US08712240B2
The embodiments of the present invention relate to communications technology, and disclose an optical power measurement method, an Optical Line Terminal (OLT), and an Optical Network Unit (ONU). The method includes: generating a Physical Layer Operation Administration Maintenance (PLOAM) message that includes an identifier of at least one ONU to be measured and information about a time bucket that is allocated to the ONU to be measured and is used for sending upstream optical signals; sending the PLOAM message to the multiple ONUs; receiving the upstream optical signals that are sent, in the allocated time bucket, by the ONU to be measured; and detecting the received upstream optical signals, and determining the optical power of the upstream optical signals. The present invention avoid waste of bandwidth caused in the prior art when the DBA is required to allocate bandwidth to the ONU to be measured for the purpose of detecting the optical power.
US08712239B1
Methods of operating an optical circuit switch and optical circuit switches are disclosed. An optical circuit switch may receive a first make command to make a first optical connection between a first port and a second port, the first port uniquely associated with a rotatable mirror element, determine a first baseline voltage to be applied to an electrode coupled to the mirror element to cause the mirror element to rotate about an axis to make the first optical connection, and apply the first baseline voltage to the electrode. The optical circuit switch may periodically adjust the voltage applied to the electrode to minimize an insertion loss of the first optical connection, and periodically store accumulated angular drift data in a memory, the accumulated angular drift data derived from a difference between the adjusted voltage applied to the first electrode and the first baseline voltage.
US08712238B2
An optical switching device includes a optical add/drop multiplexer that at least adds an optical signal into and/or drops an optical signal from wavelength division multiplexed light that is wavelength division multiplexed optical signals; a plurality of amplifiers that are disposed on optical paths included in the optical add/drop multiplexer and that can use supplied pump light to amplify the optical signals; an optical source that generates the pump light; and an optical switch that supplies the generated pump light to any one of the amplifiers.
US08712237B2
Signals propagating in wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) optical networks suffer from loss, which decreases optical signal-to-noise ratios (OSNRs) and degrades a quality of received transmissions. Present methods of boosting OSNRs involve regeneration using transponders, which scale in complexity with the number of WDM channels. Optical amplifiers may boost signal strength, but amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise often reduces OSNR despite increases in signal strength, although changing the amplifier operating settings may reduce emitted ASE noise power. A method or corresponding apparatus in an example embodiment of the present invention provides a planning tool for deploying optical amplifiers in an optical network in a manner that reduces the need for optical regeneration, reducing cost and complexity of the deployed network. In one embodiment, the disclosed planning tool may substitute models of high-gain amplifiers operating at low settings for models of low-gain amplifiers operating at high settings.
US08712231B2
A camera body to which an interchangeable lens capable of changing zoom magnification is mountable. The camera body includes a sound pickup section that picks up sounds to generate audio data and a sound processor that changes settings relating to directionality of the sound pickup section in conjunction with the zoom magnification of the interchangeable lens. When the interchangeable lens is positioned to provide the minimum magnification of zoom, the sound processor sets the directionality of the sound pickup section to a directionality by which sounds in the widest region can be picked up based on the zoom range information. When the interchangeable lens is positioned to provide the maximum magnification of zoom, the sound processor sets the directionality of the sound pickup section to a directionality by which sounds in the narrowest region can be picked up based on the zoom range information.
US08712227B2
Fluid conduit segments are provided that include, but are not limited to integrated heating systems for protection against freezing. To this effect PTC-fabric heating elements are provided that are integrated in the fluid conduit segments and that in the negative temperature range include, but are not limited to a PTC-temperature-dependent resistance. The heating system thus provides a higher output in the negative temperature range and a lower output in the positive temperature range, i.e., the heating limits itself until temperature equalization has been reached.
US08712226B2
A method of flooring installation includes positioning a welding tip having a v-shaped plastic welding rod therein adjacent to a v-shaped joint formed between plastic flooring and plastic trim and heating the flooring, trim, and welding rod to flow the welding rod into the v-shaped joint to form a plastic weld bead and seal the joint. A welding tip and a welding rod are also disclosed.
US08712225B2
Ocular strain is reduced for the viewer by reducing extreme changes of depth value occurring at stereoscopic scene jumps, dimension switches from 2D to 3D video, and the like. A playback device includes a video plane and a depth value memory for storing depth values of a plurality of stereoscopic video frames. The depth value memory stores the depth values of a plurality of frames, at least including a destination frame, and of a starting frame. When a request to switch from 2D to 3D video or to switch scenes within 3D video is received, switch timing control or destination frame depth value adjustment is performed so as to reduce the occurrence of extreme depth value changes and provide smooth switching.
US08712214B2
Access point pictures designated as randomly accessible positions are I pictures or P pictures. Information indicating the decoding sequence (I1, P1, B1, B2, B3, B4, P2, . . . ) of pictures functioning as access points and attribute information (picture_type) indicating whether a picture functions as an access point or is necessary for decoding of the access point following a given access point are recorded on the video information recording medium. Random access is possible even if the GOP interval is lengthened.
US08712186B2
A method of combining a first image of a first region and a second image of a second region, having an overlapping region therebetween. The method including determining a superposed image as a weighted superposition of the first image and the second image in the overlap region, transforming the first image and the second image on the basis of a comparison of at least one of the first image and the second image with the determined superposed image; determining a further superposed image from the transformed first image and the transformed second image; and generating an overall image from the further superposed image when at least one convergence criterion is satisfied.
US08712180B2
The invention produces a higher quality image from a rendering system based on a relationship between the output of a rendering system and the parameters used to compute them. Specifically, noise is removed in rendering by estimating the functional dependency between sample features and the random inputs to the system. Mutual information is applied to a local neighborhood of samples in each part of the image. This dependency is then used to reduce the importance of certain scene features in a cross-bilateral filter, which preserves scene detail. The results produced by the invention are computed in a few minutes thereby making it reasonably robust for use in production environments.
US08712179B2
Methods for improved reconstruction of a deforming surface may comprise canceling ambient occlusion of the deforming surface from an input image, computing an optical flow of the image, and refining a 3-D shape of the surface. Canceling ambient occlusion of the deforming surface may comprise computing the ambient occlusion of the surface, projecting the ambient occlusion onto each image plane, and then removing the ambient occlusion from the corresponding input image.
US08712171B2
Provide is an image decoding apparatus which reliably prevents deterioration of the image quality of decoded images which have been previously coded. An image decoding apparatus (200) includes: an inverse quantization and inverse orthogonal transform unit (220) and an adder (230) which decode a coded image included in a coded stream (Str) to generate a decoded image (Rc); an entropy decoding unit (210) which extracts cross-correlation data (p) which indicates a cross-correlation between the decoded image (Rc) and an image which corresponds to the decoded image and has not yet been coded; and an adaptive filter (240) which computes a filter parameter (w) based on the extracted cross-correlation data (p), and performs a filtering operation on the decoded image (Rc) according to the filter parameter (w).
US08712167B2
A pattern identification apparatus computes, for each of multiple data elements in input information stored in an array, an accumulated information value corresponding to the position of the data element in the array, writes each of the computed accumulated information values into one of multiple storage units provided in advance, based on the positions of the corresponding data elements in the array, reads out, in parallel and one each from the storage units, the accumulated information values decided based on the positions in the array that corresponds to a local area, the local area being an area within an area of interest in the input information, calculates a feature amount of the local area using the accumulated information values read out from the storage units, and determines whether or not a predetermined pattern is present in the area of interest by comparing the calculated feature amount with pre-set dictionary data.
US08712159B2
Image descriptor quantization technique embodiments are presented which quantize an image descriptor defined by a vector of number elements. This is generally accomplished by lowering the number of bits per number element to a prescribed degree. The resulting quantized image descriptor exhibits minimal loss of matching reliability while at the same time reducing the amount of storage space needed to store the descriptor in a database. Lowering the number of bits per number element also allows for increased matching speed.
US08712152B2
A method of processing data includes correcting received color data and generating corrected color data, generating color glitch correction data corresponding to the corrected color data using a glitch correction value preset based on the received color data, and converting the color glitch correction data into a color data voltage and providing the color data voltage to a display panel.
US08712143B2
Methods, computer readable media, and apparatuses for processing financial documents are presented. Image data associated with a first financial document, such as a check to be deposited, may be received. A first multivariate vector may be determined based on the received image data, and the first multivariate vector may include a plurality of vector components. Each vector component may represent a distance from an edge of the first financial document to a feature of the first financial document, and each vector component may be a ratio of distances. The determined first multivariate vector may be compared with a second multivariate vector associated with a second financial document. Based on the comparing, a confidence score for the first financial document may be determined. A transaction involving the first financial document may be authorized in response to the confidence score exceeding a threshold.
US08712142B2
The invention relates to histology analyses, and in particular, to the assessment of pathological tissues to aid in the diagnosis of disease characterized by specific pathologies, for example cancer. The invention provides methods and apparatuses for analyzing tissue samples, as well as computer-readable media programmed with software for carrying out these diagnostic methods.
US08712138B2
The present invention relates to a device for generating soft tissue contrast images of an area of interest of an examination object (5) comprising soft tissue. The proposed device comprises: an x-ray source unit (2, 3) for emitting one or more pulsed pencil x-ray beams (4), an actuator (8, 9) for actuating said x-ray source unit (2, 3) along and/or around said area of interest to direct said one or more pencil beams (11) onto said area of interest from various directions, an electromagnetic signal receiver (11) for receiving electromagnetic signals from the area of interest resulting from absorption and scatter of x-ray photons within the area of interest, and a signal processor unit (12) for processing said received electromagnetic signals and reconstructing a soft tissue contrast image of the area of interest.
US08712134B2
The image generation method and system generates an image using a predetermined iterative reconstruction technique from cone beam data that has been expanded by adding additional data, and an instance of the iteration process is weighted according to a corresponding validation weight during the reconstruction. Optionally, an instance of the iteration process is weighted according to a combination of weights during the reconstruction. The predetermined combination of the weights includes axial weights based upon a validity value of the expanded data and statistical weights.
US08712131B2
A determination method for reinitialization of a temporal sequence of fluoroscopic images of an examination region of an examination object is provided. The examination region comprises a vascular system including arteries and/or veins. An acquisition time is assigned to each of the images representing a given distribution of a substance in the examination region at the acquisition time. A computer receives the temporal sequence of the images, determines an evaluation image corresponding spatially on a pixel-by-pixel basis to the images, and calculates a differential value between a pixel of the evaluation image at a time and a pixel at a preceding time during a time characteristic of the sequence. A reinitialization of the temporal sequence of the images is performed at a specific time and thereafter the determination method is started over and/or repeated. The specific time is determined as a function of at least one previously calculated differential value.
US08712117B2
A protrusion of at least a part of a surface of an internal part of a human or animal body is detected from three dimensional digital data representing the surface or the part. A surface region is detected from the three dimensional digital data. The surface region has at least one point at which a first and second normal curvature intersect that both have an original curvature value that is larger than zero or both have an original curvature value that is smaller than zero. The second normal curvature has a curvature value that is closer to zero than the curvature value of the first normal curvature. The second normal curvature is digitally modified such that it has a modified curvature value that is closer to zero than its original curvature value. The modification the surface region is digitally deformed such that a deformed surface region is formed. The extent of deformation of the deformed surface region is compared to the detected surface region to determine an amount of protrusion.
US08712111B2
An image processing apparatus includes an image inputting unit for inputting a plurality of facial images; a detecting unit for detecting a facial region of each of the facial images; a correction ratio calculating unit for calculating a correction ratio of the facial region of each of the facial images; a position calculating unit for calculating a positional deviation of the facial region of each of the facial images; and a correcting unit for correcting a layout of each of the facial images through enlarging or reducing each of the facial images according to the correction ratio and moving each of the facial images according to the positional deviation.
US08712107B2
An X-ray scanning apparatus for locating a contaminant in a product, the apparatus comprising: means for generating an X-ray image of the product; means for assigning a grey scale value to a plurality of pixels; means for identifying a plurality of suspect pixels; means, which for each suspect pixel: selects two neighboring pixels in a first direction lying on opposed sides of the suspect pixel and determines which of the first direction pixels has the lowest grey value; selects two neighboring pixels in a second direction lying on opposed sides of the suspect pixel and determines which of the second direction pixels has the lowest grey value; determines a first direction difference value by taking the grey value difference between the lowest grey value first direction pixel and the grey value of the suspect; determines a second direction difference value by taking the grey value difference between the lowest grey value second direction pixel and the grey value of the suspect; determines a first direction score from the first direction difference value; determines a second direction score from the second direction difference value; compares said scores with a threshold value; and identifies the suspect pixel as representing a contaminant if said threshold value is exceeded.
US08712106B2
An image processing apparatus includes a flatness detector, a difference calculation section, a noise level detector, and a motion detector. The flatness detector detects a flat region where pixel values of pixels on a first image are flat, based on variances of the pixel values of the pixels constituting the first image inputted. The difference calculation section calculates a difference between the pixel values of the pixels corresponding to the first image and a second image which continues before or after the first image. The noise level detector detects a noise level indicating a statistic noise amount of noise generated in each pixel constituting the first image based on the variances of the difference. The motion detector detects at least one of a still region indicating a region where an object on the first image is still and a motion region indicating a region where the object is moving.
US08712104B2
A system and method provides maps identifying the 3D location of traffic lights. The position, location, and orientation of a traffic light may be automatically extrapolated from two or more images. The maps may then be used to assist robotic vehicles or human drivers to identify the location and status of a traffic signal.
US08712102B2
A relative pose between two cameras is determined by using input data obtained from the motion of subjects, such as pedestrians, between the fields of view of two cameras, determining trajectory information for the subjects, and computing homographies relating lines obtained from trajectories in the first image data to lines obtained from the trajectories in the second image data. The two fields of view need not overlap.
US08712100B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to profiling activity. Content is captured and keywords are identified in the captured content. In response to the keyword identification, rules associated with the keywords are identified. These rules are employed to identify and capture relevant content in real-time.
US08712099B2
An image surveillance system and a method of detecting whether an object is left behind or taken away are provided. The image surveillance system includes: a foreground detecting unit which detects a foreground region based on a pixel information difference between a background image and a current input image; a still region detecting unit which detects a candidate still region by clustering foreground pixels of the foreground region, and determines whether the candidate still region is a falsely detected still region or a true still region; and an object detecting unit which determines whether an object is left behind or taken away, based on edge information about the true still region.
US08712096B2
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting and tracking vehicles. One embodiment of a system for detecting and tracking an object (e.g., vehicle) in a field of view includes a moving object indication stage for detecting a candidate object in a series of input video frames depicting the field of view and a track association stage that uses a joint probabilistic graph matching framework to associate an existing track with the candidate object.
US08712092B2
The present invention provides a magnet assembly and speaker including such a magnet assembly. The magnet assembly includes an outer magnet defining a pair of first plat magnets, an inner magnet surrounded by the outer magnet and defining a pair of second plat magnets, a first magnetic gap formed between an inner surface of the outer magnet and an outer surface of the inner magnet, and a magnetic conductive portion sandwiched between the pair of the second plat magnets. A width of the magnetic conductive portion is unequal to a length of the outer and inner magnets. Polarity of the pair of the first plate magnets adjacent to the magnetic gap is similar to each other. Polarity of the pair of the first plate magnets adjacent to the magnetic gap are opposite to that of the pair of the second plate magnets adjacent to the first magnetic gap.
US08712085B2
A hearing aid includes a case and a photovoltaic cell located in the case near a translucent portion of the case. A detector circuit includes a voltage comparator for monitoring the voltage from the photocell and indicating variations in voltage. The variations are analyzed to detect data for operating the hearing aid.
US08712065B2
This invention relates to the mechanical protection using digital processing and a predictive estimation of instantaneous displacement of the voice coil in a loudspeaker transducer.The invention solves the problem of limiting the coil displacement of the transducer by applying a look-a-head based linear or non-linear predictor and a controller operating directly on the displacement signal in order to finally convert back into the incoming signal domain.
US08712064B2
There is provided a signal processing device including: an audio signal acquisition portion that acquires audio signals; an external signal acquisition portion that acquires external signals; an output signal generation portion that generates output signals from the audio signals and the external signals; a mode setting portion that sets an external mode as an operation mode; and a fade control portion that controls the output signal generation portion in accordance with the operation mode. When the external mode is set, the fade control portion causes the output signal generation portion to generate the output signal for one of the right ear and the left ear of the user from at least the external signal, and also to generate the output signal for the other ear from at least the audio signal.
US08712058B2
An encoding method and apparatus and a decoding method and apparatus are provided. The decoding method includes extracting an arbitrary down-mix signal and compensation information necessary for compensating for the arbitrary down-mix signal from the input bitstream, compensating for the arbitrary down-mix signal using the compensation information, and generating a three-dimensional (3D) down-mix signal by performing a 3D rendering operation on the compensated arbitrary down-mix signal. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently encode multi-channel signals with 3D effects and to adaptively restore and reproduce audio signals with optimum sound quality according to the characteristics of an audio reproduction environment.
US08712057B2
A method and apparatus for an iterative cryptographic block under the control of a CPU and without a fixed number of stages. In one embodiment, a first cryptographic block descrambles received information using an internal key or a preprogrammed key to form a descrambled key or descrambled data. A data feedback path stores the descrambled data as internal data and provides the internal data or the external data as data input to the first cryptographic block. A key feedback path stores the descrambled key as an internal key and provides the internal key or the preprogrammed key to a key input of the first cryptographic block. A second cryptographic block descrambles received content using a final descrambling key. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08712055B2
According to one embodiment, a method of performing a re-establishment procedure in a mobile communication system includes: receiving, by a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) entity, at least one PDCP data unit; performing, by the PDCP entity, an integrity check on the received at least one PDCP data unit; indicating, by the PDCP entity, an integrity check failure to a radio resource control (RRC) entity if the integrity check fails with regard to the received at least one PDCP data unit; and performing, by the RRC entity, a re-establishment procedure upon the indication by the PDCP entity of the integrity check failure, wherein the at least one PDCP data unit is for a control plane.
US08712047B2
Disclosed is a virtual universal decryption (VUD) service that provides a mechanism for allowing users of camera enabled mobile devices to use their camera to decrypt messages. The VUD service can provide a mechanism for a user of a VUD enabled device to authorize one or more other users of VUD enabled and camera enabled devices to use their cameras to decrypt messages sent by the authorizing user. The VUD service may then provide mechanisms for the authorized users to decrypt messages, which have been encrypted by the authorizing users, by simply capturing an image/video of the encrypted text with a camera of their VUD enabled devices.
US08712039B2
An efficient implementation of SHA-512, and similarly SHA-384, on an ARM processor. The implementation maximizes reuse of the register values between iterations so as to minimize the need to load these values from memory. This is achieved by categorizing the iterations into even and odd ones such that the sequence of computation in the even iteration is reversed in the odd iteration and the register values at the end of one iteration are consumed at the beginning of the following one.
US08712037B2
A data encoding apparatus for verifying data integrity by using a white box cipher includes: an encoding unit for encoding content by using a white box cipher table; and an arithmetic logic unit for performing an arithmetic logic operation on the white box cipher table and content information to output an encoded white box cipher table. The arithmetic logic operation is an exclusive OR operation. The content information is license information of the content or hash value of the license information of the content.
US08712035B2
An embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus and method for online data conversion. The apparatus and method are configured to read data that is overlapped by a window in a first position in a volume, convert the data into a converted text, write the converted text into the volume, and slide the window to a second position in the volume.
US08712033B2
A system and method may include receiving an invite message associated with a calling device over a data network, the invite message requesting establishment of a voice over data communication session, and presenting a plurality of call rejection options, each of the plurality of call rejection options being associated with separate call rejection messages. The system and method may further include determining which one of the plurality of call rejection options is selected, where the plurality of call rejection options permit a called party to intelligently reject a voice over data communication session.
US08712026B1
Methods and systems for facilitating distribution of ringback files to caller devices are provided. A ringback file server may receive a request to associate a ringback file with a callee device and a caller device. Responsively, the ringback file server transmits a copy of the ringback file to the caller device, thus enabling the caller device to play out the ringback file when the caller device subsequently initiates a call to the callee device. Preferably, the ringback file is a high quality audio or video file. Thus, locally storing the ringback file at the caller device facilitates playout of high quality ringback media and also avoids requiring that the ringback file server stream ringback media in-band to the caller device.
US08712014B2
A method for adaptive frame scanning for pulsed x-ray imaging comprising the steps of: scanning lines on an image detector sequentially; receiving an indication that radiation is about to begin; waiting a fixed delay after the indication is received; suspending scanning after the fixed delay has lapsed; and resuming scanning of lines on the detector upon receiving an indication that radiation has stopped. By monitoring for completion of a frame a predetermined frame delay can be added before commencing the next line scan to accommodate jitter in the radiation pulse timing.
US08712013B2
A motion control system comprising a servo motor for moving a rotary stage; a scale provided on the rotary stage or on an object that moves integrally with the rotary stage; a plurality of reading heads for detecting the scale and outputting a signal; a data processing part for calculating an average value of rotation angle data based on each of the output signals from the reading heads and outputting the average value as a signal; and a servo amplifier for controlling the motor based on the signal representing the average value of the rotation angle. The motion control system can cause the rotary stage to rotate to a desired rotation angle to a high degree of accuracy using the reading heads.
US08712012B2
One or more techniques and/or systems described herein provide for examining an object (e.g., a tumor in a patient) and subsequently treating the object. The examination and treatment generally occur very close to one another in time, with the patient remaining on a support article (e.g., on a bed or in a chair) during both the examination and the treatment. In this way, a position of the tumor and/or orientation of the tumor relative to the patient is substantially fixed during both the examination and the treatment. In one embodiment, a support article is configured to rotate during the examination and/or treatment. In this way, the object can be examined (e.g., and volumetric data related to the object can be acquired) and/or treated without moving portions of the imaging and/or treatment apparatus, for example.
US08712004B2
A nuclear fuel assembly bottom nozzle, of the type including a perforated plate to allow water to pass through it, the nozzle having lateral faces, and at least one anti-debris element positioned on a lateral face to block out debris likely to infiltrate between the bottom nozzle and another adjacent bottom nozzle, characterized in that, in the free state, the or each anti-debris element permanently projects from the lateral face on which it is positioned, the or each anti-debris element being elastically deformable so as to retract towards the lateral face in the event of a force being exerted on the anti-debris element towards the lateral face.
US08712003B2
A jet pump has a plurality of nozzles installed to a nozzle base, a throat and a diffuser. A first nozzle straight-tube portion, a first nozzle narrowing portion, a second nozzle straight-tube portion, a second nozzle narrowing portion, and a nozzle lower end portion formed in those nozzles are disposed in this order from the nozzle base to a ejection outlet. A narrowing angle of the second nozzle narrowing portion is larger than of the first nozzle narrowing portion. The jet pump forms, in a lower end portion of the throat, a flow passage narrowing portion having a flow passage cross-sectional area that gradually diminishes. This flow passage narrowing portion is inserted into an upper end portion of the diffuser.
US08711999B2
A tool for inspecting a cell formed by grid beams of a top guide structure in a nuclear reactor is provided. The tool includes a camera; a support structure coupled to the camera for contacting at least one of the grid beams to support the camera within the cell; and at least one actuator moving the camera with respect to the support structure and along one of the grid beams, the at least one actuator coupling the camera to the support structure. A method for inspecting a cell formed by grid beams of a top guide structure in a nuclear reactor is also provided.
US08711979B2
A wireless receiver for receiving a signal with a characteristic pattern includes a predictor for predicting the presence of a non-zero value of the characteristic pattern. A tracker tracks a noise component in the received signal between predicted non-zero values. The resulting noise component is subtracted from the received signal to output a processed signal, which is then decoded by a pattern discriminator and demodulator. The wireless receiver is less sensitive to noise and interference.
US08711975B2
A method for processing user symbols with Tomlinson Harashima precoder (THP) in a base station, of a wireless system having K user terminals (UEs) which communicate with the base station via an uplink channel and a corresponding downlink (DL) channel, comprises estimating DL channel matrix; determining receiver processing matrix; computing effective matrix DL channel Heff; performing QR decomposition of Heff; computing THP matrices; calculating scalar weights for the UEs; processing user symbols by the THP having the THP matrices to produce an output of filtered vector symbols for the UEs; directing output of the THP to a channel represented by the DL channel matrix through which communications occur in the wireless system with the UEs; providing the receiver processing matrix to the UEs for performing additional receiver processing on the transmitted signals; and providing the scalar weights to the UEs to be used on the transmitted signals at the UEs.
US08711963B2
Provided is a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication system that may provide a plurality of feedback modes. A receiver may feed back, to a transmitter, a base codeword indicator indicating one of base codewords included in the base codebook, a differential codeword indicator indicating one of differential codewords included in the differential codebook, and/or a correlation codeword indicator indicating one of correlation codewords included in the correlation codebook. The transmitter may generate a precoding matrix using at least one of the base codeword indicator, the differential codeword indicator, and the correlation codeword indicator.
US08711962B2
The invention relates to a method for generating multi-antenna signals. Firstly, the propagation conditions between channel coefficients, which each describe one transmitter antenna and one receiver antenna, are generated. Furthermore, weighting factors are generated to weight signals to be transmitted via one transmitter antenna in each case. Taking the channel coefficients (hij) and the weighting factors (Wij), into consideration, received signals arriving therein are calculated for each receiver antenna. A transmitted signal is generated in each case from the calculated arriving received signals, which corresponds to the calculated received signal for said receiving device. The particular transmitted signals are generated by a signal generator and transmitted to the associated receiving device.
US08711960B2
A digital broadcasting system including a transmitting system and a receiving system, and a method of processing data are disclosed. A method of processing data of a transmitting system includes sequentially grouping N number of columns (Kc) configured of A number of enhanced data bytes having information included therein, thereby creating a frame having a size of N (rows)*Kc (columns), wherein N and A are integers, encoding the created frame, and multiplexing and transmitting enhanced data included in the encoded frame and main data.
US08711956B2
A communications system may include a first communications device that may include a transmitter and a modulator cooperating therewith to modulate a coded waveform using a constant phase modulation (CPM) to generate a non-linear CPM waveform, and generate a linear representation of the non-linear CPM waveform, the linear representation including a plurality of pulses. The transmitter and a modulator may further cooperate to remove at least some of the plurality of pulses to define a modified linear representation of the non-linear CPM waveform, and transmit the modified linear representation of the non-linear CPM waveform. The communications system may further include a second communications device that may include a receiver and a single pulse-matched filter linear demodulator cooperating therewith to demodulate the modified linear representation of the non-linear CPM waveform transmitted from the first communications device.
US08711954B2
A method and a system for transferring a digital signal through a transformer, in which the current in a primary winding of the transformer is a frequency-modulated signal exhibiting sinusoidal trains of different durations according to the rising or falling edge of the digital signal to be transferred.
US08711953B2
A method for transmitting a signal from a transmitter over a channel to a receiver on a Power Line Network, wherein said signal is OFDM-modulated on a set of sub-carriers, is proposed, wherein an OFDM tonemap and an eigenbeamforming encoding matrix are determined based on a channel estimation for each sub-carrier, a tonemap feedback signal and an eigenbeamforming feedback signal are generated, which are descriptive of said OFDM tonemap and said eigenbeamforming encoding matrix, respectively, and transmitted to the transmitter. A corresponding receiver, a transmitter, a power line communication and a power line communication system are described as well.
US08711951B2
A method for operating a Power Line Communications (PLC) device includes identifying at least one proximately located load device using the wireless interface, determining device characteristics of the at least one proximately located load device using the wireless interface, communicating with a remote PLC device via the PLC interface, and transmitting to the remote PLC device via the PLC interface the device characteristics of the at least one proximately located load device. Operation may further include establishing wireless communications with the at least one proximately located device, querying the at least one proximately located device wirelessly, and receiving the device characteristics wirelessly. Other operations include creating a diagrammatic representation of a premises representing a plurality of areas and passages between the plurality of areas and including wireless reception quality for each of the plurality of spaces.
US08711947B2
A digital broadcast receiver and a method for receiving a digital broadcast signal are provided. The digital broadcast receiver includes a receiving unit for receiving a transmission stream comprising known data, control information having information regarding the known data, and a supplementary data stream; and a turbo decoder for detecting the supplementary data stream from the received transmission stream, and performing turbo decoding on the detected supplementary data stream.
US08711944B2
A method of compressing digital data includes the steps of (i) reading digital data as a series of binary coded words representing a context and a code word to be compressed, (ii) calculating distribution output data from the input data and assigning variable length code words to the result; and (iii) periodically recalculating the code words in accordance with a predetermined schedule, in order to continuously update the code words and their lengths.
US08711943B2
An encoder receives a signal. The encoder utilizes one or more downsample operations to produce downsampled renditions of the signal at successively lower levels of quality in the hierarchy. In a reverse direction, the encoder applies the one or more upsample operations to a downsampled rendition of the signal at a first level of quality to produce an upsampled rendition of the signal at a second level of quality in the hierarchy. The second level of quality is higher than the first level of quality. The one or more upsample operations and one or more downsample operations can be asymmetrical with respect to each other. That is, the function applied during downsampling can differ from the function applied when upsampling. The encoder produces residual data indicating a difference between the downsampled rendition of the signal at the second level of quality and the upsampled rendition of the signal at the second level of quality.
US08711942B2
One embodiment provides a moving picture decoding device for decoding a compression-coded moving picture stream, including: an inter-view predicting module configured to perform inter-view prediction processing on processing subject blocks of each frame to be decoded; a load detector configured to detect a magnitude of an apparatus processing load including a processing load for decoding; a judging module configured to judge whether the magnitude of the apparatus processing load detected by the load detector is small; and a controller configured to control the inter-view predicting module so as to cause simplification of the inter-view prediction processing if the judging module judges that the magnitude of the apparatus processing load is not small.
US08711936B2
A motion picture recording apparatus that includes a similar-motion-area setup unit which sets up blocks having a similar motion vector as a similar motion area, the similar motion vector being included in motion vectors calculated by a block-based motion search unit. The recording apparatus also includes a representative-motion-vector calculation unit which calculates a representative motion vector by use of a motion vector provided by each block included in the similar motion area. The recording apparatus further includes a selection unit which selects either the representative motion vector or the motion vector provided by each block, which is to be used for each block in the similar motion area. The recording apparatus also includes an encoder which performs coding processing using the selected motion vector and a prediction picture, for each block in the similar motion area.
