US08818133B2

A method for processing stereo rectified images, each stereo rectified image being associated with a camera position, the method including selecting a first pair of stereo rectified images; determining a first point cloud of features from the pair of stereo rectified images; determining the locations of the features of the first point cloud with respect to a reference feature in the first point cloud; selecting a second pair of stereo rectified images so that one stereo rectified image of the second pair is common to the first pair, and scaling a second point cloud of features associated with the second pair of stereo rectified images to the first point cloud of features.
US08818120B2

The invention relates to a method for generating image information of an image of an image sequence using the image information of a first image. The object of providing a method for generating image information of an image of an image sequence so that a stroboscopic effect is avoided even in the case of varyingly fast movements of the image information and so that a clear display is still possible in the case of low speeds of the image information, is achieved in that the number of intermediate images is determined as a function of the value of the first movement measure and a weighting factor is calculated for each intermediate image.
US08818118B2

An image encoding device includes a first compression unit, a second compression unit, a third compression unit and an output unit. The first compression unit generates first compressed data by compressing first data associated with a reference block in an input image. The second compression unit generates second compressed data by compressing second data associated with a current compressing block in the input image when the current compressing block corresponds to a first pattern. The current compressing block is included in the reference block. The third compression unit generates third compressed data by compressing the second data when the current compressing block corresponds to one of a plurality of second patterns. The output unit outputs compressed data based on the first compressed data, the second compressed data and the third compressed data.
US08818113B2

Disclosed is a method of determining one or more event subsets within a plurality of images. Each image is associated with time and location data specifying the time and location of capture of the image. The method determines a time variable for each adjacent pair of images in a capture time ordered list of the plurality of images. A distance variable for each adjacent pair of images in the ordered list of images is then determined. The method determines speed data of the image capture device at the time and location of capture of each image. The ordered list of images is then partitioned into one or more event subsets on the basis of a cost function, the cost function being determined in accordance with a normalization of the time variable and distance variable, wherein the time variable and the distance variable are weighted relative to the speed data.
US08818111B2

Provided are an age estimation apparatus, an age estimation method, and an age estimation program capable of reducing the labor of labeling the image data used for age estimation. An age estimation apparatus for estimating an age of a person on image data includes a dimension compression unit for applying dimension compression to the image data to output low dimensional data; a clustering unit for performing clustering of the low dimensional data outputted; a labeling unit for labeling representative data of each cluster among the low dimensional data clustered; and an identification unit for estimating an age of a person on the basis of a learning result using a feature amount contained in labeled low dimensional data and unlabeled low dimensional data.
US08818104B2

An image processing apparatus includes a storing unit that stores dictionary data including information on a feature area that indicates an area where a feature of a subject appears; and a subject determination unit that compares, when an input image is acquired, the feature area of the dictionary data with an area of the input image corresponding to the feature area of the dictionary data, to determine whether the input image includes the subject.
US08818098B2

A method is provided for recognizing characters of an image captured using a camera in a mobile terminal. The camera captures an image of a signboard. A text area is extracted from the captured image. Characters are recognized from the extracted text area. At least one text is generated by combining the recognized characters. The at least one text is compared with at least one store name within a predetermined range. A comparison result is output.
US08818097B2

A portable electronic equipment comprises an image sensor configured to capture a series of frames in a time-sequential manner and a processing device coupled to the image sensor and configured to process the series of frames. The processing device is configured to perform an image segmentation for respectively each frame of at least a subset of the series, to respectively identify a section of the frame representing a given object. The image segmentation is respectively performed based on a depth map for the respective frame. The identified sections are superimposed to generate a sequence image.
US08818094B2

An image processing apparatus includes a histogram extension processing unit for performing a first tone conversion processing on an input image using a first tone conversion characteristic so that a variance of a histogram of an image after the first tone conversion processing is larger than that of a histogram of the input image before the first tone conversion processing; and a posterization processing unit for performing a second tone conversion processing on the image processed in the histogram extension processing unit using a second tone conversion characteristic in which a relation of an output value to an input value is defined by a step function, thereby generating a posterized image whose tone number is reduced as compared with the image before the second tone conversion processing.
US08818092B1

Methods, systems and computer-readable storage mediums encoded with computer programs executed by one or more processors for rendering text within an image are disclosed. A block of text is segmented into a plurality of text segments, wherein each text segment comprises a sequence of characters. On each of a plurality of threads running in parallel, a text bitmap is generated for a respective text segment from the plurality of text segments, the text bitmap illustrating the sequence of characters for the respective text segment. Each of the text bitmaps are composited with an image bitmap of a source image, wherein the composited image bitmap comprises a rendering of the block of text onto the source image.
US08818089B2

A device and method of removing chromatic aberration which occurs in an image generated by capturing a target subject. The chromatic aberration removing device includes a chromatic aberration region detecting unit which detects a chromatic aberration occurrence region in an input image, a coefficient calculating unit which calculates a minimizing pixel value which minimizes a difference between sizes, numbers of pixels or intensities of edges of red, green, and blue (RGB) channels of the chromatic aberration occurrence region, a chroma signal processing unit which removes chromatic aberration in the chromatic aberration occurrence region, and a purple fringing removing unit which removes purple fringing.
US08818086B2

The method for improving the visual perception of a digital image may comprise dividing the digital image into repetitive areas, and modifying the tone curve and/or the histogram of each area to improve the visual perception of the corresponding area. Lastly, the joins between adjacent areas may be smoothed.
US08818077B2

The present invention relates to a stereo image matching apparatus and method. The stereo matching apparatus includes a window image extraction unit for extracting window images, each having a predetermined size around a selected pixel, for individual pixels of images that constitute stereo images. A local support-area determination unit extracts a similarity mask having similarities equal to or greater than a threshold and a local support-area mask having neighbor connections to a center pixel of the similarity mask, from each of similarity images generated depending on differences in similarity between pixels of the window images. A similarity extraction unit calculates a local support-area similarity from a sum of similarities of a local support-area. A disparity selection unit selects a pair of window images for which the local support-area similarity is maximized, from among the window images, and then determines a disparity for the stereo images.
US08818070B2

A method of predicting hepatotoxicity of a compound. The method includes imaging cells of hepatic origin positioned within a plurality of containers to obtain imaged cellular targets, each container being treated with a different concentration of the compound, the imaging being performed using a quantitative high-content cell imaging system; quantitatively measuring the imaged cellular targets to detect changes in multiple cellular targets associated with cytotoxicity of the compound; and analyzing measurements obtained from the measured imaged cellular targets over a range of compound concentrations to determine the hepatotoxicity of the compound.
US08818069B2

A method is provided for scaling an image taken at a given exposure time to a selected exposure time. The method generally comprises: determining a dark pixel intensity of an imaging device; acquiring a first image at a given exposure time; and adjusting a pixel intensity of one or more pixels in the first image, based at least in part on the dark pixel intensity, for a second exposure time that is different from the given exposure time.
US08818068B2

An imaging apparatus includes a control unit and a detector that includes multiple pixels and that performs an image capturing operation to output image data corresponding to emitted radiation or light. The image capturing operation includes a first image capturing operation in which the detector is scanned in a first scanning area corresponding to part of the multiple pixels to output image data in the first scanning area and a second image capturing operation in which the detector is scanned in a second scanning area larger than the first scanning area to output image data in the second scanning area. The control unit causes the detector to perform an initialization operation to initialize the conversion element during a period between the first image capturing operation and the second image capturing operation in accordance with switching from the first scanning area to the second scanning area.
US08818064B2

One or more systems, methods, or computer program products can include receiving an echo data set including information representative of an echo sensed by a transducer, provided at least in part by one or more actual targets included in a region of interest. The region of interest can be modeled, including selecting or generating an array manifold matrix including information corresponding to any one or more candidate targets. The weights of the candidate targets can be determined using the array manifold matrix and the echo data set, including minimizing an argument of a function modeling the weights of the candidate targets. In an example, the echo data set can be dithered, such as by adding a specified dithering signal.
US08818061B2

The present invention relates to a method for characterizing a blood vessel represented by vascular image data, wherein said vascular image data comprises a plurality of voxels each having an image intensity, said method comprising the steps of identifying a set of voxels representing a boundary of the blood vessel; determining a gradient vector of the image intensity for each voxel in said set of voxels representing the boundary of the blood vessel; selecting, from said set of voxels representing the boundary of the blood vessel, a subset of voxels such that all voxels have a common intersection point for their respective gradient vector extensions; and determining a vector product based on said gradient vectors for said subset of voxels, wherein the common intersection point indicates a center of said blood vessel and said vector product indicates a direction in which said blood vessel extends.
US08818055B2

Face regions are detected from a captured image, and a weight of each detected face region is computed based on a size and/or a position of the detected face region. Then a previous priority ranking weight is computed based on a priority ranking determined in previous processing. A priority of the face region is computed from the weight and the previous priority ranking weight. For example, if the continuous processing number exceeds the threshold the priority ranking weight is reduced. After the processing is completed for all face regions, a priority ranking of each face region is determined based on the priority computed for each face region.
US08818048B2

A method of generating a biometric feature descriptor has been developed that includes acquiring an image of an anatomical feature having a biometric feature, isolating a region of the image having the biometric feature, extracting image data from the image of the region to identify a plurality of features for the biometric feature, transforming the extracted image data for each identified feature into a plurality of feature descriptors, mapping the feature descriptors for the plurality of features into a first arrangement of feature descriptors, generating a second arrangement of feature descriptors with a non-invertible transform of the first arrangement of feature descriptors, and storing the second arrangement of feature descriptors into an electronic database.
US08818046B2

An image processing device, includes: a first motion vector calculation unit calculating a motion vector of a target block regarding the target block made with a plurality of pixels set up in a target image by detecting a block position maximally correlated with the target block in a search range set up in a reference image; a second motion vector calculation unit calculating a motion vector between the target image and the reference image from the motion vector for each of a plurality of target blocks set up in the target image; and a predictive motion vector setup unit setting up a predictive motion vector using a motion vector calculated between images in further past than the target image. The first motion vector calculation unit sets up the search range on the reference image based on a position of the target block and the predictive motion vector.
US08818041B2

A method of controlling a function of a device, includes obtaining a sequence (19;34;48) of digital images taken at consecutive points in time. At least one measurement zone (25) including a plurality of image points is selected. For at least one measurement zone (25), a signal (30;41;55) representative of at least variations in a time-varying value of a combination of pixel values at at least a number of the image points is obtained and at least one characteristic of the signal (30;41;55) within at least a range of interest of its spectrum relative to comparison data is determined. The determination comprises at least one of: (i) determining whether the signal (30;41;55) has a spectrum with a local maximum at a frequency matching a comparison frequency to a certain accuracy; and (ii) determining whether at least a certain frequency component of the signal (30;41;55) is in phase with a comparison signal to a certain accuracy. The function is controlled in dependence on whether the determination is positive.
US08818036B1

Described is a system for registering a viewpoint of an imaging sensor with respect to a geospatial model or map. An image of a scene of a geospatial region comprising an object is received as input. The image of the scene is captured by a sensor having a current sensor state. Observation data related to the object's state is received, wherein the observation data comprises an object behavior of the object given the geospatial region. An estimate of the current sensor state is generated using a probability of an observation from the observation data given the current sensor state x. Finally, the image of the scene is registered with a geospatial model or map based on the estimate of the current sensor state.
US08818035B2

A device is provided with a luminance histogram calculation unit which generates a luminance histogram showing appearance frequency of luminance values contained within the infrared image and determines a luminance value corresponding to a peak in the luminance histogram as a background luminance level of the background; a luminance shift calculation unit which sets the background luminance value as an intermediate value in luminance range width of the infrared image and generates a luminance shift image by linearly shifting other luminance values in the infrared image based on the intermediate value; a reversed image processing unit which generates a reversed shift image wherein the luminance level of the luminance shift image is reversed; and a luminance calculation processing unit which generates a calculation-processed image by performing calculation processing based on the difference in the luminance values at corresponding positions in the luminance shift image and the reversed shift image.
US08818033B1

A system and method of extracting formulas in an electronic image of a document using optical character recognition (OCR) is disclosed. In one example, the method comprises analyzing the electronic image, including a plurality of text lines, to generate a plurality of bounding blocks, each bounding block associated with a text line detected within the electronic image, searching the plurality of text lines to detect at least one character matching one of a plurality of character groups, calculating a symbol density of each of the plurality of character groups for each of the plurality of text lines, and classifying each of the plurality of text lines as at least one of an equation block type, an inline equation block type, and a descriptive block type, based on the symbol density, wherein each of the plurality of text lines classified as the equation block type is extracted.
US08818016B2

A localization apparatus and method for localizing by use of image information and range data are provided. The localization apparatus includes an image sensor which captures an image and outputs image data, a range sensor which senses a distance and outputs a range sensing signal, an image feature point information processing unit which extracts image feature points from the sensed image and generates image feature point information about the extracted image feature points, a range feature point information processing unit which generates range feature point information about range feature points from the range sensing signal, and a state estimation unit which estimates a state variable including a position of the localization apparatus by using the image feature point information and the range feature point information as an observation value.
US08818009B2

A dual diaphragm dynamic type microphone transducer that, among other things, provides control of source/receiver proximity effects without sacrificing professional level dynamic microphone performance.
US08818006B2

A loudspeaker system includes an enclosure surrounding a plurality of loudspeakers. The plurality of loudspeakers are disposed in series along a straight line in the enclosure. The enclosure includes a front panel, a back panel and side panels. The front panel, the side panels, and the back panel are disposed parallel to the straight line on which the loudspeakers are arranged. The side panels are provided with a front slit and a back slit. The back slit is disposed at an opposite side of the front slit in the enclosure. Sounds emitted to the upper and lower sides of diaphragms of the loudspeakers are separated from each other such that the sounds are prevented from mixing with each other. This provides a loudspeaker system capable of achieving desired sound pressure-frequency characteristics.
US08817989B2

A home location register stores key material related to mobile stations associated with the home location register. A first visited location register associated with a first site in a first zone stores key material related to a first mobile station of the mobile stations associated with the home location register. When the first mobile station roams to a second site in a second zone associated with a second visited location register, the key material related to the first mobile station is encrypted with an interkey, yielding encrypted key material, wherein the interkey is used only by infrastructure system devices other than a mobile station for encrypting at least the key material for transport between at least the first and second zones. The encrypted key material is forwarded to the second visited location register.
US08817988B1

An improved technique involves protecting a set of resources in a distributed computer system by scheduling epochs for replacing keys that have a variable duration. Along these lines, a Variable Epoch Scheduler (VES) generates schedules of key updates for a set of players in the distributed system such that at least two epochs in the schedules have different durations. For example, the epoch durations within a schedule may vary, or the epoch durations for different players may be different. At the end of each epoch, the VES notifies the distributed system to update the key identified in the schedule as corresponding to that epoch.
US08817971B2

In a video teleconference device, a microphone and a speaker are arranged in a housing in such a manner that a voice input direction of the microphone and a voice output direction of the speaker are roughly orthogonal to each other. With that, the sound coming out of the speaker is not easily received as input by the microphone. Thus, with such a simple configuration, it becomes possible to effectively curb the echo effect and the howling effect.
US08817957B1

