a first host address in the first partition. The second address translation logic is to translate a second guest address to a second host address in the second partition.
US07685400B2
When data is stored in many storage subsystems, metadata, such as a sequence number, is also generated and stored with the data. When the data is accessed, the metadata is checked to ensure that the desired data element has been accessed. In conventional storage subsystems, data elements, such as logical blocks, are stored sequentially in logical pages of each logical volume. Consequently, sequence numbers closely correlate with block positions within the physical pages and sequence number/position patterns tend to repeat frequently and access errors may not be detected. Algorithms are provided to calculate new, offset, physical block positions which reduce the close association of sequence numbers and physical positions, thereby reducing such aliasing. The algorithms incorporate the logical volume number, the logical page number, or both, in addition to the logical block number. As a result, detection of access errors becomes more likely.
US07685391B1
Kernel and user stack data is stored in relocatable memory. A kernel thread or a user thread can move its own stack data by creating a relocation request and adding the relocation request to a queue of a dedicated thread. The dedicated thread performs the relocation on behalf of the requesting kernel or user thread.
US07685388B1
A method for operating a computer data storage system stores snapshots of an active file system of the storage system at a plurality of destinations. A latest snapshot stored at each destination of the plurality of destinations is identified. Those data blocks which are newer than the latest snapshot stored at the each destination are sent to the each destination. The active file system is scanned to find each data block newer than the oldest snapshot stored at a selected destination, and all such data blocks are tagged. Those data blocks which are tagged are sent to the selected destination.
US07685385B1
Various methods and systems are disclosed for handling I/O requests to a replica that has not yet been fully synchronized. One method involves detecting the transfer of the role of working volume from a first volume to a second volume. The second volume is configured as a replica of the first volume, but the second volume may not be fully synchronized with the first volume at the time that the role of working volume is transferred. Subsequent to the role of working volume being transferred to the second volume, a read request to the second volume is satisfied by accessing a log. The log is configured to store values that have been written to the first volume, and at least one of the values written to the first volume has not been written to the second volume.
US07685383B2
In a vehicular system (1) configured such that data can be transmitted and received via a data bus (4) between an engine electronic control unit (2) for controlling an engine and electronic units (3-1 to 3-n) including a data storing function, the most recent content of accumulated data stored in the engine electronic control unit (2) is stored as backup data in the electronic units (3-1 to 3-n) via the data bus (4) at an appropriate timing, and when the engine electronic control unit (2) is replaced, the necessary backup data is transferred via the data bus (4) from any of the electronic units to an engine electronic control unit (2) after replacement.
US07685372B1
A digital system that connects to a bus that employs physical addresses comprises a processing core. A level one (L1) cache communicates with the processing core. A level two (L2) cache communicates with the L1 cache. Both the L1 cache and the L2 cache are indexed by virtual addresses and tagged with virtual addresses. A bus unit communicates with the L2 cache and with the bus.
US07685362B2
The present invention relates to a storage unit comprising: a channel control portion for receiving a data input/output request; a cache memory for storing data; a disk control portion for performing input/output processing on data in accordance with the data input/output request; and a plurality of disk drives for storing data, wherein at least two of the disk drives input data to and output it from the disk control portion at different communication speeds. Further, the storage unit has a plurality of communication paths provided to connect at least one of the disk drives in such a manner as to constitute a loop defined by the FC-AL fiber channel standards, so that the communication speeds can be set differently for these different communication paths.
US07685351B2
In response to a write request from a master to write to an external device, a control unit holds a write address and write data from the master in a write address holding unit and in a write data holding unit, respectively, outputs a reception signal to the master, and writes the write data to the external device specified by the write address. When the master holds the read address in the read address holding unit, the control unit reads data from the external device specified by the read address, and holds the read data in the read data holding unit.
US07685337B2
A non-volatile storage subsystem solution is provided for embedded applications. The storage subsystem is preferably designed to communicate with the host system using a signal interface, such as a USB or SATA interface, that uses substantially fewer signal lines than the IDE interface traditionally used for embedded applications. Thus, the amount of board real estate used to carry interface signals in the host system is reduced. To further reduce board real estate, the host system may include a processor that includes an integrated controller (e.g., a USB or SATA controller) corresponding to the host-subsystem signal interface. The storage subsystem may plug into, and lock to, an internal connector on a circuit board of the host system.
US07685329B1
Technologies are described herein for detecting the presence and activity of a mass storage device. A resistor divider circuit generates a voltage indicating whether a mass storage device has been mated to a mass storage backplane and whether the device is active. The circuit provides a voltage within a first range when the device is not mated to the storage backplane, and provides a voltage within a second range when the device is mated to the storage backplane but is inactive. The circuit also provides a voltage within a third range when the device is mated to the storage backplane and is active. The circuit can be connected to an integrated circuit that can determine, based on the output of the resistor divider circuit, whether the device has been mated to the storage backplane and whether the device is active.
US07685324B2
Provided is an audio-video processing apparatus having significant operability. The first electronic device (100) includes a state information sending unit (105) that sends, to a second electronic device (200) being the audio-video processing apparatus, a state information indicating a state of the self electronic device. The second electronic device (200) includes: a second manipulation item information storage unit (202) that stores one or more pieces of first manipulation item information, each of which includes item information indicating an item in a manipulation menu and operation instruction information that is information instructing the first electronic device (100) to perform a specified operation corresponding to the item; a state information obtainment unit (203) that obtains the state information from the first electronic device (100); a manipulation menu display preparation unit (204) that displays a manipulation menu based on one or more pieces of manipulation item information stored in the second manipulation item information storage unit (202), depending on the state information obtained by the state information obtainment unit (203).
US07685321B2
A mechanism that allows a single physical I/O adapter, such as a PCI, PCI-X, or PCI-E adapter, to perform I/O transactions using the PCI host bus, device, and function numbers to validate that an I/O transaction originated from the proper host is provided. Additionally, a method for facilitating identification of a transaction source partition is provided. An input/output transaction that is directed to a physical adapter is originated from a system image of a plurality of system images. The host data processing system adds an identifier of the system image to the input/output transaction. The input/output transaction is then conveyed to the physical adapter for processing of the input/output transaction.
US07685315B2
A system and method for conveying content-specific characteristics related to terminal capabilities and user preferences, and adapting content for particular terminals in response to the conveyed information. A content type or other message characteristic that is recognizable by the terminal is identified, as are operational confines of the terminal by which the content type is to comply. The content type is associated with the operational confines of the terminal. The content type and associated operational confines are provided to the network server for use by the network server in delivering messages to the terminal as dictated by the operational confines.
US07685313B1
A method and system for re-formatting computer files. The method comprises the steps of inputting a data file into a computer, and determining if the data file is compatible with the computer. If the data file is not compatible with the computer, the data file is transmitted over the Internet to a universal server; and the universal server transforms the data file into a format compatible with the computer, and sends the transformed data file back to the computer. Preferably, the universal server identifies the type of file, and transforms the file into a different format of the same type. Also, in a preferred embodiment, a user of the computer identifies user requirements, these requirements are transmitted to the universal server, and the file is reformatted in accordance with the user requirements.
US07685311B2
A traffic reporter gathers real-time information on traffic conditions within a network and sends out traffic reports to traffic managers. The traffic reporter analyzes the network and also gathers network information from the traffic managers and analyzers dispersed throughout the network. These traffic reports provide real-time information on network conditions to allow the traffic managers to route network traffic in the most efficient, reliable, and fastest manner.
US07685303B2
An object-oriented programming framework allows developers to write applications for services and devices that are automatically “discoverable” by applications associated with other devices and services on a network. An attribute is added to a class in an application or web service object and an associated, generic discoverable base class is appended to the application to make the application discoverable on the network. The discovery framework imposes minimal requirements on the application in which it is embedded, so nearly every application can be converted into a “discoverable” application. The discovery protocol-dependent details are hidden from the application itself, so exchanging the discovery protocol can be done without affecting the application.
US07685302B2
A communications system may include data storage devices and mobile wireless communications devices for accessing the data storage devices, each using one or more different operating protocols. The system may further include a protocol interface device, which may include a protocol engine module for communicating with the data storage devices using respective operating protocols, and a front-end proxy module coupled to the protocol engine module. The front-end proxy module may include a respective proxy module for communicating with the mobile wireless communications devices using each different operating protocol, and at least one common core service module coupled to the proxy modules. The protocol interface device may also include a configuration file module coupled to the front-end proxy module for storing a plurality of different sets of configuration files relating to different allocations of resources of the at least one common core service module.
US07685297B2
In a method for controlling an access to at least one resource by a plurality of clients, at least one set of rules is selected from a plurality of available sets of rules upon occurrence of an event relating to an access to the at least one resource by at least one of the clients. The selection depends at least on one of the type of the event, a state of at least one of the clients and a system state. The selected at least one set of rules is applied, resulting in a decision. The access to the at least one resource is then controlled according to this decision.
US07685288B2
An ad-hoc discovery protocol improves reliability, security and scalability of multicast and server-based discovery. In switching from multicast to server-based discovery, the discovery client is made responsible for multicast suppression, and not discoverable devices with services. Messages include message identifier and time-to-live parameters to detect recast queries and avoid duplicating replies. A device's announcement message includes endpoint identifier, configuration number and stateless boot time parameters to detect changed device configuration and rebooted state for refreshing cached device and service descriptions. Paging parameters allow a discovery client to control the number of discovery responses returned at a time from a discovery server.
US07685287B2
An improved method and system for layering RPC communications on top of an HTTP transport. An RPC data stream of individual request/reply packets is mapped to HTTP primitives, and RPC requests are mapped to one large, HTTP, POST-like request (IN channel). Corresponding replies are mapped to another large, HTTP, GET-like request (OUT channel). The client establishes the IN channel and OUT channel as simultaneously open connections with a large content-length for each. Before the content-length is exhausted, the client and server open a new IN or OUT channel while the corresponding channel is still alive, so that there is always at least one opened IN or OUT channel available. If traffic is too infrequent, the client keeps the connection alive so that it will not be closed for being idle. This provides a bi-directional virtual connection that remains open for an unlimited time for tunneling unlimited amounts of RPC traffic.
US07685282B2
The present invention has enabled computing resources existing in domestic network systems to be utilized with a maximum efficiency. Actual condition of the connection of client apparatuses to a domestic network and overall computing resources of the domestic network are integrally controlled by a personal computer functioning itself as a private server. When a PDA outputs a request to a personal computer for downloading image data on a server, the image data is downloaded and stored in a hard disk area owned by the personal computer and offered to the PDA. A connected condition of the client apparatuses to the domestic network is constantly monitored. Even when any of the client apparatuses is provisionally disconnected from the network, proper service is continuously rendered by applying the computing resources offered to the client apparatus.
US07685278B2
A method for adapting a Bayesian network includes determining a set of parameters for the Bayesian network, for example, initial parameters, and then updating the parameters in response to a set of observation data using an adaptive learning rate. The adaptive learning rate responds to any changes in the underlying modeled environment using minimal observation data.
US07685271B1
A distributed testing platform tests network traffic filtering rules. A control point receives a network traffic filtering rule and test parameters describing how to test the rule. The control point distributes the rule and parameters to a plurality of testing nodes. The testing nodes are located on a network at locations where they receive a variety of different network traffic. The testing nodes test the rule against traffic received by the nodes according to the test parameters. The traffic can include real-time traffic and corpora of traffic designed to test different types of rules. The testing nodes return test results describing the testing to the control point. The control point analyzes the test results to determine the accuracy and performance of the rule.
US07685270B1
Method and apparatus for measuring true end-to-end latency for calls to Web services are described. In embodiments, a Web service client and a Web service provider may collaborate to collect timing/latency data for calls to the Web service. This data may be collected, stored, and analyzed by a latency measurement service to generate displays and/or reports on true end-to-end latency measurements for Web service calls. Embodiments may collect Internet/network infrastructure latency for Web service calls up to and including the “last mile” to the Web service client and the Web service processing time. Additionally, by analyzing latency data collected from a number of Web services clients and/or Web service providers, embodiments may provide a macro-level view into overall Internet performance. In one embodiment, the latency measurement service may be a Web service.
US07685260B2
A method that enables a tester to efficiently perform confirmation behavior of a Web page that utilizes DHTML or difference in behavior of the Web page among various browsers, or assignment of information relating to accessibility of the Web page or verification of the information. A method is provided that analyzes change in a Web page by determining states that can dynamically occur in response to an external event in a Web page that utilizes DHTML by analyzing at least one of DOM, style information for when rendered on a browser, input data from a user, and the value of a global variable in JAVA®SCRIPT, storing data that can identify each of the states, identifying state transition between the stored states, and reproducing the stored states.
US07685252B1
A new application programming language is provided which is based on user interaction with any device which a user is employing to access any type of information. The new language is referred to herein as a “Conversational Markup Language (CML). In a preferred embodiment, CML is a high level XML based language for representing “dialogs” or “conversations” the user will have with any given computing device. For example, interaction may comprise, but is not limited to, visual based (text and graphical) user interaction and speech based user interaction. Such a language allows application authors to program applications using interaction-based elements referred to herein as “conversational gestures.” The present invention also provides for various embodiments of a multimodal browser capable of supporting the features of CML in accordance with various modality specific representations, e.g., HTML based graphical user interface (GUI) browser, VoiceXML based speech browser, etc.
US07685250B2
Techniques to pace the transmission of packets to multiple connections using one or more queues or storages. When multiple queues are used, each queue may have an associated throughput rate and each of the queues may have a different associated throughput rate.
US07685246B2
A method and system for improving control of an instant messaging system. Multiple instant message (IM) instances are initiated with identical credentials of a user of multiple users participating in an IM session controlled by an IM server. A front-of-screen representation enables the user to manage instance attributes and allows any user to view conversational connectivity information. The IM server receives the user's selection of a graphical element that represents a remote IM instance of the multiple IM instances. Via the first IM instance, the IM server receives the user's request for a computing device to perform an action that includes an interaction with the remote IM instance. The computing device performing the action is located remotely from the user and is executing the remote IM instance. The action is performed by controlling a remote system function of the computing device.
US07685237B1
The same user is able to project different personalities while visiting different chat rooms. The personalities are tailored to the chat room being visited. Different personalization items (e.g., an icon or avatar, wallpaper, sounds, a smiley set, and text style) are provided based upon the chat room that the user is visiting. The personalization items may be customized based upon the identity of the chat room (such as a particular chat room, the type of chat room, or the content of the chat room). The personalization items may be host based and may leverage instant messaging (“IM”) personalization items. The personalization items may be user selected or user provided.
US07685235B2
A system is provided comprising a plurality of instant messaging client applications (202, 207, 208, 209) communicating via a computer network (206) to send and receive messages in real time integrated with n-way teleconferencing capability via a telephone network (216). The system includes a plurality of instant messaging client applications (202, 207, 208, 209), an instant messaging server (204), and a teleconferencing server (210), all connected via a computer network (206). The teleconferencing server (210) enables n-way telephone connections via the telephone network (216). The n-way telephone connections are provided to telephone apparatus of at least some users of the instant messaging client applications who can visualize the teleconference via a graphical user interface (600) of the instant messaging client application.
US07685226B1
In one embodiment, a method and apparatus for a mechanism for data migration across networks is disclosed. The method includes: randomly selecting a template from a local cache at an agent, the template indicating one or more characteristics of event data entities the agent is searching for; querying, via random connections from the agent, one or more other connected agents for the event data entities matching the template; if a matching event data entity for the template is found, returning the matching event data entity to the local cache of the agent; and if a matching event data entity for the template is not found, diffusing the template to the one or more other connected agents via a data diffusion process. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US07685224B2
An attribute bounded network of computers is created. Computers in the distributed computer network are identified by specific attributes (e.g., a geographically bounded region) and a server is used to distribute processing assignments (e.g., addresses of electronic documents to be indexed) based upon the identified attributes. A peer-to-peer computer network is also provided based upon geographically bounded regions, the peer-to-peer computer network can be used to share electronic documents. A virtual community can be created within a peer-to-peer computer network by identifying peer computer connections based upon associated attributes (e.g., a geographically bounded region). The attribute bounded network of computers provides indexes having fresher data by allowing spidering of electronic documents more often than can be done by a central server indexing site.
US07685220B2
A Decimation In Frequency (DIF) Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) stage is used in an N bin FFT, wherein N is an even integer. The DIF FFT stage includes swap logic that receives a first input sample, x(v), and a second input sample, x(v+N/2), and selectively supplies either the first and second input samples at respective first and second swap logic output ports or alternatively the second and first input samples at the respective first and second swap logic output ports, wherein 0≦v
US07685213B2
A method, system, and computer program product that convert a real number from a floating point representation to a character string. Mantissa bits are extracted from the floating-point representation of a value into an integer format. The mantissa bits of the integer format may be shifted left by a number of positions that is equal to a base 2 exponent of a first representation of the value. Prior to converting the value, the floating-point representation of the value can be divided by 2n, where n is the number of the mantissa bits in the floating-point representation of the value. A set of operations can then be performed to convert a result of the division to a number greater than or equal to 1.0 and less than 10.0. The set of operations may include multiplication operations and/or retrieving a constant from a lookup table.
US07685206B1
Providing access to a resource via authorization data that conditionally defines the access by an expression that identifies the resource by name and by at least one property of the resource. An authorization service issues the authorization data (e.g., as a token) and evaluating authorization data received from a client. The authorization service evaluates the expression in the authorization data to identify the resource and determine the rights associated with the user for the resource. The authorization service implements role-based access control to control access to resources in a distributed, multi-site network.
US07685205B2
An application management system includes an application manager for managing an application and associated with a database resource storing a plurality of entities. The application manager includes an input for receiving an input defining an event in which a user is involved in the application or an input defining an event involving a manipulation of at least one entity in the database resource. A context is associated with the event and is represented by a set of references to the entities stored in the database resource. The application manager includes a situation representation manager for determining a situation representation that defines a subcontext. The situation representation manager identifies a subset of references to a plurality of entities that are relevant to the event. The application manager adapts the behavior of the application to a situation or a future situation on the basis of the situation representation.
US07685204B2
A method and a computer readable medium for searching for media items from a network of users using a media management application and an instant messenger platform and a system for handling searches such searches. In one aspect, the method comprises receiving from a user having a group of messenger friends, a search request for a media item, identifying other users of the instant messaging service to form a list of candidate users, searching media items associated with each candidate user to develop a search result that fulfills the search request, and returning to the searching user the search result comprising information identifying which candidate user is associated with a media item source that can act as a source of a media item identified in the search result.
US07685203B2
An XML document can contain domain-specific information, which typically has its own semantics and operations independent of the XML domain. Specialized indexes and operations are used to manage information within different types of domains, for example, text, spatial, life sciences, time series, image, and multimedia domains. Entries in domain-specific indexes are augmented to include data that indicates the position of domain information within the underlying hierarchy, referred to as order keys. The domain-specific index is used to locate instances of the requested information within the domain and to determine whether any of the instances satisfy the request. Determining whether the request is satisfied includes determining whether any of the instances of the domain information are positioned within the hierarchy at a location that satisfies the path specified in the request, i.e., an instance of the information has an appropriate relationship with the particular node specified in the request.
US07685201B2
Described is a technology for disambiguating data corresponding to persons that are located from search results, so that different persons having the same name can be clearly distinguished. Name entity extraction locates words (terms) that are within a certain distance of persons' names in the search results. The terms are used in disambiguating search results that correspond to different persons having the same name, such as location information, organization information, career information, and/or partner information. In one example, each person is represented as a vector, and similarity among vectors is calculated based on weighting that corresponds to nearness of the terms to a person, and/or the types of terms. Based on the similarity data, the person vectors that represent the same person are then merged into one cluster, so that each cluster represents (to a high probability) only one distinct person.
US07685181B2
A method and system utilizes a hierarchical bitmap structure to represent deleted data sets. Each level in the hierarchical bitmap structure may have progressively larger size and represent finer granularity of number of data blocks than its parent level. A method in one aspect may comprise allocating a first level bitmap having size equal to a register on a processor, each bit in the first level bitmap representing a plurality of blocks of data in a database, and allocating one or more pointers corresponding to said plurality of bits in the first level bitmap, said one or more pointers being allocated to point to a sub bitmap generated after a data block is deleted but before the index corresponding to the data block is cleaned.
US07685170B2
A database journal mechanism stores both row operations and database queries in a database journal. The database queries in the journal provide significant additional information that may be used in a number of different ways. For example, a database replication send mechanism in accordance with the preferred embodiments could read a database query in the journal and determine that the query affects several rows. The database replication send mechanism could then transmit the database query to the computer system that hosts the replicated database. A database replication receive mechanism in accordance with the preferred embodiments receives the database query, and executes the database query on the replicated database. As a result, the transmission of a single database query can replace the transmission of many row operations.
US07685167B2
A reference instance for use in a configuration management system is a configuration item that may be associated with a number of assets, all of which share a common set of attributes. The use of reference instances permits a single configuration item to identify a potentially large number of assets. This may be particularly useful for identifying and tracking low-priority assets where the detail or amount of information needed to effectively track and manage the asset is relatively small. Use of reference instance configuration items allows an organization to identify and manage virtually all of their assets without the cost and effort of creating large numbers of substantially identical configuration items.
US07685163B2
The invention pertains to techniques for creating media asset illustrations for media assets are disclosed. The created media asset illustrations are useful for media assets that lack associated media asset illustrations. The techniques can analyze media asset data or media asset metadata when creating the create media asset illustrations. The created media asset illustrations can, for example, be used while playing, browsing or displaying associated media assets.
US07685162B2
A method and device for adjusting user-dependent parameter values in or on at least one automotive device in a motor vehicle and for saving the settings in at least one data memory inside the vehicle and/or outside the vehicle are provided. To improve the convenience of the known method with one or more main users and one more temporary users, there is a query in a first step to ascertain whether the user-dependent parameter values currently set are to be saved as temporary parameter values or as quasi-permanent parameter values in the at least one data memory inside the vehicle and/or outside the vehicle. In a second step, the user-dependent parameter values currently set are saved in accordance with the response to the inquiry, and in a third step, regardless of the result of the inquiry, the quasi-permanent parameter values are always set.
US07685158B2
A system and method for managing an on board entertainment system is disclosed. The system and method can wirelessly receive music files from a computer and store those music files on an on board unit associated with a motor vehicle. The system and method can also include provisions to associate music information with a received music file and can include provisions to manage the music collection on board a motor vehicle.
US07685155B2
The present invention relates to a system and methodology to facilitated data object persistence. An object schema is utilized to provide metadata for types in addition to what is provided by the type system for an underlying programming language. This metadata is then utilized by the system to translate data to and from user objects during a materialization or persistence process. The object schema provides information external to programming logic and type definitions. Consequently, the object schema can be deployed independent of an application thereby allowing the persistence storage of user objects to change without force the user to recompile and deploy application code.
US07685146B2
A computer readable storage medium includes computer executable instructions to provide a semantic domain with a plurality of semantic definitions associated with one or more subject areas to a community of users. A data input is received from a user within the community of users. A portion of the data in the data input is linked with a semantic definition from the plurality of semantic definitions to create a mapping. The data input and the mapping are evaluated. The data input is published to the community of users.
US07685137B2
A universal format is used to create a type representation of XMLType instances that are generated in various ways from various sources. An XMLType Type Tree is represented as a hierarchy of nodes, including leaf item node, composite item node, operator node, aggregate node, referred to herein as an XMLType Type Tree. An XMLType Type Tree serves as a digest of the type structure of XMLType, no matter the source of the XMLType instance or its manner of its generation and it creates one uniform abstraction of the type structure of XMLType for the data-typing analysis of XPath and XQuery during query compile time.
US07685130B2
A method for answering search queries about services is disclosed. The method includes searching a plurality of storage media on a network for a natural language service metastatement. The natural language service metastatement is typically generated by a service provider and describes the services provided by the service provider in detail. The method also includes locating the natural language service metastatement in the storage media and extracting the natural language metastatement from the storage media. The method also includes indexing the natural language metastatement in a service description index. Thus, when a search query for a service is received, the service description index is searched for a natural language service metastatement corresponding to the search query, and the search result is provided in the form of a natural language answer.
US07685126B2
The intelligent distributed file system enables the storing of file data among a plurality of smart storage units which are accessed as a single file system. The intelligent distributed file system utilizes a metadata data structure to track and manage detailed information about each file, including, for example, the device and block locations of the file's data blocks, to permit different levels of replication and/or redundancy within a single file system, to facilitate the change of redundancy parameters, to provide high-level protection for metadata, to replicate and move data in real-time, and so forth.
US07685123B1
In an RBAC system, a capability is defined as including an operation and an object on which the operation is to be performed. The capability is assigned to a role, which is in turn assigned to a user. Then the user will have the authorization to perform the operation on the object. Rather than specifying the object by predetermining the identity of the object, an expression (e.g., a regular expression, a query, etc.) may be specified in place of the predetermined object. In response to a request initiated by a user, the expression is then evaluated to determine the identity of the object(s) on which the operation may be performed.
US07685121B2
A hierarchically-organized linked list structure have a first level comprised of sections of sequentially-ordered segments, and a second level comprised of representatives of each of said sections at the first level. A method for maintaining the hierarchically-organized linked list structure to facilitate segment insertion, retrieval and removal.
US07685120B2
A method for generating and prioritizing multiple search results is disclosed. A database stores search results in an information storage and retrieval system. A search program executes on a computer system coupled to the database. The search program receives a search request from a user input. The search program parses the search request into at least one search term. The search program performs a loop comprising steps associating a priority adjustment value with each search term, generating a search result, calculating a priority adjustment sum of the generated search result, inserting the at least one search term, the generated search result, and the calculated priority adjustment sum in the search result list, and modifying the at least one search term and the priority adjustment value associated with each search term to perform a next iteration of the loop.
US07685117B2
A system and method for implementing/influencing a search engine which provides search results to users based on characteristics of certain trendsetter web pages identified on the Internet. The trendsetter web page are determined by studying historical adoption behavior of a group within the universe of websites, or by reference to known indicia.
US07685113B2
A system for demand breakout for a supply chain includes a memory operable to store a plurality of orders for at least one product. Each product may be produced using at least one precursor. The memory is also operable to store a production schedule identifying one or more resources in the supply chain, a quantity of each product and precursor scheduled to be produced by the resources, and a time period associated with production of each product and precursor. The system also includes one or more processors collectively operable to identify one or more particular units of the product that correspond to each product order. The one or more processors are also collectively operable to identify one or more particular units of one or more precursors that correspond to each product order.
US07685111B2
One identification information piece to identify one data correlated with another data can be output as being correlated with the another data. In addition, when the one data is displayed or printed on the basis of the output one identification information piece or when another data associated with the one data is searched out, a score is given to the correlation of the one data with the another data and the one data correlated with the another data is preferentially output in accordance with the score.
US07685103B2
Disclosed is a technique for processing predicates in an iterator function. When an iterator function included in a statement is invoked, one or more predicates included in the statement are obtained. The one or more predicates are applied to a row of data. If applying the one or more predicates results in a match, the row of data is returned. If applying the one or more predicates does not result in a match, a search is performed for another row of data for which application of the one or more predicates results in a match. Also disclosed is a technique for processing predicates in which a statement including an iterator function and one or more predicates is received. A qualification descriptor that describes the one or more predicates and one or more functions that are to be used to evaluate the one or more predicates is created. Then, the iterator function is invoked one or more times, until receiving a done indicator from the iterator function.
US07685101B2
A query plan modification system and method relate to a database system that includes a cost-based optimizer for generating access plans. The database system also permits a user to view an access plan that has been generated by a particular SQL query and modify the access plan if desired. The user specifies customizations that are associated with the access plan so that when that plan is executed, the customizations are executed as well. Exemplary customizations include specifying an initialization file specific to a query, specifying different implementation methods than those in the original access plan, prohibiting rebuilding of an access plan, and over-riding or ignoring a clause within the query that is used to generate the access plan.
US07685099B2
Techniques for analyzing and modeling the frequency of queries are provided by a query analysis system. A query analysis system analyzes frequencies of a query over time to determine whether the query is time-dependent or time-independent. The query analysis system forecasts the frequency of time-dependent queries based on their periodicities. The query analysis system forecasts the frequency of time-independent queries based on causal relationships with other queries. To forecast the frequency of time-independent queries, the query analysis system analyzes the frequency of a query over time to identify significant increases in the frequency, which are referred to as “query events” or “events.” The query analysis system forecasts frequencies of time-independent queries based on queries with events that tend to causally precede events of the query to be forecasted.