US08711931B2
In a picture information coding device for outputting picture compression information based on an AVC encoding scheme, optimum reference relationships in a GOP structure including hierarchical B pictures can be obtained and random access from an I picture that is not an instantaneous decoding refresh picture can be performed.When multiple-frame prediction is performed, with a memory management control operation command generation unit (13), a reference B picture that exists between a picture and a P picture or I picture is registered as a long-term reference picture using a memory management control operation command to manage a picture in a decoded picture buffer. The reference B picture is placed as the first in a reference picture list using a reference picture list reordering command when a B picture that exists between the P picture or I picture and the reference B picture is processed. The long-term reference picture in the decoded picture buffer is set to be a non-reference picture by setting the maximum value of a long-term frame index to [0] using a memory management control operation command when the P picture or I picture is processed. Random access from the I picture that is not an instantaneous decoding refresh picture is performed.
US08711925B2
A digital media encoder/decoder uses a flexible quantization technique that provides the ability to vary quantization along various dimensions of the encoded digital media data, including spatial, frequency sub bands and color channels. The codec utilizes a signaling scheme to signal various permutations of flexible quantization combinations efficiently for primary usage scenarios. When a choice of quantizer is available, the codec efficiently encodes the current quantizer by defining a subset of quantizers and indexes the current quantizer from the set.
US08711915B2
A method for determining a corrected estimated variance representative of the condition of reception of signals representative of symbols transferred by an emitter to a receiver through a communication channel. The method includes, executed by the receiver, producing an estimation of the variance by a Wiener channel estimator comprising a linear filter of which coefficients are determined at least from a given average signal to interference plus noise ratio value. The method further includes, executed by the receiver, multiplying the estimation of the variance by a correction factor. The value of the correction factor, being dependent at least on the number of coefficients of the linear filter of the Wiener channel estimator.
US08711911B2
In communication method for communicating via a transmission channel to which first communication apparatuses communicating based on a first communication system, second communication apparatuses communicating based on a second communication system, and third communication apparatuses communicating based on a third communication system are connected, a data transmission domain and a notification domain for notifying a data transmission within the data transmission domain are allocated to the first communication apparatuses, the second communication apparatuses, and the third communication apparatuses, respectively. In the communication method, notices of the data transmission for each of the first communication apparatuses, the second communication apparatuses and the third communication apparatuses are transmitted within the notification domain, and the data transmission domain is reallocated in accordance with the notices transmitted from the first, second and third communication apparatuses.
US08711908B2
A player and an AV amplifier are connected via a cable. An amplifying device amplifies an output signal supplied to an output terminal 14, and outputs the amplified output signal as a transmission signal to the cable. An amplifying device amplifies an output signal supplied to an output terminal, and outputs the amplified output signal as a transmission signal to a cable. An operation device subtracts the output signal supplied to the output terminal from the transmission signal output to the cable. An operation device subtracts the output signal supplied to the output terminal from the transmission signal output to the cable. Therefore, the transmission signal from the AV amplifier is supplied to an input terminal, and the transmission signal from the player is supplied to an input terminal. The transmission signal includes a two-way communication bit indicating whether two-way communication is enabled.
US08711896B2
Laser-induced damage in an optical material can be mitigated by creating conditions at which light absorption is minimized. Specifically, electrons populating defect energy levels of a band gap in an optical material can be promoted to the conduction band—a process commonly referred to as bleaching. Such bleaching can be accomplished using a predetermined wavelength that ensures minimum energy deposition into the material, ideally promoting electron to just inside the conduction band. In some cases phonon (i.e. thermal) excitation can also be used to achieve higher depopulation rates. In one embodiment, a bleaching light beam having a wavelength longer than that of the laser beam can be combined with the laser beam to depopulate the defect energy levels in the band gap. The bleaching light beam can be propagated in the same direction or intersect the laser beam.
US08711895B2
The present invention intends to provide a surface-emitting laser light source using a two-dimensional photonic crystal in which the efficiency of extracting light in a direction perpendicular to the surface is high. In a laser light source provided with a two-dimensional photonic crystal layer created from a plate-shaped matrix body in which a large number of holes are periodically arranged and an active layer arranged on one side of the two-dimensional photonic crystal layer, the holes are created to be columnar with a predetermined cross-sectional shape such as a circular shape, and the main axis of each of the columnar holes is tilted to a surface of the matrix body. When provided with this two-dimensional photonic crystal layer, the surface-emitting laser source using a two-dimensional photonic crystal has a Q⊥ value (i.e. a Q value in a direction perpendicular to the surface) of several thousands, which is suitable for an oscillation of laser light, and the efficiency of extracting light is high in the direction perpendicular to the surface.
US08711891B2
A disclosed surface emitting laser device includes an oscillator structure including an active layer, semiconductor multilayer reflection mirrors sandwiching the oscillator structure, an electrode provided on an emitting surface where light is emitted in a manner such that the electrode surrounds an emitting region, and a dielectric film formed in at least one region outside a center part of the emitting region so that a refractive index of the region outside the center part of the emitting region is less than the refractive index of the center part of the emitting region. When viewed from an emitting direction of the light, a part of the electrode overlaps a part of the dielectric film.
US08711887B2
A display apparatus is provided. The display apparatus includes a receiver configured to receive transmission streams and output a first number of transmission stream signals; a first signal processor configured to receive the first number of transmission stream signals in parallel, group the received transmission stream signals according to kinds thereof, and output a second number of transmission stream signals, the second number being less than the first number; a second signal processor configured to receive the second number of transmission stream signals output from the first signal processor, restore the received transmission stream signals into the first number of transmission stream signals, and form output data using the restored transmission stream signals; and an output configured to output the output data formed in the second signal processor.
US08711884B2
A data communication system includes a data transmitting apparatus and a data receiving apparatus. The data transmitting apparatus includes a packetizing section that generates data packets, an encoding section that performs redundant encoding on the data packets in predetermined time units and generates encoded blocks, a data transmitting section that transmits each encoded block to the data receiving apparatus, a data-size acquiring section that acquires a data size of transmission data in each predetermined time unit, and a packet-size determining section that, on the basis of the acquired data size, in each predetermined time unit, determines a packet size of each data packet. The data receiving apparatus includes a data receiving section that acquires data packets of the transmission data by receiving each encoded block transmitted, and a depacketizing section that analyzes the data packets of the acquired transmission data and reconfigures the transmission data.
US08711880B2
Methods and apparatus to minimize the amount of bandwidth reserved for versioned network services are described. According to one embodiment of the invention, a bandwidth reservation component in a network service manager server receives a change to a service version in a service family. The bandwidth reservation component determines that the change would affect a reserved bandwidth on at least one of the network links of the service version. The bandwidth reservation component analyzes whether to accept the change based on how the change would affect the reserved bandwidth. The bandwidth reservation component changes on each of the network links the reserved bandwidth according to the change if the change is accepted.
US08711871B2
A system for scheduling data for transmission in a communication network includes a credit distributor and a transmit selector. The communication network includes a plurality of children. The transmit selector is communicatively coupled to the credit distributor. The credit distributor operates to grant credits to at least one of eligible children and children having a negative credit count. Each credit is redeemable for data transmission. The credit distributor further operates to affect fairness between children with ratios of granted credits, maintain a credit balance representing a total amount of undistributed credits available, and deduct the granted credits from the credit balance. The transmit selector operates to select at least one eligible and enabled child for dequeuing, bias selection of the eligible and enabled child to an eligible and enabled child with positive credits, and add credits to the credit balance corresponding to an amount of data selected for dequeuing.
US08711870B2
Technique for handling traffic between a specific common source node and a network element NE being part of a dual homing configuration, via a main path and an auxiliary path in the configuration, the technique comprises redirection of the traffic from one of said paths to another while the path from which the traffic has been redirected remains active, while relearn of MAC addresses which is required due to the redirection is performed without executing a MAC addresses flush operation.
US08711862B2
A system and method for providing a global pause function in a broadcast multimedia system during a pause mode including an input module having an incoming timestamp counter for providing a time-based marker value to mark when each incoming packet arrives from a tuner and an outgoing timestamp counter for providing a time-based marker value for each outgoing packet to a receiver(s), the outgoing counter being configured for controlling when to release each outgoing packet to the receiver(s). At least one global memory device is provided for storing each received packet. The input module is configured to stop the outgoing counter from incrementing in response to activation of a global pause signal for the duration of the pause mode. Data flow to all of the receiver(s) is simultaneously and automatically stopped when a pause mode is enabled.
US08711861B2
A packet processor provides for rule matching of packets in a network architecture. The packet processor includes a lookup cluster complex having a number of lookup engines and respective on-chip memory units. The on-chip memory stores rules for matching against packet data. A lookup front-end receives lookup requests from a host, and processes these lookup requests to generate key requests for forwarding to the lookup engines. As a result of the rule matching, the lookup engine returns a response message indicating whether a match is found. The lookup front-end further processes the response message and provides a corresponding response to the host.
US08711858B2
A node compares an address resolution result corresponding to first packet data that is sent by the user device for accessing a first content server and an address resolution result corresponding to second packet data having the sender of the first packet data as the local node. When the addresses are different, the node allocates the second address resolution result to the user device, and configures a communication path between the user device and a second content server indicated by the second address resolution result. The user device accesses to the second content server on the communication path using the allocated second address resolution result.
US08711857B2
Facsimile transcoding is dynamically invoked for devices that do not support T.38 fax protocol. In this way, a unified messaging platform can process facsimiles from endpoints that are not T.38 capable without using without digital signal processor resources. Dynamic fax transcoding can be performed at a session border controller, allowing transcoding resources to be engaged only for non-T.38 endpoints rather than for all calls on an interface.
US08711846B2
A system and method for allowing legacy circuit switch user equipment (CS UE) to operate via a packet switch system, such as an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) system, is provided. The mobility and session control aspects of communications with the legacy CS UE is separated. A user agent is placed in the receiving node (e.g., a home node B) that acts as the SIP agent for the CS UE for session control. An interworking function is provided to allow mobility between the macro CS network and the PS (e.g., IMS) network. Hand-back and hand-in procedures with service continuity are also provided.
US08711837B1
An access node for facilitating communications between disparate devices is disclosed. The access node includes an access communication device (ACD) interface configured to connect to an ACD and a network interface configured to communicate with a network. The access node provides configuration information associated with the ACD to an edge device coupled to the network in a common format irrespective of a native format in which the configuration information is maintained by the ACD, and facilitates modification of configuration parameters of the ACD by the edge device. The access node also facilitates audio communications between the ACD and one or more edge devices irrespective of the location of such edge devices, or of differences between the manners of audio signaling of the ACD and the edge devices.
US08711835B2
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitates mitigating the affects of asynchronous behavior when transmitting a data signal. According to various aspects, the system and methods are employed for selectively appending an appropriate time-shifting mechanism to a data signal in order to rectify the negative affects of asynchronous time behavior during a logical data burst.
US08711833B2
Methods, apparatus and systems for generating and synchronizing a macro-diversity region transmitted by base stations in a network includes a receiving module configured to receive a plurality of packets of content data. A controller module coupled to the receiving module and configured to generate a macro-diversity region data that includes at least one packet of the plurality of packets of content data, and to generate a time reference and frame offset information to indicate an offset from the time reference and to further identify a second base station transmission frame that will include the second macro-diversity region data. A communication module to communicate a macro-diversity region message that includes the macro-diversity region data and the macro-diversity region control information to a plurality of base stations, configured to synchronize the transmission of the macro-diversity region data at the plurality of base stations.
US08711832B2
An apparatus and method for controlling decoding in a wireless communication system are provided. Data is received in a slot associated with a packet to be received. A threshold is determined according to format information of the packet. It is determined whether to decode the received data by comparing the threshold with the number of slots received in relation to the packet. The received data is stored without decoding, if the number of the received slots is less than or equal to the threshold. The received data is decoded to recover the packet, if the number of the received slots is greater than the threshold.
US08711826B2
The invention discloses a method for a cellular communications system, in which traffic is sent in frames, each frame comprising a first number of subframes, with a second number of said subframes being available for at least either uplink or downlink traffic. At least one of said second number of subframes is made to comprise at least three parts, as follows: One part which is utilized for uplink traffic, One part which is utilized for downlink traffic, One part which is utilized as a guard period, with said guard period part being scheduled between the uplink and the downlink parts. The duration of at least two of said three parts may be varied to fit the current system need.
US08711823B2
An embodiment of a system for the coexistence of a wireless local area network (WLAN) and another type of wireless transmission is provided. A WLAN module in a power saving mode is configured to transmit a polling request (PS-Poll) at a supported rate higher than any basic rate in order to obtain buffered data from an access point (AP) when the coexisting wireless transmission module is operating. The supported rate is encoded in a supported rate set announced by the AP, and the basic rate is encoded in a basic rate set announced by the AP, and the PS-Poll is a polling request relating to a power saving mode of operation.
US08711816B2
The invention relates to link establishment in a wireless communication terminal. In order to obtain flexible and low power connections between a wireless terminal belonging to a short-range wireless network and an external wireless communication device not belonging to that network, a protection frame is sent either from the wireless communication terminal or from the external wireless communication device. The protection frame includes duration information used for virtual carrier-sensing in the short-range wireless network. In response to the protection frame, data is transferred between the wireless communication terminal and the external wireless communication device during a time period indicated by the duration information.
US08711814B2
Provided is a radio communication device which can prevent generation of mutual correlation peak between ZC sequences and reduce degradation of BLER characteristic of a CS-ZC sequence. In this device, a sequence length adjustment unit (103) truncates or extends the ZC sequence while maintaining the symmetry of the ZC sequence inputted from a ZC sequence generation unit (102) so as to adjust the sequence length to the number of subcarriers equivalent to the transmission bandwidth of a reference signal inputted from a sequence length setting unit (101). More specifically, the sequence length adjustment unit (103) truncates or extends any one of symbols constituting the ZC sequence so as to truncate or extend the ZC sequence. A transmission RF unit (107) transmits the ZC sequence after the sequence length adjustment.
US08711802B2
A communication apparatus communicates by switching between a first communication period in which contention access control is performed and a second communication period in which non-contention access control is performed. The apparatus determines the state of access contention in the first communication period, changes the frequency bandwidth of the first or second communication period in accordance with the determination and changes the time ratio between the first communication period and the second communication period in accordance with the change of frequency bandwidth.
US08711799B2
A method and apparatus of managing a radio bearer is disclosed. A relay node (RN) sets up at least one UuRB for a Uu interface between a user equipment (UE) and the RN and a UnRB for a Un interface between the RN and a base station (BS). The at least one UuRB is mapped to the UnRB according to quality of service (QoS) guaranteed by the at least one UuRB to setup a RB between the UE and the BS.
US08711784B2
According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided a method and apparatus for communicating in a wireless network with a MAC layer that uses multi-level beacons, the multi-level beacons including a discovery beacon which is transmitted in an omni mode and an announcement beacon/frame transmitted in a beamformed mode.
US08711775B2
The invention provides for a method of controlling release of SMS transport resources between User Equipment and a MME of a communications network, wherein the release is permitted subsequent to a Control Protocol Acknowledge signal at a Mobile Switching Centre of the network, and in particular a method wherein the release is initiated by the MME responsive to receipt of a release signal, and further provides for a SGs Interface, and MME arranged to be employed with such a control method.
US08711769B2
Demodulation and interference parameter estimation in an OFDM receiver is improved by identifying regions, in a two-dimensional array of time-frequency transmission positions, having related interference parameters, such as resulting from the same pre-coding scheme, transmission rank, transmitting antennas, and the like. An interference measure is estimated for each of a plurality of time-frequency positions. The interference measures are analyzed by considering them as pixels, or picture elements, in a two-dimensional image, and applying image processing algorithms to identify the regions having related interference parameters. The image processing algorithms may include operations such as edge detection, segmentation, and/or clustering. The receiver may perform interference suppression or cancellation such as interference rejection combining of data extracted from signals received within an identified time-frequency region having related interference parameters.
US08711754B2
A relay station that performs relay processing of data, intervening between a wireless terminal and a wireless base station having a receiving processing unit to obtain a bandwidth request included in the data received from the wireless terminal and a bandwidth allocation control unit to allocate a bandwidth to the wireless terminal based on the bandwidth request obtained by the receiving processing unit is utilized in an aspect.
US08711744B2
A node (120) for communication within a communication system (100), wherein the node (120) comprises a network signaling stack (122), the node (120) is adapted for serving as a first radio access platform which supports incoming packet switched connections, the node (120) is adapted for interconnecting to a second radio access platform which supports outgoing packet switched connections, and the node (120) is adapted for commissioning of an incoming packet switched connection.
US08711738B2
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for providing an event alert. According to embodiments, a method for providing an event alert is provided. According to the method, an incoming communication from a first device is detected. An initiating party associated with the first device is identified. Whether the initiating party associated with the first device is further associated with an alert tag is determined. The alert tag may include an identifying alert identifying the initiating party associated with the first device. In response to determining that the initiating party associated with the first device is associated with the alert tag, the identifying alert is provided as the event alert on a second device.
US08711732B2
A method for interoperable communications including at least the step of: a) at least one radio user's being able to transmit at least one transmission on a first radio frequency to a computer having at least one sound card and at least two sound card channels on one or more sound cards, wherein each of the at least two sound card channels is programmed to receive and process transmissions from at least two separate radio frequencies. This configuration creates a new way of interfacing virtually any speaker with virtually any computer, and allows a paradigm shift of communications organization such that everyone can talk at once, literally, and still “hear” everyone else.
US08711731B1
A base station receives a first radio resource control (RRC) message comprising parameter(s) indicating whether a wireless device supports an enhanced physical downlink control channel (ePDCCH). The base station selectively transmits second RRC message(s) configuring first radio resources of a first ePDCCH. The base station makes a handover decision for the wireless device. The base station transmits a third message to a target base station. The third message comprises at least one of: parameter(s) indicating whether the wireless device supports an ePDCCH, and configuration information of the first ePDCCH.
US08711728B2
A mobile communication device includes a first wireless transceiver that receives a first inbound RF signal and that transmits a first outbound RF signal based on a first power supply signal. A second wireless transceiver receives a second inbound RF signal and that transmits a second outbound RF signal based on a second power supply signal. A processing module generates at least one power mode signal based on first transmit power control data received via the first inbound RF signal. A power management circuit adjusts a first power consumption parameter of the first power supply signal and a second power consumption parameter of the second power supply signal based on the at least one power mode signal.
US08711723B2
A method, system, and base station for providing subband signal to noise ratio (SNR) correction in the scheduling of communication resources. A Scheduling Correction (SC) utility receives periodic subband and wideband channel quality indicator (CQI) reports from one or more wireless devices. The SC utility records a subframe report period for a respective subband CQI report. The SC utility calculates the age of the subband report to determine whether the subband CQI report remains valid. If the subband report is invalid, the SC utility utilizes the wideband CQI report for (current) transmission scheduling. However, if the subband report is valid, the SC utility utilizes: (a) the subband CQI report for transmission scheduling from the most current reporting subframe; or (b) a modified subband CQI value with a correction that utilizes the wideband CQI report, if the subband CQI report was not received at the most current reporting subframe.
US08711722B2
The invention discloses a method for processing power headroom and a terminal thereof, wherein the method comprises: when transmitting a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) and/or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) on subframe i and component carrier group j, the terminal measures power headroom on the subframe i and the component carrier group j; the terminal reports the power headroom to the base station and indicates the type of the reported power headroom when reporting. The invention specifically indicates the type to which the power headroom belongs by reporting the type while reporting the power headroom, thereby avoiding confusion.
US08711720B2
Provided are a cognitive radio (CR) cooperative spectrum sensing method and a fusion center (FC) performing CR cooperative spectrum sensing. The CR cooperative spectrum sensing method includes receiving, at an FC, local spectrum sensing information about a predetermined frequency band from each of N secondary users (SUs) in a predetermined zone, determining, at the FC, the optimum number of SUs for determining whether the predetermined frequency band is being used by a primary user (PU) on the basis of the received local spectrum sensing information, and performing cooperative spectrum sensing on the basis of local spectrum sensing information received from the optimum number of SUs in the predetermined zone. The method is implemented by the FC. Accordingly, the method and FC find how many SUs are needed to determine that a frequency of a PU is being used in a corresponding-channel situation, thereby enabling efficient communication.
US08711715B2
A method of selecting a profile of a digital communication line includes determining a first throughput value of the digital communication line, the first throughput value associated with a first profile and determined based at least in part on a count of code violations. The method includes determining a second throughput value of the digital communication line that is associated with a second profile, the second throughput value determined based on the count of code violations. The method includes identifying a selected profile that has a greater corresponding throughput value. The first throughput value is greater than the second throughput value when the count of code violations is less than a threshold and the first throughput value is smaller than the second throughput value when the count of code violations is greater than the threshold.
US08711703B2
A flow classification process is used at the edge of the shortest path bridging network to determine a flow label for attachment to a client frame entering the network. Any of several flow labels can be assigned to a client frame traversing the network to a particular egress node, and the flow labels are used by forwarding nodes to select among multiple equal-cost paths. In several embodiments, the flow label is calculated as a function of the client frame contents, which provide an entropy source for randomizing the selection of the flow label. This entropy source comprises the Internet Protocol (IP) header in the client frame, in some embodiments, but may comprise other client frame content in other cases.
US08711699B2
Methods and systems for prioritizing application data in a wireless user device are disclosed. A user device receives, at an application transport bearer (ATB) entity of a protocol layer of a network interface of a user device, at least a portion of a data packet originating from an application identified for prioritized data transfer on the user device. Then, the ATB entity of the user device schedules the data packet ahead of any data packets processed at any network-established data radio bearer (DRB) entities on the same protocol layer as the ATB entity. The ATB entity of the user device is also configured to operate on a protocol layer of a subset of protocol layers on the user device and is configured by the user device with a higher priority parameter than any of the network-established DRB entities on the same protocol layer as the ATB entity.
US08711697B1
In accordance with an embodiment, there is provided a network component, comprising a data port configured to receive data packets in accordance with a scheduling algorithm; and signal logic configured to while the data port is receiving data packets in accordance with the scheduling algorithm, generate a flow stop signal, wherein responsive to the flow stop signal being generated, the data port is configured to halt reception of data packets, and unconditionally generate a flow start signal subsequent to generating the flow stop signal, wherein responsive to the flow start signal being generated, (i) the scheduling algorithm is configured to be reset, and (ii) the data port is configured to resume reception of the data packets in accordance with the reset scheduling algorithm.
US08711696B2
Data may be transmitted in a broadcast mode to multiple devices operating in a network. Efficient utilization of bandwidth while providing a desired level of quality of service is enabled for the applications executing on the devices that utilize the broadcasted data. A set of bandwidth constraints may be utilized in combination with a set of heuristics and rules for the allocation and re-allocation of bandwidth among multiple applications in a manner that minimizes the impact on the quality of service metrics of importance to the affected applications when contention exists for the network resources. Quality of service provided to each application may be degraded smoothly, with certain priorities and guarantees being maintained. Event segmentation and reassembly functions for applications may be provided, as well as reliability mechanisms to increase the ability to provide data to client devices that have not been actively receiving for significant periods of time.
US08711695B2
A problem of the invention is to provide a transmitter terminal and a receiver terminal that can realize transmission of a real-time stream as the final transmission delay time is shortened by avoiding occurrence of reorder. In a transmitter terminal (1), a padding request accepting section (103) receives a padding request packet transmitted from a receiver terminal (2) and a packet padding section (102) pads the packet generated in a data generating section (101) so that the packet length becomes a specific length or more based on a command from the padding request accepting section (103), and transmits the packet to a network (10). In the receiver terminal (2), a reorder condition analyzing section (201) receives a packet from the network (10) and analyzes the occurrence condition of reorder of the packet, a padding requesting section (204) generates a padding request packet for requesting the transmitter terminal (1) to execute padding based on the analysis result of the reorder condition analyzing section (201), and a data reproducing section (203) reproduces the packet received in the reorder condition analyzing section (201).
US08711688B1
Network communications face security issues including traffic flow analysis attacks. Such attacks include deduction of information about networks through analysis of transmitted traffic volume or statistics, even if the traffic is encrypted. For example, an adversary may deduce operational information from traffic volume, or its timing. Described herein are security techniques that can provide transmission security with an obfuscating “cover” signal for any contention-based multiple access system by employing signal interference cancellation techniques, but are not so limited. The cover signal is transmitted on the same frequency band used by terminals on the network. Using “known-signal” and/or self-interference cancellation techniques, the cover signal can be removed by authorized terminals that have appropriate cover signal information and timing synchronization. An adversary cannot distinguish between real traffic and the cover signal while authorized terminals can recover transmissions without impact to network capacity.
US08711686B2
Between a first pair of termination nodes, a first current-use packet transmission path and at least one first spare packet transmission path are defined. Between a second pair of termination nodes, a second current-use packet transmission path and at least one second spare packet transmission path are defined. When no network fault occurs, packets are transmitted between the pairs of nodes in a 1:1 transfer mode in which the pairs transfer packets via both current-use packet transmission paths only. When a network fault occurs in the first current-use packet transmission path, both transmissions are switched from a 1:1 transfer mode to a 1+1 transfer mode, in which the first pair of nodes transfer packets by using the first current-use packet transmission path and the first spare packet transmission path, and the second pair transfer packets by using the second current-use packet transmission path and the second spare packet transmission path.
US08711681B2
Backplane redundancy is provided for a system including multiple nodes that communicate packets through first and second switches. Assuming that the first switch is initially assigned to an active state and the second switch to a standby state, the nodes communicate the data packets through physically enabled first backplane links to the first switch. The nodes physically enable second backplane links that are in a condition to communicate the data packets to the second switch. A messageless failover process is initiated by temporarily disabling, at the first switch, the first backplane links between the first switch and the nodes. In response to the nodes detecting the disabled first backplane links to the first switch, the nodes reconfigure themselves to communicate the data packets through the second backplane links to the second switch and to stop communicating the packets through the first backplane links to the first switch.
US08711678B2
A communication network includes a plurality of nodes and a plurality of links connecting between the nodes. A management computer managing the communication network has a storage means, an entry control means and a monitoring means. A route information indicating a transfer route of frames in the communication network is stored in the storage means. The monitoring means performs, based on the route information, transmission and reception of frames to and from the communication network. The entry control means instructs each node to set up a forwarding table indicating a correspondence relationship between an input source and a forwarding destination of frames. More specifically, the entry control means instructs the each node to set up the forwarding table such that frames are forwarded along the transfer route indicated by the route information.
US08711673B1
Systems, apparatus and methods are provided for detecting the mode of a received OFDM signal. A received signal may be correlated with one or more time-delayed version of itself resulting in a set of correlation signals. Each correlation signal may be analyzed for one or more characteristics that can be used to determine the symbol length of the received signal. In order to minimize the number of correlations performed, one or more correlations can be used with varying symbol lengths and a fixed guard interval length. The correlation signals can be processed by filters, and the characteristics of the filtered correlation signals can be analyzed to determine the guard interval length of the received signal. In addition to detecting symbol length, the present invention can be used to detect receiver impairment and perform any appropriate compensations.
US08711664B2
An exemplary method of controlling an optical storage apparatus includes: driving a first mechanical mechanism of the optical storage apparatus by applying a first control signal to the first mechanical mechanism, wherein a second mechanical mechanism of the optical storage apparatus is inactive while the first mechanical mechanism is operating in response to the first control signal; adjusting the first control signal applied to the first mechanical mechanism when the second mechanical mechanism is requested to be active; and driving the second mechanical mechanism by applying a second control signal to the second mechanical mechanism while the first mechanical mechanism is operating in response to the adjusted first control signal.
US08711662B2
An apparatus includes a waveguide shaped to direct light to a focal point, and a near-field transducer positioned adjacent to the focal point, wherein the near-field transducer includes a dielectric component and a metallic component positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the dielectric component. An apparatus includes a waveguide shaped to direct light to a focal point, and a near-field transducer positioned adjacent to the focal point, wherein the near-field transducer includes a first metallic component, a first dielectric layer positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the first metallic component, and a second metallic component positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the first dielectric component.
US08711656B1
A method, apparatus and computer program product for fast-synching a wireless Bluetooth connection using a first device's wireless identifier is provided. One implementation of the present invention modulates the wireless identifier as a sonic Bluetooth code over a sonic carrier signal. To send the wireless identifier, one implementation accesses a storage area associated with the first wireless device holding the sonic carrier signal. Aspects of the invention then transmit the sonic Bluetooth code as modulated over the sonic carrier signal. A sonic transducer, such as a microphone on the second wireless device, receives the sonic carrier signal and wireless identifier for demodulation. In response, the second wireless device requests to establish a physical channel with the first wireless device using the wireless identifier received over the sonic carrier signal.
US08711653B2
A system includes a shared memory and a plurality of processor cores communicatively coupled to the shared memory. The system includes a processor core memory and a clock subsystem for providing a clock signal to the shared memory and the plurality of processor cores. Each of the plurality of processor cores executes instructions stored in the processor core memory for synchronously changing the clock rate provided by the clock subsystem to the plurality of processor cores.
US08711652B2
A plurality of masters arbitrate for access to a shared memory device, such as a SDRAM (synchronous dynamic random access memory), amongst themselves using software and arbitration interfaces. The masters generate additional commands upon arbitration, such as MRS and PALL commands, for prevention of collision of commands, refresh starvation, and/or a missing pre-charge operation in the shared memory device.
US08711649B2
A method of changing a parameter in a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes receiving and storing data in a storage region; and changing at least one between a DC characteristic and an AC timing characteristic of a parameter, used to access a non-volatile memory cell included in a memory core of the semiconductor device, according to the data stored in the storage.
US08711646B2
Example embodiments include a method for massive parallel stress testing of resistive type memories. The method can include, for example, disabling one or more internal analog voltage generators, configuring memory circuitry to use a common plane voltage (VCP) pad or external pin, connecting bit lines of the memory device to a constant current driver, which works in tandem with the VCP pad or external pin to perform massive parallel read or write operations. The inventive concepts include fast test setup and initialization of the memory array. The data can be retention tested or otherwise verified using similar massive parallel testing techniques. Embodiments also include a memory test system including a memory device having DFT circuitry configured to perform massive parallel stress testing, retention testing, functional testing, and test setup and initialization.
