US08571977B2
A system for conducting commercial transactions between buyers and sellers is disclosed. The system includes a transaction processing system for facilitating payment for transactions between buyers and the sellers. In addition to the buyer and the seller, the transaction processing system also interacts with issuers and acquirers. The transaction processing system monitors and manages payment information relating to transactions conducted between buyers and sellers. Using such information, the transaction processing system further offers a number of additional financing services including, for example, buyer payment assurance, buyer bank payment assurance, buyer bank payable discounting, buyer bank payable discount aggregation, seller/receivable financing and seller bank receivable discount aggregation.
US08571976B1
The present invention relates to various methods, software programs, and systems for managing one or more liabilities. More particularly, certain embodiments of the present invention relate to methods, software programs, and systems for managing debt in the form of at least one credit issued by a borrower.
US08571970B2
An electronic trading system is described herein. More specifically, the electronic trading system may relate to the substantially simultaneous trading of cash instruments and their related futures contracts for interest-rate related instruments. The electronic trading system may also be used to allow a user (such as a market maker or other suitable participant) to gauge his chance of success at completing both sides of a basis trade within a preferably pre-determined or pre-set interval, while knowing in advance the specific weighting algorithm that will be applied to the basis trade. The electronic trading system may also be used to allow a user to predetermine the exact weighting algorithm to be used on such a basis trade, and to adjust those preferences where necessary or desired.
US08571966B2
Methods, systems and apparatuses are described for determining that a credit event has occurred for an entity; determining an upfront price and a bond price for a credit default swap deliverable (CDSD) contract associated with the entity; determining a first weighting for the upfront price and a second weighting for the bond price; and calculating a settlement price for the CDSD contract that is a function of the first weighting, the second weighting, the upfront price, and the bond price.
US08571955B2
A residential electric grid (microgrid) is proposed as a distribution arrangement between a utility company and a group of individual residential consumers. The residential consumers are also viewed as “producers” of renewable energy and are defined as “prosumers”. An aggregator is used at the microgrid to negotiate with the utility on behalf of the group of prosumers, commanding a better price for excess electricity sold back to the utility (especially as part of a Demand Response (DR) program). Importantly, the microgrid is constructed to include energy storage capability at the microgrid. Therefore, the arrangement is capable of supplying power to the residential customers in the event of an outage at the macrogrid level, and also selling back the electricity to the utility as part of a DR program.
US08571951B2
In an automated leads-and-bids matching system, bid profiles are defined to describe desires of lead buyers. Received leads are matched to active ones of the bid profiles whose specifications the leads substantially match. Lead segmentation data is captured on-the-fly for example by inducing potential consumers to navigate their way through tree-organized web sites that categorize the consumers according to their geographic location, income/revenue range, class of products desired and/or other attributes. Live voice or other telecommunication connections to the pre-classified consumers are coupled to corresponding, pre-classified telecommunication nodes of a call processing system. The call processing system deduces the segmentation data of the consumers from the identities of the pre-classified nodes through which their connections pass. The deduced segmentation data is passed to an automated matching system or auctioning subsystem that finds the highest bids for each given lead.
US08571944B2
A system for distributing commissions within a relationship network comprising a network manager, at least one network affiliate that has an affiliate relationship with the network manager, and at least one network member that has a member relationship with the network manager, wherein a transaction between a network affiliate and a network member generates a commission by the network affiliate, a first portion of the commission being retained by the network manager, a second portion of the commission being distributed to the transacting network member, and a third portion of the commission being distributed as a donation to at least one donation beneficiary that promotes environmental or social concerns that is external to the relationship network.
US08571939B2
Aspects of the invention are directed to a two phase payment link and authorization method and system for mobile devices. A method for payment and authorization according to an embodiment includes: requesting and receiving, at a mobile device, a transaction identifier from a payment service; displaying the transaction identifier on a display of the mobile device, wherein the transaction identifier is in a machine readable format; scanning the transaction identifier at a point of sale system; sending the transaction identifier and transaction information associated with items to be purchased from the point of sale system to the payment service; creating, at the payment service, a logical link between the mobile device and the point of sale system, based on the transaction identifier; and sending the transaction information from the payment system to the mobile device.
US08571931B2
The present invention discloses a system and method for providing targeted advertising in a television distribution system, without the disclosure of personally identifiable information. The system of the present invention comprises an advertisement management system (AMS) operative to monitor the state of one or more clients in the television distribution system and determine when a advertisement is required. The AMS is operative to select one or more features that do not comprise personally identifiable information from a feature repository. The system also comprises an advertisement selection system (ADS) operative to receive the one or more features from the AMS and select an advertisement targeted according to the one or more features.
US08571929B2
Information can be shared across a pre-approved (PA) channel and a non pre-approved (NPA) channel to reduce unnecessary offers of a transactional instrument or transactional instrument upgrade to prospects. All prospects listed in the NPA channel that have been evaluated in the PA channel may be removed from a NPA offeree list. This may be done by matching the NPA prospect list with a list of prospects who have been evaluated in the PA channel. The list of prospects evaluated in the PA channel may include, for example, prospects who were pre-approved for an offer as well as prospects who were considered for a pre-approved offer but who were denied the offer. Prospects in the NPA channel that are removed from the NPA offer list may be dropped from further NPA processing, as such prospects are either unprofitable or do not meet a transactional account company's standards for credit.
US08571920B2
A method for optimizing a price for delivering at least one communication from an advertiser to a consumer, the method including (a) defining an advertisement product with at least one parameter, (b) obtaining a demand curve for the advertisement product, (c) calculating a first profit function as a function of the demand curve, (d) determining a first price at a maximum of the first profit function, (e) determining a second price at a point on the first demand curve corresponding to a capacity of communications that can be delivered to the consumer, and (f) determining a greater of the first and second prices as an optimal price.
US08571919B2
The present invention improves upon existing systems and methods by providing a passive profile creation method. The data accessible to a financial processor, such as spend level data, is leveraged using sophisticated data clustering and/or data appending techniques. Associations are established among entities (e.g., consumers), among merchants, and between entities and merchants. In one embodiment, a system and method for passively collecting spend level data for a transaction of a first entity, aggregating the collected spend level data for a plurality of entities; and clustering the first entity with a subset of the plurality of entities, based on aggregated spend level data of the first entity is provided.
US08571918B2
A method of estimating a transit demand graph includes collecting conditional information that includes at least one condition that when satisfied converts at least one non-rider into a rider, generating a non-rider transit demand graph by satisfying one of the conditions, and generating a normalized transit demand graph from the non-rider transit demand graph and a rider transit demand graph. The riders use public transit and the non-riders do not use public transit. The non-rider transit demand graph shows the demand of the non-riders for a public transit route. The rider transit demand graph shows the demand of riders for the same public transit route.
US08571915B1
Embodiments of a system and method for selectively advancing items in a picking schedule are described. Embodiments may include a pick scheduler configured to determine that available labor exceeds labor needed to perform a picking process during a time period of a picking schedule. From items not scheduled to be picked during that time period, the pick scheduler may identify candidate items that are candidates to be picked during that time period. Each candidate item may improve a performance metric of the picking process. The pick scheduler may, for each of multiple candidate items, determine that advancing that item to the time period is expected to improve a shipping metric. The pick scheduler may, in response to determining that the expected shipping metric improvement of a particular candidate item is greater than that of other candidate items, generate an instruction to pick the particular candidate item during the time period.
US08571912B2
The present invention provides a method for allocating appointment time windows. The steps of this method include creating a statistical estimate of a daily schedule comprising a series of estimated service orders. An actual service order is then received. This actual service order is inserted into the daily schedule by using a set of scheduling instructions for determining the least cost to employ the available service resources. At this point, this actual service order does not have a system imposed time window. The set of scheduling instructions is used to determine a time window surrounding this insertion point. If the customer accepts this time window, then the closest estimated service order is replaced by this actual service order, and the daily schedule is recomputed based upon the revised set of service orders to yield a revised daily schedule. This process may be repeated for any number of days or time periods from which the customer may choose the time window best meeting the customer's availability.
US08571906B2
A system for monitoring a flow of related tasks by supervisors of an organization stores information that defines a hierarchy within an enterprise, the hierarchy including a tree structure where each of a plurality of supervisors is placed in a supervisory position over one or more subordinates and each supervisor is sub ordinate to at most one other supervisor. The system also assigns a task for each of the plurality of supervisors to perform, wherein performing the task by a first supervisor depends in part on completion of the task by each of the one or more respective subordinates. The system also determines if one or more subordinates are causing a delay in the progress towards completion of the task within the hierarchy. The system further generates a report identifying the subordinates, if any, who are causing a delay in the task completion progress.
US08571891B2
Roughly described, a user instantiates protocol elements in a structured clinical trial protocol database and then draws from them in the development of one or more protocol related documents. The system helps the user select tasks to be performed during the study by reference to a historical database of tasks previously associated with similar protocols. The system automatically generates complex content from protocol elements in the database, and can render overlapping sets of protocol elements differently at different locations in the document. The system can automatically provide advisories indicating aspects of the document that still require completion or highlighting other issues that a sponsoring authority deems important for the document type. After all protocol elements are instantiated in the protocol database, it can then be used to drive the operation of most downstream aspects of the study.
US08571885B2
A method for providing medical insurance information corresponding to a consumer of medical services can include receiving consumer medical insurance information from a consumer. This information includes one or more identity fields. A request is sent to network sources of identity information for the consumer, the requests including one or more of the identity fields. The identity information that is received is compared to the consumer medical insurance information using matching rules to store data which satisfies the rules. The identity data which satisfies the matching rules is used to generate requests for insurer medical insurance information. The insurer information is compared to the consumer medical insurance information using matching rules to store only data which satisfies the matching rules. A processor can be used to generate different permutations and combinations of the data for the identity requests and for the insurer requests until a satisfactory response has been received.
US08571884B2
A communication and workflow management system and method is provided for integrating a wide range of health care organization workflow management functions, generated by automated systems, manual and automated events associated with patients and staff interactions, through input-output devices such that requests and dispatch requests can be handled locally or over a widely distributed network, and can be tracked and escalated as required. The invention features a rules engine and database that identifies and defines resources, patients, tasks, and task handling. The invention uses extensive logic for the assignment of tasks and communication with resources that can execute tasks, tracking, completion of task, and escalation of tasks. The communication system can be integrated with staff and equipment tracking for automated closure of tasks.
US08571882B1
A system for providing database functionality on a peer-to-peer network is described that provides a highly scalable, fault tolerant, highly available, secure distributed transactions and reporting environment for application development and deployment.
US08571881B2
Apparatus is provided for use with at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, the apparatus including a container (22) containing the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent, and a portable computer-communicatable data carrier (120, 24) associated with the container (22), the data carrier (120, 24) containing imaging protocol information for use with the at least one labeled radiopharmaceutical agent. Other embodiments are also described.
US08571879B2
A sound reproducing device includes a decoder section (1200) configured to decode an audio-signal bit stream input from the outside world, and to generate a decoded PCM signal; a control section (1100) configured to identify reproduction conditions from reproduction-instruction information obtained from the outside world and decoding information obtained from the decoder section (1200), and to provide a reproduction instruction; and an additional-audio addition section (1500) configured to process additional audio data input from the outside world, to add a result with the decoded PCM signal, and to output a result as an output PCM signal. The additional-audio addition section (1500) includes an additional-audio generation section (1510) configured to process the additional audio data so that the additional audio data can be added with the decoded PCM signal, and to output a result as an additional-audio PCM signal, and an adder (1520) configured to mix the additional-audio PCM signal and the decoded PCM signal. The additional-audio generation section (1510) includes a plurality of processing means (1511 and 1512) depending on a trade-off between the amount of load of computation process in the processing and acoustic properties of a processing result. The control section (1100) identifies one of the plurality of processing means (1511 and 1512) based on the reproduction-instruction information and the decoding information. The additional-audio generation section (1510) processes the additional audio data by the processing means identified by the control section (1100).
US08571872B2
Exemplary methods, systems, and products are disclosed for synchronizing visual and speech events in a multimodal application, including receiving from a user speech; determining a semantic interpretation of the speech; calling a global application update handler; identifying, by the global application update handler, an additional processing function in dependence upon the semantic interpretation; and executing the additional function. Typical embodiments may include updating a visual element after executing the additional function. Typical embodiments may include updating a voice form after executing the additional function. Typical embodiments also may include updating a state table after updating the voice form. Typical embodiments also may include restarting the voice form after executing the additional function.
US08571865B1
Systems, methods performed by data processing apparatus and computer storage media encoded with computer programs for receiving information relating to (i) a communication device that has received an utterance and (ii) a voice associated with the received utterance, comparing the received voice information with voice signatures in a comparison group, the comparison group including one or more individuals identified from one or more connections arising from the received information relating to the communication device, attempting to identify the voice associated with the utterance as matching one of the individuals in the comparison group, and based on a result of the attempt to identify, selectively providing the communication device with access to one or more resources associated with the matched individual.
US08571854B2
One or more methods and systems of detecting or identifying one or more types of algorithms used in the encoding of a voice or speech waveform is presented. The system and method may be used as a testing tool to identify whether a voice data stream is encoded using a linear G.711, μ-law G.711, or A-law G.711 algorithm. The system and method are applied to a voice data stream to ensure that a codec with the appropriate algorithm is used to reproduce an audio waveform.
US08571852B2
A scalable decoder device (50) for signals representing audio comprises a primary decoder (21) connected to an input (40). The primary decoder (21) is arranged to provide a primary decoded signal (23) based on received parameters (4). A primary postfilter (31) is connected to the primary decoder (23) to provide a primary postfiltered signal (32). A secondary enhancement decoder (45) is connected to the input (40) and arranged to provide a secondary decoded enhancement signal (44). The device further comprises a combiner arrangement (55), arranged for combining the primary postfiltered signal (32) and a signal (53) based on the secondary decoded enhancement signal (44) into an output signal (6) to be provided at an output (6). The combining is made with an adaptable strength relation between contributions from the two signals. A method for decoding coded signals representing audio operates in analogy with the scalable decoder device (50).
US08571847B2
A processor-implemented method for improving efficiency of a static core turn-off in a multi-core processor with variation, the method comprising: conducting via a simulation a turn-off analysis of the multi-core processor at the multi-core processor's design stage, wherein the turn-off analysis of the multi-core processor at the multi-core processor's design stage includes a first output corresponding to a first multi-core processor core to turn off; conducting a turn-off analysis of the multi-core processor at the multi-core processor's testing stage, wherein the turn-off analysis of the multi-core processor at the multi-core processor's testing stage includes a second output corresponding to a second multi-core processor core to turn off; comparing the first output and the second output to determine if the first output is referring to the same core to turn off as the second output; outputting a third output corresponding to the first multi-core processor core if the first output and the second output are both referring to the same core to turn off.
US08571841B2
The system and method of the present invention provides comprehensive design and installation management for agricultural water management systems. Maps and grade profiles are created from data collected by Global Positioning devices in the field. Latitude, longitude, and elevation are triangulated from GPS data to develop contour, grade, and profile maps, used to design drainage systems in real time. Customer billing information and vendor pricing information are produced from map and grade profile data. Interfacing and machine control for machines used to install drainage and/or irrigation systems are generated from contour, grade and profile data. Data is exported and imported in common file formats for efficient data exchange.
US08571835B2
A vibration-powered impact recording device that harvests power from vibrations that affect the device is provided. The recording device is affixed to an object and includes a vibration limit detection and recordation system. The system can include a suitable part that is fixed to the object, and a mass (or other suitable part) that is less firmly attached, with the relative motion between the two parts producing an electrical voltage. The electrical voltage can be used to power an information storage unit that records the details of the impact and optionally other sensors which record other parameters such as temperature, humidity etc. at the time of impact.
US08571832B2
An approach for monitoring energy consumption and detecting preventive maintenance issues in a system having control loops and associated devices. Settling time and error value in a control loop may be indicative of the loop's efficiency. Error value may be a difference between a measurement of a parameter and a setpoint for the parameter. Degradation of a loop's efficiency may be an indication of increased energy consumption by the system. Such degradation may also be indicative of a future defect in a control loop or devices associated with the control loop. Thus, the present approach may provide for energy monitoring and preventive maintenance of the system.
US08571831B2
A method for determining the size of a radial gap between rotating and torsion-proof parts, particularly the parts of a turbomachine is provided. According to the method, an original signal emitted by a transmitter device located on the surface of the rotating part is received in a modified manner by a receiver device disposed on the torsion-proof part and is redirected to an evaluation unit. The evaluation device determines and displays the size of the radial gap from the received signal by determining the parameters of the trajectory of the rotating transmitter device.
US08571828B2
One aspect of the present invention provides a method for determining orientation of fibers in a fluid having polymer chains, characterized in that the determining of the orientation of the fibers is performed by taking into consideration an interaction between the fibers and the fluid, wherein the interaction between the fibers and the fluid comprises changes in configuration of the polymer chain to cause the entanglement or adsorption between the fibers and the polymer chains. Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for determining orientation of fibers in a fluid having polymer chains, the fibers in the fluid including a transitional movement and a rotatory movement, the method being characterized in that the determining of the orientation of the fibers is performed by taking into consideration a steric barrier effect on a rotary movement of the fibers.
US08571818B2
A method of estimating fresh air flow rate entering an engine, for example a diesel engine, supercharged by a turbocharger, including at least one intake manifold of a volume, an exchanger, an air filter, a high-pressure EGR circuit, a low-pressure EGR circuit, an inlet butterfly, an exhaust butterfly, a flow meter, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, and a pipe between the flow meter and the inlet of the intake manifold. The method measures temperature, pressure and fresh air flow rate through the flow meter, calculates the engine flow rate, calculates the mass of gas between the flow meter and the inlet to the intake manifold, calculates the mass of gas in the manifold, measures or estimates the high-pressure EGR flow rate, calculates the flow rate of gas through the manifold, calculates the level of low-pressure EGR at the inlet manifold, calculates the mass of air between the flow meter and the inlet to the manifold, calculates the estimated level of EGR, and estimates the dynamic air flow rate from the engine flow rate and from the level of EGR at the inlet to the engine.
US08571817B2
One disclosed feature of the embodiments is a control processor in a vapor delivery system for chemical vapor deposition precursors. A pressurization rate processor calculates first and second pressurization rate curves at first and second time instants. A volume calculator computes consumed volume based on first and second volumes at the respective first and second time instants. The first and second volumes are computed using slopes of lines fitting the first and second pressurization rate curves.
US08571816B2
Gain switching is performed by a DC amplifying circuit. The DC amplifying circuit is provided with individual gain generating circuits and a gain selecting circuit, and saturation preventing circuits are provided in earlier stages than the individual gain generating circuits. The individual gain generating circuit generates a gain G1, the individual gain generating circuit generates a gain G2 (where G2>G1), and the individual gain generating circuit generates a gain G3 (where G3>G2). The gain selecting circuit selects, as a used gain generating circuit, one of the individual gain generating circuits, and sends the output thereof to an A/D converting circuit in a later stage. A gain switching instruction is sent to the DC amplifying circuit, which controls the enabling/disabling of the saturation preventing operations of the saturation preventing circuits and the selecting operation for the gain selecting circuit, to prevent the occurrence of saturation in the individual gain generating circuits that generate higher gains than the gain generated by the used gain generating circuit.
US08571814B2
According to one non-limiting embodiment, a method includes accessing distributions of flight loads associated with one or more flight regimes for a fleet of aircraft. Using the distributions of flight loads, a factor for at least one of the flight regimes is determined that provides a flight load adjustment for a component on each aircraft of a fleet of aircraft known to be affected through at least load damage by the at least one flight regime.
US08571812B2
A method for determining the oxygen concentration of a sample made of a semiconductor material includes a heat treatment step of the sample to form thermal donors, the measurement of the resistivity in an area of the sample, the determination of the thermal donor concentration from a relation expressing the charge carrier mobility according to an ionized dopant impurity concentration, by adding to the dopant impurity concentration four times the thermal donor concentration, and from the measured resistivity value. The method finally includes determining the oxygen concentration from the thermal donor concentration.
US08571805B2
A biosensor for detection of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) hybridization uses an array of parallel capacitors to detect electrochemical binding of circulating VEGF to immobilized anti-VEGF monoclonal half-antibodies (a-VEGF mhAb). Binding of a-VEGF mhAb modulates the threshold voltage of a circuit, changing the impedance of the circuit. An electrode coated with a p-Si substrate enhances the affinity between the VEGF molecules. A fluid cell delivers VEGF samples onto the active surface of the chip. An array of parallel capacitors arranged in an interdigitated pattern detects the VEGF in the fluid. The detector provides an accurately measured and quantifiable rate of change of the VEGF molecules in vivo, providing real time feedback which is used to measure response of the tumor to delivered chemotherapeutic agents and biological response modifiers (BRMs) for the purpose of determining tumor burden and efficacy of the chemotherapy as part of a homeostatic loop for chemotherapy.
US08571804B2
The present invention relates to methods for drug repositioning. More particularly, this invention relates to methods for selecting approved drugs or combinations of approved drugs for use in new therapeutic indications. This approach is situated in a cross section between drug repositioning and disease treatment by combinations of drugs with additive or synergistic action. The invention also allows to define drugs or drug combinations for treating the unmet medical need in diseases neglected by majority of Pharma companies, such as orphan diseases.
US08571797B2
A method to determine one or more borehole corrected formation properties using measurements made using a logging tool disposed in a borehole penetrating an earth formation is disclosed. The measurements are used to determine an apparent conductivity tensor for the formation and, for a set of parameters, a parameter value for each parameter in a subset of the set of parameters. A parameter value for each parameter in the set of parameters not in the subset is provided and a borehole-inclusive modeled conductivity tensor is computed. The apparent conductivity tensor and the borehole-inclusive modeled conductivity tensor are iteratively used to optimize the parameter values, and the optimized parameter values are used to compute an optimized conductivity tensor. A borehole corrected conductivity tensor is computed using the optimized conductivity tensor, and the borehole corrected formation properties are determined using the borehole corrected conductivity tensor and/or the optimized parameter values.
US08571777B2
An independent trailer sway controller and method for mitigating trailer sway. The independent trailer sway controller is a modular unit swappable between different trailer types. The independent trailer sway controller includes a trailer length input for receiving length data indicating a length of the trailer and a sway sensor for measuring sway movement of the trailer. The independent trailer sway controller also includes a trailer sway detector module that receives the length data and sway data and determines a level of trailer sway based on the length data and sway data. If the level of trailer sway exceeds the predetermined threshold, a brake controller outputs control signals that activate trailer brakes, which are part of an electric brake system or hydraulic brake system.
US08571772B2
A method and device are provided for securing lubrication of an automated manual transmission, AMT, in a vehicle, when towing the vehicle, and where a transmission lubrication system is drivingly connected to and driven by rotation of an intermediate shaft of the AMT. The following steps can be executed in mentioned order and starting from when ignition of the vehicle is switched on: registering a signal that towing of the vehicle is demanded, disengaging all gears that are arranged to drivingly engage or disengage an input shaft to the intermediate shaft of the automated manual transmission, and engaging one gear that is arranged to drivingly engage or disengage the intermediate shaft to an output shaft of the automated manual transmission.
US08571768B2
A control device for a vehicle continuously variable transmission 4 includes: final speed ratio setting means for setting an overall speed ratio of the continuously variable transmission mechanism 20 and the subtransmission mechanism 30 to be reached on the basis of an operating condition of the vehicle as a final speed ratio; shift control means for controlling the continuously variable transmission mechanism 20 and the subtransmission mechanism 30 such that the overall speed ratio aligns with the final speed ratio at a predetermined transient response; stagnation determining means for determining whether or not a stagnation period in which the overall speed ratio stops varying will occur during an upshift; and reduction control means for shortening a time required to advance to an inertia phase from a start of a shift in the subtransmission mechanism 30 following a determination that the stagnation period will occur.
US08571763B2
The construction machine includes a propulsion device, the working equipment, and a controller that controls the propulsion device. The controller performs attitude determination of determining whether or not the present attitude of the working equipment corresponds to a predetermined attitude, performs propulsion determination of determining whether or not the present propulsive operation of the propulsion device corresponds to a predetermined propulsive operation performed while performing a predetermined construction task that applies an over load to the working equipment, performs driving force determination of determining whether or not the magnitude of the present propelling force corresponds to a predetermined magnitude at which an over load is applied to the working equipment, and reduces the propelling force outputted from the propulsion device when the results of attitude determination, propulsion determination, and driving force determination are affirmative.
US08571761B2
A vehicular illuminating device includes a first illuminating part configured to illuminate in a traveling direction of a vehicle, a second illuminating part configured to be able to emit light by using an illumination pattern different from that of the first illuminating part, and a control part configured to control the second illuminating part so that the second illuminating part can illuminate in a direction of a recommended route by using the illumination pattern different from that of the first illuminating part if a route guiding part is guiding the vehicle to a destination along the recommended route.
US08571758B2
A system and method of continuously updating a steering wheel angle offset value to adapt to changing road conditions. A vehicle control system receives a plurality of vehicle parameter values each from a different vehicle sensor. The system then calculates a plurality of observed steering angle values, each using a different calculation method based on one or more of the plurality of vehicle parameter values. The plurality of observed steering angle values are then used to calculate a vehicle steering angle. A steering wheel angle offset value is then calculated based on the steering wheel angle and the calculated vehicle steering angle. The steering wheel angle offset value and the steering wheel angle are used to control the vehicle's steering system.
US08571757B2
In a steering apparatus for a vehicle which has a steering mechanism for steering steerable road wheels by means of a steering wheel operated by a driver and an electrically controllable auxiliary steering angle superposition mechanism, and in which a target auxiliary steering angle is set in accordance with a steering wheel angle, and an electric motor of the auxiliary steering angle superposition mechanism is driven and controlled according to the target auxiliary steering angle, the rotation of the electric motor 212 is inhibited without regard to the state of the driving control. A short-circuit relay 13 is provided for short-circuiting opposite terminals of the electric motor 212, and the short-circuit relay 13 is operated so as to short-circuit the opposite terminals of the electric motor 212 through a short-circuit relay driving unit 14 in accordance with the kind of a failure detected by a failure detection unit 18, whereby the rotation of the electric motor 212 is inhibited. In addition, when a power supply to the steering apparatus for a vehicle is interrupted, the short-circuit relay 13 operates, without power supply, to short-circuit the opposite terminals of the electric motor 212.
US08571755B2
Data transfer systems for vehicle event recorders are provided as: a vehicle event recorder, a vehicle event recorder resident memory, and upload module in conjunction with, a communication port suitable for coupling with, a portable memory device, a server computer datastore, a server download module in conjunction with, a similar cooperating communications port. The portable memory device is arranged to operably couple with the communications ports of both the vehicle event recorder and the server computer and to be repeatedly moved between the two. The upload/download modules are arranged to transfer data to/from the portable memory in an orderly fashion in which no files are removed from the vehicle event recorder resident memory without first having been successfully transferred to the server computer datastore.
US08571733B2
A power supply system includes a main power storage device and a plurality of sub power storage devices. A converter is connected to a selected one of the sub power storage devices to convert voltage between the selected sub power storage device and an electric power feeding line bidirectionally. In response to decrease in SOC of the selected sub power storage device being used, a request to switch the sub power storage device is generated and accordingly a switching process for a relay is performed. Here, while a process for starting or stopping an engine is being performed, the request to switch will not be generated even when decrease in SOC is detected. Likewise, while a process for switching the sub power storage device is being performed, the process for starting or stopping the engine will not be started even when a request to start or stop the engine is generated.
US08571731B2
Exemplary methods, systems and components enable selective control of an operational mode for a vehicle that may be subject to an administrative standard. In some instances a qualified person or entity may attain a possible consequential result related to a user-selected vehicle operation mode that may involve a vehicle operation paradigm and/or a vehicle travel route and/or a vehicle travel destination. In some embodiments, implementation of the selected vehicle operation mode may modify a conformity status of the vehicle relative to the administrative standard. Various accessible records may be maintained regarding certification of preferable consequential results available to qualified recipients based on a correlated vehicle operational mode. A further aspect may provide correlation between a selective operation mode of an electric/combustion hybrid vehicle during an applicable travel period and a preferred consequential result available to a qualified recipient associated with the hybrid vehicle.
US08571729B2
A method and apparatus for operating an aircraft. The aircraft is flown at a constant bank angle in which the aircraft crosses an intended ground track for the aircraft. Information is identified about a wind using positions of the aircraft flying at the constant bank angle.
US08571728B1
Present novel and non-trivial systems and methods for embedding aircraft attitude data within a pixel data set and detecting inconsistent aircraft attitude information are disclosed. A pixel data set representative of the scene outside the aircraft is generated based upon the navigation data and the terrain data, attitude-exclusive data is generated based upon orientation data, and attitude-exclusive data is embedded into the pixel data set to form an embedded pixel data set. Attitude-exclusive data is comprised of attitude-exclusive pixel data having first and second pixel locations or attitude-exclusive ancillary data. Attitude-exclusive data is compared against separately-provided reference attitude data for the purpose of detecting inconsistent attitude information. Inconsistent attitude information is detected when at least one attitude measurement determined from either the attitude-exclusive pixel data or the attitude-exclusive ancillary data does not equal the respective attitude measurement of the reference attitude data.
US08571721B2
The transfer and usage of a modulated carrier signal within a power signal on a power line communication system is described. The modulated signal comprises metadata which is transmitted at a different frequency than the transmitted power. The metadata, including such elements as energy costs, providers, renewable source status and originating location, may be used by consumers to make subsequent purchasing decisions. Additionally, the energy costs of any given computer node commonly distributed in a grid architecture may be collected by a workload dispatcher in order to make more accurate cost and energy source based dispatch decisions. The consumer may be able to communicate directly back to the power provider. The use of computer-readable medium and product containing instructions that are implemented on a computer is also covered. Finally, the invention may be deployed on behalf of the consumer by a third party service provider.
US08571717B2
A group management apparatus is configured to manage a plurality of air conditioning facilities installed in a plurality of buildings as a plurality of groups. The group management apparatus includes an obtaining section configured to obtain operational data of the air conditioning facilities through a plurality of control units disposed in the buildings on a one-to-one basis, and an extracting section configured to extract one or more groups satisfying predetermined conditions from the groups based on a plurality of assessment perspectives. The control units are configured to control the air conditioning facilities within the buildings. A group management system includes the group management apparatus and the control units.
US08571715B2
The present invention discloses a system for optimizing the operation of an induration furnace and a method thereof; the system comprising: an interactive means to monitor and control the furnace to provide an optimized furnace operation, calibration means for generating a plurality of ideal set points for validation purposes, and a processing unit receiving, in real-time, the online process data from the interactive means and compute therein a plurality of real-time active set points which are matched with corresponding ideal set points from the calibration means, wherein, if optimization is required, an optimizing signal is generated and communicated to the interactive means. The system predicts in real-time the process and product parameters, that cannot be measured directly, thus, providing real-time optimization of the furnace operation, and thereby reducing the operating and production costs.
US08571713B2
Disclosed herein are a robot generating a message using a robot hand, and a control method thereof. When a user types characters using a robot hand, a hand body part and a finger part of the robot hand output displacement signals and a command reading unit accordingly generates a message corresponding to the displacement signals. The message is transmitted to a robot controlling unit. In addition, the message is outputted by sound or displayed to be easily checked by the user.
US08571704B2
A substrate transfer apparatus that reduces the quantity of sensors used to detect the position of a substrate so as to simplify the structure and lower costs. The substrate transfer apparatus transfers a substrate (S) between a core chamber (11) and a peripheral chamber (12 or 13). A transfer robot (15) is arranged in the core chamber. The transfer robot includes a hand (17) for carrying the substrate and is capable of extending/drawing and pivoting the hand. A sensor (19) detects an edge surface of the substrate. The sensor is arranged at a position that the edge surface of the substrate passes by when the hand is extended/drawn between the core chamber and the peripheral chamber and that the edge surface of the substrate passes by when the hand is pivoted in the core chamber.
