US08489325B2
Systems and methods are provided for defining a route from a starting point to a destination. The route can include several steps, each including an instruction directing a user to move in a particular manner, and a reference around or near which to follow the instruction. To assist the user in following the directions, a step can include one or more points of interest serving as references. In particular, points of interest having high visibility (e.g., relative to street signs) can be selected to serve as references for the directions. The device can select which points of interest to use based on any suitable criteria, including for example based on the distance of a point of interest from a location where a step requires an instruction, as well as based on visibility attributes of the points of interest.
US08489324B2
Two-way communication between a mobile device and a server is used to provide increased relevance of traffic information at lower bandwidth. The complexity, amount of storage and processing power required of the mobile navigation device are minimized, since the server performs much of the required computing. A transactional billing model can be used to bill the driver based on usage or consumption of traffic information. A driver selects a destination and routing preferences on a mobile device, and the local system generates a routing. The mobile device sends the planned route and preferences to a server. The server uses real-time traffic flow and incident information to determine an estimated driving time for the planned route. The server may also generate alternative routes, with an estimated time for each alternative route. The traffic and time information for the planned and alternative routes are then transmitted back to the mobile device.
US08489319B2
A method of operation of a navigation system includes: detecting a surrounding view for detecting an object at a traffic lane to the left or the right of a device as well as in the front or at the rear of the device; presenting the surrounding view for displaying on the device; and generating an alert with a detection of the object at or exceeding a threshold.
US08489316B1
A map matching method for a vehicle safety warning system (VSWS) is provided. The method includes the steps of a) determining if intelligent transportation system (ITS) map data is available, b) determining a vehicle location and a vehicle heading, c) determining an envelope area around a road feature defined by the ITS map data, d) determining a segment heading for a segment of the road feature, e) determining a separation distance between the vehicle location and the segment if the vehicle location is located within the envelope area, the segment heading is substantially similar to the vehicle heading, and optionally, the segment elevation is substantially similar to the vehicle elevation, and f) map matching the vehicle location to the segment if the separation distance is less than a threshold.
US08489314B2
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for identifying locations of a plurality of automobiles using cell phone tower triangulation to locate a cell phone within each of the plurality of automobiles, and calculating a vehicle speed for each of the plurality of automobiles using the identified locations, and creating a traffic condition measure for a route in proximity to the locations. The computer program product may repeat this process in real-time to calculate a real-time traffic condition measure that may be used to predict a travel time, and may respond to a user's request with an audio alert on the user's cell phone that comes from a speaker on the cell phone that can also be combined with a wirelessly-enabled speaker in an automobile or a wirelessly-enabled headset. The audio alert may be displayed in conjunction with at least one navigation option pertaining to the route.
US08489306B2
This invention relates to an engine synchronization method for aircraft equipped with at least two gas-turbine engines, where the respective speeds N1 of the low-pressure compressor spools of the gas-turbine engines are determined and a difference value N1 is calculated and subsequently on the basis of this difference value at least one trim value is calculated, on the basis of which, at least on one gas-turbine engine, a change of the setting is made, with subsequently the respective speeds N2 of the high-pressure compressor spools of the gas-turbine engines being determined and a difference value N2 being calculated and subsequently on the basis of this difference value, at least on one gas-turbine engine, the inlet temperature value T20, which is fed to the engine controller, being changed for synchronization.
US08489304B2
A torque distribution control apparatus for a four-wheel drive vehicle includes a torque distribution controller configured to control a sub-driving-wheel distribution torque to be transmitted to right and left sub-driving wheels via right and left torque distribution clutches in accordance with a target distribution torque. A driving-torque calculator is configured to calculate a driving torque output from a driving source. A target-distribution-torque calculator is configured to calculate the target distribution torque to be distributed to the sub-driving wheels in accordance with the driving torque. A target-distribution-torque correction device is configured to correct the target distribution torque to increase when the target distribution torque is lower than or equal to a first threshold value and an increase rate of the target distribution torque is higher than or equal to a second threshold value.
US08489303B2
A control system includes an engine control module and a transmission control module. The transmission control module communicates with the engine control module via a network. The engine control module generates a mean engine speed signal and a minimum engine speed signal. The engine control module transmits the mean engine speed signal and the minimum engine speed signal to the transmission control module via the network. The transmission control module controls operation of at least one of a torque converter and a transmission based on the mean engine speed signal and the minimum engine speed signal. The torque converter is connected between an engine and the transmission.
US08489300B2
An object of the present invention is to execute an optimum control of vibrations due to a driver's operation of an accelerator pedal, steering wheel and brake pedal. The operation instructions are inputted into a vibration calculating means (kinetic model) comprising a vehicle body model, suspension model and tire model. Conventional kinetic model controlled the suspension in order to suppress the vehicle body vibration. However, in the kinetic model of the present invention, the tire vibration due to a change in the engine output is first absorbed by the suspension, whereby a residual vibration which was not be absorbed yet by the suspension is transferred to the vehicle body. The operation inputs are compensated by the three feed-back loops between the outputs of the above-mentioned three portions and input of the tire portion, giving the highest priority on the vehicle body model.
US08489299B2
A method is disclosed for obtaining a signal representing motor vehicle acceleration. The method involves obtaining a high pass filtered vehicle acceleration signal and a low pass filtered vehicle acceleration signal. One of these signals (preferably the high pass filtered signal) is obtained based upon the net driving force applied to the vehicle, which can be used to obtain an estimate of acceleration by means of an adoptive vehicle model (28). The other signal is obtained by measurement, for example by differentiating a measured vehicle speed signal with respect to time. Adding the two filtered signals together gives a vehicle acceleration signal of potentially good quality.
US08489297B2
A system and method for controlling a hydraulic transmission uses a clutch fill profile having a hold level that varies as a function of torque. A pressure required for an on-coming clutch to hold the gear of the off-going clutch without a flare or over-speed condition is calculated. This pressure approximates the pressure of the on-coming clutch when a disengage command with respect to the off-going clutch is reached. The pulse and hold phases for the clutch are executed at times that are constant from shift to shift and do not vary as a function of torque or slip.
US08489294B2
Transmission control device for automatic transmissions that changes rotation output speed of turbocharged engines. An intake-state detecting unit detects an engine intake state and at least one of intake air amount, intake pressure, and engine air-fuel ratio. An intake-state determining unit determines whether a target intake state is satisfied based on detecting unit detection results and sets the target intake state based on target torque and engine operating range. A transmission-pattern selecting unit has a first transmission pattern for setting a transmission gear ratio based on an operational state and a second transmission pattern for setting the transmission gear ratio such that an engine rotation speed is higher than that in the first transmission pattern. The first or second transmission pattern choice is based on whether or not the target intake state is satisfied or not. A transmission controller controls a transmission mechanism based on the transmission pattern selection.
US08489293B2
A method for controlling a powertrain includes executing a shift, determining a plurality of input acceleration profiles for controlling an engine and an electric machine, determining an input speed profile, and controlling operation of the engine and the electric machine based upon the input speed profile.
US08489276B2
A cabin services system for an aircraft is disclosed. The cabin services system comprises at least one wireless network, the at least one wireless network providing at least one cabin service. The cabin services system further includes a cabin attendant panel for communicating with the at least one wireless networks and configured to control the at least one cabin service.
US08489269B1
A graphic user interface (GUI) display of computer status is provided across multiple computer platforms. A computer and physical layout are identified and this information is used to provide a desired set of displays. Data is parsed from an output from the computer and is stored in a data store in a predetermined common format as a part of a collection of parsed data. A graphic display depicting a physical layout of at least one aspect of a computer or the physical layout is provided along with data retrieved from the collection of parsed data and corresponding to the computer associated with the display depicting the physical layout in accordance with the identification of the computer and physical layout.
US08489263B2
A vehicle has an apparatus (2) for charging an electrical energy store (3) from a stationary power supply system. An existing controller (6) of the vehicle is configured to calculate and indicate an amount of electrical energy drawn from the stationary power supply system by using a time information item provided in the vehicle controller (6). Alternatively, a battery management system (1) is configured to calculate and indicate the amount of electrical energy drawn from the stationary power supply system by using the time information item provided in the existing vehicle controller (6).
US08489261B2
A device for aiding the piloting of an aircraft during a final approach phase includes a flight management system and an approach selecting device for automatically selecting an approach to be used during landing of the aircraft. A method for aiding the piloting of an aircraft includes automatically selecting an approach to be used during landing of an aircraft by selecting an approach with the smallest decision height that can also be technically implemented by the aircraft.
US08489260B2
A method and apparatus for landing a spacecraft having thrusters with non-convex constraints is described. The method first computes a solution to a minimum error landing problem for a convexified constraints, then applies that solution to a minimum fuel landing problem for convexified constraints. The result is a solution that is a minimum error and minimum fuel solution that is also a feasible solution to the analogous system with non-convex thruster constraints.
US08489252B2
In an obtainer for obtaining speed feeling of a driver of a movable object, a gaze point setter sets a gaze point of the driver, and a motion detector detects relative motion of an environmental field around the mobile object with respect to the mobile object. A divergent component calculator projects the relative motion of the environmental field in a coordinate system. The coordinate system is formed by modeling a retina sphere of the driver of the mobile object. The divergent calculator calculates each of divergent components of the projected relative motion of the environmental field radially expanding from the gaze point. A speed feeling calculator calculates speed feeling of the driver based on the divergent components of the projected relative motion of the environmental field radially expanding from the gaze point calculated by the divergent component calculator.
US08489246B2
A hybrid control system for controlling an electric machine coupled to a gas turbine engine is provided. The control system comprises: a primary analog control loop including an analog controller for controlling the electric machine based on a set point and a measured output of the electric machine; and a digital controller of the turbine engine operationally connected to the primary analog control loop to adjust at least one control parameter associated with the analog controller.
US08489242B2
An energy management system for a home network is provided. The energy management system includes one or more power consuming devices, including at least a pool pump system having a motor and a filter with a filtration cycle, a central controller operatively connected to the power consuming devices and configured to receive and process a signal indicative of the current state of an associated utility, including at least a peak demand state and an off-peak demand state, and a display. The central controller is configured to operate the pool pump system in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode, and to provide pool pump usage information to a user via a user interface on the display.
US08489239B2
A robotic system includes a tendon-driven finger and a control system. The system controls the finger via a force-based control law when a tension sensor is available, and via a position-based control law when a sensor is not available. Multiple tendons may each have a corresponding sensor. The system selectively injects a compliance value into the position-based control law when only some sensors are available. A control system includes a host machine and a non-transitory computer-readable medium having a control process, which is executed by the host machine to control the finger via the force- or position-based control law. A method for controlling the finger includes determining the availability of a tension sensor(s), and selectively controlling the finger, using the control system, via the force or position-based control law. The position control law allows the control system to resist disturbances while nominally maintaining the initial state of internal tendon tensions.
US08489237B2
Methods correcting wafer position error are provided. The methods involve measuring wafer position error on a robot during transfer to an intermediate station. This measurement data is then used by a second robot to perform wafer pick moves from the intermediate station with corrections to center the wafer. Wafer position correction may be performed at only one location during the transfer process. Also provided are systems and apparatuses for transferring wafers using an intermediate station.
US08489235B2
Improved robotic surgical systems, devices, and methods include selectably associatable master/slave pairs, often having more manipulator arms than will be moved simultaneously by the two hands of a surgeon. Four manipulator arms can support an image capture device, a left hand tissue manipulation tool, a right hand tissue manipulation tool, and a fourth surgical instrument, particularly for stabilizing, retracting, tool change, or other functions benefiting from intermittent movement. The four or more arms may sequentially be controlled by left and right master input control devices. The fourth arm may be used to support another image capture device, and control of some or all of the arms may be transferred back-and-forth between the operator and an assistant. Two or more robotic systems each having master controls and slave manipulators may be coupled to enable cooperative surgery between two or more operators.
US08489234B2
Disclosed are a mobile robot and a controlling method thereof. The mobile robot comprises: a case; and a sensor unit having two or more sending portions and two or more receiving portions arranged on an outer surface of the case separately and alternately. The plurality of sending portions and receiving portions are arranged in an alternating manner, thereby having a directivity. Also, since signals received through the receiving portions are judged based on a reference value, an area unallowable to be detected for an obstacle sensing is minimized, which allows an obstacle to be detected more accurately. When the obstacle corresponds to a side wall on the basis of a moving path of the mobile robot, a distance between the side wall and the mobile robot is calculated based on signals received by the receiving portion closest to the side wall. Accordingly, the mobile robot can move with maintaining a constant distance from the side wall.
US08489232B2
Disclosed are various embodiments of systems and methods for receiving shipment parcels at materials handling facilities. A parcel receiving system has an imaging tunnel through which shipment parcels received at a materials handling facility are passed. While a shipment parcel is passing through the imaging tunnel, a camera captures at least one image of the parcel. The parcel image is electronically analyzed to discover various tracking information and to detect various types of exceptions, such as damage to the parcel or defective tracking information. In addition, the captured image is stored in order to create a visual record of the parcel at the time of reception. This record may be used in a variety of ways, such as resolving or tracking exceptions or providing feedback to the vendor or shipment carrier. In addition, the parcel image may be viewed by a user to enable the user to detect and/or resolve an exception. Thus, the overall process of receiving parcels is facilitated, and the percentage of parcels diverted to an exception bin may be decreased.
US08489226B2
A method is provided for automatically and sequentially loading objects onto a feed system, each having a respective axis of rotation and respective first and second indices of rotation about the respective axes. The loading of each object onto the feed system causes an orientation in a predetermined relative position. The method consists in particular in selectively operating a relative rotation of the object and of the handling device about their axis of rotation to achieve the orientation.
US08489214B2
There is provided a dock without a power source for a portable digital device with at least one integrated speaker driver. The dock may include a platform for placement of the portable digital device; a protrusion located at the platform for connection of the portable digital device with the dock with the protrusion including a slot for egress of air from at least one hole in a casing of the portable digital device to the dock; and at least one primary chamber to receive air from the portable digital device with the at least one primary chamber having a vented port for the egress of air. Advantageously, sound from the at least one integrated speaker driver is amplified when the portable digital device is connected to the dock. The connection of the portable digital device with the dock may be securable. A horn may be included in an exterior facing opening of the vented port, as the horn advantageously improves aspects of sound such as, for example, sound directivity, radiation efficiency or both of the aforementioned.
US08489212B2
Audio data transmission and reception methods and an electronic apparatus using the same are provided. The audio data transmission and reception methods send audio data by one bit at the rising edge and at the falling edge of a bit clock, and send audio data over a null interval carrying no data. Hence, 5.1 channel audio data can be transmitted and received using an I2S transmission scheme.
US08489211B2
There is provided a communication apparatus comprising a memory configured to store a plurality of pieces of audio contents, a playing member configured to produce a contents-based audio signal by playing a piece of audio contents stored in the memory, and a management circuit configured to identify a plurality of events occurring while the playing member is producing one of the contents-based audio signals, one of the events being associated with one of a plurality of event-associated audio signals and given a highest priority, to have the playing member pause and stop producing the contents-based audio signal and to produce one of the event-associated audio signals associated with the identified event in a case where the identified event is given the highest priority.
US08489209B2
A method is provided for analyzing and diagnosing a large scale process automation control system having a plurality of control loops. Assessments for pre-defined key performance indicators (KPIs) are automatically generated for control, process and signal sections of each control loop. The automatically generated assessments of the pre-defined KPIs may be displayed in a graphical user interface (GUI) of a computer. A user may change the automatically generated assessments of the pre-defined KPIs. Different data views may also be displayed in the GUI. The data views include time series trends for measured process variable, controller output, controller set point and error, as well as controller parameter clustering views in two-dimensional and three-dimensional plots.
US08489202B2
An implantable electrode having a strong, adherent surface coating of iridium oxide or titanium nitride on a platinum surface, where the platinum surface has a surface area of at least five times that of a smooth shiny platinum surface of the same geometry. The iridium oxide coating may be formed on platinum by a physical deposition process, such as sputtering. A gradient coating of iridium oxide ranging in composition from pure platinum to pure iridium oxide is produced by sputtering.
US08489197B2
A system and method for receiving telemetry data from implantable medical devices such as cardiac pacemakers with improved noise immunity is disclosed. Ambient noise levels and signal strength are monitored and used to adaptively adjust the detection sensitivity of the receiver. Filtering of the received signal is performed to remove both broadband and narrowband noise. Removal of narrowband noise is accomplished with notch filters that are dynamically adjusted in accordance with a detected noise spectrum.
US08489196B2
A method and an apparatus are provided for interacting with targeted tissue of a patient. The apparatus comprises a central control module, a satellite module, and a lead. The satellite module comprises a processor, a communication module, a switching module, a memory, a sense amp, and a A/D converter. The apparatus is adapted for subcutaneous implantation. The central control module is coupled to the satellite module. The lead is coupled to the satellite module. A programming word comprising information to be sent to the satellite module is provided. The programming word is converted into identifiable groups of pulses corresponding to bits of the programming word. The identifiable groups of pulses are sent to the satellite module. The identifiable groups of pulses are converted to information for providing a therapy to the patient. The energy from the identifiable groups of pulses is stored to power the satellite module.
US08489192B1
A method of reducing bronchial constriction in a subject includes delivering energy to create one or more lesions on a main bronchus so as to transect pulmonary nerves sufficiently to reduce bronchial constriction in a lung of the patient distal to the main bronchus.
US08489190B2
The catheter device comprises a motor located at the proximal end of the catheter device and a drive shaft, extending from the proximal end section to the distal end section of the catheter device, for driving a rotating element located at the distal end of the catheter device. The catheter device also comprises a hose-like catheter body which encompasses the drive shaft and extends from the proximal end section to the distal end section of the catheter device. At the proximal end of the catheter device, the drive shaft is connected to a motor by a clutch. The clutch is a magnetic clutch with a proximal and a distal magnet unit. The proximal magnet unit is connected to the motor and the distal magnet unit to the drive shaft. The distal magnet unit is mounted fluid-tight in a clutch housing. The proximal end of the catheter body makes a fluid-tight connection with the clutch housing.
US08489161B2
A mobile wireless communications device includes a housing and circuit board carried by the housing. RF circuitry and a processor are operative with each other and carried by the circuit board. A receiver speaker and microphone are carried by the housing. Audio circuitry is carried by the circuit board and operative with the RF circuitry and processor. A microphone audio switch and receiver speaker audio switch are carried by the circuit board and are connected with audio connection lines that interconnect the processor. A filter is operative with the audio connection lines and operatively connected to at least one of the microphone audio switch or receiver speaker audio switch to reduce conducted and radiated interfering RF energy from coupling into the audio circuitry.
US08489154B2
Power management methods are provided for projecting the likelihood of forthcoming power outage at one or more mobile radio base sites and for mitigating the effects of such a projected power outage.
US08489150B2
Disclosed herein is a mobile terminal and an operation control method thereof in which a delay time of the screen lock execution is controlled according to the type of application, thereby improving the inconvenience of a user interface and effectively managing a battery according to an interrupt when required to continuously receive an input from the user or continuously provide visual information to the user. For this purpose, a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an input unit configured to receive a user input; an execution controller configured to execute screen lock if the user input is not received for a predetermined time; and a change controller configured to change the predetermined time based on a type of application.
US08489149B2
A mobile terminal includes a communication unit, a display, a camera for obtaining images, and a processor for causing an image to be displayed on the display and for causing images to be communicated via the communication unit. The processor may be further configured to obtain a first image from the camera, obtain a substantial mirror image of the first image to form a second image, display the second image on the display, and communicate the first image to a receiving device via a wireless communication link.
US08489147B2
A method for enabling direct provision of a message handling area at a server of a messaging service provider is provided. The method includes associating, in the portable communication device, a first user input unit with a function to be used for connecting to the messaging service provider, sending a request, in dependence of a user actuating the first user input unit, to the messaging service provider to set up a message handling area for the user, receiving an identifier from the messaging service provider, which identifier identifies a message handling area created for the user, as well as login data for logging into the area, and associating a second user input unit with a function of accessing the message handling area, which when selected by the user, allows the user to directly access the message handling area.
US08489144B2
A push-button trigger manager for U/SIM Toolkit applications of a U/SIM card from a mobile terminal is provided which includes, a connection to a storage area associated to the trigger manager in order to register predetermined data related to, at least, one U/SIM Toolkit application loaded on the U/SIM card, being these predetermined data, at least, one identity of such application; manager activation to activate the trigger manager as a response to pushing a sequence of buttons and the call button in the mobile terminal, a display on the mobile terminal screen having a list of options corresponding to the U/SIM Toolkit application(s) registered in the sequence of buttons pushed by the user, and a trigger for the U/SIM Toolkit application selected by the user from the list of options.
US08489142B2
To realize a portable telephone which can always receive the user information via a MBMS service. The portable telephone includes: an antenna for transmitting/receiving radio waves to and from a network; a wireless section for modulating/demodulating radio waves transmitted/received by the antenna; and a control section which has a function of analyzing and processing Layer 3 messages including MBMS related messages demodulated by the wireless section and wherein, upon recognizing that there is user information which has not been received while receiving user information via a MBMS service in the PtM mode, the control section transmits a request to provide the MBMS service in PtP mode to the network via the wireless section.
US08489137B1
Data is transmitted from a first base station using a first sub-channel at a first power level. An indication that a first wireless device is in a potential interference location is received. The first wireless device is receiving data from a second base station. Data is transmitted from the first base station using the first sub-channel at a second power level when a second wireless device receiving data from the first base station on the first sub-channel is associated with an indicator of lower priority. The second power level is lower than the first power level.
US08489135B2
Systems and techniques are disclosed relating to wireless communications. The systems and techniques involve wireless communications wherein a module or communications device is configured to listen for a period of time for an incoming pilot signal from a remote terminal that exceeds a threshold power level for the purpose of acquiring such incoming pilot signal and operating under control of the remote terminal, and operating independently of the remote terminal if such pilot signal is not detected within the period of time, such independent operation including transmitting a pilot signal.
US08489127B2
In general, in one aspect, a mobile device can perform reverse geocoding based on context, in addition to latitude and longitude coordinates. The reverse geocoding can be used to determine in which geofence among multiple geofences the mobile device is located. Thus, the mobile device can be associated with a street address, a postal code, a named land feature, or a commercial, cultural, or political entity associated with the geofence. The context can include a pattern of movement, as well as an accuracy of the latitude and longitude coordinates. Information in the context can be compared to selection criteria of the geofence. A geofence having selection criteria that match the context the best can be selected.
US08489126B2
A mobile communication system is disclosed. An area information management server sends area information indicating a communicable peripheral area of a location where a mobile terminal exists, and out-of-service information indicating outside of an accessible region, to the mobile terminal. In the mobile terminal, a generating part generates a moving route and moving projection information. A planning part makes a plan for communication execution indicating a communication term in which the mobile terminal communicates with a base station and an interruption term in which the mobile terminal is outside of the accessible region, based on the moving projection information, and the area information and the out-of-service information. A suspension indicating part indicates suspending or restarting the communication of the mobile terminal and a communication partner before and after the interruption term indicated by the plan. A communication part communicates with the base station in accordance with the plan.
US08489121B2
The present invention provides an information distribution method based on geographical location information of a mobile terminal. The method includes obtaining current geographical location information of the mobile terminal; based on an acquiring mode used to obtain the current geographical location information, determining a positioning accuracy of the mobile terminal's current geographical location information; based on the determined positioning accuracy, determining a distribution mode used to distribute information to the mobile terminal, wherein the distribution mode includes a location-based distribution mode and the combination mode of location-based distribution and relation-based distribution; and distributing information to the mobile terminal using the determined distribution mode.This method may be used to accurately distribute to the mobile terminal user the information related to the nearby Points of Interest (POIs) within a predetermined distance range from the current geographical location of the mobile terminal or related to the similar POIs having the same type of the current POI of the mobile terminal user, such as coupons, advertisement information, and/or POI characteristic information.
US08489120B2
A method and system for leaving and retrieving messages at specific coordinate way points within a commercial mobile radio service (CMRS) provider network are disclosed. Users carry or transport interface devices for communicating over the network and are able to record and view messages at specific coordinate locations while traveling in the network. The location of the device is calculated by the device or by the network while the device is powered on and within the physical boundaries of the network, or through a combination of both. Messages can be made available to network subscribers when their interface devices come within an area centered about a physical coordinate location. Personalized messages can also be left by subscribers at any coordinate point within the boundaries of the network. Access of information about an asset is facilitated when a technician comes within a physical proximity threshold relative to the asset.
US08489119B1
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method is presented for mediating among a plurality of datagrams containing data, settings or preferences to produce ambience settings applicable to a location area that is shared by a plurality of users wherein at least one of said users is associated to one datagram among said plurality of datagrams.
US08489118B2
Systems and methods for event attendance notification are provided. A representative systems includes a mobile device operative to: receive member information corresponding to members of a social network; receive event information corresponding to a first event, designated to occur at a first location, wherein at least a first of the members is scheduled to attend the first event; and responsive to determining that the current location of the first of the members corresponds to the event information, enable attendance information to be sent to others of the members of the social network indicating that the first of the members is at the first event.
US08489116B2
To eliminate the problems when a handover by a mobile station UE over a radio base station eNodeB is performed during a positioning process of the mobile station UE. A mobile management node MME according to the present invention is configured to transmit a transfer signal “S1-AP Downlink NAS Transport” including an LPP signal received from a positioning calculation node E-SMLC and the identification information of the E-SMLC to a radio base station eNodeB, and when a transmission failure reason included in a transmission failure notification signal “S1-AP NON DELIVERY INDICATION” received from the radio base station eNodeB indicates a positioning failure, the mobile management node MME transmits the transmission failure reason and the LPP signal included in the transmission failure notification signal “S1-AP NON DELIVERY INDICATION” to the positioning calculation node E-SMLC identified by the identification information of the E-SMLC included in the transmission failure notification signal.
US08489114B2
A TDOA positioning system that employs a calculated initial location of a wireless network device can be implemented to minimize sensitivity to the initial location of the wireless network device. For each pair of a plurality of reference network devices, the wireless network device can determine a distance difference between itself and the pair of the plurality of reference network devices based, at least in part, on round trip transit times between the wireless network device and the plurality of reference network devices. The initial location of the wireless network device can be calculated based on a location of each of the plurality of reference network devices. A location of the wireless network device can be estimated based on the calculated initial location of the wireless network device, the distance differences, and the location of each of the plurality of reference network devices.
US08489110B2
One embodiment of the present is a method of implementing privacy control of location information. Such a method comprises defining a geographic zone for which pseudo-location information is to be reported as the current location of the user, wherein the pseudo-location information is not the current location of the user; receiving the current location of the user; determining that the current location is in the geographic zone; and reporting the pseudo-location information as the current location of the user when the current location is determined to be in the geographic zone. Other methods and systems are also provided.
US08489109B2
A mobile wireless device enables effective use of space in a case while reducing degradation of antenna gain and maintaining communication quality even if a plurality of antennas having different frequency bands are arranged close to one another. A magnetic antenna has a first switch unit, a second switch unit, and a concentrated constant circuit which are added to a wiring pattern at the side near to a main antenna, so that a first path and a second path can be selected. Under a predetermined condition, a CPU controls the first switch and the second switch to electrically connect terminal (A1) to terminal (B1) and electrically connect terminal (A2) to terminal (B2), thereby forming the first path; and electrically connect terminal (A1) to terminal (C1) and electrically connect terminal (A2) to terminal (C2), thereby forming the second path connected via the concentrated constant circuit.
US08489097B2
A method of transmitting signals from a plurality of first stations to the same second station, said method comprising the steps of transmitting first signals comprising a first communication and first associated information from one of said plurality of first stations to said second station; transmitting second signals comprising said first communication, a second communication and second associated information, said second associated information differing at least partially from said first associated information, from another of said plurality of first stations to said second station; and receiving at said second station said first and second signals, wherein said second station processes said first and second signals in accordance with the first and second associated information.
US08489091B2
The present invention provides a mobile communication terminal, an IC card, a mobile communication system, a program, and a communication charge notification method capable of easily indicating roaming communication charges and preventing a user from being unexpectedly charged for communication. A mobile phone 10 detects that it is located in a country B as a roaming area based on information transmitted from a base station 32, inquires of a charge information related server 24 whether or not a communication charge information stored in a storage section 16 is the latest communication charge information, when the communication charge information is not the latest communication charge information, updates the stored communication charge information based on the communication charge information transmitted from the charge information related server 24, reads the communication charge information of the country B from the storage section 16, and displays the communication charge information on a display section 14.
US08489067B2
Methods and systems for distributing a mobile device application for use in making and receiving payments utilizing a mobile device such as a mobile telephone (cellphone) or wireless connected personal digital assistant (PDA). A downloadable mobile device application, when installed on a compatible mobile device, is operative for communicating with a mobile financial transaction system (MFTS) that facilitates the making and receiving of payments via wireless mobile devices. The downloadable mobile device application is provided via a download system that downloads the application to mobile devices according to download procedures appropriate for a particular type of mobile device. When a payment is made to a payee having a mobile device, system communicates a message to the payee's mobile device that informs that a payment has been made and instructs the payee about the downloadable mobile device application. If the mobile device user/payee downloads and installs the mobile device application on his or her mobile device and provides enrollment information, interaction between the MFTS and the mobile device user/payee is permitted, and payment is provided to the mobile device user as user/payee.
US08489064B2
An ISUP/SIP gateway is implemented to encapsulate SS7 location requests from a switched telephone network into an Internet protocol SIP message including one or more location objects. The ISUP/SIP gateway is implemented between a mobile switching center (MSC) and a VoIP positioning center (VPC) to provide support of unlicensed mobile access (UMA) voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) call routing, e.g., for E9-1-1, 4-1-1, 2-1-1, etc. The disclosed location objects that are encapsulated into a SIP message includes calling party number, called party number, CGI, International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), mobility indicator, and/or access point MAC address. At the SIP/ISUP gateway, SS7 integrated services user part (ISUP) location request messages are encapsulated within SIP. The SIP encapsulated location request message is then routed over the Internet to a destination VoIP positioning center (VPC).
US08489059B1
An apparatus including a wireless local area network transceiver, a wireless wide area network transceiver, and a portable power source. The wireless local area network transceiver is configured to wirelessly communicate with a client station using a wireless local area network protocol. The wireless wide area network transceiver is configured to wirelessly communicate with a base station. The portable power source has a state of charge and is configured to provide power to the wireless local area network transceiver and the wireless wide area network transceiver. The wireless wide area network transceiver is configured to suspend wireless communication with the base station in response to no packets of data having been received at the wireless wide area network transceiver from the base station for more than a predetermined period of time. The predetermined period of time is adjusted based on the state of charge of the portable power source.