In one embodiment, a phone number is used in connection with an advertising or marketing campaign. The account associated with the phone number may be configured to specify the type of information and the type of actions to be taken when a phone call is placed to the phone number. After the call that has placed to the phone number has completed, information relating to the call is compiled. Upon compilation, the information is transmitted by a network-enabled device using a protocol, where in one embodiment, the protocol is HTTP.
US08817945B2

A medical imaging system includes a stationary gantry and a rotating gantry that rotates around an examination region about a z-axis. An air bearing rotatably couples the rotating gantry to the stationary gantry. A radiation source is affixed to the rotating gantry and rotates with the rotating gantry and emits radiation that traverses the examination region. A detector array is affixed to the rotating gantry on an opposite side of the examination region with respect to the radiation source and detects radiation traversing the examination region. A dynamic z-axis imbalance determination system determines an imbalance of the rotating gantry in the z-axis direction directly from the air bearing, and the determined imbalance is used to position a balance mass affixed to the rotating gantry in the z-axis direction, thereby balancing the rotating gantry along the z-axis.
US08817940B2

This invention relates to a nuclear plant including a main power system and a fuel handling and storage system. The system is connected to a sphere inlet and a sphere outlet of a multi-pass high temperature gas cooled pebble bed reactor. The system is configured such that gas flows from the system into the reactor through both the sphere inlet and the sphere outlet thereby inhibiting the ingress of high temperature gas from the reactor into the system. Restricting indexers permit the movement of spheres between the reactor and the system and dampen out the transmission of pressure fluctuations from the power system to the system.
US08817937B2

A timing control apparatus includes an adder and a comparator. The adder adds unused time error in each of a plurality of periods to form a cumulative value, and the comparator compares the cumulative value to a reference value. The unused time error is computed during operation of a first clock, and a control signal is generated to switch from the first clock to a second clock based on an output of the comparator. The frequency of the first clock is greater than a frequency of the second clock.
US08817935B2

Embodiment for forming an aggregate signal from a plurality of starting signals, comprising: acquiring said starting signals through respective sensors of a homogeneous sensors group; converting acquired signals in respective digital signals having data represented with a predetermined bits number; processing the digital signals to form aggregate signal. The processing step comprises the operations of: modifying digital signals changing the data format of each such digital signals from a first format to a second format, each data in the second format having been obtained from a respective data in the first format through an operation of permuting the bits position according to a permutation scheme associated with said data and to the specific digital signal comprising that data; forming aggregate signal obtaining said aggregate signal data by means of a bitwise logic operator acting upon said modified digital signal respective data.
US08817934B2

Processing the synchronization of an inband modem to detect sample slip conditions is disclosed. Decision logic reliably detects the sample slip condition while minimizing the number of false alarms.
US08817932B2

Described are methods and circuits for margin testing digital receivers. These methods and circuits prevent margins from collapsing in response to erroneously received data, and can thus be used in receivers that employ historical data to reduce intersymbol interference (ISI). Some embodiments detect receive errors for input data streams of unknown patterns, and can thus be used for in-system margin testing. Such systems can be adapted to dynamically alter system parameters during device operation to maintain adequate margins despite fluctuations in the system noise environment due to e.g. temperature and supply-voltage changes. Also described are methods of plotting and interpreting filtered and unfiltered error data generated by the disclosed methods and circuits. Some embodiments filter error data to facilitate pattern-specific margin testing.
US08817931B2

An apparatus and a method are described for envelope detection used in fields including voice processing, image processing, data communication, and energy/data transmission. The apparatus and the method for envelope detection eliminate a carrier component from a modulated signal by performing a square-sum operation between two adjacent sampling signals among signals sampled from the modulated signal. The apparatus and the method detect an envelope of the modulated signal from the modulated signal in which the carrier component is eliminated.
US08817929B2

A transmission circuit includes: a plurality of lane blocks arranged in parallel to each other configured to convert parallel data supplied from a corresponding lane into serial data and output the serial data; and a clock enabler block including at least one clock enabler for outputting a drive clock phase-locked with a reference clock to the plurality of lane blocks after a plurality of cycles of the drive clock in response to an enable signal. Each of the plurality of lane blocks has a divider for dividing the drive clock supplied from the clock enabler block to generate a divide clock and a load signal, and a parallel-to-serial converter for converting parallel data supplied from the corresponding lane into serial data in synchronization with the divide clock and the load signal generated by the divider and the drive clock generated by the clock enabler block.
US08817928B2

A sequence generator implemented on a receiver is synchronized with a sequence generator at a transmitter. The receiver receives k n-state symbols, with k>1 and n>1 wherein each of the k n-state symbols is associated with a generating state of the sequence generator at the transmitter. A processor in the receiver evaluates an n-state expression that generates an n-state symbol that is associated with a synchronized state of the receiver. Coefficients related to the n-state expression are stored on a memory and are retrieved by the processor. The synchronized state in one embodiment is part of a code hop. The sequence generator in the receiver may be part of a descrambler, of a communication device, of a data storage device and/or of an opening mechanism.
US08817923B2

When a decision is made that receiving performance deterioration due to an interfering wave is present in a digital broadcasting wave, an operating point of an RF AGC amplifier 6 and a time constant of gain control of the RF AGC amplifier 6 are altered.
US08817921B2

An apparatus for detecting a packet end point in a wireless communication system includes: a signal reception unit configured to receive a signal from an outside, convert the signal into a baseband signal, perform analog-digital conversion of the baseband signal, and perform a digital front end; a storage unit configured to store an output of the signal reception unit; a frequency offset estimation unit configured to estimate a frequency offset using the output of the storage unit; a frequency offset correction unit configured to compensate for a frequency error using the estimated frequency offset; an offset correlation unit configured to calculate correlation of the frequency offset and a cyclic prefix; an auto-correlation operation unit configured to calculate auto-correlation of the cyclic prefix; and a packet end detection unit configured to check a packet end point using the auto-correlation.
US08817913B2

A digital filter-decimator-tuner is configured to receive a complex signal input xk and output a complex USB signal yuk and a complex LSB signal ylk. It includes a USB processing path coupled to receive xk and output yuk, the USB processing path including a USB FIR filter configured to receive a portion of the xk signal and output a first USB intermediate filtered signal, a decimator configured to decimate the first USB intermediate filtered signal and output a second USB intermediate signal, a USB tuner configured to receive the second USB intermediate signal and a USB tuning signal and output a third USB intermediate signal, and a USB equalization filter configured to receive the third USB intermediate signal, and output yuk; and a parallel LSB processing path coupled to receive xk and output ylk. The USB and LSB processing paths may be implemented by the same hardware in one embodiment.
US08817904B2

A method is provided for selecting a precoding matrix to be used in an MIMO communication system. The MIMO communication system includes a transmitter, a receiver and a communication channel. The precoding matrix is used by the transmitter to precode codewords to be transmitted to the receiver over the communication channel. At the receiver, an optimum precoding matrix within a codebook of precoding matrices is determined based on a metric related to the power of received signal layers. An indication is then fed back from the receiver to the transmitter to enable the transmitter to select the optimum precoding matrix from the codebook.
US08817897B2

Techniques are provided to support multi-carrier code division multiple access (MC-CDMA) in an orthogonal uplink of a wireless communication system. A method of wireless multi-carrier communications comprises dividing sub-carriers on an uplink into non-overlapping groups, allocating a time-frequency block including a hopping duration and a non-overlapped group, respectively, assigning a different set of orthogonal codes to each user, spreading data (or pilot) symbols of each user over the allocated time-frequency block, wherein the data (or pilot) symbols of each user are spread using the different set of orthogonal codes assigned to each user, mapping each data (or pilot) symbol to a modulation symbol in the time-frequency block, generating an orthogonal waveform based on the mapped symbols, and transmitting the orthogonal waveform.
US08817891B2

A millimeter wave wireless (M2W2) interconnect is used for transmitting and receiving signals at millimeter-wave frequencies for short-range wireless communication with high data rate capability. The transmitter and receiver antennae may comprise an on-chip differential dipole antenna or a bond wire differential dipole antenna. The bond wire differential dipole antenna is comprised of a pair of bond wires connecting between a pair of pads on an integrated circuit (IC) die and a pair of floating pads on a printed circuit board (PCB).
US08817888B2

A method and apparatus for performing motion estimation in a digital video system is disclosed. Specifically, the present invention discloses a system that quickly calculates estimated motion vectors in a very efficient manner. In one embodiment, a first multiplicand is determined by multiplying a first display time difference between a first video picture and a second video picture by a power of two scale value. This step scales up a numerator for a ratio. Next, the system determines a scaled ratio by dividing that scaled numerator by a second first display time difference between said second video picture and a third video picture. The scaled ratio is then stored calculating motion vector estimations. By storing the scaled ratio, all the estimated motion vectors can be calculated quickly with good precision since the scaled ratio saves significant bits and reducing the scale is performed by simple shifts.
US08817886B2

Disclosed are a bitstream decoding device and a method thereof. The decoding device includes a toolbox, configured to include a plurality of functional units which independently perform a predetermined process—each of the functional units is distinguished by using unique identifiable information; and a connection control unit, configured to selectively load at least one functional unit by using the identifiable information and to control a bitstream to be decoded as video data. With the present invention, it is possible to decode bitstreams, encoded in various ways according to each standard, by using the same information recognizing method.
US08817884B2

In a video encoder, pixel values of a macro-block are processed to determine an activity measure indicative of the type of content in the macro-block. Several techniques are employed for determining the activity measure of a macro-block. In an embodiment, a default quantization scale for quantizing a macro-block is modified based on the activity measure of the macro-block. In another embodiment, the macro-block is classified into one of multiple classes based on its activity measure. The default quantization scale for quantizing the macro-block is modified based on the classification of the macro-block. In yet another embodiment, an encoding mode to be used for encoding a macro-block is also determined on the basis of the class of the macro-block. Several of the techniques exploit the fact that the human visual system (HVS) has different sensitivities in perceiving a (rendered) macro-block or video frame, depending on the type of macro-block content.
US08817877B2

A method and apparatus for decoding a video and a method and apparatus for encoding a video are provided. The method for decoding the video includes: receiving and parsing a bitstream of an encoded video; extracting, from the bitstream, encoded image data of a current picture of the encoded video assigned to a maximum coding unit, and information about a coded depth and an encoding mode according to the maximum coding unit; and decoding the encoded image data for the maximum coding unit based on the information about the coded depth and the encoding mode for the maximum coding unit, in consideration of a raster scanning order for the maximum coding unit and a zigzag scanning order for coding units of the maximum coding unit according to depths.
US08817873B2

The invention provides an image coding/recording apparatus which can solve problems of large processing loads due to the real-time re-coding and problems of complicated controls and circuits for returning processing. The image coding/recording apparatus according to an aspect of the invention codes and records image data. The image coding/recording apparatus includes: a coding unit operable to code the image data; a recording unit operable to record the coded data; and a re-coding control unit operable to (i) control said coding unit to re-code the coded data recorded by said recording unit and does not satisfy a predetermined condition, so that the re-coded data satisfies the predetermined condition, and (ii) control said recording unit to record the re-coded data, so that the re-coded data and non-re-coded data are reproduced consecutively.
US08817863B2

The disclosed embodiments relate to the design of a linear equalizer that supports low-power, high-speed data transfers. In some embodiments, this linear equalizer contains a passive network that provides selective frequency peaking in a frequency range associated with a falling edge of a frequency response of the channel. It also includes a level shifter coupled between the channel and the passive network, wherein the level shifter is an active component that provides amplification and/or level-shifting. Moreover, the linear equalizer is designed so that power from the level shifter facilitates the selective frequency peaking of the passive network.
US08817862B2

An equalizer and a related equalizing method for equalizing signal reflection caused by a stub at a transmitting end are provided. The equalizer includes a summing device and a delay device. The summing device is utilized for adding a feedback delay signal to the input signal to generate the equalized signal. The delay device is coupled to the summing device, and utilized for delaying the equalized signal to generate the feedback delay signal. Wherein the delay device has a variable delay time and the variable delay time is a non-integer multiple of a bit time of the input signal.
US08817858B2

Measures for use in processing data in a user equipment radio receiver, the radio receiver comprising a modem adapted for wireless communication with a telecommunications network. Data associated with wireless communication conducted via the modem is received, the received data being defined in a first domain. The received data is transformed from the first domain into a second domain using a transform function to generate transformed data in the second domain. The transformed data is compressed in the second domain to produce compressed data in the second domain. The compressed data is stored in memory in the user equipment radio receiver.
US08817850B2

Systems and methods for transceiver communication are discussed herein. An exemplary system comprises a first transceiver and a second transceiver. The first transceiver may comprise an I/Q module and a PHY device. The I/Q module may receive a first complex signal and transform the first complex signal into bit words of a predetermined size and framewords. The PHY device may receive the bit words, transmit the bit words and framewords over a cable, and perform adaptive cancellation. The second transceiver may comprise a PHY device, an I/Q module, an I/Q modulator, and an antenna. The PHY device may receive the bit words and the framewords from over the cable. The I/Q module may transform the bit words to a second complex signal based on the framewords. The I/Q modulator may modulate the complex signal to generate a transmit signal. The antenna may transmit the signal.
US08817848B2

A distributed antenna system includes a master unit including a downlink RF input operable to receive an RF input signal from a downlink port of a base station, a first optical port, and a second optical port. The distributed antenna system also includes a first remote unit coupled to the first optical port. The first remote unit comprises a downlink antenna port and a first uplink antenna port and a second remote unit coupled to the second optical port of the master unit. The second remote unit comprises a downlink antenna port and a second uplink antenna port. The master unit is operable to transmit a first RF signal associated with the first RF uplink signal to a first uplink port of the base station and transmit a second RF signal associated with the second RF uplink signal to a second uplink port of the base station.
US08817846B2

A diversity reception device includes branches, a controller and a combining section. Each branch includes a correlation section that generates a correlation signal that represents a correlation between a received signal and a delayed signal or between the received signal and a reference signal, where the correlation signal level disregarding the received signal level, a time position detector that detects time positions at which the level of the correlation signal is at a peak, a demodulation section that demodulates the received signal, and a multiplication section that multiplies the demodulated signal with a weighting factor. The controller controls the weighting factor on the basis of the respective levels of the correlation signals at the detected time positions. The combining section combines, by adding, the respective demodulated signals of the branches subsequent to the demodulated signal of each branch being multiplied with the weighting factor.
US08817844B2

A method of transmitting a plurality of signals from a transmitting station to a plurality of receiving stations in a transmission channel having a plurality of sub-channels, the method comprising: transmitting a first signal in a first sub-channel to a first receiving station; transmitting a second signal in a second sub-channel to a second receiving station; whereby the first and second signals are transmitted simultaneously.
US08817841B2

An apparatus for generating a spread-spectrum signal based on an input signal whose frequency may vary substantially. The apparatus is particularly suited for controlling the frequency of the modulation in response to wide variations of the frequency of the input signal. This prevents the modulation frequency from deviating into an undesired frequency range which could cause adverse operational effects. The apparatus includes a detector adapted to generate a first signal related to the frequency of the input signal, a controller adapted to generate a second signal for controlling a frequency of a modulation signal based on the first signal, a modulation signal generator adapted to generate the modulation signal based on the second signal, and a spread-spectrum signal generator adapted to generate the spread-spectrum signal based on the modulation signal.
US08817833B2