US08571698B2
Techniques which employ structure-from-motion modeling techniques to produce 3-D models of any desired accuracy of any surface I the techniques, a pattern is applied to the surface to be modeled The pattern includes elements which are unique within the pattern as applied to the surface and which have a density in the pattern such that when two-dimensional images are made of the surface, correlatable features having the density required for the desired accuracy may be extracted from the two dimensional images In one example of the techniques, a consumer may make the images required to produce a model of his or her body by donning a garment with a pattern having the necessary uniqueness and density, and then using any digital camera to take pictures of their body wearing the garment The model may then be produced from the pictures.
US08571693B2
A method is disclosed for collecting fees from, managing, and remunerating contestants in a livestock roping and/or rodeo competition. Contestants in a competition are remunerated after being eliminated in successive runs of the competition in accordance with a predetermined criteria. The remuneration may be monetary and based on total revenue generated, based on the entry price, based on the costs of travel, or in the form of commercial products, such as hardware, music productions, software and the like, as disclosed herein. The object of the present invention is to provide contestants with a way of mitigating the inherent risk of being eliminated from most roping competitions after one, two, or a short amount of runs and having to bear the complete loss of entry fees, travel, board and other incidental expenses. A further object of the present invention is to provide a way of recognizing the membership of contestants from multiple organizations in a single event provided they announce the intention of competing in an event open to all memberships before entering and winning qualifying competitions.
US08571690B2
A system and method are provided for managing batch fermentation in a biofuel production process. A nonlinear control model of yeast growth and fermentable sugar concentration for biofuel (e.g., fuel ethanol) production in a batch fermentation process (pure and/or fed-batch fermentation) of a biofuel production process is provided. Process information for the batch fermentation process is received, and the nonlinear control model executed using the process information as input to determine values of one or more fermentation process variables for the batch fermentation process, e.g., fermentation temperature and/or enzyme flow, for substantially maximizing yeast growth and achieving target fermentable sugar concentrations. The batch fermentation process is then controlled in accordance with the determined values for the one or more fermentation process variables to substantially maximize yeast growth and achieve target fermentable sugar concentrations, where substantially maximizing yeast growth and achieving target fermentable sugar concentrations substantially maximizes biofuel production in the batch fermentation process.
US08571689B2
System and method for managing batch fermentation in biofuel production. An optimizer executes a nonlinear multivariate predictive model of a batch fermentation process in accordance with an end of batch objective specifying a target end of batch biofuel concentration to determine an optimal batch trajectory over a temporal control horizon specifying a biofuel and/or sugar concentration trajectory over the batch fermentation process. A nonlinear control model for the batch fermentation process that includes the temporal control horizon driven by biofuel concentration during the batch fermentation process is executed per the determined optimal batch trajectory using received process information as input, thereby generating model output including target values for manipulated variables for the batch fermentation process, including batch fermentation temperature. The batch fermentation process is controlled per the target values to produce biofuel in accordance with the determined optimal batch trajectory, to substantially optimize the end of batch biofuel yield.
US08571675B2
The measurement of recipient-specific operating parameters for each of a plurality of stimulation channels of a stimulating medical device. Generally, a recipient-specific operating parameter is measured for selected stimulation channels. These measured values are then used to estimate the same operating parameter for the remaining stimulation channels. For each such remaining stimulation channel, the accuracy of the estimated operating parameter value is determined, resulting in the estimated operating parameter value being deemed either valid or invalid. The validated values are retained while in invalidated values are replaced with a directly-measured or re-estimated operating parameter value.
US08571674B2
The present invention provides for fitting a multimodal hearing system to a recipient. Such fitting may include determining a desired perception for an input signal, receiving a measurement of a perception evoked by applying to the recipient one or more stimulation signals that correspond to the input signal, wherein the one or more stimulation signals applied using two or more stimulation modes, and each stimulation signal is determined using stimulus mode weighting, and adjusting one or more of the stimulus mode weightings based on the difference between the measured evoked perception and the desired perception. A multimodal hearing system is able to stimulate using an acoustic, electrical, mechanical mode and/or photo effect mode.
US08571670B2
A method, device and system for stimulating visual tissue, typically in the retina or visual cortex, to achieve an artificial percept of light or image. The method includes providing stimulating electrodes suitable for placement in proximity to the visual tissue and generating a series of short-duration stimulation signals having a duration of less than about 0.5 milliseconds each. The short-duration stimulation signals are applied through the stimulating electrodes with varying frequencies that are substantially matched to a spiking range of frequencies of at least one ganglion cell for perceiving brightness or image.
US08571667B2
An electrical stimulation apparatus including a medical device. The medical device includes: a housing component having at least one electrically conductive area. The medical device includes a plurality of conductors configured to be electrically coupled to a distal electrode array. The electrode array are implantable in a human body. The medical device includes a stimulation circuit positioned inside the housing component. The stimulation circuit includes a plurality of controllable stimulation channels. A first subset of the stimulation channels is electrically coupled to the conductors. A second subset of the stimulation channels is electrically coupled to the electrically conductive area of the housing component. The stimulation circuit is operable to simultaneously create a first stimulation path in the electrode array and a second stimulation path that extends from the electrode array to the housing component.
US08571656B2
Intermittent delivery of ventricular pacing pulses synchronized to occur during an atrial diastole time period can be used to provide atrial stretch therapy and augment the production and release of atrial natriuretic hormone.
US08571653B2
A method is provided for treating heart failure in a subject in need of such treatment, including applying a stimulating current to parasympathetic nervous tissue of the subject, selected from the group consisting of: a vagus nerve and an epicardial fat pad. The stimulating current is configured to inhibit release of at least one proinflammatory cytokine sufficiently to the treat heart failure of the subject. A level of the at least one proinflammatory cytokine is measured. Optionally, the stimulating current is configured to change a level of Connexin 43 of the subject, and the level of Connexin 43 is also measured. Other embodiments are also described.
US08571650B2
Methods for treating a renal associated condition in a subject are provided. Aspects of the subject methods include paradoxically enhancing renal sympathetic bias in the subject in a manner effective to treat the renal associated condition. Also provided are compositions, kits and systems for practicing the subject methods.
US08571641B2
A monitoring apparatus having a signal input for signals representing measurement values of one or more physiological parameters, and an evaluation and processing unit connected to the signal input. The evaluation and processing unit is designed to select, or differently weight, individual values from the values received for further processing based on one or more criteria such that measurement values raising doubts as to the validity thereof are not selected or given a very low weighting.
US08571640B2
A method of characterizing conditions in a tissue, by (a) providing a catheter that has a light source that emits light in selected wavenumbers within the range of mid-IR spectrum; (b) directing the light from the catheter to an area of tissue at a location inside a blood vessel of a subject; (c) collecting light reflected from the location and generating a reflectance spectra; and (d) comparing the reflectance spectra to a reference spectra of normal tissue, whereby a location having an increased number of absorbance peaks at said selected wavenumbers indicates a tissue inside the blood vessel containing a physiological marker for atherosclerosis.
US08571634B2
Neurodegenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, may be caused or aggravated by insufficient venous draining from the central nervous system. Functional MRI measures the surge of blood flow into localized regions of cerebral cortex in response to activation of those regions by performing visual, auditory or executive tasks. These fMRI measurements are based on blood-oxygen-level dependence. The resulting fMRI/BOLD data is converted to hemodynamic response data and analyzed to determine any abnormality in the hemodynamic response data. Vascular drainage insufficiency is identified in the presence of abnormal hemodynamic response data. Abnormal hemodynamic response data can be determined by a negative trough in a graph of the HDR data or by the duration, depth, or area of the negative trough.
US08571631B2
A method for contrast-agent-free non-triggered angiographic imaging in magnetic resonance tomography that includes the steps of (S1) 2D or 3D measurement of a bodily region having a flow of blood, using a flow-insensitive SSFP sequence, (S2) measurement of the same bodily region using a flow-sensitive SSFP sequence, (S3) registration of the measurement results obtained in steps S1 and S2 to one another, (S4) unweighted or self-weighted subtraction of the registered measurement result obtained in step S2from the registered measurement result obtained in step S1, (S5) execution of a 2D or 3D image correction of the image obtained in step S4by removing image distortions caused by gradient field inhomogeneities and/or magnetic basic field inhomogeneities, and (S6) representation of the angiogram obtained in step S5 in the form of an MIP or segmented 2D or 3D vessel tree representation.
US08571619B2
The present disclosure describes embodiments of a patient monitoring system and methods that include the measure and display of hemoglobin statistics. In an embodiment, total hemoglobin trending is displayed over a period of time. Statistics can include frequency domain analysis, which may be unique for each patient monitored. The total hemoglobin trending and/or statistics can further be used to help control the treatment of a patient, such as being used to control IV administration.
US08571608B2
A wireless electronic device includes a rechargeable battery, a receiver, and a shut down module. The rechargeable battery is at least partially charged. The receiver is configured to enable wireless communications for the wireless device. The receiver is capable of receiving wireless commands configured to cause corresponding functions to be performed in the wireless electronic device, which may include test functions, calibration functions, and shut down functions. The shut down module is configured to cause the wireless electronic device to initiate a shut down protocol according to a shut down command received by the receiver.
US08571597B2
In order to control the resetting operation, a mobile phone is provided with a CPU capable of executing an application program, a power switch to receive an instruction for switching power between the ON state and the OFF state, and a reset detecting circuit to output a resetting signal for rebooting the CPU when the power switch is closed for a predetermined period of time. The CPU outputs a state signal denoting either a resettable state or a non-resettable state of the CPU. The reset detecting circuit includes an AND element to output to a resetting circuit a high signal (resetting signal) on condition that the state signal denotes the state of the CPU as resettable. The resetting circuit outputs to the CPU a low signal (resetting signal) upon input of the high signal (resetting signal) from the reset detecting circuit.
US08571596B2
The invention is a method of power negotiation between a first contactless device and a second contactless device which provides an electromagnetic field set to a first power level. The method comprises the steps of: a) sending a request from the first device to the second device. The request targets a second power level and an associated duration. The next step is: b) sending a response to the first device. The response reflects a decision of the second device corresponding to the request. The final step is: c) switching the electromagnetic field to the second power level if the decision is positive.
US08571587B2
Methods and devices are disclosed for including a plurality of users in a conversation over a communication network. A conversation is initiated when a text message is received requesting the conversation. A conversation is established using conversation gateways currently unused by users to be included in the conversation. Communication may occur across gateways in order to conserve conversation gateway resources.
US08571582B2
A device receives, at a particular time, instructions to send a page to user equipment. The device determines, based on a paging list, if the user equipment is associated with a particular serving base station for the particular time. When the user equipment is associated with the particular serving base station for the particular time, the device sends the page to the user equipment via the particular serving base station. When the user equipment is not associated with a serving base station for the particular time, the device sends the page to the user equipment via all base stations associated with a tracking area list for the user equipment.
US08571581B2
A system for providing spatial-based context-aware service includes a database configured to store a geocontext including spatial information, one or more contexts, and sensor data; a sensor/context catalog server configured to manage meta data of the contexts and the sensor data; a context processing server configured to generate a list of contexts applicable to the mobile device based on the sensor data and the meta data upon a receipt of the sensor data from the mobile device; a geocontext search server configured to search the database for candidate geocontexts appropriate for the user of the mobile device by using the location information of the mobile device and the list of contexts; and a context-aware management server configured to generate a list of recommended services by executing the searched candidate geocontexts.
US08571574B2
A system and method for providing wireless network services using three-dimensional access zones is provided. One or more sensors may determine signal strength information, distance, or other positional information for wireless devices. An agent may provide information relating to fixed wireless reference points, and may control underlying operating systems for the reference points based on policies defined by a manager. For example, the manager may be coupled to the sensors and to the agent, and may define a three-dimensional coordinate system for a managed environment. By collecting information from the sensors and the agent, the manager may triangulate three-dimensional locations of the wireless devices, and may enforce three-dimensional access zone policies for the wireless network via the agent.
US08571570B2
System for delivering regional parameters. A method is provided for delivering regional parameters. The method includes receiving a parameter stream that includes one or more sets of regional parameters associated with one or more regions. The method also includes determining a first real-time region indicator, and selecting one or more selected sets of regional parameters from the parameter stream based on the first real-time region indicator.
US08571568B2
A multi-band scheduling method determines frequency bands for each of a plurality of frames existing in a single session queue from among a plurality of frequency bands based on data characteristics of each of the plurality of frames. In particular, the multi-band scheduling method may assign a frame with a high significance to a frequency band having a superior channel state, thereby increasing communication reliability. Also, a broadcasting service system may use the multi-band scheduling method to effectively provide the broadcasting services.
US08571553B2
Automated PilotPN code conflict resolution using an access point with the assistance of one or more access terminals is disclosed. An exemplary method includes determining a set of access points, as well as determining a set of PilotPN codes used by the set of access points. Detection is then made concerning whether at least two access points of the set of access points have conflicting PilotPN codes. A first PilotPN code is allocated to one of the at least two access points having conflicting PilotPN codes. Additionally, one or more other PilotPN codes, which are distinct from the first PilotPN code, are allocating to remaining access points of the at least two access points having conflicting PilotPN codes. Corresponding apparatus and other exemplary methods are also disclosed.
US08571545B2
A wireless relay apparatus is provided. The wireless relay apparatus includes a telephone module configured to couple with a public switched telephone network (PSTN) to receive a telephone call, and a wireless module coupled to the telephone module to process the telephone call and configured to wirelessly connect to a mobile terminal such that the telephone call is forwarded to the mobile terminal over a short-range wireless link. Further, the wireless module is configured to operate in one of a transparent mode and a translation mode so as to exchange voice data with the mobile terminal.
US08571542B2
A mobile communication device and an associated method for MDT log reporting are provided. The method can be used in the mobile communication device which communicates with a service network through a first signaling radio bearer and a second signaling radio bearer. The method first receives a request message on the first signaling radio bearer from the service network, and then determines whether the request message requests for an MDT log. At last, the method transmits a response message containing the MDT log on the second signaling radio bearer to the service network when the request message requests for the MDT log.
US08571539B1
A method and apparatus for transmitting a notification of a shutdown event includes a communication terminal turning off or otherwise shutting down and prior to turning off sending a notification to a third party device such as an access point, base station, server, or proxy, that identifies information relating to the shutting down of the terminal such as a location, purpose for the shutdown and other relevant information. Subsequent devices that attempt to establish a communication connection with the terminal may then receive the notification or information from the notification via the third party device. The sending of information relating to the notification or the notification by the third party can also trigger another action. One example of such an action is the forwarding of the communication connection request to another device to receive that request based upon a predefined rule or a predefined forwarding address.
US08571538B2
Methods, systems and devices to dynamically generate community based parental controls for cell devices based on most common parental control settings selected by members of the community. Communities may establish sponsored profiles on a parental control server that contains a community-based set of parental control settings. Parents may select a community based setting and modify each of the settings in accordance with the parents' personal preferences. The parental control server continually monitors the modifications to those settings and generates new community-based settings reflecting the most common modifications that may be selected by other parents.
US08571534B1
A system for processing an audio speech stream during a wireless dispatch communication session obtains processing criteria from an originating wireless device and defines a filter according to the obtained processing criteria. The system receives an audio speech stream at a dispatch serving node and generates one or more filtered audio streams with the filter, and sends the one or more filtered audio streams to a receiving wireless device.
US08571530B2
A privacy stamp for preventing the automatic display of private data items stored in a memory of a mobile telecommunications apparatus. The telecommunications apparatus is provided with user operable means to selectively associate a privacy stamp with the stored data items such that a processor prevents the data items associated with the privacy stamp from being automatically displayed on a user interface.
US08571522B2
A method and a system for authenticating a mobile terminal, and the method comprises: the mobile terminal using a pre-set password P to decrypt a key A stored in a subscriber information file to obtain a key Ki which is used in authentication; in a process of authentication, the mobile terminal using the key Ki and a random number sent by a network side to generate encrypted authentication response data, and sending the encrypted authentication response data to the network side; and the network side verifying the encrypted authentication response data sent by the mobile terminal, and returning an authentication success acknowledgement to the mobile terminal after the verification succeeds; wherein the subscriber information file is stored in a local memory of the mobile terminal, or a mobile memory device connected with the mobile terminal.
US08571521B2
A method of controlling a mobile terminal by displaying simultaneously a plurality of menu icons comprising at least one restricted use icon and at least one non-restricted use icon; performing a user authentication procedure responsive to user selection of the at least one restricted use icon; and unlocking the mobile terminal responsive to user selection of the at least one non-restricted use icon or responsive to completion of the user authentication procedure.
US08571507B2
A signal processing device includes a device package, processing circuitry and biasing circuitry. The processing circuitry is packaged in the device package and is operative to receive one or more Radio Frequency (RF) input signals from one or more antenna elements via one or more pre-amplifiers that are separate from the device, and to process the RF input signals so as to produce an RF output signal. The biasing circuitry is packaged in the device package and is operative to produce one or more biasing signals for biasing the pre-amplifiers.
US08571505B2
A technique for controlling operation of a communication subsystem is described. The subsystem is set to a first wake-up mode of operation, during which a state value from the system is read and stored in memory. The subsystem is then set to a sleep mode of operation after the first wake-up mode of operation, and to a second wake-up mode of operation after the sleep mode of operation. The stored state value is then read from the memory, where the subsystem is set to operate based on the read state value during a warm-up period of the second wake-up mode of operation.
US08571488B2
A method for dynamically controlling the transmit power of transmission streams transmitted via multiple antennas is disclosed. A transmit power level for multiple streams is determined based on a first reference channel. The difference of signal to interface ratios (SIRs) between two reference channels may represent a power offset. The power offset may be used to determine gain factors used to transmit data channels on the secondary stream with reference to the gain factor of the first reference channel. The power offset may be used to determine other parameters, such a serving grant or transport block sizes of channels carried on the secondary stream. The power offset may allow transmission parameters of channels on the secondary stream to be determined based on the transmit power level of the primary stream and a gain factor for a reference channel transmitted via the primary stream.
US08571482B2
Methods, apparatuses, and software can be provided for dynamic autonomous resource allocation and channel access in a cellular system uplink. A method can include measuring interference levels on uplink resources of a victim cell and calculating a probability of accessing channels of the uplink resources of the victim cell using the measured interference levels, including defining a suitable transmission power, and a highest value and a lowest value. The method can further include accessing a channel for which the probability of accessing has been calculated, when the probability meets a predetermined condition.
US08571471B2
An electronic lock controller comprises a trusted time provider, a near field communication transceiver, and a logic processor. The trusted time provider provides a trusted time value. The near field communication transceiver receives power and a digital credential from an operator-side interface device. The logic processor produces an open or close command for an electromechanical lock based on the trusted time value and the digital credential. The electronic lock controller is powered solely by the near field communication transceiver.
US08571465B2
A computer based multi-channel radio system (200) can include a computer (214) coupled to a display (215) and having a graphical user interface (500) and a radio receiver (100) coupled to the computer for receiving a plurality of channels and data associated with the plurality of channels. The graphic user interface can selectively display at least a portion of the data associated with the plurality of channels. The data associated with the plurality of channels can be simultaneously updated. The radio receiver can include an output port (207) that enables the system to stream data or audio or video from a selected channel among the plurality of channels.
US08571464B2
Systems and methods for increasing coverage and throughput in a wireless communication system. An antenna for use in a wireless communications system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention comprises a plurality of antenna elements, an antenna selection switch, coupled to the plurality of antenna elements, and a control system, coupled to the antenna selection switch, wherein the control system selectively energizes the plurality of antenna elements to create a communications link to a device in the wireless communications system through the antenna.
US08571459B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion configured to form and heat-fix a toner image on a recording material; a re-conveying path configured to re-convey the recording material having the toner image on a front side, to the image forming portion to form and heat-fix a toner image on a back side of the recording material; a glossing portion configured to increase glossiness of the toner image; and an executing device configured to execute a high-gloss mode for glossing the toner image on the back side into a high-gloss toner image, and a partial-gloss mode for forming a partial-gloss toner image having glossiness lower than glossiness of the toner image in the high-gloss mode without glossing the toner image on the back side, wherein the glossing portion is provided in the re-conveying path.
US08571451B2
An image forming apparatus is capable of more accurately detecting the relationship between an actual amount of color deviation and an estimated amount of color deviation. The image forming apparatus forms a color deviation detection mark at timing when the estimated amount of deviation reaches a threshold value. The timing is different from the timing when it is determined that it is necessary to perform normal calibration. The image forming apparatus determines the relationship between the actual amount of deviation of an image forming position from a reference and the estimated amount of deviation to set an estimating unit for estimating the amount of deviation.
US08571448B2
A developing device includes: a first conveying unit provided within a developing agent storage chamber and that is configured to convey a developing agent from one end of the developing agent storage chamber to another end of the developing agent storage chamber in a longitudinal direction of a developing agent carrier that is disposed with in a developing chamber and to supply the developing agent from the developing agent storage chamber to the developing chamber; a second conveying unit provided within the developing chamber and that is configured to convey the developing agent from the other end of the developing chamber to the one end of the developing chamber in the longitudinal direction and to supply the developing agent toward a developing agent carrier; and a third conveying unit provided between the one end of the developing agent storage chamber and the one end of the developing chamber.
US08571445B2
A cartridge is provided to be used in a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The main assembly includes a rotatable driving coupling member including a driving force transmitting portion for transmitting a driving force and a driving side abutment. The cartridge is demountable in a direction substantially perpendicular to a rotational axis of the driving coupling member, and includes a rotatable driven coupling member with a driving force receiving portion for receiving the driving force. The cartridge also includes a driven side abutment to be abutted by the driving side abutment. The driven coupling member is slidable in a predetermined direction that is substantially parallel with a rotational axis of the receiving coupling member. At least one of the driving side abutment and the driven side abutment is inclined so that the driven coupling member is retractable away from the driving coupling member in the predetermined direction by a force received by driven side abutment from the driving side abutment.
US08571443B2
An image forming apparatus includes: an apparatus body formed with an opening; a cover capable of opening and closing the opening of the apparatus body; an image forming unit accommodated in the apparatus body; an exposure device provided at the cover; a first fit part provided at one of the image forming unit and the exposure device and having a first reference line; a second fit part provided at the other of the image forming unit and the exposure device and configured to be fit to the first fit part in a state where the cover is closed and having a second reference line; and a mechanism configured to, as the exposure device gets closer to the image forming unit upon closing the cover, make the first reference line of the first fit part closer to the second reference line of the second fit part by changing the inclination of the first fit part.
US08571432B2
In order to properly count the number of sheets printed which serves as the basis on which a charge is calculated, an MFP that acts as a designated printer includes a job accepting portion to accept a print job, a job executing portion to carry out printing based on the print job, a requesting portion to, when the job executing portion is not available for executing the print job, transmit an alternative instruction including the print job to an alternative printer, and an adding portion to add the number of alternative sheets printed by the alternative printer based on the print job included in the alternative instruction to the number of sheets printed by the job executing portion.
US08571429B2
Image forming apparatus with positively-charged single layer type electrophotographic photoreceptors
An image forming apparatus has first and second image carriers that are configured by positively-charged single layer type electrophotographic photoreceptors, and a controller that controls an operation for charging or destaticizing circumferential surfaces of these image carriers. The controller switches between a first mode for causing the first and second image carriers to perform image formation while rotating these image carriers, and a second mode for causing only the first image carrier to perform image formation while rotating the first and second image carriers. In the second mode, the second image carrier is applied with a charging bias and subjected to a destaticizing operation without undergoing a developing operation. The first image carrier is applied with the charging bias and subjected to the developing operation and the destaticizing operation.
US08571428B2
An image forming apparatus having an improvement to increase the reliability of a sensing operation that is carried out to improve image quality, and a transfer device thereof. The image forming apparatus includes at least one photosensitive member, a plurality of developing units to supply developer to the at least one photosensitive member so as to form a visible image, and a transfer belt to transfer the visible image formed on the at least one photosensitive member to a printing medium, an inner surface of the transfer belt being rotatably supported by at least two rollers. The image forming apparatus further includes at least one sensor to sense a mark formed on the transfer belt, and a supporting unit to support the transfer belt at a position corresponding to the at least one sensor so as to apply a tensile force to the transfer belt. The supporting unit includes a first supporting portion and a second supporting portion arranged to support the transfer belt at different two positions in a rotating direction of the transfer belt.
US08571422B2
A burst transmission method and a receiver resetting method and apparatus in a Passive Optical Network (PON) are provided. A burst receiver resetting method in a PON includes: receiving a preamble sequence and synchronizing data; after synchronizing the data, continuing to receive the data, and matching a Burst Terminator (BT); and resetting a receiver after successfully matching the BT. Meanwhile, an apparatus for implementing the method and a corresponding burst data transmission method are provided. By using the burst receiver resetting method and apparatus in the PON and the corresponding burst transmission method at an Optical Network Unit (ONU) burst transmission end, a Reach Extender (RE) does not need to unpack upstream burst bandwidth allocation information carried in downstream data. Therefore, the complexity of the implementation of the RE is reduced, and the method is simple and effective.
US08571418B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical waveform shaping device of high resolution.The above-mentioned problem is solved by an optical waveform shaping device (10) comprising a branching filter (11) for dividing the light beam from a light source into light beams of each frequency, a condensing part (12) for condensing a plurality of light beams divided by the branching filter (11), a polarization separation means (13) for adjusting the polarizing planes of the light beams having passed through the condensing part (12), and a spatial light modulator (14) having a phase modulation part and an intensity modulation part where the light beams having passed through the polarizing plate (13) are incident.
US08571398B1
In one embodiment of an enclosure device, a camera casing and light source casing are secured to a plate frame, and the enclosure device is configured to be mounted to an arm, such as a robotic welding arm. A shutter mounting arm may also be secured to the plate frame. A flap may be pivotally mounted to the distal end of the shutter mounting arm, such that the flap may be actuated between a first and second position by an actuator cooperatively engaged with the flap. The first position may be defined as to protect a camera lens positioned in the camera casing and a light source lens positioned in the light source casing. The second position may be defined as to not obscure a line-of-sight from either the light source and/or the camera to the work piece on the arm.
US08571397B2
The present invention related to an auto focus intraoral camera. The auto focus intraoral camera includes an illumination module for providing illuminating light, an imager, and a lens system for collecting light reflected from an object and focusing the light onto the imager, wherein said lens system further comprises at least one liquid lens including a vessel filled with a first liquid, and a second liquid being in contact with said first liquid, the first and second liquids being immiscible, of different optical indexes, and of substantially same density; wherein the lens system further includes a driver integrated circuit applying variable voltage to control the focal length of said lens. According to the present application, a compact auto focus intraoral camera with a small size and simple structure is provided, which decreases the camera complexity and improve the performance.
US08571395B2
A heater assembly includes a heating element assembly having a resistive heating element connected to a housing member. First and second guide members are oppositely and outwardly positioned with respect to the heating element assembly and extend away from the housing member. A patch plate includes an installation aperture and first and second wings extending away from the patch plate. The first and second guide members are positioned to individually slidingly engage with one of the first and second wings thereby defining a track system to permit the heating element assembly to be slidingly received through the installation aperture without contact between the resistive heating element and the patch plate.
US08571379B2
In case that a plurality of video reproduction devices obtains video data from one same camera, a distribution rate thereof may be decreased to be lower than that expected by a user. There is provided a video reproduction device or system capable of obtaining a video from a camera at a distribution rate that is expected by the user. In case that a video reproduction device newly requests the camera to distribute a video thereto, if the camera has been distributing the video to a different video reproduction device and a video distribution capacity of the camera is less than a sum of a distribution rate of the different video reproduction device and a distribution rate requested by the video reproduction device, the video reproduction device requests the different video reproduction device to distribute the video thereto and receives it from the different video reproduction device.
US08571373B2
An active device for dynamic control of lightwave transmission properties has at least one photonic crystal waveguide that has anti-reflection photonic crystal waveguides with gradually changed group refractive indices at both input and output side. An alternating voltage or current signal applied to two electrically conductive regions changes the refractive indices of the photonic crystal materials, introducing a certain degree of blue-shift or red-shift of the transmission spectrum of the photonic crystal waveguide. The output lightwave with frequency close to the band-edge of the photonic crystal waveguide is controlled by the input electric signal. Devices having one or more such active photonic crystal waveguides may be utilized as an electro-optic modulator, an optical switch, or a tunable optical filter.
US08571367B2
The invention relates to a fiber optic furcation assembly (1) which comprises an over-molded body (2) formed from a flexible material, having a first end (15) and an opposed second end (16), the first end (15) being adapted to receive a portion of a fiber optic distribution cable (3) having at least two optical fibers (7), and the second end (16) being adapted to receive a portion of at least one furcation cable jacket (13) sheathing at least one furcated optical fiber (7′) from the fiber optic distribution cable (3), at least one of the fiber optic distribution cable (3) and the furcation cable jacket (13) comprising reinforcement members (9, 12). To reduce the load of the optical fibers (7) within the furcation assembly at least a portion of the reinforcement members (9, 12) is anchored within the over-molded body (2) so as to transmit a load from the over-molded body via the anchored reinforcement members (9, 12) to the respective cable (3, 4).
US08571365B2
A single optical fiber having a distal end is optically coupled to the laser and distilling terminated with an axicon lens optically coupled to the single optical fiber to form a microscopic distal tip to provide a spatially shaped elongated laser focused spot for microprocessing and/or microdissection of a microscale object. A pulsed or continuous laser beam or superposition of pulsed and continuous laser beams is generated, controllably spatially shaped, selectively oriented, selectively moved via movement of a single optical fiber terminated with the axicon lens, and the oriented, spatially shaped laser beam applied via the single optical fiber terminated with the axicon lens to a living or nonliving microscopic object for manipulation, micro-dissection, alteration/ablation, and excitation of the living or nonliving microscopic object.
US08571364B2
In certain embodiments, a method includes forming a ferrule from a portion of a tube. The tube is cut to yield the ferrule and a short cannula. A multi-spot generator with a faceted optical element is added to the short cannula. An optical fiber is placed into the ferrule, and the ferrule and the short cannula are assembled. In certain embodiments, a system includes a long cannula, an optical fiber, and a multi-spot generator. The optical fiber can carry a laser beam to a distal end of the long cannula. The multi-spot generator is located at the distal end and comprises a faceted optical element and a ball lens. The faceted optical element can be formed directly onto or separately from the ball lens. The ball lens can be spherical or hemispherical.
US08571356B2
The present invention relates to generation of an appropriate high-resolution image with respect to a plurality of input images.An image processing apparatus including a unit for acquiring a relative movement amount for each first image between a reference image selected from a plurality of first images and the first images; a unit for generating a fourth image having a first resolution for each first image in accordance with a third image having a second resolution, the relative movement amounts, and image capture characteristics of an image capture device; a unit for acquiring, for each fourth image, an evaluation value indicating a difference between the fourth image and the first image corresponding to the fourth image; and a unit for generating a second image having the second resolution by updating the third image using an update value that is determined using the fourth images in accordance with the evaluation values.
US08571355B2
A method of reconstructing a high-resolution image by using multi-layer low-resolution images includes dividing a low-resolution image into a plurality of texture layer low-resolution images and a plurality of base layer low-resolution images; generating a texture layer high-resolution image by compositing the plurality of the texture layer low-resolution images and generating a base layer high-resolution image by compositing the plurality of the base layer low-resolution images; and outputting a high-resolution image by compositing the texture layer high-resolution image and the base layer high-resolution image.
US08571348B2
A device and method for removing noise in image are disclosed. A device for removing noise in image includes a signal delay part outputting arrangement of image delay signals generated by delaying input image signals in a predetermined time period, a pixel difference calculating part calculating pixel difference between the input image signal and the image delay signal and calculating a weighing factor applied to the pixel difference based on the calculated pixel difference by a non-linear function, a signal to noise ratio (SNR) measuring part converting the input image signals into frequency signals and calculating a weighing factor for each of the converted frequency signals to output a parameter of signal to noise ratio, and a pixel difference weighing factor generating part generating a weighing factor applied to a final pixel difference to remove noise by applying a range of the weighing factors calculated by the pixel difference calculating part to the weighing factor of the signal to noise ratio output by the SNR measuring part.
US08571346B2
In a method of image signal processing, defective pixels are determined on-the-fly in a digital image representation based on a comparison of a pixel under evaluation with its surrounding pixels, with reference to a known resolving capability of a lens-sensor arrangement that captured the digital image representation. In response to the determination of defective pixels, the defective pixels are corrected.