US08711641B2
A test operation method of a memory device includes a reference current generator generating a reference current and providing a reference voltage generated based on the reference current to one of input terminals of a sense amplifier; providing a read voltage generated based on a read current of a memory cell to another one of the input terminals of the sense amplifier; and the sense amplifier comparing the reference voltage with the read voltage.
US08711638B2
A method includes activating at least two rows of pure memory cells and reading at least one column of activated the memory cells, the reading generating a binary function of data stored in the activated memory cells.
US08711634B2
During data read process, a control circuit gives a read voltage to a selected word line connected to a selected memory cell, and gives read pass voltages, for turning on memory cells, to unselected word lines connected to unselected memory cells. The control circuit respectively gives a first read pass voltage, a second read pass voltage, and a third read pass voltage to a first unselected word line adjacent to the selected word line at a side of at least one of a bit line and a source line, a second unselected word line adjacent to the first unselected word line at a side opposite to the selected word line, and a third unselected word line adjacent to the second unselected word line at a side opposite to the selected word line. The second read pass voltage is higher than the third read pass voltage.
US08711629B2
Bit lines connected to each nonvolatile memory cell are selected by corresponding selective transistors. A first drive circuit for driving the gate of one of the selective transistors receives a voltage selected by a first voltage switch, and a second drive circuit for driving the gate of the other selective transistor receives a voltage selected by a second voltage switch. A transistor constituting the first drive circuit is different in structure from a transistor constituting the second drive circuit.
US08711628B2
Memory devices and methods of operating memory devices are provided, such as those that involve a memory architecture that replaces typical static and/or dynamic components with emerging non-volatile memory (NV) elements. The emerging NV memory elements can replace conventional latches, can serve as a high speed interface between a flash memory array and external devices and can also be used as high performance cache memory for a flash memory array.
US08711617B2
Methods, devices, and systems for data modulation for groups of memory cells. Data modulation for groups of memory cells can include modulating N units of data to a combination of programmed states. Each memory cell of a group of G number of memory cells can be programmed to one of M number of programmed states, where M is greater than a minimum number of programmed states needed to store N/G units of data in one memory cell, and where the programmed state of each memory cell of the group is one of the combination of programmed states.
US08711615B2
This disclosure concerns memory kink checking. One embodiment includes selectively applying one of a plurality of voltages to a first data line according to a programming status of a first memory cell, wherein the first memory cell is coupled to the first data line and to a selected access line. An effect on a second data line is determined, due at least in part to the voltage applied to the first data line and a capacitive coupling between at least the first data line and the second data line, wherein the second data line is coupled to a second memory cell, the second memory cell is adjacent to the first memory cell, and the second memory cell is coupled to the selected access line. A kink correction is applied to the second data line, responsive to the determined effect, during a subsequent programming pulse applied to the second memory cell.
US08711613B2
A flash-RAM memory includes non-volatile random access memory (RAM) formed on a monolithic die and non-volatile page-mode memory formed on top of the non-volatile RAM, the non-volatile page-mode memory and the non-volatile RAM reside on the monolithic die. The non-volatile RAM is formed of stacks of magnetic memory cells arranged in three-dimensional form for higher density and lower costs.
US08711612B1
Disclosed is a memory circuit and method of forming the same. The memory circuit comprises a lower metallization layer defining first conducting lines. A continuous magnetic storage element stack is atop the lower metallization layer wherein a bottom electrode of the stack is in direct contact with the first conducting lines. An upper metallization layer is atop the continuous magnetic storage element stack, the upper metallization layer defining second conducting lines, which are in direct contact with said continuous magnetic storage element stack. Localized areas of the continuous magnetic storage element stack define discrete magnetic bits, each energizable through a selected pair of the first and second conducting lines. In a second aspect and a third aspect, the continuous magnetic storage element stack is respectively partially and fully etched through a single mask, to define the discrete magnetic bits.
US08711611B2
A supply voltage generating circuit includes a first charge pump circuit that generates a first internal supply voltage, and second charge pump circuit that generates a second internal supply voltage. The absolute value of the second internal supply voltage is greater than that of the first internal supply voltage. The output terminal of the first charge pump circuit is connected to a secondary-side charging terminal of the second charge pump circuit. The secondary-side is an output-side of the corresponding charge pump circuit, and the charging terminal is an auxiliary charging terminal that supplies an auxiliary charge to a secondary-side output terminal of the corresponding charge pump circuit. The output terminal of the second charge pump circuit outputs a voltage value that is the result of adding a prescribed voltage value to the value of the first internal supply voltage applied to the charging terminal.
US08711608B2
A memory unit includes a giant magnetoresistance cell electrically coupled between a write bit line and a write source line. The giant magnetoresistance cell includes a free magnetic layer. A magnetic tunnel junction data cell is electrically coupled between a read bit line and a read source line. The magnetic tunnel junction data cell includes the free magnetic layer. A write current passes through the giant magnetoresistance cell to switch the giant magnetoresistance cell between a high resistance state and a low resistance state. The magnetic tunnel junction data cell is configured to switch between a high resistance state and a low resistance state by magnetostatic coupling with the giant magnetoresistance cell, and be read by a read current passing though the magnetic tunnel junction data cell.
US08711607B2
A logic circuit in a system LSI is provided with a power switch so as to cut off the switch at the time of standby, reducing leakage current. At the same time, an SRAM circuit of the system LSI controls a substrate bias to reduce leakage current.
US08711606B2
A circuit and method erase at power-up all data stored in a DRAM chip for increased data security. All the DRAM memory cells are erased by turning on the transistors for the DRAM storage cells simultaneously by increasing the body voltage of cells. In the example circuit, the body voltage is increased by a charge pump controlled by a power-on-reset (POR) signal applying a voltage to the p-well of the memory cells. The added voltage to the p-well lowers the threshold voltage of the cell, such that the NFET transistor of the memory cell will turn on. With all the devices turned on, the data stored in the memory cells is erased as the voltage of all the cells connected to a common bitline coalesce to a single value.
US08711605B2
A system for determining the logic state of a resistive memory cell element, for example an MRAM resistive cell element. The system includes a controlled voltage supply, an electronic charge reservoir, a current source, and a pulse counter. The controlled voltage supply is connected to the resistive memory cell element to maintain a constant voltage across the resistive element. The charge reservoir is connected to the voltage supply to provide a current through the resistive element. The current source is connected to the charge reservoir to repeatedly supply a pulse of current to recharge the reservoir upon depletion of electronic charge from the reservoir, and the pulse counter provides a count of the number of pulses supplied by the current source over a predetermined time. The count represents a logic state of the memory cell element.
US08711598B1
A memory cell includes six transistors. The first and second P-type transistors have the sources coupled to a first voltage. The first and second N-type transistors have the drains coupled to drains of the first and second P-type transistors, respectively; the sources coupled to a second voltage; and the gates coupled to gates of the first and second P-type transistors, respectively. The third N-type transistor has the drain coupled to a write word line; the source coupled to drain of the first N-type transistor and gate of the second N-type transistor; and the gate coupled to a first write bit line. The fourth N-type transistor has the drain coupled to the write word line; the source coupled to drain of the second N-type transistor and gate of the first N-type transistor; and the gate coupled to a second write bit line. A memory cell array is also provided.
US08711596B2
A storage system includes a three-dimensional memory array that has multiple layers of non-volatile storage elements grouped into blocks. Each block includes a subset of first selection circuits for selectively coupling a subset of array lines (e.g. bit lines) of a first type to respective local data lines. Each block includes a subset of second selection circuits for selectively coupling a subset of the respective local data lines to global data lines that are connected to control circuitry. To increase the performance of memory operations, the second selection circuits can change their selections independently of each other.
US08711593B2
Various circuit configurations and topologies are provided for single and multi-phase, single-level or multi-level, full and half-bridge rectifiers in which diodes are replaced by combinations of voltage-controlled self-driven active switches, current-controlled self-driven active switches and inductors in order to reduce the effects of conduction loss in the diodes.
US08711590B2
A circuit comprising at least one parallel-connected partial circuit for feeding at least one inverter circuit. A partial circuit consists of an unregulated voltage source having a temporally varying DC output voltage, a voltage doubling circuit and a voltage regulating circuit with an associated regulating device. In the inventive method, the voltage doubling circuit doubles the voltage of the unregulated voltage source. The regulation of the current/voltage characteristic curve, the MPP tracking, of the unregulated voltage source is effected by the regulating device of the voltage regulating circuit.
US08711588B1
There is provided a power supply device including an alternating current (AC) power supply unit supplying a first primary current in a positive half cycle and supplying a second primary current in a negative half cycle; a transformer unit including a first transformer and a second transformer; a main switch unit including a first main switch and a second main switch; an auxiliary switch unit including a first auxiliary switch and a second auxiliary switch; an auxiliary inductor unit including a first auxiliary inductor and a second auxiliary inductor; and a path providing unit providing a conduction path based on power supplied from the AC power supply unit.
US08711585B2
A direct double-frequency ripple current control in a two-stage high-frequency-link (HFL) based fuel cell converter that can achieve low-frequency ripple free input current without using large electrolytic capacitors is provided. To eliminate the double-frequency ripple current disturbance introduced by the single-phase inverter load, a proportional-resonant (PR) controller is developed to achieve an extra high control gain at designed resonant frequency. This high gain can be viewed as the virtual high impedance for blocking the double-frequency ripple energy propagation from inverter load to fuel cell stack. More particularly, the proposed control system can realize the utilization of all capacitive ripple energy sources in the system by regulating all the capacitors to have large voltage swing and the voltage swing is synchronized to keep real-time balancing of the transformer primary-side and secondary-side voltages. As a result, the zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) operation for all switching devices in the dc-dc stage can be guaranteed.
US08711582B2
A circuit and method for compensating for parasitic elements of a transistor. A transistor, a controller, and a compensation element are mounted to a printed circuit board. The transistor includes parasitic drain and source inductors. The compensation element may be a discrete inductor that has an inductance value equal to about the sum of the inductance values of the parasitic drain and source inductors. The magnitudes of the compensation voltage and the sum of the voltages across the parasitic drain and source inductances are substantially equal. Thus, the compensation voltage developed across the compensation inductor is used to adjust a reference voltage within the controller. A drain-to-source voltage is applied to one input of a comparator within the controller and the adjusted reference voltage is applied to another input of the comparator. An output signal of the comparator is input to drive circuitry that drives a gate of the transistor.
US08711580B2
A resonant conversion system is provided, in which a resonant converter receives an input voltage to generate an output voltage, and a buck converter provides the input voltage of the resonant converter, and controls the input voltage to perform an over-current protection process.
US08711579B2
A switching power supply apparatus including: a switching DC-DC converter for receiving an input voltage; a current detecting unit for detecting a current from the DC-DC converter; an input voltage detecting unit for detecting the decrease or cutoff of the input voltage; an overcurrent limiting circuit for stopping the operation of the DC-DC converter when the current detected by the current detecting unit exceeds a threshold; and a threshold control unit for changing the threshold of the overcurrent limiting circuit such that, if the decrease or cutoff of the input voltage is detected by the input voltage detecting unit, the period between the time when the decrease or cutoff of the input voltage is detected and the time when the operation of the DC-DC converter is stopped is prolonged.
US08711578B2
In one embodiment, a power supply controller is configured to adjust a peak value of a primary current through a power switch responsively to a difference between a demagnetization time and a discharge time of the parasitic leakage inductance of a transformer.
US08711575B2
A printed circuit board unit usable with a computer device includes a main board on which a first component and a second component are mounted on an upper surface, and a routing unit mounted on at least one of the upper surface and a lower surface of the main board and including a sub-wire forming at least part of a wire to transmit a data between the first component and the second component.
US08711571B2
The present disclosure relates to the field of players, and provides a portable multimedia player includes a housing; an integrated circuit module received in the housing for playing multimedia; a storage device interface electrically connected to the integrated circuit module, and configured to connect to an external storage device; and a male HDMI connector electrically connected to the integrated circuit module, configured to be connected to a female HDMI of an external display device. The multimedia function of the external display device is expanded by connecting the male HDMI 11 to the female HDMI of the external display device. The portable multimedia player is connected to the display device without any corresponding interface cable, such that it affords convenient using to users and beautiful appearance.
US08711567B2
An electronic hand-held device, for example a mobile phone (10), includes a first unit (cover 12) and a second unit (keypad unit 14). The device (10) has a first configuration in which the first unit (12) is in a contracted position, and the second unit (14) is in a depressed position and positioned beneath the first unit (12); and a second configuration in which the first unit (12) is in a fully extended position, the second unit (14) is in a fully raised position, and the upper surfaces (12u, 14u) of the first and second units are adjacent to each other. The movement of the second unit (14) depends on the movement of the first unit (12) by moveable guide members (40) mounted along the lateral edges of the device (10). The guide member (40) may include a guide surface (140) shaped to hold the second unit (14) firmly in position in fully raised position.
US08711557B2
A support tray for a server includes a main body defining an opening in a front end, and a first cover and a second cover with different sizes. When the first cover is mounted to the front end of the main body, a cover plate of the first cover shields the opening of the main body. Therefore, the main body and the first cover cooperatively bound a first receiving space adapted to accommodate a first computing unit. When the second cover is mounted to the front end of the main body, a cover plate of the second cover shields the opening of the main body. Therefore, the main body and the second cover cooperatively bound a second receiving space adapted to accommodate a second computing unit. The first receiving space is longer than the second receiving space.
US08711549B2
A busway having multiple busbar conductors and pads composed of a thermally conductive, insulating material (TCIM) sandwiched in between each of the conductors and between the outermost conductors and the inside of the busway housing. The busway preferably includes three sets of TCIM pads, one set in the center of the busway, and a set at either end of the busway where a joint pack is installed to join multiple sections of busway sections together. The insulating material on the conductors has a cutout to expose the bare metal of the conductors, and a TCIM pad is placed directly on the exposed metal through the cutout, to form a thermal conduit between the busbar conductors to the metal housing of the busway, thereby reducing the temperatures of the busbar conductors and the joint pack during normal operation in which hundreds or thousands of amps of current are carried through the busway sections.
US08711544B2
The present invention relates to a remote-receiving circuit (1) for providing and controlling an electric stimulus applied to an animal, the circuit (1) comprising: an isolated DC/DC converter (4) having a low voltage input powered by an energy source (3) and a high voltage output connected to a storage capacitor (8) suitable to be charged with stimulus energy by said converter (4); a first electrode (5) and a second electrode (6) configured to be in contact with the animal for delivering to it high voltage stimulus current and connected to the respective ends of said storage capacitor (8); a current-limiting circuit (9) connected in series with the storage capacitor (8) to control the stimulus current delivered to the animal through the electrodes (5, 6).
US08711539B2
A switchgear operating apparatus provided with an electronic switching device (7) connected to a negative electrode side of a DC power supply and a plurality of operating coils (4) which are simultaneously energized and controlled by the electronic switching device (7) for performing on/off operations of a three-phase switchgear includes diodes (6a, 6b, 6c) connected between the individual operating coils (4) and the electronic switching device (7), and a voltage detector (9) for detecting potential differences applied to the individual diodes (6a, 6b, 6c) and the electronic switching device (7).
US08711538B2
An arrester for preventing an insulator supporting a power line from experiencing an electrical flashover comprises an electrode, a varistor, and a separating device. The electrode is spaced apart from the power line or a conductor that is electrically tied to the power line so as to define an external gap therebetween. The separating device, in turn, comprises two portions operative to separate from one another when the varistor experiences an electrical condition sufficient to cause the varistor to fail. The electrode, the external gap, the separating device, and the varistor are arranged in electrical series with one another and in electrical parallel with the insulator.
US08711519B2
A shallow trench discrete track media structure is fabricated by etching a magnetic recording layer to provide a plurality of discrete magnetic data tracks separated by shallow trenches. Each shallow trench has a trench floor formed at a depth in the magnetic recording layer that is less than the thickness of the magnetic recording layer. Exposed regions of the magnetic recording layer beneath the trench floor are reacted with reactive plasma to diminish the magnetic moment of the exposed regions.
US08711513B1
According to one embodiment, a disk drive includes a housing, a disk recording medium in the housing, a drive motor, a head, a carriage configured to support the head for movement, and a flow regulation member between the recording medium and a sidewall of the housing, except for a moving region for the carriage. The flow regulation member includes a shroud member, which is located substantially flush the recording medium and adjacently faces the outer peripheral edge of the recording medium, and a plurality of fins protruding from the shroud member and configured individually to guide an airflow passing along a surface of the recording medium toward the outer periphery of the shroud member and prevent a backflow toward a center of the recording medium.
US08711503B2
A method of protecting information written to a recording medium includes magnetizing the recording medium to form a first magnetic pattern corresponding to information to be stored, and magnetizing the recording medium to form a protective magnetic pattern having a phase difference of 180° from the first magnetic pattern at a position adjacent to where the first magnetic pattern is formed, with adjacent bits of the first magnetic pattern opposite and the protective magnetic pattern opposite to each other.
US08711501B2
Described are embodiments of an invention for customizing the range of acceptable write conditions to a tape of a tape cartridge that contracts or expands laterally based on environmental conditions. The tape drive utilizes servo information to determine if the tape has expanded or contracted from the nominal dimension and to determine the magnitude of the expansion or contraction. In the case of expansion, the magnitude of the determined expansion and the stored maximum amount of contraction must be below a predetermined threshold value to allow a write. In the case of contraction, the magnitude of the determined contraction and the stored magnitude of expansion must be below the same predetermined threshold value to allow a write. If the determined magnitude of contraction or expansion is greater than the stored magnitude of contraction or expansion, respectively, then the new extreme is stored.
US08711498B2
In a magnetic reading/writing device, a controller derives at each radius of a recording medium a slope of a curve of track-averaged write performance with respect to an adjustment parameter, and determines a first set of fitting coefficients of a first equation approximating the derived slopes in terms of a first variable representing each radius. The controller acquires write performance dependence on a variable representing each of multiple circumferential positions of the medium by measuring track average write performance with respect to the circumferential positions, and determines a second set of fitting coefficients to approximate by a periodic function the acquired dependence in terms of the first variable. The controller corrects a condition value representing the adjustment parameter by subtracting from the condition value an adjustment value obtained from functions calculated with the first and second sets of fitting coefficients.
US08711496B2
A magnetic levitation motor includes a fastening unit and a moving unit. The fastening unit includes a fixing frame and a first magnet assembly. The fixing frame includes a lower plate and four guiding poles extending upward from corners of the lower plate. The first magnet assembly includes four first magnets supported on the lower plate. Each first magnet is positioned between two adjacent guiding poles. The moving unit includes a moving frame and a second magnet assembly. The moving frame includes an outer surface and defines a receiving recess on the outer surface. The second magnet assembly includes four second magnets received in the receiving recess. The first magnets are positioned above the second magnets along an optical axis of the magnetic levitation motor.
US08711494B2
An imaging lens includes first, second, and third lens elements arranged from an object side to an image side in the given order. The first lens element has a positive refracting power, and has a convex object-side surface facing toward the object side. The second lens element has a concave object-side surface facing toward the object side, and a convex image-side surface facing toward the image side. The third lens element has an image-side surface facing toward the image side and having a concave portion in a vicinity of an optical axis of the imaging lens. The imaging lens satisfies |ν1−ν2|<5, and |ν1−ν3|>20, where ν1, ν2, and ν3 represent dispersion coefficients of the first, second, and third lens elements, respectively.
US08711493B2
A four element lens system for use with an imaging sensor includes first, second, third, and fourth lens elements and an optical filter that are arranged sequentially in order from an object side to an imaging side. The lens elements are coated with an anti-reflective film. The lens system further includes an optical filter that is disposed at a distance from the imaging sensor. The lens elements are relatively positioned to each other to satisfy specific conditions. The lens elements further include thickness to diameters ratios that satisfy specific conditions.
US08711482B2
A pressing mold for optical lenses, which molds a ring-zone-type diffraction lens having a plurality of concentric ring zones, the mold including: diffraction action transfer surfaces configured to form diffraction action surfaces that diffract light passing through the diffraction lens; and step transfer surfaces configured to form step surfaces that connect the adjacent diffraction action surfaces of the diffraction lens, wherein surface roughness of the step transfer surfaces is larger than surface roughness of the diffraction action transfer surfaces.
US08711470B2
The present invention includes a fundamental laser light source configured to generate fundamental wavelength laser light, a first nonlinear optical crystal configured to generate first alternate wavelength light; a second nonlinear optical crystal configured to generate second alternate wavelength light; a dual wavelength Brewster angle waveplate configured to rotate a polarization of the first alternate wavelength light relative to the second alternate wavelength light such that the first and second alternate wavelength light have the same polarization; a set of Brewster angle wavefront processing optics configured to condition the first and second alternate wavelengths of light; a harmonic separator configured to separate the first alternate wavelength light from the second alternate wavelength light; and a Brewster angle output window configured to transmit the first or second alternate wavelengths of light from the interior of a laser frequency conversion system to the exterior of the laser frequency conversion system.
US08711461B2
An aperture stop 10A includes a filter area 1 formed on a flat-plate substrate 23, and an aperture area 2 formed inside the filter area 1. The filter area 1 transmits infrared light and reduces or blocks the transmission of visible light. The aperture area 2 transmits light in the wavelength range corresponding to fluorescent light from an observed area of a subject and light in the wavelength range corresponding to illumination light to the subject. The aperture stop 10A does not reduce the light in the wavelength range corresponding to fluorescent light from the observed area of the subject, but variably reduces visible light since the area of the aperture area 2 is variable. Therefore, it becomes possible to simultaneously and clearly observe, with a simple method, a subject image formed by illumination light in the visible light band and an observed image formed by weak fluorescent light from the observed area of the subject in the infrared light band.
US08711453B2
The present invention reduces an uneven color of a color having two or more colors of inks, the uneven color occurring due to manufacturing variations of ink ejection nozzles and so on. Each of a plurality of correction tables that is assigned to each predetermined number of nozzles that are used for printing on a common region in the print medium, of a plurality of nozzle arrays formed on a print head, each of the nozzle arrays ejecting a plurality of inks including a first ink and a second ink whose color is different from the color of the first ink, is generated on the basis of at least an ink ejection property of nozzles ejecting the first and second inks.
US08711452B2
A method for forming a final digital color image includes capturing an image using an image sensor having panchromatic pixels and color pixels corresponding to at least two color photoresponses; providing from the captured image a digital panchromatic image and an intermediate digital color image; and using the digital panchromatic image and the intermediate digital color image to provide the final digital color image.
US08711424B2
In an image processing apparatus, a data amount of printing data generated for each different size of dot is reduced. Specifically, in quantization to obtain data for each printing head, printing data for a large dot is set as data in which a bit number per pixel is two bits, and printing data for a medium or small dot is set as data in which a bit number per pixel is one bit. Thereby, a data amount per pixel can be reduced compared with data in which all bit numbers per pixel for the large, medium and small dots are equally two bits.
US08711419B2
What is disclosed is a novel system and method for preserving user-applied markings made to a hardcopy of an original document and for generating a new composite document containing the user markings which can be reprinted without loss of image quality. In one embodiment, an original document is scanned to produce a digital representation thereof. One or more marked documents containing the user markups are scanned. The user markings are identified in each of the marked document by an iterative comparison between the marked document and the image of the original document. The identified user markings are stored to records. Thereafter, the stored user markings are retrieved and combined into an image of the original document to produce a new composite document containing selected user markings. The new file is smaller in file size and has no loss of image quality during subsequent reprints. Various embodiments have been disclosed.
US08711414B2
When information about an image forming apparatus is registered in a print service environment, to perform reservation printing, a relay virtual printer determines whether a print job acquired from a print service is reserved, and reserves a print job as a reservation print target after a user selects a bookmarklet and issues an instruction to perform the reservation printing.
US08711413B2
A cloud administration system for chemical signature-based print device consumable monitoring includes a storage module for storing reference chemical signature data, and a monitoring system having one or more sensors configured for detecting a chemical signature of a consumable such as ink or toner. The detected chemical signature data may be compared with reference stored chemical signature data to determine whether monitored consumables have a chemical signature that matches a known chemical signature.
US08711412B2
An information processing apparatus improved in the convenience of a program update operation performed by a user. A CPU updates firmware installed in the information processing apparatus. Update information on the program is stored in a hard disk when update of the program is executed the CPU. Operation information on other programs which are not updated is stored in the hard disk. A console section displays the update information in association with the operation information, when an instruction for displaying update history of the program is input.
US08711410B2
An image forming apparatus includes a web relay unit and, in a case where a file input field exists in screen information acquired from a web service provided by the web server capable of communicating via a network, the web relay unit extracts a file downloaded from another web service which can collaborate with the web service from a storage device, converts the file input field included in the screen information into a selection box, and transmits, to the web browser, screen information in which the extracted file is set to the option of the selection box.
US08711407B2
One embodiment provides a system for printing a document from a portable device. During operation, the system captures an image of an optical code that identifies a printing device, wherein the optical code is displayed on a panel of the printing device or is printed by the printing device. Next, the system transfers information identifying the printing device to a remote printing service, thereby allowing the remote printing service to print a document at the printing device.
US08711405B2
A monitoring device includes an acquiring unit, a first determination unit, a second determination unit and a notification unit. The acquiring unit periodically acquires status information from a printer having a consumable. The first determination unit determines a first state transition from an occurrence state of a consumable alarm to a release state of the consumable alarm and a second state transition from the release state of the consumable alarm to the occurrence state of the consumable alarm, based on the status information. If the first state transition is determined, the second determination unit determines, based on the status information, as to whether the determined first state transition is an apparent first state transition or an actual first state transition. If the actual first state transition is determined and then the second state transition is determined, the notification unit notifies an alarm relating to the consumable.
US08711396B2
Techniques are provided for managing multiple Web services on a single device. The device includes device metadata and a service manager. Each Web service registers with the service manager. Registration includes providing service metadata to the service manager. The service manager may generate (e.g., at least some) service relationship data based on the service metadata. The service relationship data indicates (either explicitly or implicitly) a relationship (e.g., a dependency) between a first Web service of the multiple Web services and a second Web service. In response to one or more criteria being satisfied with respect to the first Web service, the service manager uses the service relationship data and/or the device metadata to determine that one or more actions should be initiated with respective to the second Web service.
US08711389B2
A printer and reprinting control method do not reprint when an error accompanied by no damage to the actual printing area or print image on paper occurs so that consumables are not wasted. The printer reprints the label on which the print image was being formed when a specific error occurs if the error occurred while the inkjet head was forming the print image in the actual printing area of the label. When the non-printing area of the label is passing the printing position of the inkjet head, the print image in the actual printing area that was printed immediately before an error occurs is reprinted only if a specific error is detected, such as a paper jam error or mechanical error with the possibility of damage to the paper or label.
US08711384B2
An image forming apparatus including a drawing unit which generates pixel data based on print data and an image processing unit which performs image processing for the pixel data, the apparatus comprises: a determination unit configured to determine, while the drawing unit and the image processing unit are performing processing, whether the image processing unit as an output destination of pixel data generated is configured to be stopped when receiving a stop instruction for the processing from a control unit; and a transmission unit configured to transmit pixel data of predetermined color values to the image processing unit for the number of pixels which have not been processed in processing of generating the pixel data when the determination unit determines that the image processing unit is not configured to be stopped, wherein the image processing unit performs image processing by using pixel data of the predetermined color values transmitted.
US08711378B2
An image processing apparatus includes a generator, a storage, an image data format converter, and a sender. The generator generates print image data for printing an image, based on image data sent from an external device. The storage stores the print image data. The image data format converter converts the print image data into image data in a format handled by an external device. The sender sends the converted image data via an IP (internet protocol) network to the external device. The image data format converter performs one of color space conversion, expansion, compression, resolution conversion, filtering, halftone processing, density gamma conversion, and noise removal in accordance with parameters determined based on at least one of property information of the print image data and property information requested by the external device.
US08711371B2
An image forming apparatus including a function of executing printing on a preprint sheet acquires orientation information about an orientation setting method of the preprint sheet when receiving a print job. The image forming apparatus includes a control unit, and when processing according to a setting included in the print job cannot be executed unless the orientation setting method of the preprint sheet is changed even if image data included in the print job is rotated, according to the orientation information and the setting included in the print job, the control unit causes a display unit to display an orientation setting method with which the processing according to the setting included in the print job can be executed on the preprint sheet.
US08711362B2
A spectrometer includes: a tungsten lamp which emits light with no peak wavelength within a wavelength range of visible light and having a light amount increasing as the wavelength becomes longer; a violet LED which emits light having a peak wavelength within the wavelength range of visible light; a light mixer which mixes light emitted from the tungsten lamp and the violet LED; an etalon which receives light mixed by the light mixer and transmits light contained in the received mixed light and having a particular wavelength; a light receiving unit which receives light transmitted by the etalon; and a measurement control unit which changes the wavelength of light that can pass through the etalon and measures spectral characteristics of the light having passed through the etalon based on the light received by the light receiving unit.
US08711352B2
An apparatus for optical spectrometry utilizes a simplified construction, reducing the number of independent optical elements needed while providing a sizeable dispersed spectrum. The apparatus provides a spectral intensity distribution of an input source wherein individual spectral components in the source can be measured and, in some embodiments, can be manipulated or filtered.
US08711337B2
The invention is a passive method to measure the translational speed of a visual scene using the distribution of light intensities. The invention combines two principles: perspective distortion matching over a broad field of view, and temporal filtering variation. The perspective distortion of the image is used to sample the visual scene at different linear wavelengths over the visual field. The result is a spatial sensitivity map of the visual scene. The obtained signal is then temporally filtered with cutoff frequencies proportional to the spatial sensitivity. The final result is a wide-spectrum computation of a ratio between temporal and linear spatial frequencies, in other words linear speed. The technique does not require the emission of a reference signal and is independent from external infrastructures.