US08489042B1
A system and method for providing a polarization feedback linearization to correct a non-linear amplitude error of an amplitude and phase detector or polar detector is disclosed. The method involves correcting a non-linear phase error of an amplitude detector via a look up table (LUT) that is driven by a radio frequency (RF) signal. The LUT provides values that are usable to correct an RF output that is a function of the RF output signal and is not a function of a device that incorporates the open loop modulation system of the present disclosure. Specifically, a detection of the corrected RF output amplitude is usable to drive a phase correction so that the RF output with corrected phase is a function of the RF output alone and not a function of a system or circuit that generates the RF output signal.
US08489041B2
An improved communication system and method employing an actively controlled antenna array architecture is disclosed. The array contains a plurality of driven radiating elements that are spatially arranged having a pair of radiating elements fed with an RF signal predistorted so as to provide a controlled variation of the antenna array's elevation radiation pattern. High power amplifier (PA) efficiency is maintained by adaptive predistortion, coupled to each high power PA, while providing beam tilt and side lobe control.
US08489040B2
A clock generator circuit generates a wanted RF clock signal by using an up-converter, a spurious tone cancellation circuit, a controller, and at least two clock driver/dividers. The spurious tone cancellation circuit includes a tone detection circuit and a tone generation circuit. The up-converter mixes modulation signals with local quadrature RF clock signals to create an up-converted signal having a frequency tone equal to a desired frequency of the wanted RF clock signal. The first clock driver/divider amplifies and clips the up-converted signal into a first-clipped clock signal. The tone detection circuit detects the amplitude and phase of unwanted tones of the first-clipped clock signal in the baseband domain and provides information to the controller, which controls the tone generation circuit to cancel the unwanted tones and create a compensated version of first-clipped clock signal. The second clock driver/divider further amplifies and clips the compensated version of first-clipped clock signal to generate the wanted RF clock signal.
US08489035B2
A radio communication transceiver includes a transformer, a switch, a power amplifier (AP), and a low noise amplifier (LNA). The transformer has a primary winding and a center-tap secondary winding, the primary winding has a first endpoint and a second endpoint, and the center-tap secondary winding has a first endpoint, a second endpoint, and a third endpoint. The switch has a gate, a drain, and a source, in which the gate receives a control signal (CS), the drain is connected to the second endpoint of the primary winding of the transformer through a coupling capacitor, and the source is grounded. The PA has at least one output terminal connected to the first endpoint and the second endpoint of the center-tap secondary winding of the transformer. The LNA has an input terminal connected to the second endpoint of the primary winding of the transformer.
US08489031B2
An apparatus, system, method and program detect and reduce interference in cell sites of a wireless communications network. A cell site from the cell sites of the wireless communications network is selected and signal code power measurements from mobile devices in the cell site are received so that the sources of signals being transmitted to the mobile devices can be determined. Interfering sources are determined based on the signal code power measurements and the active set of sources for the mobile devices. The signal code power measurements are summed and ranked, and interfering transmitters associated with the ranked signal code power measurements for the interfering sources are determined. The same procedure is repeated for all cell sites of the wireless communications network, and the transmitter that is an interfering source for the highest number of cell sites is selected as a problem (interfering) transmitter. The parameters of the problem transmitter and the corresponding antenna are altered and performance of the wireless network in a critical zone around the problem transmitter and interference in the cell sites interfered by the problem transmitter are monitored. Altering of the parameters of the problem transmitter and the corresponding antenna is performed continuously until a desired interference reduction is achieved in the cell sites interfered by the problem transmitter.
US08489021B2
An apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a communication interface unit configured to receive reference biosignal data, and a wireless interface unit configured to receive a plurality of candidate biosignal transmissions from candidate biosignal transmitters. A comparison unit of the apparatus is configured to compare the reference biosignal data with the candidate biosignal transmissions, thus resulting in comparison data. The wireless interface unit is configured to execute a pairing protocol with a candidate biosignal transmitter of a candidate biosignal transmission by utilizing the comparison data.
US08489018B2
A method for determining a frequency correction and a symbol rate correction for transmissions from a user terminal in a satellite communications system comprises determining a frequency of a signal received at the user terminal, and determining a symbol rate of the signal received at the user terminal. The method also comprises computing an error associated with an oscillator at an outdoor unit of the user terminal, and computing an error associated with an oscillator at an indoor unit of the user terminal. The method also comprises computing a transmit frequency correction for the user terminal based on the error of the oscillator at the outdoor unit and the error of the oscillator at the indoor unit, and computing a transmit symbol rate correction for the user terminal based on the error of the oscillator at the indoor unit.
US08489016B2
A method is provided for communication between at least one source entity and one destination entity, in a cooperative network that includes a plurality of entities. The method includes a step of determining, for a given entity of the network, a temporal variation of an impulse response of a transmission channel established between the given entity and another entity. The method further includes: a step of determining a temporal variation of an impulse response of at least one global transmission channel intended to be established between the source entity and the destination entity and passing through at least one relay entity, on the basis of the temporal variations of the impulse responses of the transmission channels; and a step of selecting a global transmission channel from among the set of global transmission channels determined.
US08489009B2
A fixing device includes an endless belt-shaped fixing member, a rotary pressing member disposed opposite the fixing member, a stationary member, a friction reducer, and a activation device. The endless belt-shaped fixing member formed in a loop moves in a predetermined direction and fixes a toner image on a recording medium by heating and fusing the toner image. The stationary member is provided inside the loop and pressed against the rotary pressing member through the fixing member to form a nip between the rotary pressing member and the fixing member through which the recording medium bearing the toner image passes. The friction reducer disposed between the fixing member and the stationary member reduces friction generated therebetween. The activation device provided inside the loop of the fixing member moves the friction reducer to change a portion of the friction reducer that comes between the fixing member and the stationary member.
US08489002B2
A method for delaying the start of a gage for tracking the life of a consumable item for an imaging device according to one exemplary embodiment includes counting the number of revolutions of a rotating imaging component having a correlation with the life of the consumable item and determining whether a predetermined delay threshold is satisfied based on the number of revolutions of the imaging component counted. Until the predetermined delay threshold is satisfied, starting the gage and tracking the remaining life of the consumable item are delayed.
US08489000B2
A developing apparatus includes a developer container to store a developer, a conveyance member to convey the developer, and a discharge port to discharge the developer. The discharge port is at a position that is on one end side from a central portion of the conveyance member with respect to an axial direction of the conveyance member. A first region of the conveyance member may include a portion facing the discharge port that has a conveyance capacity that is lower than a conveyance capacity of a second region or has a conveyance capacity that is zero. The conveyance member includes a positioning unit that is provided on the one end side thereof in the axial direction to position the conveyance member in the axial direction by abutting on the developer container, and an urging unit to urge the positioning unit with respect to the developer container.
US08488997B2
In an image forming apparatus of a rotary type, when a pause is made during continuous image formation, the time taken to restart image formation after the pause is shortened so as to reduce stress on the user. In the image forming apparatus, it is determined beforehand whether the next image formation mode is a color mode or a mono mode, and a developing device to be first used in the next image formation mode is moved to a developing standby position.
US08488996B2
A driving force transmission mechanism is provided. The driving force transmission mechanism includes an input member including a concave shape portion; a rotation driving shaft; and a driving force transmission member that is configured to rotate in a rotation direction of the rotation driving shaft together with the rotation driving shaft. A protrusion is formed on a surface of a tip end portion of the driving force transmission member, the surface is opposed to the concave shape portion, the protrusion is configured to be engaged, from an inner side, with an edge of the concave shape portion when the tip end portion is in a contact with the edge of the concave shape portion and is tilted.
US08488994B2
An additive manufacturing system for printing a three-dimensional part using electrophotography, the additive manufacturing system including a rotatable photoconductor component, a development station configured to develop layers of a material on a surface of the rotatable photoconductor component, a rotatable transfer medium configured to receive the developed layers from the surface of the rotatable photoconductor component, and a platen configured to receive the developed layers from the rotatable transfer medium in a layer-by-layer manner. The additive manufacturing system also includes a plurality of service loops configured to move portions of the rotatable transfer medium at different line speeds while maintaining a net rotational rate of full rotations of the rotatable transfer medium at a substantially steady state.
US08488993B2
The process unit includes a casing, a developer unit, and a switching unit. The developer unit is movable between an image-forming position and a detached position. The developer unit includes a drive force input unit and a drive force transmitting unit. A drive force is inputted into the drive force input unit from outside of the developer unit. The drive force transmitting unit transmits the drive force. The switching member is for switching the drive force transmitting unit between a transmitting state and an interrupting state. The switching member switches the drive force transmitting unit to the transmitting state when the developer unit is at the image-forming position, and the switching member switches the drive force transmitting unit to the interrupting state when the developer unit is at the detached position.
US08488990B2
A housing unit includes: a first housing that contains a cylindrical image holder; a second housing that contains a fuser unit for fixing an image to a recording medium by a heat roller; a protruding unit that protrudes outwardly from a surface of the first housing, which surface faces a circular surface of the image holder; a heat resistant member that is formed of a material having heat resistance higher than that of the protruding unit, and covers the protruding unit; a metallic supporting unit that supports an end of the heat roller; a connecting unit that is formed on the supporting unit and is shaped to contact and fit the heat resistant member; and a fixing unit that fixes the first housing to the second housing at such a position that the connecting unit is fitted to the heat resistant member.
US08488989B2
An image forming device includes a main casing, a process unit, a fixing unit, and a duct. The duct is disposed between the process unit and the fixing unit with respect to a direction in which a recording medium is conveyed. The duct defines an exhaust channel for exhausting air out of the main casing. The duct includes at least two partitioning walls extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction, and is formed with at least three inlet ports partitioned by the partitioning walls in the first direction.
US08488981B2
A fixing device includes a fixing member, a pressure member, and a damage detecting unit. The fixing member includes a heat-insulating elastic layer, to which a conductive thin-film layer is provided. The pressure member presses against the fixing member to form a fixing nip. The damage detecting unit detects the electric resistance of the thin-film layer. The damage detecting unit detects a change in the electric resistance of the thin-film layer, thereby detecting damage to the fixing member. Depending on the extent of the damage, the condition of conveyance of a recording medium to the fixing nip is changed.
US08488980B2
An image forming apparatus for forming a visual image on a recording medium includes a toner replacing device that replaces toner stored in a developing device with fresh toner, and a determiner that determines if a recording medium selected by a user necessitates replacement of the toner. The toner replacing device replaces the toner with fresh toner when the determiner determines that the recording medium necessitates replacement of the toner before the latent image is formed on a photoconductive member.
US08488972B2
A directional control/transmission system adapted with a directional light projector to mark the direction of signal control or transmission; comprised of a control or transmission system having a directional infrared or ultrasonic waves as a carrier adapted with a light projector to output a visible light-spot target to indicate control or transmission direction of directional infrared or ultrasonic waves; or to project the target on a monitor for auxiliary help; or to serve as a lighting beam; or to adjust focus for functioning as the light-spot target or selection of the lighting beam.
US08488968B2
A device for connecting a plurality of assemblage-mounted optical transmitters to a plurality of assemblage-mounted optical receivers mounted on a selected side of an assemblage includes a planar frame configured to be coupled to the selected side of the assemblage. A plurality of first redirecting structures is affixed to the planar frame and each is configured to receive a first optical signal from a different assemblage-mounted optical transmitter. Each first redirecting structure transmits a second optical signal, corresponding to the first optical signal, along a preselected path. A plurality of second redirecting structures is affixed to the planar frame and each is configured to receive the second optical signal from a different one of the first redirecting structures. Each of the second redirecting structures transmits a third optical signal, corresponding to the second optical signal, to a different one of the assemblage-mounted optical receivers.
US08488967B2
A system and method for transporting encrypted data having a transmitter and a receiver is provided. The transmitter generates a sequence of optical pulses, which are copied and output as identical channels. The identical channels are modulated by a plurality of modulators using data to generate a modulated data signal. Respective spectral phase encoders coupled to each of the plurality of data modulators encode respective modulated data signals using a plurality of mutually orthogonal phase codes that are individually associated with the respective spectral phase encoder. These encoded data signals are combined and code-scrambling by a spectral phase scrambler using a scramble code as an encryption key to generate an encrypted signal. A receiver reverses the encryption to extract the data.
US08488957B2
An actuator includes a base, a stationary frame mounted on the base, a moveable frame received in the stationary frame and supported on the base, a shaft mounted on a side surface of the moveable frame, a magnet, a flexible printed circuit, a piezoelectric motor, and a position sensor. The magnet is mounted on the side surface of the moveable frame and apart from the shaft. The flexible printed circuit is mounted on a sidewall of the stationary frame in an unfolded state. The piezoelectric motor is mounted on the flexible printed circuit and matches with the shaft. The position sensor is mounted on the flexible printed circuit and apart from the piezoelectric motor. The position sensor is configured for detecting the location of the magnet.
US08488955B2
An optical device comprises a shake detection unit adapted to detect shaking of the optical device, an amplifying unit adapted to amplify a difference between an output of the shake detection unit and a reference voltage, an offset calculation unit adapted to calculate an offset component based on an output of the amplifying unit, a changing unit adapted to change the reference voltage so as to remove the offset component, a correction unit adapted to correct the output of the amplifying unit so as to cancel out a change made by the changing unit, and a focal length detection unit adapted to detect a focal length of the imaging optical system, wherein the changing unit changes the reference voltage when the offset component exceeds a threshold, and the threshold is higher when the imaging optical system is on a telephoto side than on a wide-angle side.
US08488954B2
A photographic system and integrated methods thereof that makes use of four frames and light heads on robotic brackets, which can be positioned automatically using a mechanical gantry device. The lights can be positioned, rotated and adjusted automatically in response to a user input selection based on a desired photographic result selected at a user interface.
US08488944B2
In a broadcast program recording apparatus 101 that is capable of recording an event relayed program, each of first and second receiving units 102 and 103 receives digital broadcast signals. A control unit 112 reads out program information stored in a memory 111, and determines whether the program being received by the first receiving unit 102 and recorded on a storage 110 is a relay source program or not. Then, in a case in which the receiving unit 102 is receiving the relay source program, channel selection is carried out so that the second receiving unit 103 receives a relay destination program a certain period of time before the end time of that program.
US08488937B2
A light distribution assembly includes a housing having a longitudinal length and having one or more light sources mounted to the housing. The light distribution assembly also includes a coupler section having a body extending from the housing along a longitudinal axis between a light entry end and a light exit end. The light entry end has a major axis extending in a first direction and the light exit end has a major axis extending in a second direction, wherein the coupler section is shaped such that the body is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the coupler section so that first direction is approximately perpendicular relative to the second direction. One or more light pipes are attached to the light exit end of the coupler section.
US08488920B2
The invention provides an optical printed circuit board, comprising: plural polymer waveguide sections from independent waveguides, each of the sections being doped with an amplifying dopant; an optical pump source to pump the plural polymer waveguide sections, wherein the plural waveguide sections are arranged close or adjacent to one another such that a the optical pump source is able to pump plural of the optical waveguide sections.
US08488916B2
Described herein is an interactive digital software program and hardware that enables rapid acquisition of textual or audio subject matter, its conversion to editable text and immediate compression into a user understandable summary. The software program maximizes “time on task” while minimizing the time-consuming steps of “concept capture” and “compression”. The instant invention provides an accurate condensate of textual subject matter in a fraction of the time it would take to prepare such a document by manual note taking. In a single step, mobile devices such as cameras, camera phones, tablets, iPODs™, scanners and the like rapidly capture textual images convert them to OCR and to a user understandable summary in a fraction of the time it takes to process such a document by manual note taking. With more study time available for repetitious practice of the lesson, the user improves preparedness and performance on tests and presentations.
US08488915B2
An automatic video quality (AVQ) metric system for evaluating the quality of processed video and deriving an estimate of a subjectively determined function called Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF). The AVQ system has a blockiness metric, a streakiness metric, and a blurriness metric. The blockiness metric can be used to measure compression artifacts in processed video. The streakiness metric can be used to measure network artifacts in the processed video. The blurriness metric can measure the degradation (i.e., blurriness) of the images in the processed video to detect compression artifacts.
US08488910B2
The invention relates to a device and a method for providing a basis for registering a three-dimensional model of an anatomical region with two-dimensional projection images, by deriving a three-dimensional model of an anatomical region at a phase of a periodic signal; deriving two-dimensional projection images of a region which overlaps with the anatomical region re-constructed as the three-dimensional model; pre-5 selecting a subset of projection images out of the derived two-dimensional projection images, which are closest to the phase; and selecting a reference image for the registration from the subset of pre-selected projection images by choosing the projection image with the most contrast.
US08488906B2
Methods, apparatuses, systems, and machine readable media for pixel transformations. One exemplary method includes: determining a state of a pixel format transformation, wherein a pixel format includes a predetermined number of pixel data components and a predetermined number of bits for each of the pixel data components and wherein the state includes a source pixel format and a destination pixel format and at least one intermediate pixel format; converting pixel data in the source pixel format to pixel data in the intermediate pixel format; and converting the pixel data in the intermediate pixel format to pixel data in the destination pixel format. In certain embodiments, a method includes building and compiling a function, at run-time, for the pixel format transformation based upon the state.
US08488905B2
It is difficult to reproduce an input image more faithfully while enlarging a dynamic range and color gamut, in a reproduced image obtained by overlapping output images by a projector and printer. An image processing apparatus (102) transforms an input signal (101) into an RGB signal for a projector (103) and a CMY signal for a printer (104). In this case, the image processing apparatus (102) uses a transformation LUT, which is generated based on the spectral distribution characteristics of the projector (103) and the spectral reflectivity characteristics of the printer (104). By overlapping images formed by the projector (103) and printer (104) based on the transformed image signals, an input image can be reproduced more faithfully while enlarging the dynamic range and color gamut.
US08488902B2
The present invention relates to a detection values correction apparatus for correcting detection values of a projection image of a multi-energy imaging system. A scatter contribution providing unit provides scatter contributions for different intensities, different energies and different locations on the detection surface of the detection values. A scatter contributions combining unit combines scatter contributions for correcting a detection value, wherein the combined scatter contributions represent the contribution of the scatter, which is caused by radiation of the other detection values of the projection image, to the detection value to be corrected and wherein the scatter contributions are combined under consideration of the intensity, energy and location on the detection surface of the other detection values. A correction unit scatter corrects the detection value of the projection image by using the combined scatter contributions.
US08488880B2
A digital image of the object is captured and the object is recognized from plurality of objects in a database. An information address corresponding to the object is then used to access information and initiate communication pertinent to the object.
US08488868B2
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for generating a depth map from a digital monoscopic color image. The method includes the following general steps: a) obtaining a first color component of the MCI, said first color component corresponding to partial color information of the MCI; and, b) assigning depth values to pixels of the MCI based on values of the first color component of respective pixels for forming the depth map for the MCI. In one embodiment, the depth values are generated by adjusting and/or scaling of pixel values of the Cr chroma component of the monoscopic source color image in the Y′CbCr color system.
US08488865B2
A method of evaluating one or more kernels of an ear of maize using digital imagery includes acquiring a digital image of the one or more kernels of the ear of maize, processing the digital image to estimate at least one physical property of the one or more kernels of the ear of maize from the digital image, and evaluating the at least one kernel of maize using the estimate of the at least one physical property of the at least one kernel of maize.
US08488850B2
A nuclear imaging system (110) includes a radiation detector (112) having a distance dependent spatial resolution. A reconstructor (124) reconstructs projections acquired by the detector to generate image data. The reconstructor (124) applies a distance dependent projection filter (134) so as to reduce angular dependent resolution variations in the image space data.
US08488840B2
A clipping processing portion is provided with: a subject detection portion that detects a main subject and a sub-subject from an input image; a degree-of-relationship calculation portion that calculates the degree of relationship between the main subject and the sub-subject; a clip region setting portion that sets a clip region based on the positions of the main subject and the sub-subject in the input image and the degree of relationship; a clipping portion that clips the clip region from the input image. The clip region setting portion sets the clip region so as to include the main subject and the sub-subject having the high degree of relationship thereof.
US08488838B2
Content fingerprints and watermarks are combined in various ways for content identification applications. Fingerprints are used to identify content generally while watermarks provide more detailed localization of parts within the content, and vice versa. Fingerprint techniques are further used for signal synchronization and other pre-processing steps to assist in digital watermark decoding. A variety of fingerprint/watermark techniques identify characteristics of the channel of content from content samples.
US08488821B2
With housing elements of a hearing device which are fastened to a frame for accommodating internal components of the hearing device, the use of a large number of additional parts is problematic because of the risk of losing parts. In accordance with the invention a snap-on fastening means is used to fasten a housing element to the frame of the hearing device, with an opening being provided in the housing element and the frame for accommodating the snap-on fastening means.
US08488816B2
One mode of the present invention provides an electroacoustic transducer composed of a multifaced diaphragm assembly and a multifaced speaker housing assembly that is housed inside the multifaced diaphragm assembly. The multifaced speaker housing is configured by combining the outer peripheral surface of a plurality of individual speaker drive units into a nearly spherical shell. The multifaced diaphragm assembly, which has thereinside the multifaced speaker housing assembly, is configured to have a plurality of regular pentagonal diaphragm segments that are combined together into a nearly spherical shape shell, and a plurality of speaker drive units opposing the diaphragm segments from inside in one-to-one relation. Each speaker drive unit has a bobbin, the one end portion of which is adhered to the center portion of the inner surface of each diaphragm segment.
US08488815B2
An exemplary speaker set includes a shell and a speaker. The shell includes a bottom cover and a top cover engaging with the bottom cover. The bottom cover and the top cover cooperatively define a resonance chamber therebetween. The bottom cover defines a through hole therein. The top cover defines a mounting hole corresponding to and communicating with the through hole. The speaker includes a vibration part and a magnetic part driving the vibration part. The vibration part is inserted the mounting hole and engages with the top cover. The magnetic part is inserted the through hole and intimately engages with the bottom cover.
US08488807B2
An audio signal compensation device includes: a signal processor configured to perform filtering on an input audio signal; a filter coefficients storage module configured to store a plurality of filter coefficients; a user interface configured to provide options for a determination of filter coefficients to a user and to obtain a selection result from the user; and a filter coefficients determining module configured to determine a set of filter coefficients among the plurality of filter coefficients based on the selection result. The options for the determination of filter coefficients are produced by selecting a first filter coefficient and a second filter coefficient from the plurality of filter coefficients, the first filter coefficient corresponding to a first characteristic quantity of external auditory canal characteristics, the second filter coefficient corresponding to a second characteristic quantity of the external auditory canal characteristics which is predicted based on the first characteristic quantity.
US08488806B2
A separation signal generation unit generates a plurality of separation signals which are independent from one another from the mixed signals for one frame which are converted into those in a frequency region. A mask processing unit judges a noise condition of a first separation signal for each frequency bin on the basis of the first separation signal and second separation signals. The mask processing unit further removes a first noise component obtained on the basis of a judgment result on the noise condition from the first separation signal. A noise amount measuring unit measures the amount of noise in the first separation signal. A noise signal selection unit selects a noise signal for each frequency bin on the basis of the amount of noise measured by the noise amount measuring unit. A noise removing unit removes a second noise component from a noise removal signal inputted from the mask processing unit. The noise removing unit outputs the noise removal signal obtained by removing the second noise component as a target signal.
US08488804B2
A headset comprises an audio output device, an audio input device, and a wire. The audio output device plays outgoing audio data. The audio input device receives incoming audio data. The wire connects the audio input device to a sound device that interprets the incoming audio data. The wire is further configured to be an antenna to one of transmit and receive radio frequency signals. The wire is further connected to a transceiver.
US08488803B2
Systems and methods to reduce the negative impact of wind on an electronic system include use of a first detector that receives a first signal and a second detector that receives a second signal. A voice activity detector (VAD) coupled to the first detector generates a VAD signal when the first signal corresponds to voiced speech. A wind detector coupled to the second detector correlates signals received at the second detector and derives from the correlation wind metrics that characterize wind noise that is acoustic disturbance corresponding to at least one of air flow and air pressure in the second detector. The wind detector controls a configuration of the second detector according to the wind metrics. The wind detector uses the wind metrics to dynamically control mixing of the first signal and the second signal to generate an output signal for transmission.
US08488798B2
This audio matrix surround decoder requires minimal digital processing, useful in portable applications, particularly in playback from a portable player using a headphone or loudspeaker virtualizer. In one embodiment it pans inputs Lt and Rt to outputs associated with front directions in response to a measure of the sum of Lt and Rt being greater than a measure of the difference between Lt and Rt, and pans Lt and Rt to outputs associated with rear directions in response to a measure of the sum of Lt and Rt being less than a measure of the difference between Lt and Rt. Lt and Rt are modified to shift the direction of reproduced signals.
US08488796B2
A method for simulating spatially extended sound sources comprising: panning a first input signal over a plurality of output channels to generate a first multi-channel directionally encoded signal; panning a second input signal over the plurality of output channels to generate a second multi-channel directionally encoded signal; combining the first and second multi-channel directionally encoded signals to generate a plurality of loudspeaker output channels; and applying a bank of decorrelation filters on the loudspeaker output channels.
US08488789B2
This invention relates to reprogramming of in-circuit programmable chips installed in video lottery terminals (VLTs) by downloading electronic information (software) to such chips. Encrypted electronic information is downloaded from a host device to a gaming terminal through a communications link. The terminal comprises a decryption component configured for decrypting the encrypted electronic information using at least two security keys, at least one said key being resident in the terminal and at least another said key being delivered to the terminal at the time of the downloading (the downloading facilitating a replacement of existing software in terminal with corresponding decrypted software obtained from decrypting the encrypted information). The encrypted information transmitted to the terminal comprises at least one next version key for later use by the decryption component in decrypting a next version of encrypted electronic information. The non-resident key may be provided to the terminal by means of an electronic plug-in security key or provided through a secure network.
US08488778B2
An electronic device is described that has a base and a lid, where device can be opened so that part of the base is exposed and closed so that the same part of the base is hidden. The lid is connected to the base by two bars. The bars allow the lid to slide in a plane parallel to the base. The connection between the base and lid is such that there is little overlap between the base and the lid when the device is open.
US08488777B2
The disclosure provides a microphone coupler system for a microphone mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) for a communication device. The system comprises a boot assembly to enclose the microphone and to direct acoustic signals to the microphone within the communication device, the boot assembly having a coupling section shaped to hold the microphone with the aperture facing upward from the PCB and an elongated section extending from the coupling section. In the system, an acoustic channel for the microphone is formed in part by the boot assembly when the boot assembly is mounted over the microphone. The system may further comprise a platform having an aperture, the platform for mounting on the PCB over the microphone.
US08488770B2
A method includes receiving performance data associated with a service provided by at least one component of a communication network to one or more subscribers. The performance data may be gathered by one or more passive listening devices that monitor a performance characteristic of the at least one component of the communication network. The method further includes identifying the at least one component that provides a particular service to a particular subscriber based on a subscriber inquiry received from the particular subscriber. The method further includes identifying particular performance data within the received performance data. The particular performance data may be associated with the particular service provided by the at least one component. The method further includes determining a performance status of the at least one component, based on the particular performance data.
US08488769B1
Call center agent training is provided on a non-scheduled basis and is characterized as having a duration that is less than a scheduling interval used to schedule the agent for their work shift, as well as schedule other activities in the work shift. The delivery of snippet training content may be triggered by various conditions, including in response to: a request for training originating from the agent, a period of continuous call processing activity of the agent, various agent performance metrics, or probabilistically assigned to an agent in a group. Various parameters may selectively limit provision of a snippet training session. The agents provided with training are placed in an unavailable state prior to the snippet training session, and placed back into an available state afterwards. The snippet training content may be variously structured and can be grouped together to form an e-learning course delivered to the agent.
US08488760B2
Aspects are directed toward managing, including reorganizing, inbound communications, a communications log, or presentation of a communication to a user, based on one or more of the identity, role and urgency of calling or communicating party, including, for example, forwarding or hybrid priority routing. For example, in an e-mail type of environment, received communications could be re-organized based on one or more of the above, such that higher priority communications are escalated to “the-top-of-the-stack.” This similar type of operation can be done in a communications modality independent manner, and extended to, for example, voicemails, caller ID, SMS messages, or in general any communication in any communications modality, where one or more communications are capable of being managed and re-organized. As an optional embodiment, an attribute or characteristic associated with the communication can be modified, such that the user is aware of the ranking associated with that communication.
US08488759B2
A system and method for producing and transmitting speech messages during voice calls over communication networks is introduced. The system and method for producing and transmitting speech messages during voice calls over communication networks include an advertisement server connected to a communication network. A user uses a calling device to call the advertisement server and record advertisement in his specific voice or voice samples off which an advertisement synthesizer can generate advertisements in the user's specific voice. These advertisements are later played during voice calls between a calling device and a destination device. A billing system is used to log and bill advertisers for the advertisements played.
US08488745B2
Architecture that employs a signal (e.g., audible or inaudible sounds) to detect if endpoints of a communications session are sufficiently close to each other to induce echo, and then control (e.g., muting) is applied to one or more of the endpoints to prevent echo. The signals can be played and detected from the endpoints or a central conferencing component such as a multiple control unit (MCU). The MCU can provide support for legacy endpoints as well. When echo is detected, the offending endpoint(s) can be controlled to mute one or more onboard devices such as a speaker or microphone. The device(s) can be muted from a remote component or for a local component or locally by the endpoint user. A notification can be sent that notifies the endpoint user that the mute operation has been applied or should be applied to one or more of the local devices.
US08488744B2
An X-ray measurement apparatus includes an X-ray source configured to emit an X-ray to irradiate a specimen with the X-ray, a collimator configured to shape a beam of the X-ray emitted from the X-ray source into a sliced fan-shaped beam x-ray, a flux shield configured to block a part of a flux of the fan-shaped beam X-ray so as to suppress beam hardening while adjusting an energy intensity distribution of the flux, the flux shield being placed between the collimator and the specimen, and an X-ray detector configured to detect a dose transmitted through the specimen.
US08488741B2
A method including irradiating a target, which is located in a patient supported by a movable table, with a radiation beam emanating from a radiation source located in a movable gantry, and positioning the gantry and the table so as to maintain adequate clearance, wherein a clearance is defined as a distance between the gantry and the patient or the table, whichever is smaller, and wherein adequate clearance is defined as a clearance that alleviates a risk of a collision between the gantry and the patient or the table during movement of the gantry.
US08488733B2
Example embodiments are directed to methods of producing desired isotopes in commercial nuclear reactors and associated apparatuses using instrumentation tubes conventionally found in nuclear reactor vessels to expose irradiation targets to neutron flux found in the operating nuclear reactor. Example embodiments include assemblies for retention and producing radioisotopes in nuclear reactors and instrumentation tubes thereof. Example embodiments include one or more retention assemblies that contain one or more irradiation targets and are useable with example delivery systems that permit delivery of irradiation targets. Example embodiments may be sized, shaped, fabricated, and otherwise configured to successfully move through example delivery systems and conventional instrumentation tubes while containing irradiation targets and desired isotopes produced therefrom.