US08571345B2
An image correction device geometrically corrects an input image, based on the correction table, which is generated by obtaining a light-direction vector in an objective space corresponding to each pixel position on a corrected image, based on a first projection center located on the rear side of a second projection center as the projection center of the input image in the objective space with respect to the direction of an optical axis corresponding to the input image, obtaining from the light-direction vector an origin-based light-direction vector indicating a direction from the second projection center in which a point corresponding to each pixel position exists in the objective space, exacting a position on the input image corresponding to the origin-based light-direction vector, and recording in the correction table the resampling position in correspondence with each pixel position in the corrected image.
US08571344B2
An image processing method performed by a processor for processing a plurality of pixel values in an image data representing a two-dimensional image, the image processing method including defining a block representing a part of the two-dimensional image corresponding to a predetermined number of pixels in rows and columns, obtaining an average of a gradient of pixel value on the basis of the pixel values of adjacent pixels in the block along each of at least one of rows and at least one of columns, generating a product of the average of the gradient pixel value along each of at least one of the rows and the average of the gradient pixel value along each of at least one of the columns, and generating a double summation of the products of the gradient pixel values of each of the rows and the columns.
US08571340B2
Techniques are described to approximate computation of an inverse discrete cosine transform using fixed-point calculations. According to these techniques, matrixes of scaled coefficients are generated by multiplying coefficients in matrixes of encoded coefficients by scale factors. Next, matrixes of biased coefficients are generated by adding a midpoint bias value to a DC coefficient of the matrix of scaled coefficients. Fixed-point arithmetic is then used to apply a transform to the matrixes of biased coefficients. Values in the resulting matrixes are then right-shifted in order to derive matrixes of pixel component values. Matrixes of pixel component values are then combined to create matrixes of pixels. The matrixes of pixels generated by these techniques closely resemble matrixes of pixels decompressed using the ideal inverse discrete cosine transform (“IDCT”).
US08571339B2
A block of image elements is compressed by determining a parameter representative of a size of a bounding section in vector space encompassing feature vectors associated with the image elements. This size parameter is used to provide a deterministic, pseudo-random pattern of multiple representation vectors encompassed by the bounding section. A vector among multiple representation vectors is selected as representation of the feature vector of an image element. An identifier associated with selected vector is assigned to the image element and included in the compressed block which also comprises representations of the size parameter.
US08571320B2
The specification and drawings present a new method, apparatus and software product for pictorial identification of a communication event using speech or text recognition in an electronic device. The communication can be (but is not limited to) a telephone call, an electronic mail message, MMS, SMS, an instant message, etc. Words from the communication event are identified using the speech or text recognition by the electronic device and at least one picture out of a library of reference pictures is identified by comparing the identified words with the key picture words using a predetermined criterion. Color background of the identified standard picture can be also identified using the identified words and a further predetermined criterion. The identified picture can be displayed during the communications event or can be stored so the user can identify the topic of the communication event later on.
US08571319B2
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for processing forms based on an image is presented. A form is captured in an image, and a number of field values within the form in the image are detected. The number of field values is stored in the image metadata.In another illustrative embodiment, an access request for a form is detected. A determination is made as to whether the form corresponds to a stored image in a number of stored images. If the form corresponds to a stored image, metadata associated with the stored image is retrieved. The metadata includes a number of field values and associated textual data corresponding to the form. The form is populated with the number of field values and the associated textual data from the metadata associated with the stored image.
US08571318B2
An imprinting method is disclosed that, in embodiment, includes contacting first and second spaced target regions of an imprintable medium on a substrate with first and second templates respectively to form respective first and second imprints in the medium and separating the first and second templates from the imprinted medium.
US08571312B2
An image interpolating method and apparatus, in which horizontal and vertical Differences of Absolute Inter-channel Differences (DAIDs) are calculated from a color filter array (CFA) image, and an unknown pixel is interpolated in horizontal and vertical directions estimated in consideration of the DAIDs of R, G, and B pixels. Therefore, the image interpolating method and apparatus provide a large Peak Signal and Noise Ratio (PSNR), a Structural Similarity (SSIM), and high visual quality images.
US08571307B2
A method and system operative to process monochrome image data are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method can comprise the steps of receiving monochrome image data, segmenting the input pixel values into pixel value ranges, assigning pixel positions in the lowest pixel value range an output pixel value of a first binary value, assigning pixel positions in the highest pixel value range an output pixel value of a second binary value, wherein the first and second binary values are different, and assigning pixel positions in intermediate pixel value ranges output pixel values that correspond to a spatial binary pattern. The resulting binary image data can be written to a file for subsequent storage, transmission, processing, or retrieval and rendering. In further embodiments, a system can be made operative to accomplish the same.
US08571300B2
A method of determining a focus parameter for aligning a water in an exposure tool within a measurement tolerance required for the exposure tool, the exposure tool using a lens system for alignment. A test chart is provided having a sharp auto-correlation associated with the wafer. An image of the test chart is captured using a lens pupil mask having at least two phase ramps that are non-parallel. The captured image of the test charge is auto-correlated to determine the position of the test chart relative to a focal position of the lens system. The focus parameter for alignment of the wafer is determined using the determined position of the test chart, whereby the focus parameter is determined within the measurement tolerance required by the exposure tool.
US08571297B2
The invention is directed to a prescription imaging system for capturing, storing and displaying images of prescription bottles during the prescription fulfillment process to monitor the quality of the fulfillment process. The system includes one or more pill cameras for capturing images of pills dispensed into one or more prescription bottles and one or more label cameras for capturing images of the bottle labels. The images are stored on a storage device in a database record. The images can be used to verify that the pills in each bottle correspond with the associated prescription.
US08571296B2
Methods for testing the integrity of spiral wound modules including the introduction of pressurized gas within a sealed permeate collection tube and the detection of gas exiting at least one of the scroll faces of the module. The location(s) of gas exiting the scroll face can be correlated to defects in the module. In preferred embodiments, the subject test methods are non-destructive and can be applied to modules in either a dry or wet condition.
US08571289B2
A 2D mammogram image is synthesized from at least one of tomosynthesis projection images and/or the tomosynthesis reconstructed image data. In a simplest form, the mammogram may be synthesized by selecting one of the tomosynthesis projection images for display as a synthesized mammogram. Other methods of synthesizing a mammogram include re-projecting and filtering projection data and/or reconstructed data. The synthesized mammogram is advantageously displayed together with at least a portion of the reconstructed data to aid in review of the reconstructed data. The present invention thus provides a familiar image which may be used to facilitate review of a tomosynthesis data set.
US08571288B2
An image display apparatus includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of image data with respect to a scan area of a subject; an analysis processing unit that obtains a plurality of analysis results by performing a predetermined analysis processing on a plurality of image data stored in the storage unit; a display unit that displays image data stored in the storage unit along with analysis results obtained by the analysis processing unit; and an image-display control unit that performs control such that image data corresponding to a specified analysis result is to be displayed on the display unit, when at least one analysis result is specified from among the analysis results displayed by the display unit.
US08571280B2
Transmission of a medical image such as a DICOM-formatted image which is formatted into a plurality of data sets including a data set for the image data and a data set for embedded information which identifies the nature of the medical image. A region of interest in the medical image is identified automatically by using the embedded information. Image data for the region of interest is transmitted, and image data for a region other than the region of interest is transmitted. Transmission of the image data for the entirety of the region of interest is completed before transmission of the image data for the entirety of the region other than the region of interest.
US08571279B2
A spot quantification apparatus includes an image input unit, a filtering unit, and a spot quantification unit. The image input unit receives an image including a spot. The filtering unit filters the image input through the image input unit a plurality of times while changing a parameter of a kernel within a predetermined range. The spot quantification unit quantifies a feature of the spot based on the luminance distribution in each image which has been filtered a plurality of times by the filtering unit.
US08571268B2
What is disclosed is a novel system and method for determining printer performance in terms of image quality (IQ) on-paper using on-belt measurements. First, image noise is measured via sensing of single-separation device-dependent colors on an imaging member for a target marking device. Such single-separation device-dependent colors, in one embodiment, comprise cyan, magenta, yellow and black. A predictive correlation model is used to project the image noise of the single-separation device-dependent colors when printed on a substrate. A noise prediction model is used to estimate image noise performance values of multi-separation device-dependent colors on a substrate from the projected single-separation device-dependent colors on a substrate. In one embodiment, the predictive correlation model comprises a separation-dependent polynomial equation. The estimated image noise performance values on a substrate are used to determine image quality metric of the target marking device.
US08571264B2
A method and system for recognizing all varieties of objects in an image by using structure models are disclosed. Structural elements are sought when comparing a structural model with an image but only within a framework of one or more generated hypotheses. The method for identifying objects includes preliminarily creating a structural model of objects by specifying a plurality of basic geometric structural elements corresponding to one or more portions of the object, recording a spatial characteristic of each identified basic geometric structural element, and recording a relational characteristic for each specified basic geometric structural element. Objects in the image are isolated and a list of hypotheses for each object is provided. Hypotheses are tested by determining if the corresponding group of basic geometric structural elements corresponds to another supposed object described in a classifier. Results of testing of hypotheses may be saved and the results may be used to identify objects.
US08571263B2
Predicting joint positions is described, for example, to find joint positions of humans or animals (or parts thereof) in an image to control a computer game or for other applications. In an embodiment image elements of a depth image make joint position votes so that for example, an image element depicting part of a torso may vote for a position of a neck joint, a left knee joint and a right knee joint. A random decision forest may be trained to enable image elements to vote for the positions of one or more joints and the training process may use training images of bodies with specified joint positions. In an example a joint position vote is expressed as a vector representing a distance and a direction of a joint position from an image element making the vote. The random decision forest may be trained using a mixture of objectives.
US08571260B2
A character input apparatus includes a liquid crystal monitor 104 which overlappingly displays a character selection screen 101a that displays character selection information for accepting a character input from a user, and a character display area 101b that displays a character selected from the character selection screen 101a; an eye-gaze tracker 201 for detecting a finger of the user by tracking the eye-gaze of the user; and a controller 202 for controlling the liquid crystal monitor 104 so as to display the character display area 101b in a location that accords with the location of the finger detected by the eye-gaze tracker 201.
US08571258B2
The invention relates to a method of tracking the position of the bust of a user on the basis of a video image stream, said bus comprising the user's torso and head, the method comprising the determination of the position of the torso on a first image, in which method a virtual reference frame is associated with the torso on said first image, and in which method, for a second image, a new position of the virtual reference frame is determined on said second image, and, a relative position of the head with respect to said new position of the virtual reference frame is measured by comparison with the position of the virtual reference frame on said first image, so as to determine independently the movements of the head and the torso.
US08571241B2
A hearing aid includes a transceiver for interconnection of the hearing aid with a wireless network, and a communication controller that is adapted for controlling data exchange through the network in accordance with a network protocol, wherein the controller is further adapted for initialisation of the network in an acquisition mode by controlling the transceiver to transmit interrogation data repetitively, and upon receipt of an interrogation data received message from another device, in a connected mode acting as a master of the network by repetitively transmitting synchronization data at intervals that are longer than the intervals between transmitted interrogation data in the acquisition mode.
US08571238B2
Thus there is provided a microphone (10) having a first end (12) with a first slip ring (100) which is divided into at least first and second segments (GND, 300). The first slip ring (100) co-operates with a microphone head (12) when the microphone head (12) is fastened to the first end (12) of the microphone by means of a screw connection. The microphone further has a detection unit (16) coupled to the at least first and second segments (GND, 300) of the first slip ring (100) to detect rotation of the microphone head (12).
US08571235B2
The invention provides a method and device for enhancing the listening qualities of an audio file by providing the listener with a plurality of modified equalized audio files. Each modified equalized audio file having a consistent loudness level but different audio characteristics. Hence, for an input audio file the current invention allows the listener to individually select the best audio characteristics for them to listen to the content of the input audio file according to their particular requirements without them needing to adjust the loudness level in playback. The invention further enables the listener to switch between the multiple equalized audio files during playback. The invention further includes a SN detector and reducer to eliminate the adverse effects of the presence of sudden, strong noise in the input audio file in the process of generating the plurality of modified equalized audio files.
US08571226B2
A sound reproducing device has a loudspeaker arranged to produce sound from an audio signal provided by an audio signal source. A microphone is positioned to pick up ambient noise and generate a microphone signal which comprises the noise. An ambient noise cancellation (ANC) system receives the microphone signal from the microphone and generates anti-noise corresponding to the ambient noise in the microphone signal. An automatic polarity adaptation (AAP) system monitors the ANC system and, when a decision criterion is fulfilled, causes a switch in polarity for the generated anti-noise.
US08571224B2
In various embodiments, a system is used to provide an apparatus configured to measure sound in an ear canal of a wearer's ear at a distance from a tympanic membrane of the ear. The sound is measured and received by the apparatus to produce a signal. A frequency analysis is performed on the signal to determine output as a function of the frequency and to determine the frequency of the minima (null). Further, a distance equal to a quarter wavelength of the null frequency is calculated. A correction factor associated with the quarter wavelength is retrieved and applied to the output to generate a corrected output. An estimated sound pressure level at the tympanic membrane from the corrected output is produced.
US08571222B1
A system and method for managing access to a Wi-Fi system include redirecting an access request, comprising a user credential, from a wireless user device to an authentication server, obtaining, from a first database, a list of a plurality of authentication databases from which users may be authenticated, the list including a protocol required for communication with each of the authentication databases, transmitting a request to each of the listed authentication databases using the identified protocol, and permitting the user access to the Internet through the Wi-Fi system if the user is authenticated by at least one of the listed authentication databases.
US08571220B2
A Method and a terminal intended for securing information in a local memory device which is couplable to a terminal having a data link interface. At the terminal, the method divides the original data resulting in a first portion and a second portion. The method stores the first portion in the local memory device and sends the second portion for storage in a remote memory device. Upon obtaining an authorized read request targeted to the original data the method retrieves the second portion and combines the two portions. The method provides high data security if the data, is encrypted prior to the step of dividing. Another aspect of the invention comprises a terminal capable of at least combing the first and second data portions to reconstruct the original data, and preferably to perform the step required for dividing the data. The data may or may not be encrypted.
US08571219B2
An authentication loading control feature enables a service provider to control the number of authentication procedures or percentage of time that authentication procedures are performed by a network element adapted to perform authentication procedures (e.g., a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) of a UMTS network); and an information recapture feature enables the network element to obtain, in the absence of authentication, UE information that conventionally would have been received as a part of the authentication procedure as needed, for example and without limitation, to support charging and lawful intercept functions.
US08571218B2
A wireless phone system and methods performed thereon for cryptographically processing SMS messages is disclosed. A cryptographic pad is used to replace characters in a payload of a SMS message with coded characters. The cryptographic pad is used by the receiver of the SMS message to decode it. The cryptographic pad is one of two or more possible cryptographic pads stored in the receiver. In one embodiment, the two or more possible cryptographic pads are sent as a key where a particular cryptographic pad is referenced in the key using an index.
US08571216B2
In an embodiment, an integrated circuit comprises a decompressor, an encrypt unit, and an on-chip image buffer coupled to the decompressor and the encrypt unit. The decompressor is configured to receive a compressed video stream, and to reconstruct a first frame of the video stream in the on-chip buffer. The encrypt unit is configured to generate one or more pixel block streams from pixel blocks of the first frame in the on-chip buffer according to sequence data describing an order of access of the pixel blocks to reconstruct subsequent frames of the video stream. The sequence data was previously generated via processing of the video stream by the integrated circuit, and the encrypt unit is configured to encrypt the pixel block streams to be written to an external memory. In an embodiment, an integrated circuit comprises a decrypt unit configured to decrypt an encrypted, compressed video stream; an on-chip buffer; and a decompressor coupled to the decrypt unit and the on-chip buffer. The decompressor is configured decompress the video stream, and to store a first portion of each of a first plurality of frames decompressed from the video stream in the on-chip buffer. The decompressor is further configured to store a remaining portion of each of the first plurality of frames in an external memory, wherein each frame as stored in the external memory is incomplete because the first portion is not stored in the external memory.
US08571212B2
An encrypting device generates an encrypted image by converting an image of a specified region in an input image with an encryption key, by embedding information obtained by encrypting the encryption key with a public key pairing with the private key of a destination, and by performing pixel value conversion. Then, the encrypted image is transmitted to the destination as a printed matter or via a network. A decrypting device converts the encrypted image in the form of print data or electronic data into an image, and inputs it. Next, the decrypting device extracts a decryption key (the encryption key) from the image of the encryption region by executing a process reverse to that of the encrypting device for the encryption region of the converted encrypted image. Then, the decrypting device decrypts the original image of the encrypted region by using the decryption key, and restores the entire encrypted image.
US08571211B2
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for generating a security key in a mobile communication system that performs security key generation. An Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) server generates a Master Session Key (MSK) and an Enhanced MSK (EMSK) from a Long Term Credential key, and a Device-MSK (D-MSK), a User-MSK (U-MSK) and a Device and User-MSK (DU-MSK) from the MSK and the EMSK. An Access Gateway (AG) generates a Root-MSK (R-MSK) from the MSK and EMSK received from the AAA server. A Signaling Radio Network Controller (SRNC) generates a Pairwise Master Key (PMK) from the R-MSK received from the AG, and a Traffic Session Key (TSK) from the PMK. A Base Station (BS) sets up a radio connection to a Mobile Station (MS) using the TSK received from the SRNC, and performs radio communication using the set radio connection. The MS generates an MSK and an EMSK, and generates there from a D-MSK, a U-MSK, a DU-MSK, an R-MSK, a PMK, an SRK and a TSK, to perform radio communication with the BS.
US08571209B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to obtaining forensic information for an anonymous attack of digital content without variations in a broadcast encryption system. In one embodiment a media device, being configured to record digital content on recordable media, receives digital content, a unified media key block, and a recording key table. The device calculates a set of recording keys from the recording key table using a media key variant from the unified media key block. The device then generates a title key and encrypts by the digital content in the generated title key. The device then encrypts the generated title key in each one of the calculated recording keys, adds a header including the encrypted titles keys to the encrypted digital content, and stores the encrypted digital content with the header on recordable media.
US08571207B2
A hash value calculation apparatus, which calculates a hash value of a message, includes: an input unit adapted to input an extended block obtained from a message to be processed; a hash value calculation unit adapted to execute a hash value calculation of the input block and to output a hash intermediate value; a plurality of intermediate value storage units adapted to store the hash intermediate value output by the hash value calculation unit for the message to be processed; an output unit adapted to output a hash intermediate value associated with all blocks of the message to be processed as a hash value of the message; and a hash value calculation control unit adapted to control hash value calculations for a plurality of messages by switching the intermediate value storage units used to store the hash intermediate value output from the hash value calculation unit.
US08571200B2
A modular interactive voice recognition (“IVR”) overlay system and a method of processing calls. The system provides an application server, a plurality of agent workstations and a graphical user interface (“GUI”) to allow a hybrid approach to processing calls using an automated IVR and live agents. The system and method allow a single agent to process multiple calls simultaneously and is compatible with existing IVR systems and can be implemented as an add-on to existing IVR systems.
US08571199B2
A call routing system stores includes a processor that retrieves account information from a storage and identifies a previously provided telecommunications service that was provided to the party based on the account information. The processor restricts access to telecommunications services based on the identified previously provided telecommunications service and determines additional telecommunications services, distinct from the previously provided telecommunications service, desired by the party. The processor receives a selection from the party of the additional telecommunications services and processes a service request from the party based upon the selection by the party. A routing element suppresses routing of the call to a service center that provides the previously provided telecommunications service that was provided to the party, and routes the call to a service center that provides the additional telecommunications services selected by the party.
US08571181B2
A dual energy X-ray source for use in Homeland Security, Medical, Non-destructive Testing, and other markets includes a power supply, and a single x-ray tube. The X-ray tube includes two cathodes, and a single anode. The electrons from the cathodes travel predominantly along the axis of the x-ray tube, and impact the anode. The grid and/or focus coil direct the electrons so that electrons can pass by the cathode. The cathodes are kept at different potential, such that the tube can rapidly switch energies, and can rapidly switch output flux from each cathode.
US08571176B2
Methods and apparatus for collimation of detectors in an imaging system are provided. One an imaging system includes a radiation source configured to project radiation from a focal spot onto an object and a plurality of radiation detectors disposed around at least a portion of the object. The plurality of radiation detectors detect received radiation along a path projected from the focal spot to the plurality of detectors. The imaging system also includes a plurality of collimators positioned between the object and the plurality of detectors, wherein the collimators have a tapered configuration.
US08571169B2
Provided are a bi-directional scanning type gate line driving circuit that does not require a dummy unit shift register and a method of driving the same. In a gate line driving circuit including a multi-stage shift register capable of bi-directional shifting, a start pulse is input to a unit shift register at a first stage and a unit shift register at the last stage of the multi-stage shift register. In forward shifting, a clock signal supplied to the unit shift register at the last stage is kept at a deactivation level during a period from a time at which an activation period of an output signal of the unit shift register at the last stage ends to a time at which the start pulse is activated during a subsequent frame period.
US08571167B2
A metal particulate fuel system is described. The metal fuel system may include particulate metal fuel for use in nuclear reactors. The particulate metal fuel may include a plurality of particles of at least one enriched alloy where the particles are compacted into a fuel column. The metal particulate fuel system may also include a cladding and/or a gas-filled plenum.
US08571162B2
A control rod drive mechanism according to the present invention includes a cylindrical guide tube having a latch hole, a hollow piston coupled to the control rod and freely moving up and down within the guide tube, a latch provided in the hollow piston so as to freely swing and freely engaging with and disengaging from the latch hole of the guide tube, and a spring locking the latch to the latch hole of the guide tube. Further, an elevating member having a latch guide which can come into contact with the latch is provided so as to freely move up and down within the guide tube. Further, the latch includes a guide surface coming into contact with the latch guide of the elevating member, and the latch guide includes a guide roller coming into contact with the guide surface of the latch.
US08571160B2
For estimating a difference between a frequency of a base station and a locally generated frequency of a mobile equipment in a mobile communications network, wherein at least a signal in a plurality of signals transmitted from the base station and received by the mobile equipment comprises a plurality of symbols each of which includes a cyclic prefix, a correlation between a symbol and its cyclic prefix is used for estimating the frequency difference.
US08571157B2
A system for and method of validating a VoIP telephone number order is presented. The described systems and methods may allow for corrupt telephone numbers to be discovered and placed in a corrupt telephone number pool. To this end, data may be mined from class 5 switches and VoIP routers and then compared to the telephone numbers in the order. If a telephone number is found to be corrupt, it may be removed from the order and stored in the corrupt telephone number repository for later review. The ordering process for any other requested telephone numbers may then continue on without interruption to the processing of the entire order.
US08571156B2
A receiver apparatus (1) for receiving a signal over a fading channel comprises a frequency domain interpolation unit (16) with a filter unit (10), a power comparison unit (20), and a processing unit (21). The filter unit (10) comprises a first filter element (11), which is a reference filter, and a second filter element (12). The first filter element (11) is arranged as large-band filter. The power comparison unit (20) compares the power of the signal filtered with said second filter element (12) with the power of the signal filtered with said first filter element (11). The processing unit (21) determines an appropriate filter length for a third filter element (13) of the filter unit (10) on the basis of this comparison. Thereby, a trade-off is made between an additional power received due to a long echo and an additional Gaussian noise power. The signal filtered with the third filter element (13) is sent to a signal processing unit (22) for further signal processing and then output at said output (4) of the receiver apparatus (1).
US08571146B1
For corrupt symbol handling for providing high reliability sequences, an inter-symbol correlated (ISC) signal is received. During sequence estimation when demodulating the received ISC signal, partial response samples in the ISC may be processed utilizing an erasure mechanism. The partial response samples are spread (e.g. interleaved) over time during modulation by a modulator. A determination is made as to whether to utilize self erasure or external erasure to process the spread partial response samples. The determination may be based on whether or not events of low SNR for corresponding ones of the partial response samples are identified. The external erasure may be utilized for processing the corresponding ones of the partial response samples when the events of low SNR are identified and the self erasure is utilized when the events of low SNR are not identifiable. Erasure results maybe fed back to the modulator.
US08571142B1
Systems and methods for using non-crystal-based reference oscillators in the transmission and reception of frequency-modulated signals are disclosed. To protect against intrusion on neighboring designated frequency bands, guard bands, having a collective width greater than the total expected error based on the contribution of the frequency error from the non-crystal-based oscillators in the transmitter and/or receiver, can be designated. To protect against inter-channel interference within a designated frequency band, transmitters and receivers can include static sub-bandwidths wider than any possible total frequency error, such that it would be impossible for a transmitter or receiver to attempt to communicate on an unintended sub-band. The determination of the total possible frequency error can be determined dynamically based on the correlation between a received training sequence and a known pattern before or a communication session to avoid or correct for frequency offset or drift due to the use of non-crystal-based reference oscillators.
US08571140B1
Methods and apparatus are provided for performing log-likelihood ratio (LLR) computations in a pipeline. Portions of a metric used to compute LLR values are computed in one pipeline part. The portions correspond to all permutations of some received signal streams. The portions are combined with one permutation x2 of the received signal stream that was not included in the previous pipeline computation in a subsequent pipeline part to produce M values associated with a particular bit position. At each subsequent clock cycle, a different permutation of x2 is combined with the previously computed portions producing different M values. State values corresponding to different values of bit positions of the received stream are computed by finding the minimum among the M values, in each clock cycle, that affect a particular bit position. The state values are combined to compute the LLR values for the bit position in a final pipeline part.
US08571139B2
A method for tracking the phase of a signal modulated by a continuous phase modulation includes: a complex vector representative of the received signal is determined for each symbol period with an offset of a half symbol period relative to the symbol rate of the receiver; a level measurement is performed on two complex samples distributed with an offset roughly of a half symbol period either side of the instant of estimation of the complex vector; the complex vectors are associated with one of the points of the constellation of the modulation making it possible to find the point which is closest; average estimation of the offset of the phase is calculated by calculating the difference between the average estimation of the phase of the signal and the theoretical phase value associated with each point of the constellation; an absolute estimation and a differential estimation of the offset of the phase is calculated.
US08571138B2
A technique is used to realize a generalized decision feedback equalizer (GDFE) Precoder for multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) systems, which significantly reduces the computational cost while resulting in no capacity loss. The technique is suitable for improving the performance of various MU-MIMO wireless systems including future 4G cellular networks. In one embodiment, a method for configuring a GDFE precoder in a base station of a MU-MIMO wireless system having k user terminals, each user terminal having associated therewith a feedforward filter. The method comprises computing a filter matrix C using one of a plurality of alternative formulas of the invention; and, based on the computation of the filter matrix C, computing a transmit filter matrix B for a transmit filter used to process a symbol vector obtained after a decision feedback equalizing stage of the GDFE precoder, a feedforward filter matrix F, and an interference pre-cancellation matrix G.
US08571135B2
A balanced transmitter up-converts a baseband signal directly from baseband-to-RF. The up-conversion process is sufficiently linear that no IF processing is required, even in communications applications that have stringent requirements on spectral growth. In operation, the balanced modulator sub-harmonically samples the baseband signal in a balanced and differential manner, resulting in harmonically rich signal. The harmonically rich signal contains multiple harmonic images that repeat at multiples of the sampling frequency, where each harmonic contains the necessary information to reconstruct the baseband signal. The differential sampling is performed according to a first and second control signals that are phase shifted with respect to each other. In embodiments of the invention, the control signals have pulse widths (or apertures) that operate to improve energy transfer to a desired harmonic in the harmonically rich signal. A bandpass filter can then be utilized to select the desired harmonic of interest from the harmonically rich signal. The sampling modules that perform the sampling can be configured in either a series or a shunt configuration. In embodiments of the invention, DC offset voltages are minimized between the sampling modules to minimize or prevent carrier insertion into the harmonic images.
US08571127B2
A wireless system includes a transmitter with a baseband processor responsive to groups of transmitter antenna arrays for communicating over directional beams; and a receiver with a baseband processor responsive to groups of receiver antenna rays for communicating with the transmitter over the directional beams, the receiver including both a rank adaptation providing a transmit mode feedback to the transmitter and a blind beamforming providing a transmit beamformer index feedback to the transmitter and receiver groups of antenna arrays.
US08571124B2
A method of communicating across power lines, including communicating data between at least two in-premises network devices along more than one channel, each channel defined by a different two of a plurality of wires in a subscriber premises, a first channel forming a straight path channel and a second channel forming a cross-path channel, and using multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) processing and maximum ratio combining (MRC) processing of data received along the plurality of wires, at least a portion of the data being received simultaneously from the straight path channel and the cross-path channel, wherein the wires are phase, neutral and ground wires of a subscriber premises.
US08571114B2
In a method of analyzing an input video sequence, pixels of synthesized images of an output video sequence are associated with respective directions of regularity belonging to a predefined set of directions. A first subset of candidate directions is determined from the predefined set of directions for a region of a first image of the output sequence. For a corresponding region of a second synthesized image of the output sequence following the first image, a second subset of candidate directions is determined from the predefined set of directions, based on images of the input sequence and the first subset of candidate directions. The directions of regularity for pixels of this region of the second synthesized image are detected from the second subset of candidate directions. The recursive determination of the subsets of candidate directions provides a sparse geometry for efficiently analyzing the video sequence. The method is well suited for super-resolution video applications such as deinterlacing, frame rate conversion and noise reduction.
US08571113B2
The method includes receiving a multi-view video stream including a random access picture, which includes a random access slice. Type information indicating whether the random access slice is predicted from one or two reference pictures is obtained, and a reference picture list is initialized using view number information and view identification information included in obtained initialization information according to the type information. The initialized reference picture list is modified based on modification information representing how to assign an inter-view reference index in the initialized reference picture list. A prediction value of a macroblock in the random access picture is determined based on the modified reference picture list.
US08571111B2
Various embodiments for switching programs streams using a fixed speed program stream buffer coupled to a decoder are described. Various embodiments for switching programs streams using a fixed speed program stream buffer coupled to a decoder are described. In one or more embodiments, the fixed speed program stream buffer may be arranged to receive multiple program streams, such as video program streams, and to buffer historical frames comprising at least one anchor frame. Upon detecting a channel switch point, the most recent historical anchor frame prior to the channel switch point may be provided to the decoder. After receiving the anchor frame, the decoder may be arranged to start the next frame after the anchor frame instantly. Once the most recent historical anchor frame is played in to the decoder, the decoder may pick off the next frame after the anchor frame at a normal cadence. A program stream may be run in a delayed state by the decoder from an alternate channel buffer activated in response to a channel change. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08571109B2
An apparatus and method are provided for compensating a block error in an image frame. This may include a video codec decoder for decoding an inputted image frame, and outputting a decoded image frame. An error concealment block may detect an error-generated block in the decoded image frame and compensate the detected error block through a median filter, and output the compensated image frame.
US08571108B2
Moving picture decoding including a prediction mode (PM), in which PM motion vector (MV) information of a current block in a current frame is not transmitted from an encoding side, including: in the PM: selecting one reference frame (RF) from among a plurality of candidate RFs including: a RF referenced by one or a plurality of adjacent blocks within a current frame and adjacent to a current block; and a prescribed RF not based on the RF referenced by the adjacent blocks, as the RF to be used; determining a MV to be used in the PM; and performing prediction processing using the selected RF and the determined MV, wherein determining MV information for the current block in the PM, based on availability of MV(s) of predetermined adjacent blocks and the current block belonging to the current picture and the predetermined adjacent blocks are decoded earlier than the current block.
US08571100B2
There are provided video encoders and corresponding methods for encoding video data for an image that is divisible into macroblocks. A video encoder includes an encoder for performing into mode selection when encoding a current macroblock by testing a first subset of intra modes to compute a rate distortion cost, and utilizing the rate distortion cost to determine whether to terminate the intra mode selection and which additional intra modes, if any, are to be examined with respect to the current macroblock.
US08571098B1
A system, machine-readable medium and method for processing video comprising a video segmentor configured to receive a source video and to split the source video into segments; a bit rate allocator configured to receive the segments and generate target bit rates corresponding to the segments; a first encoder coupled to receive the plurality of segments and the target bit rates and configured to encode each of the segments using one of the target bit rates to generate encoded segments; and an output generator configured to receive the encoded segments and generate an encoded video.