US08711328B2
When a transition from a first state where one stage is positioned at a first area directly below projection optical system to which liquid is supplied to a state where the other stage-is positioned at the first area, both stages are simultaneously driven while a state where both stages are close together in the X-axis direction is maintained. Therefore, it becomes possible to make a transition from the first state to the second state in a state where liquid is supplied in the space between the projection optical system and the specific stage directly under the projection optical system. Accordingly, the time from the completion of exposure operation on one stage side until the exposure operation begins on the other stage side can be reduced, which allows processing with high throughput. Further, because the liquid can constantly exist on the image plane side of the projection optical system, generation of water marks on optical members of the projection optical system on the image plane side is prevented.
US08711318B2
An apparatus and method of preventing signal delay in display device according to the present invention includes a first substrate, a driving portion formed on the first substrate, a plurality of signal lines formed on the first substrate to transmit signals to the driving portion, a second substrate facing the first substrate, and a conductive member formed on the second substrate, wherein the driving portion overlaps with the conductive member, and the signal lines and the conductive member do not overlap. Accordingly, the capacitances between the signal lines may be substantially the same.
US08711311B2
The present invention provides a fringe field switching (FFS) mode liquid crystal display panel including a plurality of scanning lines 12 and common lines 13 provided in parallel, a plurality of signal lines 14 provided in a crank manner in a direction perpendicular to the scanning lines 12, and pixel electrodes 181 and 182 each formed between the plurality of scanning lines 12 and signal lines 14 in a delta arrangement. Each of the pixel electrodes 181 and 182 has a plurality of slits 171 and 172, respectively, inclined in different directions to each other with respect to an axis x parallel to the scanning lines 12 and positioned between adjacent scanning lines 12. The pixel electrodes 181 in odd-numbered rows and the pixel electrodes 182 in even-numbered rows are inverted to each other with respect to another axis perpendicular to the axis x. With such features, the FFS mode liquid crystal display panel provides symmetrical viewing angle generating no spots in a transverse direction, a wide viewing angle, a bright display with high transmittance and excellent display quality.
US08711309B2
A tetragonal ring shape aperture is formed in the common electrode on one substrate and a cross shape aperture is formed at the position corresponding to the center of the tetragonal ring shape aperture in the pixel electrode on the other substrate. A liquid crystal layer between two electrodes are divided to four domains where the directors of the liquid crystal layer have different angles when a voltage is applied to the electrodes. The directors in adjacent domains make a right angle. The tetragonal ring shape aperture is broken at midpoint of each side of the tetragon, and the width of the aperture decreases as goes from the bent point to the edge. Wide viewing angle is obtained by four domains where the directors of the liquid crystal layer indicate different directions, disclination is removed and luminance increases.
US08711304B2
An electronic device housing may have upper and lower portions that are attached with a hinge. At least one portion of the housing may have a rear planar surface and peripheral sidewalls having edges. A display module may be mounted in the housing. The display module may have glass layers such as a color filter glass layer and a thin-film transistor substrate. The color filter glass layer may serve as the outermost glass layer in the display module. The edges of the display module may be aligned with the edges of the peripheral housing sidewalls to create the appearance of a borderless display for the electronic device. The display module may be provided with an opening that allows a camera or other electronic components to receive light. Traces may be provided on the underside of the thin-film transistor substrate to serve as signal paths for the electrical components.
US08711303B2
A liquid crystal display panel that includes a number of pixel electrodes formed on a substrate and are located in a pixel region defined by gate lines and data lines that cross the gate lines. Each of the pixel electrodes located in the pixel region includes a number of sides, and at least one of the sides includes oblique lines and a protrusion formed by the oblique lines, and the pixel electrodes located in the pixel region and adjacent to each other in a first direction form a separation space that includes at least one protrusion, and a width of the separation space gradually reduces and gradually increases in a second direction crossing the first direction, and a singular point that controls the texture of liquid crystals is located at the narrowest width of the separation space.
US08711300B2
In a process for producing a liquid crystal element comprising an alignment-treated substrate and a layer of polymer liquid crystal having a pattern, mesogenic groups in cross-linkable polymer liquid crystal are aligned, and the cross-linkable polymer liquid crystal is cross-linked while the mold is pressed against the layer of cross-linkable polymer liquid crystal, at a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature of the cross-linkable polymer liquid crystal and lower than the clearing point temperature of the cross-linkable polymer liquid crystal.
US08711299B2
The present invention relates to a buffering stop structure and a corresponding packing case. The buffering stop structure is disposed at a connecting corner between adjoining side surfaces of a corresponding case main body. The case main body is used to load a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel. The buffering stop structure comprises a fixing portion, a connecting portion and a case buffering portion. The manufacture cost of the buffering stop structure and the corresponding packing case of the present invention is lower, and the buffering effect thereof is better, so as to solve the problems of the packing case of existing technology that has higher manufacture cost and may cause environment pollution.
US08711298B2
The present invention provides a flat panel display device, which includes a reflector plate and a back frame that carries the reflector plate, wherein the backlight system includes a reflector plate and a back frame that carries the reflector plate, wherein the back frame includes at least two primary assembling pieces, the at least two primary assembling pieces being joined to form a main frame structure of the back frame; and the reflector plate includes a foamed plastic substrate layer and a reflection layer formed on the foamed plastic substrate layer. The present invention also provides a stereoscopic display device. With the above arrangement, the present invention provides a flat panel display device and a stereoscopic display device that have a substrate layer made of foamed plastics in order to increase the stiffness of the reflector plate, reduce the risk that the reflector plate gets easily collapsing after the assembling of the backlight system, and thereby improve the performance of the flat panel display device and the stereoscopic display device.
US08711289B2
An advertising apparatus 10 including a generally flat base 12 and a broad face 14 which forms an acute angle 16 with the generally flat base 12. Further, the broad face 14 includes several display portions 20, 22, and 18 which, in one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, are programmable. In one non-limiting embodiment, the apparatus may include a selectively depressible alarm switch 100.
US08711287B2
An adaptive compensation system for aspect ratio conversion. Video information, intended for her first aspect ratio display, e.g. the standard NTSC aspect ratio, is processed to determine additional information that can enable that video to be displayed and fill a wider aspect ratio screen. The processing can be a calculation which calculates, for example, texture, color and/or brightness of the edge portions, and automatically calculates video information to match the texture, brightness or color. The processing can be a database lookup, which automatically looks up likely portions from a database. The processing can also be an adaptive determination of what vertical portions of the image can be stretched without affecting the viewability, and then an adaptive stretching of different portions by different amounts.
US08711275B2
The sharpness sweep of a camera lens is performed while capturing several digital images of an object through the lens. The lens is swept in accordance with a range of distance-representing values. The images are analyzed to calculate a respective sharpness variable for each of several different regions of interest. For each region of interest, a peak value of the sharpness variable is found, as well as the distance-representing value associated with the peak. The pixel coordinates of each region of interest are converted into a pair of distance coordinates, which become part of a triple that is created for the region of interest and that also includes the associated distance-representing value. A surface to fit the triples is estimated, and a measure of the optical characteristic is computed using the estimated surface. Optical characteristics that may be estimated in this manner include tilt and curvature of field. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08711274B2
An image processing apparatus includes a focus detector configured to detect a focus state of a focus detection area by detecting a shift amount between a pair of image signals of an object image, a memory configured to store an image photoelectrically converted and output from an image pickup device, the focus detection area, and the image signals, a setting unit configured to set a designated area in the image stored in the memory, a calculating unit configured to calculate a defocus amount of the designated area using the pair of image signals corresponding to the designated area among the image signals stored by the memory, and a display unit configured to display the defocus amount of the designated area.
US08711273B2
A focusing apparatus includes a focus area setting unit that sets a first focus area in a first captured image, an auto focusing control unit that performs focusing according to a first focus evaluation value that is calculated from the first focus area by automatically adjusting a focus lens, an information deriving unit that derives focus aid information corresponding to a second focus evaluation value that is calculated from a second focus area in a second captured image by manually adjusting the focus lens, and a storage unit that stores at least one of first focus area information about the first focus area and second focus area information about the second focus area, wherein the focus area setting unit sets a third focus area in a third captured image from among the first focus area information and the second focus area information stored during another focusing.
US08711266B2
A digital photographing apparatus may include a display unit and a controller electronically coupled to the display unit. The controller may be configured to adjust a moving picture or an image displayed on the display unit based on ambient brightness.
US08711263B2
A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel region formed on a semiconductor substrate, an effective pixel region and a shielded optical black region in the pixel region, a multilayer wiring layer formed on a surface of the side opposite to a light incident side of the semiconductor substrate, a supporting substrate bonded to a surface of the multilayer wiring layer side, and an antireflection structure that is formed on the bonding surface side of the supporting substrate.
US08711259B2
A solid-state imaging apparatus includes: an amplifier circuit configured to amplify a signal from pixel; and a reference signal generating circuit configured to generate a ramp signal, wherein feedback capacitor elements having the same structure are electrically connected to a capacitive feedback type amplifier of the amplifier circuit and to a capacitive feedback type amplifier of the reference signal generating circuit respectively, and a connecting configuration between an amplifier of the amplifier circuit and the feedback capacitor element and a connecting configuration between an amplifier of the reference signal generating circuit and the feedback capacitor element are the same.
US08711253B2
Disclosed herein is a camera system including, a camera apparatus having, an image sensor, a correction section, a first transmission processing section, and a synchronization processing section, and a video processing apparatus having a second transmission processing section and a conversion section, wherein the video processing apparatus outputs the video data obtained by the conversion by the conversion section.
US08711236B2
A blur correction device includes: a base body; a holder that holds an optical element; a drive section that moves the holder with respect to the base body in two directions that are orthogonal to a direction of an optical axis of the optical element and that are orthogonal to each other; and a plate spring that couples the base body and the holder to each other and that urges the holder in the optical axis direction to position the optical element with respect to the base body, the plate spring being elastically deformed when the holder is moved with respect to the base body in the two directions.
US08711235B2
A system to stabilize images of a digital camera adjusting to unintentional movements of the camera during capture of an image has been achieved. A gyroscopic sensor senses any movement of a camera by angular speed detection and via an electronic regulator at least two linear motors move an x-y table, carrying an optical sensor or a lens barrel of the camera, in a way to adjust the optical sensor to these movements. Position sensors, as e.g. sensors integrated in the linear motors, capacitive sensors, inductive sensors, or Hall sensors, sense the actual position of one or more movable plates of the x-y table and feed it back to the regulator. The movable plates of x-y table are guided by a multitude of rolling elements, e.g. ball bearings.
US08711233B2
Method, device and computer program product for stabilizing a video signal. A plurality of frames of the video signal are captured using a camera. A motion sensor associated with the camera is used to generate a plurality of samples representing motion of the camera. The samples are used to determine a displacement of the camera between a first time and a second time, wherein the first time corresponds to an exposure time midpoint of a first frame of the video signal and the second time corresponds to an exposure time midpoint of a second frame of the video signal. The determined displacement is used to compensate for motion in the video signal between the first and second frames caused by the motion of the camera, to thereby stabilize the video signal.
US08711230B2
An image capture apparatus shifts an image sensor at each shooting initiation time in the continuous-shoot mode in the event of a camera-shake in response to a control signal which reflects an offset signal indicating pixel shifting information in a compensating signal indicating shake compensating information. Thereby, a change in the shooting range of the image sensor due to the camera-shake is mostly compensated for and the shooting range is changed by one pixel at each shooting. Thus, even in the event of a camera-shake, the distance between a feature portion of a main subject and a fixed pattern noise can be made different for each of continuously shot images. As a result, even in the event of the camera-shake, a composite image having fixed pattern noises scattered can be obtained by combining continuously shot images with reference to the feature portion.
US08711225B2
An image-capturing device and a projection automatic calibration method of a projection device are provided. The image-capturing device includes an image sensing device, a lens, a processing unit and a storage unit. The lens is configured to image a calibration pattern on the image sensing device. The processing unit is configured to issue a projection calibration requirement and analyze the calibration pattern imaged on the image sensing device to obtain information relating to the calibration pattern, and the processing unit is further configured to convert imaging coordinates of the calibration pattern imaged on the image sensing device into projecting coordinates of the projection device by executing a calibration driving program to establish a coordinate conversion table. The storage unit is configured to store the calibration driving program and the coordinate conversion table.
US08711216B2
A device having built-in digital data means is powered by an unlimited power source for a lamp-holder, LED bulb, or light device connected to unlimited power source by prongs or a base that can be inserted into a socket that would otherwise receiving a bulb. The device may take the form of a webcam having auto tracking functions and retractable prongs that plug directly into a wall outlet.
US08711205B2
An image display device includes: a memory unit that stores internal body image data acquired via a receiver from a capsule endoscope taking internal body image of a subject and information that is associated with the internal body image data and related to a position of the capsule endoscope within the subject; a position information acquisition unit that performs a position estimation process based on the information related to the position to acquire position information of the capsule endoscope at imaging each of the internal body images; a preferential image determination unit that determines whether each of the internal body images meets a predetermined condition; and a preferential process control unit that controls the position information acquisition unit to perform the position estimation process preferentially on the internal body image determined to meet the predetermined condition by the preferential image determination unit.
US08711200B2
A television appliance comprising: a television receiver for receiving television signals and outputting the television signal of a selected channel to a screen; a network interface for accessing a packet-based network; a memory storing a communication client application; and processing apparatus arranged to execute the communication client application. The client application is configured to maintain a list of contacts and allow a user of the media appliance to establish communication events with the contacts via the network interface and packet-based network. The client application is further configured so as: to receive a machine-readable data item via the network interface and packet-based network from a television appliance of one or more of said contacts, the machine-readable data item indicating a current television channel being viewed by the respective contact; and to process the machine-readable data item so as to control operation of said user's television appliance in relation to the contact's television appliance based on the processed data item.
US08711194B2
A printer includes a printer main body, a lid part including a lid main body, a block unit, and a first rotation shaft providing a connection between the lid main body and the block unit, the block unit being rotatable around the axis of the first rotation shaft, a print head attached to one of the printer main body and the block unit, a platen roller attached to the other one thereof, and a second rotation shaft situated on one of two opposite side faces of the printer main body and the lid part, the second rotation shaft providing a connection between the printer main body and the lid part, and lid part being rotatable around the axis of the second rotation shaft, wherein the first rotation shaft is parallel to a longitudinal direction of the print head, and the second rotation shaft is perpendicular to the first rotation shaft.
US08711189B2
S1: BIOS invokes the second OS only at the first power-up. S2: Two resolution setting tools are invoked on the second OS. S3,S4: A mode check module verifies whether the display mode of the monitor is either an overscan mode or an underscan mode. S5: A test image and an Adjust button are displayed in the verified display mode, and Adjust information and EDID information upon completion of the adjustment that a user visually makes are output to a particular file. S7: The particular file is copied to a predetermined folder of the first OS. S8: The settings of BIOS are changed according to the contents of the particular file. S9: BIOS is restarted. S10 to S14: A POST screen, a logo of an OS maker, and a screen for opening the package of the first OS are displayed in a state where the rim of the screen is not cropped.
US08711175B2
A method and system for creating and using a virtual dressing room, by superimposing a non-linearly stretchable object image onto a base image in a display screen of a communication device, the images being planar. The method comprises scanning an encoded indicium associated with the object image, accessing and uploading a URL associated with the object image, the object image including a plurality of object image critical points, accessing the base image at the communication device, the base image including a plurality of base image critical points respectively corresponding to the object image critical points, re-mapping the object image via global transformation of coordinates associated with the object image critical points, such that the re-mapped object image critical points coincide with the respective base image critical points, and superimposing the re-mapped object image onto the base image for display at the display screen.
US08711160B1
A method according to an embodiment of a system for efficient resource management of a signal flow programmed digital signal processor code is provided and includes determining a connection sequence of a plurality of algorithm elements in a schematic of a signal flow for an electronic circuit, the connection sequence indicating connections between the algorithm elements and a sequence of processing the algorithm elements according to the connections, determining a buffer sequence indicating an order of using the plurality of memory buffers to process the plurality of algorithm elements according to the connection sequence, and reusing at least some of the plurality of memory buffers according to the buffer sequence.
US08711159B2
An exemplary method for emulating a graphics processing unit (GPU) includes executing a graphics application on a host computing system to generate commands for a target GPU wherein the host computing system includes host system memory and a different, host GPU; converting the generated commands into intermediate commands; based on one or more generated commands that call for one or more shaders, caching one or more corresponding shaders in a shader cache in the host system memory; based on one or more generated commands that call for one or more resources, caching one or more corresponding resources in a resource cache in the host system memory; based on the intermediate commands, outputting commands for the host GPU; and based on the output commands for the host GPU, rendering graphics using the host GPU where output commands that call for one or more shaders access the one or more corresponding shaders in the shader cache and where output commands that call for one or more resources access the one or more corresponding resources in the resource cache. Other methods, devices and systems are also disclosed.
US08711151B2
A hair pipeline utilizes a surface definition module to define a surface and a control hair and a hair motion compositor module combines different control hair curve shapes associated with the control hair and the surface. In particular, the hair motion compositor module generates a static node defining a static control hair curve shape; generates an animation node defining an animation control hair curve shape; and combines the static control hair curve shape of the static node with the animation control hair curve hair shape of the animation node to produce a resultant control hair curve shape for the control hair.
US08711146B1
Methods and apparatuses for constructing a multi-level solver, comprising decomposing a graph into a plurality of pieces, wherein each of the pieces has a plurality of edges and a plurality of interface nodes, and wherein the interface nodes in the graph are fewer in number than the edges in the graph; producing a local preconditioner for each of the pieces; and aggregating the local preconditioners to form a global preconditioner.
US08711133B2
Provided are a control panel or a display as well as an image processing apparatus and an electronic calculating apparatus using the electronic device or the display, the electronic device and the display each using a light transmissive solar cell for electric power generation so as to allow a solar cell part and a display part to be disposed to overlap an input part so that a larger electric power than the conventional cases can be generated without increasing the size of the whole operation panel and the whole display. An electronic device of the present invention includes: a display part capable of electrically and magnetically changing a display region and displaying of a display content displayed in the display region; a solar cell part that transmits light in a visible light region; and an input part that detects whether or not any part of the display region is manipulated, and that transmits light in a visible light region. The solar cell part and the input part are disposed on a display surface side of the display part in such a manner to form layers. An electric power generated by the solar cell part allows the electronic device to change what is displayed in the display part and detect a manipulation of the input part.
US08711127B2
A rectangular light-based touch-sensitive surface for an electronic device comprising a plurality of light emitters arranged along one and only one side of a surface, each emitter being activatable to emit light rays at a plurality of different angles across the surface, a plurality of light detectors arranged along the three remaining sides of the surface, each detector being activatable to register detection values of emitted light beams, wherein light emitted from each emitter is registered by two or more of the detectors, and a processor connected to the emitters and to the detectors operable to coordinate activations of the emitters and detectors, and to receive the registered detection values.
US08711125B2
A coordinate locating apparatus for locating at least one touch point on a plane and the method thereof are provided. The coordinate locating apparatus comprises: a first detecting unit, comprising a first light emitting element and a first light receiving element, arranged at a first location of the plane; a second detecting unit, comprising a second light emitting element and a second light receiving element, arranged at a second location of the plane; a first optical element arranged along an edge of the plane for reflecting and retro-reflecting light from the first and the second light emitting elements; and a second and third optical elements arranged along two edges of the plane for performing at least one of reflecting and retro-reflecting light from the first and the second light emitting elements or light reflected from the first optical element, both of the two edges being adjacent to the edge along which the first optical element is arranged, wherein the at least one touch point is located on the basis of the detected intensities of light received by the first and the second light receiving elements, and the detected intensities of light are compared with a first threshold and a second threshold.
US08711115B2
A display control device (300) which controls display of objects placed on a display screen (111), based on inputs on touchpads (201, 202), the display control device including: an operation ratio setting unit (301) which sets an operation ratio indicating a ratio between operation capabilities of a user for the respective touchpads; an assigning unit (302) which assigns regions of the display screen to the touchpads; a position-on-screen determining unit (303) which determines a pointing position indicating a position on the display screen, based on information indicating one of the assigned regions, the pointing position corresponding to a position of an input on one of the touchpads by the user; and a display control unit (305) which controls display of an object placed at the pointing position, wherein the assigning unit assigns at least either the regions of the screen or the objects to the touchpads based on the operation ratio.
US08711111B2
A holding structure for a touch panel has a display panel, a touch panel for allowing an input operation, a supporting frame for holding the display panel at an entire peripheral edge a piezoelectric device for applying vibration to the touch panel in accordance with the operation of the touch panel, a casing for holding the display panel and the touch panel via the supporting frame, and a flexible resin sheet integrally provided to the front surface side of the touch panel. The flexible substrate is formed to have a size entirely larger than a glass substrate on a rear surface side of the touch panel. The peripheral edge of the flexible substrate is held by a rear surface of a peripheral edge of the opening of the casing and a supporting member fixed to the casing.
US08711110B2
A system and a method are disclosed for detecting an interaction, such as physical contact, with a touch-sensitive screen. The screen comprises a plurality of cells each associated with a signal value, such as a capacitance, that is modified based on the proximity of an object to the screen. During a first time interval, a first signal value associated with a cell is captured and during a second time interval a second signal value associated with the cell is captured. A difference is computed by subtracting the second signal value from the first signal value. The difference is used to classify the proximity of the object to the screen. For example, the object is classified as approaching the screen if the difference is positive and non-zero or the object is classified as moving away from the screen if the difference is negative and non-zero.
US08711106B2
A position-detecting device detects a position pointed to by a position-pointing instrument and includes an operation panel detecting the position pointed to by the position-pointing instrument; and a manipulation-detecting unit located at at least one of the interior and the exterior of the operation panel, and detecting a manipulation by a second instrument other than the position-pointing instrument, or detecting a manipulation by both the position-pointing instrument and the second instrument.
US08711104B2
Disclosed herein is a pointer display device, including, a touch panel provided on a display screen of a display section, a pointer display section configured to detect a contact point in a touch operation on the touch panel and to display a pointer in an area containing the contact point, and a hotspot detection section configured to detect as a hotspot a position corresponding to one part of the pointer exclusive of the contact point.
US08711099B2
A handheld electronic device comprising a housing having a keyboard support member and a base, the base having a first section spaced apart from and opposing the keyboard support member to define a cavity therebetween, the base having a second section that extends from the first section beyond an open end of the cavity, the housing further comprising opposed first and second sidewalls, the first sidewall protruding from a first peripheral side edge of the second section of the base and the second sidewall protruding from a second peripheral side edge of the second section of the base. A display assembly is slidably mounted to the housing and comprising a display screen on a front face thereof, the display assembly being slidable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein in the retracted position a first portion of the display screen is received within the cavity facing towards the keyboard support member and a second portion of the display screen is viewable outside of the cavity and disposed between the first and second sidewalls, and in the extended position the first portion and the second portion of the display screen are viewable outside of the cavity.
US08711096B1
A dual protocol input device for use with a host system is provided. In one embodiment, the input device comprises a chip with a number of semiconductor devices integrally formed thereon, including: an optical navigation sensor (ONS) to sense movement of the ONS relative to a surface; a wired protocol block to communicate data from the ONS to the host system by a wired communication protocol; a wireless protocol block to communicate data from the ONS to the host system by a wireless communication protocol; and a micro-controller coupled to the ONS, the wired protocol block and the wireless protocol block, to switch the input device between the wireless communication protocol and the wired communication protocol.
US08711094B2
A wireless input device for playing an interactive motion-sensitive game using a wireless-compatible game console in which a virtual play environment is represented through one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects is provided wherein game play is conducted by moving, shaking, twisting, waving or pointing the input device in a particular manner. The input device can include motion-sensitive circuitry and/or command circuitry for generating control signals and/or an effects generator and associated control circuitry to enable the input device to selectively generate at least one visual, aural or tactile effect comprising sound, lighting or vibration. The input device can include a wireless transceiver for providing two-way wireless communication with the wireless-compatible game console. An optional display screen displays short text messages received through wireless communications with the wireless-compatible game console.
US08711093B2
Input devices configured to provide user interface by detecting three dimensional movement of an external object are disclosed. The input device comprises at least two photodetector pairs, a radiation source and a circuit configurable to detect differential and common mode signals generated in the photodetector pairs. By detecting the common mode and differential signals, movement of an external object may be determined and used to control a pointer, or a cursor.
US08711089B2
A position detection device includes an electromagnetic conversion element and a magnetic field generator. The electromagnetic conversion element is arranged on a given plane. The magnetic field generator is arranged facing one side of the electromagnetic conversion element in a direction vertical to the given plane and generates a magnetic field covering the electromagnetic conversion element. A relative position between the electromagnetic conversion element and the magnetic field generator is detected when a relative displacement parallel to the given plane is made by the electromagnetic conversion element and the magnetic field generator based on an output signal of the electromagnetic conversion element. The magnetic field generator has an opposed face that tilts to the electromagnetic conversion element, and generates the magnetic field from the opposed face.
US08711081B2
A driving apparatus and a driving method of a backlight module are provided. The backlight module includes multiple LEDs. The driving apparatus includes at least one thermal sensor, an optical sensor, and a processor. The thermal sensor is for detecting a working temperature of the LEDs. The optical sensor is for detecting brightness and color of the backlight module after a calibration function is enabled, to obtain difference values of the detected brightness and color with respect to predetermined brightness and color. The processor is for providing at least one initial thermal compensation table, to determine working currents of the LEDs associated with the working temperature. The processor further is for calibrating a content of the initial thermal compensation table corresponding with a current working temperature of the LEDs and storing the calibrated thermal compensation table as the initial thermal compensation table after the calibration function is enabled.
US08711069B2
A circuit board includes a capacitor and a circuit substrate. The capacitor is mounted on the first insulation layer, and a first conductive layer is disposed between the first and second insulation layers. A plurality of first holes is disposed extended through the first conductive layer, and has a mesh pattern to decrease the spread of vibration generated by the capacitor. A third insulation layer is disposed in the first holes, and the third and first insulation layers may include the same material.
US08711066B2
To provide an image display device in which the number of pixels of arranged light emitting elements or the like can be reduced and the cost can be drastically reduced while image degradation is minimized, and a display unit used therefor. In an image display device in which plural display units including pixels formed by light emitting elements or the like are arranged in a plane, the display unit is configured by two-dimensionally arranging lattice-shaped pixel groups formed by providing pixels in locations corresponding to three lattice points of a square lattice, respectively, and forming a space area in which no pixel exists in a location corresponding to the remaining lattice point.
US08711063B2
Various embodiments of methods and systems for designing and constructing displays from multiple light emitting elements are disclosed. Display elements having different light emitting and self-organizing characteristics may be used during display assembly.
US08711062B2
In a structure in which six active matrix regions 103 to 108 are integrated on one glass substrate, horizontal scanning control circuits 101 and 102 are commonly disposed for the respective active matrix regions 103 to 105 and 106 to 108. Then the horizontal scanning control circuits 101 and 102 are operated at different timings, and images formed by the active matrix regions 103 to 105 and 106 to 108 are synthesized and projected. With this operation, the horizontal scanning frequency required for one horizontal scanning control circuit can be made half of the horizontal scanning frequency of the display screen.
US08711061B2
An apparatus for providing a dimensional display such as a 3D effect without special-purpose glasses. The apparatus includes a foreground display assembly including a first planar display element with a front surface and an opposite back surface. Additionally, the apparatus includes a background display assembly including: (a) a second planar display element spaced apart from and parallel to the first planar display element; and (b) a light source backlighting a back surface of the second planar display element. The first and second display elements are emissive display units and concurrently display frames of a foreground image stream and corresponding frames of a background image stream. The first display element may be a transparent LCD panel, and the output light from the front surface of the second display element provides backlighting for the first display element such that foreground images are backlit by output light of the second display element.
US08711050B2
A multi-band dipole antenna includes spaced part first and second radiator sections, first and second mirroring radiator sections, and a balun, which are disposed on a substrate. The first mirroring radiator section is symmetrically disposed with respect to the first radiator section and is spaced apart from the first radiator section. The first radiator section and the first mirroring radiator section cooperate to resonate in a first frequency band. The second radiator section cooperates with the second mirroring radiator section to resonate in a second frequency band.
US08711046B2
A radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna exhibiting a multiple resonance is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a dipole antenna and a loop antenna are disposed upon a substrate and have dimensions and orientation to exhibit the multiple resonance. The dipole antenna may exhibit a first dipole section having a first length and second dipole section having a second length. The loop antenna may be disposed in a region of the dipole antenna. The ratio of the perimeter of the loop antenna to the sum of the lengths of the dipole sections may be selected to exhibit the multiple resonance.
US08711040B2
A wireless access gateway for communication of wave signals at radio frequencies within a frequency band, includes an access gateway enclosed in a housing including a bottom wall and a main circuit board overlying the bottom wall and having an upper surface substantially parallel to the bottom wall. The gateway is equipped with an antenna system including at least two antennas: a first linearly polarized antenna for propagating a first wave signal along a first polarization axis including a first radiating element extending along a first longitudinal axis lying on a first plane substantially parallel to the base plane, and a second linearly polarized antenna for propagating a second wave signal along a second polarization axis oriented perpendicularly to the first polarization axis, the second antenna including a second radiating element extending along a second longitudinal axis lying on a second plane oriented perpendicularly to the first plane. The first and second antennas are positioned relative to each other at a distance of at least λ/2, where λ is the wavelength corresponding to a radio frequency within the frequency band.
US08711034B2
The present invention provides systems and methods for self-labeling access points with their geographic location from received beacon frames. In particular, the present invention transmits beacon frames including temporary location information from mobile devices. The beacon frames are received by an access point, filtered by the access point and then used to determine a location. Once the location has been determined, the access point uses the determined location to self-label itself by converting the location information to a geographic code and inserting it as part of the SSID of the access point's beacon signal. The present invention also includes a number of methods using geographic codes including a method for generating and transmitting geographic codes for mobile devices, a method for determining a location of an access point, a method for self-labeling an access point, and a method for filtering beacon frames.
US08711019B1
A system including a binarization module, a prediction module, and a shifting module. The encoding module is configured to encode symbols using context-adaptive binary arithmetic coding, in which the symbols are generated by binarizing a syntax element. The prediction module is configured to generate a prediction for a number of renormalizations to be performed to renormalize an interval range when encoding one of the symbols. The shifting module is configured to generate a renormalized interval range by shifting the binarized syntax element R times, where R is a number of leading zeros before a 1 in the binarized syntax element. The encoding module is configured to encode a next symbol following the one of the symbols based on the renormalized interval range.