A gas laser includes discharge tubes connected to together by corner housings, each corner housing including a first cooling channel configured to allow flow of a first coolant. A heat exchanger circuit includes a plurality of second cooling channels configured to allow flow of a second coolant. Each second cooling channel is operable to cool laser gas prior to the laser gas entering into one of the corner housings. The gas laser further includes a temperature control device, in which the temperature control device is selected from the group consisting of a laser gas cooling device, a coolant temperature control assembly, and combinations thereof. The temperature control device is operable to maintain a temperature difference of less than approximately 5 K between the first coolant flowing through the first cooling channel of the corner housing and the laser gas entering into the corner housing.
US08817823B2

A method and a device for time synchronization are disclosed according to the embodiments of the present invention. The method includes: selecting, by a slave device, a port of a single-fiber bi-directional line as a synchronization port of a 1588 clock protocol; specifying a work mode of the synchronization port; exchanging a 1588 clock synchronization packet with a master device through the synchronization port according to the work mode; acquiring transmission time information and restore a system clock according to the 1588 clock synchronization packet; and adjusting the system clock according to the work mode and the transmission time information. The device includes: a line processing module, a clock recovery module and a clock adjustment module. Through the method and the device, zero-error time synchronization is implemented; and in the case of unfixed path delay, the time synchronization can also be implemented.
US08817819B2

A base station executes communication using the uplink unit band and a plurality of downlink unit bands correlated to the uplink unit band. The base station includes: a PDCCH generation unit which includes the uplink allocation information relating to the uplink unit band only in some of the channel signals of each of the downlink unit bands; and a padding unit which adds zero information to allocation information only in the selected some channel signals having the bandwidth of the corresponding downlink unit band smaller than that of the uplink unit band until the downlink allocation information size becomes equal to the uplink allocation information size.
US08817818B2

A transmitter includes a bandwidth configuration unit configured to provide an increased system bandwidth corresponding to a bandwidth extension over multiple component carriers. Additionally, the transmitter also includes a transmit unit configured to employ the bandwidth extension.
US08817816B2

A method implemented by a network apparatus comprising receiving a Multicast Listener Discovery (MLD) membership report message from a host, sending an Automatic IP Multicast Tunneling (AMT) Relay discovery message comprising an anycast address for a border relay (BR) via an IPv4 network, receiving an AMT Relay advertisement message comprising a unicast address for the BR via the IPv4 network, sending an AMT request message to the BR via an AMT tunnel, receiving an AMT query message comprising a MLD listener query from the BR via the AMT, sending an AMT membership message comprising the MLD membership report message of the host to the BR via the AMT tunnel, and receiving an AMT multicast data message comprising an encapsulated IPv6 multicast message from the BR via the AMT tunnel.
US08817813B2

An access point device that is adapted to a wireless network and a wired network is disclosed. The access point includes a transceiver to receive wireless frames from a plurality of wireless devices of the wireless network, respectively, and at least one component to process information extracted from the wireless frames and to control channel scanning based upon at least one of an amount of wireless device traffic and a type of call.
US08817801B1

Meeting and conferencing systems and methods are implemented in a variety of manners. Consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for operating an audio conference system that includes at least one logic circuit and a caller interface involves receiving incoming telephony calls at the caller interface. A logic circuit is used to authenticate incoming telephony calls. Menu options are provided to authenticated, incoming telephony calls. In response to a selection of the menu options, an incoming telephony call is prompted to select a callback number. The logic circuit monitors for a trigger event. A participant is called back using the selected call back number in response to detecting the trigger event. The called-back participant is then placed into a conference.
US08817799B2

A network processor for performing residential gateway processing tasks. The network processor includes a first cluster of packet processors and a second cluster of packet processors, wherein each of the first cluster and the second cluster includes a main packet processor and a secondary packet processor, wherein the main packet processor performs at least routing of incoming packets and the secondary packet processor performs off-loading tasks for the main packet processor; a plurality of Ethernet media access control (MAC) adapters for interfacing with a plurality of subscriber devices connected to a residential gateway; an external-network MAC adapter for interfacing with a wide area network (WAN) connected to the network processor; and an ingress handler for at least load balancing the processing of packets between the first cluster and the second cluster.
US08817795B2

In some embodiments, the invention involves information routing in networks, and, more specifically, to defining a framework using swarm intelligence and utilization of the defined framework for routing information in the network, especially for cloud computing applications. In an embodiment, information about available information/services is pushed to network nodes using information packets (ants). Nodes requiring services send query packets (ants) and a node may send a response to a query ant when information is available. Ants may be forwarded throughout the network based on popularity of nodes, freshness of information/requests, routing table information, and requests or interest by consumer nodes captured in information routing table. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08817794B2

It is ensured to prevent a user from misrepresenting a time stamp, and to send out packets in sequence in which the packets are accepted to all users who are geographically isolated from each other. A unique time stamp impartation function is realized by respective communication devices on a net inside an administrative responsibility range of a communication common carrier, hardly accessible by a user. If a packet with a time stamp imparted by a subscriber terminal, provided thereto, is received, the respective communication devices positioned on the net inside the administrative responsibility range nullify the relevant time stamp in order to prevent misrepresentation of the time stamp, by a user outside the administrative responsibility range, and restores the packet from the subscriber together with the time stamp when transferring the packet to the outside of the administrative responsibility range.
US08817781B2

A method and apparatus for segmenting medium access control (MAC) service data units (SDUs) creates enhanced MAC-es PDUs in the enhanced MAC-e/es sub-layer by concatenating MAC SDUs received from the logical channels. An enhanced transport format combination (E-TFC) selection entity controls the concatenation of MAC SDUs into enhanced MAC-es PDUs. When a MAC SDU is received that is too large to fit into a selected enhanced MAC-es PDU payload, a segmentation entity segments the MAC SDU such that the MAC SDU segment fills the remaining payload available in the selected enhanced MAC-es PDU. The enhanced MAC-es PDU is then assigned a transmission sequence number (TSN) and multiplexed with other enhanced MAC-es PDUs to create a single enhanced MAC-e PDU that is transmitted on the E-DCH in the next transmission time interval (TTI). A HARQ entity stores and, if necessary retransmits the enhanced MAC-e PDU when a transmission error occurs.
US08817777B2

A hybrid Unified Communications (UC) telephony deployment includes users of a tenant that are hosted between a UC cloud deployment and a UC on-premise deployment that offers PSTN connectivity for the users. An identity of a tenant and its' users are maintained consistently between the on-premise and cloud based UC deployment (e.g. telephone numbers, dialing preferences, voice mail . . . ). Each user of the tenant can register with the UC service from one or more locations (e.g. on-premise, off-premise . . . ) whether or not they are hosted by the on-premise deployment or the cloud based UC deployment. Functionality of the UC deployment may also be maintained at one or more locations within the hybrid UC deployment. For example, some services (e.g. voicemail, or other services) can be hosted in the cloud while the remaining services are hosted on-premise. Different Telco providers may be chosen by the tenant to provide PSTN services for one or more users of the tenant.
US08817772B2

Methods and entities of routing messages to or from a network entity in an IP network is disclosed. A function mode is indicated in a message routed to or from the network entity.
US08817760B2

A modem apparatus for a modular wireless communications system is presented. The modem apparatus is configured to provide wireless network access in accordance with a wireless communications standard such as LTE or UMTS. The modem apparatus comprises a hardware sub-system, a layered software sub-system as well as an interface sub-system.
US08817757B2

A zero-configuration secure mobility networking technique for WLANs is provided, utilizing split link-layer and a Web-based authentication. The link-layer authentication process facilitates network-to-user authentication and generation of session-specific encryption keys for air traffic using digital certificates to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks without requiring users to have pre-configured accounts. Although any WLAN host can pass the link-layer authentication and obtain link connectivity, the WLAN only allows the host to obtain IP networking configuration parameters and to communicate with a Web-based authentication server prior to initiating the Web-based authentication process that is responsible for user-to-network authentication. The Web-based authentication server employs a Web page for initial authentication and a Java applet for consequent authentications. In the Web page, registered users can manually, or configure their Web browsers to automatically, submit their authentication credentials; new users can open accounts, make one-time payments, or refer the Web-based authentication server to other authentication servers where they have accounts. Once a user is authenticated to the WLAN, the user's mobile host obtains full IP connectivity and receives secure mobility support from the WLAN. The mobile host always owns a fixed IP address as it moves from one access point to another in the WLAN. All wireless traffic between the mobile host and the WLAN is encrypted. Whenever the mobile host moves to a new access point, a Java applet (or an equivalent client-side program delivered over Web) enables automatic authentication of the mobile host to the WLAN. In addition, the ZCMN method supports dynamic load balancing between home agents. Thus, a mobile host can change home agents during active sessions.
US08817755B2

An apparatus may include a radio frequency (RF) transceiver to receive a first message over a first carrier in a first band in a downlink sub-frame of a first radio frame in a communications link, where the communications link comprises interband carriers aggregated over primary and secondary cells. The apparatus may also include a processor and a reply message assignment module operable on the processor to determine a downlink sub-frame in which the downlink transmission is received and to adjust timing of a reply/acknowledge message to be sent by the RF transceiver in response to the first message so as to coincide with a predetermined uplink sub-frame of a radio frame. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08817753B2

To provide a mobile terminal apparatus and radio communication method for enabling feedback control information to be efficiently transmitted on uplink channels, a radio communication method of the invention is characterized by having in a mobile terminal apparatus the steps of receiving a signal for each of a plurality of component carriers from a radio base station apparatus, generating feedback control information for each component carrier from the signal, mapping the feedback control information for each component carrier to suitable radio resources based on the number of component carriers, the presence or absence of uplink transmission data, and the number of bits of control information to transmit as feedback, and transmitting an uplink transmission signal mapped to the radio resources.
US08817751B2

A handover method includes an evolved mobile switching center (eMSC) that receives a relocation request from a first network and forwards the relocation request to a second network requesting the second network to establish its own media plane association. The eMSC establishes a media plane association with the second network. The eMSC instructs a user equipment (UE) to access the second network. With the handover method, the UE may be handed over between different networks by using the eMSC. A method for reattaching a UE to the eMSC is also provided so that the UE can be reattached to a target eMSC when the eMSC to which the UE is attached is changed. A handover apparatus and a handover system are also provided.
US08817748B2

The present invention concerns a method for optimizing ROHC RTP (Robust Header Compression Real Time Protocol) compression applied to IP header of data packets stream so as to use more compact formats enable to remain in a steady state, to never discard received packet, and to serve radio resources without requiring to modify ROHC specification. In the method, when handover or mobility procedure is started, new reference values are normally added to a sliding compression window, but no reference value is removed from the window as long as the handover or mobility procedure is on going. After the handover or mobility procedure is complete, when the number of values transmitted on the new radio link are appropriate to cope against the error properties on the new link, all older values can be removed at once from the compression window, thereby reverting to normal window operation.
US08817741B2

A method and apparatus for resource management during handover operation includes initiating a handover from a first access network to a second access network. A policy update message is sent and a policy update confirmation message is received. A general packet radio service (GPRS) tunneling protocol (GTP) message and a radio access bearer (RAB) release message is sent and a GTP and RAB release acknowledgment is received. Connectivity is established for uplink and downlink transmission in the second access network.
US08817733B2

Embodiments of computer-implemented methods, systems, computing devices, and computer-readable media are described herein for monitoring, by a mobile proxy associated with a control system of a cloud radio access network (“C-RAN”), application layer data traffic between the control system and a wireless communication device. In various embodiments, the mobile proxy may, based on the monitoring, facilitate alteration of data plane or control plane processing by the wireless communication device or a remote radio head (“RRH”) associated with the C-RAN.
US08817723B2

A method of resource allocation for use in a wireless network is disclosed. A network coloring decision to assign a plurality of resource blocks to a plurality of cells within the wireless network is triggered upon occurrence of a network event. A network coloring is performed by assigning each cell of the plurality of cells a resource block from the plurality of resource blocks. An effect of interference among adjacent cells with a same resource block assignment is reduced as measured by a network performance metric related to a number of resource block assignment conflicts over the plurality of cells.
US08817719B2

The present invention relates to methods and arrangements for providing a more flexible configuration of SRS transmission. This is achieved by dynamically triggering a mobile terminal to transmit SRS. Thus, embodiments of the invention allow dynamically trigged SRS in any uplink subframe, even without necessarily reserving resources semi-statically on cell level. This is done by signaling to the terminal whether the mobile terminal should leave the predefined uplink symbol empty for sounding reference signals or use it for data transmission. In case a terminal leaves the last symbol empty for sounding reference signals, there are two possibilities, either the UE shall transmit one or several reference signals from one or several antennas, or the terminal shall leave the last symbol blank since another terminal may be using the resource for sounding. Accordingly, in a specific embodiment, there are at least three different messages that can be conveyed to the terminal: use the predefined uplink symbol for data, leave it blank or use it for sounding reference signals.
US08817715B2

The present invention provides an improved solution of registering with a Home Agent HA of a Mobile Node MN, comprising: grouping at lest two Foreign Agents FAs to form a Foreign Agent Group FAG to enable FA members of the FAG to share information of the MN roaming into a FAG coverage area; when any FA member of the FAG receives a registration request for registering a care-of address with the HA sent by the MN, determining whether the MN enters the FAG coverage area for the first time based on the shared MN information; and if the MN enters the FAG coverage area for the first time, the FA forwards the received registration request to the HA; otherwise, the FA directly sends a registration response to the MN. The solution of the present invention greatly reduces registration messages from the MN to the HA, thereby reducing signaling delay produced when the MN moves in the FN. Also, both the MN and the HA in the prior art can be merged into the solution, thereby achieving seamless integration with IPv4, preferably with Mobile IPv4 scheme.
US08817703B2

A method for facilitating communication in a mobile communication system in which address-delegating entities are involved, wherein mobile nodes attaching to the communication system get assigned an address or address prefix, wherein the address or address prefix assignment is delegated from an entity being associated with mobility management—mobility entity—to some other configuration component (2), is characterized in that the configuration component (2), upon being delegated by a mobility entity to assign a mobile node an address or address prefix, stores information about the delegating mobility entity. Furthermore, a corresponding mobile communication system with discovery functionality of address-delegating entities is disclosed.
US08817700B2

Provided are a method and system for preventing the use of a stolen terminal when the stolen terminal registers its location again by making it inevitable for the stolen terminal to register its location again to be used. The method includes: receiving information that a user terminal was stolen; making a mobile application part (MAP) cancel location request to a mobile switching center (MSC) or a serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) after receiving the information that the user terminal was stolen; and checking whether the user terminal is a stolen terminal when receiving a location registration approval request from the user terminal after performing a MAP cancel location process by deleting subscriber information of the user terminal from the MSC or the SGSN in response to the MAP cancel location request.
US08817699B2