US08488719B2
A wireless communications device may be configured to perform a first demodulation based upon a first sampling rate of a received signal to generate a first demodulated signal and determine therefrom whether a first error value is not greater than a first threshold, and, if so then decode the first demodulated signal. If the first error value is greater than the first threshold, a second demodulation is performed based upon a second sampling rate of the received signal greater than or equal to the first sampling rate to generate a second demodulated signal and determine therefrom whether a second error value is not greater than a second threshold, and, if so, then decode the second demodulated signal. If the second error value is greater than the second threshold, the second demodulation is performed at least one additional time with at least one change thereto.
US08488712B2
Methods and apparatus for enhancing estimations of channel response in a wireless communication system are discussed. As an example, a method can comprise: selecting a selected channel from among one or more channels in the communication system; determining, for the selected channel, an initial channel estimate comprising a sequence of frequency-domain samples; determining a phase slope of the initial channel estimate; generating a flat-phase channel estimate by removing the phase slope from the initial channel estimate; and generating an enhanced channel estimate for the selected channel by applying a smoothing function to the flat-phase channel estimate. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described.
US08488710B2
In a particular embodiment, a method of providing redundancy for error recovery in multi-carrier wireless communications includes transmitting a primary version of information via a first carrier, transmitting a first portion of a redundancy version of the information via a second carrier, and transmitting a second portion of the redundancy version of the information via a third carrier. The primary version is encoded using a first encoding scheme and the redundancy version is encoded using a second encoding scheme. The primary version, the first portion, and the second portion are transmitted substantially simultaneously.
US08488691B2
An orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) transmitter may adaptively load each sub-carrier, buffering less than an OFDM frame in order to reduce hardware requirements and latency. The transmitter may use feedback information from the receiver regarding the quality of the sub-carriers. In addition, combining repetition and puncturing to achieve a desired date rate per class further reduces hardware by simplifying or even eliminating an interleaver. Additional mitigation and even performance enhancement techniques are incorporated to address inter-class boundaries within an OFDM frame, such as introducing transition classes. Channel state information may be reported in various formats including full bitmap, changed subchannels, and reported bad subchannels.
US08488687B2
The invention relates to a weighting circuit for a receiver (1), which is designed to receive a multi-carrier signal consisting of carrier signals. According to the invention, the carrier signals are weighted by the weighting circuit (18) in such a way that the parasitic signal energy has the same intensity in all weighted carrier signals. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the weighting circuit comprises at least one multiplier that multiplies an assigned a carrier signal by a stored weighting co-efficient. The stored weighting coefficients constitute reliability information for the various carrier signals.
US08488679B1
Systems and methods for a streamlined transcoder architecture. A transcoder system includes an encoder and a decoder. The encoder compares a decoded frame and a encoder reference frame to produce an output stream. The decoder produces the decoded frame including decoder reference frame and the encoder reference frame. The decoded frame is produced from an input stream, and the encoder reference frame is produced from the output stream of the encoder. In one embodiment, the encoder refines motion vectors, quantization, and macroblock type/mode from the input stream for reuse in the output stream. Furthermore, the decoded frames from the input stream can be modified in various ways including changing picture resolution and performing image enhancement on them before encoding.
US08488661B2
A method performed by a network device may include determining a transmission bit rate associated with a content, determining a bit rate of a network, determining a number of data streams to be transmitted through the network based on the determined bit rate, where a combined bit rate of the number of data streams is equal to or greater than the determined transmission bit rate, receiving the number of data streams transmitted through the network and reassembling the number of data streams to provide a single data stream of the content.
US08488659B2
A transmission apparatus includes a plurality of modems, which are configured to communicate via respective wireless communication channels and includes at least first and second modems configured to communicate respectively over separate first and second wireless communication networks. The transmission apparatus also includes a stream processor, which is configured to receive and process an incoming media stream so as to provide multiple upload streams for transmission by different ones of the modems, including first and second upload streams for transmission by the first and second modems, respectively.
US08488654B1
A method for spread-spectrum communication includes forming a complex valued chipping sequence and then using the complex valued chipping sequence to spread or despread data. According to another method, a direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) radio performs the steps of receiving a radio-frequency signal and then identifying frequencies within the radio-frequency signal which are associated with noise sources. The DSSS radio then self-adjusts to reduce effects of the noise sources or to reduce interference created by the radio upon other communication channels.
US08488652B2
A digital receiver system to recover signals from inter-symbol-interference includes a finite impulse response (FIR) filter using convolution to recover signals; and a channel estimator coupled to the FIR filter to estimate FIR coefficients, wherein the channel estimator uses a second order expectation and a fourth order expectation from a convolution to calculate error function.
US08488650B2
A CDMA communication system includes a signal processor which encodes voice and nonvoice signals into data at various rates, e.g. data rates of 8 kbps, 16 kbps, 32 kbps, or 64 kbps as I and Q signals. The signal processor selects a specific data rate depending upon the type of signal, or in response to a set data rate. When the signal is received and demodulated, the baseband signal is at the chip level. Both the I and Q components of the signal are despread using the conjugate of the pn sequence used during spreading, returning the signal to the symbol level. Carrier offset correction is performed at the symbol level. A lower overall processing speed is therefore required.
US08488642B2
Provided is a gallium nitride based semiconductor light-emitting device with a structure capable of enhancing the degree of polarization. A light-emitting diode 11a is provided with a semiconductor region 13, an InGaN layer 15 and an active layer 17. The semiconductor region 13 has a primary surface 13a having semipolar nature, and is made of GaN or AlGaN. The primary surface 13a of the semiconductor region 13 is inclined at an angle α with respect to a plane Sc perpendicular to a reference axis Cx which extends in a direction of the [0001] axis in the primary surface 13a. The thickness D13 of the semiconductor region 13 is larger than the thickness DInGaN of the InGaN layer 17, and the thickness DInGaN of the InGaN layer 15 is not less than 150 nm. The InGaN layer 15 is provided directly on the primary surface 13a of the semiconductor region 13 and is in contact with the primary surface 13a. The active layer 17 is provided on a primary surface 15a of the InGaN layer 15 and is in contact with this primary surface 15a. The active layer 17 includes well layers 21 of InGaN.
US08488641B2
Light sources are disclosed. A disclosed light source includes a III-V based pump light source (170) that includes nitrogen and emits light at a first wavelength. The light source further includes a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) that converts at least a portion of the first wavelength light (174) emitted by the pump light source (170) to at least a partially coherent light at a second wavelength (176). The VCSEL includes first and second mirrors (120, 160) that form an optical cavity for light at the second wavelength. The first mirror (120) is substantially reflective at the second wavelength and includes a first multilayer stack. The second mirror (160) is substantially transmissive at the first wavelength and partially reflective and partially transmissive and the second wavelength. The second mirror includes a second multilayer stack. The VCSEL further includes a semiconductor multilayer stack (130) that is disposed between the first and second mirrors and converts at least a portion of the first wavelength light to the second wavelength light. The semiconductor multilayer stack (130) includes a quantum well that includes a Cd(Mg)ZnSe alloy.
US08488637B2
A semiconductor laser includes a light emission end facet; a first optical waveguide extending in a predetermined optical-axis direction, the first optical waveguide being optically coupled to the light emission end facet; a ring resonator having a plurality of periodic transmittance peak wavelengths, the ring resonator being optically coupled to the first optical waveguide; a plurality of gain waveguides that generate light by injection of current; an optical coupler portion that optically couples the first optical waveguide to each of the plurality of gain waveguides; and a plurality of second optical waveguides including diffraction gratings, the plurality of second optical waveguides being respectively optically coupled to the plurality of gain waveguides. Also, each of the diffraction gratings in the plurality of second optical waveguides has a different reflection band.
US08488625B2
A Quality-of-Service (QoS) control system and method of a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) packet received from a broadband port in a router/gateway integrated VoIP system, which can process an incoming VoIP call by detecting in real-time an available bandwidth of the VoIP packet through interaction with a QoS module, determining whether to allow the VoIP call based on the result of the detection, and responding to the VoIP call based on the result of the determination. The QoS can be ensured according to the size of a VoIP media packet received through a broadband port.
US08488624B2
A method and apparatus for implementing a protocol-neutral middleware interface in a home area network. The method comprises receiving one or more data packets from a client device using a first communication protocol, and decoding the data packets into a set of platform independent data objects. The data packets are decoded into the platform independent data objects by utilizing a metadata mapping located within one or more field classes. The apparatus comprises a frame engine, and one or more field classes. The frame engine receives a data packet in a first communication protocol. The frame engine decodes the data packet into a set of platform independent data objects. The frame engine uses a metadata map contained within the one or more field classes to decode the data packet into the set of platform independent data objects.
US08488618B1
A system and method provide both inline services and in-network services for a dual-connect service box interposed between a modem and a router. The method transceives communications between a service box wide area network (WAN) port and a local area network (LAN) port of a WAN-connected broadband modem, and between a service box WAN-proxy port and a WAN port of a router. The method also selectively transceives communications between the service box WAN port and a LAN port. A service box binding module monitors messages transceived between the router and the modem to determine the service box WAN IP address, and registers at least one service box WAN IP addresses with a WAN network-connected account server. The method selectively transceives communications in response to an authentification means, which may be identifying an authorized port number in the communications, or identifying an authorized command in the communications.
US08488612B2
Described is a system and method for receiving in a first network operated by a first network provider, a service request from a client for a service application provided by the first service provider, the client accessing the first network via a second network operated by a second network provider, wherein the service request includes a level of service that is to be provided to the service application. The level of service is communicated to the second network provider and, subsequent to receiving the service request, the level of service is purchased from the second network provider to guarantee the client the level of service when accessing the second network.
US08488611B2
A method of moving a receiving window in a wireless mobile communication system, wherein the AM RLC of the transmitting side sends information of the last discarded SDU regardless of continuity of the discarded SDUs. The AM RLC of the receiving side checks whether all SDUs from the start point of the receiving window up to the last discarded SDU are successfully received, delivers the SDUs that are successfully received to an upper layer, and discard only those SDUs that are not successfully received.
US08488610B2
A method and system for communicating packets in a Wireless Multicast and Broadcast communication network is provided. The method includes selecting a Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) for transmission of a packet. The packet is then transmitted using the selected MCS on at least one of a subset of available time slots, a subset of available frequency sub-carriers and a subset of available antennas. Thereafter, it is autonomously decided whether the plurality of transmitters are to retransmit the packet. Then, the packet is retransmitted on at least one of a different subset of time slots, a different subset of frequency sub-carriers and a different subset of antennas.
US08488604B2
In the field of switching networks, a method, a device and a system for forwarding multicast packets are disclosed, which significantly reduce the requirement on the storage capacity of the switching network, thus implementing forwarding of a large number of multicast packets. The method includes: receiving a multicast packet, and a first forwarding identifier and a second forwarding identifier of the multicast packet; obtaining a destination line card corresponding to the multicast packet according to the first forwarding identifier; and forwarding the multicast packet and the second forwarding identifier to the destination line card. The method, device and system for forwarding multicast packets are applicable to situations where it is required to forward multicast packets in a single-level switching network or a multi-level switching network.
US08488601B1
Method and system for a first network device and a second network device is provided. The first network device and the second network device communicate with each other via a first network link and a second network link. A traffic type between the first network device and the second network device is excluded from link aggregation. When a packet is received from the first network device; and if the packet is excluded from link aggregation, then the first network link or the second link is selected to transmit the packet based on a physical port identifier identifying a port of the first network device.
US08488596B2
A method and apparatus for sharing a single data channel for multiple signaling flows destined to multiple core networks are disclosed. For example, the method receives a plurality of service requests from a plurality of corresponding service clients on a single mobile endpoint device, where each of the plurality of corresponding service clients is to be registered with a different corresponding Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network. The method establishes the single data channel to support a plurality of signaling flows associated with the plurality of service requests simultaneously, and routes each signaling message associated with the plurality of service requests to the corresponding IMS network.
US08488591B2
A method of setting up a video telephone call between a first video telephone terminal and a second video telephone terminal on a data network includes the steps of: establishing a telephone call over a telephone network between the first and second terminals; exchanging between the first and second terminals during the telephone call availability signals to seek availability to hold a video telephone call; if the availability is confirmed, releasing the telephone call; establishing respective telephone calls between each of the first and second terminals and a corresponding access server of the data network, for achieving connection of the first and second terminals to the data network; establishing a signalling exchange between the first and second terminals through a service center of the data network to achieve the set up of the video telephone call; and establishing a peer-to-peer video telephone call between the first and second terminals over the data network.
US08488572B2
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for wireless communications by a multi-mode mobile station that supports communications with a plurality of radio access technologies (RATs). The RATs may include at least one short range RAT and at least one long range RAT. The method generally includes establishing a first connection with a first network via a short range RAT supported by the mobile station, taking signal quality measurements for one or more long range RAT supported by the mobile station, and transmitting the signal quality measurements via the first connection.
US08488566B2
The disclosed embodiments provide for methods and systems for allocating a plurality of users on a control channel in a wireless communication network. In one aspect, a method for allocating a plurality of users on a control channel includes assigning a first number of modulation symbols to a hop region for a control channel, and allocating a second number of users to the first number of modulation symbols.
US08488565B2
A method for identifying a reference point in time in a wireless communication system includes: receiving a first repeated sequence of symbols; receiving a second repeated sequence of symbols; performing an autocorrelation between the first and second sequences of symbols; and identifying as the reference point in time an autocorrelation null between the first and second repeated sequences of symbols. Apparatus for identifying a reference point in time in a wireless communication system includes: means for receiving a first repeated sequence of symbols; means for receiving a second repeated sequence of symbols; means for performing an autocorrelation between the first and second sequences of symbols; and means for identifying as the reference point in time an autocorrelation null between the first and second repeated sequences of symbols. Other aspects, features, and embodiments are also claimed and described.
US08488564B2
The present invention discloses a method for mapping a codeword to a layer in a multi-input multi-output system, the method includes: grouping current layers in a multi-input multi-output system according to the number of current codewords, and mapping each codeword to the layer of a group to which the codeword corresponds. The present invention further discloses a device for mapping a codeword to a layer in a multi-input multi-output system, the device includes: a layer grouping unit and a mapping unit, wherein the layer grouping unit is used for grouping current layers in a multi-input multi-output system according to the number of current codewords; and the mapping unit is used for mapping each codeword to the layer of a group to which the codeword corresponds. The present invention is easy to be implemented, and the mapping manner for mapping a codeword to a layer is more reasonable.
US08488560B2
A random access method, an evolved Node B (eNB), and a terminal equipment are provided. The method includes: determining target component carriers to which a User Equipment (UE) is to be handed over, and notifying the UE of information about the target component carriers through a source eNB; and after receiving a dedicated random access preamble sent by the UE, sending a random access response message on at least one component carrier in the target component carriers. The terminal equipment includes: a handover command receiving unit, a sending unit, and a random response receiving unit. Therefore, in a random access procedure of cell handover, the eNB is capable of determining downlink component carriers that a UE monitors, thereby increasing utilization rate of downlink resources.
US08488558B2
Handover of the role of a personal basic service set coordination point (PCP) in a personal wireless area network occurs with the issuance of a PCP handover request by the existing PCP station. A response from a PCP handover capable station within the BSS includes attributes of the responding station pertinent to its ability to carry out the role of a PCP. Once a new PCP station has been identified, handover steps are undertaken to modify beacon filtering and beam-forming in other non-PCP stations within the BSS to facilitate interruption free transition from the old PCP to the new PCP.
US08488534B2
A base station includes a scheduler determining allocation of radio resources for each subframe; a control channel generating unit generating a control channel including common control information mapped across a system frequency band and specific control information mapped to one or more resource blocks allocated to a selected user device; and a transmission signal generating unit generating a transmission signal by time-division-multiplexing the common control information and the specific control information. The common control information is transmitted every subframe and includes information units with a predetermined data size, a format indicator representing one of preset options indicating the number of symbols occupied by the common control information, and information indicating the maximum number of the information units. The information indicating the maximum number of the information units is transmitted as a part of the common control information at a predetermined interval longer than or equal to one subframe.
US08488532B2
To effectively control information on allocation of a radio resource for each mobile station, improve the frequency use efficiency of the entire communication system, and effectively execute base station/mobile station control, a mobile station holds a Chunk Table (TB) in advance and successively receives the SCSCH (Shared Control Signaling Channel) of each predetermined available Chunk from the head of a radio frame. If the SCSCH has a mobile station identifier of the mobile station assigned, the mobile station receives an SDCH (Shared Data Channel) of the corresponding RB (Resource Block) and acquires a CID (Chunk ID). Here, user data may be simultaneously contained in the SDCH. The mobile station registers the acquired CID in the Chunk Table. Moreover, the base station side also has the Chunk Table corresponding to each mobile station and manages whether a CID has been allocated for each mobile station.
US08488526B2
Provided are a network communication method and a network device using a preamble. According to the network communication method and the network device, network coexistence is easily achieved by using network identification transmitted in the preamble, and an unknown terminal, which has a low reception signal to noise ratio (SNR) and has not yet been connected to an existing network, is easily connected to the existing network.
US08488525B2
A mobile radio communication method in which a radio resource is shared with a first communication between one of first mobile terminal devices and a radio base station, which is performed by using an infrastructure mode for performing communication controlled based on scheduling by the radio base station, and a second communication between a plurality of second mobile terminal devices, which is performed by using an ad hoc mode for performing communication by autonomous distributed control, the mobile radio communication method including advertising, by the one of the first mobile terminal devices in an area in which the radio base station exists, at a timing specified by the radio base station, a radio resource which is usable for the second communication in the ad hoc mode and is not used for the first communication in the infrastructure mode, to one of the second mobile terminal devices that is present in a range which a radio wave reaches from the one of the first mobile terminal devices and performs the second communication in the ad hoc mode, to thereby control the one of the second mobile terminal devices so as not to use a radio resource for the first communication.
US08488524B2
In a fixed channel wireless network system with a limited number of channels, assignment of the fixed channels between remote client elements and access elements is made systematically according to a set of criteria accounting for network loading and interference, then channel assignments are dynamically updated according to a priority to maintain optimal network performance with changing conditions of load and interference. The channel utilization problem is address at a system level rather than at a local level by treating the system as a three dimensional color mapping problem. All noise is treated as having a source in virtual access elements with an appropriate performance metric. The performance metric is used to select a channel set that minimize chances of interference and maximize user performance. Specifically, there are several parameter matrices which are managed and updated by a central resource management element, namely signal strength between elements, interference, and load. These matrices are used to find the optimal channel assignments for a predetermined limited set of assignable channels. In one implementation, the channel assignment methodology takes into account the interference associated with access elements operating on a selected channel, as well as the interference or energy that spills over (or is otherwise observable) on physical channels adjacent to the selected channel.
US08488521B2
A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) stops discontinuous reception (DRX) timers that are running and that are related to uplink and/or downlink transmissions during a DRX time period. The WTRU stops the DRX timers in response to receiving a medium access control (MAC) control element signal from an eNode-B.
US08488519B2
In one embodiment, a load balancer receives a message from a tunnel termination gateway (TTG) associated with a mobile device. The load balancer may receive messages from a plurality of TTGs. A gateway node in a plurality of gateway nodes in which to send the message is determined. The load balancer then assigns a NSAPI for use by the gateway node. For example, the NSAPI may be associated with a tunnel that is generated between the TTG and GGSN. The load balancer ensures that the assigned NSAPI is not currently in use at the gateway node. Thus, no overlapping of NSAPIs may occur even though the load balancer is processing messages from multiple TTGs for multiple gateway nodes.
US08488518B2
A system for synchronizing stations in a communications network comprising: at least one airborne or space-based vehicle; and at least two stations, each station having receiver means in data communication with the at least one airborne or space-based vehicle and control means in data communication with the receiver means and in control communication with a communication means. When each receiver means receives a synchronization signal from the at least one airborne or space-based vehicle each receiver means forwards the synchronization signal to its respective control means. The respective control means processes the synchronization signal to determine the operational frequency required by its respective communication means to maintain or establish communication with the other station. The respective control means also operates to control its respective communication means to change to the determined operational frequency.
US08488516B2
A communication network comprises a plurality of access points, a plurality of stations wirelessly communicating with the plurality of access points and at least one sensor located at a different location from each of the plurality of access points for improving communication quality in the communication network. The sensor in the communication network senses a communication message transmitted from a source station and destined for a destination access point on a wireless communication channel in the communication network. The sensor further determines a number of retransmissions of the communication message from the source station. The sensor, upon determining that the determined number of retransmissions of the communication message is at least equal to a predetermined threshold, forwards the communication message to the destination access point through the wired medium.
US08488512B2
The present invention discloses a resource scheduling method for multi-hop relay wireless network comprising: for each of a base station and relay stations, acquiring the minimal resource requirement of each of connections to all MSSs which are covered by said station and have direct signal transmission with said station, and then summing up the acquired resource requirement to obtain the minimal resource requirement of said station; and acquiring interference status between the relay stations, using different partition strategies to classify the relay stations into different independent sets, each of which can occupy the same resource, according to the minimal resource requirement of the base station and the relay stations as well as the interference status between the relay stations, and determining and comparing the total resource requirement under each of the partition strategies to obtain an optimized partition strategy for resource reuse scheduling. This resource scheduling method can meet the QoS requirement on each connection better and is applicable to dynamic and asymmetric multi-hop network.
US08488499B2
The present application includes a system and method that provisions at least two (2) receivers in a topology that allows each receiver to acquire wireless communication signals through different diverse antenna fields. Each receiver acquires the signal, and demodulates, decodes and sends data to the data terminal component. The data terminal component resolves packet alignment issues and selects the best data. This improves system reliability and reduces the system susceptibility to data corruption or loss of data due to signal fading that might occur on a single antenna field. Provisioning a wireless system in this manner reduces the likelihood that the same fading phenomena, resulting from either multipath and/or shadowing affects, impair signal reception causing data dropout or loss of data.
US08488495B2
The disclosed embodiments include a method for communicating data packets over packet networks owned by different communications carriers. The method includes monitoring, throughout scheduled times of the day, pricing information of the different communications carriers for communicating the data packets over the packet networks owned by the different communications carriers. The method determines over which of the packet networks owned by the different communications carriers to communicate data packets based on the pricing information.
US08488493B2
An apparatus and a method for automatic access in a wireless communication system are provided. The apparatus includes a scanner for scanning surrounding Access Points (APs) by receiving beacon messages from the APs, a determiner for detecting an AP, a WPS button of which has been pressed, from one or more scanned APs and for determining if there are two or more detected APs, and a configurator for, when there are two or more detected APs, transmitting a message including a Medium Access Control (MAC) address of an AP, which has been selected among the detected APs by an input of a user, to the AP and for performing a Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) with the selected AP, thereby accessing a wireless Local Area Network (LAN).
US08488491B2
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a plurality of network site interfaces in communication with two or more networks, each of the networks associated with a different Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) instance, and a processor configured for mapping the VRF instances to an Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP) adjacency and transmitting VRF information on the IGP adjacency along with a VRF identifier indicating the network associated with the VRF information. A method is also disclosed.
US08488488B1
Mitigating threats in a network includes receiving a message at a network device. The message includes device-independent parameters generated in response to a threat. The network device converts the parameters into one or more device-specific operations and then performs the operations to mitigate the threat.
US08488487B2
Systems and methods that facilitate management of interference and communication resources are provided. A differential approach is devised in which other-sector interference (OSI) and communication resources are managed by adjusting an offset (delta) value associated with the resources in response to receiving an indication of other-sector interference. An OSI indication can be issued based on a short and a long time scale, and effective interference metrics over time-frequency resources. The adjusted delta value is communicated to a serving access point, which reassigns communication resources in order to mitigate other-sector interference.
US08488485B2
An intermediary node is adapted for receiving a sequence of packets from a server, wherein the intermediary node comprises a time estimator adapted for performing the following steps—resolving the sequence number (k) and time of arrival to the intermediary node for at least a plurality (q) of incoming packets; establishing the frame period of the incoming packets (T); establishing a sequence of normalized packet arrival times (ek) as corresponding to the established frame period (T); calculating the relative arrival time (rtrec, k) of the plurality (q) of incoming packets in relation to the normalized packet arrival times; creating a cumulative density function (CDF) for a given sequence of packets; and establishing the threshold value for the relative arrival time (rtPL) yielding the predefined packet loss (PL) based on the cumulative density function (CDF).
US08488479B2
A method and apparatus for providing protection against spam calls are disclosed. For example, the method receives a signaling message for setting up a call to a customer, and determines whether the call is from a caller that has been identified as being a spammer. The method processes the call using one or more filter rules for the customer, if the caller has been identified as being a spammer.
US08488477B2
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate transmitting at least two different types of information in a single signal, whereby the different types of information can be encoded and decoded independently. Thus, changes to one type of information does not affect a second type of information.
US08488469B2
A transmission rate control method for controlling a transmission rate of uplink user data, based on a received relative transmission rate of the uplink user data which is transmitted via an E-RGCH, includes: transmitting, at a radio base station, any one of Up command which instructs to increase the transmission rate of the uplink user data, Down command which instructs to decrease the transmission rate of the uplink user data, or Don't care command which instructs to maintain the transmission rate of the uplink user data, to the mobile station via the E-RGCH, as the relative transmission rate; and maintaining, at the mobile station, the transmission rate of the uplink user data, when the mobile station receives the Down command or the Don't care command, and when the uplink user data to be transmitted become empty in a transmission buffer of the mobile station.
US08488449B1
A technique to implement a network traffic management system with an integrated multidimensional floating point sorter is to store data such that it may be retrieved in a sorted fashion. Entries are stored into a memory according to time stamp value, represented in a floating point format, and the time stamp value is divided into at least two portions, exponent and mantissa. The memory is organized as a pointer memory. An integrated multidimensional floating point sorter may be implemented using integrated circuit technology using one or more integrated circuits. These integrated circuits may be used in management of network traffic, and provides quality of service (QoS) or class of service (CoS) control.
US08488448B2
A system and method for message sequencing in a broadband gateway comprising a receiver to receive two or more messages, a data storage system to store the two or more messages, an identifier to identify a processing sequence for the two or more messages, and a retriever to retrieve the two or more messages for processing based on the identified processing sequence for providing broadband DSL service to a customer.
US08488431B2
Provided are an optical head and an optical information device capable of inhibiting the temperature rise of a photodetector. An optical head (10) includes a semiconductor laser (101) which emits a luminous flux, an objective lens (105) which focuses the luminous flux emitted from the semiconductor laser (101) on the optical disk (21), and a photodetector (120) which detects the luminous flux reflected by the optical disk (21). The photodetector (120) includes a light receiving part (123) which receives the luminous flux reflected by the optical disk (21), a package (125) which covers the light receiving part (123), and a heat transfer adhesion layer (124) disposed between the package (125) and the light receiving part (123). The heat transfer adhesion layer (124) is formed in a region that is on the light receiving part (123) and includes a light path through which the luminous flux reflected by the optical disk (21) passes.
US08488424B1
Laser write parameters in an optical drive are calibrated. A parameter range for the write parameters is set based on a recordable medium, and a number of test runs are recorded on the recordable medium while varying the write parameters. Write performance characteristics over the test runs are measured. Based on the measured performance characteristics, actual write parameters are selected for use in writing actual data.
US08488416B2
In one aspect, the present invention is directed to an earthquake detection and alarming apparatus, comprising: a transparent object (46) having a concave surface on the top thereof; a rollable object (34) placed on the concave surface; an apiary of light projectors (30) placed above the concave surface; an apiary of light receivers (38) correspondingly to the apiary of light projectors, the apiary of light receivers being placed below the concave surface; and circuitry for determining: (a) vibrating frequency and amplitude of the rollable object with reference to the concave surface from sensing of the receivers (38); and (b) deducing therefrom the arrival of primary waves.
US08488415B2
An electro-dynamic acoustic projector provides a rigid enclosure having an open end. A pressure compensated chamber extends into the rigid enclosure from the open end. A vibratile piston is located in the open end of the rigid enclosure and closed the pressure compensated chamber. The vibratile piston has an axis of oscillation perpendicular to the plane of the open end and an anterior major surface exposed from the open end for generating sound waves in water. A magnet assembly is attached to the vibratile piston which interacts with a stator coil positioned with respect the rigid enclosure and vibratile piston. The magnet assembly is affixed to a posterior surface of the vibratile piston. The magnet assembly comprises first and second permanent magnets located with respect to one another to bring like poles into facing opposition. The facing like poles are separated from one another by a ferromagnetic focus element.
US08488413B2
An indicated position detecting apparatus includes a display module having a display screen, and a plurality of microphones to detect a contact sound to the display screen. The plurality of microphones are arranged at an outer peripheral portion of the display screen to be apart from each other. A time difference acquisition unit acquires arrival time differences of the contact sound between two microphones in each of two combinations of the plurality of microphones. A positional information acquisition unit derives two hyperbolas corresponding to the arrival time differences acquired by the time difference acquisition unit, each hyperbola having focal points at the two microphones in each of the two combinations of the plurality of microphones, and acquires an intersection of the two derived hyperbolas as information of a position where the contact sound is generated.
US08488409B2
A method for determining a sail plan for a towed-array marine seismic survey, includes: dividing a survey area into a regular grid of tiles; and identifying a subset of the tiles as nodes around which continuously curved sail lines are defined. The nodes define regular pattern further including: a first subpattern of nodes; and a second subpattern of nodes offset from the first subpattern. In alternative aspects, a computer-readable program storage medium may be encoded with instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform the method, or a computing apparatus may be programmed to perform the method. A method for conducting a towed array marine survey includes: traversing a plurality of continuously curved sail lines across a survey area, each sail line being relative to a node; and acquiring seismic data while traversing the continuously curved sail lines. The set of nodes defining a regular pattern further including: a first subpattern of nodes; and a second subpattern of nodes offset from the first subpattern.
US08488405B2
In an embodiment of the invention, an integrated circuit includes a pipelined memory array and a memory control circuit. The pipelined memory array contains a plurality of memory banks. Based partially on the read access time information of a memory bank, the memory control circuit is configured to select the number of clock cycles used during read latency.
US08488402B2
A nonvolatile memory device includes a substrate, multiple doping regions, multiple cell strings and multiple page buffers. The doping regions extend in a first direction along the substrate and are spaced apart from one another in a second direction. The cell strings are provided according to a specific pattern between adjacent first and second doping regions among the multiple regions, each of the cell strings including multiple cell transistors stacked in a third direction perpendicular to the substrate. The page buffers are connected to the cell strings through bit lines, the page buffers being configured to provide precharge voltages to the bit lines during a read operation. Levels of the precharge voltages provided to the bit lines vary depending on distances between the cell strings and at least one of the first and second doping regions, respectively.