US07685088B2
A system and a method for automatically generating new concepts based on existing ontologies are provided. The system creates new concepts in existing ontologies based on new concept descriptions expressed in a natural language format, and comprises: a normalizer for receiving and parsing the new concept descriptions so as to transform them into normalized one and output them, wherein said normalized concept description includes one or more description part(s) having kernel concepts, said description parts can only contain the terms which can be identified in said existing ontologies, and each of said kernel concept contains a headword and zero or more property(s); and a new concept factory for, based on the normalized description of the new concept, identifying the kernel concepts in each normalized concept description part, and extracting the identified kernel concepts, related properties, and the relations among the kernel concepts for a user to create new concepts according to existing ontologies. Therefore, ontologies will be easier to be managed, reused and expanded, while keeping smaller size and less complexity of the ontologies.
US07685082B1
A method for detecting errors includes obtaining input data, applying a knowledge base to the input data, identifying diagnostics associated with errors in the input data, encapsulating data snippets corresponding to errors with associated diagnostic codes to obtain encapsulated data snippets, and outputting encapsulated data snippets.
US07685079B2
Methods for evaluating robustness of solutions to constraint problems include: (a) determining one or more inputs for the constraint problem; (b) determining bias, uncertainty, or bias and uncertainty of the one or more inputs; (c) randomly perturbating at least one of the one or more inputs based on the bias, uncertainty, or bias and uncertainty of the one or more inputs to determine one or more modified inputs; (d) generating a solution to the constraint problem based on the one or more modified inputs; (e) storing the solution; (f) repeating (c) through (e) until multiple solutions are stored; and/or (g) determining the robustness of the stored multiple solutions by comparison of the stored multiple solutions to each other. The one or more modified inputs include the randomly perturbated input or inputs and/or the non-perturbated input or inputs.
US07685078B2
The present invention relates to systems and methods for determining a content item relevance function. The method comprises collecting user preference data at a search provider for storage in a user preference data store and collecting expert-judgment data at the search provider for storage in an expert sample data store. A modeling module trains a base model through the use of the expert-judgment data and tunes the base model through the use of the user preference data to learn a set of one or more tuned models. A measure (B measure) is designed to evaluate the balanced performance of tuned model over expert judgment and user preference. The modeling module generates or selects the content item relevance function from the tuned models with B measure as the selection criterion.
US07685074B2
Various methods are disclosed for monitoring user browsing activities that indicate user interests in particular products, or other items, represented in an electronic catalog, and for using such information to identify items that are related to one another. In one embodiment, relationships between items within an electronic catalog are determined by identifying items that are frequently viewed by users within the same browsing session (e.g., items A and B are related because a significant portion of those who viewed A also viewed B). The resulting item relatedness data may be stored in a table that maps items to sets of related items. The table may be used to provide personalized item recommendations to users, and/or to supplement item detail pages of the electronic catalog with lists of related items. In one embodiment, the table is used to provide session-specific item recommendations to users.
US07685073B2
The present invention relates to methods, processes, apparatus, algorithms, etc., for secure identification of secret answers that satisfy secret questions. The methods, etc., can be used for the negotiated exchange of information, goods, or services when the Seeker and the Provider conceal their negotiating positions.
US07685072B2
A software distribution system for sewing machine includes a server and a sewing machine. The server generates authentication key data dedicated for a sewing machine only upon initial transmission of medium identification data and sewing machine identification data from a terminal and stores the authentication key data in mapping with the medium identification data. If a valid medium identification data and an invalid sewing machine identification data are thereafter transmitted to the server, the stored data is not updated and the authentication key data is transmitted to the terminal. If determined that a control program transmitted from the terminal is not free of charge based on a version information thereof, calculated identification data corresponding to the sewing machine identification data is generated based on the authentication key data transmitted from the server, whereupon successful verification of calculated identification data with the sewing machine identification data, the control program is invoked.
US07685066B1
A method for providing a customer one or more options for increasing a line of credit includes communicating to a customer one or more solicitations offering the customer a credit account and providing the customer one or more options for increasing a line of credit associated with the credit account. The method also includes receiving a response to the one or more solicitations from the customer requesting the credit account and selecting at least one of the one or more options. The method also includes storing data associated with the credit account to book the credit account according to the response from the customer. At least some of the data reflects the one or more options selected by the customer and an increase of the line of credit provided as a result of the selection of the at least one option by the customer.
US07685064B1
A system and method for evaluating financial transactions, which may involve credit requests, is provided. Credit requests are categorized into three tiers: the third-tier is for requests capable of being processed by computers, the second-tier is for requests that meet predefined criteria and cannot be categorized as third-tier requests, and the first-tier is for requests that cannot be categorized as second-tier or third-tier requests. The first-tier requests are manually reviewed by a credit executive. The second-tier requests are delegated to more junior credit personnel via an inventive pre-approval procedure. The third-tier requests are processed, at least in part, by computers. Additionally, requests that exceed a credit line, or limit, may be approved by reallocating credit from other credit lines.
US07685063B2
A system for managing a credit profile for a customer having a fleet of leased vehicles, the system comprising: (a) a client computer; (b) a server in communication with the client computer; and (c) a database in communication with the server, the database being configured to store a plurality of customer credit profiles, each customer credit profile comprising a credit limit for a customer and a leased vehicle limit for a customer, the credit limit corresponding to a maximum amount of monetary credit that has been authorized for extension to the customer, the leased vehicle limit corresponding to a maximum number of leased vehicles that are authorized for the customer's leased vehicle fleet; and wherein the server is configured to (1) provide a plurality of GUIs for display on the client computer, wherein at least one of the GUIs is configured to submit a request for a change to a customer's credit profile in response to user input, at least one of the GUIs is configured to display at least a portion of the customer's credit profile in response to user input, and at least one of the GUIs is configured to receive input from the user corresponding to an action to take on the submitted request, and (2) update the customer's credit profile in accordance with the action input. Also disclosed herein is a method for managing a credit profile for a customer having a fleet of leased vehicles.
US07685048B1
A trading system and method for trading forwards among a plurality of parties is presented. Among the features that the system implements are the following: counterparty enablement by forward term and/or region; a user selectable area on the monitor for executing again a trade that was just executed; a sweep trading feature for permitting a trader to sequentially aggress on a series of orders in the same forward; a spread-trading feature for allowing traders to directly trade on the difference between bid prices and offer prices for corresponding orders on a primary and secondary leg/link; providing a feature for joining orders wherein a trader may add a new bid or offer that has the same terms (e.g., price and quantity) of a perceived market best bid or offer; and enabling a party to make multiple bids and offers for the same forward within the same term at varying pricing.
US07685038B2
Method and system for block trading of securities. Embodiments of the present invention can provide an automated dealer system that formulates customized, risk-controlled, two-sided indicative quotations for block quantities of a security. A quotation can be delivered to requesting counterparties via a secured network or Web-based platform. The system can also allow counterparties to submit orders for block trades based on the customized quotations. A customized quote can be based on the size of the block and historical characteristics of the security. The quoting service can be customized to take into account a minimum premium to be charged for a trade, profitability considerations discounts, and time considerations.
US07685036B1
Systems and a method for delivering a financial message. The system for delivering a financial message includes, inter alia, an intervention system configured to allow an internal user of the system to add or edit content of a message to a client user prior to delivery. Advantageously, financial advisors and other internal users have the ability to interact with a client user to provide proactive financial advice.
US07685033B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that automatically inserts account-data into a tax-form. During operation, the system receives account-data at a server from a data-provider. The system also receives a tax-form at the server from an application. Next, the system automatically analyzes the account-data to determine a data-map which maps the account-data to the tax-form without assistance from a user. Finally, the system inserts the account-data into the tax-form by applying the data-map to the account-data.
US07685032B2
A system for paying and filing employment tax operates by updating a set of electronic templates such that the electronic templates are compatible with current formats of associated governmental agencies, receiving financial information associated with a user, selecting an electronic template from the set of electronic templates, and merging the financial information with the electronic template to produce a document. This financial information includes employment-tax information that has a format that is compatible with payroll-accounting software, and the electronic template is compatible with a submission format of a governmental agency. Next, the system submits the document to the governmental agency.
US07685023B1
An interactive virtual model of a physical storefront can be presented to a shopper within a user interactive interface of a computing device remotely located from the physical storefront. At least a portion of the organizational structure of the interactive virtual model can be identical a portion of the organizational structure of the physical storefront. The organization structure can varies from storefront-to-storefront of different physical storefronts, each being related to a different interactive virtual model. A change involving at least one physical object within the physical storefront can be sensed. Responsive to sensing the change, a virtual object presented in the interactive virtual model can be changed so that the change to the physical object occurring in the physical storefront is reflected in the interactive virtual model and is shown in the user interactive interface.
US07685014B2
A system for monitoring a queue including an entry sensor subsystem for sensing the entrance of customers into the queue, an exit sensor subsystem for sensing the exit of customers from the queue, and a processing system in communication with the entry and exit sensor subsystems. The processing system is operable to log a customer sensed by the entry sensor as entering the queue, determine from the exit sensor subsystem if the logged customer has exited the queue within a predetermined time period, and if the logged customer has exited the queue within the predetermined time period, log the customer as having received service or, if the logged customer has not exited the queue within the predetermined time period, provide an indication to management personnel.
US07685000B1
A method and system for administering a disease management program to improve healthcare quality, reduce healthcare costs, and optimize delivery of healthcare services. A multi-condition risk assessment is conducted for all or a substantial portion of a population of program participants, and collected multi-condition risk assessment data are combined with claims data for predictive modeling of future healthcare risk and expense. Participants are risk-stratified into one or more classifications of future healthcare cost risk, and appropriate intervention or delivery of healthcare services is made based on the risk classification.
US07684994B2
The present invention involves systems and methods for tracking one or more shipped items that are shipped via a carrier. A set of expected occurrences are established for each item shipped. The items are then shipped and the shipment of the one or more shipped items is monitored for an occurrence of the set of expected occurrences, the occurrence of any non-expected event, and a non-occurrence of any of the set of expected occurrences. If there is the occurrence of any non-expected event or the non-occurrence of any of the set of expected occurrences, then such an event is made available to at least the shipper.
US07684993B2
User-specified information pertaining to business challenges of an organization is received, and one or more predefined business processes that address the business challenges of the organization are identified. Further, the one or more predefined business processes are recommended to a user. In one embodiment, the user is provided with recommendations on best practices addressing the business challenges of the organization.
US07684987B2
A phone set for use in speech processing such as speech recognition or text-to-speech conversion is used to model or form syllables of a tonal language having a plurality of different tones. Each syllable includes an initial part that can be glide dependent and a final part. The final part includes a plurality of phones. Each phones carries partial tonal information such that the phones taken together implicitly and jointly represent the different tones.
US07684986B2
An apparatus, medium, and method recognizing speech. The method may include the calculating of scores indicating the degree of similarity between a characteristic of an input speech and characteristics of speech models based on the degree of similarity between the length of each phoneme included in an input speech and the length of phonemes included in each speech model, and determining a speech model with the highest score among the scores to be the corresponding recognized speech for the input speech. By doing so, the speech recognition rate may be greatly enhanced and when an input speech includes continuous identical phonemes the word error rate (WER) may be greatly reduced.
US07684981B2
Techniques and tools for prediction of spectral coefficients in encoding and decoding are described herein. For certain types and patterns of content, coefficient prediction exploits correlation between adjacent spectral coefficients, making subsequent entropy encoding more efficient. For example, an audio encoder predictively codes quantized spectral coefficients in the quantized domain and entropy encodes results of the predictive coding. Or, for a particular quantized spectral coefficient, an audio decoder entropy decodes a difference value, computes a predictor in the quantized domain, and combines the predictor and the difference value.
US07684976B2
A regular-expression dictionary, as opposed to an exact-match dictionary, is constructed for utilization within computerized textual analysis. One or more data types are defined for entries within the regular-expression dictionary, within a markup-language schema. A structure in the markup-language schema is provided that encompasses the data types of the entries within the regular-expression dictionary. For each of a number of entries of the regular-expression dictionary, a mapping methodology is defined between a source definition of the entry to the structure and the data types within the markup-language schema. Furthermore, a definition of the entry is mapped to the data types within the structure of the markup-language schema, using the mapping methodology defined. The markup language may be eXtensible Markup Language (XML), or another type of markup language.
US07684973B2
As fast and powerful commodity processors have been developed, it has become practical to emulate on platforms built using commodity processors the proprietary hardware systems of powerful older computers. High performance is typically a key requirement for a system even when built using emulation software. In a hardware design many special cases and conditions which may cause exceptions are detected by logic operating in parallel with the instruction execution. In software these checks can cost extra cycles of processor time during emulation of each instruction and be a significant detriment to performance. Avoiding some of these checks by relying upon the underlying hardware checks of the host system and then using a signal handler and special software to recover from these signals is a way to improve the performance and simplify the coding of the software emulation system.
US07684971B1
The invention is a technique that allows very efficient execution of an instruction set simulator (ISS) when certain code fragments are simulated. They occur frequently in operating systems, when a processor waits for something to occur. These loops perform very little, if any, computation. An automatic analysis of the code fragments is performed to determine whether they can be transformed to “fast forward” when execution loops through the code fragment. This is done by the creation of a function g, that takes a number of state changes as an input and can compute the state at a time T by a single application of the function, rather than applying the next state function repeatedly until time T is reached. An important aspect of the resulting optimization is that it produces exactly the same simulated result as compared to when it is not applied, i.e. the optimization is non-intrusive.
US07684963B2
Systems and methods for providing density-based traffic generation. Data are clustered to create partitions, and transforms of clustered data are constructed in a transformed space. Data points are generated via employing grid discretization in the transformed space, and density estimates of the generated data points are employed to generate synthetic pseudo-points.
US07684954B2
A state classifier uses learning obtained from a plurality of training algorithms each adapted to differentiate between states of physical orientation of an object in response to input data from an tri-axial accelerometer. At least two of the training algorithms are trained using data from an accelerometer mounted at a non-ideal angle. The classifier is trained to distinguish between the desired states from data collected from an tri-axial accelerometer device mounted at a plurality of respective angles with respect to a optimal axis on the object, wherein the angles are in the range of −180 degrees to +180 degrees. The classifier may include a plurality of classifiers and a decision fusion module used to combine the decisions from the respective classifiers to ascertain a state.
US07684949B2
In an embodiment, an integrated circuit or chip is supplied to its intended application and a measurement quantity representing the state of one or a plurality of electrical connections in the chip is determined within the application environment of the chip and, if the measurement quantity determined does not correspond to predefined criteria, a corresponding signal is output.
US07684924B2
A control module comprises a thermal detection module and a protection module. The thermal detection module receives temperature data of a particulate matter filter and determines a temperature based on the temperature data. The protection module selectively reduces output of an engine when the temperature is greater than a temperature threshold. A method comprises receiving temperature data of a particulate matter filter and selectively reducing output of an engine when a temperature based on the temperature data is greater than a temperature threshold.
US07684923B2
A method for operating a self-igniting internal combustion engine includes: introduction of a prespecified pre-injection quantity (PI) of a fuel into the internal combustion engine before and/or during an intermediate compression; determination of a pressure characteristic (PZV) in the internal combustion engine during the intermediate compression; prespecification of a target pressure characteristic (PZV0); comparison of the determined pressure characteristic (PZV) with the prespecified target pressure characteristic (PZV0); determination that no release of energy occurred during the intermediate compression, provided that the determined pressure characteristic (PZV) is lower than the target pressure characteristic (PZV0); and compensation of the non-occurrence of the energy release and its effect on a main combustion.
US07684911B2
A vehicle includes a semi-active suspension including suspension dampers controllably adjustable in accordance with electronic stability control commands and ride and handling commands. Vehicle steering response states, turning direction states and vehicle dynamics states are binary coded in respective state variables and suspension control calibrations are binary coded in calibration words. Integrity and security of state variables and calibration words are ensured in efficient binary digit resource allocation schemes.
US07684909B2
The invention concerns a data transmission method, and its implementing device, in an integrated closed system of computers, such as, for example, in an aerial or land vehicle, comprising a step which consists in transmitting point-to-point data between two transmission nodes, for example via a wire system, each node having one or more channels enabling each transmission with a single node, a step which consists in converting data for transmission thereof, for example, in series. The invention is characterized in that it does not comprise any step of physical or logical control for authorizing and/or validating the transmitted data so that any data reception at a node is unconditionally followed by a retransmission, that is the control of the dataflows is implicitly determined by the cabled topology used.
US07684904B2
A system and method are provided for facilitating substantially seamless interface between individual component systems for sensor fusion, data exchange, and communication across a broad spectrum of component systems in a vehicle without implicating hardware or software upgrade within individual legacy systems and/or sensors. A universal translator is provided to interface between individual system components that exchange data in a seamless manner between legacy data formats and specific data formats advantageously employed by newly-developed, procured and installed individual component systems. One or more of an analog, digital or serial communications gateway network between one or more of vehicle control components and installed communication, navigation, surveillance and/or sensor sub-components and/or systems provides substantially seamless integration between such systems regardless of the individual data format and exchange capabilities to which the individual systems or sub-components may be designed.
US07684903B2
A method for controlling a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus in a wait mode, including: obtaining information regarding a waiting time required for a product to arrive at the apparatus on a production line, the product being subjected to a predetermined process by the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus; obtaining information regarding a time required to control energy saving between lowering electric power and other energy used by the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus in the wait mode to a level at which the processing is not ready and raising the electric power and the other energy to a processable level at which the product processing is ready; and judging whether or not to execute the energy saving control of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus based on results of comparison of the required time with the waiting time and of estimation on an effect of energy saving obtained by executing the energy saving control during the waiting time.
US07684895B2
In a first aspect, a wafer loading station adapted to exchange wafer carriers with a wafer carrier transport system comprises a biasing element adapted to urge the end effector of the wafer loading station away from a moveable conveyor of the wafer carrier transport system upon the occurrence of a unscheduled event such as a power failure or an emergency shutdown. In a second aspect, an uninterruptible power supply commands a controller to cause the wafer carrier handler to retract the end effector from the wafer carrier transport system upon the occurrence of the unscheduled event, and provides the power necessary for the same. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US07684894B2
An autonomously moving robot that drives while evading an obstacle by an environment information acquisitioner. The information acquisitioner includes an imager that takes an image of a circumference on a driving route, an image recognition processor that extracts an area having a property relating to a region of a human body, a ranger that measures a range and an orientation to an object existing in the circumference on the driving route, a range information analyzer that obtains a shape of the object, and an environment recognizer that recognizes the environment information on the driving route. The environment recognizer compares the area extracted in the image recognition processor with the object recognized in the range information analyzer, and recognizes the object as a person when both of them agree with each other.
US07684893B2
A vending machine incorporates a product support and dispensing system including an oscillator and an adjustable bail cap. The oscillator is pivotally mounted at a lower portion of one of a plurality of stack areas provided within the vending machine. The oscillator includes a product retention zone having first and second staging regions, each of which has upper and lower holding elements for retaining a product containers in pre-vend positions. The adjustable bail cap is detachably secured to the oscillator and includes an arcuate intermediate portion adapted to selectively support the product containers. The adjustable bail cap can be selectively repositioned to allow the product support and delivery system to accommodate a wide range of container sizes.
US07684886B2
A method is provided for managing and validating product development. The method may include obtaining a product specification for a product and identifying prior products that have capabilities within a defined range of the product specifications. The method may also include developing a performance specification based on the product specification and the identified prior products. Further, the method may include obtaining approval for the performance specification, developing the product according to the performance specification, and validating that the product meets the performance specification.
US07684879B2
The present invention is a novel device, system, and method for simultaneous selection of filters and loop proportional gain for a closed loop system. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method provides an automated selection of the portion of the controller known as the speed loop compensator. The method may operate on a frequency response function that represents the dynamic response from an actuation force (e.g. motor torque) to the sensor used for feedback of speed control (e.g. motor encoder angle). The frequency response function may be represented as a series of complex numbers each with a corresponding frequency value. The tuning method determines the combination of filter parameters that allows the loop proportional loop gain (Kp) to be maximized while meeting a specified set of criteria for stability margins. Methods for selecting integral gain and reference model are also presented.
US07684864B2
SubQ ICDs are disclosed that are entirely implantable subcutaneously with minimal surgical intrusion into the body of the patient and provide distributed cardioversion-defibrillation sense and stimulation electrodes for delivery of cardioversion-defibrillation shock and pacing therapies across the heart when necessary. Configurations include one hermetically sealed housing with 1 or, optionally, 2 subcutaneous sensing and cardioversion-defibrillation therapy delivery leads or alternatively, 2 hermetically sealed housings interconnected by a power/signal cable. The housings are generally dynamically configurable to adjust to varying rib structure and associated articulation of the thoracic cavity and muscles. Further the housings may optionally be flexibly adjusted for ease of implant and patient comfort.
US07684862B2
A method and device for delivering anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP) therapy that includes an electrode to sense cardiac signals and to deliver the therapy, sensing circuitry, electrically coupled to the electrode, to detect the tachycardia event in response to the sensed cardiac signals, and a processor to control delivery of the therapy. The processor determines whether a return cycle length generated subsequent to the delivery of the first plurality of pacing pulses is greater than a cycle length associated with the tachycardia event and less than a sum of the cycle length associated with the tachycardia event and a total prematurity associated with the first plurality of pacing pulses, and adjusts delivery of a second plurality of pacing pulses in response to the return cycle length not being greater than the cycle length associated with the tachycardia event and less than the sum of the cycle length associated with the tachycardia event and the total prematurity associated with the first plurality of pacing pulses.
US07684861B2
An implantable cardiac monitor upgradeable to an implantable pacemaker or an implantable cardiac resynchronization device allows the use of a single implantable medical device for monitoring cardiac conditions and later, if needed, for cardiac pacing. The implantable medical device includes a circuit that can be configured, by programming through an external programmer, to either the implantable cardiac monitor or the implantable pacemaker. The implantable medical device is first configured to and used as the implantable cardiac monitor for acquisition of physiological data indicative of a need for a pacing therapy. If the pacing therapy is to follow, the implantable medical device is reconfigured from the implantable cardiac monitor to the implantable pacemaker, thus eliminating the need of using two implantable medical devices.
US07684856B2
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting artifacts in a bioelectric signal, especially in a frontal EEG signal. In order to accomplish an uncomplicated mechanism for detecting artifacts in clinical applications, an impedance signal is measured through a first electrode set attached to the skin surface in a measurement area of a patient's body, the impedance signal being indicative of the impedance of the signal path formed between individual electrodes of the set. Simultaneously with the impedance measurement, a bioelectric signal is acquired through a second electrode set also attached to the skin surface of the measurement area, and the time periods are determined during which the impedance signal fulfills at least one predetermined criterion indicative of the presence of artifact in the bioelectric signal. In one embodiment, the first and second electrode sets are formed by a common set of two electrodes.
US07684852B2
This invention relates to a colonic residue tagging system, formulation, kit and method for use in preparing an individual for a predetermined activity which requires tagging at least some colonic residue in a digestive tract such that a medically and/or diagnostically useful procedure can be performed on the digestive tract. Such predetermined activity includes, but is not limited to, colon screenings. In one alternative embodiment, a dietary regimen comprising low residue foods is coordinated with the colonic residue tagging regimen, prior to a predetermined activity, thereby resulting in tagged stool such that a medically or diagnostically useful procedure can be performed on the digestive tract. The present invention also provides an individual sufficient amounts of fluids and nutrition while minimizing the amount of stool formation prior to the predetermined activity. In another alternative embodiment, the foods comprise an effective amount of tagging agent, such that when the food is consumed over time, at least some of the colonic residue in the digestive tract will be sufficiently tagged so that a medically or diagnostically useful procedure can be performed on the digestive tract.
US07684848B2
Data acquisition based on the same MRI encoding pattern is repeated at least once for each R wave occurring at time T0 used as a trigger. The necessary number of data for image reconstruction are extracted as subsets of a complete MRI data set from the resulting plural sets of acquired MRI by temporally retrospecting from the next R wave occurrence time (time T1) after the R wave (time T0) used as the trigger. The extracted data subsets are then rearranged to generate a complete composite MRI data set which is then used for image reconstruction of heart movement associated with end-diastole after the occurrence of the triggering R wave.
US07684844B2
A device for positioning at least one cell in at least one addressable position, the device comprising a substrate (12) formed with at least one addressable pore (14) and at least one channel (16) embedded in the substrate and being held in fluid communication with the at least one pore. The at least one pore and the at least one channel are designed and constructed such that an under-pressure formed in the at least one channel results in vacuum adherence of the at least one cell onto the at least one pore, such that a single cell is vacuum adhered onto a single pore. In one embodiment, the substrate is a non-conductive substrate and is further formed with one or more electrode structures (22), where each of the electrode structures is positioned in one of the pores. In an additional embodiment the device is designed to be locatable on an organ, such as the brain.
US07684842B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a pulse oximetry sensor. The pulse oximetry sensor may comprise an emitter configured to transmit a signal into tissue, a detector configured to detect the signal, and a quality assurance component coupled to a first sensor component and second sensor component. The quality assurance component may be configured to break and disable the sensor upon separation of the first sensor component from the second sensor component.
US07684837B2
A cellular phone and a manufacturing method thereof capable of achieving attractive design as well as high operating efficiency in the assembly process. A cellular phone comprises a first housing, a second housing, a first circuit board, a second circuit board, a flexible cable to electrically connect the first and second circuit boards, and a hinge that rotates about a prescribed rotation axis. When the first and second housings are in their open positions resulting from the rotation of the hinge, one edge of the second housing is located vertically above one edge of the first housing. The hinge includes hinge semi-cylindrical portions that form a hollow part capable of accommodating the flexible cable. The first and second circuit boards are mounted on the first and second housings, respectively. The flexible cable is accommodated in the hollow part. One end of the flexible cable is threaded through an aperture formed at the one edge of the second housing. A protection cover is attached to the one edge of the second housing to cover over the aperture.
US07684835B1
A power-management system for wireless network devices includes a media access control module (MAC) that receives a first enable signal and based thereon selectively transmits and receives data packets. A clock generator module receives a second enable signal and based thereon selectively generates a clock signal that is communicated to the MAC. A power management module receives configuration information associated with a plurality of power savings modes. The power management module generates the first and second enable signals based on a selected one of the power savings modes and the configuration information.
US07684830B2
Upon detecting (11) at a two-way communication device that a communication link has been terminated, the two-way communication device can provide (14) a unique corresponding signal (such as a unique audible signal) to indicate such termination. Pursuant to one approach, a plurality of such unique signals (13) are available and a specific one of the available signals is selected (12) for use in a given circumstance using a selection criteria of choice.
US07684817B2
A wireless communication system including dispatch call controllers, signaling gateways, base stations, a first network coupling the dispatch call controllers to the signaling gateways, and a second network coupling the signaling gateways to the base stations. The signaling gateways serve as intermediaries between dispatch call controllers and base stations by translating messages received from dispatch call controllers intended for the base stations from the protocol used in the first communications network to the protocol used in the second communications network, and translating messages received from base stations intended for dispatch call controllers from the protocol used in the second communications network to the protocol used in the first communications network. The system may be configured such that each dispatch call controller has individual logical links to each of the signaling gateways, and each signaling gateway has logical links to a distinct subset of the base stations.
US07684816B2
A network element (300) can facilitate allocating first and second communication resources (such as, but not limited to, FDMA and TDMA communication resources) in support of supergroup communications. By one approach this comprises identifying (101) communication talkgroups as are to comprise a part of the communication supergroup and then determining (102) whether any of the communication talkgroups comprise first resource-only talkgroups. When any one of the communication talkgroups comprises a first resource-only talkgroup, the network element allocates (103) communication resources to support the communication supergroup wherein the communication resources do not comprise second resource communication resources (for example, the network element allocates first resource communication resources). On the other hand, when none of the communication talkgroups comprises a first resource-only talkgroup, the network element allocates (104) communication resources to support the communication supergroup wherein the communication resources comprise second resource communication resources.
US07684815B2
A unique system and method that facilitates group-based mobile communication around external feed content is provided. The system and method involve adding external feed content to content generated within a group. Both types of content can be viewed on the mobile devices of the group. Updates to the feed content can be obtained and communicated to the group. When multiple feeds are subscribed to by a group, one or more group members can display such feed content in a selective manner. For example, splinter groups can be formed off of the original group for members who wish to receive a subset of feeds (feed content) to assist them in focusing on a topic of interest. Group members can also employ display filters to restrict feed content displayed on their mobile devices. Users can also search for available feeds and form new groups around such content or join an existing group.