A system and methodology that facilitates service continuity when a user equipment (UE), employing local breakout mechanisms at a femto access point (FAP) for a communication session, moves out of the femto coverage area is provided. In particular, a network change detection component can be employed to detect when the UE, attached to the FAP, changes its connection from the femto network to the macro network. Further, an active communication session can exist between the UE and a device/service/application on a local Area network (LAN) connected to a FAP, and/or the Internet, which utilizes local breakout at the FAP. When the UE moves out of the femto network, a context management component can be employed to seamlessly resume the communication session, via the macro network.
US08817698B2

Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of selectively aborting reception of wireless communication packets. For example, a receiver may at least partially process a portion of a wireless communication packet, to determine based on the portion of the communication packet whether the packet is intended to be received by the receiver and, if the packet is not intended to be received by the receiver, to abort processing of a remainder of the communication packet by one or more components of a physical layer of the receiver. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08817695B1

A method and system for dynamically adjusting reverse-link ACK transmission power based on forward-link timeslot utilization. A radio access network (e.g., a base station) may monitor timeslot utilization on the forward link and, upon detecting that the timeslot utilization is threshold high, may cause one or more served access terminals to increase their ACK transmission power, thereby possibly helping to minimize re-transmissions for data packets that have already been successfully received, and thus helping to minimize unnecessary use of potentially scarce forward-link timeslots.
US08817684B2

Video streams may be adaptively switched between multicast and unicast transmission over a wireless interface of a wireless network. A device may track a quantity of videos that are being streamed over the wireless network. The device may determine, based on the tracked quantity of videos, whether to dedicate a radio channel, of at least one cell in the wireless network, to streaming a first of the videos. The device may transmit, in response to a request, from a mobile device, for the first video, an identification of the dedicated radio channel so that the mobile device can receive the first video as a streaming video over the dedicated radio channel.
US08817680B2

An apparatus and method for controlling sleep cycle synchronization of a sleep mode in a wireless communication system are provided. A method of operating a Mobile Station (MS) in a sleep mode state includes, if a traffic indication message and unicast data are not received during a listening window, transmitting one of a request message and a header to a Base Station (BS) to request a location of a next-scheduled listening window, and if a response for the one of the request message and the header is received, performing synchronization for a next sleep cycle.
US08817672B2

In an exemplary embodiment, a phased array antenna comprises a bidirectional antenna polarizer and is configured for bidirectional operation. The bidirectional antenna polarizer may combine active implementations of power splitters, power combiners, and phase shifters. Furthermore, in another exemplary embodiment a bidirectional antenna polarizer has extensive system flexibility and field reconfigurability. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the bidirectional phased array antenna operates in “radar-like” applications where the transmit and receive functions operate in half-duplex fashion. Furthermore, in exemplary embodiments, the phased array antenna is configured to operate over multiple frequency bands and/or multiple polarizations.
US08817666B2

A system and method that modifies the behavior of the IEEE 802.1D STP standard to thereby decouple the one data domain from the one control domain involves managing multiple spanning tree protocol (STP) instances in a virtual local area network (VLAN). The method includes the step of assigning a unique set of ports within the VLAN to each of the multiple STP instances. Then, each of the multiple STP instances are managed to keep each of the multiple STP instances separate. Finally, when a topology change is detected in one of the multiple STP instances, entries that have been learned on the unique set of ports assigned to the STP protocol instance where the topology change is detected are fast-aged or transitioned from one state to another.
US08817664B2

Connection profiles are created and stored. The connection profiles are for connections for sources to connect to a network. The connection profiles identify network attributes for the connections and each connection profile includes a status of available or subscribed. A connection profile is assigned to a requested connection for a source. The network attributes for the assigned connection are sent to an edge switch for the source to configure the edge switch to accept traffic for the source.
US08817662B2

The present disclosure describes techniques for pre-association discovery. In some aspects a frame having information useful to identify a service provided by a wireless device is received, the service provided by the wireless device is identified based on the information of the frame and known service identification information, and the identified service is associated with the wireless device effective to enable use of the identified service.
US08817659B2

Disclosed is a method of switching modes in a serial data communication network comprising a plurality of interconnected nodes, each of said nodes comprising a plurality of mode-dependent configurations, the method including, during a first mode, issuing an instruction to said nodes, said instruction identifying a next mode of the data communication network; terminating said first mode; and following said termination, reconfiguring each of said nodes in accordance with the configuration corresponding to said next mode identified by said instruction. A serial data communication network implementing such a method is also disclosed.
US08817653B2

A packet trace is received. Transmitted bytes and retransmitted bytes are identified in the packet trace. Upon identifying the transmitted bytes and the retransmitted bytes in the packet trace, one or more time-rate pairs are determined from the packet trace. The time-rate pairs are plotted on a rate tracking graph.
US08817650B2

A method and an apparatus for controlling an intelligent antenna system are provided. The method includes: pre-configuring a Request Min Rate (RR), a Request Max PER (RP) and a request TX power (RTP); A). determining a current antenna configuration and a current transmitting power of the intelligent antenna system; B). reducing the transmitting power as long as the packet loss ratio does not exceed the RP with the current antenna configuration and with RR as a current transmitting rate, and adopting a reduced transmitting power as the current transmitting power; and C). switching between different antenna configurations at intervals with the current transmitting rate and the current transmitting power to obtain an antenna configuration under which the packet loss ratio is lower than the current packet loss ratio, and performing B).
US08817648B2

Embodiments of the invention are directed to extended psuedowire groups in a packet switched network. Embodiments associate a pseudowire to one or more groups at each provider edge device across which the pseudowire traverses. When a pseudowire set-up request message traverses across various provider edge devices, each provider edge device typically adds one or more local group membership information elements into the pseudowire set-up request message. In that way the grouping assigned by each provider edge device that the pseudowire traverses is made available to all other provider edge devices traversed by the pseudowire. Advantageously, this availability pseudowire grouping information allows any of these provider edge devices to initiate a wildcard message to notify other provider edge devices with respect to pseudowires in any of its local groups, as well as allowing a pseudowire to be bound to multiple groups based on various requirements.
US08817647B2

A method of determining priority rules for periodic CSI reporting in carrier aggregation is proposed. A UE obtains channel state information (CSI) feedback for multiple downlink component carriers (CCs) in a multi-carrier wireless communication network. Each downlink CC is associated with a feedback mode, and each feedback mode comprises a set of feedback types to be reported to a base station at time slots configured by an upper layer. The UE then determines a prioritized downlink CC for CSI reporting based on priority levels of the feedback types to be transmitted for each downlink CC at a given time slot. The UE then transmits the corresponding CSI feedback for the prioritized downlink CC at the given time slot via a feedback channel over a primary uplink CC. In one embodiment, different feedback types are prioritized by groups, and each group has several feedback types sharing the same priority.
US08817640B2

In the context of IEEE 802.11 WLAN networks, enhancement to the Relaxed Deterministic Backoff (R-DEB) for random access of shared (Medium Access Control MAC) method. For all available candidate resource slots, a busy index is calculated that reflects the level of use/occupation in the past and infers a probability of use in the future by another concurring device. The method assumes the use of a sub-set of resource slots for transmission, and updates this set by replacing resource slots for which collisions are frequent with a not currently used candidate resource for which the busy index is the lowest. Passive Spoofing/overhearing of all resources for clear channel assessment (CCS) is used for resource monitoring purposes.
US08817639B2

A VoIP-enabled device is configured to detect silence in incoming VoIP communication. The VoIP-enabled device is configured to transmit a silence indicator to a headset in response to detecting silence in the incoming VoIP communication. The silence indicator specifies that the headset is to generate comfort noise and to incorporate the comfort noise into the speech during the period of silence.
US08817634B2

The invention proposes a technical scheme (called as explicit feedback (used for feeding the information of downlink channels back to a base station at the user terminal of a wireless communication system, and a technical scheme for precoding the data transmitted to the user terminal based on the information of downlink channels feed back by the user terminal in the base station. The user terminal determines an approximately equivalent matrix of the transmission matrix of downlink channel, based on the transmission matrix of downlink channel, the number of downlink data streams, the spatial correlation matrix of multiple transmitting antennas in the base station and a predetermined codebook; then feeds the information concerning the approximately equivalent matrix back to the base station. The base station recovers the approximately equivalent matrix based on the information concerning the approximately equivalent matrix fed back from the user terminal, and precodes the downlink data transmitted to the user terminal by using the approximately equivalent matrix.
US08817630B1

In a communications network having a plurality of nodes, a method of suppressing re-transmission of a message by a receiving node is disclosed. The receiving node receives a message from each of a plurality of transmitting nodes. Each of the receiving node and the transmitting nodes has a coverage area bounded by a perimeter. For each of the plurality of transmitting nodes, it is determined which portion of the perimeter of the coverage area of the receiving node is within the coverage area of the respective transmitting node. Re-transmission of the message by the receiving node is suppressed when the perimeter of the coverage area of the receiving node is completely within the combined coverage areas of the plurality of transmitting nodes.
US08817623B2

Systems and methods for Multi-Radio Access Technology (RAT) Carrier Aggregation (MRCA) wireless wide area network (WWAN) assisted wireless local area network (WLAN) discovery, association, and flow switching are disclosed. One system comprises a control signaling module in a wireless device that includes a WWAN radio integrated with a WLAN radio. The control signaling module is configured to communicate WWAN control signaling and WLAN control signaling via a WWAN radio connection of the wireless device. A dynamic flow mapping module is configured to form a flow-mapping table to dynamically map service flows between the WWAN radio and the WLAN radio in the wireless device. A flow routing module is configured to route data packets to one of the WWAN radio and the WLAN radio in the wireless device based on the flow-mapping table to transmit and receive the data packets via the wireless device.
US08817619B2

A network system with QoS management and an associated management method are provided. The network system comprises a switch network, a target device, and at least a source device for issuing a packet to the target device via the switch network. The switch network comprises a flow control unit, a switch unit and a scheduling unit. The flow control unit determines whether to output a high priority packet according to a target priority level and a high priority bandwidth quota of the source device, and directly outputs a low priority packet. The switch unit determines a packet forwarding sequence according to a packet arbitration policy. The scheduling unit determines the sequence for packets to enter the target device. The scheduling unit updates the target priority level as the priority level of a packet entering the target device, and informs the flow control unit of the updated target priority level.
US08817617B2

A system and method control a setup of a connection in a communication network including a set of nodes, such as Mobile Switching Centers (MSCs) and Media Gateways (MGWs). In one example, a speech connection is established between MGWs subject to the control of the MSCs, which can selectively activate or deactivate codecs along the connection. The codecs potentially affect connection quality by differing amounts. A Total Accumulated Impairment (TAI) element is forwarded between the MSCs and updated by the MSCs that include individual partially accumulated impairment values corresponding to the supported codec candidates. Each individual indicator value provides information representative of the expected accumulated impairment along a candidate connection path leading up to, and including, the corresponding codec. By providing information pertaining to the expected accumulated impairment along each candidate connection path, the MSCs can determine an optimum sequence of codecs to minimize the overall connection impairment.
US08817606B2

An overload or congestion condition on an access medium (24) of a communication network (22) is indicated by at least one condition that indicates an amount of access attempts on the access medium (24) corresponds to congestion or overload of a capacity of the access medium (24). Example conditions in disclosed embodiments include an occupancy level of the access medium, an average number of access probes associated with successful access attempts, a relationship between received power and interference, an emergency condition and network configuration or maintenance procedures. In a disclosed example, when congestion or overload occurs, at least one technique is implemented to reduce the congestion or overload for stabilizing the access medium. Disclosed example techniques for this include throttling the number of access attempt by reducing the number of users making access attempts or the frequency of user access attempts. Another example technique includes adjusting at least one access medium parameter that will reduce the access attempt traffic.
US08817604B2

Systems, methods and computer-readable media for utilizing spare link capacities of links within a communications network are described. According to one aspect, a method for utilizing spare network capacity on a communications network includes determining a spare capacity of a plurality of links within the communications network. Upon determining the spare capacity of the plurality of links, a portion of the plurality of links according to the spare capacity of the plurality of links is selected. A standby network including the selected portion of the plurality of links is established, and traffic is routed through the standby network.
US08817601B2

Techniques for recovering from hierarchical virtual private LAN service (HVPLS) hub connectivity failure with a dynamic spoke pseudowire. According to one embodiment of the invention, a provider edge (PE) network element in the HVPLS hub monitors for a failure of HVPLS hub connectivity failure and reuses an HVPLS spoke connectivity failure recovery mechanism in an MTU by fabricating failure of one or more spoke facing connectivity elements coupling the MTU with the PE network element causing the MTU to transition to a secondary PE network element in the HVPLS hub. In addition, the PE network element establishes a dynamic spoke pseudowire for each virtual instance affected with the MTU to restore HVPLS hub connectivity for that PE network element.
US08817598B2

In accordance with an example embodiment, there is disclosed herein, an apparatus having first and second interfaces for communicating on a ring network. Upon receipt of a first signal on the first interface indicating a break in the ring, the apparatus stops forwarding packets onto the ring. Upon receipt of a second signal on the second port indicating a break in the ring, the apparatus forwards all packets destined for the ring network onto the ring network via both the first and second interfaces.
US08817596B2

An apparatus comprising a backup node coupled to an ingress node of a point-to-multipoint (P2MP) label switched path (LSP) and to a plurality of next-hop nodes of the ingress node of the P2MP LSP via a backup tree, wherein the backup node and the ingress node are both coupled to an external node, and wherein the backup node is configured to ensure data delivery in the P2MP LSP when the ingress node fails. Included is a network component comprising at least one processor configured to implement a method comprising detecting a failure in an ingress node of a P2MP LSP, receiving a data packet destined for the ingress node and to be transported by the P2MP LSP from a provider node when the ingress node fails, and transmitting the data packet on a backup tree that merges with the P2MP LSP prior to reaching an egress node.
US08817594B2

A method and network for determining an interconnect node for establishing a forwarding path for service based data within a network system. The method includes assigning, interconnect node status information to network interconnect nodes, wherein a network interconnect node to which a passive status is assigned is only allowed to transmit service based data between an external link and another interconnect node of the network, or between two other interconnect nodes of the network. Only a network interconnect node with active status is allowed to send or receive service based data to or from the network. The method includes determining, for a given service, an interconnect node with active status for establishment of a forwarding path including the interconnect node with active status and an external link, wherein the determination is based on the respective status information assigned to the network interconnect nodes for the service.
US08817592B2

A storage device is communicably connected to a host through a network switch on a network. The storage device includes a disk array having a storage medium storing data, and a plurality of controller units each having a port for connection to the network and controlling I/O process for the disk array. A first controller unit carries out a first setting to send, to the first controller unit, the packets sent by the host to a second controller unit, and a second setting to let the host regard at least part of the packets sent by the first controller unit to the host as are sent by the second controller unit, for the network switch.
US08817588B2

Methods, devices and computer program products are provided to improve uplink communications in a wireless communication system. Reference symbols in an uplink transmission radio subframe are time-frequency multiplexed with additional data symbols. The multiplexed data symbols are transmitted in an uplink transmission to another device within the wireless communication network along with non-multiplexed data symbols. The multiplexing operations enable the transmission of additional data symbols without increasing the overhead associated with the transmission of symbols in the radio subframe.
US08817581B1