US08488401B2
According to one embodiment, a memory cell stores therein data. In a bit line, a potential changes according to write data to be written in the memory cell. A precharge circuit precharges the bit line. A precharge control circuit controls precharge of the bit line based on the potential of the bit line and the write data.
US08488400B2
A multi-port memory device includes: a bank having a plurality of matrices; a plurality of test data input/output units where data is input/output using a test mode for detecting a defective memory cell; a plurality of ports converted into a decoding device for decoding a command/address at the test mode; a plurality of data transfer lines for transferring data between the matrices and the test data I/O units, wherein the data transfer lines is grouped into the number of matrices; and a plurality of temporary storing units included between the data transfer lines and the matrices for temporarily storing data.
US08488398B2
A method and system for determining a respective threshold voltage of each of a plurality of transistors in a memory array. The method includes: applying a ramp voltage to gates of the plurality of transistors, wherein the ramp voltage is configured to increase based on an incrementing digital code; as the ramp voltage is being applied, generating a respective control signal in response to sensing a predetermined threshold current along a respective bitline in the memory array, wherein each transistor in the memory array is in communication with a respective bitline in the memory array; and for each transistor in the memory array, latching a current value of the incrementing digital code in response to the respective control signal corresponding to the transistor being generated. The current value of the incrementing digital code latched by each register corresponds to the threshold voltage of the corresponding transistor.
US08488393B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of first pads and a plurality of memory unit blocks. The plurality of first pads are configured to input/output data in a test mode. The plurality of memory unit blocks each include a plurality of second pads configured to input/output data in a normal mode, and a plurality of data path selection units configured to connect internal circuits of the corresponding memory unit block to the plurality of first pads or the plurality of second pads in response to a unit block selection flag signal, a write enable signal, a read enable signal, and a mode control signal.
US08488388B2
A non-volatile memory cell includes first and second regions and a channel region therebetween, a word line gate over a first portion of the channel region, a floating gate over another portion of the channel region and adjacent to the word line gate, a coupling gate over the floating gate, and an erase gate adjacent to the floating gate on an opposite side to the word line gate and over the second region. Programming the memory cell includes applying a first positive voltage to the word line gate, applying a voltage differential between the first and second regions, applying a second positive voltage to the coupling gate (where the voltages and the voltage differential are applied substantially at the same time), and applying a third positive voltage to the erase gate after a period of delay from the application of the first and second positive voltages and the voltage differential.
US08488380B2
A semiconductor memory device in accordance with the present invention is able to facilitate detecting whether a word line fails or not by floating the word line. The semiconductor memory device includes a word line driver, and a floating controller. The word line driver is configured to control a word line to be enabled/disabled. The floating controller is configured to control the word line driver to float the word line in response to a word line floating signal.
US08488376B2
A non-volatile magnetic memory element includes a number of layers one of which is a free layer which is graded. The graded free layer may include various elements with each element having a different anisotropy or it may include nonmagnetic compounds and magnetic regions with the non-magnetic compounds forming graded contents forming a unique shape such as cone shaped, diamond shaped or other shapes and whose thickness is based on the reactivity of the magnetic compound.
US08488374B2
Some embodiments include memory arrays. The memory arrays can have global bitlines extending along a first horizontal direction, vertical local bitlines extending perpendicularly from the global bitlines, and wordlines extending along a second horizontal direction which is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction. The global bitlines may be subdivided into a first series at a first elevational level, and a second series at a second elevational level which is different from the first elevational level. The global bitlines of the first series can alternate with the global bitlines of the second series. There can be memory cell material directly between the wordlines and the vertical local bitlines. The memory cell material may form a plurality of memory cells uniquely addressed by wordline/global bitline combinations. Some embodiments include cross-point memory cell units that have areas of about 2F2.
US08488363B2
A method writes data to a resistive memory, such as spin torque transfer magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM). The method writes received bits of data to a memory cell array, in response to a first write signal. The method also reads stored data from the memory cell array, after the first write signal is generated, and then compares the stored data with the received bits of data to determine whether each of the received bits of data was written to the memory. In response to a second write signal, received bits of data determined not to have been written during the first write signal, are written.
US08488340B2
A regulated power apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes an input power converting circuit configured for receiving a rectified voltage and for generating an increased voltage. An intermediate power regulating circuit generates a regulated voltage that has a lower voltage than a minimum output voltage of the input power converting circuit. The intermediate power regulating circuit is coupled to receive the increased voltage. An output power converting circuit is coupled with the intermediate power regulating circuit. The output power converting circuit receives the regulated voltage and generates an output voltage that is lower than the regulated voltage. The output power converting circuit comprises a buck converter configured to operate at a fixed duty cycle. A regulation circuit is coupled with the intermediate power regulating circuit and coupled with the output power converting circuit.
US08488334B2
An optical transceiver module is provided that has an EMI absorbing assembly that comprises an EMI absorbing device that is electrically grounded rather than standing in free space in the transceiver module so that the assembly absorbs both the magnetic and electrical components of the EMI. In accordance with an embodiment, the EMI absorbing assembly includes a leadframe about which an EMI absorbing material is cast. The leadframe preferably is shaped in a way that prevents or lessens the occurrence of resonant EMI modes in the transceiver module housing.
US08488328B2
The invention relates to an arrangement 10 comprising a flexible carrier 6 having a front surface and a back surface; a component 2 adhered to the front surface of the flexible carrier, and a stiffener 8 extending at least partially over said front surface or said back surface for protecting at least a portion of the front surface or the back surface of the flexible carrier 6, wherein the stiffener 8 comprises a first region 8c extending over an area covered by the component 2 and a second region 8a, 8b extending over an area not covered by the component 2, the second region being more flexible than the first region.
US08488325B1
A memory module is provided having a plurality of integrated circuit packages. The memory module includes a first thermal conduit in thermal communication with a first set of integrated circuit packages on the first side, and substantially thermally isolated from a second set of one or more integrated circuit packages on the first side. The memory module further includes a second thermal conduit in thermal communication with the set of one or more integrated circuit packages.
US08488320B2
A semiconductor package includes: a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface, the first surface having a fan placement zone, a hole and a ventilation hole penetrating the substrate formed at the fan placement zone of the substrate; an electronic component disposed on the first surface surrounding the fan placement zone, the electronic component electrically connected to the substrate; an encapsulant formed on the electronic component and the first surface of the substrate, the encapsulant having an encapsulant opening exposing the fan placement zone; and a fan unit disposed in the encapsulant opening and electrically connected to the substrate. Since the electronic component is disposed on the substrate outside the fan placement zone, heat generated by the electronic component can efficiently dissipate while damage problems of over heat will not occur, and the overall height of the fan unit can thus be decreased.
US08488316B2
A power module includes a first power chip and a second power chip, each of which has at least two electrodes. The power module is applied to a power converter having a power density higher than 15 W/inch3 and a maximum efficiency higher than 92%, or to a power converter having a power density higher than 20 W/inch3 or having a maximum efficiency higher than 93%. At least one of the power chips operates at a frequency higher than 25 kHz.
US08488309B2
An apparatus including a body part configured to receive a replaceable internal part, a first cover part configured to be movable between an open position and a closed position, a second cover part configured to be movable between an open position and a closed position, and when in said closed position, to cover the replaceable internal part. A locking mechanism is configured to lock the second cover part to the body part and the locking mechanism is configured to be releasable, when the first cover part is in said open position and the locking mechanism is configured to be unreleasable, when the first cover part is in said closed position.
US08488308B2
The present invention provides a display seal for a force-based sensor assembly that includes a flexible membrane having inner and outer surfaces, and first and second sides. The first side of the membrane is capable of being mounted to a housing of the assembly, such as a frame or bezel, and the second side of the membrane is capable of being mounted to a touch surface of a touch sensitive structure of the assembly. The seal, when mounted to the housing and the screen, is capable of creating a seal around the screen without passing extraneous forces to the transducers.
US08488307B2
A Point-Of-Sale (POS) system bracket includes a bracket housing and two mounts. The bracket housing includes two opposite sidewalls having inner surfaces, outer surfaces each having a substantially convex shape, and a plurality of positioning holes formed at different heights in the sidewalls. The mounts have outer sides for fixing respectively of two displays, and inner sides to be attached to the outer surfaces of the respective sidewalls. A plurality of locking elements extend respectively through a selected group of the positioning holes from the inner surfaces of the sidewalls to fasten the mounts to the respective sidewalls. The locking elements can be changed in position from one group to the other group of the positioning holes, so that the mounts can be positioned at different heights on the respective sidewalls, and the displays can be disposed at different inclination angles.
US08488304B2
In one embodiment, a connection system for an electronic device comprises an enclosure comprising sides, and an interior encompassed by the sides. The interior can comprise (1) an electronic device area configured to house the electronic device, (2) a first accessory area configured to house a first accessory of the electronic device (3) a second accessory area configured to house a second accessory of the electronic device and/or (4) one or more walls separating from each other at least two of the electronic device area, the first accessory area, or the second accessory area. When the electronic device is housed in the electronic device area, the first accessory is housed in the first accessory area, and the second accessory is housed in the second accessory area the one or more walls are configured to permit the first and second accessories to be connected to the electronic device. Other examples and related methods are described herein.
US08488300B2
A supercapacitor includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a solid-state polymer electrolyte. The first electrode and the second electrode are spaced from each other and immersed in the solid-state polymer electrolyte. The first and second electrode includes a carbon nanotube structure and an electrically conductive polymer layer. The carbon nanotube structure includes a number of carbon nanotubes and a number of micropores defined between adjacent two carbon nanotubes. The electrically conductive polymer layer coats surfaces of the number of carbon nanotubes.
US08488297B2
There is provided a multilayer ceramic electronic component including: a ceramic body including a dielectric layer; and first and second inner electrode layers formed within the ceramic body, wherein, when a thickness of the dielectric layer is defined as td and a maximum thickness and a minimum thickness of the first or second inner electrode layer are defined as tmax and tmin, respectively, td≦0.6 μm and (tmax−tmin)/td<0.30 are satisfied. According to the present invention, a large-capacity multilayer ceramic electronic component capable of improving withstand voltage characteristics and having excellent reliability can be realized by improving uniformity in the thickness of the inner electrode layers.
US08488295B2
A selectively rigidizable and actively steerable device is described. In one aspect, an articulatable device is described that includes a flexible inner tube having a first lumen, a flexible outer tube that receives the inner tube, and a multiplicity of overlapping, rigidizable scale-like strips. Each scale-like strip is coupled with the inner tube and positioned between the inner and outer tubes. Of particular note, the overlapping strips are actuatable between a non-rigidized state in which overlapping strips are slideable relative to one another and a rigidized state in which overlapping strips are not slideable relative to one another.
US08488293B2
An assembly, system and method are provided for discharging a rotating shaft encompassed by a stationary housing. The system includes an annular charge-dissipating component and a biasing element oriented to apply an axial force to the charge-dissipating component, holding it in contact with the shaft and the housing while the shaft is rotating. The biasing element may be a coil spring or a wave spring. A shaft grounding upgrade kit includes a conductive ring member and a cylindrical spring having a diameter that is the same as that of the conductive ring member. The spring constant of the cylindrical spring is such that the spring holds the conductive ring member within the housing in contact with the shaft and the housing. The conductive ring member may be constructed of gray iron and the cylindrical spring is one of a wave spring and a coil spring.
US08488292B2
A magnetic-field generating device includes at least one magnetic-field generator configured to generate a magnetic field so as to provide at least one magnetic gap for receiving objects upon which the magnetic field acts. At least one magnetic-field measuring device is disposed within a measuring-device receiving region outside of the magnetic gap. The at least one magnetic-field measuring device is configured to provide at least one measurement signal useable as an input signal for controlling the at least one magnetic-field generator.
US08488283B2
The load drive device of the present invention comprises a load drive unit for switching on/off output current that flows to an inductive load; and an overcurrent protection circuit for detecting whether the output current is in an overcurrent state, wherein the load drive unit has an output transistor connected to one end of the inductive load; and a pre-driver for generating a control signal of the output transistor in accordance with an input signal, and the pre-driver has a first drive unit for switching on/off the output transistor during normal operation; and a second drive unit for switching off the output transistor more slowly than the first drive unit during overcurrent protection operation.
US08488282B2
A magnetic sensor comprises a channel, a ferromagnetic body and first and second reference electrodes on the channel, a magnetic shield covering a part of the channel opposing the ferromagnetic body, and an insulating film disposed between the channel and the magnetic shield, while the magnetic shield has a through-hole extending toward the part of the channel opposing the ferromagnetic body.
US08488280B1
Described herein is an actuator latch, for limiting rotational movement of a disk drive actuator. The latch preferably includes a coupling portion that has an elongate member received by a bore in a disk drive base. The coupling portion is configured to be rotatable about an axis defined by the elongate member. The latch also includes an engagement portion, integrally formed with the elongate member, that extends in a direction transverse to the axis and engages and limits rotation of a disk drive actuator.
US08488279B1
A disk drive suspension assembly has a laminated flexure that includes a structural layer, first and second conductive layers, a first dielectric layer disposed between the structural layer and the first conductive layer, and a second dielectric layer disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The first conductive layer includes at least a first conductive trace and a second conductive trace, and the second conductive layer includes at least a third conductive trace and a fourth conductive trace. The first conductive trace is electrically connected to the fourth conductive trace by a first conductive via through the second dielectric layer, and the second conductive trace is electrically connected to the third conductive trace through a second conductive via through the second dielectric layer. The third conductive trace overlies the first conductive trace, and the fourth conductive trace overlies the second conductive trace.
US08488272B1
A magnetic recording transducer includes a main pole including a nose portion, the nose portion terminating at an air-bearing surface (ABS). The magnetic recording transducer further includes at least one coil having a coil front distal from the ABS, and at least one side shield, the at least one side shield extending from at the ABS to not further than the coil front.
US08488267B2
A system and method for positioning a sensor relative to a storage medium. A system includes a first sensor and a second sensor arranged so that a point of a storage medium traverses each sensor at a different time. A processor is coupled to the sensors. The processor varies the timing of a sample representing a noise signal received from the sensors in accordance with medium velocity. The processor adjusts the position of the sensors based on the sample.
US08488264B2
According to one embodiment, a signal processing circuit processes a signal read from a magnetic disk including a servo region and a user data region, the servo region including a servo address mark, the user data region including a data sector, and includes a counter and a gate controller. The counter is configured to count a first clock when having detected the servo address mark based on the signal read from the magnetic disk. The gate controller is configured to generate a pulse for locating the data sector in synchronization with a second clock when the counter counts a first value.
US08488258B2
A lens system is provided that comprises an enhanced depth of field based on a uniform or near uniform relative illumination via a lens with a large distortion. The distortion can be corrected with image processing equipment. The lens system can comprise an aperture stop and a group of lens, wherein there can be about five lenses in the group of lenses. The lens system is designed for relative illumination such that the light distribution over the lens system is substantially uniform.
US08488256B2
A rear-view system for a motor vehicle including a catadioptric assembly of at least one external or internal rearview mirror including a non-planar mirror and at least one diopter forming part of a side window of the vehicle or integrated thereto. The mirror and the diopter are configured and designed such that the image of the object restored by the mirror-diopter assembly is not substantially deformed and such that the blind spot or zone not covered by the system is minimized.
US08488249B2
An optical element includes a first liquid having polarity or electrical conductivity, a second liquid that is immiscible with the first liquid, a first substrate portion, a second substrate portion, a sidewall portion connecting the first substrate portion to the second substrate portion, and an accommodating portion constituted by the first substrate portion, the second substrate portion, and the sidewall portion and sealing the first liquid and the second liquid therein. The first substrate portion includes a first electrode, the second substrate portion includes a second electrode, and the sidewall portion includes a third electrode.
US08488240B2
Polarization preserving projection screens provide optimum polarization preservation for 3D viewing. The projection screens additionally provide improved light control for enhanced brightness, uniformity, and contrast for both 2D and 3D systems. Generally, the disclosed method for providing a projection screen comprises stripping an optically functional material from a carrier substrate, thus creating engineered particles from the optically functional material. The engineered particles may then be deposited on a second substrate to create a substantially homogeneous optical appearance of the projection screen.
US08488235B2
An optical system including a plurality of fibers each providing a fiber beam and at least one tapered fiber bundle. The tapered fiber bundle includes a plurality of input end fibers, a plurality of output end fibers and a center bundle portion, where each input end fiber is coupled to a separate one of the fibers, and where the bundle portion combines all of the fiber beams received by the input end fibers into a single combined beam and each output end fiber is capable of receiving the combined beam separately from the other output end fibers. The optical system also includes a plurality of optical output channels where each optical output channel is coupled to a separate one of the output end fibers.
US08488234B2
Guided adiabatic bend transitions for multimode fibers are presented to preserve the power of guided light in the fundamental mode while guiding from one level of curvature to another for improved operation of mode filters and fiber amplifiers. A method is provided to find the guidance path. Implementations of these transducers include modal power back converters, and guidance paths into and out of higher order mode filtering devices which work on bending. A spiral structure is shown to incorporate adiabatic bends for a forward-pumped fiber amplifier.
US08488221B2
Display image data for displaying images on a screen, and when display image data that has undergone specified gradation conversion is received, the characteristics of the output brightness displayed on the screen is checked. In the area for which the output brightness of the display image data is convex at the bottom in relation to the image data gradation values, the display image data gradation values are corrected so as to have a roughly linear relationship between the gradation values and the output brightness. Printing image data is generated based on the post-correction image data and an image is printed. In the area for which the output brightness bottom is convex, by performing this kind of correction, it is possible to print an image with an impression closer to the display on the screen. As a result, it is possible to print images on the monitor screen easily and without losing the impression received from the image displayed on the monitor screen.
US08488218B2
A document reading apparatus includes an irradiation unit configured to irradiate a document reading position with visible light and infrared light, a reading unit configured to read an image of visible light and an image of infrared light reflected from the document on the document reading position, and an extraction unit configured to extract a transparent toner image on a document based on the visible light image and the infrared light image read by the reading unit.
US08488216B2
An LED light source device installed in an image reading apparatus, includes an LED that is a light-emitting source; and a light guide for reflecting light of the LED by an inner surface thereof to diffuse along a main scanning line direction and irradiating the light reflected by the light guide to a surface of a sheet. The light guide has a plurality of reflecting surface bodies spaced at predetermined pitches in the main scanning line direction inside an inner surface reflection optical path to reflect the light from the LED toward an outside along the main scanning line direction. The plurality of reflecting surface bodies includes a first reflecting surface body and a second reflecting surface body, and a length in a perpendicular direction to the main scanning line direction of the second reflecting surface body is different from that of the first reflecting surface body.
US08488215B2
A driving unit (1) includes holders (5) rotatably supporting a shaft (2) and rotatably holding first and second helical gears (3, 4). Each holder 5 includes first and second receiving portions (9, 10). The first receiving portions (9) receive forces in a direction to push the first helical gears (3) toward backs of accommodating portions (7) by contacting parts of the first helical gears (3) when the shaft (2) and the first helical gears (3) are rotated in a certain rotational direction. The second receiving portions (10) receive forces in a direction to push the first helical gears (3) from interiors of the accommodating portions (7) to openings (8) by contacting parts of the shaft (2) when the shaft (2) and the first helical gears (3) are rotated in an opposite direction. Thus, the driving unit is assembled easily and the helical gears are held stably in both rotational directions.
US08488210B2
Disclosed are embodiments of methods, systems, and apparatus for providing multiple image fields or regions on an imaging array. In certain preferred embodiments, a high density imaging array may be partitioned into two or more regions, each of which may be used to render a separate view of the scan volume. This arrangement may provide an increase in the effective scan volume beyond the volume available with a single imager having a single point of view and may allow for reading of encoded symbols at a variety of orientations that would otherwise preclude accurate imaging with a single imager.
US08488208B2
An optical module 100 includes an optical path unit 101 including a plurality of reflectors 104 for securing an optical path of reflected light from a manuscript, an image processing unit 102 including a reading device 105 which reads image information on the manuscript based on the reflected light from the manuscript entered via the optical path, and a connecting component 103 which connects the optical path unit 101 and the image processing unit 102 so that their positional relation will become a prescribed state.
US08488204B2
Various types of ink corresponding to non-overlapping wavelength domains in absorbing lights are utilized on a pattern displaying medium for marking coordinate dots and data dots of a plurality of data blocks. While a scanning device is utilized for scanning the pattern-displaying medium, the marked coordinate dots and data dots are precisely recognized and read. While the pattern displaying medium is to be marked, the coordinate dots are marked in advance, and then the data dots are marked according to the marked coordinate dots for preventing positioning errors. Besides, at least one locality dot is used in each data block. While the scanning device is utilized for scanning the pattern displaying medium, a reading direction of each data block is indicated by the at least one locality dot so as to precisely read dots of each data block.
US08488196B2
A system using a spatial correction to improve the result of a printer calibration and correction is described. More particularly, in one form, a spatial correction may be used to pre-condition a printer for an improved color calibration. In another form, spatial correction and color calibration are addressed in the same process for color correction.
US08488193B2
A method for storing data is described, wherein the data to be stored is printed in the form of a dot pattern comprising a plurality of dots onto the surface of an imprintable medium using a printing device, wherein the dot pattern comprises at least one dot pattern block covering a defined area on the imprintable medium, and wherein the area, which is covered by the at least one dot pattern block on the medium to be imprinted, comprises a plurality of partial surfaces of equal size disposed next to and/or on top of each other, a dot pattern each representing a portion of the data to be stored being printed in said partial area. The method described is characterized in that each partial area comprises one of several different base dot patterns, or a reference dot pattern, that each of the several base dot patterns includes of two dots, which with respect to a virtual reference point are disposed in a point-symmetrical manner inside the respective partial area, and that the base dot patterns differ with respect to the angle of the virtual connecting line between the two dots of the respective base dot pattern with respect to a virtual reference line. The invention further relates to a method for reading the data stored in this manner.
US08488190B2
An image processing apparatus for processing input image data selects, as a comparative cluster to be compared with a pixel of interest in the input image data, a cluster for which an absolute value of a difference between a component sum of the pixel of interest and a component sum of a representative value of the cluster is not more than a first threshold value.And the apparatus calculates a color distance between the pixel of interest and the representative value of each of the comparative clusters. The apparatus classifies the pixel of interest to a cluster corresponding to a minimum value of the color distances, if the minimum value of the color distances is not more than a second threshold value and generates a new cluster to which the pixel of interest is to be classified, if all the color distances are larger than the second threshold value.
US08488187B2
Data concerning a transfer pattern of a lamination transparent film is not externally sent and stored in a memory but is generated by a random pattern generating module of a color controlling DSP. A random number generating section generates a pseudorandom number for each dot of one line; a tone data obtaining section obtains tone data corresponding to the pseudorandom number; and a transferring section transfers the tone data to a head signal converting ASIC. Tone data for each dot of one line is alternately written in line buffers. Using the tone data written in the line buffers, a thermal head transfers transparent film.
US08488181B2
What is disclosed is a novel system and method for identifying and removing print defects from an original document such that user markings applied to the hardcopy originally can be more readily identified and extracted. In one embodiment, an image of an original document and a marked document are received. The original document was printed using a print device which caused a print defect in the hardcopy print. Methods for identifying the print defect in the difference image are provided herein. The identified print defect is removed from the difference image. The difference image retains the user-applied markings once the print defects have been identified and removed. The user markings can then be provided to a storage device for subsequent retrieval and added into the image of the original document to generate an image of a new marked document containing the user markings without the defect. Various embodiments are disclosed.
US08488179B2
When a quantity of light of a liquid crystal back light falls below a predetermined value, a detecting section of an input device outputs to a first control section a failure-detected signal indicating that a failure occurred in the liquid crystal back light of an operation panel. When a touched area is inputted from a touch panel after the failure-detected signal was inputted, the first control section, referring to a failure time table, transmits setting information corresponding to a display area that includes the touched area to a second control section of an image forming apparatus.
US08488177B2
An image forming apparatus, which is connected to an image forming apparatus controller via a network and is capable of performing image forming in response to an image forming request received from the image forming apparatus controller. The image forming apparatus includes a storage unit that stores limitation information, which defines an image forming limitation, in association with the image forming apparatus controller, a determination unit that, when inquiry information concerning limitation is received from the image forming apparatus controller, employs the limitation information to determine whether the image forming limitation for the image forming apparatus controller has been applied, and a limitation information output unit that, when the determination unit determines that the limitation for the image forming apparatus controller has been applied, outputs to the image forming apparatus controller usage limitation information in order to limit usage of the image forming apparatus.
US08488169B2
In an image forming apparatus, in order to appropriately notify a user of useful information when a screen saver is cancelled by an operation by the user, a CPU of the image forming apparatus executes a program including the step of: displaying, if the user does not make any operation in a time period of a predetermined length, a screen saver using read display information; displaying, if a user makes any operation while the screen saver is displayed, read end information; and displaying, if the user makes any operation before the time is up while the end information is displayed or if the time is up without user operation, an initial image of the image forming apparatus.
US08488164B2
A computer-implemented method and system for printing electronic documents. The method includes receiving a printing request from an application executed on the mobile device, via a socket connection conforming to a standard network communications protocol, the printing request generated from a print preview by the application. The method includes retrieving application data from the printing request. The method includes populating a print template with the retrieved application data, the print template including application data placeholders and print commands, the print commands being in a language of a printer device connected to the mobile device, wherein the retrieved application data replaces the application data placeholders. The method includes forwarding the populated print template to the printer device, the print commands instructing the printer device to print a document where the application data is presented according to the print template.
US08488162B2
A communication apparatus which prevents one host computer from occupying the apparatus and enables a user of the host computer having sent a processing request thereto to quickly know a processing result. A connection request is accepted from one of a plurality of host computers. In response to the accepted connection request, the host computer having sent the connection request is connected, and a process requested by the connected host computer is executed. Information indicative of the connected host computer is stored. Control is performed such that a reconnection request from the host computer indicated by the stored information is accepted with priority over connection requests from other host computers.
US08488160B2
An image forming apparatus includes: a memory that memorizes a storage area storing document data; a receiving unit that receives an instruction for creating a second storage area corresponding to a first storage area created by another image forming apparatus; and a creating unit that creates the second storage area associated with information for identifying another image forming apparatus in the memory when the receiving unit receives the instruction to create the second storage area.
US08488159B2
The printing system comprises: a print data generating unit for generating print data; an image data generating unit for generating image data for each page having a data size of an integral multiple of a specified block size based on the print data; a delivering unit for delivering the image data; an imposing unit for imposing the image data in such a way that images for a plurality of pages will be printed on a sheet of paper; and a printing unit for printing images for a plurality of pages on a sheet of paper, wherein a process for preventing a blank space being formed in a boundary area between the images to be printed on a sheet of paper due to padding data added to the image data in order to make data size of the image data to be an integral multiple of the block size, is executed.
US08488142B2
According to one embodiment, an information management server apparatus transmits processing result information that includes management register information including a child management ID when traceable duplication request information received from an information medium controller satisfy an access control policy and a permission policy. On the basis of the processing result information, the information medium controller outputs document print data that includes the child management ID tag and an electronic data body, and management register data including the management register information. When a paper document printed by the document print data is collected after being distributed, the information medium controller transmits a collection completion update request including the child management ID read from the paper document by an exclusive reader. On the basis of the child management ID in the collection completion update request, the information management server apparatus updates the status information to “collected”.
US08488140B2
When an instruction to shut down an image forming apparatus is provided, a list of tasks is generated and displayed based on the characteristics and operation state of each task. If an instruction to cancel a displayed running task is provided, processing of the task is canceled and shutdown processing is performed. Thus, user convenience can be improved by displaying whether or not the running tasks are cancelable when an instruction to shut down the image forming apparatus is provided.
US08488134B2
A multifunction device for prefabricating marking labels, having a top side configured to be printed on and a bottom side opposite the top side with a profiling, includes a printing device and at least one of a separating device and a perforation device. A feeder unit is configured to feed blank marking labels of a finite-length or endless material. A holder element including a recess is configured to receive the marking labels, including the profiling, so as to fix the marking labels in position during a passing over of the printing device and the at least one of the separating device and perforation device.
US08488133B2
Systems and methods for marking media are provided. The method may include preparing an image for printing on print media, the image including an indication of a first and a second event. The method may further include printing a first portion of the image on the print media, evaluating data and electing to print a second portion of the image wherein the second portion includes the indication of either of the first or second event.
US08488130B2
A shape-sensing segment traverses through at least a portion of a kinematic chain of a tele-operated slave surgical instrument in a tele-operated minimally-invasive surgical system. The shape-sensing segment includes a pre-set perturbation. Shape information from the pre-set perturbation allows determination of relative partial-pose information for at least one link in the kinematic chain.
US08488114B2
A system for monitoring a plurality of components distributed in different space locations, includes: at least one optical fiber path; an optical radiation source adapted to inject optical radiation into the at least one optical fiber path; at least one first and at least one second optical branches branching from the at least one optical fiber path and adapted to spill respective portions of the optical radiation, the first and second optical branches being adapted to be operatively associated with a respective component to be monitored. The first optical branch includes a first optical reflector and is adapted to reflect the spilled optical radiation portion unless the respective component at least partially breaks; the second optical branch includes at least one passive optical attenuator adapted to be operatively coupled to the respective component to be monitored, and having an attenuation capable of changing in response to a change in operating conditions of the respective monitored component when operatively coupled thereto, and a second optical reflector. An optical receiver is adapted to detect back-reflected optical radiation reflected by the first and second optical branches. The monitoring system is adapted to recognize a position of a component of the plurality of components based on a characteristic of the back-reflected optical radiation.
US08488109B2
Positional information of a stage is obtained using an interferometer system only during an exposure time when a constant speed drive of the stage is performed to form a pattern. Therefore, the linear measurement of the positional information is secured enough, which makes it possible to linearly drive the stage with high accuracy. Meanwhile, between an acceleration time and a deceleration time in which a step drive is performed, the positional information of the stage is obtained using an encoder system and a surface position measurement system. Therefore, measurement reproducibility of the positional information is sufficiently secured by the mechanical stability of a diffraction grating, which makes it possible to drive the stage precisely to the starting position of the constant speed drive.
US08488105B2
Multi-table lithographic systems, lithography processing tools and methods for processing workpieces
A lithographic workpiece processing tool includes a loading area for loading a workpiece; and a processing area for processing a workpiece. The workpiece processing tool further includes a multi-table system arranged between the loading area and the processing area. The multi-table system includes at least two tables configured to pass each other while moving between the loading area and the processing area. Each of the at least two tables is configured to hold a workpiece.