US08571091B2
Systems and methods for providing half duplex user equipment in a packet based radio frequency signaling communication system. User equipment with half duplex receiver and half duplex transmitter on IC providing a transceiver capability performs a cycle of receiving downlink messages for a predetermined number of sub frames, shifting to a transmit mode, transmitting uplink messages for the predetermined number of sub frames, shifting to a receive mode, and repeating the cycle of half duplex sub frames. A discontinuous reception function performs a DRX protocol wherein power is reduced to the transceiver for a period of time. A determination is made at the end of the discontinuous reception period to see if the half duplex cycle is at an uplink sub frame; if so, the end of the discontinuous reception is shifted by the user equipment to a downlink sub frame by adding a delay.
US08571088B2
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to suppressing the effects of multipath signals. For an example, a signal comprising at least one binary offset carrier (BOC) modulation signal is received. The BOC modulation signal is modulated with a pseudorandom noise sequence comprising a plurality of chips, wherein each of the chips has a set interval. The received signal is correlated with portions of the plurality of chips to provide a power signal and to remove at least a portion of a multipath component in the received signal from the power signal. The portions of the chips are less than the set interval.
US08571086B2
A system and machine-implemented method are described for performing precoding interpolation in a DIDO system which employs orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) and DIDO precoding to communicate with a plurality of distributed-input-distributed-output (DIDO) clients. For example, a system according to one embodiment of the invention comprises: selecting a first subset of ODFM tones to determine a first subset of precoding weights; deriving a second subset of precoding weights for a second subset of ODFM tones by interpolating between the first subset of precoding weights; and using a combination of the first subset of precoding weights and the second subset of precoding weights to precode a data stream prior to transmitting the data stream to a DIDO client.
US08571076B2
A laser light source includes a fundamental laser generator that generates a fundamental laser light, a wavelength conversion element that is made of a ferroelectric crystal with a periodically poled structure and converts the fundamental laser light to a laser light having a different wavelength, a holding member that holds at least a part of an element surface of the wavelength conversion element that crosses a polarization direction of the periodically poled structure, and an insulation layer that is provided between the holding member and the element surface. Electric resistivity of the insulation layer is 1×108 Ω·cm or higher.
US08571066B2
Methods and apparatus for RF channel switching in a multi-frequency network. In an aspect, a method includes identifying a multiplex set that comprises one or more content flows, wherein the multiplex set is one of a vertical multiplex (VM) set and a unified multiplex (UM) set, generating an overhead message that associates one or more RF carrier frequencies with the one or more content flows, and transmitting the overhead message over the multi-frequency network. An apparatus includes input logic configured to receive an overhead message that associates one or more content flows with one or more RF carrier frequencies, and processing logic configured to detect a channel switch event that identifies a selected content flow, determine a selected RF carrier frequency associated with the selected content flow based on the overhead message, and switch to the selected RF carrier frequency to receive the selected content flow.
US08571048B2
A method of modifying a priority queue configuration of a network switch is described. The method comprises configuring a priority queue configuration, monitoring a network parameter, and adjusting the priority queue configuration based on the monitored network parameter.
US08571043B2
Described are methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for using a single point code to represent multiple switching devices. A first software node and a second software node are associated to the single point code. The first software node is assigned to a first switch and the second software node is assigned to a PSTN. Signaling data associated with the point code is received via signaling links associated with the first switch. The signaling data is routed to the first software node or a second switch based on a criterion.
US08571040B2
A method and apparatus for communicating over a network is provided. The method includes obtaining building block codes, where the building blocks codes are capable of being used together to provide an end-to-end service. The building block codes are sent to each appropriate building block controller, where each building block controller is associated with a corresponding network node. Upon receiving a first packet of a connection for the first end-to-end service, a determination as to which network nodes of the plurality of network nodes should be used as network hops for the connection, and as to, for each network node that should be used as a network hop for the connection, which building block codes should be used by the building block controller corresponding to the network node. These determinations are communicated to each of the appropriate building block controllers.
US08571039B2
A method and apparatus for transmitting an audio signal over a communication channel comprising encoding the audio signal with an encoder 204 using a first sampling rate, filtering the audio signal using a first cut off frequency, the first cut off frequency being chosen in dependence upon the first sampling rate, and transmitting the encoded and filtered audio signal over the communication channel. The presence of a condition in which the sampling rate of the encoder 204 is to be switched to a second sampling rate at a switching time is determined and if the condition has been determined to be present, the cut off frequency used in the filtering step is gradually changed from the first cut off frequency to a second cut off frequency, the second cut off frequency being chosen in dependence upon the second sampling rate, such that the audio bandwidth of the transmitted signal changes gradually when the sampling rate is switched to the second sampling rate.
US08571038B2
A method, apparatus, and system are described for a central station to allocate virtual IP addresses. A device service manager server (DSM) has a network access module configured to cooperate with two or more device service controllers (DSCs). The DSM serves as a central management station for allocating and assigning Virtual IP addresses to network devices to proxy communications for networked devices on a local area network (LAN) where each DSC resides. The DSM is located exterior from the network devices on the LAN where communications associated with the assigned VIP addresses are being routed to. The DSM assigns a Virtual IP Addresses to each DSC and establishes a route from the assigned Virtual IP address to a destination network device on a LAN, based on corresponding DSC and network device information stored in a registry of the DSM.
US08571034B2
In one embodiment, an apparatus can include a policy vector module configured to retrieve a compressed policy vector based on a portion of a data packet received at a multi-stage switch. The apparatus can also include a decompression module configured to receive the compressed policy vector and configured to define a decompressed policy vector based on the compressed policy vector. The decompressed policy vector can define a combination of bit values associated with a policy.
US08571027B2
Systems and methods for multi-rate media data delivery using multiple IP multicast streams are provided. According to example embodiments disclosed herein, the method may include determining a plurality of stream bit rates based on a plurality of demanded bit rates of a plurality of output media data streams and a first algorithm. The method may further include receiving an input media signal and generating a plurality of encoded data streams using the input media signal. The encoded data streams may have encoded bit rates, substantially the same as the stream bit rates. The example method may also include, using a second algorithm and the encoded data streams to generate output data streams at the demanded bit rates. In an example embodiment, the system may comprise a multi-rate encoder and a stream generator, to generate a plurality of encoded streams at the encoded bit rates.
US08571011B2
An approach provides interdomain traversal to support packetized voice transmissions. A centralized data store, maintained by a service provider, stores one or more user identifiers and an associated directory number. The centralized data store also stores routing information including one or more communication paths corresponding to the user identifier, wherein the routing information includes a data path or a circuit-switched path for establishing a call to the user. In response to a request for establishing the call to the directory number, the data store retrieves the routing information for use to establish the call.
US08571010B1
A method for use in a communication network includes generating a synchronization data unit to be transmitted to a plurality of devices, where the synchronization data unit specifies a space-time mapping parameter, and receiving a plurality of data units via a plurality of antennas, the plurality of data units are transmitted simultaneously from respective ones of the plurality of devices in accordance with the space-time mapping parameter.
US08571008B2
The present invention relates to a time synchronization method in a wireless sensor network. In the present invention, if an upper node requests a lower reference node to start time synchronization, the lower reference node broadcasts a first sync reference packet. The upper node receives the first sync reference packet and transmits the first sync reference packet reception time to the lower reference node. The lower reference node broadcasts the first sync reference packet reception time, such that the other nodes perform time synchronization on the basis of the first sync reference packet reception time. Meanwhile, the lower reference node estimates the first sync reference packet reception time of the upper node to calculate the reception estimation time, and transmits the reception estimation time to a determination node that is two hops anterior to the lower reference node. Therefore, the determination node compares the reception time received from the upper node and the reception estimation time received from the lower reference node and determines whether a capture attack on the upper node has occurred.
US08570973B2
A wireless communication system in which a terminal selects a signal from a plurality of known signals and transmits the signal to the base station by any region in a region specified by the base station. The wireless communication system includes a setting unit that sets a region by a frequency range and a time interval as the region to be specified, wherein the region set by the setting unit and a region set by another neighboring base station have a same frequency range and a same time interval.
US08570969B2
Provided are an apparatus and a method for monitoring a control channel in a multiple-carrier system. The user equipment monitors downlink control channels for a plurality of scheduled component carriers in an extended search space. The user equipment receives downlink control information for the scheduled component carrier via a successfully decoded downlink control channel.
US08570968B2
A User Equipment, UE, of a cellular communication system transmits scheduling assistance data to a base station comprising a base station scheduler which schedules uplink packet data. The scheduling assistance data relates to uplink packet data transmission from the UE. The UE comprises a channel controller which is operable to cause the scheduling assistance data to be transmitted from the UE to the base station in a first physical resource of an uplink air interface. The first physical resource is not managed by the base station based scheduler. The scheduling assistance data may specifically be transmitted in a first transport channel multiplexed with other transport channels on a physical resource. The transport channels may be individually optimized and may have different termination points and transmission reliabilities. Specifically, the transport channel supporting the scheduling assistance data signaling may have a high reliability and be terminated in the base station.
US08570967B1
A plurality of candidate access terminals for participation in a multi-user packet-based (MUP-based) communication is determined. Two or more candidate access terminals are grouped into a MUP-based group, the grouping based on a hybrid automatic repeat request behavior of the plurality of candidate access terminals. Data is sent to the MUP-based group using a multi-user packet.
US08570963B2
Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to wireless communication systems, and more particularly to a coordinated multi-point network and protocol architecture. One aspect discloses a method of wireless communication and includes receiving a measurement report from a user equipment (UE). Coordinated multi point (CoMP) control messages are transmitted from a first eNodeB to a second eNodeB at a medium access control (MAC) layer in response to the received measurement report.
US08570962B2
Methods, devices, and systems for information selection in a wireless communication system are provided. In one embodiment, a method of information selection in a wireless communication system comprises receiving a selection request signal by a propagator node, wherein the selection request signal identifies information requested by a selector node; determining all or a portion of the selection request signal matches all or a portion of an information tag stored in an information cache of the propagator node, wherein the information tag is associated with an information datagram; and forwarding the information datagram from the propagator node to the selector node, wherein the information datagram contains all or a portion of the information.
US08570961B2
A disclosed communication control method includes determining a number of bits for transmitting downlink shared data channel information based on one or both of a number of users and a traffic amount and generating a signal for the downlink shared data channel information to be transmitted with the determined number of bits.
US08570952B2
In a wireless communication system including a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and at least one Node-B, a method and apparatus is used to selectively enable reception of at least one downlink (DL) enhanced uplink (EU) signaling channel established between the WTRU and the Node-B(s). During the operation of an enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH), the WTRU monitors at least one DL EU signaling channel established between the WTRU and the Node-B(s) only when it is necessary, based on the WTRU's knowledge of at least one established standard procedure. The WTRU coordinates and consolidates DL signaling channel reception requirements of a plurality of channel allocation and/or data transmission procedures carried out by the WTRU in accordance with the established standard procedure. The WTRU determines whether to enable reception of at least one specific DL signaling channel based on the consolidated DL signaling channel reception requirements.
US08570948B2
A base station apparatus performing communication through the use of a plurality of frequency bands and a mobile station apparatus wirelessly-connected to the base station apparatus, efficiently manage a radio link state of the frequency band in consideration of a cooperation relation between the plurality of frequency bands. The base station apparatus and the mobile station apparatus communicate with each other by aggregating a plurality of cells of different frequencies, the base station apparatus, in a case of configuring a plurality of cells of different frequencies to the mobile station apparatus, configures linkage information indicating a cooperation relation between an uplink and a downlink for each of the cells, and a timer for managing a state of the cells, and the mobile station apparatus simultaneously changes states of the uplink and the downlink of the cell upon timer being expiration, based on the linkage information for each the cell.
US08570946B2
System and method for signaling control information in a multi-carrier communications system to transmit data. A preferred embodiment comprises demodulating a first carrier that is used for transmitting a control channel transmission, determining a second carrier that is used for transmitting a data channel transmission based upon the demodulated control channel transmission, and demodulating the second carrier to obtain the data channel transmission. Additionally, designs for multi-carrier receivers are provided.
US08570942B2
A method of searching for an access point using a wireless LAN terminal including a profile storage unit 305 that stores profile information including information of the channel of a predetermined access point, a scanning interval setting unit 311 that sets a scanning period, a passive scanning unit 315 that performs a passive scanning operation and detects a beacon signal, and an active scanning unit 317, wherein before said active scanning unit performs said active scanning operation at said set channel, the passive scanning unit 315 performs the passive scanning operation at the set channel for each scanning period and detects the beacon signal transmitted from the access point, and the active scanning unit 317 performs the active scanning operation at the set channel and searches for the access point after the beacon signal is detected.
US08570938B2
A method of pairing a first wireless access unit with a second wireless access unit in a mobile ad-hoc wireless pairing system includes determining that the second wireless access unit is available for pairing with the first wireless access unit and pairing the pairing the first wireless access unit with the second wireless access unit upon receiving an input from a user of the first wireless access unit. A location of the second wireless access unit is determined by adjusting a first wireless access unit weighting factor. The first wireless access unit weighting factor is adjusted until a threshold signal strength is received by the second wireless access unit. The first wireless access unit weighting factor is transmitted to the second wireless access unit, and feedback is received from the second wireless access unit. The feedback provides recommendations about the first wireless access unit weighting factor to the first wireless access unit.
US08570937B2
A telecommunications system is arranged to provide a mobile communications session to a mobile node using an internet protocol. The telecommunications system comprises a home packet data network which includes a home agent of the mobile node and a visited packet data network. One of the home packet data network or the visited packet data network includes a packet data gateway for controlling the communication of the internet packets to and from the home packet data network from and to the visited packet data network. The mobile node is arranged to communicate a correspondent node binding update internet packet to the correspondent node via the packet date gateway, when the mobile node changes affiliation from the home packet data network to the visited packet data network. The correspondent node binding update internet packet provides a care of address of the mobile node within the visited packet data network and a home address of the mobile node. The packet data network is arranged to store the home address of the mobile node in association with the care of address of the mobile node, to adapt the correspondent node binding update internet packet by replacing the care of address in the received correspondent binding update packet with the address of the packet data gateway, and to communicate the adapted correspondent binding update packet to the correspondent node. The correspondent node therefore receives a correspondent binding update with the packet data gateway as the care of address. Thus, when the correspondent node communicates with the mobile node using the care of address of the packet data gateway, the packet data gateway can adapt the received internet packets, replacing the packet data gateway's address as the destination address with the care of address of the mobile node. Therefore, although a route optimization process has taken place the internet packets are still routed via the packet data gateway.
US08570936B2
A packet radio communications system communicates internet packets to and/or from mobile user equipment. The system comprises a core network comprising a plurality of packet data networks, each including network communications elements operable to communicate internet packets using an internet protocol transport plane, and a common gateway support node. The gateway support node is operable to route the internet packets via communications bearers established through the packet data networks using the network communications elements. The system includes a plurality of radio access networks connected by the internet protocol transport plane to the core network components of the packet data networks for communicating the internet protocol packets to and/or from the mobile user equipment. Each of the radio access networks is operable to provide radio access bearers for communicating the internet packets to and/or from the mobile user equipment.
US08570929B2
Disclosed is a relay apparatus for forwarding a received multicast frame to a communication apparatus at a specified communication rate. The relay apparatus converts the received multicast frame to the corresponding unicast frame, sets a relatively higher communication rate than the specified communication rate, and forwards the converted unicast frame to the communication apparatus at the relatively higher communication rate. The relay apparatus determines whether or not the availability of the converted and forwarded unicast frame by an application is ascertained based on a condition, and prohibits conversion to the unicast frame when the availability is negated. This configuration enhances the user's convenience in the relay technique of converting multicast frames to unicast frames and forwarding the converted unicast frames.
US08570924B2
The present invention relates to a method and arrangement for efficient use of network resources, in particular for continuous connectivity services. The present invention introduces a set of established rules for uplink and/or downlink activity detection such that a Node B and/or a UE is enabled to detect active and inactive transmission periods on links for reception of packet data transmission and can independently arrange for inactivity/activity state transitions without any need of further signalling. Such a set of rules can be communicated to the Node B and the user equipment, e.g., from the radio network controller (RNC), or can consist of a predefined set of fixed rules that is readily implemented in said units.
US08570909B1
A method for providing an indication of a communication includes facilitating communications between a plurality of endpoints within each of a plurality of virtual talk groups. The method also includes monitoring the communications between the plurality of endpoints within each of the plurality of virtual talk groups. The method further includes, upon detecting a first communication within a first virtual talk group of the plurality of virtual talk groups, activating a first indicator. The first indicator indicates the detection of the first communication. The method also includes, upon the occurrence of a first deactivating event, deactivating the first indicator.
US08570903B1
System and method for managing a virtual domain environment to enable root cause and impact analysis
A virtual domain management system is provided which associates application, physical and virtual domains to enable propagation of events, symptoms and other information across the domains. The virtual domain manager collects events and symptom information across multiple domains by correlating domain topology models. Using a causality matrix and codebook technology the virtual domain manager uses the information to perform root cause and impact analysis across domains. Information from the analysis may be fed back into the domains to enhance domain management.
US08570900B2
An antenna system in a wireless communication device includes a first antenna, a second antenna, a baseband microchip, a signal sensing unit, a logical circuit, and a switch unit. The first antenna receives and transmits wireless signals; the second antenna transmits wireless signals. The baseband microchip processes the wireless signals and provides a voltage logic signal. The logical circuit logically processes the voltage logic signal and the command signal to generate different switch signals, and the switch unit is controlled by the switch signals from the logical circuit to connect to the first antenna or to the second antenna to transmit the wireless signals.
US08570895B2
Communication apparatus, communication system, communication method, program, and integrated circuit
A communication apparatus (10) includes: a measurement data transmitting unit (120) which transmits a first measurement data to a relay apparatus (20), and a second measurement data to a partner apparatus (30); a response data receiving unit (130) which receives first and second response data; a network measurement unit (140) which calculates a first communication time using the first response data, and a second communication time using the second response data; a connection mode judging unit (150) which judges, based on a partner section communication time that is difference between the second and the first communication times, whether or not the relay apparatus (20) and the partner apparatus (30) are wirelessly connected; and a connection mode switching unit (160) which switches, when judged that the relay apparatus (20) and the partner apparatus (30) are wirelessly connected, the communication with the partner apparatus (30) from indirect to direct wireless communication.
US08570876B2
A method, system and program product comprises queuing a request. The request is transmitted to a server in which the server queues a response, determines if the request is out of sequence, transmits an acknowledgment and an out of order response, and transmits an executed response. Missing requests are retransmitted to the server in which the server asynchronously transmits executed responses. Executed responses are received and removed from the queuing. A response receipt confirmation is transmitted to the server in which the server removes queued responses and processing of requests in order of transmission and detection/retransmission of missing requests is enabled.
US08570860B2
Signal transmission apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. In various embodiments, a signal transmission system includes a transmission network having signal paths configured to communicate signals from an input to an output, a first steering network coupled to the input that communicates with the transmission network, and a second steering network coupled to the output that communicates with the transmission network. A steering control network that receives error signals corresponding to an inoperable signal path and that generates steering signals directed to the first steering network and the second steering network is included, so that the steering signals shift signals to an alternate, operable signal path from the inoperable signal path. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08570855B2
An Access Gateway Management System (AGMS) allows telephone operating companies to transition their existing wireline customers over to Voice over the Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology without having to invest in new workflow processes, systems, or maintenance facilities by adapting the Operational Support Systems interfaces currently employed for managing legacy circuit-switched switching systems to manage Line Access Gateways (LAGs), which are the generic line termination systems employed in VoIP infrastructure. The AGMS also configures and adapts metallic loop test systems currently deployed for the purpose of routine maintenance and troubleshooting of subscriber lines terminating directly or indirectly (through access systems) on existing switching systems to continue to provide this functionality when the lines terminate on LAGs. Synchronization of the subtended LAGs is coordinated with the legacy network by the AGMS.
US08570850B2
A super-resolution optical recording medium includes: a medium information region on which medium identification information is recorded; a content region on which content information is recorded; and a blank region provided between the medium information region and the content region and in which at least two tracks are provided so as to connect a train of prepits in the medium information region and a train of prepits in the content region. No information is recorded on the blank region. Thus, a super-resolution optical recording medium is provided in which a region on which medium identification information is recorded and a region on which content information is recorded are different in track pitch and in which a reproduction error hardly occurs when reproduction shifts from the region on which the medium identification information is recorded to the region on which the content information is recorded.
US08570846B2
An optical disk device for recording/reproducing information on/from a multi-layer optical disk moves a light focusing point for several layers by one focus jump. The optical disk device includes a controller to detect a level of a focus error signal to change an output level of a focus drive signal, and the controller changes timing to change the output level of the focus drive signal based on the number of layers for the focus jump.
US08570842B1
Instead of using discontinuous step functions or pulses to drive a laser of a TAR enabled disk drive between on and off, a fixed modulation frequency may be used that alternates between a high and low laser power such that the radiation source is always delivering heat to the magnetic media when writing data to the magnetic disk. The magnetic field of the write pole may be synchronized to the modulation frequency of the radiation source to ensure that the radiation source heats the magnetic media proximate to the write pole above the grain freezing temperature when the Zeeman energy produced by the magnetic field of the write pole exceeds the thermal energy of the magnetic media.
US08570841B2
Timing wheel set for a timepiece mechanism, for limiting the duration of operation of a function after the start thereof, arranged to cooperate with a release element, the start of motion of which initiates the release of the function, and further arranged to cooperate with a device for coupling the function. It includes a timing hook arranged to be operated by the coupling device in order to be placed in cooperation with a ratchet or to be released from the ratchet, the ratchet being pivotally mounted on an arbour coaxially to a timing wheel towards which it is pivoted back by return mechanism, the timing wheel being arranged to cooperate, directly or indirectly, with the release element.
US08570840B2
A timepiece includes a case that is made at least in part from a conductive material; a dial that is made from a nonconductive material; a solar panel that has an opening and is disposed at a side opposite a display side of the dial, and that receives light incident from the display side of the dial; a patch antenna that is disposed at a side opposite of a light receiving side of the solar panel, and at a position overlapping the opening in plan view; and a date wheel made from nonconductive material that is disposed between the solar panel and the patch antenna in lateral view, and is disposed at a position overlapping, at least in part, the patch antenna in plan view. The dial has a date window, formed at a position overlapping the opening in plan view, for exposing at least part of the date wheel.
US08570834B2
An acoustic surveying method includes computing at least one of a distance and direction between first and second subterranean boreholes. An acoustic pulsed is transmitted into a subterranean formation from the first borehole and received at three or more spaced receivers deployed in the second borehole. A distance between the two boreholes may be determined using longitudinally spaced receivers while a toolface to target direction (angle) may be determined using circumferentially spaced receivers.
US08570825B2
A disclosed temperature sensor includes a charge trap structure including a silicon oxide film formed on a substrate; an aluminum oxide film that is formed on the silicon oxide film, wherein oxygen is injected into the aluminum oxide film from an upper surface thereof; and an electrode formed on the aluminum oxide film, wherein a flat band voltage of the charge trap structure is temperature dependent.
US08570813B2
The charge pump circuit has a plurality of cascaded charge pump stages, each provided with a first pump capacitor connected to a first internal node and receiving a first high voltage phase signal, and a second pump capacitor connected to a second internal node and receiving a second high voltage phase signal, complementary with respect to the first. A first transfer transistor is coupled between the first internal node and an intermediate node, and a second transfer transistor is coupled between the second internal node and the intermediate node. The first and second high voltage phase signals have a voltage dynamics higher than a maximum voltage sustainable by the first and second transfer transistors. A protection stage is set between the first internal node and second internal node and respectively, the first transfer transistor and second transfer transistor, for protecting the same transfer transistors from overvoltages.
US08570801B2
A method of programming a semiconductor memory device includes the steps of grouping memory cells in accordance with levels of threshold voltages to be programmed, programming the memory cell groups by sequentially applying program voltages to the memory cell groups, and program-verifying the memory cell groups.
US08570788B2
An apparatus and method for isolating circuitry from one power domain from that of another power domain prior to performing a power down operation is disclosed. In one embodiment, circuitry in a first power domain is coupled to receive signals based on outputs from circuitry in a second power domain. The signals may be conveyed to the circuitry in the first power domain via passgate circuits. When powering down the circuitry of the first and second power domains, a control circuit may first deactivate the passgate circuits in order to isolate the circuitry of the first power domain from that of the second power domain. The circuitry in the second power domain may be powered off subsequent to deactivating the passgate circuits. The circuitry in the first power domain may be powered off subsequent to powering off the circuitry in the second power domain.
US08570776B2
A method is provided for determining a control scheme for a voltage source converter (VSC) with a topology of three bridge legs between each of three phases of a grid and a neutral point. The method includes: analyzing the waveform of the grid and/or a load voltage and determining an allowed period for no-swilching of the corresponding bridge leg; operating the VSC with different clamping carrier modulator frequencies, and then analyzing the balance in the operating junction temperatures and/or power losses across the active switches and also analyzing the total losses of the VSC; comparing the balance and the total losses of different clamping carrier modulator frequencies and selecting the clamping carrier modulator frequency; operating the VSC with the selected clamping carrier modulator frequency, and optimizing the balance in the operating junction temperatures and/or power losses across the active switches and the total losses of the VSC.
US08570771B2
System and method for regulating an output voltage of a power conversion system. The system includes an error amplifier coupled to a capacitor. The error amplifier is configured to receive a reference voltage, a first voltage, and an adjustment current and to generate a compensation voltage with the capacitor. The first voltage is associated with a feedback voltage. Additionally, the system includes a current generator configured to receive the compensation voltage and generate the adjustment current and a first current, and a signal generator configured to receive the first current and a second current. The signal generator is further configured to receive a sensing voltage and to generate a modulation signal. Moreover, the system includes the gate driver directly or indirectly coupled to the signal generator and configured to generate a drive signal based on at least information associated with the modulation signal.
US08570768B2
A transformer assembly is disclosed. An example circuit board assembly includes a circuit board. A drum core inductor is also included and has a drum core, a first winding, and first and second terminals extending from a first end of the drum core inductor. A wire of the first winding is wound around an axis of the drum core. The first winding has first and second ends coupled to the first and second terminals of the drum core inductor, respectively. A bobbin has first and second terminals extending from a first end of the bobbin. A wire of a second winding is wound around an axis of the bobbin. The second winding has first and second ends coupled to the first and second terminals of the bobbin, respectively. The first ends of the drum core inductor and the bobbin are attached to a circuit board such that the drum core inductor is positioned on the circuit board inside an opening of the bobbin defined along the axis of the bobbin. The drum core inductor and the bobbin are detached from one another.
US08570763B2
A high quality component-incorporated substrate achieves a sufficient connection between an in-plane electrode and an interlayer connection conductor at low cost. A method of forming a hole for an interlayer connection conductor of a resin substrate includes a step of forming an in-plane electrode in a core substrate, a step of forming a light reflective conductor for reflecting a laser beam applied on the in-plane electrode in a later step, a step of forming a resin layer so as to cover the core substrate, the in-plane electrode and the light reflective conductor, and a step of forming a hole for the interlayer connection conductor by removing the resin layer on the light reflective conductor through the use of a laser beam.
US08570754B2
A server assembly includes a chassis and a server module slidably received in the chassis. The chassis includes a backplane with a connector. The server module includes a mounting plate and a connecting plate movably attached to the mounting plate. A plurality of supporting posts protrude on the mounting plate. The connecting plate defines a plurality of elongated through slots according to the supporting posts. A flexible member is locked in each through slot. A plurality of fasteners extend through the flexible members to screw into the supporting posts, respectively. A resilient resisting member is arranged on the mounting plate, to abut against a front end of the connecting plate to insert a rear end of the connecting plate in the connector.
US08570746B2
A mounting apparatus includes a bracket, a mounting member and a handgrip. The bracket receives a heat dissipating member. A positioning post is located on the bracket. The mounting member, attached to the bracket and rotatable relative to the bracket, is adapted for abutting a portion of the heat dissipating member. The handgrip is attached to the mounting member and rotatable relative to the mounting member. The handgrip defines a guiding hole. The positioning post is engaged in the guiding hole.
US08570737B2
This disclosure relates generally to an apparatus and/or system for housing a device. The apparatus includes a housing that is configured such that a device may be fitted within the housing and thereby be protected, such as from shocks and/or liquid. The housing may include top and bottom members that may be removably coupled together so as to form the housing. Each top and bottom member optionally includes front and back surfaces surrounded by a perimeter. The perimeter is defined by proximal and distal ends as well as opposing sides. The top and bottom members may include respective clasping mechanisms that extend along the perimeter of the top and bottom members. The clasping mechanisms are configured for coupling the top and bottom members with one another thereby sealing the housing, for instance, in a shock-proof and/or water tight seal.
US08570720B2
The CFAST duplication system allows digital data copy from a master CFAST storage device to multiple target CFAST storage devices. The CFAST duplication system includes a duplicator chassis with the space that can install multiple 5.25 inch optical disc drives. A controller is secured in a tray-shaped frame with overall dimensions of one 5.25 inch optical disc drive. An electronic circuit is mechanically secured within the controller, and includes a digital logic circuit for reading digital data from one CFAST storage device and writing the read digital data to other CFAST storage devices. CFAST decks are the means by which CFAST storage devices can be plugged into the CFAST duplicator system.
US08570718B2
A portable electronic device includes a housing defining an opening, a string of a pendant, and a pendant attachment device. The pendant attachment device includes a fixing block, an attachment element rotatably and movably fixed in the compartment, a fixing plate fixed to the housing and an elastic element. The fixing block defines a compartment. The attachment element includes a main body defining a fixing hole, the string is threaded through the fixing hole. In a first state, the elastic element exerts an elastic force on the attachment element, causing the attachment element being latched with the latching block with the fixing hole is located in the opening. In a second state, the elastic element drives the attachment element to move away from the fixing plate, thereby making the fixing hole stick out of the opening.
US08570714B2
An electrical distribution panel includes a panel box locating a ground bus in electrical connection with a ground input lug, a neutral bus in electrical connection with a neutral input lug, and a primary power bus connected to a power input lug through a main breaker switch. The main breaker switch is operable between an on position in which the primary power bus receives power and an off position in which the primary power bus is disconnected. Primary circuit breakers can be supported in the usual manner in connection with the primary power bus. One or more auxiliary circuit breakers are connected to the power input lug to receive power independently of the main breaker switch. An electrical outlet can thus be integrally supported in one of the side walls of the panel box to receive power independently of the main breaker switch.
US08570712B2
A solid electrolytic capacitor includes a capacitor element, an outer package member covering the capacitor element, an anode terminal, and a cathode terminal. The capacitor element includes an anode body, an anode member buried in the anode body, a dielectric layer formed on part of a surface of the anode body, an electrolyte layer formed on the dielectric layer, and a cathode layer formed on the electrolyte layer. The anode member has a lower end portion exposed at a lower surface of the anode body. The anode terminal is electrically connected to the lower end portion, and has a surface partially exposed at a lower surface of the outer package member. The cathode terminal is electrically connected to the cathode layer at a position below the lower surface of the anode body, and has a surface partially exposed at the lower surface of the outer package member.
US08570710B2
There is provided multilayered ceramic electronic component having a 0603 size or less, the multilayered ceramic electronic component including: a ceramic body including a plurality of internal electrodes and dielectric layers disposed between the internal electrodes; and external electrodes disposed on outer surfaces of the ceramic body and electrically connected to the internal electrodes, wherein when a region in which the internal electrodes are overlapped is defined as an active region in a cross section of a central portion in a length direction of the ceramic body, taken in width and thickness directions thereof, the entire area of the cross section taken in the width and thickness directions is defined as At, and an area of the active region is defined as Aa, the following equation is satisfied: 65%≦Aa/At≦90%.
US08570708B2
A ceramic electronic component includes two electronic-component main bodies and two metal terminals. Each of the metal terminals includes a base, ribs on left and right sides of the base, and a mounting portion below the base. The base includes two bonding portions to be bonded to respective external electrodes of the two electronic-component main bodies and cut-out portions each having a closed shape and being disposed below the respective bonding portions. The ribs are bent from the left and right sides of the base in the width direction toward the electronic-component main body. The ribs extend from the top of the base in the height direction to the vicinity of the mounting-side major surface of the mounting-side electronic-component main body and do not reach the mounting portion. The mounting portion is bent from the bottom of the base toward the electronic-component main body.