US08711018B2
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a de-serializer to receive serial data at a first rate and to output a parallel data frame corresponding to the serial data aligned to a frame alignment boundary in response to a phase control signal received from a feedback loop coupled between the de-serializer and a receiver logic coupled to an output of the de-serializer. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08711008B2
Methods and systems for detecting icing or incipient icing conditions external to a vehicle (100) are disclosed. An apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a temperature sensor (120) configured to direct a first signal corresponding to a temperature of an airstream, and a water content sensor (130) configured to direct a second signal corresponding to a water content of the airstream. A processing unit (140) can receive the first and second signals and, based on at least the first and second signals, provide an indication (150) when at least the first and second signals taken together correspond to an at least incipient icing condition. Accordingly, the system can be installed on aircraft to provide notice to the crew of incipient or existing icing conditions.
US08711002B2
A subsea control module has a casing inside which there is at least one pair of electrodes, there being electronic means connected with the electrodes of the or each pair for monitoring at least one electrical characteristic between the electrodes as a result of a fluid to which the electrodes are exposed. This can include, for example, a change due to an ingress of seawater and/or an ingress of hydraulic fluid into the interior of the casing. The or each pair of electrodes include an array in which each electrode of the pair has finger portions interleaved with finger portions of the other electrode.
US08710997B2
The present invention relates to a method and device for the detection or correction of defects in machines, whereby a defect is optically and/or acoustically displayed at its point of origin and/or correction by means of at least one reporting device (5). According to the invention, the reporting device (5) is arranged independently from the location and is preferably centrally arranged. Furthermore, the reporting device (5) marks the point of origin and/or correction of the defect remotely and both in an optical and/or acoustical manner.
US08710996B1
An invisible fence battery charger for dramatically reducing homeowner's yearly invisible fence operating costs and reducing disposal of non-rechargeable batteries. The invisible fence battery charger includes a battery pack including a battery with battery terminals being in communication with the battery.
US08710977B2
The cars of a passenger transport means are provided with a sensor (3) which scans the state of the locking mechanism and with a transponder antenna (5) which is fitted to the outside of the car (1), and the stations (6) contain transmission antennas (7) which poll signals from the transponder antenna in contactless fashion.
US08710969B2
An accessory system for a vehicle includes a windshield and an accessory module. The windshield has a mounting element attached at an inner surface of the windshield, with the mounting element adapted for mounting of an accessory module thereto and demounting of the accessory module therefrom. The accessory module is adapted for mounting to and demounting from the mounting element. The accessory module accommodates a camera having a CMOS photosensor array and a lens. The CMOS photosensor array is accommodated at the accessory module separate from the lens. The CMOS photosensor array is disposed on a circuit board. The accessory module is configured so that, when mounted to the mounting element attached at the windshield, the lens has a field of view through the windshield appropriate for a driver assistance system of the vehicle.
US08710965B2
Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to tactile communication. Devices are included for direct tactile input and having logic for conversion of speech and other forms of audio into vibrotactile sequences. Vibrotactile sequences are transmitted to devices equipped with tactile output, such as vibrators. Voice coil vibrators create sensations of tapping and rubbing in addition to vibration.
US08710957B2
A system determines the presence or absence of objects by interrogating or exciting transponders coupled to the objects using pulsed signals over a number of wide band frequency bands with dynamic tuning about a center frequency of each band and less sensitivity to noise fluctuation.
US08710956B2
An apparatus, system and method for surreptitious biometric acquisition are disclosed. In one embodiment, a sensor is configured to produce an electrical signal corresponding to a biometric signature of a subject. The sensor is configured to be surreptitiously mounted to a surface. Various sensors are disclosed as being operative with the surreptitious biometric acquisition apparatus. A vehicle with a surreptitiously mounted biometric acquisition apparatus is disclosed. A method for surreptitious identification of suspects is also disclosed.
US08710952B2
A method of authenticating a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader to efficiently and timely check of revocation status of the RFID reader includes the steps of checking whether a given certificate is expired or revoked, and allowing a user of an RFID tag to verify that the credentials and revocation status information reported to the tag by reader is correct and current/valid before permitting information transmission from the RFID tag to the reader. An RFID tag includes a passively powered display and a user activatable control which allows the method to be carried out with the tag. The tag may include encrypted communication ability and automatic certificate revocation list checking. (This method is applicable not just to RFID but to any technology involving purely passive operation, i.e., where the tag obtains power from a reader).
US08710940B2
An elastic wave device includes a piezoelectric substrate, an IDT electrode located on the piezoelectric substrate, and a capacitive electrode that is located on the piezoelectric substrate and is connected in series with the IDT electrode. The capacitive electrode includes a plurality of capacitive electrode portions, each of which includes a pair of mutually interdigitated comb-shaped electrodes. The plurality of capacitive electrode portions are connected with each other in parallel. The plurality of capacitive electrode portions are arranged such that an intersecting width direction D1 of the capacitive electrode portions is inclined with respect to an intersecting width direction D2 of the IDT electrode. The plurality of capacitive electrode portions are arrayed in an elastic-wave propagating direction D3 of the IDT electrode.
US08710935B2
A method of forming a physics package for an atomic sensor comprises providing an expendable support structure having a three-dimensional configuration, providing a plurality of optical panels, and assembling the optical panels on the expendable support structure such that edges of adjacent panels are aligned with each other. The edges of adjacent panels are sealed together to form a physics block having a multifaced geometric configuration. The expendable support structure is then removed while leaving the physics block intact.
US08710930B2
A differential ring oscillator includes a plurality of delay stages connected in a ring. At least one of the delay stages includes: a current source, arranged to generate a bias current according to a coarse tuning signal; a latching circuit arranged to generate a differential output signal to a next delay stage according to a differential input signal from a previous delay stage; a capacitive array arranged to provide a first capacitance according to a fine tuning signal; and a varactor device arranged to provide a second capacitance according to a controllable signal for locking an oscillating frequency of the differential ring oscillator to a target frequency. The coarse tuning signal and fine tuning signal are arranged for adjusting the oscillating frequency of the differential ring oscillator to, respectively, reach a predetermined frequency range including the target frequency and to approach the target frequency in the predetermined frequency range.
US08710923B2
A control method and apparatus of a peak amplifier of a Doherty power amplifier are disclosed, wherein, the control apparatus includes a Radio Frequency (RF) switching circuit in a peak amplification branch of the Doherty power amplifier, which is used to control the turn-on and turn-off of the peak amplifier in the peak amplification branch. The method and apparatus avoid a disadvantage that the peak branch in the Doherty power amplifier is turned on ahead of time, thus reducing the power consumption of the peak power amplifier, and enhancing the mass efficiency of the whole power amplifier; and largely reducing the product expense and production expense of the power amplifier compared to the scheme of some manufacturers improving on-time of the peak power amplifier using complex digital circuits.
US08710921B2
There is described a continuous time filter of at least a second (or higher) order, comprising one or more first order filter stages of a first type, the or each first order filter stage of the first type comprising a reactive component and an impedance dependent on the difference between the input and output voltages of the filter stage. The filter includes at least one first order filter stage of a second type, the or each second order filter of the second type comprising a reactive component and an impedance dependent on the sum of the input and output voltages of the filter stage. The filter includes a transfer function of the continuous time filter that is obtained comprising complex poles.
US08710914B1
Techniques are presented for improving the wake-up response of voltage regulation circuits. A first set of techniques relate to the inputs an op-amp in a regulation circuit. In regulated operation, one input receives feedback from the regulator's output. Instead, during reset, after resetting the op-amp's output node to the supply level, this input of op-amp is instead connected to ground in order to increase the amount of tail current through the op-amp in order to more quickly bring down the op-amp's output node. A detection circuit is introduced to determine when the op-amp's input is reconnected to receive feedback. In a complementary sets of techniques, when the circuit on which the regulator is formed receives an enable signal and the output of the regulator will be needed for an operation, and when the regulator is not yet back at operating levels, its supply is temporarily shorted to the supply level.
US08710913B2
According to one aspect of this disclosure, a circuit arrangement is provided, the circuit arrangement including an electronic component coupled to at least one common power supply node and configured to provide a first signal having a variation in time that is based on power supply via the at least one common power supply node; a detecting circuit coupled to the electronic component, the detecting circuit being configured to detect the first signal and to provide a digital switch array control signal based on the variation in time of the first signal; and a switch array coupled between the at least one common power supply node and at least one power supply source, the switch array being configured to control the power supply via the at least one common power supply node based on the digital switch array control signal.
US08710900B2
In one general aspect, an apparatus including a first voltage rail, and a second voltage rail. The apparatus includes a first P-type metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) PMOS device between the first voltage rail and the second voltage rail where the first PMOS device is configured to electrically couple the first voltage rail to the second voltage rail in response to the first PMOS device being activated. The apparatus can also include a second PMOS device configured to provide a charge pump voltage produced by a charge pump device to the second voltage rail in response to the second PMOS device being activated and the first PMOS device being deactivated. The apparatus can also include a pass gate, and a driver circuit coupled to the pass gate and configured to operate based on a voltage of the second voltage rail.
US08710899B2
An integrated switching device, such as an RF attenuator, can be controlled to be in various states according to control bits of a control signal. The integrated switching device can be gradually transitioned from one state to another by staggering the timing of changing the control bits. Latch-up problems in the integrated switching device can thereby be reduced or prevented.
US08710894B2
The present invention relates to a circuit arrangement having the following features: a load transistor having a control connection and a first and second load connection; a drive connection coupled to the control connection of the load transistor and serving for the application of a drive signal; a voltage limiting circuit connected between one of the load connections and the drive connection of the transistor; and a deactivation circuit connected to the voltage limiting circuit and serving for the deactivation of the voltage limiting circuit in a manner dependent on a deactivation signal, which is dependent on a load current through the load transistor and/or on a drive voltage of the load transistor.
US08710893B2
The present invention discloses a method for generating a low jitter clock, including: inserting a time delay in each low-speed clock period to finely adjust a high-speed clock, and then performing frequency division operation on the adjusted high-speed clock to obtain the required low-speed clock. The present invention also discloses an apparatus for generating the low jitter clock at the same time. By using the method and the apparatus, the jitter of the low-speed clock can be decreased. The implementation method is simple and convenient and the device cost is saved.
US08710891B2
A pulse generation circuit includes storage elements disposed in a dispersed arrangement on a substrate and operating in response to a pulse signal, delay elements each proximate to a storage element receiving a clock signal and providing a delayed output signal, and a pulse generation logic circuit performing at least one logic operation on the clock signal and the plurality of delayed output signals to generate the pulse signal.
US08710885B2
A method is disclosed for controlling a semiconductor component which includes a voltage controlled gate. The method includes determining and storing, prior to use of the semiconductor component, reference values of a gate voltage to be given to the gate of the semiconductor component during a change of operating states. The method also includes providing a pulse width modulated voltage from a driver circuit to a resistor connected to the gate of the semiconductor component according to the stored reference values of the gate voltage when a change in operating states of the semiconductor component is desired.
US08710870B2
The present invention discloses a power supply input voltage detection circuit. The power supply converts an input voltage to an output voltage by a transformer which includes a primary winding and a secondary winding. The primary winding is coupled to a power switch, which receives a switching signal to adjust the output voltage. The power switch is coupled to a sensing circuit; when the power switch turns ON, the sensing circuit generates a current sense signal according to current through the primary winding. The input voltage detection circuit includes: a rising time detection circuit, which detects a period, of time during which the current sense signal rises from a low reference level to a high reference level to generate a timing signal; and a determination circuit, which generates a determination signal according to the timing signal for determining whether the input signal is a high voltage or a low voltage.
US08710860B2
Embodiments of methods and systems for identifying or determining spatially resolved properties in indirect bandgap semiconductor devices such as solar cells are described. In one embodiment, spatially resolved properties of an indirect bandgap semiconductor device are determined by externally exciting the indirect bandgap semiconductor device to cause the indirect bandgap semiconductor device to emit luminescence (110), capturing images of luminescence emitted from the indirect bandgap semiconductor device in response to the external excitation (120), and determining spatially resolved properties of the indirect bandgap semiconductor device based on a comparison of relative intensities of regions in one or more of the luminescence images (130).
US08710858B2
Methods and structures for testing a microelectronic packaging structure/device are described. Those methods may include placing a device in a floating carrier, wherein the floating carrier is coupled to a socket housing by pin dowels disposed in four corners of the socket housing, and wherein at least two actuating motors are disposed within the socket housing, and micro adjusting the device by utilizing a capacitive coupled or a fiber optic alignment system wherein a maximum measured capacitance or maximum measured intensity between alignment structures disposed in the socket housing and alignment package balls disposed within the device indicate optimal alignment of the device. Methods further include methods for active co-planarity detection through the use of a capacitive-coupled techniques.
US08710856B2
A terminal end for a flat test probe having tapered cam surfaces providing a lead-in angle on the tail of the terminal end which extend to a sharp rear angle to engage detents or projections within a receptacle. The tapered cam surfaces and shape rear angles allow the probe to be inserted into the receptacle with minimal force to retain the flat test probe within the receptacle.
US08710854B2
A method of making a transparent capacitor apparatus includes: providing a first transparent substrate including a first patterned conductive layer having a first pattern; providing a second transparent substrate including a second patterned conductive layer having a second pattern different from the first pattern; locating the first transparent substrate over the second transparent substrate so that the first patterned conductive layer is effectively parallel to the second patterned conductive layer. Overlapping portions of both the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are patterned time into spatially matching conductive areas and non-conductive areas by locally applying heat to melt conductive materials in the non-conductive areas so that the surface tension of the conductive materials causes the conductive materials to coalesce into structures with a reduced conductive layer area.
US08710846B2
A probe for measuring electromagnetic properties of a subsurface formation includes a pad having a face adapted for engagement with a borehole wall, a pair of transmitting antennas, and two pairs of receiving antennas. The transmitting antennas and receiving antennas are mounted in the face of the pad, and each of the two pairs of receiving antennas include a first and second antenna distributed on opposite sides of the pair of transmitting antennas. The probe further includes an electronic arrangement having a transmitter module and a receiver module. The transmitter module is arranged to operate the pair of transmitting antennas in either a broadside mode or an endfire mode by applying an excitation signal modulated by two or more frequencies, and the receiver module is arranged to determine an attenuation and a phase shift of each reception signal provided by each receiving antenna relatively to the excitation signal.
US08710845B2
An electromagnetic sensor cable has components including a first sensor cable segment having a plurality of spaced apart electrodes on the first sensor cable segment an electrical conductors coupled to the electrodes such that at least one of the electrodes is electrically connectible at at least one longitudinal end of the first sensor cable segment. The sensor cable includes a second sensor cable segment configured substantially the same as the first sensor cable segment. A first signal processing and configuration module has signal processing circuitry configured to perform at least one of measuring voltages across selected pairs of electrodes, and communicating signals representative of voltages measured across selected pairs of electrodes. The cable components are each configured to connect at the lateral ends one to another.
US08710844B2
A device is described for use as part of a system in which a transmitter is moved through the ground while transmitting a signal that can be used to locate the transmitter. The device includes a receiver for receiving the signal to generate certain information about the position of the transmitter relative to the position of the device based on the signal. A processor establishes a current location of the transmitter and records the current location as one of a series of recorded locations of the transmitter based on the certain information and, at a time of recording the current location, electronically records a time stamp that designates at least the time at which the current location was recorded as part of the series of recorded locations of the transmitter.
US08710842B2
An apparatus and method to reduce noise in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems are provided. One MRI system includes a gantry having a bore therethrough and at least one radio frequency (RF) coil supported by the gantry for imaging an object within the bore. The MRI system also includes a vacuum space between the at least one RF coil and the bore.
US08710833B2
An electrical connector between an induction sensor and a cable for transmitting a signal provided by the sensor, including a current transformer with a primary coil and a mechanism for electrically coupling to the sensor, and a secondary coil with a mechanism for electrically coupling to the cable, the primary and secondary coils being attached together by a removable attachment mechanism.
US08710812B1
A method of regulating a supply voltage (Vgg) provided to a load circuit. The method can include generating at least one reference voltage (Vr1, Vr2, Vr3) having a negative voltage-temperature coefficient. The method further can include applying the reference voltage as a bias voltage (Vbias) to a current sink that is electrically coupled in parallel with a path of a leakage current (Ileak) drawn by the load circuit. A related voltage regulator can include a current sink that is electrically coupled in parallel with a path of a leakage current drawn by a load circuit, and a bias control circuit that generates at least one reference voltage having a negative voltage-temperature coefficient and applies the reference voltage as a bias voltage to a current sink.
US08710810B1
A regulated, power supply system is described using multiphase DC-DC converters with dynamic fast-turnon, slow-turnoff phase shedding, early phase turn-on, and both load-voltage and drive-transistor feedback to pulsewidth modulators to provide fast response to load transients. In an embodiment, a system master can automatically determine whether all, or only some, slave phase units are fully populated. The programmable system includes fault detection with current and voltage sensing, telemetry capability, and automatic shutdown capability. In an embodiment, these are buck-type converters with or without coupled inductors, however some of the embodiments illustrated include boost configurations.
US08710808B2
A power supply system for a motor vehicle includes a generator that includes a rotor having a field coil and a stator having an armature coil; a rectifier that rectifies AC power generated in the armature coil; an excitation control circuit that takes control of a voltage applied to the field coil; a capacitor that is connected to the DC side of the rectifier, and receives and transfers the rectified power; a battery connected to an electric load of the motor vehicle; a DC-DC converter that is connected between the capacitor and the battery and capable of converting unidirectionally or bidirectionally an input DC voltage into any DC voltage; and a selection switch which connects the capacitor or the battery to the excitation control circuit as a power supply source.
US08710807B2
A generator has a field coil of a rotor, an armature coil of a stator, a control device supplying an exciting current to the field coil when detecting rotation of the rotor, and a control circuit alternately setting an upper arm transistor and a lower arm transistor in on state in a rectifier module to generate a phase voltage. The control device detects the rotation from a periodic change in a sign of the difference between the phase voltage and a reference voltage. When the rectifier module is overheated, the control circuit sets the upper arm transistor in the off state and sets the lower arm transistor in the on state to almost fix the phase voltage, the control device detects no rotation and stops supplying the exciting current, and the rectifier module generates no phase voltage to decrease temperature of the rectifier module.
US08710804B2
In accordance with an embodiment, a power supply may include a filter stage coupled to an input terminal of a discharge circuit and a supply capacitor coupled to an output terminal of the discharge circuit. In accordance with another embodiment, a method for discharging at least one capacitor includes discharging the at least one capacitor in response to a signal at the input terminal of the discharge circuit being different from a reference signal.
US08710795B2
The electrical vehicle energy storage system permits the electric refueling of the electric vehicle just like an automobile would be refueled with gasoline at a gas station. Circuitry on board the vehicle accessible by the electric refueling station enables the determination of the energy content of the battery module or modules returned to the electric refueling station and the owner of the vehicle is given credit for the energy remaining in the battery module or modules which have been exchanged. Selective refueling may take place for given battery modules by removing them from the battery system and charging them at home, office or factory. A process for operating an electric vehicle is also disclosed and claimed.
US08710792B2
The mechanism recharges the batteries of electric powered vehicles while the vehicle is in motion. As a vehicle moves forward it creates an air flow that enters the air scoop of the mechanism. The air flow passes through the air reduction tunnel and turns the wind blades of the mechanism which turns a drive shaft. The drive shaft has two gears, one turns a governor, the other turns an alternator that creates electric current that passes through a voltage regulator and on to the batteries that drive the vehicles motor. Air velocity entering the mechanism varies by the forward speed of the vehicle. A governor maintains the desired rpms of the drive shaft by changing the pitch (angle) of the variable pitch wind blades. A drain hole is located in the bottom of the base for moisture taken in through the scoop.
US08710791B2
A solar powered charging shelter and system and method thereof. The shelter includes a metal standing seam roof and a flush mounted metal frame. The top of the roof has a plurality of solar units that provide power to at least a plurality of retractable electrical outlets or receptacles coupled to either the bottom of the roof or the metal frame. The retractable electrical outlets or receptacles are to provide power to or charge various electrical systems.
US08710785B2
The invention relates to a method of operating an electromechanical converter, in particular an electric variable transmission, provided with a primary shaft having a rotor mounted thereon, a secondary shaft having an interrotor mounted thereon, and a stator, fixedly mounted to the housing of the electromechanical converter, wherein, viewed from the primary shaft in radial direction, the rotor, the interrotor and the stator are arranged concentrically relative to each other. The rotor and the stator are designed with one or more windings. Further, the interrotor forms one whole both mechanically and electromagnetically, and is arranged as a conductor for magnetic flux in an at least tangential direction. The method comprises the step of variably controlling a magnetic rotor flux.
US08710780B2
A technique is provided for verifying the proper selection, installation, communication and operability of components in power electronic systems, such as motor drives. A processing circuit is coupled to multiple components or subsystems that identify themselves to the processing system. An identification code is stored that is compared to a similar code built based upon the information reported by the components at the time of commissioning, operation or servicing. If the comparison indicates that all components are properly installed, and communicating and operative, operation may continue. The technique may be applied in parallel motor drives at a power layer level to allow separate and parallel verification of component and component operation in the parallel drives.
US08710774B2
A drive control device for an electric train comprises a switch for connecting or opening direct-current power, a power converter into which the direct-current power is input via the switch between two terminals on an input side and which converts the direct-current power into alternating-current power through a switching action and drives an alternating current rotating machine connected on an output side, and a voltage detector for detecting the voltage between the two terminals. In addition, a power controller is provided that controls the power converter such that when the detected voltage of the voltage detector exceeds a predetermined open-circuit voltage, the switch is opened and the regenerative brake force is reduced by the alternating current rotating machine under a predetermined reduction pattern having a ramp reduction time longer than 0.
US08710770B2
Systems and methods are provided for lighting systems, including high output lighting systems for various environments. The lighting systems include a lighting controller for driving lighting modules and transmitting a data signal to the lighting modules. The data signal varies between logical states. The lighting controller provides a low loss rectified power signal. The lighting controller further provides data within the power signal by forming a positive polarity rectified power waveform corresponding to data in a first state and a negative polarity rectified waveform signal corresponding to data in a second state using substantially loss-less circuitry.
US08710764B2
In some embodiments, a solid state lighting circuit may include one or more of the following features: (a) a plurality of emitters operably connected to a power supply (b) the power supply operably coupled in series with a current limiting device, where one or more of the emitters is bypassed with a switched circuit, and (c) at least one MOSFET switch operably coupled to the voltage divider circuit.
US08710763B2
A load control device for controlling the power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load is operable to be converted from being configured as an electronic switch to being configured as a dimmer switch after installation. The load control device comprises a dimmer bezel having a control actuator and an intensity adjustment actuator and a detachable switch bezel adapted to be attached to the dimmer bezel. The detachable switch bezel has an opening through which the control actuator may be actuated, and is adapted to cover the intensity adjustment actuator when the detachable switch bezel is attached to the dimmer bezel. The load control device is operable to change from a switch mode of operation to a dimmer mode of operation after the detachable switch bezel is removed from the dimmer bezel.
US08710761B2
The invention relates to a circuit arrangement (20) for a piezo transformer (22) comprising a driver circuit (23), to which the piezo transformer (22) can be connected, and a current sensor (21) for the determining an incoming power signal (IM), which is subject to an incoming current (IE) flowing through the piezo transformer (22). The invention further relates to the circuit arrangement (20) of a control unit (24) for providing a control signal (ST), which is subject the incoming power signal (IM); and an oscillator (25) having an oscillator output (43) for emitting an oscillator signal (SO) to a driver signal input (44) of the driver circuit (23) subject to the control signal (ST).
US08710754B2
Electronic circuitry for color-mixing in an LED light fixture during AC power dimming is disclosed to achieve adjustable color temperature. According to one embodiment, a dimmable LED light fixture has first, second, and third LED light sources, the first and second LED light sources producing white light, the third LED light source producing colored light, the LED driver configured to power the LED light sources by providing a single-channel variable-DC current source having two output terminals, and a current regulator for maintaining the current in the third LED light source path substantially constant as the LED driver output current is decreased when the AC power is reduced by the dimmer module, thereby altering the color of the light produced by the combination of the LED light sources.
US08710752B2
A system that provides an intelligent approach to driving multiple strings of LEDs. A processing device determines an optimal current level for each LED string from a limited set of allowed currents. The processing device also determines a PWM duty cycle for driving the LEDs in each LED string to provide precise brightness control over the LED string. The settings for the current level and duty cycle are transmitted to an LED driver for regulating the current and on-off times of the LED strings. Beneficially, the system reduces the size of the LED driver while leveraging existing resources available in the processing device to operate the LEDs in a power efficient manner.
US08710750B2
A power supply circuit drives circuits having different numbers of series-connected LEDs without changing a circuit constant or a component. An LED series circuit is connected to a power converter circuit of a power supply circuit. The power converter circuit is controlled by a control arithmetic circuit, and supplies a constant current to the LED series circuit. A voltage detection circuit detects a voltage applied to the LED series circuit. The control arithmetic circuit checks whether the LED series circuit has 40 LEDs or 20 LEDs, based on the voltage detected by the voltage detection circuit. The control arithmetic circuit holds a constant-current value table for 40 LEDs and a constant-current value table for 20 LEDs. In accordance with the detected voltage, the control arithmetic circuit selects one constant-current value table, and controls the power converter circuit based on the constant-current value table selected.
US08710738B2
A display apparatus including: a substrate; a display unit disposed on the substrate; a sealing substrate facing the display unit; a sealing unit spaced apart from the display unit and disposed between the substrate and the sealing substrate and connecting the substrate to the sealing substrate; and a semi-penetration layer disposed on the substrate and not protruding from a width of the sealing unit, and absorbing a predetermined amount of light incident on the sealing substrate, thereby improving characteristics of the sealing unit.
US08710736B2
An organic light emitting display (OLED) apparatus has an improved structure so as to decrease a capacitance load between a power line and a control signal line. The OLED display apparatus includes a first substrate on which a thin film transistor (TFT) and an organic light emitting diode are disposed; a second substrate facing towards and spaced apart from the first substrate; a power line via which a voltage is applied to the source and drain electrodes of the TFT, and to the second electrode of the OLED; and a control signal line providing a control signal to the embedded circuit so as to control timing for supplying current to the gate electrode of the TFT. The control signal line is laid-out at an outer portion of the first substrate with respect to a position of the power line.
US08710713B2
A boundary acoustic wave device efficiently traps the vibrational energy of boundary acoustic waves and exhibits a high electromechanical coupling coefficient, and is consequently not affected by higher-order modes. The boundary acoustic wave device includes a first medium having piezoelectric characteristics, a non-electroconductive second medium, and a third medium through which slow transverse waves propagate at a lower acoustic velocity than slow transverse waves propagating through the first and second media. The first medium, the third medium, and the second medium are stacked in that order. An IDT is disposed between the first medium and the third medium. The IDT includes a metal layer made of a metal having a density ρ in the range of about 3000 kg/m3 to about 21500 kg/m3. The IDT has electrode fingers arranged at a pitch of λ and has a thickness H1 satisfying the relationship 0.006λ≦H1≦0.2λ, and the third medium has a thickness H2 satisfying the relationship H1
US08710712B2
A vibration power generator is provided that increases output power by improving the electrostatic capacitance when the area of the overlap between electret electrodes and counter electrodes is maximum while having the function of limiting the spread of the electric field from the electret electrodes. The vibration power generator is provided with: a first substrate and a second substrate configured so as to be relatively movable while keeping a condition of being separated so as to be opposed to each other; a first electrode formed on the first substrate; a second electrode formed on the second substrate so as to be opposed to the first electrode; and a third electrode formed in a region different from the first electrode on the first substrate, either one of the first electrode and the second electrode includes a film holding a charge, and when an overlap between the first electrode and the second electrode is minimum, the third electrode is grounded, and when the overlap between the first electrode and the second electrode is maximum, the third electrode is open.
US08710709B2
A motor with power-generating coil module includes: a base that has a shaft tube, a supporting surface surrounding the shaft tube, a first coil module mounted on an outer circumferential surface of the shaft tube, and a second coil module disposed above the supporting surface; a rotor that has a carrier extending a lateral wall toward the base, a shaft rotatably coupling with the shaft tube, and a magnetic member mounted on the lateral wall and having an axial extension and a radial extension, with a first magnetic face on the axial extension and facing the first coil module and a second magnetic face on the radial extension and facing the second coil module; a driving circuit electrically connecting with one of the first and second coil modules; and a power-storing unit electrically connecting with the other one of the first and second coil modules.
US08710705B2
An electronic control unit (50, 70) including semiconductor modules (501 to 506) and capacitors (701 to 706) is disposed in the axial direction of a motor (30). The semiconductor modules (501 to 506) are placed longitudinally and brought into contact with a heat sink (601). The vertical line to each of surfaces of semiconductor chips included in the semiconductor modules (501 to 506) is perpendicular to the axial line of the motor (30). Accordingly, the capacitors (701 to 706) are disposed so that at least a part of the capacitors (701 to 706) overlap the semiconductor modules (501 to 506) and heat sink (601) in the axial direction of the motor (30).
US08710696B2
In a method for controlling a group of at least two electrical generators which supply a motor vehicle electrical system, each individual generator of the group provides a generator workload value, which indicates a workload of the individual generator, to each other one of the group of generators. The workload values represent an absolute value which indicates an actual power which is generated by the individual generator. Alternatively, the workload values represent a relative value, which indicates a ratio of the actual power to a nominal power of the individual generator.
US08710687B2
In the case of a wind power installation with at least one wind turbine and one current generator device, the current generator device has at least two generators. The generators are coupled to one another via at least one differential gear unit, the wind turbine being arranged on a balancing gear of the differential gear unit. The rotors of the generators are in each case connected to an axial gear of the differential gear unit, the stators of the generators being connected to one another to form an abutment on which the differential carrier of the differential gear unit is accommodated such that it can rotate.