A plasmon generator of a thermally-assisted magnetic recording head has a first configuration member having a near-field light generation end surface at an ABS, and a second configuration member being in contact with main magnetic pole, and terminating at a front end portion of a slope positioned at the position recessed from the ABS. An end part of a separator layer, which is interposed between the main magnetic pole and the first configuration member, on a side opposite to the ABS is at a position more recessed from the air bearing surface than the front end portion of the slope of the second configuration member.
US08817575B1

A transducer for sub-ocean bottom imaging includes: a housing capable of withstanding hydrostatic pressure of about 9,000 pounds per square inch; a transmitting layer positioned within the housing to transmit two primary high frequency transmit beams that generate a low frequency signal whose frequency is an arithmetic difference between the two primary beams for high resolution sub-ocean bottom imaging while maintaining high spatial resolution or directivity; and a receiving layer collocated with the transmitting layer within the housing that is mechanically tuned to resonate at the difference frequency producing high receive sensitivity.
US08817564B2

A circuit for sensing a multi-level cell (MLC) comprises a first switch associated with a first read bit, a second switch associated with a second read bit, a first switch control unit to control the first switch in response to a first data bit from a counter, and a second switch control unit to control the second switch in response to a second data bit from the counter.
US08817561B2

A method for estimating channel characteristics of a nonvolatile memory device including a plurality of memory cells includes the steps of: calculating first threshold voltage distributions of the memory cells programmed according to input data, based on the input data and a physical structure of the memory cells; calculating second threshold voltage distributions of the memory cells, based on output data and the physical structure of the memory cells; and analyzing the relation between the first and second threshold voltage distributions, using a mask.
US08817559B2

Such a device is disclosed that includes: redundancy circuits for replacing defective memory cells included in a memory cell array; an electrical fuse circuit that stores addresses of the defective memory cells; a data determination circuit that generates a determination signal by determining whether test data read from the memory cell array is correct or incorrect; and an analysis circuit that supplies, in a first operation mode, the electrical fuse circuit with an address signal supplied when the determination signal is activated, and supplies, in a second operation mode, the electrical fuse circuit with an address signal supplied when a data mask signal supplied from outside is activated irrespective of the determination signal.
US08817556B2

There is provided a command generation circuit. The command generation circuit includes a first driving unit driving an output node in response to an internal MRS command and a RAS idle signal; a second driving unit driving the output node in response to an off-signal; and a latch unit latching a signal at the output node in response to a power-up signal and generating an SRR command.
US08817551B2

A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array block including a plurality of memory cells each including a data holding circuit configured to store data using a first and a second circuit elements and a transistor configured to connect the data holding circuit and a bit line together, sense amplifiers connected to bit lines directly or via switches, and a dummy memory cell array including a plurality of dummy memory cells each having the same circuit configuration as that of the memory cell with respect to the element size and the layout configuration. The plurality of dummy memory cells each include at least one inverter circuit configuration, and are connected together by the inverter circuits being connected together in series. An output signal of the inverter circuit of one in the final stage of the dummy memory cells is an activation signal for the sense amplifiers.
US08817550B1

Systems and methods are disclosed involving adaptive power up features for high-speed synchronous RAM. In one exemplary implementation, there is provided a semiconductor device including a memory cell, power circuitry, and an output buffer with level shifting circuitry. Moreover, the device may include power circuitry comprised of a first power up circuit and a second power up circuit and/or level shifting circuitry comprised of a pull up level shift circuit and a pull down level shift circuit. Other implementations and specific circuit configurations are also disclosed.
US08817547B2

Apparatuses and methods including a plurality of memory units are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a plurality of memory units. Each of the plurality of memory units include a master/slave identification (ID) node coupled to a first voltage source node via a resistive element. Each of the plurality of memory units further include a master/slave ID circuit configured to determine whether a memory unit is a master memory unit or a slave memory unit based on a voltage level detected at the master/slave ID node. The master/slave ID node of each of the plurality of memory units other than a first memory unit is further coupled to a respective second voltage source node via a through-substrate via (TSV) of a respective adjacent memory unit of the plurality of memory units.
US08817546B2

Complementary Electrical Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (CEEPROM) is disclosed. CEEPROM cell comprises a pair of non-volatile memory elements and one access transistor. The two elements of the non-volatile memory pair are configured to be one with high electrical conductance and the other with low electrical conductance. The positive voltage VDD for digital value “1” and ground voltage VSS for digital value “0” are connected to the two input nodes of the two non-volatile elements respectively after configuration. The digital signal either VDD or VSS passed through the high conductance non-volatile memory element in the pair is directly accessed by the access transistor without applying a sense amplifier as the conventional EEPROM would require. Without sense amplifiers, the digital data in CEEPROM can be fast accessed. The power consumption and the silicon areas required for sense amplifiers can be saved as well.
US08817540B2

Methods of operating nonvolatile memory devices are described. A bit line program voltage is applied to at least one selected bit line and a bit line program-inhibition voltage is applied to at least one unselected bit line. The methods further include concurrently applying a word line program voltage to a selected word line, a first pass voltage to at least one unselected word line and a second pass voltage less than the first pass voltage to at least one unselected word line immediately adjacent the selected word line on a string selection line side of the selected word line.
US08817537B2

A nonvolatile memory system is described with novel architecture coupling nonvolatile storage memory with random access volatile memory. New commands are included to enhance the read and write performance of the memory system.
US08817536B2

A memory circuit includes a controlled current source coupled to an input to a nonvolatile cell, and a second controlled current source coupled to a volatile cell, the volatile cell coupled to receive current from the controlled current source via the nonvolatile cell.
US08817534B2

Techniques for providing a semiconductor memory device are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as an apparatus including a first region and a second region. The apparatus may also include a body region disposed between the first region and the second region and capacitively coupled to a plurality of word lines, wherein each of the plurality of word lines is capacitively coupled to different portions of the body region.
US08817533B2

A crosspoint array has been shown having a plurality of bitlines and wordlines; and a plurality of crossbar elements, with each crossbar element being disposed between a bitline and a wordline and with each crossbar element having at least a solid electrolyte material used as a rectifier in series with a symmetric or substantially symmetric resistive memory node. The crossbar elements are responsive to the following voltages: a first set of voltages to transition the solid electrolyte in the crossbar elements from an OFF state to an ON state, a second set of voltages to read or program the symmetric resistive memory, and a third set of voltages to transition solid electrolyte from an ON state to an OFF state.
US08817528B2

A method comprises writing data to one or more static random access memory (SRAM) cells. Writing data to the one or more SRAM cells comprises applying a first data signal to at least one bit line electrically connected to the one or more SRAM memory cells, electrically disconnecting at least one of a first power supply terminal and a second power supply terminal of each of the one or more SRAM cells from a power supply and applying a word line signal to a word line electrically connected to the one or more SRAM cells. Thereafter, the at least one of the first power supply terminal and the second power supply terminal of each of the one or more SRAM cells is electrically connected to the power source.
US08817523B2

A non-volatile semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array including a first wire, a second wire crossing the first wire, and a memory cell connected to both the wires at a crossing portion of the first wire and the second wire, the memory cell including a variable resistance element storing data in a non-volatile manner by a resistance value, and a control circuit setting the variable resistance element in first or second resistance state by application of first or second voltage to the memory cell and reading data from the memory cell by application of third voltage to the memory cell. The control circuit applies to the memory cell at predetermined timing weak write voltage causing the variable resistance element to be held in the first resistance state and the second resistance state.
US08817493B2

Embodiments of an adapter are disclosed that include a transformer with a primary coil coupled to an H-bridge. The H-bridge is controlled by a control circuit that controls a voltage across the primary coil using the H-bridge, and the control circuit is configured to control the H-bridge so that during each of one or more intervals, a first voltage pulse is applied across the primary coil in a start direction, wherein the start direction alternates between a first direction and a second direction each interval. Then, a direction of subsequent voltage pulses across the primary coil is alternated between the first direction and the second direction a predetermined number of times. After the predetermined number of times, a last voltage pulse is applied across the primary coil; then, voltage across the primary coil is reduced to zero for a predetermined time.
US08817491B2

An electric power conversion system has an adaptable transformer turns ratio for improved efficiency. The transformer has multiple taps on its primary. Switching circuitry is configured to connect an energy source to the taps in at least two modes such that the transformer operates with a first primary-to-secondary turns ratio in the first mode and with a second primary-to-secondary turns ratio in the second mode. The first turns ratio is greater than the second turns ratio. Control circuitry is configured to operate the switching circuitry in the first mode when a voltage level of the energy source is above a first threshold and to operate the switching circuitry in the second mode when the voltage level is below a second threshold.
US08817490B2

A DC-DC converter is configured with a voltage-source power converter at a primary side of a transformer, a current-source power converter at a secondary side of the transformer, and a controller. First and second voltage detection circuits respectively detect first and second voltages of the voltage-source and the current-source power converters. A current detection circuit detects an input-output current of the current-source power converter. The controller controls the voltage-source and the current-source power converters to transfer power between the primary side and the secondary side of the transformer. The controller includes a calculation unit that performs calculations based on the first voltage, the second voltage and the input-output current, and a table unit that include a plurality of parameter sets. The calculation unit performs the calculations based on one of the plurality of parameter sets that is selected from the table unit.
US08817485B2

A single-layer component package comprising: a single conductive-pattern layer having a first surface; an insulating-material layer on the first surface of the single conductive-pattern layer; in an installation cavity inside the insulating-material layer, a semiconductor component having flat contact zones; and solid contact pillars containing copper and solderlessly, metallurgically and electrically connecting the flat contact zones to the single conductive-pattern layer.
US08817483B2

The present disclosure relates to sensors including pressure sensors, humidity sensors, flow sensors, etc. In some cases, a connector assembly for a sensor assembly may include an electrical connector, a printed circuit board and a conductive outer housing. The electrical connector may include a mechanical connector and electrical terminals exposed at a first end and at a second end of the mechanical connector. The electrical connector, printed circuit board and conductive outer housing may all be electrically connected to one another. In some instances, a plurality of electrical connectors having different mechanically shaped second ends and similarly shaped first ends may be provided, from which one electrical connector may be chosen for use in the connector assembly.
US08817481B2

An assembly (10) comprises a housing (11) and a printed circuit board (14) received in the housing. The housing includes a housing body (12) and a cover (16). The housing body (12) has a first surface (26) supporting the printed circuit board (14) and also has a portion defining a second surface (22) receiving the cover (16). At least the portion of the housing body is formed of a material that is meltable by a laser welder. The second surface (22) is spaced from the first surface (26) by a distance that is at least as great as a thickness of the printed circuit board (14). The printed circuit board (14) is at least partially held in place by melted material from said portion.
US08817473B2

A system for cooling an integrated circuit of an electronic device includes a cooling body and a shelf that is positioned relative to the cooling body for the device to be reversibly inserted onto the shelf so that the cooling body is in thermal contact with the integrated circuit. The cooling body is cooled by introducing a fluid therein via an input conduit. The hot fluid is received from the cooling body by an output conduit and is cooled for recycling. The housing of the electronic device includes a rearward gap that admits the cooling body into the housing of the electronic device. Preferably, further cooling is provided by forcing a gas to flow past the output conduit.
US08817466B2

An ejector for stylus includes a housing, an ejecting module and an operating member. The housing defines a retaining slot for retaining the stylus. The ejecting module includes a pushing member and an elastic member retained in the retaining slot. The pushing member defines a latching slot. The operating member includes an elastic arm and a latching arm extending from the elastic arm. The latching arm includes a latch opposite to the elastic arm. The latch is latched in the latching slot to fix the pushing member in the retaining slot and compressing the elastic member. The latch is detached from the latching slot and the compressed elastic member is released to drive the pushing member to push the stylus out of the retaining slot, when an external force is applied to curve the elastic arm.
US08817463B1

The disclosed embodiments relate to a rack for housing electronic components with a movable power distribution unit (PDU). The rack includes a rack housing configured to accommodate a plurality of electronic components. It also includes a first PDU configured to supply electrical power to the plurality of electronic components. The rack additionally includes an attachment mechanism configured to movably attach the first PDU to the rack housing, so that the first PDU can be moved to create an access space to facilitate a maintenance operation while the first PDU continues to supply power to the plurality of electronic components.
US08817460B2

A bracket is used for an electronic device into a frame. The frame includes two opposite wall surfaces and at least one pair of guiding rails disposed on the two wall surfaces. The bracket includes a main connection portion, two main elastic arms, and main engaging posts. The main elastic arms respectively extend from two ends of the main connection portion. The two main elastic arms extend towards the same direction with a clamping space defined between the two main elastic arms for accommodating the electronic device. The main engaging posts are respectively disposed on sides of the two main elastic arms facing each other, so that the main engaging posts extend towards the clamping space for engaging lateral surfaces of the electronic device. The two main elastic arms respectively slide along the two guiding rails, so as to fix the electronic device into the frame.
US08817459B2

A fixing structure for an interface card connector is provided and includes a bottom housing, a board body, an interface card connector, a fixing plate, a torsion spring, and a spring. The bottom housing has an opening and a stop wall. The interface card connector is rotatably located on the board body by a fixing axis and includes a slot. The fixing plate includes a main body, a second spring fixing portion, an interface card connector fixing portion, and a protruding portion. When the board body is moved out the opening and the protruding portion contacts the stop wall, the fixing plate is stopped, and the interface card connector is separated from the interface card connector fixing portion. As a result, the interface card connector is rotated on the board body by the torsion spring, such that the slot is directed upwardly on the board body.
US08817449B2

A substrate holding device for clamping a substrate in a processing chamber in which plasma processing is carried out includes a chuck main body having positive and negative electrodes and, a chuck plate having a rib portion capable of bringing the peripheral edge portion of the substrate into surface contact therewith and multiple support portions provided upright and arranged at predetermined intervals in an internal space surrounded by the rib portion, a DC power supply for applying a DC voltage between the two electrodes, an AC power supply for passing an alternating current through the capacitance of the chuck plate, and first measuring means for measuring the alternating current passing through the capacitance of the chuck plate, and further includes removing means for removing an AC component superimposed on the alternating current from a plasma produced in the processing chamber during plasma processing.
US08817440B2

A device for converting an electric current includes at least one phase module having an AC terminal and at least one DC terminal. Phase module branches, each of which is equipped with serially connected submodules, are respectively provided between each DC terminal and each AC terminal. Each submodule is provided with at least one power semiconductor. Semiconductor protecting means are connected in parallel or in series to at least one of the power semiconductors to enable the device to withstand even high short-circuit currents for a sufficient period of time. A method for protecting the power semiconductors of the device, is also provided.
US08817435B2

A method for making a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate of a first conductivity type and having a surface region, forming a well region of a second conductivity type and having a first depth in the substrate, adding a gate dielectric layer overlying the surface region, adding a gate layer overlying the gate dielectric layer, forming a first LDD region of the first conductivity type and having a second depth within the well region, forming an emitter region of the second conductivity type within the first LDD region, and forming a second LDD region of the first conductivity type with the well region, a channel region separates the first and second LDD regions. The method further includes forming a source region being of the first conductivity type within the second LDD region and adding an output pad coupled to both the drain and emitter regions.
US08817424B1