US08570692B2
In an overvoltage protection apparatus before an inverter configured to feed electric energy from a DC voltage source into an AC power grid, the overvoltage protection apparatus includes a DC voltage input stage. The DC voltage input stage includes at least two current-carrying lines and an EMC filter including interference suppressing capacitors and interference suppressing inductors, and surge arrestors configured to divert overvoltages with respect to ground are connected to the current-carrying lines after the EMC filter, from a point of view of the DC voltage source.
US08570688B1
In a disk drive suspension circuit, an electrical contact from a flexible circuit to a face of a PZT microactuator is provided by a mechanical bias to press a contact pad of the flexible circuit against the PZT surface. The mechanical bias is provided by a piece of stainless steel that is welded to a nearby point or points on the suspension, and which biases the electrical contact pad carrying the PZT driving voltage against the PZT. The piece of stainless steel may be in the form of a flat piece welded on one or more sides of the contact pad, and may include a dimple for pressing against the contact pad. Additional insulation material may be provided between the dimple and the contact pad to prevent the dimple from penetrating through the flexible circuit's cover layer and shorting the driving voltage.
US08570687B2
Disclosed are various techniques for reduction of the magnitude of the residual stress in the HDD gimbal circuits, or more specifically, the residual plastic strain. Various trace structures of the gimbal circuits as well as stress suppressors are utilized to achieve the reduction of the residual stress in the circuit.
US08570681B2
A hard disk drive system includes a first channel module and a second channel module. The first channel module is configured to receive a first data from or transfer the first data to a first amplifier module of a hard disk assembly when reading from or writing to a first surface of a disk of the hard disk assembly. The second channel module is configured to receive a second data from or transfer the second data to a second amplifier module of the hard disk assembly when reading or writing to a second surface of the disk while the first channel module receives the first data from or transfers the first data to the first amplifier module.
US08570673B2
A spacer includes an object-side surface, an image-side surface, and an outer sidewall. The image-side surface is opposite to the object-side surface. The outer sidewall defines a first cutout and a second cutout. The first cutout and the second cutout penetrate through the object-side surface and the image-side surface. Contours of the first cutout and the second cutout are different from each other.
US08570665B2
A lens barrel includes a lens holding frame 102 that holds a lens 101 and that includes at least three follower pins 103, 104, and 102b, a guide cylinder 700 that linearly guides the lens holding frame 102 in an optical axis direction, and a cam cylinder 800 that rotates around an optical axis to move the lens holding frame 102 in the optical axis direction. At least three different kinds of cam grooves 800a, 800b, and 800c are formed on the cam cylinder 800, and at least two cam grooves of the cam grooves intersect with each other at a predetermined intersection 800t. When one of the at least three follower pins is positioned at the intersection, the other at least two follower pins engage with corresponding cam grooves of the at least three different kinds of cam grooves in a compression direction.
US08570661B2
A projection lens system includes, in order from a screen-side to an SLM-side thereof, a first lens group of negative refractive power which includes a first lens, and a second lens group of positive refractive power. The second lens group includes a second to fifth lenses in order from the screen-side to the SLM-side of the projection lens system. The projection lens system satisfies the following condition formulas: 1.95<|F1/Fw|<2.15, 0.5<|f4/Fw|<0.7, and 1.05<|f5/Fw|<1.25, where F1 is the effective focal length of the first lens group, f4 is the focal length of the fourth lens, and f5 is the focal length of the fifth lens, Fw is the effective focal length of the projection lens system which is in the wide-angle state.
US08570650B2
A structured-illumination module included in a 3D-structured-illumination-based fluorescence microscope, the structured-illumination module comprising: a structured-illumination-module frame; a beam-alignment module including a central tilt mirror coupled to an underside of a top horizontal plate of the structured-illumination-module frame; a set of directional mirrors, one of which receives, at a given point in time, input, polarized, coherent light reflected from the central tilt mirror; three sets of beam splitters, on three arms of the structured-illumination-module frame, the each splits an incident illumination beam, reflected to the set of beam splitters from a directional mirror of the set of directional mirrors, into a coherent beam triplet; and a phase-shift module that receives a beam triplet, at a given point in time, generated by one of the sets of beam splitters and reflected from the beam-alignment module and that introduces a desired relative phase relationship among the beams of the beam triplet.
US08570647B1
An optical element includes a substrate and a film on the substrate. The substrate made of sapphire. The film is configured for increasing transmission of ultraviolet lights. The film is stacked by a plurality of high refractive index layers and a plurality of low refractive index layers alternately stacked on the substrate.
US08570645B2
A beam steering device (300) for deflecting a beam of light is provided. The beam steering device comprises a first deflecting member (310), a rotating member (320), and a second deflecting member (330). For an incoming beam of light having components (303, 302) with their polarization parallel (303′) and perpendicular (302′), respectively, to an optic axis (314, 334) of the beam steering device, the parallel component (303) is deflected by a first angle (304) when passing the first deflecting member. When passing the rotating member, the polarization (303′, 302′) of the beam of light is rotated by 90 degrees (303″, 302″). When passing the second deflecting member, the perpendicular component (302) is deflected by a second angle (305).
US08570643B2
A method of making an optical element, the optical element including magnetic resonators that are anisotropically shaped and smaller than a wavelength of incident light, includes a first step of dispersing the magnetic resonators in a host medium, a second step of applying an external magnetic field to the host medium after the first step, and a third step of curing the host medium after the second step.
US08570626B2
A profile combines at least the following: a color map between device-dependent color spaces, a first output profile that characterizes a mapping between a color space of a first output device being emulated and a device-independent color space, and a second output profile that characterizes a mapping between a color space of a second output device and the device-independent color space.
US08570619B2
A system including a reading device that reads an image from a document and a control device that controls the reading device is disclosed herein. The control device includes a processor and a memory storing computer-readable instructions. The computer-readable instructions instruct the processor to determine whether a read image read by the reading device comprises a table image. The computer-readable instructions instruct the processor to generate a first file in a first file format when the processor determines that the read image comprises the table image. The computer-readable instructions instruct the processor to generate a second file in a second file format when the processor determines that the read image does not comprise the table image. The second file is different from the first file. The second file format is different from the first file format. Computer-readable media storing the computer-readable instructions and corresponding methods also are disclosed herein.
US08570617B2
An image reading apparatus includes an image reader, an image adjuster and an execution controller that causes the image reader to read an adjustment document and causes the image adjuster to adjust image data generated by the image reader. The adjustment document includes line images and parameter images at positions spaced apart in a main scanning direction in a margin area where the line images are not provided. The parameter images indicate parameters used in image adjustment processing. The execution controller judges whether the image data corresponding to predetermined positions in the main scanning direction coincide, selects one of the image data judged to coincide, and causes the image adjuster to perform the image adjustment using the selected image data and the parameter indicated by the image data generated by reading the parameter image at the position in the main scanning direction of the selected image data.
US08570615B2
An image scanning device includes: a light source; a light guide for converting light from the light source into a linear light beam and applying the linear light beam onto a reading position; an image reading element for receiving the light beam reflected from the reading position; and a light intensity sensor for detecting an intensity of the light emitted from the light source.
US08570611B2
Image reading apparatus, shading correction method therefor, and program for implementing the method
An image reading apparatus including a shading correction mechanism that can be formed by fewer component parts than conventional ones, and is increased in the degree of freedom of design, thereby enabling reduction of the size and weight thereof. A contact glass guides an original to an image reading position. A glass holding member holds the glass. A line image sensor reads an image on the original conveyed to the image reading location, through the contact glass. A reference member is disposed at a location different from the image reading location on the contact glass. A moving mechanism relatively moves the line image sensor and the reference member so that the line image sensor can alternatively read the original conveyed to the image reading location and the reference member. A drive section externally drives the moving mechanism to move the line image sensor and/or the reference member.
US08570608B2
A scanner includes a scanning module and a base. The scanning module includes a loading panel and a driving module. The base includes a bottom panel, a sliding portion, and a first resisting tab extending from the bottom panel. A sliding slot is defined in the sliding portion to receive the scanning module. The first resisting tab includes a first tab body extending from the bottom panel and a first resilient absorbing portion connected to the first tab body. The first resilient absorbing portion resists the loading panel to prevent movement of the loading panel when the loading panel moves to a first side of the sliding slot.
US08570603B2
In a job management system, a PC includes a job reception section for receiving setting of a job from a user and a job transmitting section for transmitting the job to a multifunction peripheral. The multifunction peripheral includes a job receiving section for receiving a job from the PC, a prohibition determining section for determining whether a combination of functions constituting the job is a target of a prohibition process, a controlling section for executing the job, and a prohibition information transmitting section for transmitting prohibition information indicating that the combination of functions constituting the job is the target of the prohibition process to the PC when the combination of functions is the target of the prohibition process. The PC further includes a prohibition information receiving section for receiving the prohibition information from the multifunction peripheral and a prohibition information storage for storing the prohibition information.
US08570599B2
A method of characterizing an imaging system is described includes printing a color chart having a plurality of predetermined color patches; measuring the color patches to obtain colorimetric data; initializing a Neugebauer model with the Neugebauer solids of said colorimetric data; optimizing the global parameters of the Neugebauer model; optimizing the parameters associated with Demichel terms based on the Neugebauer primary associated with the Demichel term; optimizing parameters that vary with device coordinates; and creating a characterization file for the imaging system.
US08570593B2
In a preflight process for digital print systems, color data from print data are analyzed and the results presented in a report. The color data are individually altered in regard to not only a color profile, in which they are encoded, but also in regard to their color values, using a graphic user interface. Results of the alterations are displayed using corresponding screened document pages.
US08570587B2
According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided methods and apparatus for sensing the movement of a moving surface by utilizing a plurality of reference patterns positioned on the surface, using the precision of the ROS Start of Scan Clock, and the uses of encoder and MOB sensors. The plurality of reference patterns are placed a known number of scanlines apart. The MOB sensor and encoder measure the distance between reference patterns. Increase accuracy is achieved by sampling the encoder signal with the ROS Master Clock and calculating a fractional encoder count at the first and last encoder counts of the measurement. The use of fractional encoder counts provides a speed measurement with greater tolerance for variations in encoder dimensions and belt thickness.
US08570577B2
A planning device may store communication information related to whether or not two devices composing the combination are capable of directly communicating, decide a specific communication path using the communication information. The specific communication path may be a path capable of supplying print data acquired from target data in a storage device to the print device, generate procedure data for instructing one or more devices which are present on the specific communication path to perform one or more processes sequentially for realizing print of the target image and send the procedure data to a first device among the one or more devices. The first device may be a device that is to perform a process performed first among the one or more processes.
US08570570B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image scanning unit, a metafile creating unit, a transmission file name creating unit, and a control unit. The metafile creating unit creates a first metadata file and a second metadata file. The control unit transmits image data files in units of a page, created by the image scanning unit, after transmitting the first metadata file to the file delivery apparatus. The control unit transmits the second metadata file after transmitting the image data files (in a unit comprising all the pages) to the file delivery apparatus. The control unit provides a transmission file name (including a common part created by the transmission file name creating unit) to the first meta data file, the image data file, and the second meta data file.
US08570568B2
A subscription request is received from a user into a graphic user interface of a printing device to subscribe to a subject which is administered and published by a network hosted service. The printing device forwards the subscription request to a computerized device connected to the printing device through a computerized network. The computerized device is connected to a plurality of different printing devices. The printing device receives a printer-specific publication from the computerized device over the computerized network in response to the subscription request. The method stores the printer-specific publication within computer-readable memory of the printing device. The method may or may not receive a command from a user through the graphic user interfact of the printing device before the printing device acts upon the specific publication (subject) received from the publishing device.
US08570564B2
A system adjusts at least one operational parameter for at least one electrical energy consuming device. The system monitors electrical energy consumption measurements for operational activity periods, identifies an electrical energy consumption measurement difference between an electrical energy consumption measurement for an operational activity period and an electrical energy consumption measurement for a corresponding operational activity period, and modifies an operational parameter for the electrical energy consuming device in response to the difference being greater than a predetermined threshold. The modified operational parameter is sent to the electrical energy consuming device to enable modified operation of the electrical energy consuming device.
US08570560B2
An image processing apparatus that has an interface section for connecting a measuring instrument and is capable of changing an operating mode to an adjustment mode in which an adjustment is carried out by using the results of measurements by the measuring instrument, the image processing apparatus comprising a control section detecting whether the measuring instrument is connected to the interface section, and when the measuring instrument is detected, changing the operating mode to the adjustment mode.
US08570557B2
In a case where a select communication with an apparatus main body is performed, an option side controller selected by a select signal determines whether a command-save-bit is true or not. In a case where the command-save-bit is not true, the option side controller executes a processing in accordance with the command signal. In a case where the command-save-bit is true, the option side controller stores contents of the command signal into a memory. In a case where the simultaneous communication with the apparatus main body is performed, all of the option side controllers read the command signal from the memory and executes a processing in accordance with the command signal.
US08570552B2
An apparatus and a method of retrieving print option from a print file include a converting unit to convert a document to print and print options set for the document to print into a print file recognizable at an image forming apparatus, and a driver control unit to retrieve the print options from the print file.
US08570550B2
A method of controlling a print device using an instruction corresponding to a command received from a remote location. A second server may transmit a query directed to a first server. The second server may be prevented from receiving unauthorized communication from the first server by a firewall. If the first server has a relevant command available, the second server may receive a response to the query. The response may include the relevant command. The second server may determine a print device for which the command is relevant. An instruction corresponding to the relevant command may be sent from the second server to the print device. Communication between the print device and the second server may not be restricted by the firewall. The printing device may implement the instruction. If the first server does not have a relevant command available, the transmitting may automatically repeat until the first server has a relevant command available.
US08570548B2
A manufacturer or the like provides consumable products used in an image forming apparatus with distribution information including a most recent license code and then markets the consumable products, and the image forming apparatus performs authentication processing by reading the distribution information from such consumable products. Receiving a connection request from an application executed by a personal computer, the image forming apparatus determines whether connection may be permitted or not by comparing the license code of the application included in the connection request with the distribution information provided to the consumable product.
US08570546B2
One embodiment provides a system for printing a document from a portable device. During operation, the system obtains the document to be printed. Next, the system obtains a document optical code that identifies the document. Subsequently, the system displays the document optical code on the portable device in such a way that the document optical code can be scanned and recognized by a scanner associated with the printer. Next, the system allows the printer to retrieve and print the document based at least on the document optical code.
US08570541B2
The present invention provides an image forming device that reduces power consumption by setting the color image recording units to low power consumption mode during monochrome image recording, and a power consumption control method in an image forming device. Furthermore, this image forming device has a monochrome image recording unit and color image recording units, and is an image forming device capable of setting the monochrome image recording unit and color image recording units to low power consumption mode, and has a switching unit for switching between monochrome image recording and color image recording, and a control unit that sets the color image recording units to low power consumption mode during monochrome image recording and continues to set the color image recording units to low power consumption mode while this monochrome image recording continues.
US08570536B2
A crimp tool for crimping contacts onto wire cable ends includes an indentor mechanism having a plurality of moveable indentors for deforming a portion of a contact inserted into the mechanism. One of the indentors has a pressure responsive element for providing a signal indicative of the pressure exerted on the contact by the indentor. A device coupled to the pressure responsive element records pressure data and transfers data to an electronic control unit for determining operation of the mechanism. An automated inspection system uses light projection and a light sensor adapted for detecting light projected through a crimping die to measure dimensions and configurations of the crimping die. The system stores data representative of desired measurements of the crimping die and compares actual measurements to desired measurements. A set of fixtures are used for positioning the crimping die in the inspection system.
US08570531B2
Provided is a method for enhancing accuracy of an optical metrology system that includes a metrology tool, an optical metrology model, and a profile extraction algorithm. The optical metrology model includes a model of the metrology tool and a profile model of the sample structure, the profile model having profile parameters. A library comprising Jones and/or Mueller matrices and/or components (JMMOC) and corresponding profile parameters is generated using ray tracing and a selected range of beam propagation parameters. An original simulated diffraction signal is calculated using the optical metrology model. A regenerated simulated diffraction signal is obtained using the regenerated JMMOC, integrated for all the rays of the optical metrology model. If an error and precision criteria for the regenerated simulated diffraction signal compared to the original simulated diffraction signal are met, one or more profile parameters are determined from the best match regenerated simulated diffraction signal.
US08570529B2
An apparatus for position finding, including a light source to produce a wave field in a measurement section, a wave field variation device to generate a variation of a wavelength of the wave field over time, an interferometer to produce an interference pattern for the wave field which is dependent on the length of the measurement section, a detector to produce a measurement signal on the basis of the detected interference pattern, and an evaluation circuit to evaluate the measurement signal on the basis of the variation over time.
US08570526B2
A gyrolaser with optical cavity includes a plurality of mirrors, at least one photo-detector delivering two optical signals in phase quadrature, said signals being digitized. The position of one of said mirrors is controlled by conversion of an electrical signal into a mechanical force. The gyrolaser is activated in an oscillatory movement by conversion of an oscillation electrical signal into a mechanical force. The angular velocity of said gyrolaser is measured, and the phase α and the modulus ρ or the square of the modulus ρ are extracted from said optical signals.
US08570525B2
In an apparatus for imaging of objects by applying optical frequency domain tomography and provided with an adjusting system for setting a relative position of photosensitive elements (174) and a spectrum image (273), the adjusting system is an automatically controlled device causing a relative displacement of at least one photosensitive element (174) of the detection device (173) of the spectrum and the spectrum image (273) between each other. The adjusting system comprises at least one actuator (14, 16) acting on the dispersion device (171) and/or the set of optical elements (172) and/or the detection device (173) and movement of which causes the relative displacement between each other of at least one photosensitive element (174) of the detection device (173) of the spectrum and the spectrum image (273) of the resultant light beam (270).
US08570524B2
Calibration of an arbitrary spectrometer can use a stable monolithic interferometer as a wavelength calibration standard. Light from a polychromatic light source is input to the monolithic interferometer where it undergoes interference based on the optical path difference (OPD) of the interferometer. The resulting wavelength-modulated output beam is analyzed by a reference spectrometer to generate reference data. The output beam from the interferometer can be provided to an arbitrary spectral instrument. Wavelength calibration of the arbitrary spectral instrument may then be performed based on a comparison of the spectral instrument output with the reference data. By appropriate choice of materials for the monolithic interferometer, a highly stable structure can be fabricated that has a wide field and/or is thermally compensated. Because the interferometer is stable, the one-time generated reference data can be used over an extended period of time without re-characterization.
US08570522B2
A mechanism is disclosed for capturing reflected rays from a surface. A first and second lens aligned along a same optical center axis are configured so that a beam of light collimated parallel to the lens center axis directed to a first side, is converged toward the lens center axis on a second side. A first light beam source between the first and second lenses directs a light beam toward the first lens parallel to the optical center axis. Second light beam source(s) on the second side of the first lens, direct a light beam toward a focal plane of the first lens at a desired angle. An image capturing component, at the second side of the second lens, has an image capture surface directed toward the second lens to capture images of the light reflected from a sample capture surface at the focal plane of the first lens.
US08570516B2
A vision system is provided to determine a positional relationship between a semiconductor wafer on a platen and an element on a processing machine, such as a printing screen, on a remote side of the semiconductor wafer from the platen. A source directs infrared light through an aperture in the platen to illuminate the semiconductor wafer and cast a shadow onto the element adjacent an edge of the semiconductor wafer. A video camera produces an image using light received from the platen aperture, wherein some of that received light was reflected by the wafer. The edge of the semiconductor wafer in the image is well defined by a dark/light transition.
US08570513B2
System for, and method of ellipsometric investigation of and analysis of samples which have, for instance, a non-random effectively “regular” textured surface, and/or a surface characterized by an irregular array of faceted structures.
US08570503B2
A noninvasive physiological sensor for measuring one or more physiological parameters of a medical patient can include a heat sink that can direct heat away from the light source.
US08570498B2
Customized spectral profiles, and filters and illuminants having a customized spectral profile, optimized to reduce light in one or more wavelength regions for which one or more pigments are relatively more susceptible to perceptible changes in appearance.
US08570497B2
An oil in water analyzer for measuring the concentration of hydrocarbons in an effluent stream. The oil in water analyzer has a valve system for acquiring a sample from an effluent stream. An extraction device is used for mixing a known volume of a solvent and the sample to produce a hydrocarbon/solvent mixture. A second valve is used for transporting the hydrocarbon/solvent mixture to a spectroscopic cell. It is at the spectroscopic cell where the concentration of hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon/solvent mixture is evaluated.
US08570474B2
The present invention provides an anti-reflection film which provides not only sufficient anti-reflection properties and antistatic properties but also excellent contrast in a bright place and excellent contrast in a dark place especially applied on a surface of a transmissive LCD. The anti-reflection film has an antistatic hard coat layer and a low refractive index layer in order on at least one surface of a transparent substrate, average luminous reflectance in the range of 0.5-1.5% on a surface of the low refractive index layer side, haze equal to or less than 0.5%, parallel light transmittance in the range of 94.0-96.5%, and an absorption loss in average luminous transmittance in the range of 0.5-3.0%.
US08570458B2
Provided is a liquid crystal display in which occurrence of iridescent unevenness is suppressed, even when a film with high level of mechanical properties, chemical resistance and water-barrier properties is used as a polarizer-protective-film. Also, disclosed is a polarizing plate to be used in the liquid crystal display. The liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal cell, a light source, a first polarizing plate placed between the liquid crystal cell and the light source, and a second polarizing plate placed on a viewer side of the liquid crystal cell. The first polarizing plate includes a polarizer and a first protective film placed on a light source side principal surface of the first protective film, and the first protective film satisfies following relations: (i) 0 nm≦Re1≦3000 nm; (ii) Nz1≧5; and (iii) Rth1>2500 nm.
US08570456B2
The present invention provides a semiconductor device which can prevent a current from flowing into a display element at a signal writing operation, without increasing power consumption and without changing a potential of a power supply for supplying a current to a load in each row. When a predetermined current is supplied to a transistor to set a gate-source voltage of the transistor, a potential of a gate terminal of the transistor is adjusted so as to prevent a current from flowing into a load which is connected to a source terminal of the transistor. Thus, a potential of a wire connected to the gate terminal of the transistor is made different from that of a wire connected to a drain terminal of the transistor. At that time, an operation of a transistor is shifted so as to allow a large amount of current to flow, and influences by intersection capacitance parasitic to a wire or the like or wire resistance are hardly caused, and a set operation is conducted quickly.
US08570449B2
A system comprising a display having a stack of layers configured to display an image, multiple elements included in the stack of layers and a pressure sensor. Each of the multiple elements is configured to sense light. The pressure sensor is distinct from the multiple elements and is configured to sense a pressure applied to the display.
US08570444B2
According to one embodiment, a television receiver includes: a display; a circuit board; a housing; an antenna; and a shield. The display includes a display screen. The circuit board is located at a side of the display opposite the display screen. The housing is configured to house the display and the circuit board. The antenna is in the housing, and includes a communication portion and a ground portion. The shield is along a periphery of the ground portion in the housing, and is located between the antenna and the circuit board.
US08570443B2
An image processing circuit and a method thereof are provided herein. The image processing circuit has a first scaling circuit, a plurality of line buffers, a first sharpness circuit, a second scaling circuit, and a second sharpness circuit. The first scaling circuit enlarges an input image along a first direction to generate a first enlarged image. The line buffers temporarily store the pixel values of a plurality of pixel rows of the first enlarged image. The first sharpness circuit vertically sharpens the first enlarged image to generate a first sharpened image. The second scaling circuit enlarges the first sharpened image along a second direction to generate a second enlarged image. The second sharpness circuit horizontally sharpens the second enlarged image to generate a second sharpened image. Accordingly, it is possible to use the line buffers having shorter data lengths to perform the vertical sharpening.
US08570442B2
What is disclosed is a system and method for image reconstruction using a compressed sensing framework to increase the number of wavelength bands in hyperspectral video systems. The present method utilizes a restricted representation matrix and sampling matrix to reconstruct bands to a very large number without losing information content. Reference multi-band image vectors are created and those vectors are processed in a block-wise form to obtain custom orthonormal representation matrices. A sampling matrix is also constructed offline in the factory. The compressed sensing protocol is applied using a l1-norm optimization (or relaxation) algorithm to reconstruct large number of wavelength bands with each band being interspersed within the band of interest that are not imaged. The teaching hereof leads to very large number of bands without increasing the hardware cost.
US08570436B2
An information processing device includes an input unit configured to input video data, a setting unit configured to set a progressing speed of the video data that is inputted, an interpolation processing unit configured to perform interpolation processing corresponding to the progressing speed that is set, with respect to the video data that is inputted, and an imparting unit configured to impart a time code to all frames constituting interpolated video data that is obtained as a result of the interpolation processing.
US08570435B2
A video processing method and a device thereof are described. The method includes the steps as follows. An input video signal is received, in which a single period of the input video signal has a plurality of first input frames and a plurality of second input frames. The input video signal is processed, so as to generate an output video signal, in which a single period of the output video signal has a plurality of first output frames and a plurality of second output frames, and an amount of the first output frames is the same as an amount of the second output frames. A sum of the amount of the first output frames and the amount of second output frames is an integer multiple of a sum of an amount of the first input frames and an amount of the second input frames.
US08570433B1
Techniques for reducing coloration artifacts visible in digital images acquired under flash lighting conditions are provided. The coloration artifact problem is addressed by capturing two images of the scene, a first image illuminated by a limited spectral bandwidth flash light source, and a second image illuminated by broad spectral bandwidth flash light source. Pixels of the second image are replaced with selected counterpart pixels from the first image that do not contain the coloration artifact.
US08570431B2
A mobile electronic device including: a camera unit configured to capture a subject image and generate an image signal; a display unit configured to receive the image signal and display a captured image based on the image signal; an acquisition unit configured to acquire detection area information as information about a focusable area that is an area excluding, from the captured image, areas regarded as unfocusable for the camera unit to focus on; a face detection unit configured to detect face-including regions, each of which including face image of the subject and existing in the focusable area from the image signal, based on the detection area information; and a display control unit configured to control the display unit to display face regions on the captured image based on the face-including regions detected by the face detection unit.
US08570427B2
An image-capturing device includes: a micro-lens array in which a plurality of micro lenses are arrayed; a light reception element array having a plurality of groups of light reception elements respectively corresponding to the plurality of micro lenses, and that receives a ray bundle from an optical system via the micro lenses and outputs a plurality of received light signals; a detection unit that detects a deviation amount of an image surface by the optical system when the received light signals were obtained; and an image creation unit that selects a portion of the plurality of received light signals on the basis of the deviation amount detected by the detection unit, and creates an image on the basis of that selected portion of the received light signals.
US08570421B2
In one embodiment, an image sensor includes, a bank 301 of charge-coupled devices, and charge sensing amplifiers 302, each of which transforms electric charges extracted from an associated pixel into an electrical signal. After the electric charges accumulated in every pixel have been extracted to the charge-coupled devices 301 at the same time, a color component with a high resolution is output to a horizontal transfer path 316 via the charge sensing amplifiers 302 and then output to a device outside of the image sensor. Thereafter, pixel signals representing another low-resolution color component are vertically added together on the bank 301 of charge-coupled devices. Those pixel signals are horizontally added together on the horizontal transfer path 316 and output. The image obtained by this image sensor is then input to an image processing section, thereby obtaining an output color image with a high resolution and a high frame rate.
US08570420B2
An image pickup system includes a plurality of electron multiplication image pickup apparatuses; and a correction coefficient calculating device. The correction coefficient calculating device measures electron multiplication properties of image signals output from the electron multiplication image pickup apparatuses on a regular basis, calculates correction coefficients that are used to adjust the sensitivity of image signals from the electron multiplication apparatus, and sets the calculated correction coefficients in the electron multiplication image pickup apparatuses.
US08570419B2
A solid-state imaging device includes vertical transfer units each including first and second transfer units. A drive control unit controls transfer processes of the vertical transfer units so that (i) after transferring a packet, the first transfer unit stops transferring another packet in a period during which the packet is horizontally transferred, (ii) the second transfer unit in the same group transfers the packet to a horizontal transfer unit at a timing different from a timing at which another second transfer unit in the same group transfers a different packet to the horizontal transfer unit, (iii) the horizontal transfer unit horizontally transfers the received packet in a horizontal transfer period different from another horizontal transfer period during which the different packet is horizontally transferred, and (iv) at least one charge transfer stage serving as the well region differs between these horizontal transfer periods.
US08570407B2
Imaging apparatus, image processing program, image processing apparatus, and image processing method
Image processing capable of improving bright and dark part gradation is performed while maintaining apparent contrast by providing an imaging unit generating image data, a selecting unit selecting either a first mode not performing a correction on a dark part gradation of the image data or a second mode performing the correction, a gradation conversion processing unit performing gradation conversion processing according to a first characteristic when the first mode is selected and performing the gradation conversion processing according to a second characteristic which includes a characteristic achieving, for a same input level, an output level lower than the first characteristic and includes a characteristic changing contrast when the second mode is selected, and a correcting unit performing the correction to improve a lightness in the dark part gradation of the image data according to the second characteristic by the gradation conversion processing unit when the second mode is selected.
US08570405B2
An imaging system and method that captures compressive sensing (CS) measurements of a received light stream, and also obtains samples of background light level (BGLL). The BGLL samples may be used to compensate the CS measurements for variations in the BGLL. The system includes: a light modulator to spatially modulate the received light stream with spatial patterns, and a lens to concentrate the modulated light stream onto a light detector. The samples of BGLL may be obtained in various ways: (a) injecting calibration patterns among the spatial patterns; (b) measuring complementary light reflected by digital micromirrors onto a secondary output path; (c) separating and measuring a portion of light from the optical input path; (d) low-pass filtering the CS measurements; and (e) employing a light power meter with its own separate input path. Also, the CS measurements may be high-pass filtered to attenuate background light variation.
US08570401B2
A plurality of image data different in exposure condition are separated into a plurality of luminance component image data and a plurality of color-difference component image data, and the luminance component image data and the color-difference component image data are inputted to an image combining portion 11. A luminance component combining section 21 averages and smoothes the plurality of image data different in exposure condition and sets combining rates of the plurality of image data different in exposure condition by using the smoothed average luminance component image data. The separated plurality of luminance component image data are combined by using the set combining rates with respect to each attention pixel. On the other hand, a color-difference component combining portion 22 combines the separated plurality of color-difference component image data by using the combining rates used in the luminance component combining section 21.
US08570397B2
An image pickup device includes an image processing unit which processes an image input through the plurality of image pickup units, a plurality of microphones which are spaced apart from each other, an audio processing unit which senses a voice of a photographer using the plurality of microphones, and a control unit which, when the voice of a photographer is sensed through the audio processing unit, controls the image processing unit to combine an image of an image pickup unit corresponding to a location of the photographer with an image of an image pickup unit currently performing photographing.
US08570395B2
According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging device includes a pixel unit, a flicker detecting unit, a flicker-level estimating unit, and a flicker correcting unit. The flicker detecting unit detects, based on a magnitude relation of a signal amount in each of lines formed in the pixel unit, presence or absence of a flicker. The flicker-level estimating unit estimates a flicker level in each of the lines of the next frame. The flicker correcting unit corrects, for each of the lines, a flicker that occurs in a signal of an image picked up by the pixel unit.
US08570391B2
An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit that photoelectrically converts an object image to generate image data; a face detecting unit that detects a face in the generated image data; and a number-of-people detecting unit that detects the number of faces detected in the image data based on a face detection result by the face detecting unit. The imaging apparatus also includes a feature determining unit that determines a feature of the detected face based on a face detection result by the face detecting unit; a face selecting unit that selects a face that satisfies a predetermined correction condition set in advance among the detected faces based on at least one of a detection result of the number of people and a determination result of the feature; and a face-image processing unit that performs a predetermined correction process on at least the selected face.