US08710682B2
The present invention provides polyimide polymer materials for passivating semiconductor wafers and methods for fabricating thereof. The present invention further provides a device that includes a semiconductor wafer and a passivating layer disposed on the surface of the wafer, wherein the passivating layer comprises such polyimide polymers.
US08710681B2
A device includes a first package component, and a second package component underlying, and bonded to, the first package component. A molding material is disposed under the first package component and molded to the first and the second package components, wherein the molding material and the first package component form an interface. An isolation region includes a first edge, wherein the first edge of the isolation region contacts a first edge of the first package component and a first edge of the molding material. The isolation has a bottom lower than the interface.
US08710680B2
An electronic device package is disclosed. The package includes at least one semiconductor chip having a first surface and a second surface opposite thereto, in which at least one redistribution layer is disposed on the first surface of the semiconductor chip and is electrically connected to at least one conductive pad structure. At least one abut portion is disposed on the redistribution layer and electrically contacting thereto. A passivation layer covers the first surface of the semiconductor chip and surrounds the abut portion. A substrate is attached onto the second surface of the semiconductor chip. A fabrication method of the electronic device package is also disclosed.
US08710673B2
A wiring structure in a semiconductor device may include a first insulation layer formed on a substrate, a first contact plug, a capping layer pattern, a second insulation layer and a second contact plug. The first insulation layer has a first opening that exposes a contact region of the substrate. The first contact plug is formed on the contact region to partially fill up the first opening. The capping layer pattern is formed on the first contact plug to fill up the first opening. The second insulation layer is formed on the capping layer pattern and the first insulation layer. The second insulation layer has a second opening passing through the capping layer pattern to expose the first contact plug. The second contact plug is formed on the first contact plug in the second opening. Since the wiring structure includes the capping layer pattern, the wiring structure may prevent a contact failure by preventing chemicals from permeating into the first contact plug.
US08710666B2
A semiconductor device which can prevent a deterioration in the electrical properties by preventing sputters generated by laser welding from adhering to a circuit pattern or a semiconductor chip and a method for fabricating such a semiconductor device are provided. A connection conductor is bonded to a copper foil formed over a ceramic by a solder and resin is injected to a level lower than a top of the connection conductor. Laser welding is then performed. After that, resin is injected. This prevents sputters generated by the laser welding from adhering to a circuit pattern or a semiconductor chip. As a result, a deterioration in the electrical properties can be prevented.
US08710665B2
An electronic component includes a semiconductor substrate defined by a generally planar first face, a generally planar second face and side faces extending between the generally planar second face and the generally planar first face. The semiconductor substrate has a curved contour between the generally planar second face and the side faces.
US08710656B2
An integrated circuit (IC) chip is disclosed including a plurality of metal vertical interconnect accesses (vias) in a back end of line (BEOL) layer, a redistribution layer (RDL) on the BEOL layer, the BEOL layer having a plurality of bond pads, each bond pad connected to at least one corresponding metal via through the RDL; and a solder bump connected to each bond pad, wherein each solder bump is laterally offset from the corresponding metal via connected to the bond pad towards a center of the IC chip by an offset distance, wherein the offset distance is non-uniform across the IC chip. In one embodiment, the offset distance for each solder bump is proportionate to a distance between the center of the IC chip and the center of the corresponding solder bump pad structure for that solder bump.
US08710641B2
A main package includes a plurality of stacked semiconductor chips and a plurality of first terminals associated with different ones of the semiconductor chips. An additional package includes an additional semiconductor chip and at least one second terminal electrically connected to the additional semiconductor chip. The additional semiconductor chip is to substitute for one of the plurality of semiconductor chips in the main package. The main package and the additional package are arranged in one of a plurality of relative positional relationships that is selected according to which one of the plurality of semiconductor chips in the main package is to be substituted with the additional semiconductor chip.
US08710632B2
A method for fabricating a compound semiconductor epitaxial structure includes the following steps. Firstly, a first compound epitaxial layer is formed on a substrate. Then, a continuous epitaxial deposition process is performed to form a second compound epitaxial layer on the first compound epitaxial layer, so that the second compound epitaxial layer has a linearly-decreased concentration gradient of metal. Afterwards, a semiconductor material layer is formed on the second compound epitaxial layer.
US08710631B2
A method of modifying a fluorinated polymer surface comprising the steps of depositing a first layer on at least a portion of the fluorinated polymer surface, the first layer comprising a first polymer, the first polymer being a substantially perfluorinated aromatic polymer; and depositing a second layer on at least a portion of the first layer, the second layer comprising a second polymer, the second polymer being an aromatic polymer having a lower degree of fluorination than said first polymer, whereby the second layer provides a surface on to which a substance having a lower degree of fluorination than the first polymer, e.g. a non-fluorinated substance is depositable.
US08710623B1
Integrated circuits are fabricated with mounted discrete capacitors. Bond pads and land pads are fabricated on a semiconductor wafer. Discrete capacitors are mounted on the semiconductor wafer with flexible adhesive. The flexible adhesive accommodates a difference in thermal expansion between the discrete capacitors and the semiconductor wafer. The land pads are electrically coupled to the electrodes of the discrete capacitors. The semiconductor wafer is separated into multiple semiconductor dice. The semiconductor dice are mounted in respective packages. The bond pads on each semiconductor die are electrically coupled to the interconnect terminals of the respective package.
US08710622B2
An spiral inductor (300) formed on a semiconductor substrate (102). One or more insulating layers (104, 303) is disposed on a first surface of the semiconductor substrate. A spiral structure (106) is formed of a first conductive material layer disposed on the insulating layer. The spiral structure has a terminal end (105) at a location enclosed by one or more coils of the spiral. A ground plane (302) is formed of a second conductive material and disposed on a second surface located on a side of the substrate opposed from the first surface. The ground plane is defected so as to define a signal trace (308) formed from a portion of the ground plane. A conductive via (304) extends through the one or more insulating layers, and through the semiconductor substrate, to form an electrical connection between the ground plane and the terminal end.
US08710620B2
A manufacturing method provides a semiconductor device with a substrate layer and an epitaxial layer adjoining the substrate layer. The epitaxial layer includes first columns and second columns of different conductivity types. The first and second columns extend along a main crystal direction along which channeling of implanted ions occurs from a first surface into the epitaxial layer. A vertical dopant profile of one of the first and second columns includes first portions separated by second portions. In the first portions a dopant concentration varies by at most 30%. In the second portions the dopant concentration is lower than in the first portions. The ratio of a total length of the first portions to the total length of the first and second portions is at least 50%. The uniform dopant profiles improve device characteristics.
US08710614B2
A light receiving element includes a core configured to propagate a signal light, a first semiconductor layer having a first conductivity type, the first semiconductor layer being configured to receive the signal light from the core along a first direction in which the core extends, an absorbing layer configured to absorb the signal light received by the first semiconductor layer, and a second semiconductor layer having a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type.
US08710600B2
A semiconductor pressure sensor that can improve diaphragm breakage pressure tolerance is provided.Included are: a first semiconductor substrate on which is formed a recess portion that has an opening on a first surface in a thickness direction; a second semiconductor substrate that is disposed so as to face the first surface of the first semiconductor substrate; and a first silicon oxide film that is interposed between the first semiconductor substrate and the second semiconductor substrate, and on which is formed a penetrating aperture that communicates between the recess portion and the second semiconductor substrate, and at least a portion of an edge portion of the penetrating aperture is positioned inside an opening edge portion of the recess portion when viewed from a side facing the penetrating aperture and the opening of the recess portion.
US08710595B2
A seal ring structure is formed through a multilayer structure of a plurality of dielectric films in a peripheral part of a chip region to surround the chip region. A dual damascene interconnect in which an interconnect and a plug connected to the interconnect are integrated is formed in at least one of the dielectric films in the chip region. Part of the seal ring structure formed in the dielectric film in which the dual damascene interconnect is formed is continuous. A protection film formed on the multilayer structure has an opening on the seal ring. A cap layer connected to the seal ring is formed in the opening.
US08710591B2
Provided are a semiconductor chip including a TSV passing through a transistor, and a stack module and a memory card using such a semiconductor chip. The semiconductor chip may include a semiconductor layer that has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other. A conductive layer may be disposed on the first surface of the semiconductor layer. A TSV may pass through the semiconductor layer and the conductive layer. A side wall insulating layer may surround a side wall of the TSV in order to electrically insulate the semiconductor layer and the conductive layer from the TSV.
US08710576B2
A charge trap type of memory having a memory channel with vertical and possibly horizontal components is described. The invention includes a new operation method of simultaneous hole and electron injection operation for high speed and high reliability non-volatile memories, as well as high-density non-volatile memories. Array implementations for high-density memory arrays and high-speed memory arrays and their fabrication methods are also described.
US08710572B2
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a nonvolatile semiconductor storage device including: a semiconductor substrate; a source region and a drain region that are formed in the semiconductor substrate so as to be separated from each other and so as to define a channel region therebetween; a tunnel insulating film that is formed on the channel region; an insulative charge storage film that is formed on the tunnel insulating film; a conductive charge storage film that is formed on the insulative charge storage film so as to be shorter than the insulative charge storage film in a channel direction; an interlayer insulating film that is formed on the conductive charge storage film; and a gate electrode that is formed on the interlayer insulating film.
US08710571B2
A polarity switching member of a dot inversion system is revealed. A first transistor and a second transistor are disposed in a P-well while a N-well is arranged in the P-well, located between the first transistor and the second transistor. The N-well includes a third transistor and a fourth transistor. One end of the third transistor is coupled to one end of the first transistor to generate a first input end and one end of the fourth transistor is coupled to one end of the second transistor to generate a second input end. The other end of the first transistor, the other end of the second transistor, the other end of the third transistor, and the other end of the fourth transistor are coupled to generate an output end. Thereby, by switching of voltage polarity of the P-well and the N-well, a larger range of output voltage difference is achieved.
US08710567B2
The semiconductor device of the present invention includes a silicon substrate having a logic region and a RAM region, an NMOS transistor formed in the logic region, and an NMOS transistor formed in the RAM region. The NMOS transistor has a stack structure obtained by sequentially stacking the gate insulating film and the metal gate electrode over the silicon substrate. The NMOS transistor has a cap film containing an element selected from a group consisting of lanthanum, ytterbium, magnesium, strontium, and erbium as a composition element between the silicon substrate and metal gate electrode. The cap film is not formed in the NMOS transistor.
US08710564B2
Provided is a semiconductor device including an insulating layer of a cubic system or a tetragonal system, having good electrical characteristics. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including an active region, a transistor that is formed in the active region of the semiconductor substrate, an interlevel insulating layer that is formed on the semiconductor substrate and a contact plug that is formed in the interlevel insulating layer and that is electrically connected to the transistor. The semiconductor device may include a lower electrode that is formed on the interlevel insulating layer and that is electrically connected to the contact plug, an upper electrode that is formed on the lower electrode and an insulating layer of a cubic system or a tetragonal system including a metal silicate layer. The insulating layer may be formed between the lower electrode and the upper electrode.
US08710561B2
A pixel structure of a solid-state image sensor in which residual electrons in a photodiode is reduced and which has a first-stage gate that is arranged adjacent to the photodiode and controls read-out of electrons generated in the photodiode, a second-stage gate that is adjacent to the first-stage gate on the rear stage of the gate at a predetermined gap and controls movement of electrons read out by the readout control of the first-stage gate to the plurality of the charge-storage sections, and a plurality of third-stage gates that are adjacent to the second-stage gate on the rear stage of the gate at a predetermined gap, severally arranged corresponding to the plurality of the charge-storage sections, and perform control of distributing the electrons moved by the movement control of the second-stage gate severally to the plurality of the charge-storage sections, and gradient on which electrons are moved in the first-stage gate direction is formed on the potential of the photodiode.
US08710550B2
A semiconductor device includes a nitride semiconductor stack having at least two hetero junction bodies where a first nitride semiconductor layer and a second nitride semiconductor layer having a band gap wider than that of the first nitride semiconductor layer are disposed, and includes a drain electrode and, a source electrode disposed to the nitride semiconductor stack, and gate electrodes at a position put between the drain electrode and the source electrode and disposed so as to oppose them respectively in which the drain electrode and the source electrode are disposed over the surface or on the lateral side of the nitride semiconductor stack, and the gate electrode has a first gate electrode disposed in the direction of the depth of the nitride semiconductor stack and a second gate electrode disposed in the direction of the depth of the nitride semiconductor at a depth different from the first gate electrode.
US08710549B2
A SOI MOS device for eliminating floating body effects and self-heating effects are disclosed. The device includes a connective layer coupling the active gate channel to the Si substrate. The connective layer provides electrical and thermal passages during device operation, which could eliminate floating body effects and self-heating effects. An example of a MOS device having a SiGe connector between a Si active channel and a Si substrate is disclosed in detail and a manufacturing process is provided.
US08710543B2
A semiconductor device including: an FET; a MOSFET having a drain thereof connected with a source of the FET; a resistor having one end thereof connected with a gate of the FET and having the other end thereof connected with a source of the MOSFET; and a diode having an anode thereof connected with the gate of the FET and having a cathode thereof connected with the source of the MOSFET.
US08710542B2
A semiconductor device includes a base layer, a second conductivity type semiconductor layer, a first insulating film, and a first electrode. The first insulating film is provided on an inner wall of a plurality of first trenches extending from a surface of the second conductivity type semiconductor layer toward the base layer side, but not reaching the base layer. The first electrode is provided in the first trench via the first insulating film, and provided in contact with a surface of the second conductivity type semiconductor layer. The second conductivity type semiconductor layer includes first and second regions. The first region is provided between the first trenches. The second region is provided between the first second conductivity type region and the base layer, and between a bottom part of the first trench and the base layer. The second region has less second conductivity type impurities than the first region.
US08710540B2
An LED package with an extended top electrode and an extended bottom electrode is formed from a first metal and a second metal. An LED is on an inner end of the first metal. An outer end of the first metal has been bent upward twice 90 degrees to form a top flat as an extended top electrode of the package. An outer end of the second metal has been bent downward twice 90 degrees to form a bottom flat as an extended bottom electrode of the package. The LED and a bonding wire may be encapsulated with glue.
US08710532B2
A semiconductor light emitting element emits ultraviolet light or blue light that impinges upon a light emitting cover portion including a blue phosphor, a green phosphor, a red phosphor and a deep red phosphor to emit white light by mixing the light emission colors from the phosphors. The deep red phosphor has a main emission peak in a longer wavelength region than a main emission peak of the red phosphor. The red phosphor includes at least one component selected from: a europium-activated SiAlON phosphor and a europium-activated CASN phosphor each having a predetermined composition. The deep red phosphor includes a manganese-activated magnesium florogermanate phosphor having a predetermined composition. The white light emitting lamp is excellent in both high luminance and high color rendering properties.
US08710531B2
An LED device includes a die carrier having a die mounting surface and electrical connection regions. An LED die is mounted on the die mounting surface of the die carrier. The LED die includes a substrate, a first type semiconductor layer disposed atop the substrate, a second type semiconductor layer disposed atop the first type semiconductor layer, an another first type semiconductor layer disposed atop the second type semiconductor layer, at least three through holes each extending from the substrate to a corresponding semiconductor layer, an insulative layer formed on inner walls of the through holes, and electrically conductive linkers mounted within the through holes. Each electrically conductive linker has an end electrically connected to a corresponding semiconductor layer and an opposite end protruding outwardly from the corresponding through hole for electrical connection to a corresponding electrical connection region. A light transmissible protective layer covers the LED die.
US08710530B2
The present invention relates to a light emitted diode (LED). The LED includes a metal mirror, a bonding substrate, a distributed bragg reflector (DBR), a buffer layer, and a LED epitaxial structure. The bonding substrate is arranged under the metal mirror. The DBR is arranged on the metal mirror. The buffer layer is arranged on the DBR. The LED epitaxial structure is arranged on the buffer layer.
US08710527B2
An organic light-emitting display and a method of manufacturing the organic light-emitting display are disclosed. In one embodiment, the organic light-emitting display includes: i) a pixel electrode disposed on a substrate, ii) an opposite electrode disposed opposite to the pixel electrode, iii) an organic emission layer disposed between the pixel electrode and the opposite electrode; a light-scattering portion disposed between the substrate and the organic emission layer, including a plurality of scattering patterns for scattering light emitted from the organic emission layer in insulating layers having different refractive indexes. The display may further include a plurality of light absorption portions disposed between the light-scattering portion and the organic emission layer to correspond to the scattering patterns.
US08710522B2
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) light source device is provided, including a lower substrate, a plurality of OLED modules disposed on the lower substrate and arranged in a matrix, a bus circuit surrounding the OLED modules to form a mesh structure and connecting the OLED modules in parallel, and an upper substrate disposed on the OLED modules and the bus circuit. The bus circuit connects the OLED modules in parallel. Therefore, the OLED light source device can be arbitrarily cut into different shapes, and its service life and light emitting performance are not affected by the cutting.
US08710520B2
Disclosed is a light emitting diode having a multi-cell structure including a number of unit cells. The light emitting diode is capable of reducing light loss of the light emitting diode surface and improving light efficiency by bonding pads to be formed for contact between mesa etching regions for forming an electrode of the existing n-type semiconductor layers and p-type semiconductor layers. The light emitting diode is also capable of controlling chip size and manufacturing chips of different sizes from each other even when going through the same chip manufacturing process as the related art.
US08710514B2
A light emitting die package is provided which includes a metal substrate having a first surface and a first conductive lead on the first surface. The first conductive lead is insulated from the substrate by an insulating film. The first conductive lead forms a mounting pad for mounting a light emitting device. The package includes a metal lead electrically connected to the first conductive lead and extending away from the first surface.
US08710512B2
An optoelectronic semiconductor chip, comprising a first contact location (1) and a second contact location (2), and a reflective layer (3), which is directly electrically conductively connected to the second contact location. The reflective layer contains a metal that tends toward migration, and the reflective layer is arranged in such a way that a migration path (4) for the metal can form between the second and the first contact location. A means (6) which, during operation of the semiconductor chip, forms an electric field that counteracts the migration of the metal is provided at the semiconductor chip.
US08710505B2
Adverse effects of variation in threshold voltage are reduced. In a semiconductor device, electric charge is accumulated in a capacitor provided between a gate and a source of a transistor, and then, the electric charge accumulated in the capacitor is discharged; thus, the threshold voltage of the transistor is obtained. After that, current flows to a load. In the semiconductor device, the potential of one terminal of the capacitor is set higher than the potential of a source line, and the potential of the source line is set lower than the potential of a power supply line and the cathode side potential of the load.
US08710502B2
A flat panel display device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the flat panel display device includes i) a semiconductor layer including a channel region and a groove, wherein the channel region electrically connects a source electrode and a drain electrode, and the groove is configured to separate the channel region from adjacent thin film transistors and ii) a stop layer formed below at least a portion of the semiconductor layer. According to one embodiment of the invention, a semiconductor layer can be easily patterned without using a dry or wet etching technique such as photolithography.
US08710501B2
An electro-optical device includes a light-emitting layer provided with a white light-emitting element; and a reflective filter layer that is located at one side of the light-emitting layer and is provided with a reflective color filter.
US08710497B2
An array substrate includes: a substrate; a gate line and a gate electrode on the substrate; a gate insulating layer on the gate line and the gate electrode, the gate insulating layer including a first insulator and a second insulator on the first insulator, wherein the first insulator includes an aluminum oxide material and has a first thickness, and the second insulator includes a hafnium oxide material and has a second thickness; an oxide semiconductor layer on the gate insulating layer over the gate electrode; a data line over the gate insulating layer; a source electrode and a drain electrode contacting the oxide semiconductor layer; a passivation layer on the data line, the source electrode and the drain electrode; and a pixel electrode on the passivation layer, the pixel electrode connected to a drain electrode through a drain contact hole.
US08710479B2
According to example embodiments, there is provided a semiconductor device including a substrate and an isolation layer structure. The substrate includes an active region having an upper active pattern and a lower active pattern on the upper active pattern. The active region has a first aspect ratio larger than about 13:1 and a second aspect ratio smaller than about 13:1. The first aspect ratio is defined as a ratio of a sum of heights of the upper active pattern and the lower active pattern with respect to a width of the upper active pattern. The second aspect ratio is defined as a ratio of the sum of the heights of the upper active pattern and the lower active pattern with respect to a width of the lower active pattern. The isolation layer structure is adjacent to the active region.
US08710474B2
An apparatus used with an external laser apparatus for generating extreme ultraviolet light includes a target storage unit for storing a target material, a nozzle unit having a through-hole in communication with the interior of the storage unit through which the target material is outputted, an electrode having a through-hole facing the nozzle unit, and a target detector for detecting a target formed of the target material and outputting a detection signal. A direct current voltage adjuster applies and adjusts a direct current between the target material and the electrode, a pressure adjuster applies and adjusts a pressure to the target material through gas, and a controller controls at least one of the direct current voltage adjuster and the pressure adjuster based on the detection signal from the target detector.
US08710472B2
A target output device may include: a main body for storing a target material; a nozzle unit, connected to the main body, for outputting the target material as a target; an electrode unit provided so as to face the nozzle unit; a voltage control unit that applies predetermined voltage between the electrode unit and the target material to generate electrostatic force therebetween for pulling out the target material through the nozzle unit; a pressure control unit that applies predetermined pressure to the target material; and an output control unit that causes the target to be outputted through the nozzle unit by controlling signal output timing of each of a first timing signal and a second timing signal, the first timing signal causing the voltage control unit to apply the predetermined voltage between the target material and the electrode unit at first timing, and the second timing signal causing the pressure control unit to apply the predetermined pressure to the target material at second timing.
US08710463B1
A method for fabricating waveguides comprising nano-apertures for illumination of sub-resolution exposures is presented. In particular, the end of a waveguide, such as an optical fiber, is coated with a material, such as an electrically conducting metal or a semiconductor. This material is then selectively removed through a lithography process using photon exposure to create an aperture in the material at the end of the waveguide. Under normal conditions, if the aperture is smaller than the wavelength of light in the waveguide, there is little or no transmission through the aperture. However, with the appropriate selection of materials and aperture geometry, for example a metallic conducting coating and sub-wavelength “C-shaped” or “bow-tie” aperture, enhancement of the transmission of light through the aperture can be achieved, allowing effective illumination of sub-resolution spots using the nano-aperture. This can be used in a nanolithography system incorporating waveguide illuminators as well.
US08710460B2
Provided is an apparatus for disinfecting an object by at least partially removing a biologically-active contaminant there from. A housing encloses a disinfection chamber in which a portion of the object is to be received to be disinfected, and includes an inlet aperture through which the object is introduced to the apparatus. An ultraviolet light source emits ultraviolet light to be imparted on the portion of the object introduced to the disinfection chamber for deactivating at least a portion of the biologically-active contaminant present on the object. A controller controls operation of at least one of a feeder and the ultraviolet light to achieve a level of disinfection of the object, rendering the object suitable for use in a substantially-sterile application.
US08710459B1
A UV liquid treatment system comprises least one UV treatment unit including a unit container having a container interior; a liquid distribution head carried by the unit container; at least one liquid inlet passage in the liquid distribution head and disposed in fluid communication with the unit container interior of the unit container; at least one liquid outlet passage in the liquid distribution head and disposed in fluid communication with the unit container interior of the unit container; a transparent light bulb shield carried by the liquid distribution head and having a shield interior; an assembly cavity in the liquid distribution head and communicating with the shield interior of the light bulb shield; a UV light assembly having a UV light bulb removably seated in the assembly cavity, the UV light bulb disposed in the shield interior of the light bulb shield; and a power source electrically connected to the UV light bulb of the UV light assembly.
US08710450B2
A system of the present invention is capable of detecting, imaging and measuring both neutrons and gamma rays. The system has three parallel plates each containing a plurality of detectors. Each plate has different detectors. The first plate has plastic scintillation detectors. The second plate has a plurality of stilbene scintillation detectors having pulse-shape discrimination (PSD) properties. The third plate has a plurality of inorganic detectors. The first plate and the second plate are used in connection to detect, image and measure neutrons. The second plate and the third plate are used in connection to detect, image, and measure gamma rays.
US08710447B2
A control device that controls a sensor capable of changing a magnitude of an accumulation capacitance of an electric charge for each pixel includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire an output value according to an accumulated electric charge of each pixel of the sensor, a determination unit configured to determine whether the accumulation capacitance of each pixel is saturated based on the output value, and a setting unit configured to set magnitude of the accumulation capacitance for each pixel according to the determined accumulation capacitance.
US08710434B2
A mass spectrometer that performs ion-molecule reaction ionization and accurately performs qualitative/quantitative analysis on a sample containing multi-components for a short time is achieved without an increase in the size of the device. A plurality of ion sources (3-1 to 3-4) are connected to each other in series. A controller/analyzer (6) controls supply of a voltage from a high voltage source (7) through a discharge needle (8) to any one or more of the ion sources (3-1 to 3-4). When the plurality of ion sources (3-1 to 3-4) operates, normal APCI is performed by an ion source that is close to a sample loading unit (1), and generated ions are discharged to the outside of the ion source by a discharge electrode (9). A residual neutral molecule that is not ionized is transferred by an extraction electrode (10) to an ion source located on the side of a mass spectrometer. Even when it is difficult for an ion source located at a single stage to detect a component, the component can be detected by a combination of the ion sources (3-1 to 3-4).
US08710428B1
An atomic slower comprises a bore and one or more tapered permanent magnets configured to produce an axial magnetic field along an axis of the bore.
US08710425B2
An encoder emits modulated light from a light source section and lets a first light and a second light separated from the modulated light interfere with each other in a moving grating. In the encoder, the light emitted from the light source section is electrically modulated, and the first light and the second light have different light path lengths.
US08710424B2
Embodiments of the present invention include an electron counter with a charge-coupled device (CCD) register configured to transfer electrons to a Geiger-mode avalanche diode (GM-AD) array operably coupled to the output of the CCD register. At high charge levels, a nondestructive amplifier senses the charge at the CCD register output to provide an analog indication of the charge. At low charge levels, noiseless charge splitters or meters divide the charge into single-electron packets, each of which is detected by a GM-AD that provides a digital output indicating whether an electron is present. Example electron counters are particularly well suited for counting photoelectrons generated by large-format, high-speed imaging arrays because they operate with high dynamic range and high sensitivity. As a result, they can be used to image scenes over a wide range of light levels.
US08710420B2
Image sensor pixels are provided having junction gate photodiodes. A group of pixels may have a shared floating diffusion region and a shared source-follower transistor. The source-follower transistor may be a JFET source-follower with a gate that forms the floating diffusion region. The JFET source-follower may be a vertical or lateral JFET. A reset diode may be forward-biased to reset the floating diffusion region. Each pixel may have a JFET that serves as a charge transfer barrier between the junction gate photodiode and the floating diffusion region. The charge transfer barrier JFET may be a lateral JFET. The image sensor pixels may be formed without any metal-oxide-semiconductor devices.
US08710418B2
A solid-state image capture device includes photoelectric conversion elements that perform photoelectric conversion on incident light to obtain signal charges, color filter portions provided at light incident sides of the corresponding photoelectric conversion elements, and an organic photoelectric conversion layer provided at light incident sides of the color filter portions. The organic photoelectric conversion layer contains a pigment that is absorptive of near infrared light.
US08710410B2
A raised platform for microwave cooking of a food product includes legs that extend to elevate a food product support surface above the floor of a microwave oven during cooking. At least one fold line extends across the food product support surface about which the food product support surface and any food product thereon can be folded. Susceptor material of the food product support surface is disposed on both sides of a fold region of the support surface and extends on both sides of the at least one fold line. The fold region is substantially free from the susceptor material allowing a food product heated on the food product surface to remain flexible to permit folding of the food product with reduced cracking or breaking. The raised platform may further include a second susceptor material disposed on a bottom surface of the food product support surface.
US08710398B2
A splicing apparatus for joining a trailing end of a downstream metal strip to the leading end of an upstream metal strip includes a base having a working surface, a cover assembly operatively connected to the base and movable between an open position and a closed position, a fixed platen fixedly secured to the working surface, a moving platen slidably connected to the working surface, and a laser device for both cutting said downstream and upstream metal strips and for welding said metal strips together, the laser device including a laser source and a laser head in communication with the laser source, the laser head being connected to said cover assembly.
US08710397B2
An electrode for a plasma torch and a plasma torch head comprise an elongated electrode holder with a front surface on the electrode tip and a hole arranged in the electrode tip along a central axis through the electrode holder, and an emission insert arranged in the hole such that an emission surface of the emission insert is exposed. The emission surface is set back relative to the front surface of the electrode holder. An electrode for a plasma torch and a plasma torch head also comprise an electrode socket and an electrode holder, the electrode socket having an internal thread, and the electrode holder having an external thread and an O-ring in a groove in the cylindrical outer surface. The electrode holder is screwed together with the electrode socket via the external thread and the internal thread and sealed by means of the O-ring.
US08710396B2
A system for providing a dynamically controlled plasma cutting system. The plasma cutting system includes a proportional valve and a sensing device arrangement and a controller connected to this arrangement. The system is configured to dynamically control gas flow in a plasma torch. The system measures gas pressure at a proportional valve and makes necessary gas pressure adjustments in the system by way of controlling a drive signal sent to the proportional valve to control gas flow.
US08710385B2
A down-hole fire pressure switch is disclosed having improved operating characteristics including improved reliability and higher pressure resistance.
US08710383B2
A thin film switch is disclosed, which comprises: a first thin film, having a first conductor unit mounted on a surface thereof; and a second thin film, having a second conductor unit mounted on a surface thereof facing toward the first thin film; wherein, the first conductor unit is composed of a plurality of first electric conductors, and the second conductor is composed of at least one second electric conductor; and the first conductor unit and the second conductor unit are arranged at positions corresponding to each other while being spaced from each other by a specific interval; the at least one second electric conductor is enabled to engage with one of the plural first electric conductors for constructing an electrical conduction when the thin film switch is subjected to a load for forcing the first and the second thin films to move toward each other.
US08710377B2
An electric connection box has a circuit board, a conductive member (a first bus bar, a second bus bar, a first connection fitting, a second connection fitting, or a lead terminal) connected to the circuit board and extending in the direction away from the circuit board, a relay provided at the end of the conductive member which is located on the opposite side of the circuit board, and a case for receiving the circuit board and having an opening provided at a position corresponding to the relay. The relay is exposed at the opening to the outside of the case.