An arm assembly for a disc drive. The arm assembly has a load arm for supporting a slider and has a lift tab with a ramp-engaging region for parking the load arm when not in use. This ramp-engaging region has an outer surface defined by a first radius and a second radius different than the first radius.
US08817423B2

An Extended Circuit Integrated Suspension (ECIS) design and manufacture thereof, to allow for circuit elements to be disposed onto the load beam on the opposite side of the flexure circuit. An Extended Circuit Integrated Suspension (ECIS) may include a load beam; a flexure circuit comprising a plurality of traces; and a connection portion which connects the load beam laterally to the flexure circuit. The load beam, the flexure circuit, and the connecting portion may be formed as a single component from a single panel, and the connection portion is oriented so that the connection portion is folded to place the flexure circuit onto a first side of the load beam. Applications for the use of the extended circuit are many, and a semi-collocated micro-actuator (SCLMA) is illustrated for example.
US08817419B2

According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording head includes a main magnetic pole generating a recording magnetic field in a magnetic recording medium, a return yoke paired with the main magnetic pole, and a spin torque oscillator interposed between the main magnetic pole and the return yoke and including a spin injection layer, an oscillation layer, a nonmagnetic metal layer, and spin assist layer stacked in this order, wherein the nonmagnetic metal layer includes at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Cu, Au, Ag, Al, Pd, Pt, Os, and Ir, and the spin assist layer is a soft magnetic layer whose saturation magnetic flux density (Bs), diamagnetic field coefficient (N) and gap magnetic field (Hg) show a relationship expressed by Bs×N>Hg.
US08817418B1

A magnetic head includes first and second coils, a main pole, a write shield, a return path section, and a core part. The write shield includes first and second shield portions located on opposite sides of the main pole in a track width direction. The return path section includes first and second yoke portions located on opposite sides of the main pole in the track width direction. The core part is magnetically connected to a part of the main pole located away from a medium facing surface. The first coil surrounds at least part of the entire outer periphery of the main pole. The second coil surrounds at least part of the core part.
US08817415B2

Magnetic storage tape and techniques for erasing and writing to magnetic storage tape having a perpendicular squareness greater than 50 percent and a longitudinal squareness less than 50 percent are described. In general, the magnetic tape may be biased with a remanence magnetization, or magnetic orientation, in any direction. One or two head systems may use various magnetic field patterns to create the desired remanence magnetization. Servo marks may have a remanence magnetization in an opposite magnetic orientation than that of the remaining bias on the servo track, e.g., substantially perpendicular to the magnetic tape. In some examples, a write head may alternate the direction of the magnetic field to continuously bias and write servo patterns to the magnetic tape. In addition, a symmetrical servo mark may be created in the magnetic tape with a write head having a gap width approximately equal to the length of the servo mark.
US08817412B1

According to one embodiment, a magnetic disk device includes a first magnetic head corresponding to a first disk surface; a second magnetic head corresponding to a second disk surface; a skip processor which performs skip processing to prevent selection of the second magnetic head when the first magnetic head performs writing; a write data saving unit which selects the second magnetic head based on a result of the detection of ae write environment, and writes write data to the second disk surface through the second magnetic head; and a write data write-back unit which selects the first magnetic head based on a result of the detection of the write environment, and writes the write data written to the second disk surface to the first disk surface through the first magnetic head.
US08817406B2

A magnetic-recording head with touch-down detector incorporating a carbon nano-tube (CNT). The magnetic-recording head includes a write element, a read element and a touch-down detector. The write element is configured to write data to a magnetic-recording disk. The read element is configured to read data from the magnetic-recording disk. The touch-down detector includes a thermal sensor, and a CNT portion. The thermal sensor is configured to convert heat to a voltage signal. The CNT portion is configured to touch down on the magnetic-recording disk. The CNT portion is also coupled to the thermal sensor, and is configured to transfer heat generated by contact between the CNT portion and the magnetic-recording disk to the thermal sensor. A hard-disk drive (HDD) including the magnetic-recording head with touch-down detector incorporating a CNT, and a method for detecting contact between the magnetic-recording head and a recording surface of a magnetic-recording disk are also provided.
US08817405B1

A magnetic recording hard disk drive has a servo clock that provides a varying frequency to the sync mark detector as a function of the radial position of the head as it crosses a servo section. The varying frequency compensates for circumferential misalignment of the sync marks in the servo sections. As the head moves radially across the tracks in a servo section during a seek, the frequency of the servo clock is continually adjusted based on the known radial velocity of the head and the known sync mark circumferential misalignment. The sync mark misalignment as a function of radius is measured as part of a calibration process, typically during disk drive manufacturing. The adjusted frequency adjusts the sample rate at which the sync mark detector samples the incoming sync marks.
US08817402B2

An apparatus having a controller and a preamplifier is disclosed. The controller may be configured to generate information on a serial bus coupled to a preamplifier interface. The preamplifier may be configured to (i) generate a count value in response to a clock signal synchronized to a recording medium and (ii) generate a plurality of tag signals based on the information and the count value. The tag signals may gate a read operation and a write operation of the preamplifier.
US08817395B2

A portable high-power microscope magnification lens structure, mainly comprises: a main body, a high-power lens being disposed on a middle part thereof which is passed through, an adhesive portion being disposed on a rear edge of the main body, LED lamps used for light compensating illumination being disposed around the lens on a front side of the main body; and a rear cover, one side thereof being pivotally connected to the main body, the rear cover being foldable to cover a rear side of the main body, and a hollow space for receiving batteries being disposed on the rear cover and connected to the LED lamps through a switch; whereby, the additional unit can be attached to the lens of a cellular phone, tablet or camera, used to shoot and observe high-power microscopically magnified images, used as the teaching assistance for the observation of organisms or physical objects, and used for the microscopic magnification photography of the details of other industrial product structures, and the pictures taken from the above can be transmitted to an Internet system immediately.
US08817393B2

Provided is an imaging lens and a camera module, the device including in an orderly way from an object side, a first lens with positive (+) refractive power; a second lens with negative (−) refractive power; a third lens with negative (−) refractive power; a fourth lens with negative (−) refractive power; and a fifth lens with negative (−) refractive power, wherein the lens is concavely formed at an object side surface.
US08817380B2

Apparatus, methods, and systems provide emitting and negatively-refractive focusing of electromagnetic energy. In some approaches the negatively-refractive focusing includes negatively-refractive focusing from an interior field region with an axial magnification substantially greaters than one. In some approaches the negatively-refractive focusing includes negatively-refractive focusing with a transformation medium, where the transformation medium may include an artificially-structured material such as a metamaterial.
US08817379B2

An optical apparatus includes an image source, a scanning mirror, an actuator, and a scanning controller. The image source outputs an image by simultaneously projecting a two-dimensional array of image pixels representing a whole portion of the image. The scanning mirror is positioned in an optical path of the image to reflect the image. The actuator is coupled to the scanning mirror to selectively adjust the scanning mirror about at least one axis. The scanning controller is coupled to the actuator to control a position of the scanning mirror about the at least one axis. The scanning controller includes logic to continuously and repetitiously adjust the position of the scanning mirror to cause the image to be scanned over an eyebox area that is larger than the whole portion of the image.
US08817372B2

A system and method for modulating and displaying optical effects includes a lighting device (BV) and at least one displaying object (DO) located outside the lighting device. The lighting device (BV) includes at least one input polarization unit (POE) for influencing polarization, in particular in a location-dependent manner, and at least one modulation unit (OME) for influencing polarization and/or retardance, in particular in a time-dependent and/or location-dependent manner. The displaying object (DO) includes at least one object retarder unit (POB) for influencing retardance, in particular in a location-dependent and/or time-dependent manner, the at least one object retarder unit being suitable for reversibly or irreversibly impressing a piece of image information, and an output polarization unit (PE). Modulated light (Sout) exiting the lighting device (BV) hits the object retarder unit (POB) in order to interact with the piece of image information, whereby optical effects can be visualized by means of the output polarization unit (PE).
US08817369B2

A three-dimensional display device includes a display unit that displays a left eye image and a right eye image by dividing the images thereof into a plurality of vertically elongated stripes of images and by alternately arranging the divided left eye image and the divided right eye image in a horizontal direction, a barrier formation unit that forms a parallax barrier in front of the display unit, the parallax barrier including a pattern of a plurality of slits to selectively transmit the left eye image and the right eye image towards spatially different points, respectively, that correspond to a left eye and a right eye of the viewer, and a distance measurement unit that measures a distance between the display unit and a viewer viewing the display unit, wherein the barrier formation unit changes the pattern of the slits in the parallax barrier in accordance with the distance measured by the distance measurement unit.
US08817367B2

The disclosure is directed to multilayer Mo/Si coatings for reflective mirrors used in extreme ultraviolet lithographic systems and to a method of making such mirrors using plasma ion assisted deposition (PIAD) techniques. The coating are deposited on a substrate suitable for EUV lithography, and are Mo/Si coating consisting of 40-100 Mo/Si periods, each period consisting on a Mo layer followed by a Si layer. Each of the individual Mo and Si layers is deposited to a specified or target thickness in the range of 2 nm to 5 nm, and the thicknesses are controlled to ±0.1 nm. A plasma from a plasma source is used to densify and smooth the substrate prior to deposition of the coating, and each layer of the coating is plasma densified and smoothed.
US08817363B2

A wavelength conversion device includes a base substrate having a transparent electrode on one surface thereof and a ferroelectric single crystal substrate provided with an optical waveguide. The ferroelectric single crystal substrate has an insulating film formed on one surface and is bonded to the base substrate such that the insulating film faces the transparent electrode.
US08817354B2

An optical device includes a ridge on a base. The ridge includes an active medium. An active component on the base is a light sensor and/or a light modulator. The active component is configured to guide a light signal through the active medium included in the ridge. Electrical current carriers contact the lateral sides of the ridge on opposing sides of the ridge. Each of the electrical current carriers includes a carrier material that is doped so as to increase the electrical conductivity of the carrier material. The carrier material is different from the active medium.
US08817339B2

A method of stitching frames of a video sequence to image a target document. The method comprises capturing a group of frames of a video sequence using an image sensor of a handheld device having a display, during the capturing, analyzing the video sequence to select iteratively a group of the frames, each member of the group depicts another of segments of a target document, during the capturing, sequentially presenting a plurality maneuvering indications, each the maneuvering indication is presented after a certain frame depicting a certain of the segments is captured and indicative of a maneuvering gesture required for bringing the image sensor to capture another frame depicting another segment of the segments, the another segment being complementary and adjacent to the certain segment, and stitching members of the group to create a mosaic image depicting the target document as a whole.
US08817334B2

An information processing apparatus determines permission to duplicate a target image based on a two-dimensional code included in the target image. The information processing apparatus includes a CPU having a control unit that stores information concerning the target image, information based on the two-dimensional code including information indicating the permission of the duplication of the target image, and information indicating a user who has issued an instruction to duplicate the target image in a copy log in association with each other if the two-dimensional code is included in the target image.
US08817328B2

An image processing apparatus implements appropriate image processing on image data stored in a storage unit of the image processing apparatus easily and efficiently, and distributes the image data to an external apparatus. An image format conversion unit implements image processing such as resolution conversion processing, filter processing, γ correction processing, and halftone processing on image data stored in an HDD serving as an image data storage unit so that the image data conform to conditions, such as image quality and format, specified by an external client apparatus. The image-processed image data are then distributed to the external client apparatus.
US08817323B2

An image forming apparatus includes: a request signal generating unit that generates a predetermined timing signal and transmits a request signal for a specified number of times for requesting line-by-line image data during a time interval at which the timing signal is generated; and a memory control unit that sequentially saves, in a memory unit, line-by-line image data transmitted in response to the request signal and reads line-by-line image data saved in the memory unit to transmit the line-by-line image data to a drive control unit. Upon receiving a predetermined increase request, the request signal generating unit shifts a generation timing of the timing signal so that, during the time interval, the request signal can be transmitted for an increased number of times than the specified number of times, and gradually shortens the timing signal by a predetermined shortening time period.
US08817322B2

An image processing apparatus includes: a change processing unit configured to execute change processing of changing a pixel-number ratio S for distortion-free image data expressing a distortion-free image to acquire distorted image data expressing a distorted image having the pixel-number ratio of p×S; and a halftone processing unit configured to execute halftone processing for generating dot data for the distorted image data having the pixel-number ratio of p×S by using a dither matrix so as to generate distorted dot data expressing a distorted dot image having the pixel-number ratio of p×S, wherein a distortion-free dot image is to be obtained by enlarging the distorted dot data in at least the first direction, the distortion-free dot image having the pixel-number ratio S, and wherein a screen angle of the dither matrix is set to be about arctan((tan θ)/p)) when a screen angle in the distortion-free dot image is θ.
US08817317B2

In one embodiment, printing, on a first side of a media, of a first plurality of plots and a plurality of associated fiducials is caused. For each of a second plurality of plots, using data from a sensor, a distance to one of the plurality of associated fiducials is measured to discern a reference for printing that plot on a second side of the media. Printing of the second plurality of plots on the second side is caused so that each of the second plurality of plots is substantially in registration with one of the first plurality of plots.
US08817312B2

A control point includes a communication interface to search for one or more image forming apparatuses using digital living network alliance (DLNA), a user interface unit through which at least one piece of content is selected for printing using a user interface of the control point, and through which an image forming apparatus is selected from among the searched image forming apparatuses to perform printing, a DLNA stack unit to set a connection policy regarding connection to the selected image forming apparatus, and to selectively control the DLNA connection status to the selected image forming apparatus according to the connection policy, and a controller to control the communication interface to transmit print data corresponding to the selected content-for-printing and the connection policy to the selected image forming apparatus.
US08817311B2

A system for integrating multiple software modules configured to produce output according to established business rules is provided. The system in one embodiment coordinates the printing of a variety of labels and reports according to a set of complex business rules. Complex output tasks may be distributed to remote computers in a network for optimum efficiency. The system may be configured to comply with one or more standard database connectivity standards in order to provide a generic interface with foreign systems. The method in one embodiment includes acquiring an input, sending a query to a database, retrieving business rules and associated tasks, and building scripts or commands for each task.This Abstract is provided to comply with the rules, which require an abstract to quickly inform a searcher or other reader about the subject matter of the application. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US08817304B2

The wireless communication device may determine in which of a parent state and a child state the wireless communication device is to operate in a case where the wireless communication device receives a first type of signal, and determine the wireless communication device is to operate in the parent state in a case where the wireless communication device receives a second type of signal. The wireless communication device may send a first wireless profile to a first external device so as to establish a wireless connection with the first external device in a case where the wireless communication device is to operate in the parent state, and receive a second wireless profile from a second external device so as to establish a wireless connection with the second external device in a case where the wireless communication device is to operate in the child state.
US08817295B2