US08488101B2
A lithographic apparatus includes a substrate table which holds a substrate, a projection optical system which projects a patterned beam of radiation onto the substrate, a liquid supply member which supplies a liquid to a space between the projection optical system and the substrate, and a liquid detector which detects a liquid remaining on a surface of an exposed substrate before the exposed substrate is unloaded from the substrate table.
US08488093B2
The present invention relates to an array substrate for a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a manufacturing method thereof. The array substrate comprises gate lines crossing data lines on a transparent substrate to define pixel areas; thin film transistors connected to a gate line and a data line; pixel electrodes overlapping the gate and data lines, the pixel electrodes being connected to one of the thin film transistors through a contact hole, and stretched over two adjacent pixel areas to form an electric field; and storage electrodes overlapping with the gate lines, connected to a pixel electrode through a contact hole, wherein the storage electrodes maintain an intensity of the electric field formed by the pixel electrodes at a level equal to or higher than a predetermined level.
US08488089B2
Provided is a liquid crystal display device, in which a pretilt angle of liquid crystal molecules in a liquid crystal layer (21) is smaller than 2° and a first optically anisotropic layer (10) is formed between a first polarizing plate (12) and the first substrate (31). When a polar angle of the first optically anisotropic layer with respect to an in-plane vertical direction is denoted by φ, the first optically anisotropic layer compensates for a polarized state of light having a wavelength of 550 nm that enters the first optically anisotropic layer, the first optically anisotropic layer has a dichroic maximum value in a range of 430 nm or larger and 470 nm or smaller and has a dichroic maximum value in a range of 600 nm or larger and 650 nm or smaller when φ≠0 is satisfied.
US08488084B2
A flat panel display device includes a thin film pattern formed by an imprinting mold pressing imprinting resin on a substrate, an outer thin film pattern formed on an outer region of the substrate, adjacent to the thin film pattern, wherein the outer thin film pattern is used as a demolding seed for demolding the substrate from the imprinting mold, and the outer thin film pattern configured to limit movement of the imprinting resin.
US08488079B2
There is provided an optical sheet used as a display device surface as a functional layer on at least one side of a transparent base material. A diffusion factor on the outer surface and/or interior of the functional layer, wherein the relationship represented by the following formula (I) is satisfied. 2.1
US08488076B2
A liquid crystal display device includes a gate line and a gate electrode connected to the gate line, on a substrate; a gate insulating layer on the gate electrode and the gate line; an active layer on the gate insulating layer over the gate electrode; an ohmic contact layer on the active layer; first source and drain electrodes on the ohmic contact layer; second source and drain electrodes connected to the first source and drain electrodes, respectively; a data line extending from the source electrode and crossing the gate line to define a pixel region; and a pixel electrode in the pixel region and extending from the second drain electrode.
US08488068B2
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a display controller, a communication module and a determination module. The display controller is configured to display an operation screen, which is used for operating another electronic apparatus, on a display. The communication module is configured to transmit an operation signal, which indicates an operation in accordance with the operation screen, to the another electronic apparatus. The determination module is configured to determine that a function of the another electronic apparatus is activated in response to transmission of the operation signal. The display controller includes an object generation module configured to generate an object representing an operation button for activating a function of the another electronic apparatus with one operation and to arrange the generated object on the operation screen, when the determination module determines that the function is activated through a plurality of operations.
US08488067B2
A method of simulating use of a television consistent with certain implementations of the present invention involves switching a television remote controller or a television STB to an operational mode in which a simulating function is activated. While in the simulating function is activated, the television receiver device is operated in a manner which to simulates operations that a user performs when using the television receiver device by changing operation at scheduled times, random times or random time intervals. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US08488053B2
Disclosed herein is an imaging device including: a lens mount section with a removable lens section; an imaging element adapted to generate a video signal by converting image light of the subject entering through the lens section attached to the lens mount section into an electric signal; a disk-shaped shutter having a light shielding section and a transmission section, the light shielding section adapted to shield the imaging element from incident light, and the transmission section adapted to transmit incident light onto the imaging element; a shutter drive motor adapted to drive the disk-shaped shutter; a detection section adapted to detect whether the lens section is attached or detached; and a shutter control section adapted to supply a control signal to the shutter drive motor to stop the shutter if the detection section has detected that the lens section is detached.
US08488047B2
An imaging apparatus includes an optical system including a focus lens, an imaging unit operable to capture a subject image formed by the optical system to generate image data, a driver operable to drive the focus lens along an optical axis of the optical system, and an autofocus adjusting unit operable to adjust a subject image formed on the imaging unit to be in focus by evaluating the image data generated by the imaging unit and by controlling the driver to drive the focus lens. When adjusting the subject image to be in focus anew after previously adjusting the subject image to be in focus, the autofocus adjusting unit estimates a focus position and controls the driver to drive the focus lens according to a driving method used for evaluating the image data generated by the imaging unit, and different driving methods are used for different results of the estimation.
US08488046B2
A tele wide module includes a first optics group, a fixed position for the first optics group, a second optics group, a set of predetermined positions for the second optics group, a selector for selecting a first position from the set of predetermined positions, and an image sensor. The first optics group is configured to provide a focus to the image sensor. The focus is based on the selected first position. A method of adjusting a lens configuration selects a first position from a set of positions. Based on the selected position, the method deposes a second lens group in relation to a first lens group. Typically, the position of the first lens group is fixed. Through the first and second lens groups, the method provides an image to an image sensor. The method of some embodiments provides a focused image to the image sensor by using a hyper focal setting.
US08488042B2
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a visual-collaborative system enabling geographically distributed groups to engage in face-to-face, interactive collaborative video conferences. In one aspect, a visual-collaborative system comprises a display screen, a camera system, and a projector. The display screen has a first surface and a second surface, and the camera system is positioned to capture images of objects through the display screen. The projector is positioned to project images onto a projection surface of the display screen, wherein the projected images can be observed by viewing the second surface. The system includes a first filter disposed between the camera and the first surface, where the first filter passes light receives by the camera but substantially blocks the light that is produced by the projector.
US08488039B2
A digital image processing apparatus capable of displaying a color distribution chart and a method of operating the same is provided. The digital image processing apparatus includes a digital signal processing unit which detects digital color signals from an image input via an image photographing unit and calculates a color distribution chart that indicates a proportion of the detected color signals in the image. The apparatus and method can calculate and display a color distribution chart of a displayed image and change colors of the image into optimized colors.
US08488034B2
An imaging device includes: a pixel array section having an array of pixels each of which has a photoelectric converting device and outputs an electric signal according to an input photon; a sense circuit section having a plurality of sensor circuits each of which makes binary decision on whether there is a photon input to a pixel in a predetermined period upon reception of the electric signal therefrom; and a decision result IC section which integrates decision results from the sense circuits, pixel by pixel or for each group of pixels, multiple times to generate imaged data with a gradation, the decision result IC section including a count circuit which performs a count process to integrate the decision results from the sense circuits, and a memory for storing a counting result for each pixel from the count circuit, the plurality of sense circuits sharing the count circuit for integrating the decision results.
US08488032B2
An interface capable of suppressing parasitic capacitance effects includes an array of switches switched in response to a switching signal. The interface suppresses effects of parasitic capacitance included in a bus, which transmits a reset signal and an image signal output from an image sensor. The suppressed parasitic capacitance effects suppress distortion of a digital image signal.
US08488031B2
A chromatic noise reduction method is provided for removing chromatic noise from the pixels of a mosaic image. In one implementation, an actual chroma value and a de-noised chroma value are derived for the central pixel of a matrix of pixels. Based at least in part upon these chroma values, a final chroma value is derived for the central pixel. The final chroma value is then used, along with the actual luminance of the central pixel, to derive a final de-noised pixel value for the central pixel. By de-noising the central pixel based on its chroma (which takes into account more than one color) rather than on just the color channel of the central pixel, this method allows the central pixel to be de-noised in a more color-coordinated fashion. As a result, improved chromatic noise reduction is achieved.
US08488027B2
An imaging array and a method for operating the same are disclosed. The imaging array includes a plurality of light pixels and a sense amplifier. Each light pixel includes a photodetector that generates and couples a signal indicative of a light exposure to a light pixel node, a readout circuit, and a mixer that mixes a signal on the light pixel node with a pixel oscillator signal. The sense amplifier includes an input node that receives a signal from each light pixel, one light pixel at a time. The sense amplifier also includes a high pass filter that attenuates signals with frequencies less than a cutoff frequency and a mixer that demodulates the signal from the filter to provide a signal that is related to the potential on the light pixel node of the light pixel connected to the first input node.
US08488021B2
An image positioning method, a POI tagging method and an apparatus therefor are described. The method is particularly to define a range corresponding to a positioning value translated by a global positioning system. Further, a point-of-interest (POI) is tagged according to the defined range. In an exemplary example, if there is no positioning signal detected as photographing an image, a previously received positioning signal is used to be the positioning value for the image. According to the preferred embodiment of the tagging method, an image is taken firstly, and then it's to determine a positioning value for the image. In which the positioning value may be determined on the instant of photographing. Alternatively, the positioning value may be retrieved from the image's attribute through playback software. Thereby, a range associated with the positioning value is defined. A corresponding point-of-interest is tagged to the image's attribute afterward.
US08488008B2
An image pickup apparatus includes a lens barrel unit having a photographing optical system, an image pickup unit that is displaced two-dimensionally to correct camera shake, a FPC that has a first extending section connected to the image pickup device and extending on a surface of the lens barrel unit and a second extending section that is bent at an end of the first extending section and fixed to the surface of the lens barrel unit, and a guide plate that guides the first extending section on the surface of the lens barrel unit, wherein when the image pickup unit moves in an X direction, a bent section is bent to absorb an amount of movement in the X direction, and when the image pickup unit moves in a Y direction, the first extending section bends to absorb an amount of movement in the Y direction.
US08488001B2
A method for capturing surveillance images includes of a secured area has a first camera with a first field of view and a second camera with a second field of view. An optical center is determined for the second field of view. A magnification ratio is determined between a target located in the first field of view relative to the second field of view. A pan and tilt model is determined that provides a relationship between a first camera coordinates and pan and tilt values to position the second camera at the optical center. A target is captured in the first field of view and the second camera is controlled to record the target in the second field of view with the second field of view being an enhanced view relative to the first field of view.
US08488000B2
A camera receives an identifier that represents an event held at a predetermined location during a predetermined period of time, and assigns the identifier to a captured image. The camera requests another device to process an image corresponding to the identifier.
US08487997B2
In a method for displaying an image of a scene in front of a vehicle, recorded by a video camera, in which the scene in front of the vehicle contains a roadway which is illuminated by the vehicle's headlights, the gray values of the pixels of the image data generated by the video camera are weighted using a reduction factor, which is a function of the respective pixel within the image and of the brightness of objects in the near range in front of the vehicle, in such a way that the contrast between the display of the near range in front of the vehicle and the display of other parts of the image is reduced.
US08487996B2
Examples of an imaging sensor include a two-dimensional staring sensor with spectral filter strips for multispectral overhead imaging. The sensor may also include a panchromatic sensor with block or strip filters. The sensor may be used to collect multispectral color image data at a sampling resolution from overhead imaging platforms such as airplanes or satellites. The sensor can be used to provide video images. If a panchromatic sensor is included, the sensor may be used to collect panchromatic image data. Examples of methods for processing the image date include using the panchromatic image data to perform multi-frame enhancement or panchromatic sharpening on spectral images to improve their quality and resolution.
US08487994B2
An apparatus and a method for determining the annual ring center of a wood block are disclosed. A plurality of lines of path is figured out and generated. Each line of path is composed of a plurality of lines each extending normal to a line that is tangential to an annual ring in an image of the wood block end. The normal line may be figured out, for example, by calculating the variance of values of pixels lying on each of a plurality of straight lines of a filter and the sum of the variances for the plurality of straight lines at a plurality of different angular positions of the filter. The annual ring center in the image of the wood block end is determined through calculation based on the points of intersection of the generated lines of path.
US08487982B2
A method for multiplexing a stream of stereoscopic image source data into a series of left images and a series of right images combinable to form a series of stereoscopic images, both the stereoscopic image source data and series of left images and series of right images conceptually defined to be within frames. The method includes compressing stereoscopic image source data at varying levels across the frame, thereby forming left images and right images, and providing a series of single frames divided into portions, each single frame containing one right image in a first portion and one left image in a second portion. Alternately, single frames may contain two right images in a first two portions of each single frame and two left images in a second two portions of each single frame, wherein each set of right and left images may be processed differently. Multiplexing processes such as staggering, alternating, filtering, variable scaling, and sharpening from original, uncompressed right and left images may be employed.
US08487978B2
A remote conference management system includes a conferencing control terminal and a conferencing terminal in electronic communication with the conferencing control terminal. The conferencing control terminal includes a multipoint control unit that stores a plurality of predetermined face images of anticipated meeting participants. The conferencing terminal includes an image recording unit and a signal control unit. The image recording unit records face images of current participants. The signal control unit receives the face images from the image recording unit and transmits the face image to the MCU. The MCU compares the received face images with the prestored face images, and creates and communicates attendance information of the current participants according to the comparison.
US08487972B2
According to one embodiment, a decoloring apparatus includes: a heating rotating member having roughness (Rz) of a surface, which comes into contact with a conveyed sheet, equal to or larger than 3.5 μm and equal to or smaller than 6.0 μm and configured to heat and decolor a decolorable colorant on the sheet; and a pressing member configured to come into press contact with the heating rotating member to form a nip section between the pressing member and the heating rotating member and cooperate with the heating rotating member to nip and convey the sheet.
US08487971B2
According to one embodiment of the present invention, an erasing apparatus includes a used sheet stacking tray, an image erasing unit, a stand-by tray, a stand-by tray driving unit, and an erased sheet stacking tray. The used sheet stacking tray stacks thereon a used sheet on which an image is formed using an erasable colorant of which a color is erased by a predetermined heating process. The image erasing unit performs the heating for the used sheet which is received one by one from the used sheet stacking tray and discharges an erased sheet from which the image formed on the used sheet is erased. The stand-by tray has a mechanism which can be driven in a predetermined direction and places thereon the erased sheet discharged by the image erasing unit. The stand-by tray driving unit drives the stand-by tray and enables the erased sheet to free-drop. The erased sheet stacking tray is disposed under the stand-by tray and stacks thereon the erased sheet which free-drops from the stand-by tray.
US08487964B2
To better realize the great potential of amateur digital photography, the present invention introduces an integrated system for the acquisition, organization, manipulation, and publication of digital images by amateur digital photography enthusiasts. The system of the present invention first acquires images from a number of different image sources. Images acquired in the same image importing session are marked as coming from the same conceptual film roll. Next, a user is empowered to organize and manipulate the acquired images. The images may be organized by tagging the images with informative keywords and grouping images together into conceptual photo albums. Furthermore, the images may be manipulated by rotating, cropping, and removing red-eye. Finally, the system of the present invention provides simple intuitive image publish systems. A selected group of images may be published in a photobook, published onto the World Wide Web, or published as individual image prints with minimal computer knowledge on the part of the user.
US08487962B2
An augmented reality system for integrating video imagery of an actual dental restoration into a computer-implemented display of a model (that represents a preparation, mesial/distal neighbors, and opposing occlusion) that has been generated from a 3D scan of a patient. The 3D scan data may be generated at a dental office remote from a location at which the augmented reality system is implemented. In one embodiment, the 3D scan data is provided to the augmented reality system as a digital impression.
US08487961B2
An image processing apparatus includes a system control unit, and a display control unit. The system control unit judges whether a setting item that is newly selected on a preview image is mutually exclusive with a setting item that has already been selected on the preview image. The display control unit displays, when the setting items are mutually exclusive with each other, an area corresponding to the setting item newly selected differently from other areas. The display control unit also displays, when the area is selected, why the setting item newly selected cannot be set.
US08487956B2
A communication terminal and a communication system able to adaptively update sizes and positions of screens in accordance with the situation without operation by a user, and a display method of the communication terminal, which perform processing of individual packets in a linked manner under the control of a display image control portion 306 based on an address of a transmitting side. Based on a sound pressure (volume) of audio information (VoIP) from the same transmitting side address, the terminal etc. calculate the screen sizes for mapping of packets of the video information from the same transmitting side address and corrects the top/bottom of the same screen or displays an instructed animated character based on top/bottom information, instruction information, etc. described in the packets of the control information from the same transmitting side address.
US08487950B2
An overflow suppression technique that is effective for avoiding degradation in image quality is provided. A fundamental waveform and detail is extracted out of an input RGB signal. A suppression gain generation unit 614 generates a suppression gain from the extracted fundamental waveform. Multipliers 612a and 612b multiply the detail and the fundamental waveform by the generated suppression gain, respectively. Then, an adder 626 combines them together for a mixed output. Alternatively, equalization processing is performed as follows. A low frequency component fundamental waveform is obtained as a result of the passing of an input RGB signal through a low pass filter 622. A suppression gain is generated from the low frequency component fundamental waveform. Then, the input itself is multiplied by the suppression gain to obtain an output.
US08487949B2
The RGB values of each pixel in every frame are converted into ideal tristimulus values X, Y, and Z. Based on a chromaticity-histogram based on the tristimulus values X, Y, and Z and a color gamut for each Y value corrected in accordance with a backlight-brightness, an xy error count generation unit obtains the number of chromaticity errors for each of a plurality of backlight-brightnesses. A lightness-histogram is created based on the RGB signals for each frame. Based on the histogram and a lightness higher than a maximum tone after correction according to the backlight-brightness, a lightness error count generation unit obtains the number of lightness errors for each of the plurality of backlight-brightnesses. An error minimum BL-brightness detection unit decides an optimum backlight-brightness based on the number of chromaticity errors and the number of lightness errors. A tone conversion unit performs tone conversion in accordance with the backlight-brightness.
US08487947B2
In a system comprising a plurality of processors and a memory shared by at least a subset of the processors, a method for processing video data includes the steps of: (a) a first one of the processors receiving a first video frame and storing the first video frame in the memory; (b) the first one of the processors receiving at least a second video frame, receipt of the second video frame initiating a release of the first video frame from the memory; (c) the first one of the processors sending the first and second video frames to a second one of the processors together for processing by the second one of the processors; (d) the second one of the processors generating an output video frame based at least on the first and second video frames; (e) storing the output video frame in the memory by overwriting an available memory location therein, the output video frame becoming a new first video frame; and (f) repeating steps (b) through (e) until all video frames to be processed have been received.
US08487944B2
An image processing system in the medical field is provided. The system for processing image data includes at lest two graphics processors, at least one renderer module for rendering image data and at least one reconstruction module for volume reconstruction. In a first operating mode of the system in which at least one reconstruction module is inactive, the instructions of at least one renderer module is able to be executed by at least two of the graphics processors. In a second operating mode of the system in which at least one reconstruction module is active, the instructions of at least one renderer module and the instructions of at least one reconstruction module is able to be executed separately on different graphics processors of the said graphics processors. During operation in one of the two operating modes, a switch can be made to the other operating mode in each case.
US08487935B2
There is provided a technique for smoothly performing position (movement) adjustment of a waveform marker by making switching between rough adjustment and fine adjustment in a series of marker operations possible with a single means and continuously. A display control section displays a measured waveform on the two-dimensional coordinates, which have a first axis and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, on the display section. A waveform marker is movable by a marker operation corresponding to a direction parallel to the first axis. The display control section has a detecting section, which detects the marker operation corresponding to a direction parallel to the second axis, and changes either setting of the waveform marker or the display range of the measured waveform according to the detection result of the detecting section.
US08487929B2
A method and computer program product are provided for resolution enhancement of a video stream based on spatial and temporal correlation. For instance, the method can include predicting interpolated pixels for an image frame of the video stream based on a spatial correlation of pixels in the image frame. The method can also include generating one or more motion vectors for the image frame. Based on the spatially-correlated pixels and the one or more motion vectors, an enhanced image can be reconstructed. Further, the method can include providing a correction factor to one or more pixels in the enhanced image frame.
US08487920B2
A voltage generators is provided including a boosting circuit and a boosting control circuit. The boosting circuit is configured to boost a power voltage to generate first through fourth voltages. The boosting control circuit is configured to control the boosting circuit to enable the first through fourth voltages to be generated in sequence, such that when a current voltage of the first through fourth voltages is boosted to a predetermined level, a voltage next to the current voltage is generated. Related liquid crystal displays and methods are also provided.
US08487914B2
An optical finger navigation device. Embodiments of the optical finger navigation device include a light guide film (LGF) including a finger interface surface, a light source in optical communication with the LGF to provide light from the light source to the finger interface surface, a sensor, and a navigation engine. At least a portion of the LGF exhibits total internal reflection (TIR). The sensor detects light from the LGF in response to contact between a finger and the finger interface surface which modifies reflection of light out of the LGF to the sensor. The light detected by the sensor is changed over at least a portion of the sensor in response to the contact between the finger and the finger interface surface. The navigation engine is configured to generate lateral movement information indicative of lateral movement of the finger relative to the sensor, in response to the detected light.
US08487913B2
A liquid crystal display unit of the present invention includes a liquid crystal panel in which an optical sensor for detecting the intensity of light entered from a front side thereof is incorporated, a backlight that emits light onto the liquid crystal panel from a rear side, and a polarizing reflection plate that is disposed between the liquid crystal panel and a front side polarizing plate so as to transmit a component of light emitted from the backlight and transmitted through the liquid crystal panel that oscillates in a direction parallel to the transmission axis of the front side polarizing plate, and to reflect a component of the light that oscillates in a direction perpendicular to the transmission axis.
US08487905B2
The invention provides an electrode arrangement for a capacitive sensor device and for a capacitive sensor, respectively, for detecting a position and/or an approach of an object, which comprises a sensor electrode and a first shield electrode, wherein the sensor electrode is arranged on a first side of a substantially flat substrate with a first side and a second side, and wherein the first shield electrode is arranged on the second side of the substrate and serves for shielding the alternating electric field emitted by the sensor electrode from ground. There is also provided a foil with an electrode arrangement according to the invention as well as a method for the production of a display arrangement with an electrode arrangement according to the invention.
US08487901B2
The display device is provided with X electrodes XP and Y electrodes YP which cross with a first insulating layer in between and a number of Z electrodes which are electrically floating from each other with a second insulating layer in between. The Z electrodes are arranged so that each Z electrode overlaps both an adjacent X electrode and Y electrode. The pad portion of a first X electrode has such a form that the area is maximum in the vicinity of the fine wire portion of the first X electrode and the area is minimum in the vicinity of the fine wire portion of an adjacent second X electrode, and the area of the pad portion is smaller towards the direction in which the distance increases away from the vicinity of the fine wire portion of the first X electrode. A pulse signal is sequentially applied to one set of X electrodes or Y electrodes.
US08487877B2
A method and apparatus of identifying and selecting characters from among a plurality of characters. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a computer processor electronically enables identification of each of a plurality of characters arranged in a one-dimensional array. Each character is identified by an integer value that corresponds to the number of positions the character is offset from a reference position of the one-dimensional array. The computer processor electronically enables selection of any of the characters by receiving input resulting from activation of selection keys that specify the integer value of a character desired for selection. In one further embodiment, each selection key has an assigned integer value, and the integer value that identifies the selected character is calculated by summing the assigned integer values of each selection key activated for each instance that each selection key is activated within a selectable-length time period.
US08487876B2
A hand-held text input device includes a game controller and a keyboard. The device comfortably accommodates the hands of a user while the thumbs and fingers are associated with actuators of the game controller and keys of the keyboard. The overall configuration of the device and the arrangement of the actuators and keys permit the user to operate all of the functions provided by the device while the forearms are in a neutral posture zone between pronation and supination of the forearm, while the wrists are minimally extended, and while the fingers are comfortably flexed.
US08487867B2
A behavior recognition system and method by combining an image and a speech are provided. The system includes a data analyzing module, a database, and a calculating module. A plurality of image-and-speech relation modules is stored in the database. Each image-and-speech relation module includes a feature extraction parameter and an image-and-speech relation parameter. The data analyzing module obtains a gesture image and a speech data corresponding to each other, and substitutes the gesture image and the speech data into each feature extraction parameter to generate image feature sequences and speech feature sequences. The data analyzing module uses each image-and-speech relation parameter to calculate image-and-speech status parameters. The calculating module uses the image-and-speech status parameters, the image feature sequences, and the speech feature sequences to calculate a recognition probability corresponding to each image-and-speech relation parameter, so as to take a maximum value among the recognition probabilities as a target parameter.
US08487857B2
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes a data drive circuit that inverts polarities of data every 2k horizontal periods (k is an integer not less than 2); and an LCD panel including a plurality of data lines and a plurality of gate lines crossing each other to define a plurality of pixels, each pixel including a switching device, wherein source electrodes of the switching devices in the pixels arranged in a vertical direction are connected to two different data lines.
US08487847B2
A liquid crystal display capable of improving its viewing angle characteristic of luminance is provided. The liquid crystal display includes: a pair of signal lines extending so as to intersect to each other; a pixel provided for the pair of signal lines and configured of a plurality of sub pixels, each sub pixel including a liquid crystal element and a capacitive element; a driving element provided for each of the plurality of sub pixels so as to be connected to a corresponding pair of signal lines assigned to the pixel, and performs display driving by applying a voltage to the liquid crystal element based on a video signal; and a capacitance line provided for each of the plurality of sub pixels so as to be connected to one end of the capacitive element.
US08487837B2
An optical tracking system, and method therefor, tracks the movement of an object, such as a pilot's helmet, within an enclosed area, such as a cockpit. The system/method comprises a plurality of light sources fixedly mounted in predefined locations within the enclosed area and a light sensor mounted on the object. Each light source is modulated using a different frequency from the other light sources to make that light source uniquely identifiable. Modulated light from the various light sources is converted by the sensor into an electrical signal. This composite signal is subsequently separated into individual signals based on their unique modulations, and the light source for each signal is identified. The signals are thereafter processed to determine an azimuth and an elevation for the line-of-sight to each light source. The azimuth and elevation information may then be used to determine the position and orientation of the object.
US08487825B2
A communication device is disclosed that includes an antenna apparatus including a feeding portion, a looped antenna element connected to the feeding portion, and a resistor inserted into the looped antenna element, and a communication circuit configured to process data that is transmitted and received via the antenna apparatus.
US08487823B2
A switchable microwave fluidic polarizer is provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a switchable polarizer for polarizing radio frequency (RF) signals associated with an antenna, the switchable polarizer including a plurality of radiating elements, an RF feed coupled to the plurality of radiating elements, an antenna input coupled to the RF feed, and an antenna cover disposed in proximity to the plurality of radiating elements, the antenna cover including a dielectric substrate including a plurality of channels for enclosing a liquid metal.
US08487822B1
A variable frequency antenna including a dielectric element and an enclosure within the dielectric element. An electrically conductive liquid metal is disposed in the enclosure. The liquid metal is a eutectic mix of about 68.5% gallium, about 21.5% indium, and about 10% tin. Changing the temperature of the liquid metal causes the liquid metal to change volume within the enclosure, thereby changing an RF frequency characteristic of the liquid metal.
US08487819B2
A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing having a surface, a printed circuit board (PCB) carried by the portable housing, and wireless transceiver circuitry carried by the PCB. The device may further include an antenna connected to the transceiver, and at least one electrically floating, electrically conductive, antenna beam shaping element secured to the surface of the portable housing for directing a beam pattern of the antenna.
US08487818B2
An internal antenna is provided that includes a first antenna having a first antenna pattern formed on a first dielectric layer, and a second antenna having a second antenna pattern formed on a second dielectric layer. The second dielectric layer has a higher dielectric constant than the first dielectric layer. The first and second antenna patterns are electrically connected to each other.
US08487817B2
The present invention is an endplate formed as part of a device used for transmitting or receiving a signal. The endplate has an inner plate, an outer plate operable for being connected to the inner plate, and an antenna mounted to the inner plate. The antenna is operable for connection with a device, such as a protocol adapter, which transmits and receives a signal. The endplate is operable for providing a ground plane relationship between the endplate and the antenna. The ground plane relationship between the endplate and the antenna is accomplished through the use of one of either the inner plate our outer plate being made of metal.
US08487812B1
The present invention is a method for aligning a beamforming system relative to a platform, said beamforming system being positioned on-board the platform. The method described in the present disclosure extends beyond currently available techniques by providing an adaptive beamsteering function which is available during installation of the beamforming system. This adaptive beamsteering function may determine the orientation error of the beamforming system by adaptively searching for correlated behavior of multiple satellite signals, seeking an orientation where a Correlated Power Function (CPF) is maximized. This orientation, relative to the input aiding system (ex. —INS) may provide a set of correction factors which enable the sensor (ex. —beamforming system) to utilize the input aiding system in an arbitrary orientation (ex. —as long as that arbitrary orientation is suitable for GPS reception).
US08487808B2
A synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system includes a non-uniform pulse generator, and an echo receiver. A SAR image is reconstructed from samples of received echoes, wherein transmitted pulses and reflected echoes overlap in time.
US08487807B2
There is described a method for generating a synthetic aperture image of a target area, comprising: receiving, from a synthetic aperture imaging system, first raw data representative of electromagnetic signals reflected by the target area and detected by the synthetic aperture imaging system according to a first angle of view; digitally combining the first raw data with second raw data, thereby obtaining combined data, the second raw data being representative of the electromagnetic signals reflected by the target area and detected by the synthetic aperture imaging system according to a second angle of view different from the first angle of view; and generating an interference pattern of the target data using the combined data.
US08487803B1
A pipelined analog-to-digital converter is provided that has advantages of both a high input sample rate as well as low power consumption due to having all but the first pipeline stage operate at a frequency that is a fraction of the input sample rate. The first stage of the pipelined ADC has an internal operating frequency that is the full ADC sample rate, and samples the input signal on the same clock edge for each sample. Subsequent pipeline stages have parallel input sampling circuitry that samples provided input signals at a reduced rate. Since the input sampling circuitry operates at a reduced frequency, power consumption is reduced by those stages. Further, by virtue of sampling the input signal on the same clock edge for each sample, frequency response image generation issues associated with ADC architectures that sample the input signal on more than one clock edge are avoided.
US08487802B2
Increase of power consumption is reduced, and the operational speed is improved. A comparator includes a comparing section which outputs a result of comparison between a first voltage and a second voltage which constitute an input differential signal, a first positive feedback section which operates in synchronism with a first clock signal, amplifies the result from the comparing section, and outputs the amplified result to an output node pair, and a second positive feedback section which operates in synchronism with a second clock signal, and provides positive feedback to the output node pair.