US08710375B2
The present invention provides a display device substrate that enables microfabrication of lines and is capable of reducing faulty connection and enhancing the reliability of display devices including the display device substrate, a method for producing the display device substrate, a display device, a method for forming a multilayer wiring structure, and a multilayer wiring board. The display substrate of the present invention includes an insulating substrate and includes at least one of a terminal area having a connection terminal to be connected to an external connection component and a peripheral circuit region having a peripheral circuit formed thereon, on the insulating substrate. The display device substrate includes an organic insulating film and an inorganic insulating film, and the inorganic insulating film is stacked directly on and above the organic insulating film such that an organic-inorganic film stacked body is formed.
US08710373B2
A bundled flexible circuit cable with water resistant structure is provided, in which a flexible substrate forms a cluster section having a lap section. In the lap section, a plurality of flat cable components that collectively form the cluster section is arranged to stack by substantially paralleling each other and corresponding up and down and is bonded and positioned by being applied with an adhesive material. The flat cable components are enclosed by a water resistant component at the lap section, whereby water, liquids, and contaminants are prevented from moving through gaps present in the bundled flexible substrate to get into the enclosure of an electronic device so as to realize protection against water, humidity, and dust. A tubular member or a wrapping member is further provided to fit over a section of the cluster section other than the lap section in order to facilitate extension through a holed mechanism device, such as a hinge, and to improve resistance against flexing and bending. The adhesive material can be a material containing conductive particles therein. Further, the substrate of the flexible circuit cable can be of such a design that a shielding layer is included and in electrical connection with a grounding line, whereby the shielding layer enclosing each of the lapped flat cable components in the water resistant structure is electrically connected to the water resistant component containing a conductive substance or the device enclosure to realize protection against electromagnetic interference.
US08710371B2
A bend resistant cable includes a stranded wire including a plurality of child stranded conductors each having a plurality of strands, the plurality of child stranded conductors being circumferentially disposed and stranded. A stranding direction of the plurality of strands of the child stranded conductors circumferentially adjacent to each other is different from each other.
US08710367B2
A gangable electrical box includes an adjustment assembly for adjusting the position and angle of an electrical device mounted in the box. The adjustment assembly includes independently adjustable leveling members coupled to opposite end walls of the box. A side member is slidably coupled to a side wall and extends between the end walls. The side wall engages the leveling members and is adjustable with the adjustment of the leveling members.
US08710363B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a dye-sensitized solar cell comprising a solid electrolyte and having excellent thermostability, which has the excellent feature of retaining liquid so as to prevent an electrolyte solution from being exuded even under high temperature or pressurized conditions, and a dye-sensitized solar cell module using the same. Such dye-sensitized solar cell comprises: an electrode base material 10; a porous semiconductor layer 20 formed on the electrode base material 10 having a porous surface carrying a sensitized dye; a counter electrode 40, which is disposed so as to face the porous semiconductor layer 20; and an electrolyte layer 30 comprising a redox pair and cationic cellulose or a derivative thereof, which is formed between the electrode base material 10 and the counter electrode 40.
US08710356B2
A photoelectric conversion module, for example, a dye-sensitized solar cell, for generating electrical energy from light is disclosed. In one aspect, the module includes a light-receiving substrate, a first functional layer formed on the light receiving substrate and a first bus electrode formed on at least two edge regions of the light receiving substrate. The photoelectric conversion module may have a counter substrate having a second functional layer formed thereon and a second bus electrode formed on at least two edges of the counter substrate an electrolyte layer disposed between the first functional layer and the second functional layer. A first connection line may be electrically connected to the second bus electrode and a second connection line may be electrically connected to the first bus electrode is disclosed. Further, the first bus electrode may be electrically connected to the first functional layer and the second functional layer may be electrically connected to the second bus electrode.
US08710353B2
Methods and systems for solar energy converter with increased photovoltaic and thermal conversion efficiencies including a collection optics for receiving and concentrating incident sunlight, or radiation from any other directed electromagnetic energy source, an optical filtering unit for separating and redirecting infrared light and ultraviolet light from incoming solar light, a thermal distribution unit redirecting heat from the optical filtering unit into a thermal-loop, and a photovoltaic for receiving the filtered light from the filtering system and converting the light into energy.
US08710346B2
A synthetic guitar includes a body, a neck extending from the body, and at least one touch sensor at the neck for indicating finger position of a user. The body has a receptacle for removably securing a tablet computer to the body. The tablet computer has a touch screen for indicating finger position of the user. A processor of the tablet computer is programmed to receive input signals from the touch sensor and the touch screen and to produce an output signal based at least partially on the input signals. The software can enable the synthetic guitar to be used as a music synthesizer or to be used as a video game controller. The synthetic guitar can also include a retainer for removably securing a portable media player to be used as an additional video display while playing the guitar.
US08710340B2
A string changing device is disclosed. The device comprises an elongated socket that surrounds the tuner button of the instrument. A lever extends from the socket and is attached to a handle. The handle and lever combine as a crank to tension the strings to approximate pitch. The handle has a worm-gear cutter embodied within it. The handle is attached to the lever with a rotatable hinge that enables the handle to function as a winder when aligned axially. It also prevents the cutter body from turning during the cutting operation when aligned off axis. The quick release assembly is mounted on the lever in the preferred embodiment and is removed during winding and cutting operations.
US08710332B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH089600. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH089600, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH089600 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH089600.
US08710322B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV778791. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV778791, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV778791 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV778791 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV778791.
US08710315B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH717591. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH717591, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH717591 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH717591.
US08710314B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH260114. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH260114, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH260114 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH260114.
US08710311B1
A potato cultivar designated F10 is disclosed. The invention relates to the tubers of potato cultivar F10, to the seeds of potato cultivar F10, to the plants of potato F10, to the plant parts of potato cultivar F10, to food products produced from potato cultivar F10, and to methods for producing a potato plant produced by crossing potato cultivar F10 with itself or with another potato variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a potato plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic potato plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to potato cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from potato variety F10, to methods for producing other potato cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from potato cultivar F10 and to the potato plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid potato tubers, seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing potato cultivar F10 with another potato cultivar.
US08710310B2
The present invention is in the field of soybean variety CL0911444 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean variety CL0911444 and its progeny, and methods of making CL0911444.
US08710307B2
The present invention is in the field of soybean variety CL1013663 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean variety CL1013663 and its progeny, and methods of making CL1013663.
US08710302B2
The invention provides seed and plants of the lettuce sister lines designated PX06514083, PX06514153, PX06514201 and PX06514204. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of these sister lines, and to methods for producing a lettuce plant produced by crossing a plant of sister line PX06514083, PX06514153, PX06514201 or PX06514204 with itself or with another lettuce plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such a sister line, including the gametes of such plants.
US08710301B2
The present invention relates to a method for producing male sterile plants. It involves selective killing of reproductive cells in plants by using an autophagy related gene plant BECLIN I/ATG6. An expression cassette comprising plant BECLIN I/ATG6, regulated by a tapetum specific promoter can induce killing of tapetum cells. A particular area of interest is transforming a plant with said genetic construct and expression of the plant BECLIN I/ATG6 gene in tapetum at early stage of anther development to cause early collapse of tapetum to produce nonviable pollen, thus imparting male sterility in plants.
US08710297B2
A glycosyltransferase promoter and a recombinant nucleic acid, plant cell and transgenic plant containing thereof are provided. The promoter includes a nucleotide sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1˜7, a fragment having at least 10 contiguous bases of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1˜7 or a combination thereof, or a nucleotide sequence having 90% or more identity to the nucleotide sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1˜7.
US08710293B2
The present invention relates to ultrathin fluid-absorbent cores comprising a substrate layer, multicomponent superabsorbent particles and an adhesive, wherein the wet SAP shake-out of superabsorbent particles out of the fluid-absorbent core is less than 10% by weight.
US08710289B2
A dressing for covering a wound of a patient comprises a sheet member adapted to be adhered to the patient's skin in use to provide an airtight seal around the wound, wherein the skin-adhesion is provided by a hydrogel layer 10 on the skin-facing face of the sheet member, wherein the sheet member defines in use a substantially enclosed space 5 above the wound, and wherein a plurality of mutually spaced-apart flutter valves formed by holes 5 in a thin film 13 overlying an upper face of a layer 12 of the sheet member permit one-way air, blood and/or other fluid flow communication from the space 5 above the wound to the exterior of the dressing.
US08710281B2
Disclosed are methods for producing polyols, ketones, carboxylic acids, aldehydes and alcohols from biomass-derived oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as sugars, sugar alcohols, saccharides and the like, using catalysts containing platinum, ruthenium and tin. The methods can be run at lower temperatures and pressures, and allows for the production of oxygenated compounds without the need for hydrogen from an external source. The oxygenated compounds produced are useful as industrial chemicals or chemical intermediates for liquid fuels production.
US08710280B2
Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid and recovery of unreacted acetic acid from a weak acid stream. The unreacted acetic acid may be recovered as a dry acetic acid composition and may be directly or indirectly fed to the hydrogenation reactor.
US08710268B2
An improved method for the synthesis of substituted formylamines and substituted amines via an accelerated Leuckart reaction. The Leuckart reaction is accelerated by reacting formamide or N-alkylformamide and formic acid with an aldehyde or a ketone at a preferred molar ratio that accelerates the reaction. The improved method is applicable to various substituted aldehydes and ketones, including substituted benzaldehydes. An accelerated method for the hydrolysis of substituted formylamines into substituted amines using acid or base and a solvent at an elevated temperature. The improved method is useful for the accelerated synthesis of agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals such as vanillylamine, amphetamine and its analogs, and formamide fungicides.
US08710257B2
A method for preparing highly fluorinated carboxylic acids and theirs salts and the precursors thereof.
US08710253B2
Solution-based precursors for use as starting materials in film deposition processes, such as atomic layer deposition, chemical vapor deposition and metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. The solution-based precursors allow for the use of otherwise solid precursors that would be unsuitable for vapor phase deposition processes because of their tendency to decompose and solidify during vaporization.
US08710247B2
A means for the extraction and crystallization of quassinoids such as quassin and neoquassin from natural sources containing these compounds, using compounds that are Generally Recognized As Safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is provided. In particular, a means for extraction that does not require use of lead acetate, chloroform, methanol, or diethyl ether is provided. The process includes a means of removing non-polar and very polar substances from an extracted residue to enhance crystallization of quassinoids from the residue.
US08710232B2
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) which are inhibitors of the activated thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor. The compounds of formula (I) are suited for producing medicaments for the prevention and treatment of diseases accompanied by thromboses, embolisms, hypercoagulability or fibrotic changes.
US08710231B2
There is provided a novel oxazolone derivative having inhibitory activity against casein kinase 1δ and casein kinase 1ε. In addition, the present inhibitor inhibits casein kinase 1δ and casein kinase 1ε, and thus there is also provided a pharmaceutical agent useful for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases, with the pathological conditions of which the activation mechanism of casein kinase 1δ or casein kinase 1ε is associated. There is further provided a pharmaceutical agent useful for the treatment of, particularly, circadian rhythm disorder (including sleep disorder), central neurodegenerative disease, and cancer. An inhibitor of casein kinase 1δ and casein kinase 1ε comprising, as an active ingredient, an oxazolone derivative represented by the following general formula (1), a salt thereof, a solvate thereof, or a hydrate thereof: wherein X represents a halogen atom which is fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.
US08710230B2
Compounds of formula I: wherein R4, R6 and R7 are defined herein, are useful as inhibitors of HIV replication.
US08710222B2
The present invention provides 2,4-disubstituted pyrimidine compounds useful as kinase inhibitors, pharmaceutically acceptable compositions thereof, and methods of using the same.
US08710221B2
A compound of formula (X): which can be used as an intermediate to make lapatinib or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt.
US08710218B2
An improved process for Efavirenz, which has several advantages over reported methods like low cost, high yield, better optical purity and industrial feasibility.
US08710217B2
A method is described for producing lactamates by reacting alcoholates with lactams, wherein a reaction mixture comprising at least one alcoholate and at least one lactam is subjected to thin film evaporation.
US08710208B2
The present teachings provide methods, compositions, and kits for quantifying target polynucleotides. In some embodiments, a reverse stem-loop ligation probe is ligated to the 3′ end of a target polynucleotide, using a ligase that can ligate the 3′ end of RNA to the 5′ end of DNA using a DNA template, such as T4 DNA ligase. Following digestion to form an elongated target polynucleotide with a liberated end, a reverse transcription reaction can be performed, followed by a PCR. In some embodiments, the methods of the present teachings can discriminate between polymorphic polynucleotides that vary by as little as one nucleotide.
US08710205B2
The present invention relates to a transcription factor found in filamentous fungi, especially in Aspergillii, DNA sequences coding for said factor, its transformation into and expression in fungal host organisms, and the use of said factor in such hosts for increasing the expression of a polypeptide of interest being produced by said host.
US08710196B2
A method for purifying a polypeptide by ion exchange chromatography is described in which a gradient wash is used to resolve a polypeptide of interest from one or more contaminants.
US08710195B2
A fluorescent protein (bFP) having chemiluminescence activity is a complex composed of the apoprotein of a calcium-binding photoprotein, coelenteramid or an analog thereof, and calcium ions or divalent or trivalent ions that can be substituted for the calcium ions. In the complex, the ratio of the number of molecules of the apoprotein to that of the coelenteramid is 1:1 and the ratio of the number of molecules of the apoprotein to that of the divalent or trivalent ions is 1:1 to 1:4. The fluorescent protein is used as a marker because it catalyzes luminescence of coelenterazine and has fluorescence capability. Removal of calcium ions etc. from this fluorescent protein (bFP) having luminescence activity provides a novel fluorescent protein (gFP). Mixing this gFP with the coelenterazine provides a calcium-binding photoprotein, which emit light instantaneously, enabling use as a marker.
US08710184B2
The present invention aims at providing motilin-like peptide compounds that maintain the gastrointestinal motility stimulating activity of native motilin and which are adapted to have higher absorbability upon transmucosal administration. Motilin derivatives were designed and synthesized in consideration of the pathway for the degradation of motilin at a site of its transmucosal absorption and the maintenance of motilin's physiological activity and compounds characterized by substitutions for the amino acid at position 21 of native motilin have been found to show higher absorbability upon transmucosal administration and yet maintain the same activity as motilin.
US08710181B2
Use of tris(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane for the stabilization of peptides, polypeptides and proteins
The present invention is directed to a method for reducing the onset or incidence of gelation/fibrillation/aggregation during the up- and down-stream processing and purification of peptides, polypeptides and proteins analogs and/or derivatives thereof, including Glucagon-Like Peptides (GLPs). More particularly, the present invention relates to methods of processing and purifying such peptides, polypeptides and proteins in the presence of tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane.
US08710179B2
Methods for concentrating microorganisms in a liquid sample or depleting microorganisms therefrom, utilizing polymeric compounds having affinity to microbial cells that are composed of a plurality of positively charged amino acid residues and two or more hydrophobic moieties are disclosed. Also disclosed are devices for concentrating and methods for detection and identification microorganisms in a liquid sample.
US08710170B2
A polymer made by reacting a polyisocyanate with a compound having the formula below. R1 is an organic group. R2 is an aliphatic group or oxyaliphatic group. R3 is an aliphatic group. The reaction forms urea groups from the isocyanate groups of the polyisocyanate and the NH groups of the compound.
US08710169B2
A method of treating a preceramic material includes modifying a moiety Si—O—R of a polycarbosilane material with at least one metal (M), where Si is silicon, O is oxygen and R includes an alkyl or aryl moiety, by reaction to substitute R with M to produce a preceramic polycarbosilane or polycarbosiloxane material that includes a moiety Si—O-M.
US08710167B2
The present invention provides transparent silicone hydrogels with high acrylamide monomer content and an excellent balance between moisture content.The silicone hydrogels may be obtained by polymerizing a monomer mix containing a plurality of monomers, wherein the monomer mix comprises about 30 to about 98% by weight of at least one type of silicone monomer which is, and about 1 to about 50% by weight of at least one type of non-silicone type (meth)acrylamide monomer containing two or more hydroxyl groups within a molecule; wherein the weight percents are based upon the total amount of monomer components and polymer components in the monomer mix.
US08710165B2
A multibranched polymer represented by the following formula (I), and a method for producing the multibranched polymer: where A represents an organic group having 3 or more branched chains, Xa represents a linking group containing any atom of Groups 14 to 16 in the Periodic Table, Y represents a functional group having a structure capable of having an active halogen atom, Q represents an arm moiety having a repeating unit derived from a polymerizable unsaturated bond, m1 represents any integer of 1 to the number of branched chains of A, m2 represents the number of branched chains of A, n1 represents an integer of 0 or 1 or more, and Ra represents an organic group that is not associated with the polymerization reaction.
US08710160B2
Process for the preparation of ethylene homopolymers or copolymers in the presence of free-radical polymerization initiator at from 100° C. to 350° C. and pressures in the range of from 160 MPa to 350 MPa in a high-pressure polymerization unit comprising a high-pressure reactor with one or more reaction zones, to each of which free-radical polymerization initiator is fed, which is controlled by a model based predictive controller carrying out the steps.
US08710155B2
Unsaturated organic compounds are brominated with a quaternary ammonium tribromide or a quaternary phosphonium tribromide, especially when the bromination is conducted in a chlorinated solvent. A quaternary ammonium or quaternary phosphonium monobromide salt is produced in the reaction, together with some amount of quaternary ammonium or quaternary phosphonium monochloride salt. The monochloride salt is converted to the corresponding quaternary ammonium monobromide salt by reacting it with a source of bromide ions. The monobromide salt is then reacted with bromine to regenerate the quaternary ammonium or phosphonium tribromide, which is recycled into the bromination reaction. This process reduces the amount of chlorine that is incorporated into the brominated product.
US08710154B2
The present invention discloses a non-aqueous solution process for making cross-linked polymers. The cross-linked polymers are characterized by a repeat unit that includes at least one amino group. Amino groups can be part of the polymer backbone (e.g., polyethyleneimine), pendant from the polymer backbone (e.g., polyallylamine), or both types of amino groups can exist within the same repeat unit and/or polymer. The present invention discloses more specifically non-aqueous solution cross-linking to prepare Sevelamer and its salts, Colesevelam and its salts.
US08710149B2
This invention pertains to a thermoplastic fluoropolymer composition comprising: at least one thermoplastic hydrogen-containing fluoropolymer [polymer (A)]; and from 0.1 to 10% by weight of (A) of at least one per(halo)fluoropolymer chosen among tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) copolymers having a dynamic viscosity at a shear rate of 1 rad sec−1 of less than 10 Pa sec at a temperature of 280° C. [polymer (B)]. The addition of a TFE copolymer [polymer (B)] of low melt viscosity advantageously enables improvement of rheological behavior of thermoplastic hydrogen-containing fluoropolymer (A), making possible processing in less severe conditions and yielding final parts with outstanding surface aspect and good homogeneity and coherency.Still objects of the invention are a process for manufacturing said thermoplastic fluoropolymer composition and the articles, such as shaped articles, films, cable sheathing, pipes, flexible pipes, hollow bodies comprising said thermoplastic fluoropolymer composition.
US08710147B2
Disclosed is a method for preparing a hydroxyl functionalized polymer from a Lewis acid promoted carbonyl-ene reaction comprising: selecting a vinylidene terminated polyolefin having a number average molecular weight from about 950 to about 5000 and having a terminal vinylidene content greater than 50 mole percent; selecting a carbonyl enophile; selecting a Lewis acid; and contacting the components in step a), b) and c) under reactive conditions to form the hydroxyl functionalized polymer.
US08710146B2
A method of preparing a dispersion of polymeric particles is disclosed. Monomers are emulsion polymerized in the presence of an ionic monomer to produce highly charged polymeric particles. At least 50% of the ionic monomer in the dispersion is bound to the polymeric particles.
US08710143B2
A composition for use in forming a multi-block copolymer, said copolymer containing therein two or more segments or blocks differing in chemical or physical properties, a polymerization process using the same, and the resulting polymers, wherein the composition comprises the admixture or reaction product resulting from combining: (A) a first metal complex olefin polymerization catalyst, (B) a second metal complex olefin polymerization catalyst capable of preparing polymers differing in chemical or physical properties from the polymer prepared by catalyst (A) under equivalent polymerization conditions, and (C) a chain shuttling agent.
US08710140B2
Process for manufacturing a self-sealing elastomer composition, wherein the process comprises the following steps: firstly a masterbatch comprising at least one diene elastomer and a thermoplastic plasticizing hydrocarbon resin with a content greater than 30 phr is manufactured by compounding these various components in a mixer at a temperature or up to a temperature called the “hot compounding temperature” which is above the softening point of the hydrocarbon resin; and then at least one crosslinking system is incorporated into the masterbatch thus prepared, by compounding everything, in the same mixer or in a different mixer, at a temperature or up to a maximum temperature which is kept below 100° C., in order to obtain said self-sealing composition, and wherein at least one liquid plasticizer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) below −20° C. is furthermore incorporated in an amount of less than 60 phr into said masterbatch or into said composition.
US08710139B2
An acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive composition contains 100 parts by mass of an acrylic polymer (A), 1 to 70 parts by mass of a (meth)acrylic polymer (B) having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 1000≦Mw<30000, and 1 to 50 parts by mass of a hydrogenated tackifying resin (C). The (meth)acrylic polymer (B) is a polymer having a weight average molecular weight smaller than that of the acrylic polymer (A) as a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition, and functions as a tackifying resin along with the hydrogenated tackifying resin (C).
US08710138B2
A crosslinked coating composition formed from polyurethane polyols and blocked or unblocked polyisocyanates. The polyisocyanates, in particular, comprise at least bis(isocyanatomethyl)cyclohexane. The coating is substantially free from ester functionality that forms a contiguous part of the network backbone. A clearcoat formed from the described components and having a majority of urethane bonds is very resistant to environmental etch damage.
US08710136B2
Carbon blacks, such as rubber blacks, having a low PAH concentration are described. Furthermore, elastomeric or rubber compositions containing the carbon black of the present invention are further described, as well as methods of making carbon black having a low PAH concentration.
US08710133B2
This invention provides a method for forming a stable aqueous composition including composite particles by admixing TiO2 particles and adsorbing emulsion polymer particles at or below the critical composite ratio to an equilibrated viscosity range of from 200 cps to 4000 cps. Also provided is a method for forming a stable aqueous composition including composite particles by admixing TiO2 particles and adsorbing emulsion polymer particles at a mixing intensity of greater than 2 hp/kgal. A method for providing a coating including composite particles is also included.
US08710128B2
Acetaldehyde production in a polyester may be reduced by using a formulation which comprises an acetaldehyde scavenger and a phosphorous additive. The two materials appear to act synergistically in reducing acetaldehyde production. Preferred formulations comprise anthranilamide and phosphorous acid and are used in combination with aluminium or titanium catalysed PET resins.
US08710121B2
The invention relates to biaxially oriented polyester films which contain 0.25-20% by weight (based on the weight of the film) of a hydrolysis stabilizer based on epoxidized fatty acid esters and/or epoxidized fatty acid glycerides, and a chain extender. Such films find use in outdoor applications, as a ribbon cable, as a backside laminate of solar modules and in electrical insulation applications.
US08710120B2
Crosslinkable compositions contain a calcium carbonate-rich filler coated with a carboxylic acid of the formula R4—(OCR32—C(═O)OH)y. The compositions exhibit low modulus, good adhesion to substrates, and low skin formation time.
US08710119B2
Mass productivity and production stability of a polyphenylene ether composition are improved without deteriorating physical properties by means of a production process of polyphenylene ether composition comprising pre-melt compounding 20 to 98.5% by mass of a polyphenylene ether powder (I), 1 to 60% by mass of an inorganic filler powder (II) and 0.5 to 20% by mass of a thermoplastic elastomer having functional group (III), followed by melt compounding; wherein melt compounding is conducted using a twin-screw extruder having a total length of barrels of 800 mm or more, and a pre-melt compounding zone occupies 45 to 80 % of upstream of the twin-screw extruder based on the total length 100% of the twin-screw extruder when a drive side and a molten compound discharging side of the twin-screw extruder are regarded as upstream and downstream, respectively.
US08710116B2
This invention pertains to an ink for inkjet printing, in particular to an aqueous ink comprising a self-dispersing pigment colorant and certain soluble polymers which enhance print quality without compromising jetting performance.
US08710107B2
A method and apparatus for synthesizing ethanol using synthetic routes via synthesis gas are disclosed. A method and apparatus for gasifying biomass, such as biomass, in a steam gasifier that employs a fluidized bed and heating using hot flue gases from the combustion of synthesis gas is described. Methods and apparatus for converting synthesis gas into ethanol are also disclosed, using stepwise catalytic reactions to convert the carbon monoxide and hydrogen into ethanol using catalysts including iridium acetate.
US08710106B2
A Sabatier process involving contacting carbon dioxide and hydrogen in a first reaction zone with a first catalyst bed at a temperature greater than a first designated temperature; feeding the effluent from the first reaction zone into a second reaction zone, and contacting the effluent with a second catalyst bed at a temperature equal to or less than a second designated temperature, so as to produce a product stream comprising water and methane. The first and second catalyst beds each individually comprise an ultra-short-channel-length metal substrate. An apparatus for controlling temperature in an exothermic reaction, such as the Sabatier reaction, is disclosed.
US08710102B2
Compositions and methods for treating disorders of the outer retina with β-adrenoceptor antagonists are disclosed.
US08710100B2
The present invention relates to compounds comprising the general formula (I), in which R1 and R2, which may be identical or different, are selected from the group comprising —H or a linear or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or together form an aromatic or aliphatic ring with 5 or 6 atoms; Y and Z, which may be identical or different, are selected from the group comprising —H, —OH, —COOH, —OR3, —CH(OR3)COOH, in which R3 is selected from H, phenyl, benzyl, —CF3 or —CF2CF3, vinyl, allyl and a linear or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms.
US08710095B2
Provided are pharmaceutical drugs for preventing or mitigating adverse actions associated with taxane antineoplastic drugs which are frequently and widely used in cancer chemotherapy, and pharmaceutical compositions which allow us to shorten the duration of treatment with taxane antineoplastic agents and/or to repeat the taxane treatment course more times, as well as drugs suitable for the therapeutic schedules.
US08710094B2
Quinoid thiophene organic photoelectric material, preparation method thereof and application thereof
Quinoid thiophene organic photoelectric material with formula (1), method for its preparation and application thereof are provided, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6, which are identical or different, represent H, C1˜C30 alkyl or alkoxy, m and n, which are identical or different, represent integers between 1 and 20. The quinoid thiophene organic photoelectric material with formula (1) has wide spectral response, good thermal stability and environmental stability.
US08710092B2
Provided herein are substituted indolo[4,3-fg]quinolines of Formula (I) and (II) where R1-R6 and R13 are as defined in the specification and pharmaceutical compositions thereof which are useful in treating, preventing, or ameliorating a variety of medical disorders such as, for example, migraine. In other embodiments, provided herein are methods of agonizing receptors such as, for example, the 5-HT1D and or 5-HT1B receptor using the compounds and compositions disclosed herein. In still other embodiments, provided herein are methods of antagonizing or inhibiting activity at receptors such as, for example, the 5-HT2B receptor using the compounds and compositions disclosed herein. In still other embodiments, provided herein are methods of regulating serotonin transport using the compounds and compositions disclosed herein.
US08710091B2
The present application relates to novel imidazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives of the general formula (I), where R1, R2, R3, R4, X, and Y are variables. Said materials have an antiproliferative activity. They are particularly useful for treating pathological conditions and diseases, such as cancer, that are linked to abnormal cell proliferation. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing said materials and to the use thereof for preparing a drug.
US08710071B2
The present technology relates to compounds of Formulas (V) and methods of making and using such compounds. Methods of use include prevention and treatment of hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hepatic steatosis, and metabolic syndrome. Compounds disclosed herein also lower total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides and increase hepatic LDL receptor expression, inhibit PCSK9 expression, and activate AMP-activated protein kinase.
US08710068B2
Disclosed herein are methods of treating cancer by administering to a patient a small molecule inhibitor of Survivin. Also disclosed herein are methods of inhibiting Survivin dimerization in a patient by administering a compound of formula (I), (II), (III), or (IV). Methods of inducing cell cycle arrest in cancer cells, comprising G2/M stage arrest, in a patient by administering a compound of formula (I), (II), (III), or (IV) are also disclosed. Further disclosed herein are methods of inducing apoptosis in cancer cells in a patient by administering a compound of formula (I), (II), (III), or (IV).
US08710053B2
A plant disease control composition comprising a carboxamide compound represented by following formula (I), wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and R2 represents a methyl group, a difluoromethyl group or a trifluoromethyl group, and one or more QoI compounds selected from group (A) consisting of dimoxystrobin, azoxystrobin, fluoxastrobin, pyraclostrobin, kresoxim-methyl, picoxystrobin, trifloxystrobin and N-methyl-alpha-methoxyimino-2-[(2,5-dimethylphenoxy)methyl]phenylacetamide is provided by the present invention, and this composition has excellent effect for controlling a plant disease.
US08710025B2
Modified and stabilized propeptides of Growth Differentiation Factor proteins, such as GDF-8 and Bone Morphogenetic Protein-11, are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for making and using the modified propeptides to prevent or treat human or animal disorders in which an increase in muscle tissue would be therapeutically beneficial. Such disorders include muscle or neuromuscular disorders (such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, muscle atrophy, congestive obstructive pulmonary disease, muscle wasting syndrome, sarcopenia, or cachexia), metabolic diseases or disorders (such as such as type 2 diabetes, noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia, or obesity), adipose tissue disorders (such as obesity), and bone degenerative diseases (such as osteoporosis).
US08710021B2
The present invention refers to agents for modulating the activity of proteins having a PWWP domain.