US07684811B2
A method is provided for transmitting a short message in a telecommunication network to a number of communication stations, wherein address data for the transmission of the short message to more than one communication station are transmitted with a short message, wherein a first header information item is transmitted with a number of data fields in the data section of the short message, each data field including the address data of at least one communication station, and in the second header information item, which is arranged preceding the first header information item, the address data of a first communication station or the network unit are transmitted.
US07684810B2
The present invention relates to a radio communication trunking system control method. According to the control method, a channel (f1), which is normally used as a control channel, is used as a telephone communication channel when a plurality of channels (f2-fn), used as telephone communication channels, are being used. For example, the channel (fn) has been adapted to be able to operate not only as a telephone communication channel but also as a control channel. When the telephone communication using the channel (fn) is completed, the channel (fn) is established as a control channel in place of the channel (f1). In this way, the currents consumed by wireless units accommodated in a trunking system can be reduced, and the time period for which the trunk operation is inoperative can be significantly reduced.
US07684809B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide for reduction of the likelihood of fraud by having at least one of an identifier of a location from where a request is submitted or information that can lead to identification of the location, submitted with or in addition to a request. Then, determination is made whether to service the request, based at least in part on the location from where the request is submitted or processed. In various embodiments, the location may be compared against predetermined permissible location(s) or a current user location. The request may be a request to conduct a transaction, access data, access a physical or informational resource, or access a secured area.
US07684791B2
A method and improved mobile device for providing context sensitivity for application usage in a mobile device having multiple keyboards, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a keystroke at the mobile device; checking a state the mobile device is in; comparing the state the mobile device is in with a state an application expects; if the comparing step determines the state the mobile device is in differs from the state an application expects, and mapping the keystroke from the state the mobile device is in to a keystroke in the state the application expects.
US07684785B2
In a wireless communication network comprising at least one mobile terminal and an access point, the access point detects a beacon signal transmitted by a mobile terminal, and transmits a beacon signal in place of a given mobile terminal if it detects that the given mobile terminal transmits a beacon signal. The mobile terminal, on the other hand, stops transmitting the beacon signal and receives the beacon signal transmitted by the access point.
US07684783B1
A system and method for securing communications in a wireless network includes the steps of authenticating members of the wireless network, generating a member private key to be used by the members of the wireless network, and distributing the member private key to each of the members of the wireless network. A member is authenticated based on the ability of the member to be physically proximate to at least one other member of the wireless network at a given instant. The member private key is generated by one of the members, hereinafter referred to as a master member, in response to a changing value stored at the one of the members. The member private key is then securely distributed to each of the members in the WLAN network.
US07684779B2
A baseband processing module for use within a Radio Frequency (RF) transceiver includes a downlink/uplink interface, TX processing components, a processor, memory, RX processing components, and a turbo decoding module. The RX processing components receive a baseband RX signal from the RF front end, produce a set of IR samples from the baseband RX signal, and transfer the set of IR samples to the memory. The turbo decoding module receives a set of IR samples from the memory, forms a turbo code word from the set of IR samples, turbo decodes the turbo code word to produce inbound data, and outputs the inbound data to the downlink/uplink interface. The turbo decoding module performs metric normalization based upon a chosen metric, performs de-rate matching on the set of IR samples, performs error detection operations, and extracts information from a MAC packet that it produces.
US07684768B1
A self-powered current loop transmitter transmits a process variable over a wireless link, deriving operating power from the current which drives the loop. A storage capacitor is connected across the system input terminals through a switch to provide the operating power for the system components.
US07684766B2
A method for managing talk burst authority of a mobile communication terminal for a PTT service comprises detecting a trigger signal generated from a voice activity detector in response to an audio input; activating a voice recognition processor to process the audio input; deactivating the corresponding voice recognition processor after a predetermined time has lapsed; transmitting a talk burst request message to the PTT server, when the audio input is for requesting permission to speak; transmitting the audio input to the PTT server; and storing the audio input in a buffer.
US07684765B2
A transmit antenna switching apparatus and method in a MIMO system are provided. The transmit antenna switching method includes determining modulation orders of users by using reception strengths of user signals with respect to each antenna; summing the determined modulation orders for each antenna; and determining an antenna having the greatest sum of the modulation orders as a transmit antenna. Accordingly, downlink performance can be remarkably improved by transmitting downlink frames through an optimal transmit antenna in accordance with channel environment.
US07684756B2
A wireless multicarrier transmission method wherein subcarriers of the transmission are adaptively modulated. The fading condition of each subcarrier is detected to generate fading channel profile information. Adaptive loading tables are calculated for lower, standard, and higher modulation schemes. One of the adaptive loading tables is selected and those subcarriers having low fading channel profile information are modulated with the lower modulation scheme, subcarriers having medium fading channel profile information are modulated with the standard modulation scheme, and subcarriers having high fading channel profile information are modulated with the higher modulation scheme.
US07684755B2
Disclosed is a garment (102) made of a particular type of material, the garment can include a garment appendage (104, 108, 110, 112) and a sensor (114, 116) coupled to the garment appendage with the sensor configured to detect activation of the garment appendage. The garment can further include a controller (126) coupled to the sensor, with the controller configured to control a function of an electronic device based on activation of the garment appendage when sensed by the sensor. Also disclosed is a method of a garment as described above, the method including activating the garment appendage so that the sensor detects the activation, and processing a signal from the sensor by the controller to that the controller controls a function of the electronic device.
US07684746B2
Support rollers suspending an endless belt are arranged so that a distance between each support roller and a fixing roller is smaller than a height of a belt regulating member provided on each side of the support roller in moving the support rollers to the second position which allows the endless belt to be in contact with the fixing roller so that a contact area therebetween is smaller than in the first position. As a result, in a fixing apparatus which includes the regulating member for regulating a position of an external heating belt in a rotational axis direction so that a contact area size between the external heating belt and the fixing member is variable, it is possible to appropriately vary the contact area between the belt and the fixing material.
US07684736B2
An image forming apparatus for forming a color image of CMK color plates by electrophotography system in which a K color plate having highest visibility among CMYK colors is composed of a rational number mesh. Profile of halftone dots (201Kh) becomes constant substantially and the factor for generating streak and unevenness is suppressed. Furthermore, C color plate and M color plate are formed of super cells and the K color plate, C color plate and M color plate are formed at an interval of 30°. Consequently, a Rosetta formed of halftone dots (201Ch, 201Mh, 201Kh) of CMK is optimized and the factor for generating moiré component is suppressed.
US07684735B2
A charging apparatus having a corona electrode is provided which exhibits high durability against ozone and moisture in the air, which can charge a surface of a photoreceptor drum stably throughout the life of an image forming apparatus, and which can be manufactured at a low cost. In a charging apparatus including corona electrode having a flat plate section and a pointed projection section, a support member, a shield case, and a grid electrode, a coating layer including a material different from the material of the corona electrode is formed at least on part of the surface of pointed projections constituting the pointed projection section.
US07684725B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier that carries a latent image; an exposure device, which includes a light source and an optical member, for focusing, on the image carrier, light emitted by the light source that is used to form a latent image on the image carrier; and a developing device, for developing the latent image. A dust prevention member that contacts the image carrier is arranged for the exposure device.
US07684723B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit; a fixing device; a main power circuit configured to supply electric power; an auxiliary power circuit configured to store and supply the electric power; a switching device configured to switch between a charge and discharge mode for the auxiliary power circuit; and a control device configured to, when the image is formed by a facsimile function, control the switching device so as to operate the auxiliary power circuit not in the discharge mode so that the electric power of the main power circuit is supplied to the fixing device, and when the image is formed on the basis of other functions, control the switching device so as to operate the auxiliary power circuit in the discharge mode so electric power of the main power circuit and that of the auxiliary power circuit are supplied to the fixing device.
US07684717B2
An image forming apparatus includes a developing contrast voltage controller to control a developing contrast voltage so as to obtain a desired image density, a transfer condition controller to control transfer conditions for transferring a toner image, an environment sensor to detect an environment, and a correcting coefficient setting unit to refer to a database for pre-registering correcting coefficients to correct the transfer conditions corresponding to the developing contrast voltage and environment and set the correcting coefficients on the basis of the developing contrast voltage controlled by the developing contrast voltage controller and the environment detected by the environment sensor.
US07684716B2
An image heating apparatus includes a coil for generating a magnetic flux; an endless belt having an electroconductive layer for generating heat by the magnetic flux of the coil wherein a recording material carrying image is heated by heat of the belt; a magnetic flux detecting means disposed opposed to the coil with the belt interposed therebetween and capable of detecting the magnetic flux from the coil, the magnetic flux detecting means including a detection portion capable of detecting such a part of the magnetic flux of the magnetic flux generated by the coil as is from a region corresponding to not less than one half of a heat generating region of the belt with respect to a widthwise direction of the recording material; and prohibition means for prohibiting electric power supply to the coil when an amount of the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic flux detecting means reaches a predetermined amount.
US07684702B2
The present invention provides an optical link monitoring system for the passive optical network. The system includes a master monitoring device connected to an optical line terminal and a plurality of response devices respectively connected to a plurality of optical network units. Through time division multiplexing technology, the master monitoring device broadcasts a predetermined instruction to the response devices to answer back predetermined optical signals in turn. The master monitoring device also measures the optical power of the returned predetermined optical signals and diagnoses the status of the optical links. The present invention also provides an optical link monitoring method.
US07684698B2
Methods and systems for controlling power in a communications network are provided. In one embodiment, a method comprises reading a power level of a communication link; and, driving an attenuation control signal based on the power level of the communication link. When the power level is greater than or equal to a minimum supported power level, driving an attenuation control signal further comprises constraining the attenuation control signal to a calibrated range of a characteristic curve. When one or both of the power level is less than the minimum supported power level and a bit error rate is greater than a maximum error threshold, driving an attenuation control signal further comprises generating an attenuation control signal outside the calibrated range of the characteristic curve.
US07684697B2
The present invention provides an optical signal quality monitoring circuit and an optical signal quality monitoring method for measuring correct optical signal quality parameters when a signal bit rate is changed. The optical signal quality monitoring circuit which samples and converts an electrical signal converted from an optical signal with a given repeated frequency f1 to digital sampling data through an analog to digital conversion, thereafter, evaluates an optical signal quality parameter of the optical signal by subjecting sampling data to electrical signal processing in an integrated circuit in which a signal processing function is programmed, receives a control signal notifying that the bit rate of the optical signal is changed, or detects that the bit rate of the optical signal is changed to correct optical the signal quality parameter of the optical signal corresponding to the signal bit rate of the optical signal which is changed.
US07684692B2
The invention includes an image sensor, a shutter which opens/closes by making a front curtain and a rear curtain travel, a light source which illuminates the image sensor, a control unit which performs control to make the front and rear curtains travel with a predetermined time shift to form a slit-like opening, and to make the light source emit light a predetermined period of time after the start time of traveling of the front and rear curtains, a detection unit which detects the deviation between the position of an image of the recorded slit-like opening and a predetermined reference position, a computation unit which calculates the error between the traveling start timing of the front and rear curtains on the basis of the detected deviation, and a correction unit which corrects the calculated error between the traveling start timing of the front and rear curtains.
US07684681B1
A Hard Disk Recorder (HDR) (3) is arranged to receive signals signals defining television programmes and television programme schedule data. The HDR receives updated programme schedule data substantially constantly in a dedicated programme schedule data channel. The HDR is arranged to output the programme schedule data for display on a television screen (2). The HDR comprises a hard disk (16) for recording received television programmes. A remote control (28) is provided to select television programmes to be recorded from the displayed programme schedule. Furthermore, the HDR is arranged to receive additional programme schedule information included in each of the received television channels which information is used to control the hard disk to record pre-programmed television programmes according to schedule. The hard disk is operable to record simultaneously two different television programmes received in different channels. Also, the HDR is operable to replay a currently broadcast programme offset in time. The time offset can be overcome by playing back the part of the programme inside the time offset at an increased frame rate. Furthermore, the HDR is arranged to receive transition signals indicating transitions between parts of programmes, such as transitions between advertisements and the “actual” programmes. The HDR is operable to use these transition signals, for example, to skip between transitions in previously recorded programmes replayed from the hard disk.
US07684675B2
The recording medium includes a data structure with at least one playlist stored in a playlist area of the recording medium. The playlist includes at least one playitem and at least one sub-playitem. The playitem provides navigation information for reproducing at least one still picture from a first file, and the sub-playitem provides navigation information for reproducing audio data from a second file.
US07684667B2
A hybrid integrated structure of an optical active device and a Planar Lightwave Circuit (PLC) device using an optical fiber array is provided, in which one or more photodiodes are integrated on an upper cladding layer above one or more planar optical waveguides. A section located on a boundary surface between output optical waveguides, that is, an end of the PLC device in the direction of propagation of light, and the input end of an output optical fiber array is ground to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to an optical axis. Further, one or more optical fibers and one or more reflection mirrors are alternately arranged, inserted, and disposed in a plurality of V-shaped trenches formed in the output optical fiber array.
US07684659B1
A method of constructing a fiber-optic gyroscope includes optically coupling first and second optical fibers to an optical path of an interferometer having an outer surface, coupling at least a portion of the first and second fibers to the outer surface, and optically coupling the first and second fibers to an optical path of an integrated optics chip (IOC).
US07684656B2
A sensing system including a sensor having an enclosure that defines a chamber, a fiber optic segment extending from outside the enclosure into the chamber, and a sequence of optical processing elements within the chamber. The elements include a fiber Bragg grating, a polarizer, a side hole fiber, and a mirror. A light source is arranged to direct light to the sensor(s). A spectral analyzer is arranged to detect light reflected back from the sensor(s). The fiber Bragg grating substantially reflects a first spectral envelope while transmitting the remainder of the optical spectrum to the polarizer and side hole fiber. The polarizer, side hole fiber, and mirror cooperate to return an optical signal within a second spectra! envelope. The characteristic wavelength of a peak in the first spectral envelope is highly sensitive to temperature and relatively weakly sensitive to pressure. The period of the optical signal within the second spectral envelope is highly sensitive to pressure and relatively weakly sensitive to temperature. The spectral analyzer measures these spectral components to simultaneously derive a measure of temperature and pressure that effectively compensates for temperature-pressure cross-sensitivity of the sensor(s).
US07684654B2
A system and method for fault detection and recovery in a medical imaging system are provided. The method includes monitoring operations of a plurality of subsystems of the medical imaging system and determining if an error has occurred in a subsystem based on the monitoring. The method further includes identifying at least one component within the subsystem having the determined error and automatically restoring the at least one component in the identified subsystem having the determined error.
US07684641B1
Systems and methods for identifying pixels that are inside a two-dimensional path may be used to fill the path. The path is segmented and a slope direction is determined for each pixel that is covered by the segmented path. The slope directions are stored in a derivative mask that may be integrated for each scanline to produce a fill mask. The resulting fill mask indicates the pixels that are inside the two-dimensional path. The fill mask may be used to fill the path.
US07684635B2
A signal processing device and signal processing method, and program and recording medium, whereby images and the like closer approximating real world signals can be obtained. An object which is moving at a movement amount v in the horizontal direction is photographed, and an image wherein the object is blurred is input into a signal processing device. A continuity setting unit supplies the movement amount v of the object to an actual world estimating unit as continuity information. The actual world estimating unit estimates a pixel value for an image without blurring, by computing a normal equation comprising a model equation which models the relation of the pixel values in the input image and the pixel values in an image without blurring according to the movement amount v, and a constraint condition expression which constrains between the pixels in an image without blurring, and supplies this to an image generating unit. The present invention can be applied to, for example, cases of removing movement blurring from an image, for example.
US07684634B2
A method of reducing an amount of fixed pattern noise from an image signal generated by an image sensor. The method includes, for each operational pixel in the image signal, applying a recursively updated offset term to generate a corrected image signal. The offset correction terms are recursively updated by spatially filtering the corrected image signal for a current frame of the image signal; comparing the filtered corrected image signal of the current frame with a spatially filtered corrected image signal of a preceding frame of the image signal; and updating the offset correction terms with terms generated as a function of the comparison.
US07684612B2
The present invention meets the above-stated needs by providing a method and apparatus that allows for X parallax information to be stored within an image pixel information. Consequently, only one image need be stored, whether it's a mosaic of a number of images, a single image or a partial image for proper reconstruction. To accomplish this, the present invention stores an X parallax value between the stereoscopic images with the typical pixel information by, e.g., increasing the pixel depth.
US07684605B2
An intuitively manageable method for adjusting at least one parameter (X) that determines the image quality of an X-ray image produced by an X-ray device (1) is provided, wherein, on a user interface (18) of the X-ray device (1) a setting zone (25) for the parameter (X) is shown pictorially, and in relation to the setting zone (25) the current setting (Xact) of the parameter (X) is likewise shown pictorially. At least two sub-zones (32, 33, 34) of the setting zone (25) are differentiated from each other by color, wherein a first sub-zone (32) corresponds to a parameter-setting that guarantees good image quality and a second sub-zone (34) corresponds to a parameter-setting that is critical for the image quality.
US07684602B2
A method of visualizing an object in an image includes presenting an image, selecting a point in an object of interest in said image, estimating a gradient of the image in a region about the selected point, calculating a structure tensor from the image gradient, analyzing said structure tensor to determine a main orientation of said object of interest, and presenting a visualization of said object of interest based on the main orientation of the object. Various techniques can be used to increase the robustness of the gradient estimation with respect to noise, and to enhance the visualization of the object-of-interest presented to a user.
US07684599B2
A system and method may detect a transition in an image stream captured within a body lumen. One or more parameters may be computed at points corresponding to a time scale of the image stream. Transition in the values of the parameters may be identified and may indicate a location along the body lumen. The image stream may be segmented at the transition points identified.
US07684596B2
A method for the automated analysis of digital images, particularly for the purpose of assessing nuclear pleomorphism from images of histological slides for prognostication of breast cancer. The method includes the steps of identifying the locations of objects within the image which have intensity and size characteristics consistent with epithelial cell nuclei and deriving boundaries for those objects. Statistics concerning at least the shapes of the derived boundaries are calculated and clutter is rejected on the basis of those statistics and/or they are used to assign probabilities that the respective objects are epithelial cell nuclei, and a measure of the variability of at least the areas enclosed by such boundaries is then calculated.
US07684585B2
A thermal management system improves thermal property of the speaker system by promoting air circulation to cool the speaker system. The thermal management system includes a speaker frame, an air guide formed on the speaker frame for guiding the air, a ventilation slit formed on the air guide which penetrates through the speaker frame for air communication, and a spider mounting ring for mounting a spider of the speaker system on the speaker frame. The spider mounting ring has a cut-out at its upper edge which positionally match the air guide. The cut-out is curved sharply at its upper surface while a lower edge of the spider mounting ring is gently curved, thereby creating an air passage of directional property.
US07684578B2
In a wave field synthesis apparatus for driving an array of loudspeakers with drive signals, the loudspeakers being arranged at different defined positions, a drive signal for a loudspeaker being based on an audio signal associated with a virtual source having a virtual position with reference to the loudspeaker array and on the defined position of the loudspeaker, at first relevant loudspeakers of the loudspeaker array are determined on the basis of the position of the virtual source, a predefined listener position, and the defined positions of the loudspeakers, so that artifacts due to loudspeaker signals moving opposite to a direction from the virtual source to the predefined listener position are reduced. Downstream to means for calculating the drive signal components for the relevant loudspeakers and for a virtual source, there is means for providing the drive signal components for the relevant loudspeakers for the virtual source to the relevant loudspeakers, wherein no drive signals for the virtual source are provided to loudspeakers of the loudspeaker array not belonging to the relevant loudspeakers. With this, artifacts in an area of the audience room due to a generation wave field are suppressed, so that in this area only the useful wave field is heard in artifact-free manner.
US07684565B2
A system for securely transmitting Real Time Protocol voice packets to a remote multimedia terminal adapter over an Internet protocol network. The system features an MTA (a local multimedia terminal adapter) having a key stream generator for generating a first key stream used for encrypting the voice packets. The remote multimedia terminal adapter receives and decrypts the voice packets. Also, the system includes a remote key stream generator for generating the first key stream in order to decrypt the encrypted voice packets and a packet decryptor decrypting the encrypted voice packets using the first key stream, wherein both key stream generators are capable of generating a second key stream to prevent reuse of any portion of the first key stream during the communication session.
US07684558B2
The method for establishing a coordination link (40) between a first and second control center (10, 12) for carrying out services, including a stage in which one of the centers (10) transmits its address to the other center (12) by inserting the address in a call control signal transmitted to the other center (12), and a stage in which the center (12) which has received the address inserted into a call control signal establishes the coordination link (40) in order to transport the call control signal used in order to transmit the address of one of the centers to the other center.
US07684557B2
A system and method for delivering digital subscriber line (DSL) service to a subscriber from a remote terminal of a telephone network. Included is a first route for delivering a telephone signal to the subscriber, and a second route for passing the telephone signal through a DSL system before delivering the signal to the subscriber. A disrupter is then used to selectively activate either the first or second route.
US07684535B2
A reactor containment vessel of the present invention has a primary reactor containment vessel disposing a dry well for storing a reactor pressure vessel, a wet well for storing a pressure suppression pool, and an equipment room disposing below said pressure suppression pool inside thereof. Further, the primary reactor containment vessel includes an outer cylindrical wall reaching to a base mat from a top slab of the primary reactor containment vessel and facing the drywell, the pressure suppression pool and the equipment room respectively, an inner cylindrical wall facing the pressure suppression pool and the equipment room respectively, and a pressure suppression pool floor partitioning among the pressure suppression pool and the equipment room, and an outside portion of the outer cylindrical wall, an inside portion of the inner cylindrical wall, an outside portion of the ceiling and a lower portion of the pressure suppression pool floor are formed of a steel plate reinforced concrete respectively.The reactor containment vessel can contribute to shorten construction period and thereby improve economic efficiency of nuclear power generation facilities.
US07684527B2
There is provided a radio communication device having a high quality and accuracy regardless of fluctuation degree of the transmission path characteristic. The radio communication device estimates the fluctuation speed of the transmission path characteristic from the time correlation of the reception signal, judges the diversity technique used between the communication devices from the estimated value, and feeds back the judgment information so as to switch the diversity between the communication devices, thereby increasing the diversity gain. The feedback information is minimized by defining a correspondence table. Moreover, diversity switching is performed at a timing considering a control delay and a propagation path delay so as to prevent an instantaneous disconnection of the communication.
US07684525B2
A receiver is configured to receive a plurality of signals. The receiver includes receiving elements each of which is configured to receive a composite signal including at least some of the signals. The receiver receives the signals at the same time. The receiver also includes a processor configured to receive the receiving elements composite signal and providing an estimate of at least two of the signals. The processor is also configured to provide an estimate of a first one of the signals and to provide an estimate of a second one of the signals. The processor is configured, for each already determined estimate, to extend the estimate with a plurality of potential values. The estimate of the second one of the signals takes into account the estimate of the first signal and the estimate of the first signal is modified in dependence on the estimate of the second signal.
US07684516B2
A method and apparatus for improving signal reception in a receiver (100) by performing all-channel and/or on-channel estimations on a received signal so as to predict future RF environments. The prediction is achieved through the use of one or more detector systems (122, 124) positioned to sample and detect predetermined signal metrics of the received signal (103) prior to analog-to-digital conversion (112) and subsequent post-processing (114). Future estimations of the channel condition are thus generated prior to the arrival of the actual samples (115) at a controller section (116). The detectors (122, 124) provide triggers (123, 125) to the controller (116) so that active stages (130) within the receiver (100) can be adjusted and scaled as needed via a serial port interface (SPI) (126) based on signal conditions.
US07684515B2
A system on a chip integrated circuit includes a first digital module and a second digital module such that the second digital module generates an output during the predetermined period that is based on an output of the first digital module generated during a prior predetermined period. A digital clock generator generates a base clock signal having a plurality of first digital clock cycles over a predetermined period and a second digital clock signal having a plurality of second digital clock cycles over the predetermined period. The plurality of first digital clock cycles are substantially interleaved with the plurality of second digital clock cycles over the predetermined period.
US07684514B2
A transmitter providing a wide output control variable width with high efficiency is provided. Saturation mode operation is performed in the vicinity of the maximum transmission power and the input level of a large power amplifier is enlarged and fixed. When the large power amplifier is operated in a saturation state, the amplitude component of a modulation signal is input to an R input terminal in the range responsive to an output power control level and power supply voltage of a power supply terminal is amplitude-modulated, whereby highly efficient polar coordinate modulation is performed. In smaller transmission power, linear mode operation is performed, the input level of the large power amplifier is lessened for operating the large power amplifier in the linear mode, and the power supply voltage of the power supply terminal is made variable in response to the output power control level, whereby transmission power control is performed.
US07684510B2
An apparatus and a method for transmission encoding a message with space-time turbo code using feedback information of the channel gain or the phase in digital mobile communication system having a plurality of transmit antennas are disclosed.
US07684506B2
A space-time block encoder changes the patterns of space-time block code signals according to transmission data. The space-time block encoder makes the space-time block code signals by making first and second transmission symbols from transmission data and changing the order to output these first and second transmission symbols and signals representing the complex conjugates of the first and second transmission symbols according to transmission data.
US07684503B2
An OFDM reception apparatus for receiving and demodulating an OFDM signal comprising a fast Fourier transform section for converting a received OFDM signal into a frequency-domain OFDM signal, a channel response calculation section for obtaining a channel response with respect to a carrier transmitting a pilot signal, from the frequency-domain OFDM signal, an interpolation section for interpolating the channel response, and outputting the result, a power calculation section for calculating the square of a magnitude of the interpolated channel response, as a carrier power, for each carrier corresponding to the channel response, an interference calculation section for calculating a degree of an influence of interference on the received OFDM signal, as an interference power, for each carrier corresponding to the interpolated channel response, and a carrier quality calculation section for calculating a ratio of the carrier power obtained to the interference power corresponding thereto, for each carrier.
US07684493B2
A scalable layered video coding scheme that encodes video data frames into multiple layers, including a base layer of comparatively low quality video and multiple enhancement layers of increasingly higher quality video, adds error resilience to the enhancement layer. Unique resynchronization marks are inserted into the enhancement layer bitstream in headers associated with each video packet, headers associated with each bit plane, and headers associated with each video-of-plane (VOP) segment. Following transmission of the enhancement layer bitstream, the decoder tries to detect errors in the packets. Upon detection, the decoder seeks forward in the bitstream for the next known resynchronization mark. Once this mark is found, the decoder is able to begin decoding the next video packet. With the addition of many resynchronization marks within each frame, the decoder can recover very quickly and with minimal data loss in the event of a packet loss or channel error in the received enhancement layer bitstream. The video coding scheme also facilitates redundant encoding of header information from the higher-level VOP header down into lower level bit plane headers and video packet headers. Header extension codes are added to the bit plane and video packet headers to identify whether the redundant data is included.
US07684486B2
A method for motion compensated interpolation using overlapped block motion estimation and a frame-rate converter using the method, wherein the method includes storing an input image in frame units, dividing the stored image into N1×N2 blocks and M1×M2 blocks that are larger than the N1×N2 blocks based on the same center axis as that of the N1×N2 blocks and overlapped with adjacent blocks and sampling pixels in the M1×M2 blocks, estimating a motion vector by matching the sampled M1×M2 blocks between adjacent frames, and creating a median pixel value between the adjacent frames using the estimated motion vector and pixel values of the matched N1×N2 blocks between the adjacent frames.
US07684482B2
Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods of control using a single wire. The systems and methods presented allow sending or receiving commands and data through a single wire. In one embodiment, commands and data are received by the control system through a single terminal. In another embodiment, commands and data are received and transmitted from the control system through a single terminal.
US07684475B2
Improved control apparatus and methods transfer information between devices, such as controllers and field devices, utilizing a modulator that generates a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal containing information to be transferred by a first of the devices, e.g., the controller, to the second device. A transformer or other inductive device transfers the PWM signal across the isolation barrier, where it is demodulated to analog form for application to the second device, e.g., the field device. Information transferred from the second device to the first device can be transferred in an amplitude modulated (AM) signal that utilizes, as its carrier, a fixed duty cycle output of the modulator that generates the PWM signal.
US07684472B2
The disclosed embodiments may relate to a method and apparatus for performing a correlation with respect to a received signal. A first correlator may correlate for a real part of a first characteristic of the received signal to produce a first real correlated signal. A second correlator may correlate for an imaginary part of the first characteristic of the received signal to produce a first imaginary correlated signal. A third correlator may correlate for a real part of a second characteristic of the received signal to produce a second real correlated signal. A fourth correlator may correlate for an imaginary part of the second characteristic of the received signal to produce a second imaginary correlated signal. Logic may combine a signal that corresponds to the first real correlated signal, a signal that corresponds to the first imaginary correlated signal, the second real correlated signal and the second imaginary correlated signal to produce a real part of a frequency adjusted signal and an imaginary part of the frequency adjusted signal.