US08487801B2
An analog-to-digital (A/D) converter includes: a coarse A/D converter configured to convert, when converting an analog input signal into an N-bit digital signal, the analog input signal into a high-order m-bit digital signal; a fine A/D converter configured to convert the analog input signal into a low-order n-bit (where n=N−m) digital signal based on a conversion result of the coarse A/D converter; and a track-and-hold (TH) circuit configured to sample the analog input signal, to supply a comparison voltage compared with a coarse reference voltage to the coarse A/D converter, and to supply a comparison voltage compared with a fine reference voltage based on a conversion result of the fine A/D converter to the fine A/D converter. The TH circuit is configured to share a sampling capacitor in a selective input path for the analog input signal, the coarse reference voltage, and the fine reference voltage.
US08487798B2
A synthesis method of Sigma-Delta modulator capable of relaxing circuit specification and reducing power consumption, comprising the following steps: firstly, set a target bandwidth and a target performance; upon obtaining a Noise Transfer Function (NTF), perform coefficient synthesis a first time, to ascertain a plurality sets of first performance results corresponding to said NTF, and obtain a plurality sets of first circuit specifications fulfilling said target performance, through analyzing circuit non-ideal effect of said first performance results. Next, increase an oversampling ratio of parameters, to obtain a plurality sets of second performance results, and a plurality sets of second circuit specifications. Then, increase quantizer bit number, and increase attenuation quantity, to obtain a plurality sets of third circuit specifications. Finally, compare said first, second and third circuit specifications, to select one of greatest variation to perform calibrations.
US08487793B2
Device for processing an analogue signal, comprising an analogue-digital converter with a pipelined architecture having an offset, and compensation means configured to compensate for the said offset, the said compensation means comprising digital correction means configured to correct the integer portion of the offset based on the digital signal delivered by the analogue-digital converter, and analogue correction means included in the last stage of the analogue-digital converter and configured to correct the decimal portion of the offset.
US08487792B2
A method of gain calibration of an ADC stage is provided. The method includes steps of receiving an input analog signal, converting the input analog signal into an m-bit digital signal by means of an analog to digital converter, generating a calibration signal by means of a random number generator, adding the calibration signal to the m-bit digital signal to produce an adjusted m-bit digital signal, converting the adjusted m-bit digital signal into an adjusted partial analog signal by means of a digital to analogue converter, subtracting the partial analog signal from the input analog signal, to produce a residual analog signal, amplifying the residual analog signal. The the calibration signal may take any one of three values and may be constrained to one of only two of these three values. An ADC stage adapted to operate according to the method is also provided.
US08487789B2
Provided are a method and apparatus of a lossless encoding and decoding based on a context. According to an embodiment, by aligning and coding symbols of a MSB, a coding efficiency may be enhanced. According to an embodiment, by estimating initial scaling information using a symbol located proximate to a symbol of the MSB, the coding efficiency may be enhanced.
US08487787B2
A near-to-eye display allows an operator of a vehicle, such as a pilot of an aircraft, to see an obstacle on a conformal pathway, such as a runway or taxiway. The obstacle may be boundaries of the pathway or an object captured by an optional Infrared camera.
US08487777B2
Provided are early-warning methods and early-warning devices for indicating a usage condition of a semiconductor storage device comprising a semiconductor storage medium. The semiconductor storage medium comprises a plurality of physical storage blocks. The method comprises: retrieving a usage condition value; comparing the usage condition value with a preset threshold; and providing an early-warning signal based on a result of the comparison, wherein the usage condition value comprises one of an average number of used times of the blocks and a maximum number of used times of the blocks. Since the early-warning is used to indicate the usage condition information of the semiconductor storage medium, users may be aware of when the lifetime of the semiconductor storage medium will expire so that important data can be backed up before the storage device is aged, thus ensuring safety of the data and avoiding data lost.
US08487770B2
A method and apparatus are provided that evaluate a number of different sources of presence information to determine a presence status of a user. The presence status of a user is determined by obtaining presence information from a plurality of presence data stores; translating the obtained presence information from at least one of the presence data stores into a standard format; and determining the presence status of the user based on the obtained presence information. Presence information can also be based on user-specified rules. Presence information is obtained from a number of presence data stores and the presence status of a user is determined based on one or more rules that are applied to the obtained presence information. The rules may include, for example, aggregation rules that determines the presence status based on one or more of the obtained presence information or filter rules that determine who may receive the presence status.
US08487762B1
A server may detect a threshold number of mobile stations (e.g., total mobile stations or mobile stations belonging to a predefined group) currently located at an area, such as by determining that a number of mobile stations currently located at an area is greater than a desired maximum number of mobile stations or less than a desired minimum number of mobile stations. The threshold number may be determined based on a typical number of mobile stations located at the area. In response to detecting the threshold number of mobile stations, the server may obtain data recorded by surveillance equipment located at the area (including data recorded by mobile stations temporarily acting as surveillance equipment,) which data represents activity at the area. To obtain the data, the server may instruct the surveillance equipment to begin recording data. The server may then output the received data for receipt by a user.
US08487757B2
The present invention is directed to a method of asset location. Location data is received from a cellular transmitter associated with a selected asset, which location data includes data representative of a cellular receiver with which direct communication with the cellular transmitter is made. The location data is then communicated to a tracking service system, which tracking service system includes a database representative of geographic locations associated with a plurality of cellular receivers. The database is then queried with received location data so as to generate geographic tracking data associated with a location of the cellular receiver, the geographic tracking data including display data adapted to generate a map image including a representative of a location of the selected asset. The geographic tracking data is then communicated to an associated security agency so as to allow for viewing of an image generated in accordance with the display data and at least one of tracking and interception of the selected asset.
US08487755B2
Wireless devices are often associated with security events. The security events may be investigated by identifying and locating the associated wireless devices by: 1) determining a time and a location of a security event; 2) accessing a first wireless network and determining at least one of an ID and a location for at least a first wireless device within a predetermined proximity of the security event; and 3) determining at least one of an ID and a location for a second wireless device that was in communication with the first wireless device within at least one of: a predetermined span of time prior to or concurrent with the time of the security event, and a predetermined proximity to the security event.
US08487749B2
A system for providing a tactile virtual world or environment wherein, in particular, a virtual reality environment provides an interactive 3-D interface for synthesizing the feeling of experiencing a 3-D environment. The invention also provides a method for implementing actual physical applications that can simulate real 3-D environments; for example, such as a physical training exercise or artificial 3-D environments, or simulating the interacting with molecules or complex data sets.
US08487743B2
A system for activating a predetermined set of vehicle features on a vehicle is provided. The system comprises a valet keyfob in wireless communication with the vehicle and configured to activate the predetermined set of vehicle features when enabled, and a first processor coupled to the vehicle and configured to enable the valet keyfob to activate the predetermined set of vehicle features.
US08487742B1
A lock system is provided including a plurality of locksets and at least one token. The token is configured to communicate information between locksets.
US08487738B2
A locking mechanism for thermal treatment systems (e.g., systems heating and/or cooling solutions prior to the solutions being administered to the patient) or other medical equipment according to the present invention embodiments secures medications being stored and/or thermally treated therein. The locking mechanism includes an integrated monitoring and display system to determine and indicate the status of the thermal treatment system. The monitoring and display system includes indicator lights that allow for a visual representation indicating the locked or open states of system access doors and/or an audio system or alarm for alerting medial or other personnel to the status of the locking mechanism.
US08487732B2
There are many varieties of windings. Coils adopting an edgewise winding wire in which winding wires are wound around in the radial direction of the coil have a wide flux linkage area orthogonal to the electric wire, so that stray loss within the wire is increased, winding wire loss is increased and temperature is raised thereby. The present invention provides an arrangement in which a plurality of coil units are prepared and connected via external coupling terminals. At this time, winding is performed so that the contact faces of the coil units have equal potentials, so that there is no need to ensure an insulation distance between coils, and the coils can be downsized. Therefore, the mass of the respective coils can be reduced. Taps disposed on the respective coils are arranged to have equal potentials, according to which the external coupling terminals can double as tap switch terminals, so that there is no need to provide a dedicated tap switch.
US08487723B2
The present invention relates to a contact assembly for a relay for switching high load currents having at least one switch contact and a braid having at least one braid end, which are electrically conductively connected to each other by a connection element. Further, the invention relates to a relay for switching high load currents with a contact assembly. Finally, the invention relates to a method for mounting a relay for switching high load currents. For the simple, electrically conductive connection of the braid and the switch contact without the contact assembly produced requiring much space within the relay, it is provided in accordance with the invention that the connection element is equipped with a contact portion directly connected to the switch contact and with a connection strap connected to the braid end, wherein the connection strap is inclined relative to the contact portion.
US08487709B2
An oscillator circuit comprises a piezoelectric vibrator, an amplifier device including inverters provided in a plurality of stages, and an inverter control device. The inverters provided in the plurality of stages includes a performance-variable inverter configured which is operational in both of an initial phase of oscillation startup and a post-startup phase where the oscillation is stabilized and capable of a variable performance depending on whether the initial phase of oscillation startup or the post-startup phase where the oscillation is stabilized, and an ON/OFF inverter which is operational in the initial phase of oscillation startup and disconnected in the post-startup phase where the oscillation is stabilized. The inverter control device have the performance-variable inverter and the ON/OFF inverter both operational and lowers the performance of the performance-variable inverter in the initial phase of oscillation startup, and the inverter control device disconnects the ON/OFF inverter and increases the performance of the performance-variable inverter in the post-startup phase where the oscillation is stabilized.
US08487706B2
A power amplifier with stacked, serially connected, field effect transistors is described. DC control voltage inputs are fed to the gates of each transistor. Capacitors are coupled to the transistors. The inputs and the capacitors are controlled to minimize generation of non-linearities of each field effect transistor and/or to maximize cancellation of distortions between the field effect transistors of the power amplifier in order to improve linearity of the power amplifier output.
US08487703B2
An integrated radiofrequency amplifier with an operational frequency includes first and second Doherty amplifiers each having a main device, and a peak device connected at respective inputs and outputs by respective phase shift elements configured to provide a 90 degree phase shift at the operational frequency. An input of the amplifier is connected to the input of the main device of the first Doherty amplifier, an output of the amplifier is connected to the outputs of the peak devices of the first and second Doherty amplifiers and the input of the peak device of the first Doherty amplifier is connected to the input of the main device of the second Doherty amplifier by a phase shift element providing a 90 degree phase shift at the operational frequency.
US08487698B2
In an amplifier with pass-through mode of the present invention, in a pass-through mode, a signal transmission transistor and a bias control transistor are turned ON and a voltage of an output terminal is maintained in a ground potential via the bias control transistor and a resistor. Thus, a power supply voltage is applied to a control terminal of the signal transmission transistor and one main terminal of the signal transmission transistor is maintained in a ground potential. Therefore, an ON-resistance of the signal transmission transistor is decreased to a minimum level.
US08487688B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes an interface, a power supply, a driver, and a switch section. The interface includes a first MOSFET and converts a terminal switch signal of input serial data into parallel data. The first MOSFET is provided on the SOI substrate and has a back gate in a floating state. The power supply includes a second MOSFET and generates an ON potential higher than a potential of a power supply to be supplied to the interface. The second MOSFET is provided on the SOI substrate and has a back gate connected to a source. The driver includes a third MOSFET and outputs a control signal for controlling the ON potential to be in a high level according to the parallel data. The third MOSFET is provided on the SOI substrate and has a back gate connected to a source.
US08487684B2
A method buffers clock skew by using a logical effort, and is applicable to a clock tree that stays in a strong-inversion region, a moderate-inversion region, or a weak-inversion region. The method includes establishing in the clock tree a temperature sensor and a tunable-width buffer, and establishing width and temperature comparative lists according to a logical effort equation, for the tunable-width buffer to be individually applied to the strong-inversion region, the moderate-inversion region, and the weak-inversion region; selecting one from the width and temperature comparative lists that corresponds to one of the inversion regions in which the clock tree stays, enabling the temperature sensor to sense a temperature, and searching the selected width and temperature comparative list for a width that corresponds to the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor; and enabling the tunable-width buffer to perform a width modulation process according to the searched width.
US08487682B2
A clock generator includes a first latch configured to output a first intermediate clock phase signal based on a first clock signal and a second intermediate clock phase signal. A first phase interpolation circuit has a first input coupled to a first input of the first latch and a second input coupled to a first output of the first latch. The first phase interpolation circuit is configured to output a first clock phase signal based on the first and second intermediate clock phase signals.
US08487679B2
A data output control circuit includes a DLL circuit and a delay detection unit. The DLL circuit is configured to generate a second internal clock by delaying a first internal clock generated from an external clock, compare a phase of the first internal clock with a phase of the second internal clock, and generate a DLL clock. The delay detection unit is configured to generate a sense signal whose logic level is changed according to a comparison result of a set time interval and a delay time interval during which the first internal clock is delayed in order to generate the second internal clock.
US08487675B2
A phase-locked loop (PLL) including an active filter, a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), two phase detectors, a charge pump and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is provided. The VCO generates an oscillation signal according to a control signal provided at an output of the active filter. The first phase detector generates a phase difference signal according to a reference signal and a feedback signal associating with the oscillation signal. The charge pump provides a charging current to a first input of the active filter according to the phase difference. The second phase detector generates a digital reference signal according to the phase difference between the reference signal and the feedback signal. The DAC converts the digital reference signal to an analog reference voltage and provides the analog reference voltage to the second input of the active filter.
US08487674B1
An exemplary reset circuit includes a first connection jack connected to a first power supply, a second connection jack connected to a second power supply, a reset IC, a voltage response module, and a control module. The voltage response module outputs a first response signal when the voltage provided by the second power supply is abnormal, and then the control module outputs a first voltage which is less than the voltage provided by the first power supply. The voltage response module outputs a second response signal when the voltage provided by the second power supply is normal, and then the control module outputs a second voltage which is equal to the voltage provided by the first power supply. When the voltage received by the reset IC is changed from the first voltage to the second voltage, the reset IC outputs a reset signal to reset the processing IC.
US08487672B2
A clock supply apparatus for supplying clock signals to a plurality of circuit blocks includes a supply unit configured to supply, to reset the plurality of circuit blocks, a clock signal rising at timing different from one circuit block to another to each of the plurality of circuit blocks.
US08487658B2
Method and apparatus for voltage level shifters (VLS) design in bulk CMOS technology. A multi-voltage circuit or VLS that operate with different voltage levels and that provides area and power savings for multi-bit implementation of level shifter design. A two-bit VLS to shift bits from a first voltage level logic to a second voltage level logic. The VLS formed with a first N-well in a substrate. The VLS formed with a second N-well in the substrate, adjacent to a side of the first N-well. The VLS formed with a third N-well in the substrate, adjacent to a side of the first N-well and opposite the second N-well. A first one-bit VLS circuit having a portion formed on the first N-well and a portion formed on the second N-well. A second bit VLS circuit having a portion formed on the first N-well and a portion formed on the third N-well.
US08487654B1
A voltage mode driver circuit able to achieve a larger voltage output swing than its supply voltage. The voltage mode driver circuit is supplemented by a current source or “current booster.” The circuit includes a first inverter, a second inverter, and a current source. The first inverter receives a first input and output a signal at anode. The second inverter receives another input outputs at the same output node. The current source is serially coupled to the output node via a first switch, the first switch receiving an input at the first input.
US08487652B2
An integrated circuit includes a programmable logic device, a dedicated device, and an interface circuit between the two. The interface circuit can be easily modified to accommodate the different interface I/O demands of various dedicated devices that may be embedded into the integrated circuit. In one embodiment, the interface circuit may be implemented using a plurality of mask programmable uni-directional interface buffer circuits. The direction of any desired number of the interface buffer circuits can be reversed based on the needs of a desired dedicated device by re-routing the conductors in the interface buffer circuits in a single metal layer of the integrated circuit. In another embodiment, the interface circuit may be implemented using a hardware configurable bi-directional interface buffer circuit.
US08487641B2
The present invention discloses a pad structure and a method for testing a integrated circuit. The structure includes the first pads and the second pads, where the first pads are distributed over a peripheral portion of the integrated circuit and connected with lead-out wires of the integrated circuit, and the second pads are connected with a metal line at a circuit portion in the integrated circuit and are sized larger than the minimum characteristic dimension of the metal line and of the integrated circuit and smaller than the size of the first pads. The pad structure and method can position a test portion with improved efficiency. Correspondingly, a probe can be used to position the test portion with improved accuracy as well.
US08487639B1
A charge storage circuit stores charge from a current induced across a capacitive sensing device. The current across the capacitive sensing device is supplied to the charge storage circuit by a current conveying device to generate an output voltage signal. The presence of a conductive object proximate to the capacitive sensing device is detected based on the output voltage signal.
US08487634B2
Disclosed is power management system based on a “smart” wire-device installable in an electric power line (i.e., the “drop-grid” or “micro-grid”) at a premises, such as a business or residence. The “smart” wire-device includes a management node integrated into the form of a typical electrical power outlet, circuit breaker or switch as would be found in such a premises, and is installable in the power line in a manner similar to existing wire-device. The “smart” wire-device requires no special skill to install beyond that of an ordinary skilled electrician. The present wire-device is “smart” in that the node has a detector circuit that senses the electrical characteristic(s) of the power line at the point at which it is installed. The node's communications circuit signals what it detects to a spatially separated remote controller device, and receives instructions from one or more spatially separated remote controller devices. The node's control mechanism operates a remotely controllable maker/breaker means in response to the received instructions to alter the condition of the electrical power output of the wire-device.
US08487632B2
An electrostatic sensor for a vehicle includes a loop-shaped electrode arranged in a seat bottom of the vehicle, and a sensor portion to detect a weak electric field generated between the electrode and a chassis of the vehicle when a predetermined voltage is applied to the electrode. The electrode has an imaginary center line linearly extending in a front-and-rear direction of the vehicle. The electrode defines a resistance distribution approximately symmetrical in a left-and-right direction of the vehicle relative to the imaginary center line.
US08487629B2
A battery system has: a voltage detection apparatus including a voltage detection portion which includes an AD converter which converts an analog voltage signal having a measurement target analog voltage into a digital voltage signal to output the digital voltage signal, a voltage level discrimination portion which is connected to a voltage detection line across which the analog voltage signal is delivered, and which discriminates the voltage level of the measurement target analog voltage to output a discrimination result, and a fault detection portion which detects, based on the output of the AD converter and the output of the voltage level discrimination portion, a fault in the voltage detection portion in a state in which the voltage value of the digital voltage signal is within a predetermined voltage range; a battery as a voltage source of the measurement target analog voltage; and a control portion which, when the fault detection portion detects the fault, limits the discharging of the battery, or limits the charging of the battery, or limits the discharging and charging of the battery.
US08487626B2
A sensor assembly for sensing downhole parameters is provided. The sensor assembly is positionable in a downhole tool deployable into a subterranean formation to form a wellbore. The sensor assembly includes a carrier positionable in the downhole tool, at least one set of three accelerometers, and at least one set of three magnetometers. The carrier includes at least one set of three receptacles. The three receptacles are positioned radially about a periphery of the carrier at equal distances thereabout. The set of three accelerometers are correspondingly positionable in the at least one set of three receptacles, and the set of three magnetometers are correspondingly positionable in the at least one set of three receptacles. The set of three magnetometers includes two physical magnetometers and one virtual magnetometer. The virtual magnetometer is produced from the two physical magnetometers.
US08487619B2
A simple connection of a coil with a magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) is facilitated by a method and an adapter wherein a coil-connection element of at least one local coil is connected with an MRT-connection element of an MRT system. The adapter has a coil-connection element adapter designed to form a connection with at least one coil-connection element of at least one local coil. The adapter also has at least one MRT-connection element adapter designed to form a connection with an MRT-connection element of an MRT system. The adapter can be fixed mechanically to a fixing element of the MRT system.
US08487607B2
A method for digital triggering of a digital recording of a digitized measurement signal having a superimposed noise signal. The method includes generating from the digitized measurement signal a digital triggering signal for the digital triggering of the digital recording of the measurement signal, and performing band-limitation of the noise signal superimposed on the digitized measurement signal via a low-pass filtering before the digital triggering signal is generated. The bandwidth of the low-pass filtering is adjusted dependent upon edge steepness of the measurement signal, in order to reduce variance σt2 in jitter of the digital triggering signal.
US08487600B2
The present invention is a voltage mode digital controller for low-power high-frequency dc-dc converters that has recovery time approaching physical limitations of a given power stage. It consists of a digital controller with load transient response approaching physical limitations of a given power stage that is suitable for low-power SMPS. In one aspect the invention is a method of utilizing a continuous-time digital signal processor (CT-DSP) for regulation of the operation of switch-mode power supplies. A CT-DSP can be used to instantaneously detect changes of voltage or current during transition periods and immediately perform control action that results in the fastest possible response. The invention may include current program mode controllers for SMPS where the input current is sensed as well as power factor correction rectifiers (PFC), where often input voltage, input current and output voltage are sensed. Upon sensing a deviation in the input voltage the CT-DSP is utilized to apply a switch-mode power operation whereby the controller switches between continuous-time and digital function.
US08487590B2
A cell controller capable of ensuring high safety even when a short occurs among voltage detecting lines without causing increased costs is provided. The cell controller 10 includes a unit cell voltage detecting section 7 to detect a voltage of each unit cell 1 constituting a battery group through each voltage detecting line and a SOC adjusting circuit for adjusting a SOC of each unit cell 1 having resistors 2 for SOC adjustment, switching elements 6, and a bypass control section 8 to exercise on/off control on the switching elements 6. Each resistor 2 is connected in series to each voltage detecting line and the unit cell voltage detecting section 7 to detect a voltage of each unit cell 1 through each of the resistors 2. The bypass control section 8 lets the switching elements 6 corresponding to the unit cells 1 to be SOC-adjusted enter an ON state at a time of adjusting a SOC, and control is exercised so that each resistor 2 for SOC adjustment is connected in series to each voltage detecting line led from each positive and negative electrode of each unit cell 1 to be adjusted and each of the serially connected resistors 2 is connected in parallel to each unit cell 1 to be adjusted.
US08487584B2
The present application relates to a charging station operable in a charging cycle for charging an electric vehicle. The charging station has a key-activated controller for controlling the charging cycle. The application also relates to a key for operating the charging station. Furthermore, the application relates to a charging station having an interface for connecting the charging station to a data network. The application also relates to a charging station having a socket for receiving a plug and a key-operated locking mechanism for locking a plug in said socket. A frangible panel movable between an open position and a closed position may be provided. A processor may be provided for generating data to impose a financial charge on an individual for using the charging station. The application also relates to methods of operating a charging station including the steps of obtaining user identification data; supplying electricity to a charging socket; and generating data for levying a financial charge on the user.
US08487579B2
A method for determining the position of a component, that is able to be moved into at least two end positions with the aid of a drive, especially of a flap for controlling fluid flows in an internal combustion engine, includes the following steps: providing an electric signal that indicates the speed of motion of an element of the drive, determining a change in position of the component by the integration of the electric signal, and determining the absolute position of the component from the change in position.
US08487578B2
A movement detection unit detects a movement of a detected object and outputs a voltage signal to an electronic control unit. A buffer unit implements buffer amplification on the outputted voltage signal. A pull-up resistor element or a pull-down resistor element is connected with the buffer unit via a wiring portion. A current detection unit detects a direction of an electric current flowing through the wiring portion to output a safe specific voltage signal to the electronic control unit on disconnection of the wiring portion. A power-supply-voltage detection unit detects decrease in a power supply voltage applied to the movement detection unit. A voltage switching unit sets the voltage signal, which is outputted to the electronic control unit through the wiring portion, on a high-voltage side or a low-voltage side according to the detected direction of the electric current, on detection of decrease in the power supply voltage.
US08487575B2
A temperature estimation controller and methods are provided for estimating stator winding temperature over a full range of motor operating speeds. In one implementation, the angular velocity of a motor is determined along with a total power loss for each phase of said motor. The total power loss in each phase comprises stator winding power loss and a core power loss. Stator winding temperatures for each phase of motor can then estimated based on the total power loss in that phase, and a combined thermal impedance for that phase. The combined thermal impedance comprises a first thermal impedance between the stator winding and the stator core, and a second thermal impedance between the stator core and the motor coolant.
US08487570B2
The invention relates to a method for operating an electric motor (2) having a phase angle control with the following steps: Applying an AC voltage to a series connection of the electric motor (2) and a switching element (4), particularly a triac, wherein the switching element (4) connects through by applying an ignition signal and suppresses the flow of a current if the amount of current falls below a holding current; determining the time of a zero crossing of a virtual motor current that would flow if the switching element (4) were connected through; and turning on the switching element (4) at an activation time that is dependant on the time of the zero crossing of the virtual motor current.
US08487562B2
A method for determining a direction of rotation for an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The motor is configured to rotate a blower and the method comprises rotating the blower using the ECM and determining if the resulting blower rotation is indicative of the desired direction of rotation for the blower.
US08487559B2
A diesel-electric drive system includes a generator having two multi-phase winding systems, a diesel engine, and a DC-link converter. Two self-commuted pulse power converters on the generator side are linked to the windings systems and to each other by a brake resistor on the alternating voltage side. The brake resistor is split into two series-connected resistors, each having half the resistance value of the brake resistor. An input of a bipolar switching device is connected to a connecting point of two series-connected resistors. The capacity of the diesel motor can then be checked in a self-load test with a controllable load torque of the diesel-electric drive system, while eliminating overloads of the power semiconductors of the self-commuted pulse power converters on the generator side.
US08487555B2
A bi-level lamp ballast to selectively operate two lamps is provided. The ballast includes a control circuit having an input, connected to a switching network, and an output, which provides a particular control signal based on the state of the switching network. The ballast also includes respective lamp control switches, each having respective outputs. The first switch is connected to the output and a ballast power supply. In its first state, it connects the ballast power supply to its first output, and in its second state, it connects the ballast power supply to its second output. The second switch is connected to the output and a ground. In its first state, it connects the ground to its first output, and in its second state, it connects the ground to its second output. The state of each lamp control switch depends on the control signal generated by the control circuit.
US08487540B2
A wake-up lighting device is described, comprising a gas discharge lamp (10) and a lamp driver (1; 2) comprising a power source (100) capable of generating spaced-apart current bursts (51) of alternating lamp current (I). The wake-up lighting device is capable of operating in an off-mode in which no lamp current is generated, and is adapted to switch from its off-mode to a wake-up mode in which the power source (100) operates to:—initially generate an alternating lamp current (I) with a minimum duty cycle value (ΔT) and a reduced current amplitude (IR) close to zero;—subsequently gradually increase the current amplitude while keeping the duty cycle (Δ) constant at the minimum duty cycle value (ΔT), until the current amplitude reaches a nominal current amplitude (IM);—subsequently gradually increase the duty cycle (Δ) while keeping the current amplitude constant at the nominal current amplitude (IM).
US08487530B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a light emitting device which is less affected by a malfunction caused in a light emitting element. It is another object of the invention to provide a light emitting device in which light emitting elements are connected in series. As to a light emitting device of the invention, groups of circuits each having a light emitting element and a limiter are connected in parallel. Here, a light emitting element and a limiter are connected in series. The number of the circuits may be at least two or more. Further, each circuit group includes at least one light emitting element.
US08487528B2
An organic light emitting diode device including a first electrode; a second electrode facing the first electrode; and an emitting layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the first electrode includes an ytterbium (Yb) alloy represented by the following Chemical Formula 1: Yb-M (1), and in Chemical Formula 1, M is a metal including at least one of silver (Ag), calcium (Ca), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), ruthenium (Ru), indium (In), and tungsten (W).
US08487524B2
A device and method for an ultraviolet light (UV) light based visible light generator is disclosed. The UV light source emits a beam of UV light that may be scattered onto surfaces including UV light reactive materials that produces visible light when excited by the scattered UV light. The UV light may be coherent or non-coherent light.
US08487500B2
A component of an electric machine 46, the component comprising a core 10; two or more teeth 14 extending radially therefrom; at least one electromagnetic winding 12, each winding 12 around at least one of the teeth 14; wherein the core 10 having a cooling arrangement including at least one cooling insert 48 located between adjacent windings 12 and whereby in use a cooling fluid being arranged to flow through the at least one cooling insert 48 to facilitate heat transfer and dissipation from the electromagnetic windings 12. The cooling inserts providing improved cooling, structural support to the windings, and electrical insulation between the windings and the core.
US08487494B2
An interior permanent magnet machine is provided with a rotor that includes a plurality of slots and at least one barrier defined by the plurality of slots. A plurality of first and second magnets are disposed within the barrier. The rotor is configured such that at least one of the first magnets is located at a different radial distance from the center of the rotor relative to at least one of the second magnets. The rotor may be configured to produce an averaging effect similar to that achieved through traditional skewing of rotor magnets. The rotor includes a plurality of poles defined by respective pole axes in the rotor and may be configured to reflect radial asymmetry between poles (pole-to-pole) and/or radial asymmetry within a pole.
US08487483B2
An inflight entertainment (IFE) system receives power from a multiple of power supply units that each supply power to passenger seats in a multiple of multi-seat groups, wherein different power supply units supply power to adjacent passenger seats in each multi-seat group. The IFE system exhibits reduced power supply unit costs and incurs lower operational penalties in the event a power supply unit fails, and is particularly well suited for a wide body aircraft wherein flight attendant call buttons are integral with the IFE system. For example, where flight attendant call buttons are integral with the IFE system and a power supply unit fails in the present arrangement, every passenger still has access to a flight attendant call button associated with an adjacent seat, which can remove the requirement that passengers be relocated or moved to another flight in order for the aircraft to depart.
US08487475B2
A power supply apparatus, an apparatus, and a method of supplying power are provided. The power supply apparatus including a high voltage generating unit, which generates one or more output voltages by using an input voltage, and which is implemented as a chip. The one or more output terminals are on a same circuit board as the high voltage generating unit, to output the generated one or more output voltages. The chip includes a transforming unit to transform the input voltage into one or more transformed voltages that are different from one another, and a rectifying unit to rectify the transformed voltages into rectified voltages, and to determine the rectified voltages as the generated one or more output voltages.
US08487460B2
Provided herein is a wind energy installation including a generator for production of electrical energy, a rotor which drives the generator and has variable pitch rotor blades and a central control device, and individual pitch devices provided individually for the rotor blades. The individual pitch devices may include an adjustment drive, a communication link to the central control device and a regulator, the rotor blades being adjustable in order to slow down the wind energy installation to a shut-down position. The individual pitch devices may also include a disturbance situation detector which is designed to identify abnormal operating states and to move the rotor blades to a shut-down position. Also provided herein is the method of operating such a wind energy installation.