US08570380B1
A method for adjusting properties of a display includes displaying a first pluge image on the display to a user, wherein the display includes a plurality of locations, wherein the first pluge image comprises a first plurality of output values associated with the plurality of locations, thereafter displaying a second pluge image on the display to the user, wherein the second pluge image comprises a second plurality of output values associated with the plurality of locations, wherein the first plurality of output values are different from the second plurality of output values, and receiving a display adjustment input from the user, wherein the display adjustment input from the user is in response to the user viewing the first pluge image on the display and in response to the second pluge image on the display.
US08570379B1
Various arrangements for testing video decoder device functionality are presented. A video frame decoded by a video decoder device under test may be received. The received video frame may be segmented into a plurality of blocks. A first value may be calculated for a first block of the plurality of blocks of the received video frame using pixel values of pixels present within the first block. The first value may be compared to a first reference value. The first reference value may correspond to a first reference block of one or more reference frames. Video decoder functionality of the video decoder device may be determined to be functional at least partially based on comparing the first value to the first reference value.
US08570372B2
The systems and methods described herein include a device that can scan the surrounding environment and construct a 3D image, map, or representation of the surrounding environment using, for example, invisible light projected into the environment. In some implementations, the device can also project into the surrounding environment one or more visible radiation pattern patterns (e.g., a virtual object, text, graphics, images, symbols, color patterns, etc.) that are based at least in part on the 3D map of the surrounding environment.
US08570368B2
A wireless audio transmission system includes: a transmitter having a microphone and a modulator-transmitter transmitting a radio wave modulated by an audio signal from the microphone; a receiver having a receiver-demodulator demodulating the audio signal after receiving the radio wave transmitted from the transmitter, outputting the audio signal demodulated by the receiver-demodulator to the outside of the receiver; and a video camera into which the audio signal output from the receiver is input, wherein the receiver has a detector detecting frequencies of a radio wave not being used by other devices based on a reception level of the radio wave received by the receiver-demodulator and outputs available frequency information indicating the frequencies detected by the detector to the video camera, and the video camera has a controller causing the available frequency information input from the receiver to be displayed on a display unit attached to the video camera.
US08570367B2
An electronic apparatus includes a main body, a 2-dimensional display panel and a display-mode switching device. The main body includes a first surface. The 2-dimensional display panel is mounted in the first surface for selectively displaying 2-dimensional images, and left and right parallax images. The display-mode switching device includes a lenticular lens sheet capable of directing the left parallax image light beams to a left eye of the viewer and directing the right parallax image light beams to a right eye of the viewer. The display-mode switching device is movably mounted on the main body between a first position where the lenticular lens sheet is overlaid on the 2-dimensional display panel to convert the left and right parallax images into stereoscopic images and a second position where the lenticular lens sheet is moved away from the 2-dimensional display panel such that the 2-dimensional display panel displays the 2-dimensional images.
US08570360B2
A stereoscopic parameter embedding apparatus comprising: a video image input unit operable to input a plurality of pieces of video image data to be processed sequentially; a parameter input unit operable to input stereoscopic parameters for converting a video image into a stereoscopic image, each of which is respectively associated with each of the plurality of video image data; a converter operable to convert each of the input stereoscopic parameters into binary data; and an embedding unit operable to embed bar-code image data corresponding to the binary data in each of the plurality of pieces of video image data.
US08570356B2
An imaging system. An array of light sources and an array of lenses corresponding to the light sources and having optical axes substantially parallel to one another are provided. The lenses produce collimated output beams. An afocal optical relay having an optical axis substantially parallel to the optical axes of the lenses is also included, the array of lenses being positioned relative to the afocal optical relay so as to form an optical system that produces an image of each collimated output beam on an image plane, each image having a prescribed depth of focus and spot size. The light sources preferably are lasers producing an array of respective laser beams having high intensity and a long waist. A system for writing information on a light-sensitive label includes the imaging system. Methods of imaging and of writing information on a light-sensitive label are also provided.
US08570347B2
An electronic device and method for image editing include constructing a virtual wallpaper interface, which includes an image display area and a preview window. After an image is imported from the area to the preview window, the method proportionally resizes the image. If the display ratio of the resized image is greater than that of the preview window, the electronic device and method can crop the resized image to generate an edited image that fits the aspect ratio of the preview window. If not, the electronic device and method merge at least one image with the edited image and crop the merged image to generate the edited image. By enlarging the edited image, a desired image which can cover an entire screen of the electronic device is generated.
US08570343B2
A computer-implemented method and apparatus of 3D modeling accesses product data of a consumer good product. The product data includes 2D image data of the subject consumer good product and shape information of the subject consumer good product. An extractor extracts the shape information from the product data, including a 3D shape class of the subject consumer good product, and derives a detailed 3D shape graph. The detailed 3D shape graph represents an orthographically correct 3D outline shape of the subject consumer good product. As a function of the determined 3D shape class, a mesh generator generates a 3D mesh of the subject consumer good product from the detailed 3D shape graph. An image mapper projects images onto the 3D mesh, the images being of the subject consumer good product and from the 2D image data. A 3D model of the subject consumer good product results and is configured for interactive display on web pages and in other user-interactive environments.
US08570334B2
An image processing device includes a memory interface to read out image data from a memory, and a memory access controller to control reading process of the memory interface so as to keep a number of pixels in a main scanning direction of the image data read out from the memory smaller than a number of pixels in a main scanning direction of a screen to which the image data is output.
US08570332B2
The invention relates to a power-gating control method for a graphics processing unit having a unified shader unit, which includes a plurality of shaders. The method includes the steps of: rendering a plurality of previous frames; calculating a first number of active shaders for rendering each previous frame, and a corresponding frame rate of each previous frame; determining a second number of active shaders for rendering a next frame immediately following the previous frame according to the first number of active shaders and the corresponding frame rate of each previous frame; and activating corresponding shaders through one or more power-gating control elements according to the second number of active shaders.
US08570328B2
Techniques are provided for calculating a modified cumulative rendition period for a collection of temporal sequence presentation data elements, for associating the modified cumulative rendition period with the collection, and for modifying the collection based on the calculated modified cumulative rendition period in a digital rendering system for rendering the collection, when the digital rendering system includes a Variable Rate Presentation capability.
US08570327B2
A method for displaying a control system comprising, receiving a function block diagram file including a function block having an associated logic function, receiving an animation instruction associated with the function block, receiving system data from a system controller, receiving a first graphic associated with the logic function from a function block library, processing the first graphic and the system data according to the animation instruction to render an updated first graphic reflecting the systems data, and displaying the function block and the rendered updated first graphic associated with the logic function.
US08570321B2
A three-dimensional graphics system is provided. The three-dimensional graphics system rasterizes each of a plurality of polygons generated from vertexes in an order adapted to characteristics of each polygon. The three-dimensional graphics system includes a rasterization engine including a polygon setup unit receiving the vertexes and generating the polygons and rasterization information for each polygon, and a rasterizer rasterizing pixels using the rasterization information received from the polygon setup unit in an order adapted to the characteristics of each polygon. Accordingly, the coherence of the pixels is increased and the hit ratio of cache memory is thus increased. As a result, the performance of the three-dimensional graphics system is improved. With the increase of the hit ratio of the cache memory, buss traffic in the system is reduced and power consumption is thus reduced.
US08570311B2
The general field of the invention is that of display devices including a liquid-crystal matrix screen composed of elementary pixels, said screen including at least a first electrode used as voltage reference and called the “backplane,” a second electrode in the form of a matrix electronic network delivering the drive voltages for controlling the pixels and control electronics for said electrodes, said screen being used in the so-called “normally black” mode, that is to say that in the absence of applied voltages, the optical transmission of the pixels is substantially zero. In the device according to the invention, the “backplane” drive voltage is a variable periodic voltage, the amplitude of variation of this voltage being sufficient so that in the absence of voltage on the second electrode, the optical transmission of the pixels is sufficient to be detected by an observer.
US08570308B2
A trapezoid-shaped motion blur pointer image is composed of edges of normal pointer images. The normal pointer image and the motion blur pointer image are not overlapped with each other to prevent unevenness in brightness. The brightness of the motion blur pointer image is even in a whole area of the motion blur pointer image. The brightness of the motion blur pointer image has an inverted relationship with an area thereof, or is varied corresponding to a rotation speed of the pointer image.
US08570306B2
A touch stylus includes a first sleeve, a second sleeve, a stylus body, a first slide rod, and a second slide rod. The first sleeve defines a first assembling hole and the second sleeve defines a second assembling hole. The second sleeve is slidably received in the first assembling hole, the stylus body is slidably received in the second assembling hole. The first slide rod is secured with the first sleeve and slidably connects to the second sleeve. The second slide rod is secured with the second sleeve and slidably connects to the stylus body.
US08570300B2
A touch detection function display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate that includes a plurality of touch detection electrodes provided in parallel and a terminal portion formed along one substrate side and connected to each of the plurality of touch detection electrodes, a display function layer that is interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, a seal portion that is provided to surround the display function layer to seal the display function layer between the first substrate and the second substrate and a shield electrode that is provided on the first substrate, the second substrate, or both substrates along the substrate side on which the terminal portion is provided. The shield electrode includes an electrode pattern portion that is selectively formed between the first substrate, the second substrate, or both substrates, and the seal portion.
US08570296B2
A system that produces a haptic effect and generates a drive signal that includes at least two haptic effect signals each having a priority level. The haptic effect is a combination of the haptic effect signals and priority levels. The haptic effect may optionally be a combination of the two haptic effect signals if the priority levels are the same, otherwise only the haptic effect signal with the highest priority is used. The frequency of haptic notifications may also be used to generate a drive signal using foreground and background haptic effect channels depending on whether the frequency ratio exceeds a foreground haptic effect threshold.
US08570288B2
A touch panel having a transparent region and a peripheral region surrounding the transparent region is provided. The touch panel includes a transparent cover, a touch device, a light-shielding layer, a layer of conductive lines, and a touch chip. The transparent cover has a touch surface and a device mounting surface opposite thereto. The touch device is disposed on the device mounting surface and at least located at the transparent region. The light-shielding layer is disposed on the transparent cover and located inside the peripheral region. The layer of conductive lines is disposed on the device mounting surface, located inside the peripheral region, and electrically connected to the touch device. The touch chip is disposed on the layer of conductive lines through a chip-on-glass process.
US08570281B2
A method and apparatus for operating a computing device including a multi-touch surface. The method comprises: presenting a customer with an application form; transferring data from a customer's portable device (such as a cellphone) placed on or near the multi-touch surface to the application form; communicating with an authorization portable device (such as a staff identification badge) placed on or near the multi-touch surface by an authorized user; and transferring data from the authorization portable device to the application form to complete the application form.
US08570272B2
An electrophoresis display panel includes a plurality of first sub-pixels, a plurality of second sub-pixels, a plurality of third sub-pixels, and a plurality of white sub-pixels. The first sub-pixels, the second sub-pixels, and the third sub-pixels are suitable for irradiating different light of three primary colors, respectively, while the white sub-pixels are suitable for irradiating white light. Each of the first sub-pixels does not adjoin the second sub-pixels and the third sub-pixels. Each of the second sub-pixels does not adjoin the third sub-pixels. Each of the first sub-pixels adjoins the white sub-pixels exclusively or adjoins the white sub-pixels and other first sub-pixels exclusively.
US08570270B2
An edge-lit backlight unit for displays is provided. In one embodiment, the backlight may include a light guide configured to receive light from a light source along a first lateral edge. The received light propagates towards a second opposite lateral edge. The backlight unit may include an arrangement of light-extracting elements configured to extract a portion of the propagating light and to allow the remaining portion to reach the second edge. In one embodiment, a specular reflector disposed at the second edge causes the light reaching the second edge to retro-propagate back towards the first edge. In certain embodiments, the retro-propagating light may be between approximately 5 to 35 percent of the total light received by the light guide. The retro-propagating light may be extracted by multiple light-extracting elements and mixed with the extracted propagating light to provide improved color uniformity along an axis of the display.
US08570262B2
A liquid crystal display (LCD) is disclosed. The pixels of the LCD each have storage capacitors, and the capacitances of the storage capacitors of pixels of different colors are different.
US08570260B2
A method (200) of controlling a liquid crystal display (LCD) (110) integrated within a sensing device for operation in cold temperature is provided. The method (200) includes providing electrical power to the LCD (110), providing an electrical signal to the LCD (110) to update displayed information, measuring (206) the ambient temperature proximate the LCD (110) and making adjustments to the power and update information supplied to the LCD (110) based on the ambient temperature. Another aspect of the invention includes a field device (10) including an LCD (110), an electronic control module (120) configured to provide power and communication signals to the LCD (110), and a temperature sensor (112) coupled to the electronic control module (120). The electronic control module (120) is configured to measure the temperature proximate the LCD (110) and control power and communication supplied to the LCD (110) based on the temperature at the LCD (110).
US08570259B2
A scan method for use in a flat panel display comprising K groups of lines, comprising the following steps. First, K sequences S1 to SK are provided. A scan order is then determined according to the K sequences S1 to SK. Thereafter, the K groups of lines are synchronously scanned by the scan order. K is an integer not less than 2. Each group of lines comprises at least M lines.
US08570254B2
Provided is a display apparatus, in which a deterioration of a display device in an icon display region is reduced to lower the occurrence of burn-in. The display apparatus includes multiple pixels each including sub-pixels of red, green, blue and white, which are arranged in matrix and a color operation circuit for converting an image signal into a driving signal for the sub-pixels, in which each of the sub pixels includes an electroluminescence device and the color operation circuit adjusts a luminance ratio between the sub-pixels of red, green and blue and the sub-pixel of white based on a display region.
US08570246B2
A system for operating a color flat panel display (FPD) is provided that includes a color FPD, a light source, and a display processing device. The color FPD has an adjustable color depth and is configured to reflect ambient light. The light source transmits light through the bottom surface of the color FPD. The display processing device is coupled to the color FPD and decreases the color depth of the color FPD when the light source is activated and increases the color depth of the color FPD when the light source is turned off.
US08570242B2
Disclosed herein is an image displaying method for a head-mounted type display unit which includes a frame of the glasses type for being mounted on the head of an observer, an image display apparatus attached to the frame, and a control section for controlling image display of the image display apparatus. The image display apparatus includes an image forming apparatus, and an optical apparatus. The image displaying method includes the steps of: storing a data group configured from a plurality of data in a storage section; adding a data identification code to each of the data; sending a designation identification code and display time information at predetermined intervals of time; and reading out the data whose data identification code coincides with the received designation identification code from the storage section and controlling the image forming apparatus to display an image based on the read out data.
US08570241B2
An image display apparatus which controls an external device transmitting data using a USB connector is provided. The image display apparatus includes a first connector and a second connector which receive an image signal, respectively, a display unit which selectively displays the image signal input via the first connector and the second connector, and if the image signal input via the first connector is displayed on the display unit, a central processing unit (CPU) which stops an external device connected via the second connector from transmitting an image signal. Accordingly, resources in the external device can be efficiently managed by stopping unnecessary operations.
US08570235B2
Example embodiments of the invention are directed to CMOS differential antenna switches with multi-section impedance transformation. The differential architecture can provide relief from large voltage swings of the power amplifiers by distributing the voltage stress over the receiver switch with two of the identical or substantially similar single-ended switches. In order to reduce the voltage stress further, multi-section impedance transformations can be used. Degraded insertion loss due to the impedance transformation technique can be compensated by selecting an optimal impedance for the antenna switch operation. Accordingly, the use of the multi-section impedance transformations with the differential antenna switch architecture enables high power handling capability for the antenna switch with acceptable efficiency for the transmitter module.
US08570229B2
A multiple antenna apparatus includes a substrate, a first antenna structure, and a second antenna structure. The first antenna structure includes a first metal trace that has a first pattern confined in a first geometric shape and has a near-zero electric field plane. The second antenna structure includes a second metal trace that has a first pattern confined to a second geometric shape. The second antenna structure is positioned on the substrate in substantial alignment with the near-zero electric field plane of the first antenna structure.
US08570227B1
A transmit antenna system includes active transmit electronics. A transistor has its gate coupled to a pulse generator for receiving the voltage pulses produced thereby. A coupled inductor is coupled to the transistor's drain. A tuning capacitor is coupled to the coupled inductor. An antenna is coupled to the coupled inductor and tuning capacitor. A choke inductor is coupled to the coupled inductor and a direct current voltage source. During each of the voltage pulses of the pulse generator, a resonant circuit is defined where parameters of the resonant circuit include resistance and capacitance of the antenna, capacitance of the tuning capacitor, inductance of the coupled inductor, and capacitance of the transistor. The resonant circuit is configured such that a resonant frequency thereof is equal to the pulse frequency of the pulse generator.
US08570224B2
Apparatus providing thermal management for radio frequency devices. An antenna is provided that includes an antenna body configured for transmitting electrical signals, and one or more mounting surfaces coupled to the antenna body, the one or more mounting surfaces configured for mounting to a device surface so that a resulting thermal resistance (Rth) between the device surface and the antenna body is less than 15 degrees centigrade per watt. The antenna body forms one of a PIFA antenna, whip antenna, patch antenna, or a meandered patch antenna.
US08570222B2
An antenna apparatus includes a substrate and an antenna structure. The antenna structure includes a metal trace and a terminal. The metal trace has a modified Polya curve shape that is confined in a polygonal shape. The terminal is coupled to the metal trace.
US08570214B2
There is provided a position calculating method including: calculating a pseudorange by receiving a satellite signal from a positioning satellite; and calculating a position using a normal mixture distribution model which expresses distribution of an error included in the pseudorange with normal mixture distribution.
US08570213B2
This disclosure provides a fake image reduction device, which includes a target object detection module for being inputted with an echo signal from an antenna that transmits an electromagnetic wave and receives the echo signal, measuring a level of the echo signal to detect a target object, a reflecting body identifying module for identifying the detected target object as a reflecting body, and a fake image area setting module for setting a fake image area according to a distance and an azimuth direction from a transmitting position of the electromagnetic wave to the identified reflecting body.
US08570196B1
A method for converting image data from serial to parallel is provided. The method has steps of: receiving serial data of an image into a line buffer according to a serial clock signal of the image, wherein the serial data at least comprises a frame start code, and a row start code; detecting the frame start code of the serial data in the line buffer to trigger a vertical synchronous signal of the image; and detecting the row start code of the serial data in the line buffer to trigger a horizontal synchronous signal of the image.
US08570189B1
A multifunction traffic control and information system of the present invention includes external condition sensors and various devices each having one or more display portions to display alphanumeric messages and a local communications module functionally linked to a local network. At least one device further includes a cellular communications module and a system controller. The controller receives a display data string including a message displayable by one or more of the devices, as transmitted from a remote source via a cellular network, determines at least one of the devices to display the message, and routes the message to at least one display portion associated with the one or more determined devices. The controller further generates a return data string based on external condition data sensed by the one or more sensors, and transmits the return data string across the cellular network to the remote source.
US08570170B2
A method for noise alerting includes: recording ambient sound around an electronic device and generating corresponding sound signals; determining a volume of the ambient sound according to the sound signal; obtaining a noise grade corresponding to the determined volume of the ambient sound in a first table mapping relationships between a plurality of volumes and noise grades; searching a second table mapping relationships between the noise grades and solutions to obtain a solution corresponding to the obtained noise grade of the ambient sound; and outputting an alert to a user for recommending the obtained solution. The electronic device for noise alerting is also provided.
US08570169B2
A portable dispensing device is provided having a container configured to be moved to a plurality of locations. An access point at an opening of the container controls access into and out of the container. A scale is coupled to a bin within the container and is configured to measure a weight of the bin and contents of the bin. A computing device is in electrical communication with the access point and the scale and configured to allow or deny access to the container as well as receive the measured weight from the scale to determine a number of items in the bin. The computing device further associates an item removed from the bin with the individual or credits an item returned to the bin with the individual when the individual exits the container.
US08570165B2
A tire pressure monitor system tool that stores information regarding a plurality of tire pressure monitor systems. The information may include procedures for resetting and diagnosing the tire pressure monitor system. The tool may include a storing module that stores the information and a displaying module that causes the information to be displayed on a display of the tool. The tool may enable a user to input data regarding a vehicle. Based on the vehicle data input by the user, the tool may determine a tire pressure monitor system installed on the vehicle using the information stored. Based on the tire pressure monitoring system installed on the vehicle, the tool may determine one or more reset or diagnostic procedures that may be performed by the tool. The tool may also reference the owner's manual of the vehicle. The tool may also include an updating module that updates the information stored by the tool. The tool may also include an update interface that may be, for example, an RS232 port. The tool may interface with an electronic control unit of a vehicle.
US08570157B1
Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are selected for inventorying using a combination of preselect and/or post select criteria. The selection commands can be for selecting according to a tag memory content, by invoking the mask address or by comparing other tag characteristics. Selection criteria can be determined locally at a modem block of a reader or provided to the modem block by higher layers of the reader. Tags meeting the selection criteria are reported to the higher layers for further actions. Some tags may be held while waiting for instructions from the higher layer block(s). The instructions may involve one or more access operations, which may be performed using a higher transmit power than other operations.
US08570156B2
A Pluggable small form-factor UHF Radio Frequency ID reader having in an enclosure: a host CPU; volatile memory; non-volatile memory; power inputs; digital circuitry comprising the CPU and supporting components; analog circuitry comprising power and Radio Frequency components; one or more antennas; networking components; user interface components; debug and test components; WiFi subsystem; Radio Frequency ID subsystem; wherein said enclosure comprises thermal dissipation capacity, radio frequency transparency with WiFi and Radio Frequency ID antennas, provides protection from physical and radiofrequency forces, is mountable to an AC outlet and can also be mounted flush to a solid wall or surface or at an angle to a solid wall or surface, connectable to PoE or DC inputs, having a capacity to convert AC/DC current; Radio Frequency ID setting configurable, employs intelligent filtering and smoothing algorithms and transmits only relevant summarized information back over a network, and permits firmware management and real-time monitoring.
US08570152B2
A method and apparatus for operating a sensor system. A first wireless signal is transmitted from a base station to a sensor unit. At least a portion of the first wireless signal is changed into power for the sensor unit using a power harvesting unit in the sensor unit. Information is received from a number of sensors associated with the sensor unit. The information is transmitted to the base station using a second wireless signal.
US08570149B2
Embodiments of the invention provide for a biometric system with an optically adaptive interface. In some embodiments, an optically adaptive interface changes optical characteristics in response to the placement of a finger on the optically adaptive interface. In some embodiments, the optically adaptive interface can include an active layer and a surface layer. The active layer and the surface layer can have different optical properties. For example, one layer may be opaque and the other transparent, the two layers may have complementary colors, the two layers may have orthogonal polarization reflectors, one layer may be reflective and the other absorptive, etc. Moreover, the active layer can be a fluid with either high or low viscosity. For example, the viscosity can be such that the active layer fluid is either completely displaced or not displaced in locations corresponding to finger valleys.
US08570132B2
A power electronics assembly is provided. The assembly includes a housing defining at least one cavity and having a fluid passageway extending therethrough, the fluid passageway having first and second portions on respective first and second opposing sides of the at least one cavity, and a plurality of inductors housed within the at least one cavity of the housing such that the first and second portions of the fluid passageway are on first and second opposing sides of each of the plurality of inductors.
US08570127B2
A high magnetic field superconducting magnet system with large crossing warm bore is disclosed, a superconducting coil thereof includes a low temperature superconducting coil and a high temperature superconducting coil. The superconducting coils are connected to a thermal shield and a flange of a low temperature container by a supporting drawbar, thus the superconducting coils as a whole are supported inside the low temperature container. A thermal switch is connected to a primary cold head and a secondary cold head of the cryocooler. The secondary cold head of the cryocooler is connected to a magnet-reinforced supporting flange at the two ends of the low temperature superconducting coil and the high temperature superconducting coil by a cold conduction strip. The superconducting magnet system has a room temperature bore in horizontal direction and a room temperature bore in vertical direction. A thermal shield outside the room temperature bore in horizontal direction is used for preventing thermal radiation by the room temperature bore in horizontal direction to the superconducting coils. A separation supporting frame separates the low temperature superconducting coil and the high temperature superconducting coil into two parts, such that a two-dimensional room temperature space can be included inside the superconducting magnet when the superconducting magnet system is formed as a whole.
US08570126B1
A switch includes a switch housing, and a button moveably mounted to the housing. A profile is disposed on the underside of the button and has a profile contour that provides the tactile feel of the button as it is engaged by the user. A spring biased plunger has one end that engages the profile contour. A printed circuit board is mounted to the housing and includes a magnet sensor. A magnet holder includes at least one magnet. A vane interrupter has at least one passage having an opening proximate to a magnetic sensor. The magnet holder is moveably mounted to the housing such that the magnet is selectively moveable at least partially within the passage to a position where the magnet can be detected by the sensor.
US08570119B2
An ultra wide band-pass, absorptive band-reject filter has a pair of quadrature hybrid couplers cascaded and coupled by a phase shifting element and a matched pair of band-reject filters in two parallel paths. The matched pair of band-reject filters each rejects signals in a desired reject frequency band. The quadrature hybrid couplers each have an insertion loss amplitude crossover for signals propagated to terminals across the coupler that coincides with the reject frequency band. The phase shifting element is configured to have a phase shift of 180 degrees at frequencies in the reject frequency band. In a preferred embodiment, the pair of quadrature hybrid couplers are identical in performance and the band-reject filters are identical in performance with respect to a center frequency fn of the reject frequency band. The absorptive band-reject filter thereby provides an absorptive rejection response in the reject frequency band while a very wide pass-band frequency range is maintained.
US08570113B2
A method and circuitry for calibrating the gain of a VCO (voltage controlled oscillator) is disclosed. In one embodiment, a circuit includes a comparator configured to provide a first indication if the VCO gain is not within the specified gain range, and a second indication if the VCO is within the specified gain range. The circuit further includes a control unit configured to, upon occurrence of at least a first cycle of a clock signal, cause adjustment of the VCO gain responsive to receiving the first indication. For each one or more successive cycles of the clock signal, the control unit is configured to cause corresponding adjustments of the VCO gain until the comparator provides the second indication. The control unit is configured to discontinue adjustments to the VCO gain responsive to receiving the second indication.
US08570112B2
A MEMS oscillator having a feedback-type oscillation circuit including a MEMS resonator and an amplifier, a voltage control unit operable to control a bias voltage applied to an oscillating member of the MEMS resonator, and an auto gain control unit which receives an output from the amplifier and, based on a level of the output, to output an amplitude control signal for controlling a gain of the amplifier to the amplifier such that the level of the output from the amplifier comes to be a predetermined level, wherein the voltage control unit controls the bias voltage applied to the oscillating member based on an operating temperature of the MEMS resonator such that a peak gain of the MEMS resonator comes to have a predetermined value regardless of the operating temperature, and the voltage control unit derives the operating temperature of the MEMS resonator by monitoring the amplitude control signal.
US08570111B2
A single-staged balanced-output inductor-free oscillator and method thereof are provided. In one implementation an apparatus includes a first network comprising a first amplifier configured in a self feedback topology via a first feedback network for generating a first end of an output signal; a second network comprising a second amplifier configured in a self feedback topology via a second feedback network for generating a second end of the output signal; and a cross-coupling network for cross-coupling the first end and the second end of the output signal, wherein the first network and the second network share a common supply current and the first feedback network and the second feedback network are configured in a cross-controlling topology.
US08570110B2
An object of the invention is to provide a surface mount oscillator that can suppress a change with the lapse of time in frequency characteristics. A surface mount type crystal unit 1 includes: a framed crystal plate 2 in which an oscillating part 6 having a first excitation electrode 5a and a second excitation electrode 5b on opposite principal surfaces thereof is surrounded by a frame 7, and the oscillating part 6 and the frame 7 are connected by connecting parts 8a and 8b; a base 3; and a cover 4. The surface mount type crystal unit 1 has such a configuration that a first metal film 17 is formed in one area of two areas formed by dividing the principal surface of the frame 7 facing the base 3 at two positions around a circumferential direction of the frame 7, and a second metal film 18 is formed in the other area. The first metal film 17 is electrically connected to the first excitation electrode 5a, and the second metal film 18 is electrically connected to the second excitation electrode 5b. The frame 7 and the base 3 are bonded to each other by a sealing material 20 formed on surfaces of the first metal film and the second metal film, and a gap area 19 between the first metal film 17 and the second metal film 18 is filled with glass 21, thereby hermetically sealing the oscillating part 6.
US08570109B2
A ring oscillator including a plurality of buffer units, each of which has a cross-coupled structure, for generating clock signals using a bias voltage having a predetermined voltage level applied thereto, wherein the clock signals have a swing width corresponding to the bias voltage.
US08570108B2
An injection-locked oscillator circuit includes a master oscillator, a slave oscillator, and an injection lock control circuit. The slave oscillator is decoupled from the master oscillator (for example, due to an unlock condition). When the slave is free running, its oscillating frequency is adjusted (for example, as a function of a supply voltage). After an amount of time, the slave is to be relocked to the master (for example, due the unlock condition no longer being present). The slave oscillating frequency is made to be slightly lower than the master oscillating frequency. The slave is then only recoupled to the master upon detection of an opposite-phase condition between the master oscillator output signal and the slave oscillator output signal. By only recoupling the slave to the master during opposite-phase conditions, frequency overshoots in the slave oscillating frequency are avoided that may otherwise occur were the recoupling done during in-phase conditions.
US08570101B2
Power reduction in transmitters is very important. One method to realize reduction is to make use of switching power amplifiers (PA) that have a better efficiency. Switching PA concepts are only possible in combination with suitable modulation methods like pulse width modulation (PWM) and out-phasing concepts. However, PWM and out-phasing concepts rely on accurate phase control and duty cycle of the signals. Digitally generation of signals of variable duty cycles and phase is proposed without sacrificing their accuracy. Accordingly, a out-phasing power amplifier arrangement is disclosed, where the generation of the out-phasing angle (θ) and duty cycles (d1 and d2) are controlled by a set of n-bit digital input words (D1, D2, D3, D4). The baseband phase information (φ(t)) is phase modulated back to radio frequency and used as the clock signal of digital circuitry for phase and duty cycle generation after being frequency multiplied by 2n-1. The resolution of the out-phasing angle and of the duty cycle is 2π/2n and 2π/2n-1 equivalently. The resolution of the phase information φ is dependent on the PM realization.
US08570097B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a first pad configured to receive a first voltage, a second pad configured to receive a second voltage, an internal voltage generation circuit configured to generate a third voltage having the same voltage level as the first voltage in response to the second voltage during a test mode, and an internal circuit configured to perform a normal operation using the first voltage and the second voltage during a normal mode and perform a test operation using the second voltage and the third voltage during the test mode.
US08570096B2
A dynamic biasing circuit of the substrate of a MOS power transistor may include a first switch configured to connect the substrate to a current source which forward biases the intrinsic source-substrate diode of the transistor, when the gate voltage of the transistor turns the transistor on. The current source may include a stack of diodes in the same conduction direction as the intrinsic diode between the substrate and a supply voltage.
US08570091B2
A level shifter, converting an input signal into an output signal for level shifting, including a leakage blocking circuit having cascaded P-channel transistors and one N-channel transistor. The P-channel transistor at a beginning stage provides a gate for receiving the input signal and a source coupled to a gate of the P-channel transistor at a secondary stage. At intermediate stages, each P-channel transistor provides a source coupled to a gate of the subsequently cascaded P-channel transistor. At a final stage, the P-channel transistor provides a source coupled to a voltage source and a drain coupled to an output terminal of the leakage blocking circuit for the outputting of the output signal. The N-channel transistor has a gate which is coupled to receive the input signal as well, a source coupled to a common voltage, and a drain coupled to the output terminal of the leakage blocking circuit.
US08570090B2
Electronic component protection power supply clamp circuits comprising a plurality of p-type channel metal-oxide-semiconductor (PMOS) and n-type channel metal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS) transistors are described. These clamp circuits use a feedback latching circuit to retain an electrostatic discharge (ESD)-triggered state and efficiently conduct ESD current that has been diverted into the power supply, in order to dissipate ESD energy. The feedback latching circuit also maintains a clamp transistor in its off state if the clamp circuit powers up untriggered, thus enhancing the clamp circuit's immunity to noise during normal operation. Passive resistance initialization of key nodes to an untriggered state, as well as passive resistance gate input loading of a large ESD clamping transistor, further enhances the clamp circuit's immunity to false triggering. This also lengthens the time that the clamp circuit remains in the ESD-triggered state during human body model (HBM) or other long duration detected ESD events.