US07684458B2
A surface-emission laser diode comprises a cavity region over a semiconductor substrate and includes an active layer containing at least one quantum well active layer producing a laser light and a barrier layer, a spacer layer is provided in the vicinity of the active layer and formed of at least one material, an upper and lower reflectors are provided at a top part and a bottom part of the cavity region, the cavity region and the upper and lower reflectors form a mesa structure over the semiconductor substrate, the upper and lower reflectors being formed of a semiconductor distributed Bragg reflector having a periodic change of refractive index and reflecting incident light by interference of optical waves, at least a part of the semiconductor distributed Bragg reflector is formed of a layer of small refractive index of AlxGa1-xAs (0
US07684446B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method of providing analog setpoints that eliminate, or at least substantially reduces, the shortcomings of prior art analog setpoint systems and methods. One embodiment of the present invention includes a method of multiplexing analog setpoints comprising transmitting the analog signal to a plurality of target devices, wherein the analog signal represents multiple setpoints, transmitting a first setpoint indicator separate from the analog signal to indicate to a first target device that a first setpoint for the first target device is being represented by the analog signal, saving a first setpoint value asserted by the analog signal at the first target device in response to the first setpoint indicator.
US07684439B2
An apparatus and method transmits data in a communication system. A buffer descriptor (BD) generator generates a BD making reference to constituent elements constituting a MAC protocol data unit (PDU), if there is a medium access control (MAC) service data unit (SDU) to be transmitted. A direct memory access (DMA) controller generates the MAC PDU from the MAC SDU according to the BD.
US07684438B2
A system and method for virtual linking a wireless device to another device is disclosed herein. The system includes an access point and a controller configured to mediate transmissions between the wireless device and the another device. The system further includes a virtual device table and a permissions filter to ensure virtual linking between devices that have matching access right and requested services. The wireless device and the another device may have the same or dissimilar protocols.
US07684434B2
A method for facilitating a data session in a communications environment is provided that includes initiating, by a first endpoint, a call that is intended for a second endpoint. The method also includes invoking, by the first endpoint, an eCamp-On™ feature in response to the second endpoint being unavailable. The eCamp-On™ feature initiates a new call between the first and second endpoints once the second endpoint is available. Presence data associated with the first endpoint may be leveraged in order to make the new call.
US07684421B2
An information management system for a device network is disclosed. The information management system may include a service requester node, a monitoring node, and a service provider node. The system may include a service oriented request message including a message header, having a list of destination nodes, including the service provider node, to which the service oriented request message is addressed, and a service request. The system may include a routing module disposed in the monitoring node and configured to analyze the list of destination nodes in the message, create a modified message including at least one child node selected from the service provider nodes based on a fan-out of the device network, and forward the modified message to the at least one child node, the modified message including a message header, having an updated list of one or more destination nodes, including the service provider nodes, to which the modified message is addressed, and the service request. The routing module may be configured to receive a response to the service request from the at least one child node, aggregate the response received into a single message, and send the single message to a parent node in the device network.
US07684414B2
A mechanism to allow hosts on the plaintext side of IP-layer encryptors to utilize Performance Enhancing Proxies (PEPs) on the ciphertext side of IP-layer encryptors is provided. Two processes are utilized for each IP-layer encryptor to extend a higher-level protocol (as represented, for example, by OSI layers 4-7) from the plaintext or red-side of the IP-layer encryptor to the ciphertext or black-side of the IP-layer encryptor. These two processes are known as the red-side Performance Enhancing Proxy Enabler (PEPE) and the black-side PEPE. The red-side and black-side PEPEs of a local IP-layer encryptor work together with red-side and black-side PEPEs of a remote IP-layer encryptor to transmit packets between the IP-layer encryptors using a higher-level protocol. Hence, PEPEs allow packets exchanged by red-side hosts separated by IP-layer encryptors to be transmitted on the black-side using a higher-level protocol. Therefore, PEPEs allow hosts on the red-side to take advantage of PEPs on the black-side.
US07684410B2
Dynamically enable link aggregation control protocol on a per port and per virtual local area network (VLAN) basis.
US07684393B2
Provided is a method for transmitting a burst in an optical burst switching system, in which when a burst is generated at an originating node, a burst control packet is transmitted to a destination node by way of a plurality of nodes and then a data burst is transmitted after a pre-allocated offset time. The method includes the steps of obtaining an arrival time of data bursts that survive competition to occupy an output channel among data bursts transmitted to the next node by way of the current node using offset time information in burst control packets for the survived data bursts, checking whether an empty void is present between the survived data bursts by using the obtained arrival time of the survived data bursts, and generating a new data burst originating from the current node, inserting the newly generated data burst into the checked empty void, and transmitting to the next node. This method can improve channel utilization and maximize performance of the optical burst switching system.
US07684392B2
A virtual network prefix is provided as a dedicated prefix for a mobile node in a domain having a plurality of subnets. The domain includes a layered network that has a quasi-micro mobility network (QMMN) and a pure-micro mobility network (PMMN). The quasi-micro mobility network (QMMN) performs prefix-based routing, and the pure-micro mobility network (PMMN) performs routing using two different routing protocols, that is, prefix-based routing and host-based routing. In each network, processing for changing a route, such as changing cache data or the like, is performed depending on how a terminal moves.
US07684386B2
An apparatus and method for controlling telecommunications is provided. The apparatus, which in one embodiment is a switch, may be connected between a computer-telephony integrated (CTI) workstation and multiple communication lines to elements such as Central Offices. The switch may be manipulated either manually or by the CTI workstation to connect to one of the multiple communication lines.
US07684385B2
A system for inter-enterprise telephony communications includes a central brokerage device that can receive a packet encoding a dialed telephone identifier generated by a first telephony device located in the first enterprise network, where the dialed telephone identifier is associated with a second telephony device located in a second enterprise network. The central brokerage device can also identify a network address of the second enterprise network using connectivity information if the dialed telephone identifier matches resolution information. The system also includes the first enterprise network, which can establish an encrypted communication link with the second enterprise network through a packet-based network using the identified network address if the dialed telephone identifier matches the resolution information. The first enterprise network can also establish a second communication link between the first enterprise network and the second enterprise network through a circuit-switched network using the dialed telephone identifier if the dialed telephone identifier does not match the resolution information.
US07684374B2
A method and apparatus supporting the handling of multimedia information using simulcasting using a broadband access gateway are disclosed. A broadband access gateway supporting both a personal area network and a broadband network may receive multimedia information during exchanges between access devices over a wireless wide area network. The wireless wide area network may intercept multimedia information, and may, for example, determine that the access device of the recipient is incompatible with the multimedia information. The wide area network may then redirect the multimedia information to a broadband access gateway that may cause the storage of the received multimedia information. In another representative embodiment of the present invention, the wide area network may adapt intercepted multimedia information to be compatible with the access device of the recipient, and may also redirect the original intercepted multimedia information to a broadband access gateway. The broadband access gateway may then cause the original intercepted multimedia information to be stored for later access. A recipient of the multimedia attachment or information may be notified of the redirection of the multimedia attachment or information, and may retrieve the stored multimedia information using a wired or wireless access device.
US07684372B2
The present invention relates to demodulation of radio signals from a base station having collocated transmit antennas, and more particularly to signaling allocation information from a base station to a mobile terminal. The allocation information may include timeslot and code information of allocation to other mobile terminals. Some embodiments of the present invention facilitate a mobile terminal's ability to receive and demodulate a signal containing multiple interfering signals by communicating codes allocated to other mobile terminals.
US07684370B2
Methods and apparatus for use in configuring a wireless access point (AP) which serves as a handoff indication mechanism (“AP tripwire”) in a wireless local area network (WLAN) for mobile device handoffs between the WLAN and a wireless wide area network (WWAN) are described. During a configuration procedure or training mode of operation of the wireless AP, radio frequency (RF) signals transmitted from a plurality of communication devices are received at the wireless AP. The plurality of communication devices include a first group of communication devices positioned at locations of undesired RF coverage of the wireless AP, outside of an RF coverage boundary of a WLAN coverage region of one or more other wireless APs of the WLAN. The plurality of communication devices also include a second group of communication devices positioned at locations of desired RF coverage of the wireless AP, around the RF coverage boundary of the WLAN coverage region and within the WWAN coverage region. Wireless transceiver parameters of the wireless AP are automatically determined and set to adjust boundaries of an RF coverage region, such that RF signal coverage of the first group of communication devices is minimized but RF signal coverage of the second group of communication devices is maximized. Preferably, the parameters of the wireless transceiver are determined through use of an adaptive beamforming technique (e.g. a minimax optimization) which is performed automatically by the wireless AP without user intervention. After the configuration procedure, the wireless AP operates with use of the configured wireless transceiver parameters in a normal, steady-state mode of operation as the AP tripwire of the WLAN.
US07684365B2
A method, computer program, and a wireless system for scheduling half duplex frequency division duplex bursts includes populating a burst frame having an uplink sub-frame and a downlink sub-frame with one or more block pairs, each block pair including an uplink block and a down link block. Populating the burst frame includes identifying a largest unscheduled block pair, and appending one of the uplink block and the downlink block of the identified block pair to a shortest sub-frame string. Populating the burst frame also includes appending the other of the uplink block and the downlink block to a diagonally opposed sub-frame string. The method also includes determining if a conflict exists between the uplink block and the downlink block for each scheduled block pair.
US07684363B2
An apparatus and method of controlling unsolicited traffic are disclosed herein. The apparatus and method can be applied to wireless communication networks such as CDMA2000, UMTS, GPRS and the like so that traffic which is not solicited by wireless communication devices operating on those networks is not sent over the air needlessly. The present application provides techniques to block unsolicited traffic based on the identity of a user (for example based on International Mobile Station Identity (IMSI), Network Access Identifier (NAI), Mobile Station Internet Services Digital Network Number (MSISDN), Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Universal Resource Locator (url)) as opposed to techniques that are based on a session or IP address, such as a traditional firewall. In accordance to this application, user identity based techniques are applied to block unsolicited traffic whenever a user has established a data session. Further in accordance with this application, user identity based techniques are persisted across changes in IP address and/or session.
US07684362B2
A MIMO multiple transmission device, comprising a packet data block generator (111) for generating a packet data block as a resent unit for hybrid ARQ; a CRC adder (112) for adding an error detection code; a channel encoder (113) for performing channel encoding, the packet data block generator, the CRC adder and the channel encoder being coupled in series in one or more data streams; a parallel-to-serial converter (114) for converting output of the channel encoder to serial form; an interleaver between transmission streams (115) for performing interleaving between transmission streams on outputs from the parallel-to-serial converter; a serial-to-parallel converter (116) for converting outputs from the interleaver between transmission streams to parallel form; a coding rate changer (117) for changing a coding rate; and a data modulator (119) for modulating data, the coding rate changer and the data modulator being connected in series in plural data streams divided by the serial-to-parallel converter.
US07684359B2
An OFDM signal receiving apparatus and method compensates for a sampling frequency offset. Such an apparatus includes an offset estimating unit for estimating an offset for a sampling frequency that is applied to an FFT of an OFDM signal in a tracking mode, a channel estimating unit for estimating a channel delay profile using a CIR, and an offset compensating unit for compensating for an influence due to the offset by using the duration of the FFT interval transition due to the estimated offset, profile duration of the estimated channel delay profile and duration of a guard interval included in an OFDM symbol to determine a location of the channel delay profile on the guard interval. Accordingly, it is possible to compensate for a sampling frequency offset even if using a general oscillator and not a VCXO, which results in lowering cost and power consumption.
US07684356B2
A communications system for providing hotline and preemption features in real-time communication sessions includes a presence server for collecting presence and preference information for a presentity and a communications manager for handling requests for communication sessions with the presentity. The presence information includes availability of devices of the presentity, and the preference information includes a priority level granted to one or more watchers of the presentity. Upon receipt of a request from a watcher for a new communication session in a select media type, and in response to unavailability of the presentity due to a concurrent communication session in that media type, the communications manager determines the priority levels of the watchers for the new and concurrent communication sessions and preempts the concurrent communication session when the priority level of the watcher for the new communication session is greater than that of the watcher for the concurrent communication session.
US07684337B2
A method and system for communicating information in a cooperative relay network of wireless nodes. The wireless nodes including a source, a set of relays, and a destination. Channel state information for each channel between a particular relay of the set of relays and the destination is estimated. A subset of the relays is selected based on the channel state information. The channel state information is fed back to the subset of relays. The source node can then broadcasting data packets from the source to the subset of relays, and the subset of relays forward coherently the data packets from the subset of relays to the destination using beamforming based on the channel state information, while adjusting power to minimize a total energy consumption in the network.
US07684335B2
An Ethernet switch (112) has a communications interface (122), and a controller (124). The controller is programmed to receive (202) an IP query packet generated by a receiver for collecting telemetry data between a source and the receiver in a multicast network, translate (206) the IP query packet to an Ethernet query packet, collect (208) in the Ethernet query packet telemetry data from the Ethernet switch, and submit (218) the Ethernet query packet to the next network element of the multicast network. Additional embodiment are disclosed.
US07684328B2
The present invention provides a data transfer network receiving a higher evaluation overall than conventional ones from various perspectives such as the number of effective nodes, the required number of links, and the required maximum node capacity. The present invention is a data transfer network of a hyper configuration in which each node is an element of m (m is 2 or more) different local networks. Further, at least one of the local networks to which the respective nodes belong is a hub network and, when a node belongs to a local network other than a hub network, the local network is a full mesh network.
US07684327B2
A member of a Virtual Concatenation Group (VCG) can be temporarily disabled under control of a Link Capacity Adjustment Scheme (LCAS). The VCG comprises a number of link members, in which payload data are transmitted. A management command (MLOCKOUT) is transmitted from a management system to at least one of the source and sink side for one member requesting the member to be temporarily disabled. In response to the management command a forward control message is transmitted from the source side comprising a message (FDNU) indicating that payload data of the member shall not be used, and transmission of payload data for the member is discontinued. In this way temporary disabling of a VCG member is provided, in which it is ensured that the same member is enabled again when the operation requiring the disabling is completed, and which can be handled as a separate function by the management system.
US07684325B2
A method for network analysis in an access network (1) in connection with a data transmission network, in particular an xDSL network, with a plurality of subscriber lines (4.1-4.3). The method comprising the step of collecting data on physical layer operational parameters ({φoi}) of at least one subscriber line (4.1-4.3) and the steps of simulating a behavior of higher network layers based on said collected data when deploying at least one application (6.1-6.3) on said subscriber line (4.1-4.3); generating data on higher layer performance parameters for said application (6.1-6.3); and generating an advice signal (AS) based on said data and indicative of the compatibility of the physical layer/application couple with predetermined Quality-of-Service (QoS) requirements for said application (6.1-6.3). Thus, the proposed method provides network operators with information concerning the question if a given service application (6.1-6.3) will run on a respective data transmission (core and access) network (1, 1′) in accordance with the QoS values recommended for said application (6.1-6.3), in particular a high-bandwidth rich media service type application, e.g. a triple-play service.
US07684310B2
Techniques and apparatus for identifying the target mobile stations for data transmission in a wireless communication network. Techniques and apparatus can include generating a first N-symbol bi-orthogonal sequence from Walsh functions based on a first portion of a MACIndex and generating a complex preamble signal based on a second portion of the MACIndex. Generating the complex preamble signal can include applying the first N-symbol bi-orthogonal sequence between an In-phase branch and a Quadrature branch channel of a complex signal, which can include switching between the In-phase and Quadrature branch channels based on the second portion of the MACIndex to communicate information.
US07684305B2
An optical pickup includes an optical system in which light from a light source is introduced through an objective lens into an optical recording medium and in which light reflected from the optical recording medium is introduced into a light-receiving unit and an objective lens driving unit for driving the objective lens based on a light output detected at said light-receiving unit. In this optical pickup, a diffraction element is provided between the light source and the objective lens, the diffraction element is provided with at least first and second diffraction areas and the first and second diffraction areas have such grating shapes that ± first-order diffracted lights diffracted are received by the light-receiving unit at the position in which 0-th order light and ± first-order diffracted lights generated from guide grooves of the optical recording medium may not overlap with each other.
US07684299B2
A control apparatus is provided for controlling a drive apparatus to access a rewritable information recording medium using a first file system. The control apparatus includes a first determination means for determining whether or not a matter which is not permitted in a second file system exists on the information recording medium; and a second determination means for determining that there is a possibility that the valid data in the first file system is recorded in a first file system space when it is determined that a matter which is not permitted in the second file system exists on the information recording medium.
US07684294B2
A recording or reproduction apparatus is disclosed which optimizes a standby state for recording or reproduction of a cartridge disk and can achieve rapid restoration of recording action upon ejection. A shutter close mode wherein a recording medium in a cartridge recording medium is not driven by a driving section and a shutter mechanism is closed can be maintained as one of modes during a loading process of the cartridge recording medium to achieve a dust preventing effect, a collision preventing effect with a head and a power saving effect while the cartridge recording medium is in a standby state. If a request to discharge the cartridge recording medium is issued, then the successive changeover from a drive on mode to a drive off mode shutter close mode eject mode is controlled using individual commands for the modes.
US07684277B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a memory device comprising a non-volatile memory element, a read-out circuit for reading out an item of memory information stored in the memory element, a switching unit, by means of which a supply voltage can be applied to the read-out circuit, and a control unit, which has the capability of controlling the switching unit in a manner dependent on the memory information stored in the memory element.
US07684273B2
A memory device includes sense amplifier circuitry, a current sink and a resistive element. The sense amplifier circuitry is operable to evaluate data read from a memory array included in the memory device responsive to a bias voltage applied to the sense amplifier circuitry. The current sink is operable to sink a bias current. The resistive element couples the current sink to the sense amplifier circuitry. The bias voltage applied to the sense amplifier circuitry corresponds to the voltage drop across the resistive element and current sink as induced by the bias current.
US07684271B2
A semiconductor memory device, having a 6F2 open bit line structure, connects each bit line of a bit line pair to a respective bit line of a neighboring bit line pair for a precharge operation so that a layout size of the semiconductor memory device decreases. Plural first precharge units each precharge one bit line of a first bit line pair and one bit line of a second bit line pair in response to a bit line equalizing signal. Plural sense amplifiers each sense a data bit supplied to a respective one of the first and second bit line pairs and amplify sensed data.
US07684270B2
In a conventional equalizer circuit, in an equalizing operation for setting voltages of a wiring pair having a predetermined voltage difference therebetween to be the same, it takes a long time to make the voltages of the wirings in a pair converge to a voltage having an offset with respect to a midpoint voltage of the voltages of the wiring pair after the equalizing operation. According to an equalizer circuit of the present invention, provided is an equalizer circuit (50) which sets the voltages of a first wiring (SAP) and a second wiring (SAN) to be substantially the same and which has a first transistor (N1) connected between the first wiring (SAP) and a first power supply circuit (for example, HVDD−Va) and a second transistor (N2) connected between the first wiring SAP and the second wiring (SAN). The equalizer circuit 50 makes the first transistor (N1) conductive, and then makes the second transistor (N2) conductive.
US07684262B2
A method and system are provided for maintaining a virtual ground node of an SRAM memory array at a minimum level sufficient for maintaining data retention. A circuit can maintain the virtual ground node at a virtual ground reference voltage of Vdd−(1.5*Vth), or maintain 1.5*Vth across the memory cells, where Vth is a threshold voltage of an SRAM memory cell transistor and VDD is a positive supply voltage. By tracking the Vth of the memory cell transistors in the SRAM array, the circuit reduces leakage current while maintaining data integrity. A threshold voltage reference circuit can include one or more memory cell transistors (in parallel), or a specially wired memory cell to track the memory cell transistor threshold voltage. The value of the virtual ground reference voltage can be based on a ratio of feedback chain elements in a multiplier circuit.
US07684256B2
A method for programming a flash memory device includes selecting bit lines connected to a plurality of memory strings and selecting a word line. A lower bit is programmed into the memory cells connected to the selected word line and programming a upper bit into the memory cells. The step of selecting the word line and the step of programming the upper bit are repeated.
US07684251B2
It is made possible to provide a non-volatile semiconductor memory device capable of improving the writing efficiency and its writing method. Predetermined voltages are respectively applied to a drain region and a control gate, and then the voltage applied to the control gate is opened.
US07684244B2
A high-density non-volatile memory array. In one aspect of the invention, a memory array circuit includes a plurality of word lines, a plurality of bit-lines, and a plurality of memory cell transistors. The gate of each memory cell transistor is connected to one of the word lines, and the drains and sources of each memory cell transistor are connected only to the bit-lines.
US07684243B2
Read failure is reduced by increasing the drain current through a serial string of memory cells during the read operation. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by using a higher read pass voltage for unselected word lines when the selected word line is within a predetermined distance of the drain side of the memory block array. If the selected word line is closer to the source side, a lower read pass voltage is used. In another embodiment, the cells on the word lines closer to the drain side of the memory block array are erased to a lower threshold voltage than the memory cells on the remaining word lines.
US07684242B2
A flash memory device is disclosed. The flash memory device includes a memory cell array configured to have memory cells for storing data, and store initial data in a part of the memory cells, a page buffer circuit configured to have page buffers for providing data to be programmed in the memory cell or reading data from the memory cell, a controller configured to control the page buffer circuit so that the initial data stored in the memory cell array are read when operation of the flash memory device is started, discriminate error of the read initial data, and amend the error of the initial data, and an initial data latching circuit for latching the initial data of which the error is amended by the controller.
US07684239B2
A memory system having a flash memory device that performs an over-sampling read operation to read data from a memory cell in the flash device by using an over-sampling read voltage that falls within a threshold voltage distribution range. A memory controller supplies a read mode signal to the flash memory device to perform the over-sampling read operation.
US07684228B2
A memory cell, device, system and method for operating a memory cell utilize an isolated dynamic cell plate. The memory cell includes a first and second pass transistor and a first and second capacitor. The first pass transistor and first capacitor and the second pass transistor and second capacitor are each configured in series for individual respective coupling between a first digit line and a second digit line. The first and second pass transistors are further configured for respective control by first and second wordlines. The memory cell further includes an interconnection formed on a cell plate conductor between a terminal end of the first capacitor and a terminal end of the second capacitor. Furthermore, the interconnection is electrically isolated from other portions of the cell plate conductor.
US07684219B2
An exemplary multiplexed DC voltage regulation output circuit (2) comprises a first output circuit, a second output circuit, a transformer (21), a power control chip (22), a feedback circuit (20), and a control circuit (26). The first output circuit is configured for outputting low voltage. The second output circuit is configured for outputting high voltage. The transformer is configured for outputting voltages to the first output circuit and the second output circuit. The feedback circuit feeds composite signals from the first output circuit and the second output circuit back to the power control chip. The power control chip adjusts the output voltages of the transformer by changing impulse width of voltages transmitted into the transformer in accordance with the composite signals. The control circuit controls the output voltage of the second output circuit back to a normal high voltage when the output voltage is higher than normal.
US07684218B2
The present invention is generally directed to an efficient voltage transforming and regulating device based on a High Frequency (HF) transformer and a HF Electromagnetic Voltage Regulator (HFEVR) serially connected to the transformer's coil(s). The transforming and regulating device of the invention efficiently transforms and stabilizes an input power source without requiring filtering stages. The regulation of a voltage signal according to the present invention is carried out by utilizing one or more HFEVRs of the invention which comprise a coil magnetically coupled to an electromagnet, wherein said HFEVRs are connected to the primary and/or secondary coil(s) of a voltage transformer via their coils, and wherein the voltage over the primary and/or secondary coil(s) of said transformer is regulated by adjusting the value of the reactive resistance of said coils of said HFEVRs by suitable control signal provided to the their electromagnets.
US07684214B2
A self-oscillating switching regulator includes a control winding N3allowing a voltage to be induced therein by a magnetic flux created in a primary winding N1 of a high frequency transformer T, a capacitor C3 charged by the voltage induced in the control winding N3, a transistor Q2 that is turned off when the voltage across the capacitor C3 reaches a predetermined level, a switching element Q1 driven by the transistor Q2 to switch on or off an input current through the primary winding N1 of the high frequency transformer T, and a control winding adjuster for changing by switching the number of turns of the control winding N3 on the basis of the operating temperature.
US07684209B2
In one embodiment a computer system comprises a housing, a backplane coupled to the housing, and at least one floor plate comprising an engagement assembly to connect a printed circuit board assembly to the backplane, wherein the engagement assembly utilizes a single mechanical force lever to secure the printed circuit board assembly to the backplane.
US07684203B2
The present invention relates to a module with fixed structures, which comprises a module body, a latch and a resilient snapper mounted on the module body like a cantilever. The latch movably connected to the module body can move between the lock position and the unlock position, and on the module body is set a stop surface for preventing the latch from disengagement. The latch moves between the lock and unlock positions. When in the lock position, the latch is at least partly in the downward movement path of the free end of the resilient snapper; and when in the unlock position, the latch is out of the downward movement path of the free end of the resilient snapper. By employing a latch to control the moving space of the resilient snapper, the structure concerned is simple, and moreover only upon a toggle operation can the latch be switched between different positions. This ensures that only when the latch is unlocked, can the resilient snapper be operated in a way to enable the module to be taken out of the slot. While the latch is locked, incorrect operations are avoidable.
US07684202B2
To enable the mounting of a multifunctional vibrating actuator on the surface of a circuit board by solder reflow without exposing the components with poor heat resistance the diaphragm, magnet, and voice coil—to the high temperatures of the reflow tank, the structure for mounting a multifunctional vibrating actuator on a circuit board is constituted such that a bracket is fixed to the surface of the circuit board by solder reflow, and then the housing of the multifunctional vibrating actuator is placed in the bracket so that the terminals of the multifunctional vibrating actuator are electrically connected to the electrodes of the circuit board.
US07684197B2
A memory module assembly includes a printed circuit board having a plurality of heat-generating electronic components thereon, first and second heat sinks formed by stamping a metal sheet and attached on opposite sides of the printed circuit board and a clamp clamping the first, second heat sinks and the printed circuit board together. The first and second heat sinks each comprise a plurality of fins extending therefrom and define a plurality of openings between the fins. The fins and openings are alternately arranged on each of the first and second heat sinks along a height direction thereof. The second heat sink includes a pair of positioning tongues extending from opposite side edges thereof. The first heat sink engages with the second heat sink via the positioning tongues of the second heat sink extending in and engaging with the first heat sink.
US07684195B2
A cooling system through which liquid flows for carrying away waste heat for electronics housings is particularly suited for the automotive industry. The cooling system is adapted to the dimensions of the housing. The novel device is the first to create an effective cooling system for electronics housings with and for a number of circuit board levels, yet with a space-saving compact design.
US07684192B2
An apparatus for air-cooling an electronic device is disclosed. A contoured panel channels a flow of air within the housing of an electronic device so as to channel the flow of air more directly over heat producing elements such as the microprocessor and peripheral cards. A sensor can also be employed to determine whether the panel is present and properly placed. If not, measures can be taken to reduce the heat generated by the heat producing elements. For example, a warning can be displayed, or the microprocessor can be instructed to enter sleep mode.
US07684187B1
A heat dissipation device includes a vapor chamber, a heat dissipating fins assembly, a cover and a fan. The vapor chamber is configured to a bent shape. The heat dissipating fins assembly is adhered to a partial surface of the vapor chamber. The cover is connected to the vapor camber. A flow passage is defined between the vapor chamber and the cover. The heat dissipating fins assembly is positioned in the flow passage. The cover defines an opening communicating to the flow passage. The fan is arranged facing to the opening of the cover and other partial surface of the vapor chamber. Therefore, the heat dissipating efficiency can be greatly improved.
US07684184B2
According to one embodiment, a display apparatus is provided with a support base including an upright wall and a support wall projecting horizontally from the upright wall, a holder holding a read/write device, a mounting member including a first portion opposed to the holder from above and a second portion horizontally opposed to the upright wall, a first elastic member interposed between the support wall and the holder, a second elastic member interposed between the first portion of the mounting member and the holder, and a fastening member fixing the second portion of the mounting member to the upright wall in a direction perpendicular to a back surface of a display panel. The first elastic member is pressed toward the support wall by a weight of the read/write device.
US07684178B2
A housing (100) includes a decorative film (10) and a supporting frame (20). The decorative film has a surface being comprised of a decorative section (11) and a display section (12) capable of transmitting light. The decorative section has a decorative coating (110) coated thereon. The decorative coating defines the display section. The supporting frame is made of a transparent material and integrally molded onto the decorative film. An electronic device and method of making the housing are also provided.