A communication system includes a first network, a printer connected with the first network, a host device, connected with the first network, which are configured to use the printer as a network printer with a printer driver being installed therein, a second network connected with the first network via a router, and an external server device, connected with the second network, which is configured as a providing source of a first printer driver. The printer includes a downloading unit that downloads the first printer driver from the external server device via the first and second networks, a storing unit that stores the downloaded first printer driver, and a sending unit that sends the stored first printer driver to the host device via the first network. The host device includes a receiving unit that receives the first printer driver from the sending unit.
US08817287B2

An image forming apparatus includes a first communication processing unit and a second communication processing unit, which communicate with an external device, respectively. A power supply unit supplies power to the second communication processing unit and a switching unit switches from the first communication processing unit to the second communication processing unit as a communication destination of the external device, when the first communication processing unit receives data from the external device in a power-saving state where the power supply unit supplies power to the first communication processing unit and the power supply unit stops supplying the power to the second communication processing unit.
US08817285B2

A method, apparatus, and computer program product are described herein for generating printer commands for controlling a printing device, based on HTML. More specifically, the example embodiments of the system described herein provide for receiving HTML representing a label that comprises, in some examples, a barcode or other print content, transforming the HTML to a printer control language, and rasterizing the image on a printing device in preparation for printing, all while preserving barcode print quality and high speed printing and scanning.
US08817277B2

An image forming apparatus includes: a recording medium conveying mechanism configured to convey a recording medium; a registration roller configured to correct the direction of the recording medium; a first sensor set upstream in a recording medium conveying direction of the registration roller; an image forming section configured to form an image on the conveyed recording medium; and a lateral shift correcting apparatus set downstream of the image forming section and configured to correct the position of the recording medium in an oblique direction by an angle corresponding to a lateral shift amount of the recording medium detected by the first sensor.
US08817274B2

Provided are an apparatus for measuring a thickness change, a system using the apparatus, a morphology microscope using the apparatus, a method of measuring a thickness change, and a method of acquiring a morphology image by using the measuring method, by which a minute thickness change may be precisely and accurately measured or a morphology image may be acquired by using an inexpensive and simple configuration. The apparatus includes a light source for irradiating beam onto a target object; a curved reflector for reflecting the beam reflected on the target object and incident onto the curved reflector; and a sensing unit for sensing the beam reflected on the curved reflector.
US08817268B2

An optical filter includes fixed substrate, a movable substrate opposed to the fixed substrate, a first reflection film provided on a surface of the fixed substrate facing the movable substrate, a second reflection film provided on the movable substrate and opposed to the first reflection film across a gap, a first electrode formed to cover the first reflection film and to extend beyond an outer circumference of the first reflection film, and a second electrode provided on a surface of the movable substrate facing the fixed substrate and opposed to a part of the first electrode, and the first electrode is formed of a light-transmissive material, and the first electrode and the second reflection film are electrically connected at the same potential.
US08817265B2

Herein are disclosed optoelectronic methods and devices for detecting the presence of an analyte. Such methods and devices may comprise at least one sensing element that is responsive to the presence of an analyte of interest and that may be interrogated optically by the use of at least one light source and at least one light detector.
US08817258B2

Embodiments described herein generally relate to devices, systems and methods for measuring the dose remaining in a drug delivery device that is used for delivering a dose to a patient. In some embodiments, a dose measurement system for measuring the liquid volume in a container includes a plurality of light sources which are disposed and configured to emit electromagnetic radiation toward the container. A plurality of sensors are located in the apparatus that are optically coupleable to the plurality of light sources and are disposed and configured to detect the electromagnetic radiation emitted by at least a portion of the light sources. The apparatus also includes a processing unit configured to receive data representing the portion of the detected electromagnetic radiation from each of the plurality of sensors. The processing unit is further operable to convert the received data into a signature representative of the electromagnetic radiation detected by the plurality of sensors.
US08817256B2

To provide a medium-pressing device whereby it is possible to detect a malfunction of a power supply that outputs power for the purpose of pressing a medium. The invention is a medium-pressing device characterized by including a pressing member that presses a medium; a power supply that outputs power for the pressing member to press the medium; a detection section that detects displacement of an output section of the power supply; and a controller adapted to reduce the power output by the power supply from a state in which the pressing member presses the medium, and to detect malfunction of the power supply on the basis of detection results obtained from the detection section.
US08817253B2

Method for hyper-spectral imaging and analysis of a sample of matter, for identifying and characterizing an object of interest therein. Preparing test solution or suspension of the sample, including adding thereto a spectral marker specific to object of interest, such that if object of interest is in test solution or suspension, object of interest becomes a hyper-spectrally active target which is hyper-spectrally detectable and identifiable; adding to test solution or suspension a background reducing chemical, for reducing background interfering effects caused by presence of objects of non-interest in test solution or suspension, thereby increasing hyper-spectral detectability of hyper-spectrally active target in test solution or suspension; generating and collecting hyper-spectral image data and information of test solution or suspension; and, processing and analyzing thereof. Exemplary objects of interest are biological agents—bacteria (Bacillus anthracis), viruses, fungi, toxins, or, chemical agents—nerve agents (sarin, tabun, soman), and chemical poisons.
US08817252B2

A method of inspecting a lateral pipe extending from a manhole, said method comprising: (a) inserting an imaging head into said manhole using a positioning system, said imaging head connected to an elongated member and comprising an imaging device adapted to convert an image to an image signal, a lens optically coupled to said imaging device, and at least one lamp suitable for projecting a light beam, said lamp having a beam that is adjustable to enable said beam to move relative said imaging device; (b) imaging a target located within said lateral pipe; (c) holding said imaging device essentially steady while imaging said target and adjusting said beam to adjust the illumination of said target.
US08817246B2

A lens testing method is disclosed which comprises the following three steps. First, test a lens under test to obtain a testing characteristic value of the lens under test for a first object distance. Second, provide a correction datum. Third, calculate a simulated characteristic value for a second object distance according to the testing characteristic value and the correction datum.
US08817243B2

Color measuring systems and methods are disclosed. Perimeter receiver fiber optics are spaced apart from a central source fiber optic and receive light reflected from the surface of the object being measured. Light from the perimeter fiber optics pass to a variety of filters. The system utilizes the perimeter receiver fiber optics to determine information regarding the height and angle of the probe with respect to the object being measured. Under processor control, the color measurement may be made at a predetermined height and angle. Various color spectral photometer arrangements are disclosed. Translucency, fluorescence and/or surface texture data also may be obtained. Audio feedback may be provided to guide operator use of the system. The probe may have a removable or shielded tip for contamination prevention.
US08817241B2

An oil in water analyzer for measuring the concentration of hydrocarbons in an effluent stream. The oil in water analyzer has a valve system for acquiring a sample from an effluent stream. An extraction device is used for mixing a known volume of a solvent and the sample to produce a hydrocarbon/solvent mixture. A second valve is used for transporting the hydrocarbon/solvent mixture to a spectroscopic cell. It is at the spectroscopic cell where the concentration of hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon/solvent mixture is evaluated.
US08817227B2

An immersion lithographic apparatus is disclosed that includes a detector to measure a distance between a substrate support structure and/or a substrate and a fluid handling system and/or to detect when an item is present between the fluid handling system and a top surface of the substrate and/or substrate support structure. The detector may use information of an electrical property of the fluid provided by the fluid handling system to measure the distance. The detector may measure variation in resistance and/or in capacitance between an electrode of the fluid handling system and an electrode of the substrate and/or substrate support structure.
US08817222B2

An optical element and a stereoscopic image display device are provided. The optical element is a light-dividing element, for example an element that can divide incident light into at least two kinds of light having different polarized states. Therefore, the optical element can be used to realize a stereoscopic image.
US08817221B2

A touch-type liquid crystal display apparatus with a built-in contact, includes a substrate support structure supporting a first substrate and a second substrate respectively. The substrate support structure includes a pillar-shaped spacer formed on an opposing surface of the second substrate, and a base region formed on an opposing surface of the first substrate and having a front end with which a front end of the pillar-shaped spacer is in contact. A contact point protrusion is also formed on the opposing surface of the second substrate by using the same material as that of the pillar-shaped spacer.
US08817216B2

A liquid crystal display device with a built-in touch screen comprising a substrate having a pixel region, a thin film transistor formed at the pixel region, the thin film transistor including at least an active layer, a gate electrode, an insulating layer, and a data electrode, a first passivation layer formed on the thin film transistor, a first contact hole formed through a portion of the first passivation layer to expose the data electrode, a common electrode formed on at least one portion of the first passivation layer including inside the first contact hole, the common electrode operable to sense touch, a conductive line formed on at least one portion of the first passivation layer including inside the first contact hole, a second passivation layer formed on the common electrode and the conductive line, a second contact hole formed through a portion of the second passivation layer to expose the conductive line corresponding to the data electrode, and a pixel electrode electrically connected with the conductive line, the pixel electrode formed on the second passivation layer and inside the second contact hole, wherein the data electrode and the pixel electrode are electrically connected via the common electrode and the conductive line.
US08817215B2

A pixel structure including a substrate, a scan line, a first data line and a first pixel unit is provided. The scan line and the first data line are disposed on the substrate. The first pixel unit includes a first active device and a first pixel electrode. The first active device is electrically connected to the scan line and the first data line. The first pixel electrode electrically connected to the first active device has a first stripe pattern and a plurality of first branches. One side of the first stripe pattern is connected to the first branches extended toward the scan line, and the other side of the first stripe pattern is overlapped with the scan line. The overlapped width of the first stripe pattern with the scan line is substantially equal to 40% to 90% of the width of the first stripe pattern.
US08817211B2

Gate lines are arranged in a first direction. Drain lines are arranged in a second direction. A first electrode has slits formed therein. Aperture regions surrounded by the drain lines and the gate lines include an aperture region including the slits having a first inclined angle and an aperture region including the slits having a second inclined angle, the second inclined angle being different from the first inclined angle. The aperture region including the slits having the first inclined angle and the aperture region including the slits having the second inclined angle are alternately formed in the first direction. Within the aperture regions arranged adjacent to each other in the first direction, a first region and a second region forming a pair by being arranged so as to be opposed to each other via one of the gate lines form one of pixels.
US08817195B2

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for digital television demodulation, comprising using adjacent-channel power dependent automatic gain control (AGC) for the digital television demodulation, wherein an AGC technique takes into account a total power as well as power of adjacent channels to control gain of a gain control amplifier.
US08817192B2

There is provided an image processing apparatus including: a plurality of signal processing circuits that compose video signals; and a communication path that connects the plurality of signal processing circuits, wherein any one of the plurality of signal processing circuits composes a video signal obtained by composition by the signal processing circuit, and a video signal obtained by composition by another signal processing circuit supplied from the another signal processing circuit via the communication path.
US08817187B2

In a launcher display state, a launcher image is displayed on a screen. The launcher image includes a display frame. An application image, which has been reduced based on application video data at the time of startup previously stored in a main memory, is displayed in the display frame. In an intermediate display state, an intermediate launcher image is displayed on the screen. The intermediate launcher image includes an intermediate frame. In the intermediate frame, an application image, which has been reduced based on the application video data at the time of startup previously stored in the main memory, is displayed in the intermediate frame. In an application display state, an application image during startup is displayed on the whole screen of a monitor.
US08817177B2

Provided are methods of controlling digital image processing apparatus, in which a communication method may be transitioned to burst communication when an amount of data for communication with an external device is great, digital image processing apparatuses to which the methods are applied, and communication systems including the digital image processing apparatuses. In the methods, according to a type or a state of an external device or an operating state of the digital image processing apparatus, when an amount of data to be transmitted is large, burst communication may be performed, and if the amount of data is not as large, single communication may be performed.
US08817176B2

A camera positioning system includes a securing bracket fixed near a screen portion of a display screen, a belt, a shaft member rotatably connected to the securing bracket, and a spring member elastically connected between the shaft member and the securing bracket to provide an elastic force to make the shaft member automatically rotate. The belt is wound around the shaft member with an inner end fixed to the shaft member and an outer end extending out from the securing bracket to pass through the screen portion. A camera is removable secured to the belt.
US08817166B2

An imaging device includes: a microlens that focuses subject light; a light receiving element that receives the subject light focused by the microlens to thereby generate a signal for making focus determination through phase-difference detection; and a light blocking portion that is disposed between the microlens and the light receiving element so as to block part of the subject light focused by the microlens, wherein the distance between the light blocking portion and the microlens in an optical axis direction of the microlens is set so as to decrease as an image height increases.
US08817161B2

A controller controls a photographing angle of view based on the face size detected by the face size calculation unit and the face inclination detected by the face inclination detection unit, wherein the controller controls the photographing angle of view so that a size with respect to the photographing angle of view of the subject image recognized by the face recognition unit becomes a predetermined size.
US08817158B2

An image pickup apparatus controls in such a manner that if a touch applied to a touch operation member is detected by a detection unit arranged to detect a touch operation applied to the touch operation member, a photographic preparation unit makes an adjustment of a photographic setting, and after the touch, if the detection unit detects a predetermined touch operation and thereafter detects that the touch operation member loses the touch applied thereto, a photographic processing unit does not execute a photographic processing, while after the touch, if the detection unit detects that the touch operation member loses the touch applied thereto without detecting the predetermined touch operation, the photographic processing unit executes the photographic processing.
US08817154B2

An image sensor pixel includes a photosensitive region and pixel circuitry. The photosensitive region accumulates an image charge in response to light incident upon the image sensor. The pixel circuitry includes a transfer-storage transistor, a charge-storage area, an output transistor, and a floating diffusion region. The transfer-storage transistor is coupled between the photosensitive region and the charge-storage area. The output transistor has a channel coupled between the charge-storage area and the floating diffusion region and has a gate tied to a fixed voltage potential. The transfer-storage transistor causes the image charge to transfer from the photosensitive region to the charge-storage area and to transfer from the charge-storage area to the floating diffusion region.
US08817153B2

Electronic devices may include image sensors having image sensor pixels arranged in rows and columns. Pixels arranged along a column may be coupled to a common column line. Two or more column lines may by coupled to a shared analog-to-digital converter circuit. The shared analog to digital converter circuit may sample and hold reset-level or image-level voltages presented on the column line. The shared analog to digital converter circuits may pre-amplify and convert the voltages to digital signals. The shared analog-to-digital converter may simultaneously sample pixel voltages for all columns in a selected row of the pixel array. The image sensor may read the converted signals out of memory for an active row in the pixel array while simultaneously sampling and holding the voltages for the next row of the pixel array.
US08817151B2

An amplification-type solid-state imaging device supplies a voltage of VRESL1 to a gate of a reset transistor when a signal of a vertical output line is read out and supplies a voltage of VRESL2, which is greater than VRESL1, when the signal charge accumulated in a photodiode is transferred to an FD so that, via a capacitor provided between the gate of the reset transistor and the FD, good linearity is obtained by decreasing the voltage of the FD when the signal is read out and the maximum amount of charge which can be transferred is increased by increasing the voltage of the FD when the charge is transferred.
US08817149B2