US08570087B2
The present invention provide a clock circuit and a method for providing a clock signal. The clock circuit includes: an adaptive clock generation circuit, configured to output an adaptive clock signal; and an adaptive clock driven circuit, configured to be driven by the adaptive clock signal to work. A maximum workable frequency of the adaptive clock driven circuit is higher than or equal to a frequency of the adaptive clock signal. When a working condition of the adaptive clock driven circuit is changed, the maximum workable frequency of the adaptive clock driven circuit is changed, the frequency of the adaptive clock signal which is output by the adaptive clock generation circuit is changed, and a changing direction of the frequency of an adaptive clock signal is consistent with that of the maximum workable frequency. The clock circuit and method may be used in design or manufacturing of a digital circuit.
US08570071B2
A phase adjustment apparatus for providing a clock signal to a core circuit is provided. The core circuit is powered by a core voltage. The phase adjustment apparatus includes two clock receiving ends, a plurality of digital receiving ends and a combination circuit. The two clock receiving ends receive two original clocks having a same frequency while the two original clock signals possess different phases. The digital receiving ends receive a plurality of phase selection signals. The synthesizing circuit is powered by a first voltage lower than the core voltage, and generates the clock signal according to the phase control signals and the two original clock signals.
US08570069B2
A clock gate includes a first Muller gate that receives at its inputs a clock signal and an enable signal. The output of the first Muller gate is applied, with a delayed version of the clock signal, to a second Muller gate. A logic circuit operates to logically combine the output of the second Muller gate with a delayed version of the clock signal. The output of the logic circuit provides a gated clock output.
US08570065B2
A low-power programmable LSI that can perform dynamic configuration is provided. The programmable LSI includes a plurality of logic elements. The plurality of logic elements each include a configuration memory. Each of the plurality of logic elements performs different arithmetic processing and changes an electrical connection between the logic elements, in accordance with the configuration data stored in the configuration memory. The configuration memory includes a set of a volatile storage circuit and a nonvolatile storage circuit. The nonvolatile storage circuit includes a transistor whose channel is formed in an oxide semiconductor layer and a capacitor whose one of a pair of electrodes is electrically connected to a node that is set in a floating state when the transistor is turned off.
US08570063B2
Methods of adjusting a centerline voltage of a data signal are described, along with apparatuses to adjust the centerline voltage. In one such method, portions of a termination circuit coupled to a node are selectively programmed to adjust an impedance of the termination circuit to adjust the centerline voltage of the data signal driven to the node. One such apparatus includes pull-up impedances and pull-down impedances that can be programmed to adjust the centerline voltage of the data signal. Additional embodiments are also described.
US08570061B2
This disclosure describes voting circuits where an output is generated based on a plurality of inputs. A first plurality of logic paths connects the output to a high voltage. Each logic path of the first plurality of logic paths includes two transistors. A second plurality of logic paths connects the output to the low voltage. Each logic path of the second plurality of logic paths comprises two transistors. Based on N or N−1 of the inputs agreeing, the output is driven to either the low voltage or the high voltage via a subset of logic paths of the first and second plurality of logic paths.
US08570058B2
A system and method is disclosed that transfers carrier boards in a handler that supports the testing of electronic devices. A carrier board can be transferred from the transfer start position to one of the mid transfer positions and the transfer final position. Carrier boards, which are spaced apart from each other in a chamber, can be gathered adjacent to each other in the circulation direction of carrier board. The transfer speed and the total circulation speed of the carrier boards can be enhanced. The transfer speed of carrier board can be easily controlled according to the test conditions.
US08570052B1
An embodiment of a capacitance measurement circuit may include multiple switches, a first node coupled with a first electrode and coupled with at least a first switch of the multiple switches, and a second node coupled with a second electrode and coupled with at least a second switch of the multiple switches, where the multiple switches are configured to reduce an influence of a self-capacitance of the first electrode and a self-capacitance of the second electrode on an output signal during measurement of a mutual capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode, and where the multiple switches are configured to reduce an influence of the mutual capacitance on the output signal during measurement of at least one of the self-capacitance of the first electrode and the self-capacitance of the second electrode.
US08570039B2
In a method and a device for phase-sensitive flow measurement of a volume segment of an examination subject using a magnetic resonance (MR) system, the volume segment is coded for imaging of this volume segment and a phase coding of the volume segment to code flow information of the volume segment is implemented. MR data are read out from the volume segment and the MR data are evaluated in order to generate an image of the volume segment with flow information. The phase coding to code the flow information is thereby independent of gradients which are used for spatial coding of the volume segment.
US08570035B2
A novel approach to magnetic resonance imaging is disclosed. Blood flowing through a living system is prepolarized, and then encoded. The polarization can be achieved using permanent or superconducting magnets. The polarization may be carried out upstream of the region to be encoded or at the place of encoding. In the case of an MRI of a brain, polarization of flowing blood can be effected by placing a magnet over a section of the body such as the heart upstream of the head. Alternatively, polarization and encoding can be effected at the same location. Detection occurs at a remote location, using a separate detection device such as an optical atomic magnetometer, or an inductive Faraday coil. The detector may be placed on the surface of the skin next to a blood vessel such as a jugular vein carrying blood away from the encoded region.
US08570033B2
A double-resonance structure for DNP-NMR experiments and/or ENDOR experiments and methods using such a double-resonance structure. The double-resonance structure comprises a microwave resonator for generating electromagnetic fields suitable for EPR and an HF resonator for generating electromagnetic fields suitable for NMR. The HF resonator is formed by a strip resonator, a section of the strip resonator at the same time forming a portion of the microwave resonator.
US08570027B2
A method of magnetic imaging at long detection ranges. In one embodiment the method comprises introducing a magnetic sample having magnetic particles into a detection field; detecting weak magnetic field signals of the magnetic particles; forming an image from the detected signals; and determining the location and quantity amount of the magnetic particles. The method further comprises introducing a magnetic sample to a human or other organism's body.
US08570025B2
A power delivery circuit has power delivery components and a load (ZT) terminal, detectors for measuring voltages at two or more measuring nodes (V1, V3) of the power delivery circuit, and an estimation circuit for using the measurements to estimate current, voltage, or power delivered to a load by the power delivery circuit. The detectors may measure voltages at nodes of transistor switches of the power delivery circuit, particularly at the gates. The power delivery circuit may have switches in series, and the detectors measure voltages at nodes of only a subset of the switches. The detectors in one example measure switch voltages and the estimation circuit estimates power delivered to the load according to a switch voltage and impedance between two nodes of the switch. The switch impedance may be provided during calibration using a reference load. The estimation circuit may be a simple analogue circuit such as an amplifier (AMP1) and a multiplexer (MX1). The circuit is of particular benefit for measuring power delivered to a load of unknown impedance, such as an antenna of a mobile phone.
US08570023B2
A system and method for determining the relative phase of each of a plurality of load meters connected to a three-phase power distribution system. The system includes a gateway that communicates information to and from each of the individual load meters. The gateway generates a timing pulse that is received by each of the load meters. Based upon the delay from the receipt of the timing pulse to the next zero crossing of the single phase power supply received by the meter, the utility can determine the phase of the individual meter. The system can include a feeder meter connected to each phase of the electrical supply system to determine the energy consumption for each of the meters connected to a specific phase. The utility can compare the energy consumption information from the feeder meter to all of the load meters connected to the same phase to determine whether any energy theft is occurring.
US08570009B2
An embodiment of a power supply includes an input node that receives an input voltage, an output node on which a regulated output voltage is provided, an odd number of magnetically coupled phase paths each coupled between the input and output nodes, and a first magnetically uncoupled phase path coupled between the input and output nodes. Such a power supply can improve its efficiency by activating different combinations of the coupled and uncoupled phase paths depending on the load conditions. For example, the power supply may activate only an uncoupled phase path during light-load conditions, may activate only coupled phase paths during moderate-load conditions, and may activate both coupled and uncoupled phase paths during heavy-load conditions and during a step-up load transient.
US08570004B2
The vehicle generator includes a rotor wound with a field winding, a stator wound with a stator winding, rectifier modules respectively connected to corresponding output terminals of the stator winding, and a power generation control device to control a power generation voltage of the vehicle generator formed from outputs of the rectifier modules by controlling an excitation current flowing through the field winding. Each of the rectifier modules includes a pair of a first MOS transistor and a second MOS transistor series-connected between positive and negative terminals of a battery. The rectifier modules are connected with one another through a communication line. The rectifier modules exchange data regarding control of the first and second MOS transistors of the rectifier modules by a pulse train signal transmitted on the communication line.
US08569995B2
A method for controlling a plurality of battery cells with a control circuit coupled to the plurality of battery cells, includes: supplying the control circuit with electrical energy from the coupled battery cells; determining a number of battery cells coupled to the control circuit; and automatically adapting a power consumption drawn from the battery cells in response to the number of coupled battery cells.
US08569985B2
In a wiper control apparatus, a water drop detector outputs an output signal in accordance with water drops adhering to a windshield of a vehicle. When a traveling determination portion determines that the vehicle is traveling, a first level setting portion sets a sensitivity for detecting the output signal to a first sensitivity. When the traveling determination portion determines the vehicle is not traveling, a second level setting portion sets the sensitivity for detecting the output signal to a second sensitivity that is larger than the first sensitivity. A water drop adhesion determination portion determines that water drops adhere to the windshield when a determination waiting time elapses in a state where detection of the output signal continues. A driving control portion controls a wiper driving portion to drive the wiper when the water drop adhesion determination portion determines that water drops adhere to the windshield.
US08569982B2
A method and arrangement for determining the position of the drive mechanism of an electric machine from the current supplied thereto. Determination of the position is effected over two independent channels by measuring the three-phase current of the electric machine or motor, converting the measured values to the current space vector, calculating the angle of the current space vector within one electrical revolution, and determining the position of the motor. A current command, the field of which acts in the direction of the flux or field of the drive mechanism or rotor, is added within the motor stator.
US08569980B2
A trash can include a sensor for detecting the presence of an object near a portion of the trash can. The detection of the object can be used to signal the trash can to open its lid. The trash can include an electronic drive unit for opening and closing the lid.
US08569979B2
A cascade of accelerating electrode tubes (LA#1 to LA#28) that apply an accelerating electric potential to a charged particle (2) are provided. With a controller (8) appropriately controlling timings to apply an accelerating voltage to the accelerating electrode tubes (LA#1 to LA#28), accelerating energy can be gained each time the charged particle (2) passes through gaps between the accelerating electrode tubes (LA#1 to LA#28).
US08569972B2
A lighting system includes a dimmer output voltage emulator to cause a power converter interface circuit to generate an emulated dimmer output voltage. In at least one embodiment, the emulated dimmer output voltage corresponds to an actual dimmer output voltage but is unaffected by non-idealities in the dimmer output voltage, such as premature shut-down of a triac-based dimmer. By generating an emulated dimmer output voltage, the energy delivered to a load, such as a lamp, corresponds to a dimming level setting.
US08569971B2
A night-light (100) having a light source (104) and control circuitry (110), which is arranged to receive a temperature input comprising a measure of temperature measured by a temperature sensor (208). The light source (104) is arranged to emit light in a first color when the temperature measured by a temperature sensor (208) is within a predetermined range and to emit light in an alternative color when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor (208) is outside the predetermined range. The night-light may be of particular use in babies' nurseries.
US08569970B2
An LED package containing integrated circuitry for matching a power source voltage to the LED operating voltage, LEDs containing such integrated circuitry, systems containing such packages, and methods for matching the source and operating voltages are described. The integrated circuitry typically contains a power converter and a constant current circuit. The LED package may also contain other active or passive components such as pin-outs for integrated or external components, a transformer and rectifier, or a rectifier circuit. External components can include control systems for regulating the LED current level or the properties of light emitted by the LED. Integrating the power supply and current control components into the LED can provide for fabrication of relatively small LEDs using fewer and less device-specific components.
US08569965B2
The present disclosure provides a driving circuit of a light emitting element including a switching power source for supplying a driving voltage to a first terminal of the light emitting element to be driven and a current driver connected to a second terminal of the light emitting element for supplying a driving current to the light emitting element while a burst dimming pulse is being asserted.
US08569961B2
Provided is an AC LED light emitting device. The AC LED light emitting device flows a current to at least one AC LED array among at least two AC LED arrays of an AC LED light emitting unit to turn it on during one period of an AC power having sine wave characteristics if a magnitude of a voltage applied to the AC LED light emitting unit including at least two AC LED arrays each of which including at least one AC LED is smaller than a turn-on voltage determined according to the number of AC LED arrays of the AC LED light emitting unit. If the magnitude of the voltage applied to the AC LED light emitting unit is larger than the turn-on voltage of the AC LED light emitting unit, all of the AC LED arrays of the AC LED light emitting unit are turned on.
US08569960B2
A conformal power adapter for insertion into a lighted artificial tree and for converting power received from an external power source to a power usable by the lighted artificial tree. The power adapter includes an elongated housing including a first end, and a second end; a printed circuit board assembly including power-converting circuitry for converting an input electrical power to an output electrical power for use by a lighted artificial tree having a hollow trunk section, the printed circuit board assembly located substantially within the elongated housing; a power cord secured to the first end of the housing and in electrical connection with the power converting electronics, the power cord adapted to transmit power from an external power source to the power-converting circuitry. The elongated housing enclosing the printed circuit board assembly is sized to fit substantially within the hollow trunk portion of the lighted artificial tree.
US08569952B2
In various embodiments, a high-pressure discharge lamp is provided. The high-pressure discharge lamp may include a ceramic discharge vessel which encloses a discharge volume, wherein a filling containing sodium halides, rare earth halides, mercury and inert gas is accommodated in the discharge volume, wherein the filling at the same time includes the rare earths Tm and Gd, the relative proportions between Gd and Tm, considered as a molar ratio, lying in the range 0.1 to 1.
US08569949B2
A light emitting diode (LED) bulb configured to scatter certain wavelengths of light. The LED bulb includes a base having threads, a bulb shell, at least one LED, and a plurality of particles disposed within the bulb shell. The plurality of particles has a first and second set of particles. The first set of particles is configured to scatter short wavelength components of light emitted from the at least one LED and has particles with an effective diameter that is a fraction of the dominant wavelength of the light emitted from the at least one LED. The second set of particles is configured to scatter light emitted from the at least one LED, and has particles with an effective diameter equal to or greater than the dominant wavelength of the light emitted from the at least one LED.
US08569946B2
An organic light emitting display device includes a first substrate including a pixel region in which at least one organic light emitting diode including a first electrode, an organic layer, and a second electrode is formed and a non-pixel region formed beside the pixel region. The device includes a second substrate and a frit provided between the non-pixel region on the first substrate and the second substrate. A reflection prevention layer is formed on at least one surface of the second substrate.
US08569945B2
An organic light emitting device and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. The organic light emitting device includes an anode and a cathode that comprises a magnesium-calcium layer. An organic layer having at least an organic emission layer is interposed between the anode and the cathode. The organic light emitting device may have reduced driving voltage characteristics, increased luminous efficiency characteristics, and improved lifespan characteristics without forming a separate electron injection layer because of the excellent electron injection characteristics.
US08569938B2
A tuning fork quartz crystal resonator includes a base, a first resonating arm, and a second resonating arm. The base has a generally planar fifth main surface and a generally planar sixth main surface opposite to each other, and has a fifth side surface and a sixth side surface opposite to each other. The first resonating arm is connecting to one side of the base. The second resonating arm is connecting to the same side of the base. A recess is formed on the fifth main surface, and the recess is sized and configured such that a first width near the first resonating arm and the second resonating arm is greater than a second width away from the first resonating arm and the second resonating arm.
US08569935B1
An electrical generating device for use with a shoe worn by a user may include a shoe insert to be positioned within the shoe, and the shoe insert may include an elastomer electrode to apply an electrical signal to the user. The elastomer electrode may include a metal integral conductive silicon rubber conductive surface. The elastomer electrode may include silver, silver plated copper, or conductive metal plated material filled silicon filled silicon sheet or a conductive adhesive gel layer. The elastomer electrode may include a conductive carbon film or a conductive metal sheet. The elastomer electrode may include a conductive silver sheet or may include a conductive metal sheet.
US08569929B2
A piezoelectric actuator for driving a lens unit along an optical axis is disclosed. The piezoelectric actuator includes a fixed member, a movable member movably received in the fixed member, a magnet fixed on the fixed member, a metal sheet fixed on the movable member, a piezoelectric member and a circuit board. The movable member includes a contacting portion. The metal sheet is aligned with the magnetic along a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis. The metal sheet is made from a material that can be attracted by the magnet and lighter than the magnet. The piezoelectric member is fixed on the fixed member and contacts on the contacting portion of the movable member for driving the movable member to move along the optical axis. The circuit board provides voltages to the piezoelectric member.
US08569923B2
A rotating electric machine includes a rotor configured to rotate about an axis. The rotor includes a rotor laminate stack having layered laminations pressed in an axial direction to form a composite, the rotor laminate stack being radially divided into an inner mechanical region and an outer electrical region. A rotor winding is disposed in the electrical region of the rotor laminate stack. A stator concentrically surrounds the rotor. A press plate is configured to press the layered laminations in the axial direction, the press plate being radially divided into a separate inner press plate and a separate outer press plate so as to correspond to the radial division of the rotor laminate stack.
US08569922B2
A novel electric motor rotor structure, particularly desirable for use with brittle rare-earth-magnets, offers improved resistance to rattling and axial shifting. This is achieved by forming the rotor with an annular central yoke connecting to a plurality of pole shoes along the periphery of the rotor and defining a magnet-receiving recess or pocket 160 between each pole shoe and the central yoke. Spaced circumferentially between adjacent magnets 38 are regions 146 of reduced magnetic conductivity, which include relatively thin metallic holding segments, which connect adjacent pole shoes to each other and to the central yoke. During manufacturing, tools are applied to upset or crimp the holding segments, and thereby form spring elements, to hold the magnets in stable positions and resist any tendency of the magnets to rattle or axially shift during motor operation. One obtains the same power level from a smaller, and therefore lighter, motor than was previously possible.
US08569915B1
A hybrid contact comprising a metallic contact in parallel with a pair of power transistors detects a failure in the ON state, corrects the failure if possible, and notifies a user via an alarm of the failure.
US08569907B2
Disclosed herein is an electrical system topology for voltage regulation in a 12-volt vehicle power distribution system. Particularly, a single transistor power converter is configured to operate in both as a traditional voltage regulator mode (i.e., as buck converter to reduce the field voltage applied to an alternator to a value less than that available from the main bus) and as an alternator field current boost converter (i.e., as a boost converter to boost the field voltage applied to an alternator to a value greater than that available from the main bus). The converter may also include a controller that incorporates a thermal model of the alternator to limit the amount of voltage boost applied and/or direct temperature measurement of the alternator or alternator components. Additionally, these two approaches may be combined such that measured temperatures are used to refine the temperature estimated by the thermal estimator.
US08569901B2
A manual mechanical leg-stepping power generating apparatus includes a leg pedal installed separately on both left and right sides of a seat pole of a bicycle, moved up and down at a position adjacent to a rider's thigh muscle, and coupled to a connecting shaft through a leg pedal link rod. Another side of the connecting shaft is coupled to a power generator shaft on the seat pole by using a support rod. The leg pedals are moved up and down alternately to drive a power generator installed in a power generator to generate electric power. When a rider rides the bicycle, kinetic energy is generated by a force applied by the rider's thigh onto the leg pedals and converted into electric energy by the leg pedals, power generator shaft and the power generator set, such that the electric energy can be supplied for the use by electric devices.
US08569898B2
Provided is a semiconductor device with a semiconductor chip mounted on a small-sized package substrate that includes a slot, a large number of external connection terminals, and bonding fingers. The bonding fingers are connected to the external connection terminals. The bonding fingers constitute a bonding finger arrangement in a central section and end sections of a bonding finger area along each longer side of the slot. The arrangement includes a first bonding finger array, which is located at a close distance from each longer side of the slot, and a second array, which is located at a farther distance than the distance of the first bonding finger array from each longer side of the slot. The central section of the bonding finger area includes the second bonding finger array, and the end sections of the bonding finger area include the first bonding finger array.
US08569897B2
A protection layer formed of a CuGeyNz layer, a CuSixNz layer, a CuSixGeyNz layer or combinations thereof is formed on an under-bump metallurgy (UBM) layer for preventing the UBM layer from chemical attack and oxidation during subsequent processes.
US08569894B2
A semiconductor package includes a substrate unit, a die electrically connected to first contact pads, and a package body covering a first patterned conductive layer and the die. The substrate unit includes: (1) the first patterned conductive layer; (2) a first dielectric layer exposing a part of the first patterned conductive layer to form the first contact pads; (3) a second patterned conductive layer; (4) a second dielectric layer defining openings extending from the first patterned conductive layer to the second patterned conductive layer, where the second patterned conductive layer includes second contact pads exposed by the second dielectric layer; and (5) conductive posts extending from the first patterned conductive layer to the second contact pads through the openings, each of the conductive posts filling a corresponding one of the openings. At least one of the conductive posts defines a cavity.
US08569892B2
A semiconductor device includes: at least one semiconductor element having electrode terminals; a metal plate supporting the semiconductor element; and a wiring board covering the semiconductor element and including a plurality of insulating layers and wiring layers alternately stacked and external connection terminals on a surface, the wiring layers being electrically connected to each other by vias. The electrode terminals and the external connection terminals are electrically connected via at least one of the wiring layers and the vias. At least one of the electrode terminals, the is wiring layers, and the vias is electrically connected to the metal plate.
US08569879B2
Multiple integrated circuits (ICs) die, from different wafers, can be picked-and-placed, front-side planarized using a vacuum applied to a planarizing disk, and attached to each other or a substrate. The streets between the IC die can be filled, and certain techniques or fixtures allow application of monolithic semiconductor wafer processing for interconnecting different die. High density I/O connections between different IC die can be obtained using structures and techniques for aligning vias to I/O structures, and (programmably routing IC I/O lines to appropriate vias. Existing IC die can be retrofitted for such interconnection to other IC die, such as by using similar techniques or tools.
US08569878B2
A semiconductor substrate has a plurality of groove portions formed along scribe lines. The semiconductor substrate includes: a device region in contact with at least any one of the plurality of groove portions and having a semiconductor device formed therein; a surface insulating layer formed to cover the device region and constituting a surface layer of the semiconductor substrate; and a wiring electrode connected to the semiconductor device and formed in a protruding shape rising above a surface of the surface insulating layer. The semiconductor substrate can be manufactured by forming a plurality of groove portions along scribe lines; applying an insulating material to a surface on a side where the plurality of groove portions are formed to form a surface insulating layer; and forming a wiring electrode connected to the semiconductor device and in a protruding shape rising above a surface of the surface insulating layer, after the formation of the surface insulating layer.
US08569875B2
A biometric sensor device, such as a fingerprint sensor, comprises a substrate to which is mounted a die on which is formed a sensor array and at least one conductive bezel. The die and the bezel are encased in a unitary encapsulation structure to protect those elements from mechanical, electrical, and environmental damage, yet with a portion of the sensor array and the bezel exposed or at most thinly covered by the encapsulation or other coating material structure.
US08569873B2
Plating stub resonance in a circuit board may be mitigated by increasing surface roughness of the plating stub conductor. Roughening the plating stub increases its resistance due to the skin effect at higher frequencies, which decreases the quality factor of the transmission line and consequently increases the damping factor, to reduce any resonance that would occur in the plating stub as formed prior to roughening. The surface roughness can be increased in a variety of ways, including chemical processes, by selectively applying a laser beam, or by applying an etch-resistance material in selected locations.
US08569871B2
A semiconductor device having a molded package includes a semiconductor chip, a thick-film lead electrode to which the semiconductor chip is die-bonded, a thin-film lead electrode having a thickness smaller than that of the thick-film lead electrode, a wire which electrically connects the semiconductor chip to the thin-film lead wire, and a molding material in which the semiconductor chip and the wire are encapsulated. A portion of a lower surface of the thick-film lead electrode is exposed at a package lower surface as a heat dissipating electrode. A portion of an upper surface of the thin-film lead electrode is exposed at a package upper surface as an input/output electrode. A portion of an upper surface of the thick-film lead electrode is exposed at the package upper surface as a grounding electrode.
US08569855B2
A camera system with a two-dimensional solid-state imaging device having pixel regions arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, wherein each pixel region has a plurality of subpixel regions, a metal layer with an opening of an opening size smaller than the wavelength of an incoming electromagnetic wave and a photoelectric conversion element are arranged with an insulating film interposed therebetween, at least one photoelectric conversion element is arranged in the opening provided at a portion of the metal layer in each subpixel region, a projection image of the opening is included in a light receiving region of the photoelectric conversion element, the opening is arrayed so as to cause a resonance state based on surface plasmon polariton excited by the incoming electromagnetic wave, and near-field light generated near the opening in the resonance state is converted to an electrical signal by the photoelectric conversion element.
US08569851B2
A sensor and method for fabricating a sensor is disclosed that in one embodiment bonds an etched semiconductor substrate wafer to an etched first device wafer comprising a silicon on insulator wafer which is then bonded to a second device wafer comprising a silicon on insulator wafer to create a vented, suspended structure, the flexure of which is sensed by an embedded sensing element to measure differential pressure. In one embodiment, interconnect channels embedded in the sensor facilitate streamlined packaging of the device while accommodating interconnectivity with other devices.
US08569847B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device in one embodiment includes a select gate switch transistor having a gate insulating film formed on a semiconductor substrate, a gate electrode formed on the gate insulating film, and first and second source/drain regions provided in the semiconductor substrate so as to face each other across the gate electrode. The first source/drain region includes a first n-type impurity layer and a second n-type impurity layer which has a higher impurity concentration and has a shallower depth than the first n-type impurity layer. The second source/drain region has a third n-type impurity layer which has a lower impurity concentration and has a shallower depth than the first n-type impurity layer and a fourth n-type impurity layer which has a higher impurity concentration and has a deeper depth than the third n-type impurity layer.
US08569840B2
A high-k gate dielectric layer and a metal gate layer are formed and patterned to expose semiconductor surfaces in a bipolar junction transistor region, while covering a CMOS region. A disposable material portion is formed on a portion of the exposed semiconductor surfaces in the bipolar junction transistor area. A semiconductor layer and a dielectric layer are deposited and patterned to form gate stacks including a semiconductor portion and a dielectric gate cap in the CMOS region and a cavity containing mesa over the disposable material portion in the bipolar junction transistor region. The disposable material portion is selectively removed and a base layer including an epitaxial portion and a polycrystalline portion fills the cavity formed by removal of the disposable material portion. The emitter formed by selective epitaxy fills the cavity in the mesa.
US08569839B2
To provide a semiconductor device that can be manufactured using a simple process without ensuring a high embedding property; and a manufacturing method of the device. In the manufacturing method of the semiconductor device according to the invention, a semiconductor substrate having a configuration obtained by stacking a support substrate, a buried insulating film, and a semiconductor layer in order of mention is prepared first. Then, an element having a conductive portion is completed over the main surface of the semiconductor layer. A trench encompassing the element in a planar view and reaching the buried insulating film from the main surface of the semiconductor layer is formed. A first insulating film (interlayer insulating film) is formed over the element and in the trench to cover the element and form an air gap in the trench, respectively. Then, a contact hole reaching the conductive portion of the element is formed in the first insulating film.
US08569824B2
The semiconductor device includes: a plurality of bit lines formed in stripes in a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type, each of the bit lines being a diffusion layer of an impurity of a second conductivity type; a plurality of gate insulation films formed on regions of the semiconductor substrate between the bit lines; a plurality of word lines formed on the semiconductor substrate via the gate insulating films, the word lines extending in a direction intersecting with the bit lines; and a plurality of bit line isolation diffusion layers formed in regions of the semiconductor substrate between the word lines, each of the bit line isolation diffusion layers being a diffusion layer of an impurity of the first conductivity type. The bit line isolation diffusion layer includes a diffusion suppressor for suppressing diffusion of an impurity.
US08569813B2
The objective of this invention is to provide a photodiode which has high sensitivity even to light with a wavelength in the blue region while maintaining the high-frequency characterstics. The n type second semiconductor layer (13) containing an n type electroconductive impurity at a low concentration is formed directly or via an intrinsic semiconductor layer (11) on the p type first semiconductor layer (10). The third semiconductor layer (20) containing an n type electroconductive impurity at a medium concentration is formed shallower than said second semiconductor layer (13) in its main plane. The fourth semiconductor layer (21) containing an n type electroconductive impurity at a high concentration is formed shallower than said third semiconductor layer (20) in the main plane of the third semiconductor layer (20). The metal-containing electroconductive layer (22) is formed on said fourth semiconductor layer (21) in the same layout as the fourth semiconductor layer (21), with the third semiconductor layer (20) and the fourth semiconductor layer (21) being separated by the second semiconductor layer (13) in at least one cross section.
US08569812B2
A method for fabricating floating body memory cells (FBCs), and the resultant FBCs where gates favoring different conductivity type regions are used is described. In one embodiment, a p type back gate with a thicker insulation is used with a thinner insulated n type front gate. Processing, which compensates for misalignment, which allows the different oxide and gate materials to be fabricated is described.
US08569809B2
Sensor cells are arranged in an array in an organic semiconductor layer. Row and column select circuitry addresses the cells of the array one cell at a time to determine the presence of an object, such as a fingerprint ridge or valley, contacting or proximate to a sensing surface above each cell. Control circuitry can be provided in a companion silicon chip or in a second layer of organic semiconductor material to communicate with the array and an associated system processor. The array of sensor cells can be fabricated using a flexible polymer substrate that is peeled off and disposed of after contacts have been patterned on the organic semiconductor layer. The organic semiconductor layer can be used with a superimposed reactive interface layer to detect specific chemical substances in a test medium.
US08569805B2
A floating diffusion (331) is created substantially at center of the light-receiving surface of an embedded photodiode (31), with a gate electrode of a transfer transistor (32) surrounding the floating diffusion. The concentration (or depth) of impurities in a p+-type semiconductor region, n-type semiconductor region or p-well region is changed in an inclined form so that a potential gradient being inclined downwards from the circumference to the center is created when an appropriate bias voltage is applied to the pn junction. The photocharges produced by incident light are rapidly moved along the potential gradient toward the center. Even in the case where the photocharge storage time is short, the photocharges can be efficiently collected since the maximum moving distance from the circumference of the photodiode (31) to the floating diffusion (331). Thus, the photocharges produced by the photodiode (31) are efficiently utilized, whereby the detection sensitivity is improved.
US08569800B2
A field effect transistor includes: a buffer layer that is formed on a substrate; a high resistance layer or a foundation layer that is formed on the buffer layer; a carbon-containing carrier concentration controlling layer that is formed on the high resistance layer or the foundation layer; a carrier traveling layer that is formed on the carrier concentration controlling layer; a carrier supplying layer that is formed on the carrier traveling layer; a recess that is formed from the carrier supplying layer up to a predetermined depth; source/drain electrodes that are formed on the carrier supplying layer with the recess intervening therebetween; a gate insulating film that is formed on the carrier supplying layer so as to cover the recess; and a gate electrode that is formed on the gate insulating film in the recess.
US08569775B2
An LED array having N light-emitting diode units (N≧3) comprises a permanent substrate, a bonding layer on the permanent substrate, a second conductive layer on the bonding layer, a second isolation layer on the second conductive layer, a crossover metal layer on the second isolation layer, a first isolation layer on the crossover metal layer, a conductive connecting layer on the first isolation layer, an epitaxial structure on the conductive connecting layer, and a first electrode layer on the epitaxial structure. The light-emitting diode units are electrically connected with each other by the crossover metal layer.