US07684172B2
A solid electrolytic capacitor includes a valve metal formed with an anodized film; an inner conductive polymer film formed on the anodized film; and an outer conductive polymer film formed on the inner conductive polymer film. The outer conductive polymer film is obtained by: preparing a first polymer solution (PEDOT/PSSA); dissolving a predetermined dissolved substance in a non-aqueous solvent, the predetermined dissolved substance being selected from the group consisting of boric acid, 1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 1,3,6-naphthalenetrisulfonic acid, and polystyrenesulfonic acid, and a salt thereof; mixing the dissolved solvent with pure water to obtain an additive solution; adding the additive solution into the first polymer solution to obtain a second polymer solution; and applying the second polymer solution to the inner conductive polymer film.
US07684171B2
A capacitor cell for use in medical devices, comprising: an anode substrate; a dielectric layer, formed on the anode substrate, including at least two valve metal oxides; a cathode separated from the anode substrate; and an electrolyte operatively associated with the anode substrate and the cathode.
US07684169B1
The present invention relates to a protective ionizing device, or protective static eliminator, and methods, systems, apparatus and kits using the device. The device has a surface having a series of (e.g., one or more) grooves or gaps, each groove defines a space; and a multiplicity of ionizing points suspended in the space, just below the upper surface of the device. The ionizing points can be suspended on braided microfibers, on an extruded surface in the groove, on an elastic cord, or on a wire core.The device is useful for the efficient elimination of static charge build-up on a surface of insulative material while maintaining and protecting the ionizing points.
US07684166B2
A device for protecting an electrical system against surge voltages, comprising one or more protection components (10), means (20) for disconnecting the protection component (10) and means (30) for visually indicating the state of the component (10), operationally connected to the disconnection means (20) and comprising at least one control part (40) and at least one means (50) for indicating the state of the protection component (10), combined with the control part (40), whereby the relative arrangement of the control part (40) and the disconnection means (20) is such that, when the disconnection means are opened (20), the disconnection means release the control part (40), thereby allowing the control part to move.
US07684165B2
A circuit element for protecting a load circuit includes a signal input for applying a signal, a signal output, a signal path connecting the signal input to the signal output, and an interruption means for irreversibly interrupting the signal path upon the reception of a control signal at the same.
US07684163B2
A device for detecting an abnormal connection status of a load connected between a first connection terminal and a second connection terminal is disclosed. An abnormal connection detecting circuit includes a first transistor configured to receive a predetermined first bias voltage, and output a current according to a voltage of the second connection terminal; and an abnormality detector configured to detect the current output from the first transistor, and detect the abnormal connection status based on the detected current.
US07684158B1
Devices for reading or writing electromagnetic information include a wafer substrate piece disposed between an electromagnetic transducer and an electrostrictive or piezoelectric actuator. The substrate piece is shaped as a rigid body adjoining the transducer and as a flexible element connecting the body and the actuator. To fabricate, at least one electrostrictive layer and many transducers are formed on opposite sides of a wafer that is then cut into rows containing plural transducers. The rows are processed from directions generally normal to the wafer surface upon which the transducers were formed, by removing material to form a head, flexures and a media-facing surface on the head. Conductive leads are formed on a back surface of flexures connecting the transducer with drive electronics. The flexures are aligned with forces arising from interaction with the media surface and from seeking various tracks, reducing torque and dynamic instabilities and increasing actuator access time.
US07684153B2
Crosstalk from a write signal on wiring on a suspension needs to be reduced since an ESD withstand voltage is decreased due to high sensitivity of a GMR head. In one embodiment, a terminal arrangement on an element-forming surface of a magnetic head slider consists of a ground terminal G, a read terminal R+, a read terminal R−, a write terminal W+ and a write terminal W− in order from the outside. With this terminal arrangement, the wiring order on a suspension consists of a read wire R−, a read wire R+, a ground line G, a write wire W− and a write wire W+ in an arrangement unlike the terminal arrangement. In other words, the ground line G is interposed between the write wires W and the read wires R. In this way, the wiring of the write wire W and the wiring of the read wire R are never arranged adjacently to each other, and further, the ground line G is interposed between the write wires W and the read wires R, thereby reducing crosstalk on the read wires R caused by a writing current with a high frequency which flows in the write wires W.
US07684129B1
An imaging lens system, in order from the object side to the image side thereof, includes a first lens with positive refractive power, and a second lens with positive refractive power. The imaging lens system satisfies the following formulas: 1.2≦TTL/f≦2.0, where image sensing element TTL is the distance along an optical axis thereof from the object-side lens surface of the first lens to an imaging plane, f is the focal length of whole the image lens system.
US07684128B2
An optical lens system for taking image consisting of three lens elements with refractive power, in order from the object side to the image side: a meniscus first lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface; an aperture stop; a meniscus plastic second lens element with negative refractive power having a convex image-side surface, and the object-side surface and the image-side surface of the second lens element being both aspheric, the Abbe number of the second lens element being V2, and it satisfying the relation: V2>40; a meniscus plastic third lens element with negative refractive power having a convex object-side surface, the object-side surface and the image-side surface of the third lens element being both aspheric, an Abbe number of the third lens element being V3, and it satisfying the relation: V3>40.
US07684124B2
An optical unit includes one or more optical elements. At least one 40 of the optical elements has: an optical functional surface, that refracts incident light, within an effective diameter; and a rough surface 49 formed on an optical functional surface 42b that is formed outside the effective diameter and that scatters the incident light which has been internally reflected. With this configuration, light which is incident on the optical element and which may generate flare or the like when it is internally reflected by the optical functional surface outside the effective diameter is scattered by the rough surface formed on the optical functional surface outside the effective diameter. Therefore, generation of the flare or the like is suppressed. Also, since the optical unit is constituted by such an optical element having the rough surface, generation of the flare or the like is suppressed.
US07684122B2
The invention relates to a zoom lens that enables an optical path to be easily bent by a reflecting optical element, has a wide-angle design and high optical performance as represented by a high zoom ratio of about 3.4, is extremely slimmed down in the depth direction, and costs less. The zoom lens comprises a positive first lens group G1, a negative second lens group G2, a positive third lens group G3, a positive fourth lens group G4 and a negative fifth lens group G5. Upon zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, the first lens group G1 remains substantially fixed with respect to an image plane I, and at least the second G2 and the fourth lens group G4 move. The first lens group G1 includes a reflecting optical element for bending the optical path involved, and a portion of the first lens group G1 on an object side with respect to the reflecting surface has negative refracting power. The zoom lens satisfies condition (1) with respect to the focal length of the fifth lens group G5.
US07684117B2
A zoom lens system comprising a plurality of lens units each composed of at least one lens element, wherein an interval between at least any two lens units among the lens units is changed so that an optical image of an object is formed with a continuously variable magnification, a first lens unit arranged on the most object side among the lens units includes a lens element having a reflecting surface for bending a light beam from the object, and any one of the lens units, any one of the lens elements, or alternatively a plurality of adjacent lens elements that constitute one lens unit move in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis; an imaging device including the zoom lens system; and a camera employing the imaging device.
US07684115B2
A description is given of a telescopic sight with variable magnification, comprising a fixed objective and first image plane assigned thereto, a variable system with second image plane assigned thereto, and a fixed eyepiece for viewing the second image plane and that has a stop in the vicinity of the first image plane whose aperture diameter can be varied as a function of the magnification of the variable system in order to suppress scattered and/or false light.
US07684113B2
An imaging apparatus comprising an optical member in an optical path from a lens to an imaging device, said optical member comprising a water-repellent or water/oil-repellent coating, a first antireflection coating, an infrared-cutting glass, a lowpass filter, and an infrared-cutting coating in this order from the side of said lens.
US07684103B2
An electrochromic device including a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which includes at least one solvent, at least one anodic material, and at least one cathodic material, wherein the first and second substrates are substantially uniformly spaced apart by a spacing member comprising a non-polymeric material which substantially dissolves upon association with the at least one solvent.
US07684097B2
A recording apparatus performing at least recording with respect to a hologram recording medium is disclosed. The recording medium includes: a light emitting means for emitting light to be radiated with respect to the hologram recording medium set at a prescribed position; a spatial light modulation means configured to be able to generate reference light and signal light to be radiated to the hologram recording medium by performing light intensity modulation to incident light in the unit of pixels; a phase modulation means for performing phase modulation to radiated light from the spatial light modulation means; and an optical system configured to guide light emitted from the light emitting means with respect to the hologram recording medium through the spatial modulation means and the phase modulation means.
US07684088B2
The invention describes a process to prevent counterfeiting or alteration of a printed or engraved surface, characterized by the incorporation of a signature of the form of a digital mark into parts or the entire document, and in particular a digital mark technology to hide information in an invisible way through over-printing by using a method called asymmetric amplitude modulation. This method can be applied to any type of printed material such paper, packaging, or any other surface. Visible information can also be printed over the digital mark. As an application example, applied to a paper document the digital mark can be used to guarantee the document authenticity, as it would be destroyed by a copy process.
US07684080B2
Methods and apparatus implementing and using techniques for white balancing image data while performing chromatic adaptation. A creative white point corresponding to a visual appearance of white selected for projection of image data can be obtained. A color transform for converting the image data to a device-independent color space can be obtained. A chromatic adaptation matrix can be calculated based on the creative white point and a reference white point. A color profile for white balancing of the image data can be prepared to include the color transform and the chromatic adaptation matrix.
US07684078B2
If an edge of a sheet metal of an image forming apparatus damages an electric cable, the image signal is distorted and a correct image is not formed since the damage causes feeding failure and signal deterioration. This is remarkable in the conventional digital electrophotographic apparatus, since the drive signal to drive a laser or a light emitting diode (LED) for exposing the photosensitive body becomes higher in frequency as resolution and speed are increased and tends to generate the electric noise. In order to prevent damage of an electric cable by a metal frame, an apparatus having a holder for holding a feed cable is provided.
US07684067B2
A method and apparatus for processing an electronic document in a secure manner is provided. A first facsimile machine may verify that the configuration state of a second facsimile machine has not changed since a prior configuration state by issuing a request to a security server. The security server may process the request to determine whether the configuration state of the second facsimile machine has changed since the second facsimile machine was registered with the security server. The security server may also verify that the first facsimile machine issued a facsimile request to the second facsimile machine or that the second facsimile machine received the request. A storage medium of a facsimile machine may be protected against unauthorized removal of the storage medium by storing a password required to access the storage medium, and when the facsimile machine is powered on, the password is provided to the storage medium.
US07684064B2
In order to maintain high security of a job that requires a high security level even after a print interrupt factor has been removed, and to achieve both the effect of maintaining high security of a job that requires a high security level even after the print process is interrupted, and the effect of improving the productivity of jobs other than a job of this type, when a print apparatus which can process a plurality of print jobs including a print job of a first type and that of a second type restarts a print operation of a print job, which is interrupted in the print apparatus, and when the print job is a print of the first type, the print apparatus is controlled to execute an authentication process, and then allowed to restart the print operation of the print job. When the print apparatus restarts a print operation of a print job, which is interrupted in the print apparatus, and when the print job is a print of the second type, the print apparatus is allowed to restart the print operation of the print job without executing the authentication process.
US07684059B2
A device for determining the position of an object that is movable along at least one displacement direction, the or each displacement direction having assigned to it one length measuring device for measuring the position of the object along the respective spatial direction, includes: at least one scale extending along a displacement direction of the object to be measured as a first component of the respective length measuring device; a scanning head for scanning the scale as a second component of the respective length measuring device such that a change in the position of the scale with respect to the scanning head along the associated displacement direction of the object to be measured is measurable, one of the two components of the respective length measuring device being moved together with the object to be measured along the respective displacement direction when the latter is moved; and a device for determining the distance of the component of the respective length measuring device, which is movable together with the object to be measured, from the object to be measured along the measuring direction of the associated length measuring device.The device for determining the distance of the component of the respective length measuring device, which is movable together with the object to be measured, from the object to be measured includes a measuring graduation as a first module and an associated measuring head as a second module, one of the two modules being provided on the object to be measured and the other of the two modules being provided on the component of the length measuring device that is movable together with the object to be measured.
US07684055B2
The invention relates to a measuring station, especially for a pipe cutting machine (2), with a first distance sensor (8) that can pivot about a transverse axis (16) by a drive (13) for generating a first scanning beam (6) that scans an object (4) during the continuous pivoting motion and measures first distance measured values in a clocked manner, and with a second distance sensor (19) that is stationary as regards the transverse axis (16) for generating a second scanning beam (22) that is directed onto a angle measuring apparatus (21) connected in a non-rotating manner to the first distance sensor (8) and that measures second distance measured values in a clocked manner, and with an electronic synchronization unit (17) comprising connections for the first and the second distance measured signals, and with a calculating unit (18) that calculates a profile of the object (4) to be measured from the synchronized distance measured signals.
US07684054B2
A system and method are disclosed for inspecting a component having a length, a width, and an axis. The system includes a fixture for holding the component, a light source disposed on one side of the component, and an optical detector disposed on the other side of the component. In the preferred embodiment, the detector has a field of view wider than the width of the component, thereby enabling the detector to image a portion of the outer edges of the component. A translation stage is operative to move the light source and detector in unison along the length of the component and a processor, in communication with the detector and the translation stage, is operative to: a) receive electrical signals representative of the outer profile imaged by the detector; b) move the translation stage incrementally along the length of the component; and c) record the outer profile imaged by the detector at each increment and form a composite profile of the component. In the preferred embodiment, the processor is further operative to record the composite profile of the component at one or more angular orientations by rotating the component through a predetermined angle about its axis.
US07684049B2
Disclosed is an interferometry analysis method that includes comparing information derivable from multiple interferometry signals corresponding to different surface locations of a test object to information corresponding to multiple models of the test object, wherein the multiple models are parameterized by a series of characteristics that relate to one or more under-resolved lateral features of the test object; and outputting information about the under-resolved surface feature based on the comparison.
US07684046B2
A bandwidth meter method and apparatus for measuring the bandwidth of a spectrum of light emitted from a laser input to the bandwidth meter is disclosed, which may comprise an optical bandwidth monitor providing a first output representative of a first parameter which is indicative of the bandwidth of the light emitted from the laser and a second output representative of a second parameter which is indicative of the bandwidth of the light emitted from the laser; and, an actual bandwidth calculation apparatus utilizing the first output and the second output as part of a multivariable equation employing predetermined calibration variables specific to the optical bandwidth monitor, to calculate an actual bandwidth parameter. The actual bandwidth parameter may comprise a spectrum full width at some percent of the maximum within the full width of the spectrum of light emitted from the laser or a width between two points on the spectrum enclosing some percentage of the energy of the full spectrum of the spectrum of light emitted from the laser. The apparatus and method may be implemented in a laser lithography light source and/or in an integrated circuit lithography tool.
US07684045B2
A probe for measuring a property of a liquid under test using interrogating radiation at a predetermined wavelength includes a housing member having a window transparent to interrogating radiation mounted at a first end thereof. A partition transparent to interrogating radiation is mounted in spaced relationship to the window. The partition being and the window cooperate to define an air cavity therebetween. The spacing between the partition and the window is such that radiation reflected from a liquid disposed in contact with the second surface of the partition is prevented from evanescently coupling into the window such that the reflected radiation undergoes total internal reflection in the partition rather than in the window.
US07684037B2
An optical spectroscopy tool is provided. In one embodiment a highly efficient means by which moderate resolution spectroscopy may be performed in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) is described. In one embodiment the techniques can be used as a high throughput spectrometer to spatially disperse wavelengths in and around the VUV in such a manner as to generate a substantially flat field focal plane, suitable for use in combination with an array detector. Some embodiments utilize prism based spectrometers. Some embodiments utilize detector elements that may be movable and/or located within the spectrometer. In some embodiments, collimated light may be provided as an input to the spectrometer.
US07684027B2
Methods and systems for facilitating weight placement on a vehicle wheel assembly that includes a tire and a wheel are provided. The method includes determining an imbalance characteristic associated with a plane of the vehicle wheel, determining a correction weight placement position associated with the determined imbalance characteristic, and directing a line of visible light at the determined weight placement position.
US07684026B2
A sensing head and system utilizes fault tolerant design and self-diagnosis. Alternative operation modes are provided when one or more functional modules or components fail. Unique designs provide redundant system resources. Self-diagnoses and tests are provided to isolate and identify sources of malfunctions.
US07684023B2
An apparatus and method for generating a terahertz (THz) wave are provided. The apparatus comprises: an fiber optic probe injecting an optical wave transmitted through an optical fiber into a device under test (DUT); a driving oscillator generating and injecting an electrical wave into the DUT; and the device under test (DUT) generating a THz wave using the produced optical and electrical waves.
US07684015B2
A system and method for clock synchronization and position determination using entangled photon pairs is provided. The present invention relies on the measurement of the second order correlation function of entangled states. Photons from an entangled photon source travel one-way to the clocks to be synchronized. By analyzing photon registration time histories generated at each clock location, the entangled states allow for high accuracy clock synchronization as well as high accuracy position determination.
US07684013B2
A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination unit including a radiation source configured to generate a radiation bundle, an illumination optics with a numerical aperture NA0 and an aperture system; a projection lens having a first numerical aperture NAOB1; a support arranged between the illumination unit and the projection lens and configured to support a patterning device; a substrate support configured to support a substrate on which structures on the patterning device are imaged, wherein the first numerical aperture NAOB1 of the projection lens is smaller than the numerical aperture NA0 of the illumination unit.
US07684010B2
A lithographic apparatus for immersion lithography is disclosed in which a seal between different parts of a substrate table is arranged to be easily applied and removed and in an embodiment, reduces transmission of forces between the different parts.
US07684005B2
A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a liquid crystal panel having polarizers, and a back light having a light source for illumination of the liquid crystal panel which has a characteristic of spectral transmittance required to satisfy the following equation, x>y>z, when a medium tone display voltage varies in a range between a minimum and maximum voltage for a Blue pixel, where “x” is a value of the transmittance in the panel at a wavelength corresponding to a longest wavelength in a range of wavelengths designated for blue light, “y” is a value of the transmittance in the panel at a wavelength corresponding to a maximum value of the intensity in a range of wavelengths designated for green light, and “z” is a value of the transmittance in the panel at a wavelength corresponding to a maximum value of the intensity in a range of wavelengths designated for red light.
US07684002B2
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes first and second substrates facing each other; a plurality of step portions on the first substrate; a plurality of first column spacers on the second substrate, the first column spacers contacting the step portions wherein an upper surface of the first column spacer is larger than a contact area between the first column spacer and the step portion; a plurality of second column spacers on the second substrate, the second column spacers spaced apart from the first substrate, wherein a first contact area between the first column spacers and the second substrate is smaller than a second contact area between the second column spacers and the second substrate; and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates.
US07684000B2
A pixel structure including a substrate, a scan line, a data line, a common line, an active device, a pixel electrode, a passivation layer and a transition auxiliary electrode is provided. The scan line and the data line on the substrate intersect with each other to define a pixel region. The common line on the substrate is parallel to the scan line. The active device disposed within the pixel region is electrically connected to the scan line and the data line. The pixel electrode disposed within the pixel region is electrically connected to the active device. The passivation layer is between the data line and the pixel electrode. The transition auxiliary electrode is adjacent to the periphery of the pixel electrode and electrically connected to the common line through a contact hole of the passivation layer. The transition auxiliary electrode and the pixel electrode are made of the same film.
US07683993B2
The present invention easily provides a liquid crystal display in which conductivity between a first substrate over which a pixel electrode is formed and a second substrate over which a counter electrode is formed, can be certainly obtained even when it has a narrow frame, without adding new steps. As for a liquid crystal display device in which a liquid crystal is interposed between the first substrate over which the pixel electrode is formed and the second substrate over which the counter electrode is formed, when the first and second substrates are positioned so that the pixel electrode and the counter electrode are on the inside, and are attached to each other with a sealant, by providing a partition wall between the sealant and a conductive portion formed with a conductor to electrically connect the pixel electrode to the counter electrode, conductivity in a conductive portion can be certainly obtained.
US07683983B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a display that emits circularly-polarized light. This display includes a display mechanism that emits linearly-polarized light and a layer placed in the path of the linearly-polarized light. The layer receives the linearly-polarized light on one surface, converts the linearly-polarized light to circularly-polarized light, and then emits the circularly-polarized light from another surface. By emitting circularly-polarized light, the display reduces the perceived distortion found at some angles when the display is viewed through a linearly-polarizing filter.
US07683973B2
An image processing method aims to optimally improve a brightness distribution with respect to brightness of a face being a main subject of a person image. Thus, the method consists of: a brightness component extraction step of extracting a brightness component from image data; a low-frequency brightness component extraction step of extracting a low-frequency component signal of the brightness component as a low-frequency brightness component; a color adjustment step of performing color adjustment to the image data by using the brightness component and the low-frequency brightness component; a first parameter determination step of determining a first parameter; and a second parameter determination step of determining a second parameter in accordance with a distribution of brightness component values in a second area in the image data, wherein the color adjustment step causes processing a degree of the color adjustment according to the first and second parameters.
US07683971B2
An image conversion apparatus to perform a motion compensation and a motion compensation method. The image conversion apparatus includes a first buffer, a second buffer, and a third buffer that store sequentially incoming video fields in sequence, a motion estimator that estimates a motion vector between a first field stored in the first buffer and a third field stored in the third buffer, a motion compensator that compensates for a motion between the first field and the third field using the motion vector output from the motion estimator and thereby outputs an interpolated field, an output unit that outputs at least one of the interpolated fields output from the motion compensator and a second field stored in the second buffer, and a field selector that selects a field to be output from the output unit according to a film mode of the sequentially incoming video fields.
US07683961B2
A camera module includes a gradient index lens on a spacer plate attached over an array of pixel sensors and associated micro lenses. The spacer plate and gradient index lens can be formed at the wafer level during the manufacture of multiple camera modules. A process for manufacturing the camera modules thus provides tolerances and yields provided by wafer processing techniques rather than mechanical assembly.
US07683958B1
Systems and methods of providing spatially dependent image exposure information to a user of a digital camera. The described approach is applicable to determination of image exposure quality in a digital camera system. In these applications an image is displayed in a first display mode wherein the exposure information is overlaid on the image or in a second display mode wherein the exposure information is eliminated or reduced and thus is less obstructive of the image. In the second display mode, a separate exposure warning optionally conveys a subset of the information displayed in the first display mode. The invention includes a user input operable to temporarily specify a change in the display of the image between the first mode and the second mode while an image is displayed, thus providing the user with direct control of the presence and duration of spatially dependent image exposure information.
US07683951B2
A solid-state imaging apparatus comprises: a solid-state imaging device having pixels that image light originating from a subject, by dividing the light into color signals; and a signal processor that subjects photographed image data output from the device to white balance correction at a gain corresponding to light source type(s). The device further comprises a sensor that detects light in a wavelength range which induces a difference having a predetermined value or more between radiant energy of a first light source and that of a second light source on the surface of the device. The processor comprises: a mixing ratio estimation unit that determines a mixing ratio between illumination light originating from the first light source and that originating from the second one, through use of a detection signal output from the sensor; and a gain computation unit that computes a gain where the white balance correction is to be effected, according to the mixing ratio.
US07683945B2
An imaging system and method with an arrangement for sensing the performance of an optical system and providing data in response thereto and electronically correcting nonuniformity in the performance of the optical system in response thereto. In the illustrative application, the nonuniformity is a porthole effect. In the preferred embodiment, the arrangement for correcting includes an arrangement for providing an inverse distortion to an output of the system electronically. The inverse distortion is applied by generating a plurality of spatial correction coefficients from the performance data, storing the coefficients and applying the coefficients to current data from the optical system. The spatial correction coefficients are statistically generated gain and level correction defect maps. The present teachings should enable a correction of optical distortion in nonideal electro-optical systems without requiring additional optics.
US07683943B2
A system, method and computer program product for arranging digital data in a file in an apparatus-implemented system, is disclosed. One or more pages are generated, where each page includes: i. a mode field containing a camera operation mode, ii. an image data field containing image data, iii. an offset field containing an offset to a next page in the file, and a total size field containing a page size. Each page is recorded in the file using the same format.
US07683940B2
A method and apparatus for providing a plurality of sequential image data samples for display, is disclosed. A first one of the image data samples is accessed and then a second one of the image data samples is accessed. The first and second image data samples may then be provided for display, where one or more further data samples are provided in the event that the first and second image data samples are not contiguous. These further data samples indicate that image data samples are not available between the first and second image data samples.
US07683939B2
The image input unit comprises a pixel shift evaluation value and reliability calculating section that calculates a pixel shift evaluation value based on image data for a plurality of images photographed before and after an image sensing device is displaced for a predetermined amount. Moreover, a system controller judges whether pixel shift photography has been normally performed or not based on the pixel shift evaluation value, and displays the judgment result on a display.
US07683938B2
This image-taking system includes: at least one controllable motor (30, 32, 34) suitable for moving an image-taking point of a first mobile telephone in response to movement instructions received by the first mobile telephone, and a second telephone (42) including a module (60) for sending movement instructions to the first mobile telephone over a telephone network.
US07683937B1
In one general sense, a user may be presented with a multimedia experience corresponding to an entertainment event or venue by managing a sensor array having at least two sensors that are made configured to provide a stream of data units, associating location information with sensors in the sensor array, enabling the user to perceive a map related to an entertainment event or venue, relating the perceived map to one or more sensors within the sensor array, receiving a user request identifying a selected position within the map, identifying one or more sensors within the sensor array corresponding to the selection, and presenting to the user a multimedia experience based on one or more streams of data units associated with the selected sensors.
US07683930B2
A vertical blanking interval (VBI) signal testing tool captures, isolates, and analyzes a VBI signal to determine the quality of the VBI signal or signal source. A digitized VBI signal may be received and analyzed according to industry standards. The VBI signal is examined using thresholds, threshold points, and other points as a way of discerning waveforms in the signal and their individual characteristics. Thereafter, deviations of the VBI signal from industry standards are logged or displayed for review. One feature of the tool records captured VBI data to a persistent storage medium, thereby allowing post-processing of the VBI signal at another time and/or another location. An exemplary analysis program can read the recorded VBI data from the persistent storage medium and perform tests to determine the quality of the VBI signal or signal source. VBI signal translations are also contemplated.
US07683922B2
An exposure head, includes: a first imaging optical system and a second imaging optical system which are arranged in a first direction; a light emitting element which emits light to be imaged by the first imaging optical system; and a light emitting element which emits light to be imaged by the second imaging optical system, wherein an inter-optical-system distance in the first direction between the first imaging optical system and the second imaging optical system satisfies the following expression: m1·L1+m2·L2>2P1−(m1·dp1+m2·dp2) where m1 represents an absolute value of the optical magnification of the first imaging optical system, L1 represents a width in the first direction of the light emitting element to be imaged by the first imaging optical system, dp1 represents a pitch between the light emitting element in the first direction in the light emitting element to be imaged by the first imaging optical system, m2 represents an absolute value of the optical magnification of the second imaging optical system, L2 represents a width in the first direction of the light emitting element to be imaged by the second imaging optical system, and dp2 represents a pitch between the light emitting element in the first direction in the light emitting element to be imaged by the second imaging optical system.
US07683909B2
The present invention provides an image management device and an image management method, both capable of easily performing comparison and reference of images in which taken images and processed images generated from the taken images are intermingled. For that purpose, based on the discrimination results of the attributes of the images by an attribute discrimination unit, an image classification unit classifies the processed images in order that the processed images may be mutually associated or processed images may be associated with taken images related to the processed images. A classified image list is displayed by an image list display unit, and images selected from the list are displayed on an image display unit. Furthermore, the image list displayed on the image list display unit is changed by classification switching by an image classification switching unit.
US07683908B2
Aspects of the present invention relate to methods and systems for processing image data for use on LCD displays. Some aspects relate to an adaptive image compression techniques for liquid crystal display systems. Some aspects relate to systems and methods wherein varying degrees of compression are applied based on memory availability.
US07683907B2
An image forming apparatus including: a display portion for displaying an image; a storing portion for storing a plurality of operative instruction reception images, and operation guide images associated with the respective operative instruction reception images; a display controller for controlling the display portion to display an operative instruction reception image or an operation guide image stored in the storing portion; and an instruction receiving portion for receiving from an operator a display instruction to display an operation guide image. When the instruction receiving portion receives a display instruction, the display controller controls the display portion to display an operation guide image associated with an operative instruction reception image displayed on the display portion at the time when the instruction receiving portion receives a display instruction.