US08487457B2
To provide an engine system with which in a case where a power supply voltage whose specification is to be changed is higher than an expected voltage, the specification of the power supply voltage from an alternating-current power supply can be changed at low cost without providing an additional transformer.An engine system 100 includes a transformer 130, a power receiving device 140, and a switcher 150, and switcher 150 connects a switching terminal 151 connected to one power receiving terminal 141 of the power receiving device 140 to either a first terminal 152 connected to one terminal 134 of a primary 131 or a second terminal 153 connected to a branch terminal 136. The engine system 100 is configured such that the other power receiving terminal 142 of the power receiving device 140 and the other terminal 135 of the primary 131 are connected and the primary 131 and an alternating-current power supply 200 are electrically connected.
US08487452B2
A semiconductor package includes a substrate, a first semiconductor chip stacked on the substrate and a second semiconductor chip stacked on the first semiconductor chip. In the semiconductor package, the second semiconductor chip is rotated to be stacked on the first semiconductor chip. The semiconductor package is used in an electronic system.
US08487451B2
A package includes a first plated area, a second plated area, a die attached to the first plated area, and a bond coupling the die to the second plated area. The package further includes a molding encapsulating the die, the bond, and the top surfaces of the first and second plated areas, such that the bottom surfaces of the first and second plated areas are exposed exterior to the package. Additional embodiments include a method of making the package.
US08487448B2
A method for producing chip packages is disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of chips is provided. The chips each have first pads. Second connection pads are applied on the wafer, wherein each second pad is electrically connected to a first pad.
US08487442B2
A semiconductor device, includes a semiconductor substrate, a first wiring layer formed on the semiconductor substrate, the first wiring layer containing a first via having a first aspect ratio and a first wire having a second aspect ratio, the first aspect ratio being equal to or larger than the second aspect ratio, and a second wiring layer overlying the first wiring layer, the second wiring layer containing a second via having a third aspect ratio and a second wire having a fourth aspect ratio, the third aspect ratio being smaller than the fourth aspect ratio.
US08487434B2
A method for manufacturing an integrated circuit package system includes: providing a base device; attaching a base interconnect to the base device; applying an encapsulant over the base device and the base interconnect; and forming a re-routing film over the encapsulant, the base device, and the base interconnect for connectivity without a substrate.
US08487432B2
An electronic device may include a substrate, a seed layer on the substrate, a barrier layer on the seed layer opposite the substrate, and an oxidation barrier on the barrier layer opposite the seed layer. The barrier layer and the seed layer comprise different materials, and the oxidation barrier and the barrier layer may comprise different materials. The seed layer may be undercut relative to the barrier layer and/or relative to the oxidation barrier so that the barrier layer and/or the oxidation barrier define a lip extending beyond the seed layer in a direction parallel with respect to a surface of the substrate. Related methods are also discussed.
US08487430B1
Examples of high-speed ball grid array packages and a process of forming a package are provided. A package may include contact pads disposed on a bottom surface, conductive balls, and a signal via structure. The package may also include a first ground via structure arranged along one or more first semi-circular contours around the signal via structure and extending vertically and a second ground via structure arranged along one or more second semi-circular contours around the signal via structure and extending vertically. The package may include a ground interface plane disposed in separation from the signal contact pad by a distance. The distance may be determined based on at least a size of the signal contact pad, a dielectric constant of a transition layer between the ground interface plane and the signal contact pad, and a distance between the signal via structure and the second ground via structure.
US08487428B2
A semiconductor assembly is provided that includes a substrate. A first set of non-conductive hedges is disposed on and protrudes from a first surface of the substrate. A chip is coupled to and spaced apart from the substrate. The chip has a second surface facing the first surface of the substrate. A second set of non-conductive hedges is disposed on and protrudes from the second surface of the chip. The first set of hedges is configured and positioned to engage the second set of hedges to restrict movement of the substrate with respect to the chip. The second set of hedges is configured and positioned to engage the first set of hedges to restrict movement of the chip with respect to the substrate.
US08487419B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor apparatus according to aspects of the invention can include the steps of coating solder on an predetermined area in the upper surface of a lead frame, mounting a chip on solder and melting solder with a hot plate for bonding the chip to the lead frame. The method can also include wiring with bonding wires, turning lead frame upside down, placing lead frame turned upside down on heating cradle, coating solder, the melting point of which is lower than the solder melting point and mounting electronic part on solder; and melting solder with heating cradle for bonding electronic part to lead frame. The bonding with solder can be conducted at a high ambient temperature. Aspects of the semiconductor apparatus can facilitate mounting semiconductor devices and electronic parts on both surfaces of a lead frame divided to form wiring circuits without through complicated manufacturing steps.
US08487412B2
For simplifying the dual-damascene formation steps of a multilevel Cu interconnect, a formation step of an antireflective film below a photoresist film is omitted. Described specifically, an interlayer insulating film is dry etched with a photoresist film formed thereover as a mask, and interconnect trenches are formed by terminating etching at the surface of a stopper film formed in the interlayer insulating film. The stopper film is made of an SiCN film having a low optical reflectance, thereby causing it to serve as an antireflective film when the photoresist film is exposed.
US08487411B2
A double patterned semiconductor structure is provided. The structure includes a first patterned and cured low-k structure located on a first portion of an antireflective coating, and a second patterned and cured low-k structure located on a second portion of the antireflective coating, wherein the second patterned and cured low-k structure is spaced apart from the first patterned and cured low-k dielectric structure.
US08487407B2
According to one embodiment of a module, the module includes a plurality of gate driver chips coupled in parallel and having a common gate input, a common supply voltage and a common output. The chips are spaced apart from one another and have a combined width extending between an edge of a first outer one of the chips and an opposing edge of a second outer one of the chips. The module further includes a plurality of capacitors coupled in parallel between ground and the common supply voltage, and a transverse electromagnetic (TEM) transmission line medium coupled to the common output of the chips and having a current flow direction perpendicular to the combined width of the chips.
US08487401B2
Methods of fabricating a passive element and a semiconductor device including the passive element are disclosed including the use of a dummy passive element. A dummy passive element is a passive element or wire which is added to the chip layout to aid in planarization but is not used in the active circuit. One embodiment of the method includes forming the passive element and a dummy passive element adjacent to the passive element; forming a dielectric layer over the passive element and the dummy passive element, wherein the dielectric layer is substantially planar between the passive element and the dummy passive element; and forming in the dielectric layer an interconnect to the passive element through the dielectric layer and a dummy interconnect portion overlapping at least a portion of the dummy passive element. The methods eliminate the need for planarizing.
US08487398B2
A semiconductor device includes an isolated p-type well, wherein the isolated p-type well is a first electrode of a capacitor device; a capacitor dielectric on the isolated p-type well; a p-type polysilicon electrode over the capacitor dielectric, wherein the p-type polysilicon electrode is a second electrode of the capacitor device; a first p-type contact region in the isolated p-type well, laterally extending from a first sidewall of the p-type polysilicon electrode; a second p-type contact region in the isolated p-type well, laterally extending from a second sidewall of the p-type polysilicon electrode, opposite the first sidewall of the p-type polysilicon electrode, wherein a portion of the isolated p-type well between the first and second p-type contact regions is under the p-type polysilicon electrode and the capacitor dielectric; and an n-type isolation region surrounding the isolated p-type well. This device may be conveniently coupled to a fringe capacitor.
US08487392B2
To increase total power in a betavoltaic device, it is desirable to have greater radioisotope material and/or semiconductor surface area, rather than greater radioisotope material volume. An example of this invention is a high power density betavoltaic battery. In one example of this invention, tritium is used as a fuel source. In other examples, radioisotopes, such as Nickel-63, Phosphorus-33 or promethium, may be used. The semiconductor used in this invention may include, but is not limited to, Si, GaAs, GaP, GaN, diamond, and SiC. For example (for purposes of illustration/example, only), tritium will be referenced as an exemplary fuel source, and SiC will be referenced as an exemplary semiconductor material. Other variations and examples are also discussed and given.
US08487389B2
One-dimensional acceleration sensor includes: a semiconductor substrate having a constant thickness; parallel second through trenches through the substrate defining a flexible beam therebetween, having width significantly smaller than thickness; four piezo resistors formed at four corner regions of the flexible beam; first through trench through the substrate, continuous with ends of the first through trenches to define a weight continuous with one end of the flexible beam, including a pair of symmetrical first portions sandwiching the flexible beam and a second portion coupling the first portions and one end of the flexible beam, and having a center of gravity at an intermediate position on a longitudinal center line of the flexible beam; and one-layer wirings formed above the flexible beam, serially connecting piezo resistors at a same edge, and leading interconnection points generally along a longitudinal direction of the flexible beam.
US08487387B2
A device (20, 90) includes sensors (28, 30) that sense different physical stimuli. A pressure sensor (28) includes a reference element (44) and a sense element (52), and an inertial sensor (30) includes a movable element (54). Fabrication (110) entails forming (112) a first substrate structure (22, 92) having a cavity (36, 100), forming a second substrate structure (24) to include the sensors (28, 30), and coupling (128) the substrate structures so that the first sensor (28) is aligned with the cavity (36, 100) and the second sensor (30) is laterally spaced apart from the first sensor (28). Forming the second structure (24) includes forming (118) the sense element (52) from a material layer (124) of the second structure (24) and following coupling (128) of the substrate structures, concurrently forming (132) the reference element (44) and the movable element (54) in a wafer substrate (122) of the second structure (24).
US08487386B2
The present disclosure proposes a method for manufacturing in a MEMS device a low-resistance contact between a silicon-germanium layer and a layer contacted by this silicon-germanium layer, such as a CMOS metal layer or another silicon-germanium layer, through an opening in a dielectric layer stack separating both layers. An interlayer is formed in this opening, thereby covering at least the sidewalls of the opening on the exposed surface of the another layer at the bottom of this opening. This interlayer may comprise a TiN layer in contact with the silicon-germanium layer. This interlayer can further comprise a Ti layer in between the TiN layer and the layer to be contacted. In another embodiment this interlayer comprises a TaN layer in contact with the silicon-germanium layer. This interlayer can then further comprise a Ta layer in between the TaN layer and the layer to be contacted.
US08487368B2
A trench type power MOSFET has a thin vertical gate oxide along its side walls and a thickened oxide with a rounded bottom at the bottom of the trench to provide a low RDSON and increased VDSMAX and VGSMAX and a reduced Miller capacitance. The walls of the trench are first lined with nitride to permit the growth of the thick bottom oxide to, for example 1000Å to 1400Å and the nitride is subsequently removed and a thin oxide, for example 320Å is regrown on the side walls. In another embodiment, the trench bottom in amorphized and the trench walls are left as single crystal silicon so that oxide can be grown much faster and thicker on the trench bottom than on the trench walls during an oxide growth step. A reduced channel length of about 0.7 microns is used. The source diffusion is made deeper than the implant damage depth so that the full 0.7 micron channel is along undamaged silicon. A very lightly doped diffusion of 1000Å to 2000Å in depth could also be formed around the bottom of the trench and is depleted at all times by the inherent junction voltage to further reduce Miller capacitance and switching loss.
US08487364B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to embodiment includes: a semiconductor substrate having an upper portion being partitioned into a plurality of semiconductor portions extending in a first direction; a charge storage film provided on the semiconductor portion; a word-line electrode provided on the semiconductor substrate and extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction; and a pair of selection gate electrodes provided on both sides of the word-line electrode in the first direction on the semiconductor substrate and extending in the second direction, a shortest distance between a corner portion of each of the semiconductor portions and each of the selection gate electrodes being longer than a shortest distance between the corner portion of the semiconductor portion and the word-line electrode in a cross section parallel to the second direction.
US08487356B2
The graphene device may include an upper oxide layer on at least one embedded gate, and a graphene channel and a plurality of electrodes on the upper oxide layer. The at least one embedded gate may be formed on the substrate. The graphene channel may be formed on the plurality of electrodes, or the plurality of electrodes may be formed on the graphene channel.
US08487339B2
A light-emitting diode chip package body with an excellent heat dissipation performance and a low manufacturing cost, and a packaging method of the same are disclosed. A LED chip package body is provided, the LED chip package body comprising: a LED chip having an electrode-side surface and at least two electrodes mounted on said electrode-side surface; an electrode-side insulating layer formed on said electrode-side surface of said LED chip and formed with a plurality of through-holes registered with corresponding said electrodes; a highly heat-dissipating layer formed in each of said through-holes of said insulating layer on said electrode-side surface; and a highly heat-conducting metal layer formed on said highly heat-dissipating layer in each of said through-holes.
US08487336B2
A light emitting device package is provided. The light emitting device package includes a substrate including a first cavity having a first depth and a lateral surface inclined with respect to a bottom surface and a second cavity having a second depth recessed from the bottom surface of the first cavity and a lateral surface perpendicular to the bottom surface of the first cavity, a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer on the substrate, and a light emitting diode within the second cavity, the light emitting diode being electrically connected to the first and second electrode layers.
US08487332B2
Blue organic EL elements, which have a shorter lifetime and lower luminance characteristics than green and red ones, have had a problem: particularly when blue elements are used in a light-emitting device capable of modulating light emission colors, light significantly attenuates and characteristics further deteriorates. A dielectric mirror which is selective in wavelength is provided between organic EL elements, and the number of times especially blue light emission from an organic EL element is transmitted through an electrode having a light-transmitting property is reduced as much as possible, so that attenuation of light is suppressed. Thus, a light-emitting device capable of modulation of light emission colors which has a high luminance and a long lifetime can be provided. In the light-emitting device, voltages applied to the organic EL elements, which deteriorate individually, are separately controlled, whereby the color tone can be kept constant for a long period.
US08487326B2
An LED package and a lead frame include a reflector cup having a bottom surface with an LED asymmetrically positioned on the bottom surface and a wall surface inclined relative to the bottom surface and defining an opening at an upper end thereof. The bottom surface of the reflector cup has a first axial dimension along a first axis and a second axial dimension along a second axis, orthogonal to the first axis. A display having an asymmetrical FFP and asymmetrical screen curve includes an array of the LED modules including a plurality of LED packages. At least some of the LED packages include a dome-shaped lens asymmetrically positioned with respect to a geometric center of the bottom surface of the reflector cup.
US08487323B2
An LED housing having a housing cavity, a carrier element, LED chips, the LED housing being formed in such a way that it may connect a plurality of LED housings of identical construction and, by its shaping, is additionally mountable in various ways.
US08487320B2
A light emitting diode includes a substrate, a first semiconductor layer, an active layer, a second semiconductor layer, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The first semiconductor layer, the active layer, and the second semiconductor layer are orderly stacked on the substrate. The first electrode is electrically connected to the first semiconductor layer. The second electrode is electrically connected to the second semiconductor layer. The second semiconductor layer has a plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures. Each of the plurality of three-dimensional nano-structures has a stepped structure.
US08487319B2
An integrated optical waveguide has a first optical waveguide, a second optical waveguide, and a groove. The second optical waveguide is coupled to the first optical waveguide and has a refractive index that is different from the first optical waveguide. The groove is disposed so as to traverse an optical path of the first optical waveguide and is separated from an interface between the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide by a predetermined spacing. The spacing from the interface and the width of the groove are determined such that reflection at a boundary between the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide is weakened. A semiconductor board may be disposed at a boundary between the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide. In this case, the width of the groove and the thickness of the semiconductor board are determined such that light reflected off an interface between the first optical waveguide and the groove is weakened by light reflected from an interface between the groove and the semiconductor board, and by light reflected from an interface between the semiconductor board and the second optical waveguide.
US08487318B2
A semiconductor device of the present invention includes a semiconductor layer composed of SiC, a metal layer directly bonded to one face of the semiconductor layer, and a high carbon concentration layer formed on a surface layer portion at one side of the semiconductor layer and containing more highly concentrated carbon than a surface layer portion of the other side. Further, a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device of the present invention includes the steps of forming, on a surface layer portion at one face side of a semiconductor layer composed of SiC, a high carbon concentration layer containing more highly concentrated carbon than a surface layer portion at the other face side by heat treatment and directly bonding metal to the high carbon concentration layer.
US08487315B2
A point light source is converted into a plane light source having a satisfactory uniformity. The point light source is converted into a line light source by means of a linear light guiding plate, and further into the plane light source by means of a plane-like light guiding plate. Light from the point light source is reflected at a lamp reflector to be incident on at least two side surfaces of the plane-like light guiding plate.
US08487310B2
An organic light-emitting display apparatus comprises: a substrate in which a pixel region is defined; a thin film transistor (TFT) disposed on the substrate and spaced apart from the pixel region; a planarization pattern covering the TFT and spaced apart from the pixel region; a first electrode electrically connected to the TFT and formed so as to correspond to at least the pixel region; a pixel-defining layer formed on the first electrode so as to expose a predetermined region of the first electrode; an intermediate layer connected to the exposed region of the first electrode, including an organic emission layer, and formed to correspond to at least the pixel region; and a second electrode electrically connected to the intermediate layer.
US08487305B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, and an insulating layer that is provided on the semiconductor substrate, wherein, in an internal circuit formation region of the insulating layer, a via hole and an interconnect trench, that is formed on the via hole and communicates with the via hole, are provided, in the via hole and the interconnect trench, a conductor is provided so as to integrally fill the via hole and said interconnect trench, in a dicing region of the insulating layer, a groove portion and an opening, that communicates with the groove portion and is formed to cover the groove portion when the semiconductor substrate is seen in plane view, are formed, and in the groove portion and the opening, a conductor is provided so as to integrally fill the groove portion and the opening.
US08487295B2
Methods of fabricating semiconductor structures and devices include bonding a seed structure to a substrate using a glass. The seed structure may comprise a crystal of semiconductor material. Thermal treatment of the seed structure bonded to the substrate using the glass may be utilized to control a strain state within the seed structure. The seed structure may be placed in a state of compressive strain at room temperature. The seed structure bonded to the substrate using the glass may be used for growth of semiconductor material, or, in additional methods, a seed structure may be bonded to a first substrate using a glass, thermally treated to control a strain state within the seed structure and a second substrate may be bonded to an opposite side of the seed structure using a non-glassy material.
US08487290B2
A method for fabricating an RRAM is provided. First, a bottom electrode is formed. A resistive layer is formed on the bottom electrode. A top electrode is then formed on the resistive layer, wherein the top electrode is selected from the group consisting of indium tin oxide (ITO) and indium zinc oxide (IZO). Finally, the top electrode is irradiated with UV light.
US08487287B2
A system for attenuating a primary radiation beam applied to a target area on a patient for generating an image of the target area during radiological examination includes a barrier formed of a radiation attenuation material and positionable over the target area to partially attenuate the primary radiation beam before the primary radiation beam reaches the target area. The barrier is configured to substantially extend around an entire periphery of the patient. The system also includes a buffer positionable between the barrier and the patient for offsetting the barrier from the patient. The buffer includes at least one flexible bag configured to retain a fluid. The at least one flexible bag is configured to improve the clarity of the image generated during the radiological examination.
US08487264B2
A detector ring of radiation tomography apparatus according to this invention has a fracture portion having no scintillation counter crystal arranged therein. Moreover, the radiation tomography apparatus according to this invention includes a correlated data complementation section. The correlated data complementation section forms correlated data when assuming that a first scintillation counter crystal actually provided in the detector ring is in the fracture portion, and additionally stores it to a correlated data storing section, thereby complementing correlated data in the fracture portion. As noted above, the correlated data complementation section obtains positional information under assumption that the scintillation counter crystals are in the fracture portion and a corresponding number of coincident events. Consequently, this invention may realize acquisition of faithful detecting efficiencies in the scintillation counter crystals. Therefore, the radiation tomography apparatus may be provided that allows creation of radiological images suitable for diagnosis.
US08487263B2
A method and apparatus for detecting radioactivity of a whole body is disclosed. The apparatus for detecting radioactivity of a whole body is divided into upper and lower parts, the upper and lower parts are divided into front, rear, left and right portions, respectively, a radioactivity detection unit is installed at each of the front, rear, left and right portions, radioactivity values detected by each of the radioactivity detection units are compared and analyzed such that radioactivity values detected by the radioactivity detection units positioned at upper front and rear parts are compared, radioactivity values detected by the radioactivity detection units positioned at upper left and right parts are compared, and also radioactivity values detected by the lower radioactivity detection units are compared in the same manner, thus determining whether or not the internal parts or external parts of the body of a detection target have been contaminated by radioactivity.
US08487253B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a scanning electron microscope suitable for monitoring apparatus conditions of the microscope itself, irrespective of the presence of charge-up, specimen inclination, and the like. In order to achieve the object, proposed is a scanning electron microscope including a function to monitor the apparatus conditions on the basis of information obtained with an electron beam reflected before reaching a specimen. Specifically, for example, while applying a negative voltage to the specimen to reflect the electron beam before the electron beam reaches the specimen, and simultaneously supplying a predetermined signal to a deflector for alignment, the scanning electron microscope monitors changes of the detected positions of the reflected electrons of the electron beam. If the above-mentioned predetermined signal is under the condition where an alignment is properly performed, the changes of the detected positions of the electrons reflect deviation of an axis.
US08487245B2
A system, method and apparatus for injecting reactive species and ions from an ambient plasma ionization source into an atmospheric pressure ion mobility spectrometer.
US08487244B2
The field of the invention is atmospheric pressure mass spectrometry (MS), and more specifically a process and apparatus which combine infrared laser ablation with electrospray ionization (ESI).
US08487242B2
Described here is a detector for measuring heavy mass ions with high sensitivity and low saturation for time-of-flight mass spectrometry and a detector housing for selecting between multiple detectors.
US08487238B2
A method for estimating a chemical composition of a material in a borehole penetrating the earth, the method includes: placing an analysis unit into the borehole; placing a sample of the material onto an enhanced surface of the analysis unit, the enhanced surface having a feature configured to increase an electric susceptibility of the sample at an interface between the sample and the enhanced surface; illuminating the sample at the interface with a first light beam and a second light beam; measuring sum frequency light generated from the illuminating; and analyzing the sum frequency light to estimate the chemical composition of the material.
US08487236B2
The invention provides a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor capable of improving workability of wiring. The sensor outputs to an external apparatus a safe signal generated based upon an interrupted state of at least one optical axis among optical axes formed between the phototransmitter and the photoreceiver. The photoreceiver includes a first cable connecting section (end section case), connected with a cable including a power line for receiving power supply from the external apparatus and an output line for outputting a safe signal to the external apparatus, and a second cable connecting section (end section case), connected with a cable including a power line for performing power supply to the phototransmitter and a communication line for transmitting or receiving a timing signal that defines timing for light projection of the light projecting elements.
US08487228B2
A method and apparatus for recalibrating a liquid lens. In one embodiment, a lens holder is provided to adjust the focal length of the lens as a function of temperature. In another embodiment, a recalibration circuit including a second lens of similar characteristics to the imaging lens is used to determine an appropriate focus. In other embodiments, an open loop calibration process is used.
US08487227B2
A base cone for a projectile including: a cone member being movable between a retracted position and an extended deployed position, the deployed position being longer in an axial direction than the refracted position; a member adapted to connect the cone member to a trailing portion of the projectile; and a release mechanism for releasing the cone member from the refracted position to the extended deployed position.
US08487223B2
A system for heating materials, such as wood products, is provided. The system may include waveguide having one or more slots along a longitudinal axis of the waveguide. The slots may be slanted at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis and spaced at an interval of about one half of a wavelength along the longitudinal axis. The system may further include windows covering the slots. The windows may serve as a barrier. Moreover, the windows may allow electromagnetic energy to be transferred from the waveguide to the material being heated. The waveguide and window may be contained in a microwave reactor to heat materials, such as wood products.
US08487202B2
A mechanical latching unit for a main drive unit includes a rolling mechanical switch within a housing, with a main roller, a counter roller, a carriage and a carriage trip/locking lever, with a first joint created between the main roller and the first end of the carriage, where by the load of the traction link of the main drive unit carried out to the main roller distributes a primary force component carried out to the counter roller and a secondary force component carried out in a direction to a second end of the carriage, where by the mechanical latching unit includes a force reduction mechanism having at least two force reduction stages, a carrier reset spring fastened to the housing which resets the carriage back to a neutral respectively blocking position, and a lever reset spring which resets the carriage trip/locking lever back to a neutral respectively blocking position.
US08487199B2
Method for operating a surgical device, comprising providing a control circuit operable to carry out at least two operational conditions of the surgical device and effecting the at least two operational conditions with a two-stage switch electrically connected to the control circuit, a first stage of the switch effecting a first of the at least two operational conditions and a second stage of the switch effecting a second of the at least two operational conditions different from the first operational condition, wherein the force required to sustain the first operational condition is less than the force required to enter the first operational condition and the force required to enter the second operational condition is greater than the force required to sustain the first operational condition.
US08487195B2
A via structure is disclosed to pass electronic signals from a first conductive pathway formed on a first outermost substrate of a multi-layer PCB to a second conductive pathway formed on a second outermost substrate of the multi-layer PCB. The via structure allows the electronic signals to pass from the first outermost substrate through one or more inner substrates to the second outermost substrate. The one or more inner substrates include one or more closed geometric structures to enclose the via structure.
US08487191B2
An adhesive-free flexible laminate formed from a polyimide film in which at least one surface has been plasma treated, a tie-coat layer formed on the surface of the plasma-treated polyimide film, a metal seed layer made of either copper or copper alloy and which is formed on the tie-coat layer, and a metal conductive layer made of either copper or copper alloy and which is formed on the metal seed layer, wherein the atomic percent of Cu inclusion in the tie-coat layer is 0.5 at % or less. Consequently, provided is a flexible laminate capable of effectively inhibiting the deterioration of the peel strength upon producing a flexible laminate (in particular a two-layer metalizing laminate).
US08487188B2
A grommet includes a small diameter tubular section and a large diameter tubular section contiguous with the small diameter tubular section. The large diameter tubular section is provided on the outer peripheral surface with a plurality of projecting portions that extend from a connecting part between both of the sections to a side wall of vehicle body engagement annular recess in an axial direction of the large diameter tubular section and are separated from one another in a peripheral direction of the large diameter tubular section. Each of the projecting portions includes an increasing diameter directing slant portion that extends from the proximal end point through the contact point to the bending point in parallel to the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter tubular section, and a decreasing diameter directing slant portion that extends from the bending point to the distal end point and inclines in a reversed slant direction.
US08487184B2
A signal transmission cable including a center core (10) of twisted pairs (10B) of insulated wires (10A). Then, a first layer of foamed polyolefin tape (11), which protects the core insulation from erosion by the shield materials, and distances them from the core so that the shield materials are more effective in their shielding. This distancing has the effect of allowing the continuous metal shielding layer to be thinner without losing shielding effectiveness. Then, a second layer of braided wire (12), angled at 45 degrees from the axis of the core. Third, a layer formed of a three-sub-layer laminate (13), The inner sub-layer is metallic aluminum (13A), attached to a middle sub-layer of polyester tape (13B). The outer surface of the polyester tape (13B) is metallized, that is, the outer surface of the polyester tape is impregnated with a very thin sublayer of aluminum (13C). Fourth, a jacket (14).
US08487181B2
In order to improve a cable, comprising an inner cable body, in which electrical conductor strands run in the longitudinal direction of the cable, a cable sheath, enclosing the inner cable body and lying between an outer surface of the cable and the inner cable body, and at least one information carrier unit, disposed within the outer surface of the cable, to increase the range of communication between the information carrier unit and the read/write device, it is proposed to provide the information carrier unit having an antenna unit, which can be coupled with a read/write device by parasitic electromagnetic fields between the antenna unit and at least two of the electrical conductor strands of the inner cable body.
US08487178B2
A thermoelectric material including a body centered cubic filled skutterudite having the formula AxFeyNizSb12, where A is an alkaline earth element, x is no more than approximately 1.0, and the sum of y and z is approximately equal to 4.0. The alkaline earth element includes guest atoms selected from the group consisting of Be, Mb, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra and combinations thereof. The filled skutterudite is shown to have properties suitable for a wide variety of thermoelectric applications.
US08487177B2
The disclosure provides a thermoelectric composite sandwich structure with an integrated honeycomb core and method for making. The thermoelectric composite sandwich structure comprises two prepreg composite face sheets and an integrated honeycomb core assembled between the face sheets. The honeycomb core comprises a plurality of core elements bonded together with a core adhesive. Each core element has a first side substantially coated with a negative Seebeck coefficient conductive material having a plurality of first spaced gaps, and each core element further has a second side substantially coated with a positive Seebeck coefficient conductive material having a plurality of second spaced gaps. The honeycomb core further comprises a plurality of electrical connections for connecting in series the first side to the second side. A temperature gradient across the honeycomb core generates power.
US08487173B2
Systems and methods for creating and editing collaborative music compositions via a computer network, including remote uploading tracks by musicians, and for creating and joining a band, wherein the system and methods provide for at least one musician to join a virtual group of at least one other musician for the purpose of virtual collaborative creating and/or editing music tracks remotely, via an online network and interactive website therefor.
US08487169B2
A holder, comprising a retaining device adapted to selectively couple with an item and a base adapted to selectively couple with a surface, and a clamp assembly coupled with the retaining device and base. The clamp assembly allows relative adjustment of the retaining device and base members.
US08487165B1
A novel maize variety designated PH18WD and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH18WD with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH18WD through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH18WD or a locus conversion of PH18WD with another maize variety.
US08487164B1
A novel maize variety designated PHP5E and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PHP5E with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHP5E through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PHP5E or a locus conversion of PHP5E with another maize variety.
US08487159B2
Transgenic plants, plant material, and plant cells for synthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoates, preferably poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (also referred to a as PHB) are provided. Preferred plants that can be genetically engineered to produce PHB include plants that do not normally produce storage products such as oils and carbohydrates, and plants that have a C4 NAD-malic enzyme photosynthetic pathway. Such plants also advantageously produce lignocellulosic biomass that can be converted into biofuels. An exemplary plant that can be genetically engineered to produce PHB and produce lignocellulosic biomass is switchgrass, Panicum virgatum L. A preferred cultivar of switchgrass is Alamo. Other suitable cultivars of switchgrass include but are not limited to Blackwell, Kanlow, Nebraska 28, Pathfinder, Cave-in-Rock, Shelter and Trailblazer.
US08487152B2
The present invention relates to a process for converting aliphatic hydrocarbons having 1 to 4 carbon atoms to aromatic hydrocarbons, comprising the steps of: a) converting a reactant stream E which comprises at least one aliphatic hydrocarbon having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the presence of a catalyst under nonoxidative conditions to a product stream P comprising aromatic hydrocarbons and hydrogen, and b) electrochemically removing at least some of the hydrogen formed in the conversion from the product stream P by means of a gas-tight membrane-electrode assembly which has at least one selectively proton-conducting membrane and, on each side of the membrane, at least one electrode catalyst, at least some of the hydrogen being oxidized to protons over the anode catalyst on the retentate side of the membrane, and the protons, after passing through the membrane, on the permeate side over the cathode catalyst, are partly, in b1) reduced to hydrogen with application of a voltage, and partly, in b2) reacted with oxygen to give water to generate electrical power, the oxygen originating from an oxygen-comprising stream O which is contacted with the permeate side of the membrane.