US08569772B2
Provided are a light-emitting element and a method of fabricating the same. The light-emitting element includes: a first pattern including conductive regions and non-conductive regions. The non-conductive regions are defined by the conductive regions. The light-emitting element also include an insulating pattern including insulating regions and non-insulating regions which correspond respectively to the conductive regions and non-conductive regions. The non-insulating regions are defined by the insulating regions. The light-emitting element further includes a light-emitting structure interposed between the first pattern and the insulating pattern. The light-emitting structure includes a first semiconductor pattern of a first conductivity type, a light-emitting pattern, and a second semiconductor pattern of a second conductivity type which are stacked sequentially. The light-emitting element also includes a second pattern formed in the non-insulating regions.
US08569769B2
An Enhancement-mode (E-mode) high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) includes a channel layer with a 2-Dimensional Electron Gas (2DEG), a barrier layer inducing the 2DEG in the channel layer, source and drain electrodes on the barrier layer, a depletion layer on the barrier layer between the source and drain electrodes, and a gate electrode on the depletion layer. The barrier layer is recessed below the gate electrode and the depletion layer covers a surface of the recess and extends onto the barrier layer around the recess.
US08569766B2
Disclosed is an organic light-emitting display device including a transparent substrate which includes a display portion and a pad portion formed in a region around the display portion, a first semiconductor layer formed on the display portion, a second semiconductor layer formed on the pad portion, and a transparent electrode formed on each of the first the second semiconductor layers, where the first and second semiconductor layers include the same material.
US08569756B2
Provided is an alkylsilane laminate with which it is possible to obtain an organic semiconductor film having excellent semiconductor properties. Such a laminate can be useful for an organic thin-film transistor. The alkylsilane laminate comprises an underlayer (Sub) having hydroxyl groups at the surface and an alkylsilane thin film (AS) formed on this underlayer. The alkylsilane laminate is a laminate wherein the critical surface energy Ec of the alkylsilane thin film and the number of carbons (X) of the alkylsilane satisfies the following formula (1): Ec≦29.00−0.63x (mN/m) (1) Also provided is a thin-film transistor (10) having such an alkylsilane laminate (Sub, AS).
US08569742B2
It is an object to provide an electrode for an organic field-effect transistor having a semiconductor layer formed of an organic semiconductor material (in the present invention, referred to as an organic field-effect transistor), which can reduce the energy barrier at an interface with the semiconductor layer. A composite layer including an organic compound and a metal oxide is used for the electrode for the organic field-effect transistor, in other words the composite layer is used for at least a part of either a source electrode or a drain electrode in the organic field-effect transistor.
US08569739B2
A method of etching active quantum nanostructures provides the step of laterally etching of an intermediate active quantum nanostructure layer interposed between cladding layers. The lateral etching can be carried out on at least one side of the intermediate active quantum nanostructure layer selectively, with respect to the cladding layers to define at least one lateral recess or spacing in the intermediate active quantum nanostructure layer and respective lateral protrusions of cladding layers protruding with respect to the intermediate active quantum nanostructure layer. This method can be applied to create devices including active quantum nanostructures such as, for example, three-dimensional photonic crystals, a photonic crystal double-slab and a photonic crystal laser.
US08569736B2
A light emitting diode includes a first semiconductor layer, an active layer and a second semiconductor layer stacked in that order; a first electrode electrically connected to the first semiconductor layer; a second electrode electrically connected to the second semiconductor layer. The light emitting diode further includes a carbon nanotube layer. The carbon nanotube layer is enclosed in the interior of the first semiconductor layer. The carbon nanotube layer includes a number of carbon nanotubes.
US08569723B2
An extreme ultraviolet light source apparatus has a magnetic field generator which generates a magnetic field region around a direction of the magnetic field passing through a plasma region in which a plasma is to be generated and converges charged particles including ion emitted from the plasma region toward the direction of the magnetic field, a first charged particle collector (receiver) mounted at both sides of an axis of the magnetic field in the magnetic field region in order to collect (receive) the charged particles converged by the magnetic field, a target supply unit supplying a target from a nozzle located outside a converging region in which the charged particles are to be converged inside the magnetic field region in an extreme ultraviolet light generating chamber, and a target collector located at a position opposite to the nozzle, the target retrieval portion retrieving a residual target which does not contribute to generation of the plasma.
US08569717B2
The invention relates to treatment of solid cancers and more particularly to a method and apparatus correlating proton beam intensity with proton delivery efficiency, optionally in a raster beam scanning system. The system induces betatron oscillation on the proton beam causing the beam to traverse an extraction material resulting in slowed protons and a feedback current proportional to the proton flux. A controller receives the desired intensity from an irradiation plan and the feedback current and adjusts the radio-frequency field in the radio-frequency cavity system to yield an intensity of the proton beam that matches the desired intensity from the irradiation plan. Preferably, the intensity of the proton beam correlates with radiation delivery efficiency. The system preferably operates in conjunction with a multi-field charged particle cancer therapy system, with charged particle beam injection, particle beam acceleration, multi-axis charged particle beam control, and/or targeting methods and apparatus.
US08569716B2
The underlying objective is to create an optoelectronic sensor system which illuminates the specimen homogenously and only allows produced fluorescent light to reach the photoactive layer. The objective is achieved substantially by creating a total reflection layer for the introduced light before or above the optoelectronic sensor layer. This can be applied in all fields in which microarray biochips are used.
US08569708B2
An apparatus (200) for detecting slow or thermal neutrons (160) including an alpha particle-detecting layer (240) that is a hydrogenated amorphous silicon p-i-n diode structure. The apparatus includes a bottom metal contact (220) and a top metal contact (250) with the diode structure (240) positioned between the two contacts (220, 250) to facilitate detection of alpha particles (170). The apparatus (200) includes a neutron conversion layer (230) formed of a material containing boron-10 isotopes. The top contact (250) is pixilated with each contact pixel extending to or proximate to an edge of the apparatus to facilitate electrical contacting. The contact pixels have elongated bodies to allow them to extend across the apparatus surface (242) with each pixel having a small surface area to match capacitance based upon a current spike detecting circuit or amplifier connected to each pixel. The neutron conversion layer (860) may be deposited on the contact pixels (830) such as with use of inkjet printing of nanoparticle ink.
US08569705B2
Methods and apparatus for system identification operate by computing phase and amplitude using linear filters. By digitally processing the linearly filtered signals or data, the phase and amplitude based on measurements of the input and output of a system, are determined.
US08569704B2
Embodiments relate to detector imaging arrays with highly robust mounting of scintillators (e.g., scintillating phosphor screens) to imaging arrays. For example, the detector arrays comprise spacers to define a space between or separate the scintillator from the imaging array. Embodiments according to present teachings can provide projection radiographic imaging apparatuses, including a scintillator, an imaging array including a plurality of pixels formed over a substrate, and a plurality of spacers disposed between an active surface of the imaging array and the scintillator. The spacers can reduce or prevent contact between a surface of the scintillator and the active surface of the imaging array, strengthen or control attachment therebetween, or adjust light transmittance therebetween.
US08569691B2
An interchangeable preconcentrator assembly for delivering an analyte to an analysis instrument. The assembly includes a housing defining an inner chamber. An inlet is in fluid communication with the inner chamber, an outlet is in fluid communication with the inner chamber for delivering fluid to the inlet of the analysis instrument, and an exhaust outlet is in fluid communication with the inner chamber. A plurality of removable preconcentrator packages are disposed within the inner chamber. Each of the removable preconcentrator packages including a microscale preconcentrator. A fluid flow path is defined between the inlet and the inner chamber. A first fluid flow path is defined between the preconcentrators and the exhaust outlet, and a second fluid flow path is defined between the preconcentrators and the outlet. A selectably operable valve directs fluid flow from the inner chamber into either the first fluid flow path or the second fluid flow path.
US08569681B2
A solid state imaging device includes an array of active pixels and an infrared cut filter formed over the sensor. Optionally, a slot in the infrared cut filter allows infrared illumination to reach the sensor to be detected by pixels covered by a visually opaque filter and surrounded by pixels of special types that limit charge leakage and enable high dynamic range sensing of infrared illumination. A ratio of average infrared signal to average brightness indicates an amount of infrared illumination reaching the imaging device.
US08569671B2
A pixel comprises a photo-sensitive element for generating charges in response to incident radiation and a sense node. A transfer gate is positioned between the photo-sensitive element and the sense node for controlling transfer of charges to the sense node. A reset switch is connected to the sense node for resetting the sense node to a predetermined voltage. A first buffer amplifier has an input connected to the sense node. A sample stage is connected to the output of the first buffer amplifier and is operable to sample a value of the sense node. A second buffer amplifier has an input connected to the sample stage. Control circuitry operates the reset switch and causes the sample stage to sample the sense node while the photo-sensitive element is being exposed to radiation. An array of pixels is synchronously exposed to radiation. Sampled values for a first exposure period can be read while the photo-sensitive element is exposed for a second exposure period.
US08569657B2
A soldering iron (and a desoldering iron) with a replaceable tip, which is releasably securable on the forward heat-conducting end of a soldering (or desoldering) iron heat assembly. The tip has a heat conducting core in a tip cap. Methods of manufacturing and using the tip are also disclosed. A method of manufacturing a replaceable soldering or desoldering iron tip can comprise preparing a cap having a base opening and at least substantially filling the cap through the base opening with a heat conducting material so that a tip core is formed in the cap, the tip core having a core face at the base opening.
US08569652B2
Embodiments of a welding power supply include an engine adapted to drive a generator to produce a first power and a energy storage device adapted to discharge energy to produce a second power. The welding power supply also includes control circuitry adapted to detect a commanded output. The control circuitry is adapted to meet the commanded output by controlling access to power from the energy storage device to produce the second power when the commanded output is below a first predetermined load level. The control circuitry is further adapted to meet the commanded output by controlling access to power from the engine and the energy storage device to produce the first power and the second power when the commanded output is above a second predetermined load level.
US08569650B2
Embodiments of the present invention generally provide methods and apparatus for material removal using lasers in the fabrication of solar cells. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided that removes portions of a dielectric layer deposited on a solar cell substrate according to a desired pattern. In certain embodiments, methods for removing a portion of a material via a laser without damaging the underlying substrate are provided. In one embodiment, the intensity profile of the beam is adjusted so that the difference between the maximum and minimum intensity within a spot formed on a substrate surface is reduced to an optimum range. In one example, the substrate is positioned such that the peak intensity at the center versus the periphery of the substrate is lowered. In one embodiment, the pulse energy is improved to provide thermal stress and physical lift-off of a desired portion of a dielectric layer.
US08569649B2
An optical device includes: a beam splitter by which a laser beam emitted from an oscillator is branched into a first branch beam going ahead through transmission and a second branch beam going ahead through reflection; a first mirror by which the first branch beam going out of the beam splitter is reflected to go again toward the beam splitter; a second mirror by which the second branch beam going out of the beam splitter is reflected to go again toward the beam splitter; and a circular disk-like rotating unit for integrally rotating the first mirror and a second mirror, with a laser beam branch point in the beam splitter as a center of rotation.
US08569644B2
A process and apparatus for analyzing quantities of grain in-line and separating the grain into batches on the basis of one or more grain parameter values is disclosed. The grain is separated in-line on the basis of the grain parameter value thus allowing the grain to be separated into homogeneous batches.
US08569641B2
An environmentally protected switch for activating a signalling device, such as a light source, powered by a battery and adapted for use with a conductive fluid. The switch comprises an open ended housing and a sensing element received within the housing along a longitudinal axis thereof, a tip of the sensing element being substantially flush with the open end. The sensing element is coupled to the signalling device for providing an electrical path connecting the battery and the signalling device. Upon submersion of the switch into the fluid and agitation of the switch, a surface tension at an interface between the fluid and the open end is broken and fluid penetrates the housing up to a predetermined depth to enable an electrical current to flow within the sensing element for closing the electrical path and activating the signalling device.
US08569638B2
An array of domes is constructed from a single sheet of conductive material. For example, several domes can be stamped at a preset distribution within a sheet of metal. The domes can be placed at any suitable position along the surface of the material, including for example at positions defined by the locations of contact pads on a circuit board. The conductive material can be electrically coupled to the circuit board at any suitable location, including for example along an edge of the piece of material. In some embodiments, the sheet of material can extend around the side walls of the circuit board. The sheet of material can be electrically coupled to the bottom of the circuit board, for example by soldering. This approach may provide a water resistant dome switch, whereby water can be prevented from leaking between the dome and the circuit board.
US08569636B2
An angle correcting method for a position pointer induced by a handwritten input device is disclosed. The steps of the method includes: firstly, an inclined angle table is provided. Then, a first induced voltage amplitude of a first position where the position pointer touches and a second induced voltage amplitude of a second position where is near to the first position are induced. The ratio of the first induced voltage amplitude to the second induced voltage amplitude is calculated to generate an amplitude ratio. Finally, the inclined angle table is looked up to find an inclined angle according to the amplitude ratio.
US08569632B2
There is provided a circuit board including a substrate having a hole. Inside the hole, a metal wiring is formed. The wiring is made of a solder alloy having a melting point of 100 to 600° C., and the metal wiring includes a polycrystalline region of the solder alloy. The metal wiring of the present invention is superior in conductivity.
US08569627B1
A transmission line cable that utilizes a plurality of substantially flat insulated conductors, each consisting of two or more solid metallic strands laid side by side in a parallel configuration within an extruded insulator. The plurality of insulated conductors are stacked into groups of two or more and may be utilized as signal conductors or shield conductors. Once the insulated conductors are stacked, the stack is twisted together, and either wrapped in a conductive insulator, placed in an extruded non-conductive insulator, or both, creating a cable that is stable, flexible, and has improved transmission characteristics, including reduced attenuation, noise and signal skew.
US08569612B2
A junction box electronically connected to a solar panel and connected to a plurality of solar cell strings connected in series includes a first bypass diode string and at least one second bypass diode. The first bypass diode string includes a plurality of first bypass diodes forwardly connected in series, and each of the plurality of first bypass diodes is connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of solar cell strings in parallel. The at least one second bypass diode connected to at least two neighboring solar cell strings in parallel, turns on to bypass the at least two neighboring solar cell strings upon the condition that the at least two neighboring solar cell strings are abnormal simultaneously.
US08569610B2
A light-emitting polymer composition includes a polysiloxane polymer having tritium that emits radiation and a wavelength-shifter chemically bonded to the polysiloxane polymer or a siloxane carrier dispersed within the polysiloxane polymer. The wavelength-shifter emits light in response to the radiation.
US08569609B2
To utilize solar energy without loosing the laminating function. For this purpose, there is provided an electric generation system for generating an electric power utilizing solar energy falling on a transparent plate 7 dividing a predetermined interior space 8 from an exterior space, characterized in that the transparent plate 7 is provided with a thin plate-like or film-like thermal generation module 11, which is transmissive to at least a portion of visible rays in the solar energy, and which generates an electromotive force by a temperature difference between a temperature in the interior space and a temperature in the exterior space. Consequently, electric power can be generated utilizing heat resulting from blocking the light entering into the interior space 8.
US08569604B1
An adjustable assembly for cymbals adjustment, comprising an actuator rod movable up and down, a tubular adjuster passing the rod, and connectible to the rod after adjustment lengthwise of the rod, a tube passing the rod and having connection to the adjuster, the tube carrying the upper cymbals, and clutch means including a threaded body having thread connection to the tube, and rotatable thereon to be advanced on the tube to lock to the adjuster, thereby releasably locking the tube to the adjuster.
US08569603B2
A tremolo device for use on a musical instrument having a neck extending between a body and head, and a plurality of strings under tension aligned with the neck includes a bridge structure resiliently supportable relative to the body for rotation about a pivot axis transverse to the neck. String retaining elements of the bridge structure are movable therewith, each being dimensioned and arranged to engage a corresponding string. An actuating lever extends rearwardly from a point of attachment to the bridge structure to a point further from the neck and pivot axis than the point of attachment. Lifting of the actuating lever by an upward force exerted by a strumming or plucking finger reduces tension in the strings and lowers the tone of the musical element and exertion of a downward force upon the actuating lever increases tension in the strings and increases the tone of the musical instrument.
US08569594B1
A novel maize variety designated X08B787 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X08B787 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X08B787 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X08B787, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X08B787. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X08B787.
US08569590B1
A soybean cultivar designated 08273775 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 08273775, to the plants of soybean cultivar 08273775, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 08273775, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 08273775. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 08273775. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 08273775, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 08273775 with another soybean cultivar.
US08569584B2
The invention provides seed and plants of cucumber hybrid PS 14763612 POLL and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of cucumber hybrid PS 14763612 POLL and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a cucumber plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another cucumber plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.
US08569582B2
The invention provides methods for transforming grass plants with Agrobacterium. The invention allows creation of transgenic grass plants without the need for callus as a target tissue for transformation, thus providing a rapid method for the production of transgenic grass plants. Transgenic grass plants produced by this method are also provided.
US08569562B2
Methods and apparatus for the purification of isoprene, such as the purification of a bioisoprene composition from fermentor off-gas. The apparatus includes two columns that process the fermentor off-gas, which includes isoprene and various impurities. A solvent is added to the off-gas in the first column, and the isoprene is stripped from the solvent in the second column. Also provided is a downstream further purification process. Also provided are the resulting purified isoprene compositions.
US08569558B1
A new family of crystalline microporous metallophosphates designated AlPO-67 has been synthesized. These metallophosphates are represented by the empirical formula R+rMm2+EPxSiyOz where R is an organoammonium cation such as the ETMA+ or DEDMA+, M is a framework metal alkaline earth or transition metal of valence 2+, and E is a trivalent framework element such as aluminum or gallium. The AlPO-67 compositions have the LEV topology and have catalytic properties for carrying out various hydrocarbon conversion processes, and separation properties for separating at least one component.
US08569554B1
This invention relates to fuel compositions for use in combustion engines, such as for motor vehicle and aircraft usage. The fuel composition contains at least 99.5% of aromatic hydrocarbons and paraffinic hydrocarbons. The composition also preferably contains no lead, no multi-ring compound (only single ring compounds are present), less than about 15 ppm sulfur, and/or less than about 5 ppm nitrogen species. The resulting fuel is a drop-in fuel that provides clean burning with little to no engine deposit, high lubricity, high stability, and low corrosion.
US08569553B2
The object is to provide a process whereby it is possible to produce 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene at a high conversion ratio constantly for a long period of time.A process for producing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, which comprises reacting a raw material compound of at least one of 1,1-dichloro-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and 1-chloro-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, and hydrogen, in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the catalyst is a noble metal catalyst supported on a metal oxide having a Hammett acidity function value (H0) of at least −5.6.
US08569546B2
In a process for producing C1-C10 aldehydes by oxidative dehydrogenation of C1-C10 alcohols over a shaped catalyst body obtainable by three-dimensional shaping and/or arranging in space of silver-containing fibers and/or threads, the average diameter or the average diagonal length of an essentially rectangular or square cross section of these silver-containing fibers and/or threads is in the range from 30 μm to 200 μm.
US08569544B2
The present invention provides a simple method for preparation of benzphetamine and its acid addition salt comprising reaction of methamphetamine hydrochloride of formula (III) with benzyl chloride and treating the isolated benzphetamine of formula (II) with an acid dissolved in an organic solvent to provide benzphetamine acid addition salt, more specifically, benzphetamine hydrochloride of formula (I).
US08569543B2
The invention relates to compounds represented by Structural Formula I, which can bind to CCR9 receptors and block the binding of a ligand (e.g., TECK) to the receptors. The invention also relates to a method of inhibiting a function of CCR9, and to the use compounds represented by Structural Formula I in research, therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic methods.
US08569540B2
By using protonic acids, diesters of dicarbonic acid may be stabilized against thermal and chemical decomposition over a relatively long period. Mixtures of diesters of dicarbonic acid and protonic acids are outstandingly suitable for preserving foods.
US08569534B2
Processes for producing diaryl carbonates are disclosed, where such processes may provide for the production of diaryl carbonates from green house gases, such as carbon dioxide. The processes disclosed advantageously integrate diethyl carbonate and diaryl carbonate production, eliminating the need for solvent-based extractive distillation, as is commonly required when producing diaryl carbonates from dimethyl carbonate, providing for the integration of separation equipment and raw material usage, and reducing the operating and capital requirements for such processes. In some embodiments, processes disclosed herein may be operated essentially closed-loop with respect to ethanol usage, for example.
US08569530B2
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to processes and methods for converting lipids comprising fatty acids into fatty esters. According to various embodiments of the invention, the saponifiable lipids are reacted with a base to form alkali soaps. The alkali soaps are then reacted with an acid to form fatty esters. Both the base reaction and the acid reaction may occur in the presence of one or more alcohols. Following the acid reaction, a solvent may be added to effect a separation of the fatty esters, which may then be recovered.
US08569525B2
The present invention provides a process for producing ethylene oxide, comprising (a) cracking an ethane-comprising feed in a cracking zone under cracking conditions to obtain olefins including at least ethylene and hydrogen; (b) converting an oxygenate feedstock in an oxygenate-to-olefin zone to obtain olefins, including at least ethylene; providing at least part of the ethylene obtained in step (a) and /or (b) to an ethylene oxidation zone together with a feed containing oxygen and oxidizing ethylene to obtain at least ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide. At least part of the oxygenate feedstock is obtained by providing carbon dioxide obtained in step (c) and a feed containing hydrogen to an oxygenate synthesis zone and synthesizing oxygenates, which feed containing hydrogen comprises hydrogen obtained in step (a).
US08569518B2
The invention is directed to the use of compounds of formula (I), as fragrant agents. In this formula: —R3 and R4 are independently a hydrogen atom, a C1-C6 alkyl group or a C2-C6 alkenyl group, R5 is a C1-C6 alkyl group, a C2-C6 alkenyl group or a (CH2)0-2-aryl group, R6 is a C1-C6 alkyl group, a C2-C6 alkenyl group, a (CH2)0-2-aryl group or a C5-C6 cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl group, and R7 is a hydrogen atom, a C1-C6 alkyl group or a C2-C6 alkenyl group; or R3, R4 and R5 are as above defined, and R6 and R7 together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a C5-C6 cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl group.
US08569517B2
The present invention relates to a device for separating a biodegradable, intermolecular cyclic diester of an alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid from material mixtures which contain in addition the alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid of the diester corresponding thereto. In particular, the diester is thereby dilactide and the acid lactic acid. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for separating dilactide from material mixtures, which is based on a modified, distillative method. In addition, the present invention describes a polymerization device, in particular for preparing polylactide. Likewise, purposes of use of both the devices and of the method are indicated.
US08569512B2
The subject invention relates to novel P2X3 receptor antagonists that play a critical role in treating disease states associated with pain, in particular peripheral pain, inflammatory pain, or tissue injury pain that can be treated using a P2X3 receptor subunit modulator.
US08569507B2
Novel compounds are continually sought after to treat and prevent diseases and disorders. The invention relates to N-(2-oxo-1-phenylpiperidin-3-yl)sulfonamides useful for being biologically and pharmacologically screened, and to contribute to the exploration and identification of new lead molecules that are capable of modulating the functional activity of a biological target.
US08569497B2
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of the trans N-{4-{2-[4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-piperazine-1-yl]-ethyl}-cyclohexyl}-carbamide derivatives of general formula (I) by reacting the compound of formula (III) with a carbamoylchloride of general formula (II) which comprises carrying out the reaction in a mixture of a solvent and concentrated aqueous solution of an alkali hydroxide at a temperature between 40-100° C. in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst, separating the phases and washing the organic layer then removing the solvent and drying the compound of formula (I) obtained until its weight is constant.
US08569492B2
A method for preparing a halofuginone derivative, in particular a method for preparing an inhibitor medicament expressed by specific I-type procollagen in the invention a condensate of formula (II) reacts for 12-35 hours in a catalytic hydrogenation solvent with the existence of Ni—B amorphous alloy catalyst, at the hydrogen pressure of 0.1-10 Mpa and at the temperature of 10-60° C., and then the catalyst is filtered, the filtrate is decompressed to recover the solvent, the pH value is regulated to obtain a crude product of formula (I), and the crude product of the formula (I) is refined to obtain a refined product of formula (I).
US08569484B2
Compounds of formula (IA) and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts are described. Processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, their use as medicaments and their use in the treatment of bacterial infections are also described.
US08569479B2
A process for reducing the average molecular weight of a cellulose ether comprises the step of contacting a cellulose ether with an acid to partially depolymerize it to a lower molecular weight in a diluent comprising at least 50 weight percent of an organic hydroxylic compound having at least one hydroxy group and at least two carbon atoms.
US08569470B2
The present invention is related with the field of Biomedicine. It comprises the engineering of the Pertactin protein (Prn) and using it as part of bacterial vaccines, and more precisely, as part of acellular vaccines against Bordetella pertusis. The engineered Prn molecules comprise on their structure polimorfisms from different B. pertussis strains, and induce immune responses with protective capacity and opsonophagocytic activity when assayed as vaccines, higher than that generated by other pre-existing vaccines. The engineered Prn variants of the present invention are applicable in human and veterinary medicine.
US08569454B2
A novel gene, dubbed “YS68”, involved in primitive hematopoiesis was successfully isolated from cDNA derived from mouse yolk sacs. In addition, a human gene corresponding to this gene was successfully isolated. Expression characteristics of these genes suggested their involvement in primitive hematopoiesis. The proteins of this invention and genes encoding the proteins may be utilized as tools for drug development against diseases, such as hematological disorders.
US08569449B2
The present invention provides Parotid Secretory Protein peptides, nucleic acids encoding the peptides, and methods of using the peptides, and methods of screening GL13 mimetics.
US08569448B2
Provided are methods for detecting various subunits and isoforms of NMDA receptors to help diagnose and differentiate (1) the anatomical location of NMDA receptor over-expression. (2) ischemic conditions in the central and peripheral nervous systems, and (3) the type and cause of chronic pain.
US08569445B2
The invention provides human secreted proteins (SECP) and polynucleotides which identify and encode SECP. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, antibodies, agonists, and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for diagnosing, treating, or preventing disorders associated with aberrant expression of SECP.
US08569443B1
A semiconducting copolythiophene composition that includes repeating units obtained from the copolymerization of compounds of Formula (2): and Formula (3): in which the copolythiophene has at least two repeating units (possessing side chains, such as alkyl side chains), which are arranged in manner such that the side chains on the polythiophene backbone are distributed non-uniformly, is described. Electronic devices incorporating such copolythiophene compositions are also described.
US08569440B2
The invention relates to high-reactivity polyurethane compositions containing uretdione groups and intended for use in the plastics sector.
US08569437B2
A solar cell encapsulated with an encapsulating material which is a non-crystalline or low-crystalline α-olefin-based copolymer or its composition (I). The composition (C) can contain 50 to 100 parts by weight of non-crystalline α-olefin polymer (A) which meets the following requirements: (a) the α-olefin having 3 to 20 carbon atoms is not less than 20 mol %, (b) practically no melt peak as measured by a differential scanning calorimeter is observed, and (c) the Mw/Mn is not more than 5, and 50 to 0 parts by weight of crystalline α-olefin polymer (B) (the total of (A) and (B) being 100 parts by weight). The non-crystalline or low-crystalline α-olefin copolymer may also have a crystallinity of not higher than 40% as measured by use of X rays.
US08569434B2
An ethylene copolymer, a catalyst system suitable to prepare the ethylene copolymer, and a process to prepare such ethylene copolymer are described. The use of the ethylene copolymer as impact modifier in polyethylene and as compatibilizer in a polymer blend are also described. The ethylene copolymer has a density from 0.855 g/cm3 to 0.910 g/cm3, a polydispersity Mw/Mn lower than 3.5, comprises at least one first ethylene polymer component and at least one second ethylene polymer component having different comonomer contents so as to show at least two predetermined CRYSTAF peak temperatures.
US08569430B2
Methods for producing spray-dried phenol-formaldehyde resole resins and products made therefrom. The method can include spray-drying an aerated liquid phenol-formaldehyde resole resin containing about 0.02 wt % or more of a surfactant, based on a combined weight of the liquid phenol-formaldehyde resole resin and the surfactant, to produce a spray-dried phenol-formaldehyde resole resin powder.
US08569429B2
Curable silicone resin composition with high reliability and optical semiconductor device using same
An optical semiconductor device that combines low gas permeability and high reliability. A curable silicone resin composition comprising: (A) an alkenyl group-containing organopolysiloxane comprising an organopolysiloxane represented by an average composition formula (1) and containing at least two alkenyl groups per molecule: (R1SiO3/2)a(R22SiO)b(R3R42SiO1/2)c (1) wherein R1 represents an alkyl group, R2 represents an aryl group, R3 represents an alkenyl group, and R4 represents an alkyl group or an aryl group, (B) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane represented by an average composition formula (2) and containing at least two silicon atom-bonded hydrogen atoms per molecule: R1dR2eHfSiO(4-d-e-f)/2 (2) wherein R1 and R2 are as defined above, and (C) an addition reaction catalyst.
US08569428B2
The invention provides methods of producing composite polymers by combining fillers with polymers in the presence of pre-formed high molecular weight polymer. Monomer polymerization can be initiated through the addition of initiators or by reactive chemical groups on the surface of the fibers. The composite materials formed possess superior mechanical properties compared to similar polymer composites made by either purely mechanical mixing or solely polymerization of monomers in the presence of the fillers.
US08569426B2
Disclosed is a process for preparing polymer conjugates of agricultural, therapeutic, and food additive compounds using Mitsunobu conditions.
US08569419B2
A propylene composition comprising (percent by weight): A) 70%-95%, of a propylene homopolymer having a Polydispersity Index (P.I.) value of from 4.6 to 10, a fraction insoluble in xylene at 25° C., higher than 90%, and MFR L (Melt Flow Rate according to ISO 1133, condition L, i.e. 230° C. and 2.16 kg load) from 60 to 120 g/10 min; B) 5%-30%, of a copolymer of propylene containing from 34.5% to 30.0% extremes included of ethylene derived units; the composition having an intrinsic viscosity of the fraction soluble in xylene at 25° C. comprised between 3 and 5 dl/g.
US08569395B2
The present invention relates to methods for making cross-linked oxidation-resistant polymeric materials and preventing or minimizing in vivo elution of antioxidant from the antioxidant-containing polymeric materials. The invention also provides methods of doping polymeric materials with a spatial control of cross-linking and antioxidant distribution, for example, vitamin E (α-Tocopherol), and methods for extraction/elution of antioxidants, for example, vitamin E (α-tocopherol), from surface regions of antioxidant-containing polymeric materials, and materials used therewith also are provided.
US08569391B2
The invention provides mesostructured materials and methods of preparing mesostructured materials including metal-rich mesostructured nanoparticle-block copolymer hybrids, porous metal-nonmetal nanocomposite mesostructures, and ordered metal mesostructures with uniform pores. The nanoparticles can be metal, metal alloy, metal mixture, intermetallic, metal-carbon, metal-ceramic, semiconductor-carbon, semiconductor-ceramic, insulator-carbon or insulator-ceramic nanoparticles, or combinations thereof. A block copolymer/ligand-stabilized nanoparticle solution is cast, resulting in the formation of a metal-rich (or semiconductor-rich or insulator-rich) mesostructured nanoparticle-block copolymer hybrid. The hybrid is heated to an elevated temperature, resulting in the formation of an ordered porous nanocomposite mesostructure. A nonmetal component (e.g., carbon or ceramic) is then removed to produce an ordered mesostructure with ordered and large uniform pores.
US08569385B2
The present invention provides for a composition comprising a silane having the formula: (R1)(R2)(R3)Si—R4—Si(R5)(R6)(R7) wherein R1, R2, R3, R5, and R6 are each independently selected from the group consisting of 1 to 6 monovalent hydrocarbon radicals, aryl, and a hydrocarbon group of 7 to 10 carbons containing an aryl group; R4 is a hydrocarbon group of 1 to 3 carbons; R7 comprises an anionic, cationic or zwitterionic substituent. The silanes of the present invention exhibit resistance to hydrolysis over a wide pH range.
US08569382B2
The invention concerns compounds DLBS1425E2.2 and DLBS1425F1 isolated and identified from the extract of the plant Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff.) Boerl. The invention also relates to the use of said compounds, either as a single active compound or in combination, in a pharmaceutical dosage form that has anti-proliferative activity of cancer cells, and its use relating to female related diseases. Formula (I).
US08569381B2
The present invention includes a combination comprising: a) mecamylamine; and b) an ACE inhibitor, an AT2 receptor inhibitor, a renin inhibitor, or a combination thereof.