US07683902B1
A method of enhancing a display of performance data in a hierarchical state diagram includes measuring a processing time P(t) for each transition action code T(t) of each hierarchical level of the hierarchical state diagram, measuring a processing time P(t) for each state of each hierarchical level of the hierarchical state diagram, and modifying the hierarchical state diagram to enlarge or decrease a width W(t) of transition lines in accordance with a ratio of processing times of all transition action codes in a same hierarchical level. The method also includes modifying the hierarchical state diagram to enlarge or decrease an area size S(x) of a state P(x) to a ratio of processing times of all states in a same hierarchical level, to enlarge or decrease a width W′(t) of an arrow representative of an EntryAction and ExitAction of a state in proportion to processing time and displaying the modified hierarchical state diagram to enhance visualization of the modified transition line width W(t), the modified area size S(x) and the modified EntryAction/ExitAction width W′(t).
US07683898B2
A highly efficient LCD driving voltage generating circuit and method consumes a relatively small amount of power, as compared to conventional means. The LCD driving voltage generating circuit comprises a DC-DC converter for boosting an input voltage in response to a clock signal and for outputting the boosted voltage as a first driving voltage; a voltage controlled oscillator for generating the clock signal at a frequency that changes in response to the level of a control voltage; and a control voltage generator for generating the control voltage in response to the difference between a reference voltage and a feedback voltage derived from the first driving voltage. In this manner, as the feedback voltage becomes lower than a reference voltage, the frequency of the clock signal input into a DC-DC converter increases. If the feedback voltage is lower than a predetermined voltage, this indicates that the level of the first driving voltage is lower than a predetermined value, and thus current consumption of the LCD panel is large. It is possible to decrease power consumption and increase boosting efficiency by changing the frequency of the clock signal used for boosting of a DC-DC converter according to the current consumption of the LCD panel.
US07683894B2
A contact sensitive device and method of operation, comprising a member capable of supporting propagation of vibrations; at least one sensor mounted on the member for measuring vibrations in the member, wherein the at least one sensor transduces a vibration into an oscillating electrical waveform representing the vibration while preserving phase information represented therein; and a processor responsive to the oscillating electrical waveforms of the at least one sensor and analyzing at least the preserved phase information from the oscillating electrical waveform, to determine the location of the contact on the member. In this manner, for example, superposed signals can be distinguished and non-attenuating perturbations of the signal detected.
US07683888B1
A system and method for recognizing a signet and for performing an action associated with the signet. In one embodiment, the method includes generating a touch signal with a signet, the touch signal representing a particular signet pattern, recognizing the particular signet pattern, and performing an action associated with the particular signet pattern.
US07683884B2
The invention relates to a device for facilitating maintenance of a trackball. The device comprises a trackball, a cover inside which the trackball is attached, the cover comprising an opening allowing a movable part of the trackball to appear in order to operate the movable part from outside the cover, the trackball comprising maintenance means. According to the invention, the device comprises means for gaining access to the means of maintaining the trackball from outside the cover.
US07683865B2
A detachable liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal module and a cradle. The liquid crystal module includes a liquid crystal panel; an optical sheet provided on a rear surface of the liquid crystal panel; an interface disposed on a rear surface of the liquid crystal panel; a power receiver disposed on the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel; a memory card; and a timing controller for receiving second image data from external devices and permitting the first image data stored in the memory card to be displayed in the liquid crystal panel. The cradle includes a lamp emitting light; an inverter for supplying alternating current to the lamp; a connector for receiving third image data from external equipment; and an interface converter for applying the third image data to the interface of the liquid crystal module.
US07683861B2
A driving arrangement for a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), comprising a first power supply line (Vcc), a second power supply line (GND) and a set of signal lines (1a, 1b, 1c) for carrying brightness intensity and or chromatic information for the plurality of light emitting diodes (54). In a first possible configuration of use, the first (Vcc) and second (GND) power supply line jointly supply power to an “active” lighting source and the light emitting diodes (54) are driven as a function of the brightness intensity information provided via the signal lines (1a, 1b, 1c). In a second possible configuration of use for driving a “passive” source, the second power supply line (GND) is not used and the brightness of the light emitting diodes (54) is controlled by switching signals applied via the first power supply line (Vcc) and the set of signal lines (1a, 1b, 1c).
US07683855B2
A display, a signage system including the display, and methods of writing the display, are described, wherein the system includes at least one display, at least one writing unit, and at least one holder. Each display includes at least one bi-stable display element and at least one electrical interconnect substrate. The display can be written using the writing unit and displayed in the writing unit or in the holder.
US07683854B2
A tunable impedance surface includes a varactor. The varactor comprises a bottom electrode formed on a surface of a substrate. First and second ferroelectric elements are on top of the bottom electrode and electrically connected to one another through the bottom electrode. A first top electrode is on top of and electrically connected to the first ferroelectric element and a second top electrode is on top of and electrically connected to the second ferroelectric element.
US07683838B2
An object is to provide a semiconductor device in which even in the case where a plurality of antennas are provided, there is no limitation on the layout of the antennas so that disconnection between an integrated circuit portion and the antenna and reduction in a communication distance from a communication device can be prevented. An integrated circuit portion which includes a thin film transistor is provided on a first surface of an insulating base. A first antenna is provided over the integrated circuit portion. A second antenna is provided over a second surface of the base. The first antenna is connected to the integrated circuit potion. The second antenna is connected to the integrated circuit portion through a through hole formed in the base. The first antenna and the second antenna overlap with the integrated circuit portion.
US07683835B2
A system and method for locating a wireless device includes estimating respective distances between a wireless device and each of a plurality of access points, based upon respective signal strengths of a plurality of signals received by the wireless device from the plurality of access points. The location of the wireless device is estimated based upon the estimated respective distances and position information of the access points.
US07683830B2
A set of receiver antennas, of which at least one of the receiver antennas has the capability of receiving frequencies that another receiver antenna from the set is incapable of receiving, is used for determining position and orientation in a navigation system.
US07683827B2
A system and method are provided to reduce the effect of an interfering signal in a radar return signal for a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar. Once the interfering signal is detected, an extent of the interfering signal is determined and the data that was corrupted by the interfering signal is not included in the processing of the radar return signal. This allows the radar to detect a target in the presence of the interfering signal. The system and method can benefit any FMCW radar that is within the range of an interfering radar source (e.g. another FMCW radar, a police radar gun, a pulse radar, etc.) operating in the same frequency band as the FMCW radar. An alternative arrangement provides a system and method for determining the frequency of the interfering signal and then avoiding transmitting power in that portion of the frequency spectrum where the interfering signal is present.
US07683825B2
A method of measuring distance between a target and a receiver in a ranging system may comprise transmitting a first pulse at a first time determined by a sampling clock in a receiver, receiving the first pulse, sampling the first pulse at a predetermined amplitude threshold using the sampling clock and determining the time of arrival of the first pulse in terms of a number of periods of the sampling clock after the first pulse was transmitted. This may be repeated for a second pulse and the average times of arrival of the first and second pulses are determined to obtain an averaged estimated time of arrival. The distance between the target and the receiver may be determined by multiplying the averaged estimated time of arrival by the speed of propagation of the transmitted pulses. There is also disclosed an apparatus for measuring distance.
US07683820B2
A single-ended charge-domain pipeline of at least two stages is provided. Each stage comprises a charge-storage node, a charge-transfer circuit for conveying charge from said charge-storage node out of said stage, a charge-control capacitor connected to said charge-storage node and driven by a periodic clock voltage, a comparator which compares the voltage of said charge-storage node to a reference voltage, and a digital latch which latches the state of said comparator output under control of a second periodic clock voltage and provides a latched digital output from said stage. The second stage of the pipeline further includes a first charge-redistribution capacitor connected to the charge-storage node of the second stage and driven by a conditional voltage responsive to the latched digital output from the first stage. The charge output from each stage of said pipeline is substantially identical to the charge input to said stage.
US07683812B2
This invention relates to a pattern recognition correlator implemented entirely in the electronic domain. The correlator has a serial to parallel conversion means to convert input serial binary data into at least one input parallel binary electrical signal and a comparator to compare the or each input parallel data signal with a reference parallel binary data signal. The serial to parallel conversion means may comprises a demultiplexer to effectively slow the data update rate and a series of latch circuits to provide the parallel data signal. The comparator may be arranged to perform bit addition and may be arranged such that a zero total sum is an indication of correlation. The bit addition may be performed b an array of logic gates.
US07683791B2
An apparatus for detecting the presence of ice includes a sensor including a radio-frequency transmission line providing a characteristic impedance, a source coupled to the transmission line and operable to inject a wave into the transmission line, a summer operable to create standing wave, the standing wave including the sum of the injected wave and a reflected wave reflected by the end of the transmission line, the summer being connected between the source and the transmission line, and a detector for detecting the voltage of the standing wave. An embodiment may further include a comparator operable to compare the detected voltage with reference data for determining the presence of ice contacting the sensor.
US07683786B2
The present invention is directed to an article case for accessing information on an RFID tag attached to an article enclosed in the case, and an RFID system using the case. An article case in accordance with an embodiment includes: a built-in antenna communicating with the RFID tag attached to the article; and a communication structure connected to the built-in antenna and disposed on an outer surface of the case, for communicating with an external RFID reader/writer.
US07683776B2
A server system for remote monitoring includes a wireless communication interface, a processor, and a storage device. The wireless communication interface receives at least one data packet over wireless communications from a remote monitoring system. The processor processes the data packet including sensor information from a sensor coupled to the remote monitoring system. The storage device stores the sensor information.
US07683765B2
The invention relates to a system for a motor vehicle having a monitoring unit which monitors a fault-free functionality of at least one operator control unit of the motor vehicle and generates warning signals in the case of limit-value functions of the at least one operator control unit. The monitoring unit generates tactile signals as warning signals so that degradation of performance of the at least one operator control unit can be communicated haptically to a driver of the motor vehicle.
US07683763B2
A night light that transitions between at least two states to provide a visual indication to a child as to whether it is time for the child to get out of bed or that the child should stay in bed. The night light shows an illuminated sun to indicate that the child can get out of bed. The night light shows an illuminated moon with a border of Z's to indicate that the child should stay in bed. The transitions between modes are based on information entered into a user interface, the current time, and/or the actuation of buttons on the device.
US07683762B2
A control apparatus 10 has a housing containing an IC memory 25 of an RFID tag 20 as a memory element. The RFID tag 20 has an antenna 21 so as to close the housing. The antenna 21 may be attached to an outside of the housing so as to transmit and receive a radio wave to and from the outside of the housing and is connected to the inside of the housing in a closed state via a lead wire insulated from the housing. The housing may be made of a metal with a removable metallic cover formed at a part thereof to allow transmission and reception of the radio wave. The control apparatus 10 may have an RFID tag counterpart section 14 with an antenna 16 so that the RFID tag 20 is electrically insulated from a control circuit of the control apparatus 10.
US07683758B2
An electronic lock utilizes two microprocessors remote from each other for enhanced security. The first microprocessor is disposed close to an input device such as a keypad, and the second microprocessor is disposed close to the lock mechanism and well protected from external access. The first microprocessor transmits a communication code to the second microprocessor when it receives via the input device an access code that matches a preset access code. The second microprocessor opens the lock if the transmitted communication code matches a preset communication code. The dual-microprocessor arrangement is advantageously used in a voice controlled access control system and in a motorcycle ignition control system. The present invention further provides an electronic access control system which has a master electronic key having a preset number of access, and an electronic alarm system for a bicycle that has a remote control mounted in the helmet of the rider.
US07683748B2
The invention is directed to a control element, particularly in a central control unit. A magnet clamping system is integrated into a control element in order to render the function “slider setting” unequivocal. In addition to an actuator head that is positioned on a shaft, which is guided in a cylinder, for example, and at least one circuit board having LEDs, the control element includes a magnetic device having a designated magnet, which is functionally connected to the actuator head. When the actuator head is moved vertically by sliding, the magnetic device lifts off the magnet due to tilting, which causes a code disc attached to the actuator head to be brought into an inclined position such that a light flow on the light barriers formed by the LEDs is disrupted and/or opened up. In a further embodiment, this control element also includes press and rotate functions.
US07683745B2
A ground fault circuit interrupter device is described.
US07683740B2
An electronic component having: a substrate, a lower conductor layer provided on the substrate; an inorganic dielectric film that covers the lower conductor layer; and an upper conductor layer having an upper electrode portion provided on the inorganic dielectric film. The lower conductor layer has a lower electrode portion that together with the upper electrode portion and the inorganic dielectric film constitutes a capacitor, and a coil portion that constitutes an inductor. The entire inorganic dielectric film is formed integrally, and the lower conductor layer is in contact only with the substrate, inorganic dielectric film, and upper conductor layer.
US07683734B2
Various embodiments are described herein for a combiner. The combiner includes first and second transmission lines, a dielectric material disposed about the first and second transmission lines, an intermediate conductor arrangement disposed about the dielectric material, and an outer conductor arrangement disposed about the intermediate conductor. The dielectric material has a dielectric constant higher than that of air, and the intermediate conductor arrangement has reactive portions.
US07683733B2
An electronic assembly includes a substrate (66), a balun transformer (42) formed on the substrate (66) and including a first winding (50) and a second winding (52), each having respective first and second ends, and a reaction circuit component (48) formed on the substrate (66) and electrically coupled to the second winding (52) between the first and second ends thereof. The balun transformer (42) and the reaction circuit component (48) jointly form a harmonically suppressed balun transformer having a fundamental frequency, and the reaction circuit component (48) is tuned such that the harmonically suppressed balun transformer resonates at a selected harmonic of the fundamental frequency.
US07683731B2
The present invention improves the geometry of ferrite circulators in order to increase the average power handling by decreasing the temperature rise in the ferrite and associated adhesive bonds. Embodiments of the present invention utilize dielectric attachments on the sides of the ferrite element, which maximizes the area of contact and minimizes the path length from the ferrite element out to the thermally conductive attachments.
US07683730B2
A clock circuit has a crystal. A differential amplifier has a first input coupled to a first node of the crystal and a second input of the differential amplifier coupled to a bias signal and an output of the differential amplifier coupled to a second node of the crystal.
US07683729B2
In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes an apparatus that includes an inductive capacitive voltage controlled oscillator (LC VCO) to generate an output clock. A voltage to current converter is used to receive a forwarded clock and to inject the forwarded clock to the LC VCO. The output clock is a deskewed version of the forwarded clock.
US07683725B2
A system for generating a multiple phase clock is provided. The system includes a ring oscillator structure for generating multiple phases. The structure includes two or more unit oscillators, each unit oscillator implemented by a ring oscillator having M stages. The structure also includes a horizontal loop coupling the two or more unit oscillators to generate multiple phases. The number of phases generated is equal to the product of the number of unit oscillators and M. Another structure generates multiple phases using a multi-dimensional oscillator including ring oscillators constructed as vertical and horizontal loops with shared elements between the oscillators. A memory system includes a ring oscillator structure with vertical and horizontal loops, the ring oscillator structure receiving an input clock and outputting a multiple phase clock to one or more of a memory controller, memory devices and a memory interface device.
US07683723B2
A PLL circuit equipped with a loop gain detecting circuit that can suppress the change of the loop gain. When detecting the loop gain, the frequency of the input signal to the second input (IN-2) of the phase detector is first changed, and the response corresponding to the change is detected by the output of the voltage locked oscillator. The detection is performed by connecting the output of the voltage locked oscillator with the counter and connecting the output of the counter with the integrator. The phase locked loop characteristics are optimized by performing feedback for the detection result on the value of the charge pump current.
US07683716B2
A method, apparatus and system of constant output common mode voltage of a pre-amplifier circuit are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a first circuit, a comparator circuit coupled with an output of the first circuit, a pre-amplifier circuit of the comparator circuit, a tracking circuit coupled with a common output location of the pre-amplifier circuit to provide (e.g., source/sink) an additional current to the common output location of the pre-amplifier circuit using an alternate current path in the tracking circuit when an input common mode of the pre-amplifier circuit is beyond a saturation range, and a second circuit of the comparator circuit coupled with the pre-amplifier circuit. A scaled version of a pair of input transistors of a pre-amplifier circuit of the tracking circuit may be created using a scaling factor (‘N’).
US07683714B2
Disclosed is a differential amplifier which comprises a differential pair comprising depletion-type first and second N-channel MOS transistors, a first current source that supplies a current for the differential pair, a current mirror circuit formed by transistor pairs connected in cascode fashion in two stages, for connecting an output pair of the differential pair in folded connection, second and third current sources connected to an input terminal of the current mirror circuit and an output terminal of the current circuit, respectively, and a buffer amplifier with that has an input terminal connected to the output terminal of the current mirror circuit and has an output terminal connected to an output terminal of the differential amplifier.
US07683711B2
A voltage regulator, comprising an analog amplifier, a noise filter and a signal compensator, is disclosed. The noise filter for receives a first signal containing alternating current (AC) noise in which the noise filter substantially filters the AC noise from the first signal to thereby produce a second signal. The voltage regulator regulates the second signal to thereby generate a third signal therefrom. The third signal is substantially noise-free and is provided as a biasing voltage to the analog amplifier. The first signal is further provided to for amplification by the analog amplifier based on amplification characteristics of the analog amplifier and the amplification characteristics of the analog amplifier is determined by the biasing voltage provided to the analog amplifier.
US07683696B1
An open-drain output buffer is operative to sustain relatively high voltages applied to an output pad. The open-drain buffer includes a number of floating wells, output switching devices and corresponding well-bias selectors to ensure that no gate oxide sustains voltages greater than a predefined value. PMOS and NMOS well-bias selectors operate to select and provide an available highest or lowest voltage, respectively, to bias corresponding well-regions and ensure no device switching terminals are electrically over stressed. As output related terminals experience switching related voltage excursions, the well-bias selectors select alternate terminals to continue selection of the respective highest or lowest voltages available and provide correct well-biasing conditions. Voltage dividers are incorporated to generate well-biasing control voltages. By electrical coupling across maximal voltages, the voltage dividers generate reference voltages that induce proper selection of well-bias voltages to the floating wells.
US07683695B2
Systems and methods for reducing the magnitude of signal dependent capacitance are provided. Capacitance canceling circuitry is operative to generate cancellation capacitance in response to the magnitude of a signal, which may be the same signal that produces the undesired signal dependent capacitance, to at least partially cancel the signal dependent capacitance.
US07683692B2
Clock control is handed over in a bus circuit from a first circuit (14) to a second circuit (12). A clock conductor (10a) is driven to a predetermined voltage level with the driver circuit of the first circuit after a last clock period following the start of execution of the handover command and to continue driving the clock conductor (10a) to the predetermined voltage level for a first time-interval. The clock conductor (10a) is driven to the predetermined voltage level with the driver circuit of the second circuit after a second time interval following the start of execution of the handover command until a third time interval has elapsed following the end of the second time interval. Subsequently the clock conductor (10a) is driven under control of the clock circuit (140) of the second circuit (14). The first time interval contains a first integer number P1 of periods of a first clock signal of the first circuit and the second and third time interval contain a second and third integer number P2, P3 of periods of a second clock signal of the second circuit, a duration corresponding to the second integer number P2 equaling at least a pulse duration of the first clock signal, a duration corresponding to the first integer number P1 equaling at least a duration corresponding to the second integer number P2 plus one, a duration corresponding to the second plus third integer P2, P3 equaling at least a duration corresponding to the first number P1 plus one.
US07683686B2
A power-on circuit of a computer includes a heat sink, an SIO chip, a connector, a first electric switch, a second electric switch, and a third electric switch. When the heat sink is installed properly, the heat sink is grounded, and the first electric switch is turned off. After a power-on button is pressed down, a power supply on pin of the SIO chip sends a low level signal to turn off the second electric switch, the third electric switch is turned on, a power supply on pin of the connector is at a low level, and the computer is powered on. When the heat sink is installed improperly, the heat sink is not grounded, the first electric switch is turned on, the third electric switch is turned off, the power supply on pin of the connector is at a high level, and the computer cannot be powered on.
US07683680B2
A phase comparison of timing signals is made by combinational circuitry which receives the timing signals and a window signal, the window signal identifying edges of the timing signals to be compared. The comparison may result in a charge pumped output which can be fed back to control the phase of one of the timing signals. The phase comparator and charge pump circuit can be included in a multiplier circuitry in which the phase of an input signal is directly compared to the phase of an edge of the multiplied signal.
US07683671B2
An output driver having an output that is not dependant on the variation of the voltage level of a variable supply voltage. The output driver, having at least two power supply voltages and which is not influenced by the variation of the voltage level of a variable power supply, leads to a constant output slew rate.
US07683665B1
A system and method of implementing multiple programmable finite state machines using a shared transition table is disclosed, the method including forming a plurality of finite state machine cores such that an amount of the plurality of finite state machine cores is unchangeable, forming a state transition array, and forming a routing network such that the forming the plurality of associated state transition elements is realized.
US07683664B1
A selection circuit, such as a multiplexer circuit, programmable to hold the output signal at a constant logic level or select 1 of n input signals as the output signal is disclosed. A first bank of transistors receives the n input signals and is controlled by a first set of memory cells. A second bank of transistors is controlled by a second set of memory cells. At least two transistors of the second bank have gates are coupled to a complemented output of one of the second set of memory cells. Each transistor in the second bank is coupled to a subset of transistors of the first bank. An output stage is coupled to the second bank of transistors. A pair of serially coupled transistors has gates coupled to two memory cells of the second set that control the at least two transistors of the second bank. The output stage outputs the constant logic level signal when the serially coupled transistors are conducting, and outputs the selected input signal when the serially coupled transistors are not conducting.
US07683652B2
A low-voltage detection circuit detects a low voltage using a voltage follower type operational amplifier and an A/D converter instead of a conventional low-voltage detection circuit. That is, a reference voltage is applied from a reference voltage generating circuit to the A/D converter through the voltage follower type operational amplifier. The voltage follower type operational amplifier is used to reduce output impedance. The power supply voltage can be detected by a converted value (a digital value) from the A/D converter since the reference voltage is independent of the power supply voltage and the converted value varies depending on the power supply voltage. The converted value (the digital value) from the A/D converter is set in a register and statuses of a microcomputer are set as in the conventional art, using the converted value as a flag.
US07683649B2
A testing system contactor with an integral temperature measurement sensor.
US07683624B2
A magnetic field adjustment device for a superconducting magnet, wherein magnetic material shim mechanisms are arranged in an axial direction of an inside periphery of the cylindrical superconducting magnet, each of the magnetic material shim mechanisms including a combined shim tray (14 in FIG. 2) in which a plurality of divided shim trays (11 and 12) and shim tray spacers (13) inserted between the divided shim trays are rectilinearly coupled, and magnetic material shims (101) for magnetic field adjustments as are accommodated in the divided shim trays. The magnetic material shim mechanisms afford a high versatility of magnetic material shim arrangements, whereby a correctable range of a magnetic field uniformity can be widened.
US07683618B2
A manifestation of the invention provides a method for slice selective excitation for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A B0 field is applied. A STABLE pulse comprising of a BIR-4 envelope sampled by a plurality of subpulses with a duration is applied, where amplitude and frequency modulation functions of the BIR-4 envelope are slowly varying with respect to the duration of the subpulses. A portion of k-space is read out to obtain k-space data. The STABLE pulse and readout are repeated until sufficient k-space has been acquired. A Fourier Transform of the k-space data is taken.
US07683616B2
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for generating an image related to a radiographing area of a subject on the basis of a magnetic resonance signal produced in the radiographing area within a static magnetic field space, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes: a fiber tracking device for tracking a running fiber in the radiographing area on the basis of a diffusion tensor calculated from the magnetic resonance signal; and a diffusion tensor color map image generating device for generating as said image a diffusion tensor color map image so as to match a curved surface including a tract extracted in the fiber tracked by the fiber tracking device, wherein the diffusion tensor color map image generating device generates the diffusion tensor color map image in such a manner that, in the fiber tracked by the fiber tracking device, pixels corresponding to the fiber running as the tract along the curved surface are made equal in color, and the pixels corresponding to the fiber running as the tract along the curved surface and pixels corresponding to a fiber running as a fiber other than the tract in a direction different from the tract become different in color.
US07683613B2
The present invention pertains to an apparatus and method for conducting magnetic resonance measurements on fluids at high pressures and/or high temperatures. The apparatus can be used in conjunction with or as part of a downhole fluid sampling tool to perform NMR measurements on fluids withdrawn from petroleum reservoirs, or can also be used for laboratory measurements on live reservoir fluids. The apparatus can perform all of the measurements made by modern NMR logging tools, including multi-dimensional distribution functions of spin-spin (T2) and spin-lattice relaxation (T1) times and molecular diffusion coefficients. The spin densities of hydrogen and other NMR sensitive species can be computed from the distribution functions. The apparatus can also be used to predict the apparent conductivity of the fluids in the flowline from measurements of the quality factor (“Q”) of the NMR circuit. The apparent conductivity can be used to predict water cut or water salinity.
US07683608B2
The technology herein relates to a handler for testing electronic components, said handler comprising an acceleration device provided with a tappet which is linearly guided by means of at least one flat spring comprising two groups of spring arms, one group being fixed to the tappet and the other group to a frame which is stationary in relation to a housing of the movement generation device. Handler comprising an acceleration device for testing electronic components.
US07683602B2
A small light-weight battery operated calibrator device provides a precise sine wave output for use in calibration of test equipment, such as a RF Power Meter or a Spectrum Analyzer. The calibration device includes two power levels, one −40 dBm and one 0 dBm. The purpose of the two power levels is to obtain a slope and offset for correction of the RF power measuring device being calibrated. Operation indication LED lights are provided to indicate which of the two powers are in use, and if battery power is below acceptable levels. Miniature low power components including a crystal oscillator and a divide by 2 integrated circuit that generates a precise square wave and a low pass filter for converting the square wave into a precise sine wave allows the calibrator to be battery operated and stored as a calibration component.
US07683598B2
A DC-DC converter and first and second bypass switch circuits are provided in parallel between an input pin and first and second output pins and operate in accordance with a combination of the voltage value of the input pin and the voltage value required for the first output pin. A start control circuit causes the DC-DC converter to operate unconditionally in a step-down mode during the period from when the DC-DC converter is started until the output voltage of the DC-DC converter becomes equal to the voltage of the input pin. An output slope control circuit synchronizes rising slopes of the output voltages of the first and second bypass switch circuits with a rising slope of the output voltage of the DC-DC converter.
US07683593B2
In one embodiment, a power converter system includes a power device coupled between a first node and second node. The power device is operable to be turned on and off by a control signal. Current flows through the power device when the power device is turned on for delivering power to a load. A sensing circuit is coupled in parallel to the power device between the first node and the second node. The sensing circuit is operable to develop a signal indicative of the current flowing through the power device and is further operable to be turned on and off by the same control signal as for the power device. The sensing circuit turns on when the power device turns on and turns off when the power device turns off.
US07683592B2
A low dropout voltage regulator with switching output current boost circuit. In one aspect of the invention, a voltage regulator circuit includes a low dropout voltage regulator providing an output voltage at an output based on an input voltage at an input, and a boost circuit connected to the low dropout voltage regulator. The boost circuit includes a comparator and a boost transistor device for allowing additional current to be provided to the output of the low dropout voltage regulator when the output voltage of the current regulator falls below a predetermined threshold.
US07683576B2
A smart lead-acid battery charging/discharging management system comprised of one or a plurality of identical smart battery unit with each including a controller, a lead-acid battery, and a sensor switch device working together with a alternator and a voltage regulator to upgrade charging efficiency, achieve consistent capacity among batteries, and isolate malfunctioning or failing battery to extend service life of the battery.
US07683575B2
A method and apparatus for deactivating a bad battery cell from a battery pack for an energy storage system of an electric vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus and methodology includes a clamshell member arranged at an end of the cells and a printed circuit board arranged adjacent to the clamshell member. A collector plate is arranged adjacent to the printed circuit board and a switch is arranged on the printed circuit board. A wire bond is arranged between the switch and one of the cells and a second wire bond is arranged between the switch and the collector plate. The plurality of switches will allow for the identification of the one individual cell having a weak short circuit within the battery pack. Upon identification of the cell with the weak short circuit that cell will have its switch placed in an open position thus electrically isolating the faulty or bad cell from the battery pack.
US07683568B2
The switching rectifier and switching inverter on a motor drive unit are modulated to indirectly change the magnitude of current and voltage stored in DC link by controlling the magnetic field of the motor to correct for both power factor lead and power factor lag over a wide range of motor speeds and conditions while maintaining a predetermined motor operating point.