US08487147B2
Doped nanomaterials are used for the conversion of non-edible oils into biodiesels.
US08487146B2
Methods for the manufacture of 1,1,1,2,3-pentachloropropane from 1,1,1,3-tetrachloropropane and chlorine are disclosed. Improved methods are provided for the manufacture of 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene from 1,1,1,2,3-pentachloropropane. Methods are also disclosed for the manufacture of 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene from 1,1,1,3-tetrachloropropane and chlorine and for the manufacture of 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene from carbon tetrachloride, ethylene, and chlorine.
US08487144B2
There is provided according to the present invention a process for producing 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene or 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, including: reacting 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane with hydrogen chloride in a gas phase in the presence of a solid catalyst. By the use of a specific solid catalyst such as a catalyst in which chromium is supported on alumina or activated carbon or an alumina catalyst, the 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene or 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene can be obtained with high yield from the 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane, which can be commercially available or prepared on an industrial scale.
US08487136B2
A method for selectively producing a monoaryl norbornene derivative represented by a formula (5) involves having a norbornadiene derivative represented by a formula (3) and a bromine compound represented by a formula (4) react with each other in the presence of a reducing agent, palladium and at least one selected from phosphorus compounds represented by the formulas (1) and (2), whereby the norbornene derivative represented by formula (5) having a monoaryl substituent is an exo configuration.
US08487130B2
Described is a new cooling agent represented by Structure I and compositions with known coolers having cooling properties and the application of Structure I in foodstuffs and chewing gum:
US08487123B2
A start-up process for epoxidation of ethylene is provided. The process includes initiating an epoxidation reaction by reacting a feed gas composition in the presence of an epoxidation catalyst at a first temperature of about 180° C. to about 210° C. The first temperature is increased to a second temperature of about 230° C. to about 290° C., over a time period of about 6 hours to about 50 hours, while simultaneously adding a sufficient concentration of moderator so that the amount of moderator adsorbed on the catalyst after achieving the second temperature is from about 10 to about 50 g/m3 of catalyst. The second temperature is maintained for about 50 hours to about 350 hours, while regulating the feed gas composition to contain about 0.5% to about 25% CO2. The second temperature is decreased to a third temperature, while simultaneously increasing moderator concentration to a level greater than the sufficient concentration.
US08487116B2
The present invention discloses novel compounds of general formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof (in which X1-X5, R5-R8b, Z1-Z2 and Ar1 are defined herein), a method for inhibiting the VR1 receptor in mammals using these compounds, a method for controlling pain in mammals, and pharmaceutical compositions including those compounds and a process for making those compounds.
US08487114B2
Disclosed are compounds having one of the following formulae (11), (12), wherein X is an aromatic nucleophilic substitution leaving group; R1 is hydrogen, an alkyl group, or an aryl group; and Q1 is a carboxyl protecting group or an aldehyde protecting group. Also disclosed are fused thiophenes that can be prepared using these compounds, as well as stannylthio-containing thiophene, thienothiophene, and dithienothiophene compounds that can be used to prepare fused thiophenes. Methods for making and using the aforementioned compounds, fused thiophenes, and stannylthio-containing thiophene, thienothiophene, and dithienothiophene compounds are also disclosed.
US08487112B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing 4-aminobut-2-enolides and also corresponding intermediates and starting compounds which are passed through or used in the process according to the invention.
US08487108B2
The present invention is directed to aspartic protease inhibitors. Certain aspartic protease inhibitors of the invention can be represented by the following structural formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The present invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the disclosed aspartic protease inhibitors. The present invention is further directed to methods of antagonizing one or more aspartic proteases in a subject in need thereof, and methods for treating an aspartic protease mediated disorder in a subject using the disclosed aspartic protease inhibitors.
US08487103B2
Method for treating an HCV infection and inhibiting HCV replication with a compound of formula I wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, X1, X2, X3 and X4 and as defined herein
US08487102B2
The present invention relates to a compound of formula I wherein R1, R2, R3, Ar, and n are as defined herein or to a pharmaceutically active acid addition salt. Compounds of formula I show a high affinity simultaneously to both the NK1 and the NK3 receptors (dual NK1/NK3 receptor antagonists), useful in the treatment of schizophrenia.
US08487096B2
The present invention relates to imidazo[1,2-b][1,2,4]triazines that are inhibitors of c-Met and are useful in the treatment of c-Met associated diseases including cancer.
US08487095B2
The present invention relates to new salt forms of 5-(2,4-dihydroxy-5-isopropyl-phenyl)-4-(4-morpholin-4-ylmethyl-phenyl)-isoxazole-3-carboxylic acid ethylamide, in particular the mesylate, hydrochloride, tartrate, phosphate and hemi fumarate salt thereof; to crystalline forms of such salts; to polymorphs of 5-(2,4-dihydroxy-5-isopropyl-phenyl)-4-(4-morpholin-4-ylmethyl-phenyl)-isoxazole-3-carboxylic acid ethylamide; to hydrates and polymorphs of the new salt forms mentioned above; to the use of the new salt forms mentioned above for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a disorder mediated by Hsp90; to a method for treating a disorder mediated by Hsp90 using the new salt forms; to formulations comprising such salt forms, in particular aqueous solutions suitable for intravenous administration; and to amber glass containers being filled with such formulations.
US08487088B2
The present invention is directed to RNA interference (RNAi) molecules targeted against a nucleic acid sequence that encodes poly-glutamine repeat diseases, and methods of using these RNAi molecules.
US08487083B2
The invention pertains to the field of medicine, particularly to methods for suppressing the growth of tumors, which comprise blocking the pathological pathway of human fibroblast growth factor/receptor 1 (domains II and IIIc), and for diagnosing malignant neoplasms leading to an excessive proliferation of tumor cells and to the formation of new vessels accompanied by the growth of primary tumors and metastases. This pathway also represents an independent mechanism of tumor resistance to preparations acting on other pathological pathways. Blocking the aforementioned pathway using various substances that neutralize the receptor by bonding only with domains II and IIIc thereof results in the interruption or slow-down of tumor growth. This receptor can also be used as a target for delivery of diagnostic agents being largely present in tumor cells. The invention enables developing new agents for diagnosing and treating diseases related to excessive proliferation and neovascularization.
US08487081B2
The present invention relates to antigen-binding proteins having specificity for hepcidin, and their use for treating and diagnosing diseases associated with hepcidin.
US08487080B2
Methods for introducing fluorine atom onto a polypeptide are provided. Also provided are linkers, bioconjugates, and bifunctional compound agents made using the methods, linkers, and bioconjugates. The methods comprise: (i) providing a linker comprising a thiol-reactive terminus and an aldehyde-reactive terminus; (ii) reacting the thiol-reactive terminus of the linker with a polypeptide comprising at least one thiol group or a reactive derivative thereof; and (iii) subsequently reacting the aldehyde-reactive terminus of the linker with a fluorine-substituted aldehyde.
US08487079B2
Provided herein are methods for using mitochondria-targeted electron scavengers as anti-inflammatory agents. The mitochondria-targeted electron scavenger comprises a free radical-scavenging group covalently linked to a mitochondria-targeting group derived from a hemigramicidin moiety. The mitochondria-targeted electron scavenger can be used to treat medical conditions associated with acute or chronic inflammation.
US08487075B2
The invention relates to relatively short peptides (termed α-conotoxins herein), about 10-30 residues in length, which are naturally available in minute amounts in the venom of the cone snails or analogous to the naturally available peptides, and which preferably include two disulfide bonds.
US08487074B2
The present invention relates to the use of an antisecretory protein, derivative, homologue, and/or fragment thereof, having equivalent activity, and/or a pharmaceutically active salt thereof, for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition and/or a medical food for the treatment and/or prevention of dysfunction, e.g. abnormal function, hypo- or hyper-function of lipid rafts, receptors and/or caveolae. A dysfunction of lipid rafts, receptors and/or caveolae may be caused by or be a cause of a variety of other conditions, which are also encompassed by the present invention, such as vascular, and lung dysfunctions, and/or endocrine disorders, e.g. diabetes and related disorders. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for the treatment and/or prevention of dysfunction of lipid rafts and/or caveolae in a mammal in need thereof.
US08487073B2
A melanocortin receptor agonist cyclic peptide of the formula where R, x and y are as defined in the specification, compositions and formulations including the peptide of the foregoing formula, and methods of preventing, ameliorating or treating melanocortin receptor-mediated diseases, indications, conditions and syndromes, including sexual dysfunction such as male erectile dysfunction and female sexual dysfunction.
US08487064B2
Disclosed herein are polymer compounds and a method for preparing thereof. More specifically, provided are polymer compounds with well-connected, narrow size distribution free-volume element and a method for preparing the polymer compounds by thermal rearrangement for aromatic polyimides containing ortho-positioned functional groups in the solid state.
US08487047B2
The present invention relates to a 68Ga generator, wherein the 68Ge parent nuclide thereof is attached specifically to a support through a triethoxyphenyl group and continuously disintegrates to 68Ga, the triethoxyphenyl group being covalently bound to a support material through a linker.
US08487041B2
The present invention relates to a resin composition comprising (a) an unsaturated polyester resin having a molecular weight Mn of at least 750 Dalton and at most 5000 Dalton and (b) a reactive diluent, wherein the unsaturated polyester resin comprises C5-C10 unsaturated diacid building blocks and isosorbide building blocks. Preferably, at least part of the isosorbide is derived from a non-fossil source. Preferably, itaconic acid or anhydride is used as the C5 unsaturated dicarboxylic acid.
US08487038B2
The invention relates to polycarbonate containing a dianhydrohexitol residue, obtainable from a polysaccharide, and a polyol residue, wherein the polycarbonate comprises between 0.2 and 5 mmol hydroxyl groups per gram polymer. The polycarbonate may be branched and comprises functional groups that can react with suitable crosslinkers. The polycarbonate can be used in for example coating compositions.
US08487029B2
A lead-free, non-toxic composite material including a thermosetting polymer and at least one of a heavy particulate filler, a light particulate filler or a combination thereof. The composite material may be utilized in manufacturing articles used in radiation shielding applications.
US08487028B2
Carbon nanotubes were prepared by coating a substrate with a coating solution including a suitable solvent, a soluble polymer, a metal precursor having a first metal selected from iron, nickel, cobalt, and molybdenum, and optionally a second metal selected from aluminum and magnesium, and also a binding agent that forms a complex with the first metal and a complex with the second metal. The coated substrate was exposed to a reducing atmosphere at elevated temperature, and then to a hydrocarbon in the reducing atmosphere. The result was decomposition of the polymer and formation of carbon nanotubes on the substrate. The carbon nanotubes were often in the form of an array on the substrate.
US08487025B2
The present invention relates to an aromatic branched polycarbonate, produced via melt transesterification of a bisphenol with a diaryl carbonate in the presence of a branching agent, wherein the aromatic branched polycarbonate comprises branching point structures and structures of formula (D) wherein X is a single bond, C1- to C6-alkylene, C2- to C5-alkylidene or C5- to C6-cycloalkylidene, optionally substituted by C1- to C6-alkyl; wherein the amount of D in the aromatic branched polycarbonate is in the range of from 5 to 450 mg per kg of the aromatic branched polycarbonate; and wherein the ratio of the total branching point structures to the total structures of the formula D in the aromatic branched polycarbonate is in the range of from 8 to 200.
US08487022B2
The invention relates to a composition for surface coloration of paper web comprising a) from 0.1 to 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, of a coloring pigment, b) from 0.1 to 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition of a starch/latex copolymer, characterized in that, in addition to starch, the monomeric components that are copolymerized comprise i) styrene or a substituted styrene, ii) an acrylate and/or methacrylate and, optionally, iii) one or more further ethylenically unsaturated monomers, c) from 0 to 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, of starch or a starch derivative, d) from 0 to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition of one or more auxiliaries and e) water to complete to 100% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.
US08487016B2
The invention relates to a dental impression material containing a rheological modifier. The rheological modifier is in particular useful for adjusting shear-thinning properties of non-water based dental impression materials, especially of precision impression materials. It further relates to a method for producing a dental impression material.
US08487015B2
A process for producing a flexible polyurethane foam, which comprises reacting a polyol mixture with a polyisocyanate compound in the presence of a urethane-forming catalyst and a blowing agent, characterized in that the polyol mixture comprises the following polyol (A) and the polyol (B), and the proportion of the polyisocyanate compound to the polyol mixture is at least 90 by isocyanate index, and the total amount of Zn and Co contained in the polyol mixture is from 0.1 to 200 ppm.
US08487012B2
Described herein are open celled foams including a matrix of interconnected spheres. Also described herein are methods of making open celled foams as well as making composite members with open celled foam coatings covering at least a portion of the composite member. The open celled foams described herein are silicone based materials and can be used to coat implants such as breast implants and function to encourage tissue ingrowth and reduce capsular formation.
US08487011B2
Methods and compositions relate to a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst utilized to convert syngas into paraffins. The catalyst includes a given amount of sulfur content from contact of a catalytic supported metal with sulfur. Subsequent activation of the catalyst prepares the catalyst to be used for conversion of the syngas. The sulfur content maintained in the catalyst after being activated influences selectivity to paraffins over olefins and oxygenates.
US08487006B2
The present invention is directed to a method of enhancing TGF-β signaling in a subject comprising administering to said subject a clathrin-dependent endocytosis inhibitor in an amount sufficient to enhance TGF-β signaling. In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of treating a condition associated with decreased TGF-β signaling in a patient in need thereof comprising administering to said patient a clathrin-dependent endocytosis inhibitor in a therapeutically effective amount.
US08487002B2
A solid dosage formulation having a core with a pharmacological agent dispersed in a first controlled-release matrix from which release of the agent is relatively slow; and a coat formed over the core and having the agent dispersed in a second controlled-release matrix from which release of the agent is relatively fast. The first matrix can be a cross-linked high amylose starch and the second matrix can be a mixture of polyvinyl acetate and polyvinylpyrrolidone.
US08486998B2
The present invention, in one or more embodiments, comprises water-soluble derivatives of 3-n-pentadecylcatechol (poison ivy urushiol saturated congener) and/or 3-n-heptadecylcatechol (poison oak urushiol saturated congener) as compositions for the prevention and/or prophylactic treatment of contact dermatitis caused by poison ivy and poison oak. The present invention is also directed towards processes for making such compounds. Disclosed are compounds which are effective for tolerizing and desensitizing a subject against allergens contained in plants of the Anacardiaceae and Ginkgoaceae families comprising water soluble urushiol esters of general formula (I) Tolerizing and desensitizing mammals, including humans, to allergens contained in plants of the Anacardiaceae and Ginkgoaceae families is attained by administering a composition containing at least one water soluble urushiol ester compound.
US08486997B2
An external preparation for skin containing an alkylresorcinol and being excellent in temperature stability (especially high-temperature stability) and photostability. More particularly an external preparation for skin comprising (a) from 0.01 to 5% by mass of 4-isobutyl resorcinol or a salt thereof, and (b) from 0.01 to 5% by mass of one or more selected from L-ascorbic acid or a salt thereof and a 3-O-alkyl-L-ascorbic acid or a salt thereof. If desired, (c) one or more compounds selected from (c-1) a sterol skeleton-having compound (e.g., POE phytosterols, POE cholestanols), (c-2) a vitamin E derivative, (c-3) a compound such as polyglycerin fatty acid esters, polyoxybutene-polyglycerin alkyl ethers, sucrose fatty acid esters, and (c-4) a sorbitan skeleton-having compound may be incorporated in the preparation.
US08486995B2
Disclosed is a method of controlling insects or acarids comprising contacting crops or their environment with a compound of the formula (I): and least one compound selected from the group consisting of: bifenazate, fenpyroximate pyridaben, fenazaquin, abamectin, emamectin benzoate, fenpropathrin and propargite.
US08486992B2
The invention relates to compounds of formula processes and intermediates for their preparation, their use as muscarinic antagonists and pharmaceutical composition containing them.
US08486988B2
N-[4-(3-Amino-1H-indazol-4-yl)phenyl]-N′-(2-fluoro-5-methylphenyl)urea Hydrate Crystalline Form 1, ways to make it, formulations comprising it and made with it and methods of treating patients having disease using it are disclosed.
US08486981B2
Potent and selective ligands for the dopamine 3 (D3) receptor are disclosed. The D3 receptor ligands have a structural formula: wherein R1 is C1-6 alkyl or C3-6cycloalkyl; or wherein R2 is substituted with one or two halogen(s) or OC1-3alkyl.
US08486969B2
Disclosed herein is compound having a structure Therapeutic methods, compositions, and medicaments are also disclosed herein.
US08486967B2
The invention relates to compounds of formula where hetaryl I, hetaryl II, R1, R2, R3, R4, m, n, and o are as defined in the specification or to pharmaceutically active acid addition salts thereof. The compounds of formula I are modulators for amyloid beta and thus may be useful for the treatment or prevention of a disease associated with the deposition of β-amyloid in the brain, in particular Alzheimer's disease, and other diseases such as cerebral amyloid angiopathy, hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis, Dutch-type (HCHWA-D), multi-infarct dementia, dementia pugilistica and Down syndrome.
US08486966B2
The present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I): and to their pharmaceutical compositions, and to their methods of use. These compounds provide a treatment for myeloproliferative disorders and cancer.
US08486953B2
The present invention relates to novel pharmaceutical compositions comprising thienopyrimidine compounds. Moreover, the present invention relates to the use of the thienopyrimidine compounds of the invention for the production of pharmaceutical compositions for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of diseases which can be influenced by the inhibition of the kinase activity of Mnk1 and/or Mnk2 (Mnk2a or Mnk2b) and/or variants thereof.
US08486945B2
The invention relates to novel heterocyclic compounds and to the use thereof, to pharmaceutical compositions containing said chemical compounds as an active ingredient and to the use thereof for producing medicinal preparations for the human being and warm-blood animals for treating diseases caused by the aberrant activity of an Hedgehog (Hh)-signal system, in particular oncological diseases. The invention also relates to the use of the above-mentioned compounds in the form of ‘molecular pharmacological tools’ for examining (in vitro and in vivo) the biochemical features of the Hh-signal system, in particular, the interaction of Hh protein and transmembrane proteins, namely, suppressor Patched (Ptc) and protooncogenic proteins. The eight groups of the claimed compounds comprise the derivatives of 2,6-dihydro-7H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyridazine-7-one and 1,4-dihydropyrazolo[3,4-b][1,4]thiazine-5-one; N-acidylated 4-imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine-2-il-anilines; ([4H-thino[3,2-b]pyrrol-5-il) carbonyl]piperidine-4-carbonic acid amides; 2-(4carbomoilpyperidine-1-il)-isonicotinic acid amides; N-sylphonyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline-6-carbonic acid amides; and pyridine 2-amino-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrothieno[2,3-c]N-acidylated 3-azole derivatives.
US08486938B2
The invention provides compounds of Formula I or Formula II: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester, thereof, as described herein. The compounds and compositions thereof are useful for treating Pneumovirinae virus infections. The compounds, compositions, and methods provided are particularly useful for the treatment of Human respiratory syncytial virus infections.
US08486935B2
The present invention relates to the xinafoate salt of N4-[(2,2-difluoro-4H-benzo[1,4]oxazin-3-one)-6-yl]-5-fluoro-N2-[3-(methylaminocarbonylmethyleneoxy)phenyl]-2,4-pyrimidinediamine. This compound is a suitable drug substance and is useful in the treatment of conditions including asthma.
US08486928B2
The present invention relates to compounds which are effective as catalysts for dismutating superoxide and, more particularly, the manganese or iron complexes of substituted, unsaturated heterocyclic 16-membered macrocyclic complexes that catalytically dismutate superoxide. It also relates to methods of using these complexes to reduce the concentration or the effects of superoxide, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds or their metal complexes, and methods of treating conditions associated with excessive superoxide activity.
US08486920B2
The present invention provides a composition for controlling plant diseases comprising, as active ingredients, ethaboxam and tolclofos-methyl.
US08486919B2
The present invention provides a compound that has a high whitening effect and is excellent in safety and stability and provides an external preparation for skin comprising the same. The compound of the present invention is a 4-alkylresorcinol derivative represented by formula (1) or a salt thereof: wherein R1 is a branched or cyclic alkyl group of 3 to 7 carbon atoms or a linear alkyl group of 2 to 5 carbon atoms; R2 and R3 are each independently a hydrogen atom or a group represented by —P(O)(OR4)(OR5), and at least one of R2 and R3 is a group represented by —P(O)(OR4)(OR5); and R4 and R5 are each independently a hydrogen atom or a linear or branched alkyl group of 2 to 5 carbon atoms.
US08486910B2
Polynucleotides and a method suitable for downregulation of small nuclear RNA which can be used to treat diseases associated with activity of small nuclear RNA are provided. Specifically, the present invention can be used to downregulate snoRNA molecules or box H/ACA-containing RNA molecules which are involved in diseases such as cancer.
US08486895B2
The present invention discloses humanized anti-epidermal growth factor receptor antibodies, which have favorable binding activity (the binding affinity being 5.09×10−10 mol/L) and are able to inhibit the growth and migration of tumor cells. The present invention also discloses the preparation methods and uses of the antibodies.
US08486890B2
The present invention relates to novel amylin derivatives having a protracted action profile, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these derivatives and to the use of the derivatives for the treatment of diseases related to obesity, diabetes and other metabolic disorders.
US08486888B2
The invention provides an orally-administrable nutritional product comprising a dipeptide including a branched chain amino acids (BCAA). In one embodiment, the nutritional product comprises a dipeptide selected from at least one of the following: alanyl-leucine, alanyl-isoleucine, alanyl-valine, glycyl-leucine, glycyl-isoleucine, and glycyl-valine.
US08486885B2
This application describes a family of compounds acting as β-arrestin effectors. Such compounds may provide significant therapeutic benefit in the treatment of chronic and acute cardiovascular diseases.
US08486874B2
To provide a water-soluble working fluid which less adversely affects the human body and the ecological system as compared with conventional water-soluble working fluids, which has high rotting resistance, and which provides excellent working performance. The water-soluble working fluid of the invention contains methyldicyclohexylamine.
US08486872B2
The passage of a container along a conveyor is lubricated by applying to the container or conveyor a composition comprising a water-miscible silicone material wherein the composition has good wetting to polyethylene terephthalate surfaces. The compatibility of the lubricating composition with polyethylene terephthalate is increased because the wetting of the composition to polyethylene terephthalate is improved.
US08486867B2
A thermophilic mannanohydrolase enzyme may be used as an enzyme breaker for fracturing fluids containing hydratable polymers of guar and underivatized guar. The amino acid sequence of the mannanohydrolase is at least 90% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.
US08486860B2
Methods for protecting fruit, vegetables and ornamentals against post harvest microbial decay by applying systemic acquired resistance inducers in combination with sorbic acid, and/or one or more of its alkali metal salts, and/or phosphorous acid, and/or one or more of its alkali metal salts.
US08486852B2
A catalyst for diesel particle filter includes a platinum (Pt)-neodymium (Nd) alloy that is carried in silica, a preparation method thereof and a soot reduction device for diesel engine including the same, wherein the catalyst for diesel particle filter can maintain high catalyst activity and implement high nitrogen monoxide (NO) conversion efficiency even though it is used under the high temperature or vulcanization condition for a long time.
US08486848B2
A laminate includes a base layer being made from one of woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, and non-woven fabrics, and having two surfaces, and a thin film layer made of a polyvinyl butyral-based composition and covering one of the two surfaces of the base layer. An article for daily use, at least one part of which is made of the laminate, is also disclosed.
US08486847B2
A fabric having moisture management function, which has a structure simulating plant structure and comprises at least two layers as follows: a bottom layer, which is of a leno or matt structure simulating main stem of plant, in which a number of yarns are grouped together to form a plurality of fabric units; said bottom layer can be adapted to be in contact with human skin; a top layer, which is of a plain weave structure, in which the yarns of said fabric unit further split in the top layer to form such a plain weave structure, simulating the branching in plant structure; wherein, in said fabric, water can be transported from the bottom layer to the middle layer and further to the top layer where it evaporates due to the improved capillarity of the yarns so as to provide better moisture management function.
US08486842B2
A method of selectively removing a patterned hard mask is described. A substrate with a patterned target layer thereon is provided, wherein the patterned target layer includes a first target pattern and at least one second target pattern, and the patterned hard mask includes a first mask pattern on the first target pattern and a second mask pattern on the at least one second target pattern. A first photoresist layer is formed covering the first mask pattern. The sidewall of the at least one second target pattern is covered by a second photoresist layer. The second mask pattern is removed using the first photoresist layer and the second photoresist layer as a mask.
US08486837B2
A polishing slurry for metal comprises an oxidizer, a metal oxide dissolving agent, a metal inhibitor, and water, wherein the metal inhibitor is at least one of a compound having an amino-triazole skeleton and a compound having an imidazole skeleton. The use of the polishing slurry for metal makes it possible to raise the polishing speed sufficiently while keeping the etching speed low, restrain the generation of corrosion of the surface of a metal and dishing, and form a metal-film-buried pattern having a high reliability in the process of formation of wiring of semiconductor devices.
US08486836B2
A semiconductor device including: a substrate; an insulating film formed over the substrate; a copper interconnect, having a plurality of hillocks formed over the surface thereof, buried in the insulating film; a first insulating interlayer formed over the insulating film and the copper interconnect; a second insulating interlayer formed over the first insulating interlayer; and an electroconductive layer formed over the second insulating interlayer, wherein the top surface of at least one hillock highest of all hillocks is brought into contact with the lower surface of the second insulating interlayer is provided.
US08486835B2
Non-production wafers of polycrystalline silicon are placed in non-production slots of a support tower for thermal processing monocrystalline silicon wafers. They may have thicknesses of 0.725 to 2 mm and be roughened on both sides. Nitride may be grown on the non-production wafers to a thickness of over 2 μm without flaking. The polycrystalline silicon is preferably randomly oriented Czochralski polysilicon grown using a randomly oriented seed, for example, CVD grown silicon. Both sides are ground to introduce sub-surface damage and then oxidized and etch cleaned. An all-silicon hot zone of a thermal furnace, for example, depositing a nitride layer, may include a silicon support tower placed within a silicon liner and supporting the polysilicon non-production wafers with silicon injector tube providing processing gas within the liner.
US08486834B2
The disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a memory device, including: providing a plurality of gate structures formed on a substrate, wherein the gate structures comprise a cap layer disposed on the top of the gate structure, and each two adjacent gate structures are separated by a gap; blanketly forming a polysilicon layer on the substrate to fill the gap; performing a planarization process to the polysilicon layer, obtaining a polysilicon plug; and performing an oxidation process after the planarization process, converting a part of the polysilicon plug and a residual polysilicon layer over the gate structure to silicon oxide.
US08486828B2
A semiconductor device manufacturing method has forming a metal film containing platinum by depositing a metal on a source/drain diffusion layer primarily made of silicon formed on a semiconductor substrate and on a device isolation insulating film; forming a silicide film by silicidation of an upper part of the source/drain diffusion layer by causing a reaction between silicon in the source/drain diffusion layer and the metal on the source/drain diffusion layer by a first heating processing; forming a metal oxide film by a oxidation processing to oxidize selectively at least a surface of the metal film on the device isolation insulating film; increasing the concentration of silicon in the silicide film by a second heating processing; and selectively removing the metal oxide film and an unreacted part of the metal film on the device isolation insulating film.
US08486825B2
A method for fabricating a chip-scale board-on-chip substrate, or redistribution element, includes forming conductive planes on opposite sides of a substrate. A first of the conductive planes includes two sets of bond fingers, conductive traces that extend from a first set of the bond fingers, and two sets of redistributed bond pads, including a first set to which the conductive traces lead. The second conductive plane includes conductive traces that extend from locations that are opposite from the second set of bond fingers toward locations that are opposite from the locations of the second set of redistributed bond pads. Conductive vias are formed through the second set of bond fingers to the conductive traces of the second conductive plane. In addition, conductive vias are also formed to electrically connect the conductive vias of the second conductive plane to their corresponding redistributed bond pads in the first conductive plane.
US08486819B2
A semiconductor device includes a gate metal buried within a trench included in a semiconductor substrate including an active region defined by an isolation layer, a spacer pattern disposed on an upper portion of a sidewall of a gate metal, a first gate oxide layer disposed between the spacer pattern and the trench, a second gate oxide layer disposed below the first gate oxide layer and the gate metal, and a junction region disposed in the active region to overlap the first gate oxide layer.
US08486818B2
A semiconductor device, including a semiconductor substrate including isolations defining active regions of the semiconductor substrate, and a plurality of buried gate electrodes between a pair of the isolations, wherein each of the buried gate electrodes and the isolations includes a conductive layer and a capping layer.
US08486815B2
A method for fabricating a back-side illumination image sensor includes: implanting a first type of dopant into an epitaxial layer disposed over a first side of a substrate layer to form a first dopant layer in a first side of the epitaxial layer; adhering a carry layer over the first dopant layer for carrying the substrate layer; grinding a second side of the substrate layer for exposing a second side of the epitaxial layer; implanting the first type of dopant into the epitaxial layer from the second side of the epitaxial layer to form a second dopant layer in the second side of the epitaxial layer; forming at least one metal layer over the second dopant layer after forming the second dopant layer in the second side of the epitaxial layer; removing the carry layer; and forming a color filtering module over the first dopant layer.
US08486808B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a gate electrode material that covers a gate insulating film formed on each of side surfaces of first and second silicon pillars, wherein a film formation amount of the gate electrode material is controlled so that a first part with which the side surface of the first silicon pillar is covered via the gate insulating film does not contact with a second part with which the side surface of the second silicon pillar is covered via the gate insulating film. The method further includes: forming a mask insulating film that covers the first and second parts and fills a region between the first and second parts; and etching the gate electrode material using the mask insulating film as a mask, thereby forming gate electrodes with which the side surfaces of the first and second silicon pillars are covered via the gate insulating film, respectively and a conductive film electrically connecting the gate electrodes to each other.
US08486805B2
A through-silicon via and a method for forming the same are provided. The method includes: providing a semiconductor substrate, the semiconductor substrate including an upper surface and an opposite lower surface; etching the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate to form an opening; filling the opening with a conductive material to form a first nail; etching the lower surface of the semiconductor substrate to form a recess, such that the first nail is exposed at a bottom of the recess; filling the recess with a conductive material that can be etched, and etching the conductive material that can be etched to form a second nail, such that the second nail is vertically connected with the first nail; and filling a gap between the second nail and the semiconductor substrate and a gap between the second nail and an adjacent second nail with a dielectric layer. Then invention can improve the reliability of through-silicon vias and avoid voids.