US08710018B2
Provided herein are methods and formulations for preventing or ameliorating progression to chronic heart failure subsequent to cardiac stress, including as a consequence of myocardial infarction (MI), coronary artery disease, hypertension, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, valvular regurgitation, severe lung disease, and/or severe anemia of chronic disease, by administration of one or more rate-limiting precursors to the synthesis of ATP. In one embodiment the ATP precursor is a pentose selected from one or more of ribose, D-ribose, ribulose, xylitol, xylulose, and a 5-carbon precursor of ribose.
US08710015B2
The invention relates to derivatives of tropoelastin and variants of those derivatives. The invention further provides expression products and hybrid molecules of the derivatives and variants of the invention. The invention further provides methods for the production of the derivatives, variants, expression products and hybrid molecules. Further provided are formulations, cross-linked structures and implants comprising the derivatives, variants, expression products and hybrid molecules of the invention. Further provided are uses of the derivatives, variants, expression products and hybrid molecules of the invention.
US08710014B2
The present invention provides compounds for disrupting the binding of a matrix metalloprotease (MMP) protein to a substrate protein at an interaction site other than the protease catalytic site. In particular the inventive compounds inhibit the MMP's ability to cleave a substrate protein. In some cases the compound may prevent activation of transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ). The compounds are preferably polypeptide fragments of the hemopexin-like domain of the MMP, but may be mimetics thereof or peptides or mimetics of the portion of the MMP substrate protein to which the MMP interacts.
US08710013B2
Pharmaceutical compositions useful for hydrophobic agents paclitaxel, paclitaxel analogs and conjugates thereof (e g ANG1005) which do not contain Cremophor™ The compositions further comprise an optional tonicity agent, a buffering agent a bulking agent and a solubilizing agent which is not Cremophor™ Methods of preparing said compositions and of said compositions in the treatment of cancer are also included.
US08710011B2
Peptides of general formula (I): R1-Wp-Xn-AA1-AA2-AA3-AA4-Ym-R2 their stereoisomers, mixtures thereof, and/or their cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, a method of preparation, cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use for the treatment, prevention and/or care of conditions, disorders and/or diseases of the skin, mucous membranes and/or scalp.
US08710006B2
The present invention relates to the use of a natriurectic peptide, such as urodilatin, for treating a patient suffering from heart failure, such as acute decompensated heart failure. Preferably, a composition comprising an effective amount of urodilatin is intravenously administered to the patient continuously through a time period of at least 24 hours and up to 120 hours, preferably at least 48 hours.
US08710005B2
A neuronal differentiation inducer provided by the present invention contains an artificially synthesized peptide which includes an amino acid sequence constituting a signal peptide in amyloid precursor protein (APP), or a partial sequence of the amino acid sequence constituting this signal peptide.
US08710004B2
Formulations of a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-specific fusion protein antagonist are provided including a pre-lyophilized formulation, a reconstituted lyophilized formulation, and a stable liquid formulation. Preferably, the fusion protein has the sequence of SEQ ID NO:4.
US08710002B2
Disclosed are compositions and methods for increasing diabetes resolution in a diabetic patient having undergone gastric restrictive surgery, entailing use of active agent that produces an incretin-like effect in the patient.
US08709992B2
Fabric softening compositions comprising front-end stability agents exhibiting desirable viscosity profiles even when they contain polymeric delivery enhancing agents. Compositions comprising softening actives based on hardened tallow fatty acids are pumpable, pourable liquids and provide “low dose” fabric softeners for consumer use.
US08709987B2
Provided is a lubricating oil composition comprising: (a) a major amount of an oil of lubricating viscosity; and (b) one or more borated alkaline earth metal alkyltoluene sulfonate detergents; wherein the lubricating oil composition comprises no more than about 0.20 wt. % of phosphorus and no more than about 0.50 wt. % of sulfur.
US08709985B2
There is disclosed a lubricant composition comprising a base oil comprising a reduced total amount of cyclobenzene as compared to another base oil. Methods of using the lubricant composition for preventing and/or reducing the deposit formation in an engine are also disclosed.
US08709983B2
A substantially liquid gellant formed as one or more reaction products of a metal carboxylate or metal carboxylate amine salt, one or more organic acids, an ester which drives the reaction so that the reaction products are asymmetrical in structure, and a rheology modifier which preferentially interacts between the reaction products for prevent solidifying of the gellant reaction products until such time as the gellant is mixed with the fracturing fluid containing an activator after which the reaction products preferentially interact with the activator to gel the fracturing fluid. The resulting gellant is capable of gelling a hydrocarbon base fluid in less than about 30 seconds.
US08709970B2
The invention relates to an adsorptive molded part preferably formed as a monolithic or single-piece part, wherein the molded part is constructed of a plurality of adsorptive structures based on agglomerates of adsorber particles, and to a method for producing said molded part and to the use thereof.
US08709964B2
The invention relates to a process for producing a surface-modified carbon-comprising support, which comprises the following steps: (a) mixing of the carbon-comprising support with at least one metal compound, a carbon- and/or nitrogen-comprising organic substance and optionally a dispersion medium, (b) optionally evaporation of the dispersion medium at a temperature in the range from 40 to 200° C., (c) heating of the mixture to a temperature in the range from 500° C. to 1200° C. to form metal carbides, metal nitrides, metal oxycarbides, metal oxynitrides, metal carboxynitrides and/or metal carbonitrides on the carbon-comprising support. The invention further relates to a use of the surface-modified carbon-comprising support.
US08709963B2
A molecular sieve including a basic skeleton of a molecular sieve and magnesium and phosphorus compounds as functional materials supported on the inner surface of the basic skeleton. A method of preparation of a modified molecular sieve including (1) dissolving a magnesium salt in water to obtain a magnesium salt solution; (2) dissolving phosphoric acid in water to obtain a phosphoric acid solution; (3) adding a molecular sieve to the magnesium salt solution, stirring, standing, drying for dehydration, and baking; and (4) adding a modified molecular sieve with supported magnesium compounds obtained from the step (3) to the phosphoric acid solution, stirring, standing, drying for dehydration, and baking to obtain a modified molecular sieve. The modified molecular sieve has high selectivity for ammonia nitrogen in wastewater.
US08709956B2
BEOL memory cells are described that include one or more sidewall protection layers on the memory device (including, for example, an MTJ element) deposited prior to interconnect via etching to prevent the formation of electrical shorts between layers. One embodiment uses a single layer sidewall protection sleeve that is deposited after the memory device has been patterned. The layer material is vertically etched down to expose the upper surface of the top electrode while leaving a residual layer of protective material surrounding the rest of the memory device. The material for the protection layer is selected to resist the etchant used to remove the first dielectric material from the via in the subsequent interconnect process. A second embodiment uses dual-layer sidewall protection in which the first layer covers the memory element is preferably an oxygen-free dielectric and the second layer protects the first layer during via etching.
US08709941B2
A method for forming an integrated circuit system includes providing an integrated circuit device; and forming an integrated contact over the integrated circuit device including: providing a via over the integrated circuit device; forming a selective metal in the via; forming at least one nanotube over the selective metal; and forming a cap over the nanotubes.
US08709939B2
A multilevel interconnect structure in a semiconductor device and methods for fabricating the same are described. The multilevel interconnect structure in the semiconductor device includes a first insulating layer formed on a semiconductor wafer, a Cu interconnect layer formed on the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer formed on the Cu interconnect layer, and a metal oxide layer formed at an interface between the Cu interconnect layer and the second insulating layer. The metal oxide layer is formed by immersion-plating a metal, such as Sn or Zn, on the Cu interconnect layer and then heat-treating the plated layer in an oxidizing atmosphere.
US08709933B2
A method for making an interconnection component is disclosed, including forming a plurality of metal posts extending away from a reference surface. Each post is formed having a pair of opposed end surface and an edge surface extending therebetween. A dielectric layer is formed contacting the edge surfaces and filling spaces between adjacent ones of the posts. The dielectric layer has first and second opposed surfaces adjacent the first and second end surfaces. The dielectric layer has a coefficient of thermal expansion of less than 8 ppm/° C. The interconnection component is completed such that it has no interconnects between the first and second end surfaces of the posts that extend in a lateral direction. First and second pluralities of wettable contacts are adjacent the first and second opposed surfaces. The wettable contacts are usable to bond the interconnection component to a microelectronic element or a circuit panel.
US08709932B2
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing a carrier having a contact pad; forming a first resist layer, having a first resist opening, over the carrier and the contact pad, the first resist opening partially exposing the first contact pad; forming a second resist layer, having a second resist opening over the first resist opening, the second resist opening partially exposing the first resist layer; mounting an integrated circuit over the carrier; and forming an internal interconnect between the integrated circuit and the carrier, the internal interconnect filling the second resist opening with no space between the second resist layer in the second resist opening.
US08709931B2
A fuse part in a semiconductor device has a plurality of fuse lines extended along a first direction with a given width along a second direction. The fuse part includes a first conductive pattern having a space part formed in a fuse line region over a substrate, wherein portions of the first conductive pattern are spaced apart by the space part along the first direction. The fuse part includes a first insulation pattern formed over the space part, the first insulation pattern having a width smaller than a width of the first conductive pattern along the second direction and a thickness greater than a thickness of the first conductive pattern, and a second conductive pattern formed over the first insulation pattern, the second conductive pattern having a width greater than the width of the first insulation pattern along the second direction.
US08709930B2
A semiconductor process is provided. The prior steps include: a first gate including a first cap layer and a second gate including a second cap layer are formed on a substrate. A hard mask layer is formed to cover the first gate and the second gate. The material of the hard mask layer is different from the material of the first cap layer and the second cap layer. The hard mask layer is removed entirely after a lithography process and an etching process are performed. The following steps include: a material is formed to entirely cover the first gate and the second gate. The material, the first gate and the second gate are etched back to make the first gate and the second gate have the same level and expose layers in both of them.
US08709928B2
An angled implantation process is used in implanting semiconductor fins of a semiconductor device and provides for covering some but not necessarily all of semiconductor fins of a first type with patterned photoresist, and implanting using an implant angle such that all semiconductor fins of a second type are implanted and none of the semiconductor fins of the first type, are implanted. A higher tilt or implant angle is achieved due to the reduced portions of patterned photoresist, that are used.
US08709922B2
A highly reliable semiconductor device which is formed using an oxide semiconductor and has stable electric characteristics is provided. A semiconductor device which includes an amorphous oxide semiconductor layer including a region containing oxygen in a proportion higher than that in the stoichiometric composition, and an aluminum oxide film provided over the amorphous oxide semiconductor layer is provided. The amorphous oxide semiconductor layer is formed as follows: oxygen implantation treatment is performed on a crystalline or amorphous oxide semiconductor layer which has been subjected to dehydration or dehydrogenation treatment, and then thermal treatment is performed on the oxide semiconductor layer provided with an aluminum oxide film at a temperature lower than or equal to 450° C.
US08709909B2
A method for manufacturing a substrate for a display device comprises forming a first pattern within an active region of the substrate and at the same time forming a first overlay pattern at corner regions of the active region; and forming a second pattern within the active region of the substrate and at the same time forming a second overlay pattern at corner regions of the active region, wherein the first overlay pattern includes gradations arranged in a predetermined direction, and the second overlay pattern includes gradations arranged in the predetermined direction to face the gradations of the first overlay pattern.
US08709905B2
An oven comprising a controller that operates the oven in a food cooking mode and in energy saving mode in which energy consumption of a heater and one or more fans is reduced. In the food cooking mode the controller maintains heated air flow at a first set temperature. In the energy saving mode the controller maintains the heated air flow at a second set temperature, which is less than the first set temperature, thereby reducing energy consumed by the heater. In the energy mode, controller also operates the fan that circulates the heater air and a cooling fan at reduced speeds, thereby reducing energy consumption of both fans.
US08709904B2
There is provided a method of producing a semiconductor wafer by thermally processing a base wafer having a portion to be thermally processed that is to be thermally processed. The method comprises a step of providing, on the base wafer, a portion to be heated that generates heat through absorption of an electromagnetic wave and selectively heats the portion to be thermally processed, a step of applying an electromagnetic wave to the base wafer, and a step of lowering the lattice defect density of the portion to be thermally processed, by means of the heat generated by the portion to be heated through the absorption of the electromagnetic wave.
US08709897B2
A method for forming a high performance strained source-drain structure includes forming a gate structure on a substrate and forming a pocket implant region proximate to the gate structure. Spacers are formed adjacent to the gate structure. A dry etch forms a recess with a first contour; a wet etch enlarge the recess to a second contour; and a thermal etch enlarges the recess to a third contour. The source-drain structure is then formed in the recess having the third contour.
US08709896B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including a well having a first conductivity type defined by a device isolation region, a gate insulating film formed on the semiconductor substrate, a gate electrode formed on the gate insulating film and including a first side surface and a second side surface facing the first side surface, and a first side wall insulating film formed on the first side surface and a second side wall insulating film formed on the second side surface.
US08709895B2
The present invention provides a termination structure of a power semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof. The power semiconductor device has an active region and a termination region. The termination region surrounds the active region, and the termination structure is disposed in the termination region. The termination structure includes a semiconductor substrate, an insulating layer and a metal layer. The semiconductor substrate has a trench disposed in the termination region. The insulating layer is partially filled into the trench and covers the semiconductor substrate, and a top surface of the insulating layer has a hole. The metal layer is disposed on the insulating layer, and is filled into the hole.
US08709890B2
An ETSOI transistor and a combination of capacitors, junction diodes, bank end contacts and resistors are respectively formed in a transistor and capacitor region thereof by etching through an ETSOI and BOX layers in a replacement gate HK/MG flow. The capacitor and other devices formation are compatible with an ETSOI replacement gate CMOS flow. A low resistance capacitor electrode makes it possible to obtain a high quality capacitor, and devices. The lack of topography during dummy gate patterning are achieved by lithography in combination accompanied with appropriate etch.
US08709888B2
A method of forming a hybrid semiconductor structure on an SOI substrate. The method includes an integrated process flow to form a nanowire mesh device and a PDSOI device on the same SOI substrate. Also included is a semiconductor structure which includes the nanowire mesh device and the PDSOI device on the same SOI substrate.
US08709886B2
An HEMT includes, on an SiC substrate, a compound semiconductor layer, a silicon nitride (SiN) protective film having an opening and covering the compound semiconductor layer, and a gate electrode formed on the compound semiconductor layer so as to plug the opening. In the protective film, a projecting portion projecting from a side surface of the opening is formed at a lower layer portion 6a.
US08709871B2
A stacked type semiconductor memory device of having a structure in which a plurality of semiconductor chips is stacked and a desired semiconductor chip can be selected by assigning a plurality of chip identification numbers different from each other are individually assigned to the plurality of semiconductor chips comprising: a plurality of operation circuits which is connected in cascade in a stacking order of the plurality of semiconductor chips and outputs the plurality of identification numbers different from each other by performing a predetermined operation; and a plurality of comparison circuits which detects whether or not each the identification number and a chip selection address commonly connected to each the semiconductor chip are equal to each other by comparing them.
US08709869B2
A method of manufacturing a plurality of electronic devices is provided. Each one of a plurality of first conductive terminals on a plurality of integrated circuits formed on a device wafer is connected to a respective one of a plurality of second conductive terminals on a carrier wafer, thereby forming a combination wafer assembly. The combination wafer assembly is singulated between the integrated circuits to form separate electronic assemblies. The combination wafer assembly also allows for an underfill material to be introduced and to cured at wafer level and for thinning of the device wafer at wafer level without requiring a separate supporting substrate. Alignment between the device wafer and the carrier wafer can be tested by conducting a current through first and second conductors in the device and carrier wafers, respectively.
US08709866B2
Some embodiments include methods of assembling integrated circuit packages in which at least two different conductive layers are formed over a bond pad region of a semiconductor die, and in which a conductive projection associated with an interposer is bonded through a gold ball to an outermost of the at least two conductive layers. The conductive layers may comprise one or more of silver, gold, copper, chromium, nickel, palladium, platinum, tantalum, titanium, vanadium and tungsten. In some embodiments, the bond pad region may comprise aluminum, an inner of the conductive layers may comprise nickel, an outer of the conductive layers may comprise gold, the conductive projection associated with the interposer may comprise gold; and the thermosonic bonding may comprise gold-to-gold bonding of the interposer projection to a gold ball, and gold-to-gold bonding of the outer conductive layer to the gold ball. Some embodiments include integrated circuit packages.
US08709859B2
A method of fabricating a solar cell on a conveyer belt is provided. The method includes the following steps. A first surface of an aluminum foil is coated with a layer of phosphorous mixed with a plurality of graphite powders and put on the conveyer belt. A first thermal treatment is performed to activate a portion of the aluminum foil and the phosphorous layer on the first surface to form an aluminum phosphide (AlP) layer. A molten silicon material is spray-coated on a second surface of the remaining aluminum foil, and a second thermal treatment is performed to make the silicon material transferring into a p-type polySi layer on the n-type AlP layer. A solar cell including the n-type AlP layer and the p-type polySi layer is formed, and the solar cell is respectively annealed and cooled down in a first and a second vertical stack.
US08709855B2
A conductive light shield is formed over a first dielectric layer of a via level in a metal interconnect structure. The conductive light shield is covers a floating drain of an image sensor pixel cell. A second dielectric layer is formed over the conductive light shield and at least one via extending from a top surface of the second dielectric layer to a bottom surface of the first dielectric layer is formed in the metal interconnect structure. The conductive light shield may be formed within a contact level between a top surface of a semiconductor substrate and a first metal line level, or may be formed in any metal interconnect via level between two metal line levels. The inventive image sensor pixel cell is less prone to noise due to the blockage of light over the floating drain by the conductive light shield.
US08709854B2
BSI image sensors and methods. In an embodiment, a substrate is provided having a sensor array and a periphery region and having a front side and a back side surface; a bottom anti-reflective coating (BARC) is formed over the back side to a first thickness, over the sensor array region and the periphery region; forming a first dielectric layer over the BARC; a metal shield is formed; selectively removing the metal shield from over the sensor array region; selectively removing the first dielectric layer from over the sensor array region, wherein a portion of the first thickness of the BARC is also removed and a remainder of the first thickness of the BARC remains during the process of selectively removing the first dielectric layer; forming a second dielectric layer over the remainder of the BARC and over the metal shield; and forming a passivation layer over the second dielectric layer.
US08709853B2
The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a crystalline silicon solar cell, comprising: —providing a crystalline silicon substrate having a front side and a back side; —forming a thin silicon oxide film on at least one of the front and the back side by soaking the crystalline silicon substrate in a chemical solution; —forming a dielectric coating film on the thin silicon oxide film on at least one of the front and the back side. The thin silicon oxide film may be formed with a thickness of 0.5-10 nm. By forming a oxide layer using a chemical solution, it is possible to form a thin oxide film for surface passivation wherein the relatively low temperature avoids deterioration of the semiconductor layers.
US08709851B2
Methods of fabricating solar cells with tunnel dielectric layers are described. Solar cells with tunnel dielectric layers are also described.
US08709849B2
A method of wafer level packaging includes providing a substrate including a buried oxide layer and a top oxide layer, and etching the substrate to form openings above the buried oxide layer and a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) resonator element between the openings, the MEMS resonator element enclosed within the buried oxide layer, the top oxide layer, and sidewall oxide layers. The method further includes filling the openings with polysilicon to form polysilicon electrodes adjacent the MEMS resonator element, removing the top oxide layer and the sidewall oxide layers adjacent the MEMS resonator element, bonding the polysilicon electrodes to one of a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) wafer or a carrier wafer, removing the buried oxide layer adjacent the MEMS resonator element, and bonding the substrate to a capping wafer to seal the MEMS resonator element between the capping wafer and one of the CMOS wafer or the carrier wafer.
US08709846B2
Solid state lighting devices and associated methods of manufacturing are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a solid state light device includes a light emitting diode with an N-type gallium nitride (GaN) material, a P-type GaN material spaced apart from the N-type GaN material, and an indium gallium nitride (InGaN) material directly between the N-type GaN material and the P-type GaN material. At least one of the N-type GaN, InGaN, and P-type GaN materials has a non-planar surface.
US08709834B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a wafer, forming a memory device which includes phase change material layer on the wafer, completing a wafer level process of manufacturing the semiconductor device, and performing a thermal treatment process on the wafer to densify the phase change material. To this end, the process temperature of the thermal treatment is higher than the crystallization temperature of the phase change material and lower than the melting point of the phase change material.
US08709833B2
A plurality of diode/resistor devices are formed within an integrated circuit structure using manufacturing equipment operatively connected to a computerized machine. Each of the diode/resistor devices comprises a diode device and a resistor device integrated into a single structure. The resistance of each of the diode/resistor devices is measured during testing of the integrated circuit structure using testing equipment operatively connected to the computerized machine. The current through each of the diode/resistor devices is also measured during testing of the integrated circuit structure using the testing equipment. Then, response curves for the resistance and the current are computed as a function of variations of characteristics of transistor devices within the integrated circuit structure and/or variations of manufacturing processes of the transistor devices within the integrated circuit structure.
US08709823B2
A method for performing time resolved homogeneous assays using a long-lifetime luminescent dye as a donor. A reaction well containing a sample portion, donor reagent, and acceptor reagent and a matrix well containing a sample portion and donor reagent are excited and the resulting emission from each is measured at a single wavelength associated with the acceptor. The measurement obtained from the matrix well is used to provide a correction for the measurement obtained from the reaction well. The sample may be a biological fluid such as an oral fluid.
US08709813B2
The invention is related to intracellularly induced bacterial DNA promoters and vaccines against Bacillus anthracis.
US08709812B2
It is intended to provide a drug to be used in gene therapy which specifically targets abnormal cells such as tumor cells and destroys the same for healing. Namely, a drug comprising, as the active ingredient, a proliferative vector which contains a Survivin promoter proliferating depending on the expression of Survivin. The drug may be used in order to treat tumor. In this drug, use may be made of an adenovirus as the vector. In the adenovirus of this drug, an endogenous promoter of an E1A domain may be substituted with a Survivin promoter.
US08709808B2
Disclosed herein are bioreactors including a first sheet and a second sheet, wherein the second sheet is disposed adjacent to the first sheet, and the first and second sheets are sealed along a first longitudinal edge, a second longitudinal edge, a first horizontal edge, a second horizontal edge, and at least one intermediate horizontal seal, thereby forming at least two chambers for holding fluid in series along a vertical axis, wherein each of the two or more chambers is oriented at an angle relative to the vertical axis, and at least one of the chambers is oriented at an angle greater than 0°, and wherein there is at least one opening in each of the first horizontal edge, the second horizontal edge, and intermediate horizontal seal(s); Also disclosed are methods of culturing cells including circulating a suspension of cells in a disclosed bioreactor.
US08709800B2
A method of obtaining a mixture of cells enriched in hepatic progenitors is developed which comprises methods yielding suspensions of a mixture of cell types, and selecting those cells that are classical MHC class I antigen(s) negative and ICAM-1 antigen positive. The weak or dull expression of nonclassical MHC class I antigen(s) can be used for further enrichment of hepatic progenitors. Furthermore, the progenitors can be selected to have a level of side scatter, a measure of granularity or cytoplasmic droplets, that is higher than that in non-parenchymal cells, such as hemopoietic cells, and lower than that in mature parenchymal cells, such as hepatocytes. Furthermore, the progeny of the isolated progenitors can express alpha-fetoprotein and/or albumin and/or CK19. The hepatic progenitors, so isolated, can grow clonally, that is an entire population of progeny can be derived from one cell. The clones of progenitors have a growth pattern in culture of piled-up aggregates or clusters. These methods of isolating the hepatic progenitors are applicable to any vertebrates including human. The hepatic progenitor cell population is expected to be useful for cell therapies, for bioartificial livers, for gene therapies, for vaccine development, and for myriad toxicological, pharmacological, and pharmaceutical programs and investigations.
US08709799B2
The present invention relates to the design of gene transfer vectors and especially provides lentiviral gene transfer vectors suitable for either a unique administration or for iterative administration in a host, and to their medicinal application (such as vaccination against Immunodeficiency Virus, especially suitable in human hosts). Gene transfer vectors can be either integrative or non-integrative vectors. The invention encompasses prophylactic, therapeutic, symptomatic, and curative treatments of animals, including humans, as well as gene therapy and vaccination in vivo.
US08709796B2
The invention concerns a device for preparing a body fluid for a bacteriological analysis thereof comprising a container provided with a chamber (4) wherein a piston (5) is mobile between an opening position and a closing position, the chamber (4) including a separation zone (7) and means for introducing (15, 16) a fluid into said chamber and the piston (5) including a closure means (8) co-operating with the separation zone (7) so as to define an upper volume (9) and a lower volume (10) on either side of said zone, the upper volume (9) and the lower volume (10) mutually communicating when the piston (5) is in opening position and being tightly isolated from each other when the piston (5) is in closing position. The invention also concerns a preparation method using such a device (1).
US08709791B2
A biosensor combining the sensitivity of surface acoustic waves (SAW) generated at a frequency of 325 MHz with the specificity provided by antibodies and other ligands for the detection of viral agents. In a preferred embodiment, a lithium tantalate based SAW transducer with silicon dioxide waveguide sensor platform featuring three test and one reference delay lines was used to adsorb antibodies directed against Coxsackie virus B4 or the negative-stranded category A bioagent Sin Nombre virus (SNV). Rapid detection of increasing concentrations of viral particles was linear over a range of order of magnitude for both viruses, and the sensor's selectivity for its target was not compromised by the presence of confounding Herpes Simplex virus type 1 The biosensor was able to delect SNV at doses lower than the load of virus typically found in a human patient suffering from hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS).
US08709790B2
A valved microfluidics device, microfluidics cell-culture device and system incorporating the devices are disclosed. The valved microfluidics device includes a substrate, a microchannel through which liquid can be moved from one station to another within the device, and a pneumatic microvalve adapted to be switched between open and closed states to control the flow of fluid through a microchannel. The microvalve is formed of three flexible membranes, one of which is responsive to pneumatic pressure applied to the valve and the other two of which deform to produce a more sealable channel cross-section. The cell culture device provides valving to allow controlled loading of cells into the individual well of the device, and exchange of cell-culture components in the wells.
US08709788B2
Characteristics of a chemical or biological sample are detected using an approach involving light detection. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, an assaying arrangement including a light detector is adapted to detect light from a sample, such as a biological material. A signal corresponding to the detected light is used to characterize the sample, for example, by detecting a light-related property thereof. In one implementation, the assaying arrangement includes integrated circuitry having a light detector and a programmable processor, with the light detector generating a signal corresponding to the light and sending the signal to the processor. The processor provides an output corresponding to the signal and indicative of a characteristic of the sample.
US08709786B2
The process for isolating live cells on a filter or extracting their genetic material. The process comprises the steps of attaching, at least temporarily, a filter to a lower opening of a compartment having, in addition, an air inlet; inserting into the compartment a liquid carrying the cells; and attaching, in an impermeable manner, a needle, at least temporarily, to the compartment opening, the filter being positioned between the needle and the interior volume of the compartment. The process further comprises the steps of perforation, with the needle, of a plug of a vacuum tube with negative pressure relative to ambient pressure; and aspiration, by means of negative pressure from the vacuum tube, of the liquid through the filter, the filter retaining the cells.
US08709785B2
The invention features methods for producing isoprene from cultured cells. The invention also provides compositions that include these cultured cells.
US08709784B2
A method for liver protection of a mammal is provided and includes administering an effective amount of isolated Lactobacillus plantarum CMU995 thereto. Providing a new use of Lactobacillus plantarum CMU995, which is deposited at the Food Industry Research and Development Institute (FIRDI) in Taiwan under accession number BCRC 910472 and in the German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures (DSMZ) under accession number DSM 23780.
US08709781B2
A system and method for heterologous expression of polyketide biosynthetic pathways from streptomycetes hosts in Escherichia coli for the production and discovery of secondary metabolites. Genomic DNA from Streptomyces rimosus encoding the oxytetracycline biosynthetic pathway is inserted into the genome of the surrogate host Myxococcus xanthus. The M. xanthus transcriptional machinery recognizes and uses the streptomycetes promoter regions to express the biosynthetic enzymes. Co-expression in E. coli of S. rimosus oxytetracycline biosynthesis enzymes and M. xanthus σ54, a key piece of the M. xanthus transcriptional machinery, enables E. coli to recognize and use the promoters from the S. rimosus oxytetracycline biosynthetic pathway, facilitating production of oxytetracycline.
US08709777B2
The present invention relates to variants of a parent xyloglucanase. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variant xyloglucanases and to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotide.
US08709773B2
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having organophosphorous hydrolase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.
US08709771B2
Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.
US08709769B2
The invention provides a process for producing alcohol from a cellulosic material, said process comprising the steps of: (i) hydrolyzing said cellulosic material with an aqueous acid to produce a hydrolysate; (ii) extracting acid and water from said hydrolysate with a water-miscible organic extraction solvent to yield (a) a first aqueous acidic solution containing said extraction solvent and (b) a residue containing sugars, —(iii) subjecting said residue to an oligosaccharide cleavage reaction to yield an aqueous solution of fermentable sugars; (iv) fermenting said fermentable sugars and distilling alcohol from the resulting fermented mixture; (v) evaporating said extraction solvent from said first solution to yield (a) a second aqueous acid solution containing no more than 10% wt., preferably no more than 5% wt., of said extraction solvent and (b) gaseous extraction solvent; (vi) condensing said gaseous extraction solvent for recycling; and, optionally, (vii) concentrating said second aqueous acid solution for recycling; wherein said extraction solvent is liquid at the temperature and pressure of step (ii), has a boiling point of from 25 to 60° C. at a pressure in the range 1 to 8 bar, and is such that water-soluble oligosaccharides are precipitated from solution by its addition in step (ii).
US08709765B2
Exemplary methods for increasing TAG production in an algal cell during imbalanced growth conditions are provided. Some methods comprise knocking out an AOX gene, wherein the AOX gene produces an amino acid sequence having substantial similarity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ. ID. NO. 2. In further methods, the algal cell may be of genus Nannochloropsis. The AOX gene may be replaced by a construct having a nucleotide sequence having substantial similarity to SEQ ID. NOS. 3 through 5 (inclusive), wherein each of the sequences are next to or in close proximity to one another in a linear fashion. In some methods, the AOX gene may be replaced via homologous recombination. As a result, lipid production by the selected recombinant algal cell may be increased over that produced by a wild-type algal cell.