US07683558B2
An electric car control apparatus with which it is possible to make the size of equipment small.The control apparatus includes current detectors for respectively detecting currents flowing through collector shoes mounted on a leading car; a no-current indicator for outputting a no-current signal when the currents detected by these current detectors are zero; a no-current train line for transmitting the no-current signal to the following car; and disconnection timer mounted on each of the cars for, when inputting a speed signal and a no-current signal, in correspondence with the speed of the cars outputting a disconnection signal for causing a connector to disconnect after a predetermined time such that it is possible to determine that there is a dead section or gap.
US07683547B2
A method for lighting a flat fluorescent lamp for a large-sized backlight unit is disclosed, to prevent a discharge interference (scattering in fluorescent discharge) when lighting a plurality of groups of cylindrical electrodes being adjacent, in which an A.C. voltage is applied to one or two groups of cylindrical electrodes through introduction wires for lighting lamp in state of being not applied to adjacent one or two groups of cylindrical electrodes, so the plurality of groups of cylindrical electrodes are sequentially switched on and off in a time-division method at a speed not to generate the flicker of lamp.
US07683545B2
A plasma display panel includes a first substrate, on which discharge sustain electrodes are formed, and an opposing second substrate, on which address electrodes are aligned in a first direction. Barrier ribs between the substrates define a plurality of discharge cells within which phosphor layers are formed. The display electrodes have bus electrodes, forming a corresponding pair within each of the discharge cells, and extension electrodes, extending from the bus electrodes into each of the discharge cells to form an opposing pair. A pair of the display electrodes corresponding to each of the discharge cells forms a first gap and a second gap having different distances from each other between the opposing extension electrodes, and forms a third gap between the bus electrodes. The second gap is longer than the first gap, and the third gap is longer than the second gap.
US07683541B2
A display apparatus including: a rectangular thin plate form display device with a surface on one side in the thickness direction thereof as a display surface configured to display an image and with a surface on the other side as a back surface; rigid substrates each connected to an edge of the display device through a flexible substrate, operative to drive the display device, and each being elongate along the edge of the display device; a front cover covering the display surface of the display device; a rectangular thin plate form reinforcing plate attached to the back surface of the display device; and a rear cover covering the back surface of the display device and a back surface of the reinforcing plate.
US07683540B2
There is provided a light-emitting apparatus formed by attaching a device substrate where light-emitting device is formed and a sealing substrate which seals the device substrate through a sealing material and sealing the light-emitting device between the device substrate and the sealing substrate through the sealing material, wherein the sealing material includes a first sealing material and a second sealing material, wherein the first sealing material is formed to surround the light-emitting device between the device substrate and the sealing substrate and to have a sealing hole portion formed by not disposing the first sealing material, so that the first sealing material is discontinuous, wherein the sealing hole portion of the first sealing material is closed with the second sealing material, so that the second sealing material and the first sealing material constitute a ring-shaped sealing member, and wherein the first sealing material is provided with guide portions which are formed to be continuous with at least one side where the sealing hole portion is formed and to extend to an inner surface of the device substrate without being covered with the sealing substrate so as to be exposed.
US07683530B2
A cathodoluminescent light source has a field-emission cathode serving as a source of electrons, an anode having a specular light-reflecting surface, and an electron-excited phosphor applied to the specular light-reflecting anode surface. The cathode and anode are enclosed in an evacuated housing having a transparent surface, so as to let the electron-excited phosphor on the anode surface be irradiated with an electron beam, and to let the luminous flux resulting from the process of cathodoluminescence to emerge.
US07683529B2
Disclosed herein is a panel of a slim cathode ray tube constructed such that the deflection angle of an electron beam is 110 degrees or more. The slim cathode ray tube includes a tube part constituted by joining the panel and a funnel with each other. The panel includes a face part, a side wall disposed around the face part such that the side wall is bent toward the funnel, and a seal edge formed at the side wall, the panel being joined with the funnel at the seal edge. On the assumption that the thickness of the center of the face part is Tc, the thickness of the long side of the seal edge is Tx, the thickness of the short side of the seal edge is Ty, and the thickness of the diagonal part of the seal edge is Td, the panel is constructed such that the following inequalities are satisfied: 0.8≦Tc/Ty≦Tc/Tx≦1.0≦Tc/Td and Td
US07683526B2
A plasma display apparatus is provided having an improved glass filter. The plasma display includes a panel assembly, and a glass filter provided in front of the panel assembly. The glass filter includes a plurality of a dot parts disposed in front of a glass plate to adjust light transmissivity from the panel assembly and external light reflxibility. Thus, the glass filter may be produced simply, thereby lowering the production cost of the glass filter.
US07683522B2
A composite mode transducer for dissipating heat generated by a heat generating element is disclosed. The composite mode transducer includes a transducing module and connection elements. The transducing module includes first and second transducing elements connected in parallel. The connection elements are connected to resonance nodes of the first and second transducing elements. The first and second transducing elements are driven by a multiple-frequency resonance circuit, to produce resonance vibration of composite modes at resonance vibration frequencies of the system. The resulting advantages by using the composite mode transducer are: elimination of local stress concentration, and enhancement of efficiency, endurance and stability of the system. Accordingly, drawbacks of the prior art are overcome. The present invention further provides a cooling device with the composite mode transducer.
US07683516B2
A stator of a rotating electric machine includes a stator core, and multiphase stator coils incorporated in the stator core. The stator core is formed by connecting a plurality of split core pieces. Each of the stator coils is wound around a coil bobbin installed on the outer periphery of the tooth portion of a respective one of the core pieces, by a concentrated winding method; and around mutually adjacent tooth portions, the respective coils that have the same phase and mutually different in the winding direction are continuously wound. A crossover wire for connecting the first stator coil wound around the first tooth portion and the second stator coil wound around the second tooth portion, is located at a position further toward the central side in the axial direction of the coil bobbin than the end portion of the coil bobbin, inclusive of this end portion.
US07683515B2
An electrical drive comprising stationary outer and inner stators; a rotatably mounted rotor with at least one pot-shaped element having a cylindrical wall and a base wall, wherein the cylindrical wall is thin-walled and made of magnetic material, wherein the base wall extends perpendicular and a cylindrical coaxial to a rotor shaft axis and the base wall is connected to the rotor shaft for transfer of torque; at least one electrical excitation coil; and a plurality of permanent magnet elements secured to the rotor for producing an excitation flux, wherein the magnet elements rest only against a radially inner side of the cylindrical wall and in the circumferential direction are disposed next to one another, wherein the magnet elements, together with the stators, form magnetic circuits that pass radially entirely through the cylindrical wall, and wherein the radial thickness of the magnet elements is greater than the thickness of the cylindrical wall.
US07683507B2
A tubular linear generator comprises an elongate translator, containing a series of permanent magnets and one or more annular coils (not shown) contained within and affixed to a ferromagnetic sleeve. Relative movement between the translator and armature causes the generation of electricity in the coils. The sleeve is contoured in terms of permeability around its circumference at one or both its ends, as shown at, in order to reduce cogging forces between the sleeve and the permanent magnets along the translator.
US07683503B2
A dead battery preventing device enables to prevent an engine start failure (a dead battery) of a vehicle having an economy running function which is caused by the vehicle's being left in an engine stall state. The dead battery preventing device to be mounted on a vehicle having an economy running function comprises a unit for judging whether an informing condition for informing a user that the vehicle is in an engine stall state has been satisfied or not, and a unit for informing the user that the vehicle is in the engine stall state when it is judged that the informing condition has been satisfied, wherein the informing condition includes that the vehicle is in the engine stall state and that the vehicle shifted from an economy running state to the engine stall state.
US07683501B2
An energy recovery system includes a ventilation system of a defined area, at least one windmill located exterior to the defined area and at least one flow guide apparatus positioned between the at least one exhaust and the at least one windmill. The ventilation system has at least one exhaust from which air from within the defined area is expelled out of the defined area by an exhaust fan as an exhaust air flow. The one or more flow guide apparatuses are positioned between the exhaust and the one or more windmills and are preferably sized and configured to redirect at least a portion of the exhaust air flow into an axial flow that moves toward one or more of the windmills.
US07683490B2
A semiconductor device includes: multi-layer interconnection substrate having signal distribution interconnection and power supply line; and semiconductor circuit blocks installed on the multi-layer interconnection substrate for performing required operations. The multi-layer substrate includes: a third interconnection layer having interconnections extending in a first direction; a second interconnection layer having interconnections extending in a second direction which is different to the first direction; and a first interconnection layer having interconnections extends in a direction orthogonal to the first direction.
US07683489B2
A semiconductor device and a fabricating method thereof are provided. A PMD layer and at least one IMD layer are formed on a semiconductor substrate. A through-electrode penetrates through the PMD layer and the IMD layer, and a connecting electrode connects to the through-electrode.
US07683481B2
Contacts having use in an integrated circuit and exemplary methods of forming the contacts are disclosed. The methods involve forming a conductive cap over a metal plug. The invention can mitigate keyholes in the contacts by capping and encapsulating the conductive material used to form the contact. The exemplary cap may be made of a nitride material.
US07683480B2
A wirebond array (100) comprising a plurality of signal wires 110 and a plurality of ground wires (120) interdigitated with and substantially parallel to the set of signal wires (110). In one embodiment, each of the plurality of signal wires (110) and ground wires (120) is attached to a first semiconductor device (102) (e.g., a microwave power device). In another, each of the plurality of signal wires (110) is further attached to a package lead (104). In one embodiment, each of the plurality of ground wires (120) is further attached to a ground connection region (106) substantially coplanar with the package lead (104). Alternatively, each of the plurality of signal wires (110) is further attached to a second semiconductor device, wherein each of the plurality of ground wires (120) is further attached to the second semiconductor device.
US07683476B2
Semiconductor package films and a display module comprising a packaged semiconductor device punched from a semiconductor package film are provided. In one embodiment, the invention provides a semiconductor package film comprising a base film comprising a plurality of semiconductor device regions, an intermediate region disposed on a first surface of the base film and disposed between two semiconductor device regions, and a reinforcing member attached to a second surface of the base film opposite the first surface of the base film and attached opposite the intermediate region. Each semiconductor device region comprises a semiconductor mounting region adapted to receive a semiconductor chip, and first and second metal line regions.
US07683474B2
A light emitting diode (LED) assembly and a method of making the assembly, in which a container having an open top is provided with a two sets of holes through a bottom of the container, an electrically conductive heat sink is attached to the container bottom beneath the first set of holes, and in which an electrically conductive sheet is attached to the container bottom beneath the second set of holes, where the heat sink and sheet are isolated from each other. LEDs are placed in the first set of holes so that each has a first LED terminal on and adhered to an exposed part of the heat sink through the respective one of the first holes and in which a second LED terminal is connected via a wire lead to the sheet through a respective one of the second holes.
US07683473B2
The present invention provides a semiconductor device, a fabrication method therefor, and a film fabrication method, the semiconductor device including a first substrate (e.g., a semiconductor chip), an anisotropic conductive film that is provided on the first substrate and has a wiring pattern having at least a portion providing conduction through the anisotropic conductive film, and a second substrate (semiconductor chip) provided on the anisotropic conductive film and coupled to the first substrate via the portion providing conduction through the anisotropic conductive film. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a semiconductor device, a fabrication method therefor, and a film fabrication method, by which production costs can be reduced in electrically coupling different positions in upper and lower substrates.
US07683472B2
A power semiconductor module in a pressure contact embodiment and a method for producing such modules, for disposition on a cooling component. Load terminals of the modules are formed as metal molded bodies having at least one contact element, one flat portion, and contact feet emanating therefrom. Each flat portion is disposed parallel to, and spaced from, the surface of the substrate. The contact feet extend from the flat portion to the substrate. An elastic intermediate layer is disposed between adjacent load terminals, in the region of the respective flat portions, and the intermediate layer and load terminals form a stack.
US07683471B2
A rectangular display driver integrated circuit device adapted for use with a flat panel display (FPD) device is disclosed and comprises, a plurality of input pads arranged in a central portion of the display driver integrated circuit device, and a plurality of output pads arranged along edges of all four sides of the display driver integrated circuit device. An associated film, film package, and flat panel display (FPD) module adapted to receive the display driver integrated circuit device are also disclosed.
US07683462B2
A method of fabricating a chip package structure includes the steps of providing a lead frame having a die pad, plural leads and at least one structure enhancement element. A chip is then disposed on the die pad and plural bonding wires are formed to electrically connect the chip to the leads. Then, an upper encapsulant and a first lower encapsulant are formed on an upper surface and a lower surface of the lead frame, respectively. The first lower encapsulant has plural concaves to expose the structure enhancement element. Finally, the structure enhancement element is etched with use of the first lower encapsulant as an etching mask until the die pad and one of the leads connected by the structure enhancement element, or two of the adjacent leads connected thereby are electrically insulated.
US07683453B2
All low-temperature processes are used to fabricate a variety of semiconductor devices in a substrate the does not include an epitaxial layer. The devices include a non-isolated lateral DMOS, a non-isolated extended drain or drifted MOS device, a lateral trench DMOS, an isolated lateral DMOS, JFET and depletion-mode devices, and P-N diode clamps and rectifiers and junction terminations. Since the processes eliminate the need for high temperature processing and employ “as-implanted” dopant profiles, they constitute a modular architecture which allows devices to be added or omitted to the IC without the necessity of altering the processes used to produce the remaining devices.
US07683444B2
Materials and structures whose index of refraction can be tuned over a broad range of negative and positive values by applying above band-gap photons to a structure with a strip line element, a split ring resonator element, and a substrate, at least one of which is a photoconductive semiconductor material. Methods for switching between positive and negative values of n include applying above band-gap photons to different numbers of elements. In another embodiment, a structure includes a photoconductive semiconductor wafer, the wafer operable to receive above band-gap photons at an excitation frequency in an excitation pattern on a surface of the wafer, the excitation patterns generating an effective negative index of refraction. Methods for switching between positive and negative values of n include projecting different numbers of elements on the wafer. The resonant frequency of the structure is tuned by changing the size of the split ring resonator excitation patterns.
US07683443B2
An embodiment of a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a principal surface, spaced-apart source and drain regions separated by a channel region at the principal surface, and a multilayered gate structure located over the channel region. The multilayered gate structure includes a gate dielectric layer in contact with the channel region, a first conductor comprising a metal oxide overlying the gate dielectric layer, a second conductor overlying the first conductor, and an impurity migration inhibiting layer between the gate dielectric layer and the first conductor or between the first conductor and the second conductor.
US07683442B1
Systems and methods for raised source/drain with super steep retrograde channel. In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, in one embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises a substrate comprising a surface and a gate oxide disposed above the surface comprising a gate oxide thickness. The semiconductor device further comprises a super steep retrograde channel region formed at a depth below the surface. The depth is about ten to thirty times the gate oxide thickness. Embodiments in accordance with the present invention may provide a more desirable body biasing voltage to threshold voltage characteristic than is available under the conventional art.
US07683434B2
Methods for preventing cavitation in high aspect ratio dielectric regions in a semiconductor device, and the device so formed, are disclosed. The invention includes depositing a first dielectric in the high aspect ratio dielectric region between a pair of structures, and then removing the first dielectric to form a bearing surface adjacent each structure. The bearing surface prevents cavitation of the interlayer dielectric that subsequently fills the high aspect ratio region.
US07683433B2
An apparatus and method of manufacture for metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistors is disclosed. Devices in accordance with the invention are operable at voltages below 2V. The devices are area efficient, have improved drive strength, and have reduced leakage current. A dynamic threshold voltage control scheme comprised of a forward biased diode in parallel with a capacitor is used, implemented without changing the existing MOS technology process. This scheme controls the threshold voltage of each transistor. In the OFF state, the magnitude of the threshold voltage of the transistor increases, keeping the transistor leakage to a minimum. In the ON state, the magnitude of the threshold voltage decreases, resulting in increased drive strength. The invention is particularly useful in MOS technology for both bulk and silicon on insulator (SOI) CMOS. The use of reverse biasing of the well, in conjunction with the above construct to further decrease leakage in a MOS transistor, is also shown.
US07683432B2
A semiconductor device having a high-K gate dielectric layer includes a p-type well that is formed in an upper layer of a silicon substrate. Arsenic ions are implanted into an extreme surface layer of the p-type well and a heat treatment is performed to form a p-type low-concentration layer. A HfAlOx film and a polycrystalline silicon layer are laminated on the substrate. A gate electrode is formed by patterning the polycrystalline silicon layer. After a n-type extension region is formed by implanting arsenic ions by using the gate electrode as a mask, sidewall spacers are formed on sides of the gate electrode. Arsenic ions are implanted by using the sidewall spacers and the gate electrode as masks, whereby n-type source/drain regions are formed.
US07683426B2
All low-temperature processes are used to fabricate a variety of semiconductor devices in a substrate the does not include an epitaxial layer. The devices include a non-isolated lateral DMOS, a non-isolated extended drain or drifted MOS device, a lateral trench DMOS, an isolated lateral DMOS, JFET and depletion-mode devices, and P-N diode clamps and rectifiers and junction terminations. Since the processes eliminate the need for high temperature processing and employ “as-implanted” dopant profiles, they constitute a modular architecture which allows devices to be added or omitted to the IC without the necessity of altering the processes used to produce the remaining devices.
US07683411B2
An image sensor and a method of manufacturing the same that includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a photodiode, forming a color filter over the photodiode, forming a micro lens over the color filter and then forming at least one metal layer vertically extending through the microlens at an outer edge thereof.
US07683408B2
An image sensor and a fabricating method thereof are provided. A pixel area and a peripheral circuit area can have a step difference on a semiconductor substrate. A Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) circuit can be provided on the pixel area, and an interlayer dielectric layer can be provided on the pixel area and the peripheral circuit area. A photodiode can be provided on the interlayer dielectric layer of the pixel area such that the top of the photodiode, or an intrinsic layer of the photodiode, is about even with the top of the interlayer dielectric layer of the peripheral circuit area.
US07683390B2
A semiconductor device has an active layer, a first semiconductor layer of first conductive type, an overflow prevention layer disposed between the active layer and the first semiconductor layer, which is doped with impurities of first conductive type and which prevents overflow of electrons or holes, a second semiconductor layer of first conductive type disposed at least one of between the active layer and the overflow prevention layer and between the overflow prevention layer and the first semiconductor layer, and an impurity diffusion prevention layer disposed between the first semiconductor layer and the active layer, which has a band gap smaller than those of the overflow prevention layer, the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer and which prevents diffusion of impurities of first conductive type.
US07683384B2
An alphanumeric display includes a substrate that has top and bottom surfaces, a plurality of electrical contacts on the top surface, a plurality of light-emitting electronic devices mounted on the top surface, and a plurality of electrical pads on the bottom surface. The electrical contacts are connected to at least one light-emitting electronic device, and each of the light-emitting electronic devices is electrically connected with corresponding ones of the electrical contacts. The electrical pads are electrically connected to corresponding ones of the electrical contacts for communicating to the light-emitting electronic devices external sources of electrical power and control signals. The electrical pads on the bottom surface are arranged in a pattern to facilitate connections to the device using a conductive adhesive.
US07683382B2
An organic light emitting diode display includes a plurality of pixels. Each pixel includes a light emitting element and a driving transistor coupled to the light emitting element. The pixels may be arranged in a matrix. The pixels include first pixels, second pixels, and third pixels, the driving transistors of the first to the third pixels occupy different areas, and the light emitting elements of the first to the third pixels occupy substantially equal area.
US07683380B2
In one embodiment of an epitaxial LED device, a buffer layer (e.g. dielectric layer) between the current spreading layer and the substitute substrate includes a plurality of vias and has a refractive index that is below that of the current spreading layer. A reflective metal layer between the buffer layer and the substitute substrate is connected to the current spreading layer through the vias in the buffer layer. The buffer layer separates the current spreading layer from the reflective metal layer. In yet another embodiment, stress management is provided by causing or preserving stress, such as compressive stress, in the LED so that stress in the LED is reduced when it experiences thermal cycles. In one implementation of this embodiment, a layer is attached to the LED and reflective metal layer, and causes or preserves stress in the LED along one or more directions parallel to an interface between the LED epitaxial layers so that stress in the LED is reduced in said one or more directions when temperature of the structure is increased.
US07683379B2
A light emitting device having little variation in the intensity of light emitted from the light emitting surface is provided. The light emitting device of exemplary embodiments of the present invention includes a laminated body with a first conductivity type layer and a second conductivity type layer, with a light emitting portion therebetween. The light emitting device also includes a metal thin film layer on the second conductivity type layer of the laminated body, and a transparent conductor on the metal thin film layer. The transparent conductor includes a single layer of transparent conductive film. The grain size in the light emitting surface of the transparent conductive film is not less than 30 nm and not greater than 300 nm.
US07683375B2
A thin-film transistor includes a gate layer, a gate insulting layer, a semiconductor layer, a drain layer, a passivation layer (each of which being formed on or over an insulating substrate), and a conductive layer formed on the passivation layer. The conductive layer is connected to the gate layer or the drain layer by way of a contact hole penetrating at least the passivation layer. The passivation layer has a multiple-layer structure comprising at least a first sublayer and a second sublayer stacked, the first sublayer having a lower etch rate than that of the second sublayer. The first sublayer is disposed closer to the substrate than the second sublayer. The second sublayer has a thickness equal to or less than that of the conductive layer. The shape or configuration of the passivation layer and the underlying gate insulating layer can be well controlled in the etching process, and the conductive layer formed on the passivation layer is prevented from being divided.
US07683372B2
The present invention is to carry out stable doping and to prevent the drastic pressure change in a treatment chamber by reducing degasification of resist during adding impurities. In the present invention, the stability of the impurity ion injection can be ensured by reducing degasification of resist by reducing the area (resist area proportion, that is, the ratio of the area of resist to the whole area of a substrate) of resist pattern which is used depending on the conditions such as acceleration voltage or current density of a doping process.
US07683369B2
A structure is disclosed for measuring body pinch resistance Rp of trench MOSFET arrays on a wafer. The trench MOSFET array has a common drain layer of first conductivity type and a 2D-trench MOSFET array atop the common drain layer. The 2D-trench MOSFET array has an interdigitated array of source-body columns and gate trench columns. Each source-body column has a bottom body region of second conductivity type with up-extending finger structures. Each source-body column has top source regions of first conductivity type bridging the finger structures. The structure includes:a) A source-body column wherein each finger structure of the bottom body region has a formed top contact electrode.b) Two gate trench columns flank the source-body column and both have a formed top common gate contact electrode.Upon connection of the structure to external voltage/current measurement devices, Rp can be measured while mimicking the parasitic effect of neighboring trench MOSFETs.
US07683355B2
An EUV light source apparatus capable of preventing the efficiency of generation of EUV light from decreasing due to deterioration of a window of an EUV light generation chamber. The EUV light source apparatus includes an EUV light generation chamber provided with a window, a driver laser which generates a laser beam, a concave lens which enlarges the laser beam, a convex lens which collimates the enlarged laser beam, a parabolic concave mirror which is arranged in the EUV light generation chamber and reflects the collimated laser beam to collect the laser beam to a target material, a parabolic concave mirror adjusting mechanism which adjusts position and angle of the parabolic concave mirror, an EUV light collector mirror which collects EUV light, and a purge gas supply unit which supplies a purge gas for protecting the window and the parabolic concave mirror.
US07683338B2
The radiological imaging system which can improve an energy resolution and perform a diagnosis with high accuracy includes a bed for carrying an examinee H, first and second imaging apparatuses and disposed along the longitudinal direction of the bed. The first imaging apparatus has a plurality of semiconductor radiation detectors for detecting γ-rays emitted from the examinee H, arranged around the bed, the second imaging apparatus has an X-ray source for emitting X-rays to the examinee H and a radiation detector for detecting X-rays which have been emitted from the X-ray source and passed through the examinee H, and the bed is shared by the first imaging apparatus and the second imaging apparatus.
US07683331B2
A single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) system for cardiac imaging including an open arc-shaped frame. A collimator subsystem is shaped to approximately match the thoracic contour to optimize the geometric efficiency for detecting photons emitted from the heart of patients having different sizes and weights and shaped to surround and position the collimator subsystem closely proximate a heart of a patient of the patients encompassed by at least one predetermined image volume for optimizing collimation of radiation photons emitted from the heart. The collimator subsystem is facilitated by a tracking system that is capable of quickly bringing up the collimator component, which meets a specific set of collimation requirements, into place for imaging. And an open arc-shaped detector system is coupled to the collimator subsystem having a shape closely matching the shape of the collimator subsystem for detecting collimated radiation photons from the collimator subsystem and generating output electrical signals.
US07683325B2
An image forming apparatus includes an electromagnetic wave radiating portion, an electromagnetic wave detecting portion, a driving portion, a periodical signal generating portion for generating plural periodical signals, a memory portion, a processing portion, and an image forming portion. The driving portion changes the relative positional relationship between an object and the radiating portion. The detecting portion acquires transmitted or reflected wave from the object, as a time-series detection signal. The processing portion executes a process of multiplying the detection signals of the areas of the object with the periodical signals, and a process of adding the multiplied results and causing the memory portion to store the added results. The image forming portion forms an image of at least a portion of the object, based on information stored in the memory portion corresponding to the periodical signals, after the acquisition of the time-series detection signal, and the processes executed by the processing portion are repeated plural times for the areas of the object.
US07683322B2
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments a non-volatile storage medium is or can be operably coupled to a medical image acquisition device to reduce the risk of loss of medical image data.
US07683318B2
A laser atom probe (100) situates a counter electrode between a specimen mount and a detector (106), and provides a laser (116) having its beam (122) aligned to illuminate the specimen (104) through the aperture (110) of the counter electrode (108). The detector, specimen mount (102), and then be pulsed to bring the specimen to ionization. The timing of the laser pulses may be used to determine ion departure and arrival times allowing determination of the mass-to-charge ratios of the ions, thus their identities. Automated alignment methods are described wherein the laser is automatically directed to areas of interest.
US07683307B2
A solid state image pickup element includes a pixel unit having a plurality of pixels for photoelectric conversion disposed in a matrix shape and a pixel signal read circuit for reading pixel signals in the unit of a plurality of pixels from the pixel unit. The pixel signal read circuit includes a plurality of comparators disposed in correspondence with a pixel column layout for performing comparison judgment between a read signal potential and a reference voltage and outputting a judgment signal and a plurality of counters each for counting a comparison time of a corresponding one of the comparators, an operation being controlled by an output from a corresponding one of the comparators. The comparators include a first amplifier for performing a comparison operation between the reference voltage and the read signal potential and inverting an output at a predetermined comparison point, a second amplifier for forming a current path when an output of the first amplifier is inverted, to output an output of the first amplifier by gain up, and a current control circuit for shutting the current path of the second amplifier when an output level of the second amplifier exceeds a predetermined threshold level.
US07683303B2
The invention provides an imaging device comprised of nanoscale crossbar arrays upon a transmissive medium. The preferred embodiment employs a BOPET film as the transparent material bearing addressable nanoscale arrays, and the arrays connected to leads through micro lithographic techniques, and in turn connected to a logic device. An imaging volume is provided by stacking the array-bearing sheets. The volumetric imaging device functions omnidirectionally. By means of applying Fourier and/or geometric optics techniques to imaging data, various focal points and planes of focus can be calculated. The preferred embodiment is on the order of 1 cubic mm. Alternate embodiments include display and projection devices.
US07683301B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for preventing incorrect lighting changes in a daylight-harvesting system, which controls the output of a lighting system based on the presence of daylight and/or other light sources to reduce energy usage. During operation, the system measures a first light level using a first sensor. Next, the system measures a second light level for a different field-of-view using a second sensor. When the system detects through the first sensor a change in the first light level, the system determines from the second sensor whether the second light level has also changed. If the first sensor and the second sensor both detect a change (in the same direction) in the measured light levels, the system adjusts the light output of the lighting system to maintain target light levels for the area.
US07683296B2
Heaters for treating a subsurface formation are described herein. Such heaters can be obtained by using the systems and methods described herein. The heater includes a heater section including iron, cobalt, and carbon. The heater section has a Curie temperature less than a phase transformation temperature. The Curie temperature is at least 740° C. The heater section provides, when time varying current is applied to the heater section, an electrical resistance.
US07683291B2
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a single substrate processing method which continuously heats substrates to be processed to which films containing solvents are applied, by use of a heating apparatus having an opening/closing mechanism, including supplying a gas containing a solvent contained in a film of a first substrate to be processed into the heating apparatus in a closed state of the opening/closing mechanism between processing of the first substrate to be processed and processing of a second substrate to be processed.
US07683290B2
Methods and apparatus to characterize a welding output circuit path. A welding output circuit path is characterized in real time with respect to a true energy and/or true power input to the welding output circuit path. A welding output circuit path is also characterized with respect to an inductance of the welding output circuit path. A welding output circuit path is further characterized with respect to a welding output waveform.
US07683283B2
A device and method for merging pre-sequenced products includes at least a first and a second feeder mechanism. The first feeder mechanism feeds a stream of first pre-sequenced product and the second feeder mechanism feeds a stream of second pre-sequenced product. A reading device reads product information of each product of the stream of the first and second pre-sequenced product. A pausing device pauses one of the first stream of pre-sequenced product and the second stream of pre-sequenced product based on the information read from the reading device. The product from one or both of the stream of first and second pre-sequenced product having the same product information is organized into a sequentially merged order.
US07683264B2
The invention is a terminal assembly having a casing with at least one delivery tapered-cone conductor and at least one return tapered-cone conductor routed there-through. The delivery and return tapered-cone conductors are electrically isolated from each other and positioned in the annuluses of ordered concentric cones at an off-normal angle. The tapered cone conductor service can be AC phase conductors and DC link conductors. The center core has at least one service conduit of gate signal leads, diagnostic signal wires, and refrigerant tubing routed there-through. A seal material is in direct contact with the casing inner surface, the tapered-cone conductors, and the service conduits thereby hermetically filling the interstitial space in the casing interior core and center core. The assembly provides simultaneous high-current, high-pressure, low-inductance, and high-reliability service.
US07683262B2
A power transmission conductor, in particular for overhead electric lines, and including at least one central composite core made up of continuous fibers impregnated by a thermosetting resin matrix, the core being coated by at least one layer of insulating material, with aluminum or aluminum alloy conductor wires being wound around the core. The conductor comprises a short-circuiting device for short-circuiting said fibers with said conductor wires.
US07683237B2
The present invention provides a transgenic maize plant having in its genome transgenic DNA including sequence for zein reduction and sequence for lysine biosynthesis, whereby expression of the transgenic DNA results in a synergistically increased lysine content of seed of the transgenic maize plant. The invention further provides a method for providing maize seed with synergistically increased lysine content.
US07683236B2
Enhanced production of cloned mammals by zona pellucida-free homologous mammalian embryo aggregation
Compositions and methods are provided for the efficient and reproducible generation of clone animals of all developmental stages. Also provided are methods of use of the same in reproductive and therapeutic cloning protocols.
US07683229B2
The present invention relates to novel truxene and isotruxene derivatives, in particular spirotruxene and spiroisotruxene derivatives, and to the use thereof in organic electronic devices, in particular organic electroluminescent devices.
US07683221B2
A process for the manufacture of alkylene glycol by the hydration of alkylene oxide using a soluble catalyst that permits the separation of the reaction product into an alkylene glycol product stream and a recycle stream without the significant precipitation of the soluble catalyst from the recycle stream.
US07683219B1
The disclosed is about a hydroformylation of a cyclic olefin with rhodium catalyst, and specifically about the recovering of the rhodium catalyst. Aldehyde and the cyclic olefin are added into a rhodium catalyst solution to process a hydroformylation, thereby forming the product cycloalkyl aldehyde. Afterwards, the result is divided into two layers. The upper layer is substantially rhodium catalyst solution, and the lower layer is substantially cycloalkyl aldehyde and the aldehyde. After separation, the upper layer is reserved to process next hydroformylation reaction with newly added cyclic olefin.
US07683218B2
Disclosed is an efficient and widely-applicable method for commercially producing a thioether compound or a thiol compound which is useful as a pharmaceutical compound or a production intermediate of it. Specifically disclosed is a method for producing a thioether compound represented by the general formula [I] below or a salt thereof. This method is characterized in that a compound represented by the following general formula [III]: [III] (wherein X represents a bromine atom, a chlorine atom or a trifluoromethylsulfonyloxy group, and ring A represents an aryl group or a heteroaryl ring group) or a salt thereof is reacted with a thiol compound represented by the following general formula [II]: [II] or a salt thereof in the presence of a palladium compound such as Pd2(dba)3, a base such as i-Pr2NEt and a phosphorus compound represented by the following formula [AA].
US07683216B2
A process for the preparation of alkyleneimines by subjecting sulfuric acid monoesters of aminoalkanols to an at least two-stage reaction with aqueous bases at a temperature of at least 110° C. under pressure, relieving the pressure of the reaction mixture and distilling off the alkyleneimines from the reaction mixture after each reaction stage, wherein the conversion in the first stage is from 40 to 90% and that in the second stage is from more than 90% to 99.99%.
US07683194B2
The invention relates to a method for the production of salts of weakly coordinating anions of the type according to the following formula (1), (2) or (3): M[F—X(OR F)m]z (1), M[(FRO)mX—F—X(ORF)m]z (2), M[(FRO)mX—F—X(ORF)n—F—X(ORF)m]z (3), these salts of weakly coordinating anions and use thereof.
US07683191B2
The invention relates to a method for producing chiral organic compounds by asymmetric catalysis, using ionic catalysts comprising a chiral catalyst anion. The claimed method is suitable for reactions which are carried out over cationic intermediate stages, such as iminium ions or acyl pyridinium ions. The invention enables the production of chiral compounds with high ee values, that until now could only be obtained by means of costly purification methods.
US07683190B2
A method of preparing enatiomerically enriched 3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyl-dodecahydro-naphtho[2,1-b]furan, formula (I), from (E,E)-homofarnesic acid or (E)-monocyclohomofarnesic acid by (a) reacting firstly with a chiral alcohol, (b) reacting the product of (a) with an acid to cause a first cyclization, (c) producing an alcohol by reacting the product of (b) with a reducing agent and (d) causing a second cyclization by reacting the product of (c) with an acid. The product of this process gives a mixture of both enantiomers with one in excess.
US07683184B2
The heterocyclic compound of the present invention is represented by general formula (I) and is suitable to forming an optical recording layer in an optical recording medium to which short-wavelength light is applied for recording and playing-back. (In the formula, ring A represents a benzene or naphthalene ring optionally substituted with an alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy or amido group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, a halogen atom, a cyano group, a nitro group, a sulfonyl or sulfinyl group containing a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, or an alkylamino or dialkylamino group wherein each alkyl has 1 to 8 carbon atoms; X represents CRaRb, NY, O, S, or Se atom, wherein Ra and Rb each represent a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, which may be united to form a 3- to 6-membered ring, and Y represents a hydrogen atom or an organic group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms; R1 and R2 each represent independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or an aralkyl group having 7 to 18 carbon atoms; R3 and R4 each represent independently a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or are united to form a heterocycle free from multiple bonds; Y1 represents a hydrogen atom, an organic group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, or a group represented by general formula (II); Anq− represents a q-valent anion; q represents 1 or 2; and p represents a coefficient for satisfying the electric charge neutrality.)
US07683183B2
Monomeric metal complexes having improved luminescence properties are provided. In one embodiment, a monomeric metal complex is represented by the formula [PN]M(L)2. PN is an amidophosphine ligand, and M may be any metal capable of exhibiting luminescent properties, for example, a d10 metal. L may be a tertiary phosphine. Alternatively, a second PN ligand or DPPE may take the place of both L ligands.
US07683179B2
The present invention relates to new addition salts of lercanidipine comprising lercanidipine and an acid counterion wherein the acid counterion is selected from the group consisting of: (i) inorganic acids, (ii) sulfonic acids, (iii) monocarboxylic acids, (iv) dicarboxylic acids, (v) tricarboxylic acids, and (vi) aromatic sulfonimides, with the proviso that said acid counterion is not hydrochloric acid.
US07683177B2
The present invention provides a process comprising admixing a thioether with about 1.05 to about 1.6 molar equivalents of an active chlorine-containing oxidant, preferably sodium hypochlorite, and about 2.5 to about 5.0 molar equivalents of an alkali metal base; and recovering a sulfoxide that is preferably pantoprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, or rabeprazole. The process may further comprise contacting the sulfoxide with a source of sodium ions, preferably sodium hydroxide, to produce the sodium salt of the sulfoxide. The invention also relates to novel chlorinated derivatives of pantoprazole including 5-(difluoromethoxy)-2-[[(3,4-dimethoxy-2-pyridinyl)-chloromethyl]sulfinyl]-1H-benzimidazole and 5-(difluoromethoxy)-2-[[(3,4-dimethoxy-2-pyridinyl)-chlorohydroxymethyl]sulfinyl]-1H-benzimidazole and processes for making them. The invention also relates to processes of quantifying and identifying a compound other than pantoprazole in a mixture of pantoprazole and at least one other compound.
US07683163B2
The present invention relates to colchicine derivatives, in particular to the 3-demethyl and 3-demethylthio-colchicine of the general formula (I) in which X is oxygen or sulfur, a method for the preparation thereof and pharmaceutical compositions containing them. The compounds of formula (I) have muscle relaxing, anti-inflammatory and anti-gout activity.
US07683155B2
A phenolic novolak having the contents of a monomeric phenol and a dimeric phenol and a degree of dispersion controlled can be obtained in high yield by a process for production of a phenolic novolak having a step of conducting a heterogeneous reaction of a phenol and an aldehyde in the presence of a phosphoric acid and an unreactive oxygen-containing organic solvent as a reaction cosolvent.
US07683149B2
Novel iron and cobalt complexes of certain novel tricyclic ligands containing a “pyridine” ring and substituted with two imino groups are polymerization and/or oligomerization catalysts for olefins, especially ethylene. Depending on the exact structure of the ligand, and polymerization process conditions, products ranging from α-olefins to high polymers may be produced. The polymers, especially polyethylenes, are useful for films and as molding resins.
US07683147B2
Olefins are polymerized by novel transition metal complexes of selected iminocarboxylate and iminoamido ligands, sometimes in the presence of cocatalysts such as alkylaluminum compounds or neutral Lewis acids. Olefins which may be (co)polymerized include ethylene, α-olefins, and olefins containing polar groups such as olefinic esters for example acrylate esters. Also described are certain “Zwitterionic” transition metal complexes as polymerization catalysts for making polar copolymers. The resulting polymers are useful as thermoplastics and elastomers.
US07683145B2
A method for the emulsion polymerization of one or more olefins by reacting a ligand of general formulae Ia and Ib or a mixture of at least two ligands Ia or Ib, wherein R respectively represents one or several of the following radicals; hydrogen, halogen, nitrile, C1-C12-alkyl groups, C1-C12-alkoxy groups, C7-C13-aralkyl groups, C6-C14-aryl groups, and wherein identical or different compounds of general formulae Ia and Ib can, optionally, be concatenated by one or several bridges, with a phosphine compound PR3′ and a metal compound of general formula M(L2)2 or M(L2)2 (L1)z, wherein the variables are defined as follows: M is a transition metal of groups 7-10 in the periodic system of the elements; L1 represents phosphanes (R5)xPH3-x or amines (R5)xNH3-x with identical or different radicals R5, ether (R5)2O, H2O, alkohols (R5)OH, pyridine, pyridine derivatives of formula C5H5-x(R5)xN, CO, C1-C12-alkylnitriles, C6-C14-arylnitriles or ethylenically unsaturated double bond systems, wherein x is a whole number ranging from 0-3, L2 represents halogenide ions R6xNH3-x, wherein x is a whole number ranging from 0 3 and R6 represents C1-C12-alkyl, and C1-C6-alkylane ions, allylane ions, benzylane ions or arylane ions, wherein L1 and L2 can be concatenated with each other by one or several covalent bonds, z is a number ranging from 0 4. The invention also relates to the immediate use of the reaction product in the polymerization or copolymerization of olefins in water or in a solvent mixture containing at least 50 vol. % water in the presence of an emulsifier and, optionally, in the presence of an activator.
US07683141B2
The present invention relates in a first embodiment to a polymer film comprising a propylene random copolymer with a total comonomer content of 4.5 to 12 mol % wherein the sealing initiation temperature SIT of the film is Tm−30° C. or less, preferably Tm−33° C. or less, in a second embodiment to a polymer film comprising a propylene random copolymer with a total comonomer content of 4.5 to 12 mol % wherein the film is having a relative reduction of the static friction value (inside-inside) from one to four days of 35% or more, preferably 40% or more, in a third embodiment to a polymer film comprising a propylene random copolymer with a total comonomer content of 4.5 to 12 mol % wherein the distribution of the comonomer in the random copolymer determined according to TREF method is multimodal, preferably bimodal, in a fourth embodiment to a polymer film comprising a propylene random copolymer with a total comonomer content of 4.5 to 12 mol %, wherein the copolymer is having an elution interval of 50° C. or more, and in a fifth embodiment to a polymer film comprising a copolymer with a total comonomer content of 4.5 to 12 mol % wherein the random copolymer is a unimodal polymer and the elution interval is determined by the equation Y≦4.5·m+16 wherein Y is the elution interval in ° C. and m is the percentage of ethylene in the copolymer in wt. %.
US07683128B2
The present invention provides an ionomer composition for a golf ball providing a golf ball which is excellent in abrasion-resistance, durability and resilience, and a golf ball using the same. An ionomer composition for a golf ball of the present invention comprises a binary copolymer obtained by copolymerizing an olefin monomer having 2 to 8 carbon atoms with an unsaturated monomer having an acid functional group and/or a ternary copolymer obtained by copolymerizing an olefin monomer having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, an unsaturated monomer having an acid functional group and an unsaturated carboxylic acid ester, wherein a functional group is introduced in both terminals of the copolymers.
US07683116B2
A hardener composition useful in a two part resin system. The hardener composition includes a reactive carrier, and a peroxide catalyst. The hardener composition can have a shelf life of over six months. A two-part polyester resin system and a method of making a polyester resin composition are also disclosed.
US07683115B2
This invention relates to the preparation of silica-containing rubber compositions which contain precipitated silica reinforcement and use of an oligomeric organomercaptosilane coupling agent containing a plurality of mercapto and silane moieties, and a minimal content, if any, of ethoxy groups and is thus substantially free of ethoxy groups. The interaction of the plurality of mercapto moieties, or groups, of such oligomeric organomercaptosilane with the diene-based elastomer can promote a significant viscosity build up of the uncured rubber composition in a preliminary non-productive mixing stage and therefore present significant rubber processing difficulties during the mixing of the rubber composition. A challenge is therefore presented for reducing such viscosity buildup for such uncured silica-containing rubber composition.
US07683109B2
A conductive composition comprises a π conjugated conductive polymer, a dopant composed of polyanion, and at least one crosslinking site forming compound selected from (a) compounds having a glycidyl group and (b) compounds having a hydroxyl group and one selected from the group consisting of allyl, vinyl ether, methacryl, acryl methacrylamide, and acrylamide groups. An antistatic coating material comprises a π conjugated conductive polymer, polyanion, at least one crosslinking site forming compound selected form the above (a) and (b), and a solvent. An antistatic coating is formed by applying the above-mentioned antistatic coating material. In a capacitor comprising an anode composed of a valve metal porous body; a dielectric layer formed by oxidizing the suds of the anode; and a cathode formed on the dielectric layer, the cathode has a solid electrolyte layer formed by crosslinking complexes of a π conjugated conductive polymer and a dopant composed of a polyanion.
US07683102B2
Vehicles for ink compositions are disclosed. The described ink vehicles include at least one curable component, and optionally include initiating agents, colorants, non-curable components and other additives. Processes for preparing the ink vehicles and ink compositions containing the ink vehicles are also described.
US07683083B2
Biphenyl derivatives useful as ion channel antagonists are disclosed herein. The compositions thereof are useful for treating or relieving pain-related conditions.
US07683082B2
Novel 1,2,4-oxadiazole benzoic acid compounds, methods of using and pharmaceutical compositions comprising an 1,2,4-oxadiazole benzoic acid derivative are disclosed. The methods include methods of treating or preventing a disease ameliorated by modulation of premature translation termination or nonsense-mediated mRNA decay, or ameliorating one or more symptoms associated therewith.
US07683080B2
The present invention provides a stable 2-(2-pyridylmethyl) sulfinyl-1H-benzimidazole (lansoprazole) comprising either greater than 500 ppm and not more than about 3,000 ppm water or greater than 200 ppm and not more than about 5,000 ppm alcohol, or both. The present invention provides a method of preparing a stable lansoprozole as well as a pharmaceutical composition containing same. The present invention further provides a method of purifying lansoprazole that is substantially free of sulfone and sulfide derivatives.
US07683079B2
The present invention relates to compounds of the formula (I) wherein R1 and R2 are as defined in the description and claims, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The compounds are useful for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases which are associated with DPP-IV, such as diabetes, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and/or impaired glucose tolerance, obesity, and/or metabolic syndrome or β-cell protection.
US07683073B2
The invention relates to various substituted isoquinoline-1,3,4-trione, the synthetic method thereof and the use for treating neurodegenerative diseases, especially as the medicine for Alzheimer's disease, apoplexy and brain ischemic injuries.
US07683070B2
It has now been found that certain novel N-(substituted aryl)-4-(disubstituted methyl)piperidine and pyridine derivatives have provided unexpected insecticidal activity. These compounds are represented by formula (I): wherein m, n, q, r, and s are independently selected from 0 or 1; and p is 0, 1, 2, or 3; A is C or CH; and B, D, E, R, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 are fully described herein. In addition, compositions comprising an insecticidally effective amount of at least one compound of formula I, and optionally, an effective amount of at least one of a second compound, with at least one insecticidally compatible carrier are also disclosed; along with methods of controlling insects comprising applying said compositions to a locus where insects are present or are expected to be present.
US07683061B2
Compounds containing two mono- or disubstituted triazine rings covalently linked by an organic linker, but not linked directly to each other, may be used to treat autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases which are amenable to treatment with compounds of this invention include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), idiopathic (immune) thrombocytopenia (ITP), glomerulonephritis and vasculitis. The present invention also relates to reducing drug toxicity which often accompanies traditional therapies for autoimmune diseases. The compounds may also be used to bind antibody in vitro or ex vivo.
US07683060B2
The present invention is directed to [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-b][1,2,4]triazines, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, which are inhibitors of kinases such as c-Met and are useful in the treatment of cancer and other diseases related to the dysregulation of kinase pathways.
US07683055B2
The present invention provides compositions comprising lanthionine ketimine derivatives and thiomorpholine dicarboxylic acid derivatives, as well as processes for the preparation of such compounds. The invention also concerns the use of lanthionine, lanthionine ketimine (LK), LK derivatives, thiomorpholine dicarboxylic acid (TMDCA), and TMDCA derivatives. It concerns the use of these compounds for the treatment and/or prevention diseases, including diseases affecting the central nervous system. The invention provides for compounds and methods having anti-oxidant, anti-neuroinflammatory and neuroprotective activities. It also provides for compounds having the ability to pass through and/or be transported through cellular membranes, such the blood-brain barrier.
US07683053B2
The invention provides compounds represented by the general formula I wherein the substituents are defined in the application. The compounds are useful in the treatment of an affective disorder, including depression, anxiety disorders including general anxiety disorder and panic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder.
US07683051B2
The present invention is directed to a crystalline polymorph of bazedoxifene acetate, compositions containing the same, preparations thereof, and uses thereof.
US07683049B2
The present invention provides β-methyl carbapenem compounds and pharmaceutical compositions useful in the treatment of bacterial infections and methods for treating such infections using such compounds and/or compositions, wherein the compounds are generally of the Formulae The invention includes administering an effective amount of a carbapenem compound or salt and/or prodrug thereof to a host in need of such a treatment.
US07683045B2
The present invention relates to a new class of compounds having γδ T cells activating properties referred to herein as angelyl or tiglyl phosphoesters, compositions comprising any of these compounds and methods for regulating an immune response in a subject comprising the step of administering these compounds.
US07683040B2
This invention pertains to a liquid intranasal pharmaceutical formulation comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt of rotigotine and α-cyclodextrin, preferably in the form of a buffered aqueous solution having a viscosity of 0.5-1.5 mm2/s.
US07683038B2
The present invention relates to percarboxylated polysaccharide selected from the group consisting of gellan, carboxymethylcellulose, pectic acid, pectin and hyaluronic acid derivatives; the process for their preparation and their use in the pharmaceutical, biomedical, surgical and healthcare fields.
US07683033B2
The present invention relates to compounds of formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or mixtures thereof that inhibit serine protease activity, particularly the activity of hepatitis C virus NS3-NS4A protease. As such, they act by interfering with the life cycle of the hepatitis C virus and are also useful as antiviral agents. The invention further relates to compositions comprising these compounds either for ex vivo use or for administration to a patient suffering from HCV infection and to processes for preparing the compounds. The invention also relates to methods of treating an HCV infection in a patient by administering a composition comprising a compound of this invention. The invention further relates to processes for preparing these compounds.
US07683031B2
The present invention concerns compounds comprising, within short sequences from a specific regions of the 7TM receptor, that can modulate 7TM receptor-associated signal. The present invention further concerns methods for stimulation angiogenesis by administration of peptides derived from the EDG3 7TM-receptor.
US07683026B2
The object of the invention is to provide an improved method for synthesizing a KPV tripeptide diamide derivate having the formula (I) such as defined in the specification. The synthesis method according can be implemented with any of the stereoisomers of each of the Lysine (K), Proline (P) or Valine (V) amino acid residues.
US07683023B2
The present invention relates to the use as perfuming ingredient of a 3,3-dimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl or a 3,3-dimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-yl derivative, as well as to the compositions or articles containing this compound.
US07683022B2
Various methods for selectively etching metal-containing materials (such as, for example, metal nitrides, which can include, for example, titanium nitride) relative to one or more of silicon, silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, and doped silicon oxides in high aspect ratio structures with high etch rates. The etching can utilize hydrogen peroxide in combination with ozone, ammonium hydroxide, tetra-methyl ammonium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid and/or a persulfate. The invention can also utilize ozone in combination with hydrogen peroxide, and/or in combination with one or more of ammonium hydroxide, tetra-methyl ammonium hydroxide and a persulfate. The invention can also utilize ozone, hydrogen peroxide and HCl, with or without persulfate. The invention can also utilize hydrogen peroxide and a phosphate, either alone, or in combination with a persulfate.
US07683020B2
Various methods for selectively etching metal-containing materials (such as, for example, metal nitrides, which can include, for example, titanium nitride) relative to one or more of silicon, silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, and doped silicon oxides in high aspect ratio structures with high etch rates. The etching can utilize hydrogen peroxide in combination with ozone, ammonium hydroxide, tetra-methyl ammonium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid and/or a persulfate. The invention can also utilize ozone in combination with hydrogen peroxide, and/or in combination with one or more of ammonium hydroxide, tetra-methyl ammonium hydroxide and a persulfate. The invention can also utilize ozone, hydrogen peroxide and HCl, with or without persulfate. The invention can also utilize hydrogen peroxide and a phosphate, either alone, or in combination with a persulfate.
US07683013B2
A lubricant formulation and method of blending a lubricant formulation is disclosed. The lubricant formulation comprises at least two base stocks. The first base stock comprises a viscosity greater than 100 cSt, Kv100° C. The second base stock comprises a viscosity less than 10 cSt, Kv100° C. The lubricant formulation provides excellent micropitting protection for gears including large gears that are used in wind turbines. In addition, the lubricant may also have a viscosity greater than 38 cSt (Kv 100° C.), a viscosity index greater than 161 and micropitting protection level of a FVA 54 micropitting Test Fail Load Stage greater than 10.
US07683002B2
Catalyst systems and methods of forming the catalyst systems are described herein. The methods generally include contacting a support material with an activator to form a support composition, contacting a component with at least a portion of an aluminum containing compound including TIBAl, wherein the component is selected from the support composition, the transition metal catalyst compound and combinations thereof and contacting the support composition with a transition metal catalyst compound to form a supported catalyst system.
US07682992B2
A PCRAM memory device having a chalcogenide glass layer, preferably comprising antimony selenide having a stoichometric formula of about Sb2Se3, and a metal-chalcogenide layer and methods of forming such a memory device.
US07682977B2
This invention includes methods of forming trench isolation. In one implementation, isolation trenches are provided within a semiconductor substrate. A liquid is deposited and solidified within the isolation trenches to form a solidified dielectric within the isolation trenches. The dielectric comprises carbon and silicon, and can be considered as having an elevationally outer portion and an elevationally inner portion within the isolation trenches. At least one of carbon removal from and/or oxidation of the outer portion of the solidified dielectric occurs. After such, the dielectric outer portion is etched selective to and effective to expose the dielectric inner portion. After the etching, dielectric material is deposited over the dielectric inner portion to within the isolation trenches.
US07682976B2
In methods of forming a phase-change material layer pattern, an insulation layer having a recessed portion may be formed on a substrate, and a phase-change material layer may be formed on the insulation layer to fill the recessed portion. A first polishing process may be performed on the phase-change material layer using a first slurry composition to partially remove the phase-change material layer, the first slurry composition having a first polishing selectivity between the insulation layer and the phase-change material layer. A second polishing process may be performed on the phase-change material layer using a second slurry composition to form a phase-change material layer pattern in the recessed portion, the second slurry composition having a second polishing selectivity substantially lower than the first polishing selectivity.
US07682972B2
A method of fabricating a free standing membrane including via array in a dielectric for use as a precursor in the construction of superior electronic support structures, includes the steps of fabricating a membrane of conductive vias in a dielectric surround on a sacrificial carrier, and detaching the membrane from the sacrificial carrier to form a free standing laminated array. An electronic substrate based on such a free standing membrane may be formed by thinning and planarizing laminated array, followed by terminating.
US07682971B2
Provided is a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device. In the method, a gate oxide layer, a gate polysilicon layer, and a capping oxide layer are sequentially formed on a semiconductor substrate. A photoresist pattern is formed on the capping oxide layer. The capping oxide layer, gate polysilicon layer, and gate oxide layer are sequentially etched using the photoresist pattern as an etch mask. Ions are then implanted into the semiconductor substrate using the photoresist pattern as a mask. A thermal diffusion process is performed to form source/drain regions. The capping oxide layer is removed, and ions are implanted into the gate polysilicon layer. After metal is deposited on the gate polysilicon layer, a silicide is formed.
US07682963B2
The present disclosure provides a method for fabricating an integrated circuit. The method includes forming an energy removable film (ERF) on a substrate; forming a first dielectric layer on the ERF; patterning the ERF and first dielectric layer to form a trench in the ERF and the first dielectric layer; filling a conductive material in the trench; forming a ceiling layer on the first dielectric layer and conductive material filled in the trench; and applying energy to the ERF to form air gaps in the ERF after the forming of the ceiling layer.
US07682962B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor component with a through wire interconnect includes the step of providing a substrate having a circuit side, a back side, and a through via. The method also includes the steps of: threading a wire through the via, forming a contact on the wire on the back side, forming a bonded contact on the wire on the circuit side, and then severing the wire from the bonded contact. The through wire interconnect includes the wire in the via, the contact on the back side and the bonded contact on the circuit side. The contact on the back side, and the bonded contact on the circuit side, permit multiple components to be stacked with electrical connections between adjacent components. A system for performing the method includes the substrate with the via, and a wire bonder having a bonding capillary configured to thread the wire through the via, and form the contact and the bonded contact. The semiconductor component can be used to form chip scale components, wafer scale components, stacked components, or interconnect components for electrically engaging or testing other semiconductor components.
US07682957B2
A method of forming a pad and a fuse in a semiconductor device. A copper layer located in both a fuse region and a pad region is formed in a dielectric layer. A first insulating layer is formed on the dielectric layer to cover the copper layer and selectively etched to expose the copper layer in the fuse region. An aluminum fuse is formed on the first insulating layer in the fuse region and connected to the exposed copper layer. A second insulating layer is formed on both the aluminum fuse and the first insulating layer and selectively etched together with the first insulating layer to expose the underlying copper layer in the pad region. An aluminum pad is formed on the second insulating layer in the pad region and connected to the exposed copper layer in the pad region. At least one third insulating layer is formed on both the aluminum pad and the second insulating layer and selectively etched to expose the aluminum pad only.
US07682956B2
The present invention relates, in general, to a method for three-dimensional (3D) microfabrication of complex, high aspect ratio structures with arbitrary surface height profiles in metallic materials, and to devices fabricated in accordance with this process. The method builds upon anisotropic deep etching methods for metallic materials previously developed by the inventors by enabling simplified realization of complex, non-prismatic structural geometries composed of multiple height levels and sloping and/or non-planar surface profiles. The utility of this approach is demonstrated in the fabrication of a sloping electrode structure intended for application in bulk micromachined titanium micromirror devices, however such a method could find use in the fabrication of any number of other microactuator, microsensor, microtransducer, or microstructure devices as well.