A solid-state imaging device includes a photoelectric conversion layer, a MOS transistor circuit. The photoelectric conversion layer is formed over a semiconductor substrate. The MOS transistor circuit reads out a signal corresponding to charges generated in the photoelectric conversion layer and then collected, and that is formed in the semiconductor substrate, the charges having a given polarity. The MOS transistor circuit includes a charge accumulation portion, a reset transistor, and an output transistor. The charge accumulation portion is electrically connected with the photoelectric conversion layer. The reset transistor resets a potential of the charge accumulation portion to a reset potential. The output transistor outputs a signal corresponding to the potential of the charge accumulation portion. The reset transistor and the output transistor have carriers whose polarity is opposite to the given polarity. In the MOS transistor circuit, following formula (1) is satisfied: GND
US08817143B2

A plurality of pixel circuits arranged in rows and columns, and each of which outputs an electric signal according to an amount of received light; a first column signal line provided for each of the columns, and for sequentially transferring the electric signals from said pixel circuits in a corresponding column; and a holding circuit provided for each of the pixel circuits in each column, and which holds the electric signal transferred through the column signal line in the corresponding column are provided. A holding circuit includes a first capacitor which holds a first electric signal of the corresponding pixel circuit in a reset state; and a second capacitor which holds a second electric signal after the corresponding pixel circuit receives light. A difference circuit calculates a difference between two electric signals held by the first capacitor and the second capacitor in a same holding circuit.
US08817136B2

According to certain embodiments, alpha image data of an alpha frame corresponding to an alpha portion of a scene is accessed. Beta image data of a beta frame corresponding to a beta portion of the scene is accessed. The alpha frame and the beta frame have an overlapping region. Alpha-beta pairs are generated for the overlapping region. Each alpha-beta pair comprises an alpha value of the alpha image data and a beta value of the beta image data that both correspond to the same portion of the scene. A function is applied to each alpha-beta pair to determine first frame image data for the overlapping region. The first frame image data comprises information to generate a first frame of the scene.
US08817129B1

An apparatus having a circuit is disclosed. The circuit may be configured to (i) process a digital image received from a camera sensor and (ii) convert the digital image after the processing. The converting generally uses a lookup table-based conversion that performs both (a) a color correction and (b) a tone correction.
US08817121B2

An imaging apparatus includes: an image sensor in which plural pixels having a photoelectric conversion function are arranged; a light guiding unit including plural optical system windows that guide light from an object to the respective pixels of the image sensor; and a signal processing unit that performs signal processing based on imaging information of the image sensor, wherein the signal processing unit obtains distance information of the object based on the imaging information of the image sensor and generates an image in response to a distance of the object based on the distance information.
US08817116B2

A camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a first Printed Circuit Board (PCB) configured to have an image sensor mounted thereon; a housing unit disposed over the first PCB; a holder module spaced apart from a bottom surface within the housing unit at a specific interval and configured to have a first coil wound on its outer circumferential face and to include at least lens therein; a second PCB combined with the bottom surface of the holder module; a third PCB disposed over the holder module; and a plurality of wire springs each configured to have one end connected to the second PCB and the other end connected to the third PCB.
US08817109B1

Method and modular system for generating and capturing DVI video signals. When generating a video signal, data blocks are arranged in a line parameter memory, each corresponding to a complete video line and containing pointers to specific entries for lines of the video signal in a primary image memory holding a main bit-mapped image, and a video line construct memory holding data enable and blanking patterns. Generation of the video signal is initiated by reading the line parameter memory and extracting pointers from the data blocks for a first line of the video signal being generated. Bits from the primary image and video line construct memories are obtained and combined based on extracted pointers to generate the first line of the video signal. A length of the first line of video signal is monitored to determine when it is complete, and then the process continues for each additional line.
US08817108B2

A method is for monitoring the electrical integrity of lines of photosites of an imaging device with matrix array of photosites. The control lines of photosites may include for each line of photosites an emission of elementary electrical control signals for the photosites of the line. The method may include diagnosis of the elementary electrical control signals emitted.
US08817098B2

The present invention provides an entry control device, system and method which can recognize a vehicle by its undercarriage image only. The present invention compares a new vehicle undercarriage image with those stored in a reference database to facilitate the automatic search of a vehicle's undercarriage. The present invention can compare the new undercarriage image to the same or similar undercarriage image previously entered in the reference database, highlighting any anomalies such as, for example, foreign objects, explosives, drugs, paraphernalia and other illegal and/or harmful substances and devices.
US08817089B2

An inspection system for flat objects, especially wafers and dies, including: a handling system for loading objects into the inspection system; a sensor assembly for receiving images or measuring values of the object surface or parts of the object surface; a driving assembly for generating a relative movement between the objects and the sensor assembly, where a movement is effected between objects relative to the sensor assembly along a first trajectory; wherein at least one further sensor assembly is provided, and the driving assembly is adapted to generate a further relative movement, where a movement of different objects relative to the sensor assembly can be generated on at least a second trajectory in order to allow at least two objects to be treated simultaneously.
US08817088B2

A sample observation device includes: an excitation light generation unit; an intermediate image forming unit projecting excitation light to a sample and forming an intermediate image of the sample at an intermediate image position with observing light; a confocal modulation unit modulating spatial intensity distributions of the excitation light and the intermediate image at the position; a modulation drive unit moving a pattern of the modulation unit; an image relay unit relaying on a image forming surface the intermediate image; an image pickup unit converting the distribution of relayed intermediate image into digital image data; and an image processing unit processing on the digital image data. Cutoff frequency of the relay unit and Nyquist frequency of the pickup unit exceed cutoff frequency of the forming unit, and the processing unit performs a high frequency enhancing process for enhancing the high frequency component exceeding the cutoff frequency of the forming unit.
US08817080B2

A method includes receiving media content of a particular program at a media device. The media content of the particular program is received via a plurality of video streams, where each of the plurality of video streams is associated with a different viewing perspective. The method includes determining locations of one or more viewers of a display device relative to a plurality of viewing zones of the display device. The method also includes selecting a video stream of the particular program to display to each viewer of the one or more viewers based on the location of each viewer. One video stream is selected for each viewer, and different video streams are selected for viewers in different viewing zones. The method further includes sending the selected video streams to the display device from the media device.
US08817078B2

There is provided a system and method for integrating a virtual rendering system and a video capture system using flexible camera control to provide an augmented reality. There is provided a method comprising receiving input data from a plurality of clients for modifying a virtual environment presented using the virtual rendering system, obtaining, from the virtual rendering system, a virtual camera configuration of a virtual camera in the virtual environment, programming the video capture system using the virtual camera configuration to correspondingly control a robotic camera in a real environment, capturing a video capture feed using the robotic camera, obtaining a virtually rendered feed using the virtual camera showing the modifying of the virtual environment, rendering the composite render by processing the feeds, and outputting the composite render to the display.
US08817075B2

An imaging apparatus generates a 3D model using a photographed image of a subject and generates a 3D image based on the 3D model. When a corresponding point corresponding to a point forming the 3D model does not form a 3D model generated using a photographed image photographed at a different photographing position, the imaging apparatus determines that the point is noise, and removes the point determined as noise from the 3D model. The imaging apparatus generates a 3D image based on the 3D model from which the point determined as noise is removed.
US08817074B2

Systems and methods are described to allow arbitrary 3D data to be rendered to a 2D viewport on a device with limited processing capabilities. 3D vertex data is received comprising vertices and connections conforming to coordinate processing constraints. A position and orientation of a camera in world co-ordinates is received to render the 3D vertex data from. A processing zone of the plurality of processing zones the position of the camera is in is determined. The vertices of the 3D vertex data assigned to the determined processing zone are transformed based on the position and orientation of the camera for rendering to the viewport.
US08817071B2

Aspects of the present invention include systems and methods for generating a novel view interpolation. In embodiments, feature correspondences and geometrical contexts are used to find additional correspondences based on the assumption of the local linear transformation. The accuracy and the number of correspondence matches may be improved by iterative refinement. Having obtained a set of correspondences, a novel view image can be generated.
US08817069B2

A method of filling occluded areas of a depth or disparity map estimated from at least two images and consisting of a matrix of pixels forming a set of lines and columns, each pixel of the map being associated with a depth or disparity value (pixel value) and any pixel of an occluded area (invalid pixel) being associated with a pixel value identifiable as being invalid. This method comprises a step of processing each line of the map pixel by pixel in a predefined direction and assigning each invalid pixel Pi encountered on a current line a value determined as a function of the values associated with the pixels in a predefined vicinity around the first valid pixel P1, if any, that follows the invalid pixel Pi on the current line and the value V(P1) of which corresponds to a greater depth or a lesser disparity relative to the value V(P0) of the last valid pixel P0, if any, that precedes the invalid pixel Pi on the current line.
US08817063B1

Methods and systems for voice and video messaging are provided here. In some embodiments a method for voice and video messaging may include establishing a telecommunication session with a calling device associated with a first user in response to an indication that a call request from the calling device directed to a called identifier associated with a second user failed, providing to the calling device an option to leave a video message and an option to leave an audio message, receiving a selection from the calling device indicating the selection of the option to leave a video message, disconnecting the established telecommunication session, and receiving a video message from the calling device.
US08817062B2

Novel tools and techniques to enable video enhancements identifying the calling party of an incoming telephone call. In an aspect of some such tools, a video message from the calling party is sent to the receiving party through a communication channel in the provider network. Upon receiving an incoming telephone call at the provider network, the video message can be associated with the incoming telephone call, and routed to a set-top unit (also referred to herein as a “set-top box”) associated with the receiving party. The set-top unit might communicate with a visual display screen (e.g., a television), and/or cause the visual display screen to show the video message for the receiving party as an indication of the incoming telephone call and identification of the calling party.
US08817035B2

Circuits, methods, and apparatus that perform a context switch quickly while not wasting a significant amount of in-progress work. A texture pipeline includes a cutoff point or stage. After receipt of a context switch instruction, texture requests and state updates above the cutoff point are stored in a memory, while those below the cutoff point are processed before the context switch is completed. After this processing is complete, global states in the texture pipeline are stored in the memory. A previous context may then be restored by reading its texture requests and global states from the memory and loading them into the texture pipeline. The location of the cutoff point can be a point in the pipeline where a texture request can no longer result in a page fault in the memory.
US08817030B2

Graphics processing units (GPUs) deployed in general purpose GPU (GPGPU) units are combined into a GPGPU cluster. Access to the GPGPU cluster is then offered as a service to users who can use their own computers to communicate with the GPGPU cluster. The users develop applications to be run on the cluster and a profiling module tracks the applications' resource utilization and can report it to the user and to a subscription server. The user can examine the report to thereby optimize the application or the cluster's configuration. The subscription server can interpret the report to thereby invoice the user or otherwise govern the users' access to the cluster.
US08817028B2

A computer-implemented method and system creates dynamic sets to automatically arrange dimension annotations in a CAD model. The invention method/product/data storage medium/system determines a location to place a new dimension annotation based on dimension type of the entity selected to annotate. One or more sets of existing dimension annotations are created. The existing dimension annotations in the same set together with the new dimension annotation with similar characteristics as those in the same set are sorted, and then displayed in sorted order in a view of the CAD model on the computer screen.
US08817019B2

A projection image of an object is colored using three-dimensional image data. This may be particularly useful in radiographic imaging applications, for example. In one embodiment, a colored synthetic image is rendered from a colored three-dimensional image of an object, and color components of pixels of the synthetic image are used to determine color components, or color values, for corresponding pixels of a projection image depicting a similar view of the object as the synthetic image. In this way, the two-dimensional projection image is colored similarly to the colored three-dimensional image. For example, the projection image may be colored based upon density (if the three-dimensional image is colored based upon density) so aspects of the object that attenuate a similar amount of radiation but have different densities may be colored differently.
US08817018B1

Embodiments relate to constructing a three-dimensional model using a plurality of two-dimensional photographic images. In a first embodiment, a first user input specifying a first position on a first photographic image may be received. A second user input specifying a second position on a second photographic image may be received, the second photographic image having a second perspective, specified by a second set of camera parameters, being different from a first perspective of the first image specified by a first set of camera parameters. The user inputs may indicate corresponding features in the images. Using photogrammetry, a point in a three-dimensional space may be determined according to the first position, the second position, the first set of camera parameters, and the second set of camera parameters. A surface of the three-dimensional model may be determined, whereby the surface may be curved to the point in three-dimensional space determined earlier.
US08817017B2

The present invention provides method and system for 3D hand-painting and 3D hand-drawing. The system corresponding to the invented method comprises: an electronic monitor and computer, means for 3D digital vision, multi-axis input control device allowing digital painting or drawing on the canvas, additional input control device for virtual changing the position of the canvas between the painter and the monitor, means for 3D image presentation. The system and method provide painting or drawing on the electronic canvas for each of the virtual positions of the canvas by changing this position with the input control device and verifying it with the means for 3D digital vision. The system provides complete digital 2D images of the painting for the right and the left eyes, which are used for presentation of 3D painting by available means for 3D vision.
US08817014B2

Described herein is a technology for facilitating visualization of a tubular structure. Digitized image data of the tubular structure is received and processed to determine a centerline. A first transformation operation is performed on a first set of coordinates representing the tubular structure to generate a transformed tubular structure with a straight centerline. A second transformation operation is then performed locally on a second set of coordinates representing at least one fold of the transformed tubular structure to generate a transformed fold, which is perpendicular to the centerline.
US08817011B2

A drive device drives a display panel through alternately applying a positive polarity gradation voltage and a negative polarity gradation voltage to the display panel. The drive device includes an amplifier unit for amplifying a voltage applied to an input to obtain an amplified gradation voltage, and a voltage generation unit for generating the positive polarity gradation voltage and the negative polarity gradation voltage according to the amplified gradation voltage. The amplifier unit selects one of the positive polarity gradation voltage and the negative polarity gradation voltage immediately before the amplifier unit switches a gradation reference voltage. The selected gradation voltage has a polarity the same as that of the gradation reference voltage to be applied to the input line after the amplifier unit switches the gradation reference voltage.
US08817007B2

A regulator and an organic light emitting diode display including the regulator are disclosed. The regulator includes a reference voltage generating unit generating a reference voltage from an input voltage, a voltage division resistor circuit dividing a voltage of an output terminal of the regulator to generate a feedback voltage, a comparator comparing the reference voltage with the feedback voltage, a transistor that is turned on or off based on an output of the comparator and switches on or off the input voltage supplied to the output terminal, and a sink current breaking circuit for discharging a sink current flowing in the output terminal to a ground level voltage source.
US08817002B2

Systems and method to generate more readable modified images that are presented on electronic displays in bright ambient light, such as direct sunlight. Images normally presented in lower ambient light are modified to generate modified images that have higher contrast and that contain less information. For example, modified images contain pixels that are either “on” or “off” and may be inverted to present a black on white background image on the display. Some information, such as text fields or icons, is removed from the modified image to increase readability in bright ambient light. A backlight level of the display is also able to be increased in bright ambient light.
US08817001B2

An optical sense-control system, for receiving a first light and second light, includes a first optical filter, a second optical filter, and an optical detection module. The transmission of the first light having a majority intensity in a first wave-length band is greater than the transmission of the second light having a majority intensity in a second wave-length band in the first optical filter, the first wave-length band is less than the second wave-length band, and the transmission of the second light is greater than the transmission of the first light in the second optical filter. The optical detection module is used for creating a first control signal while the first light emitting through the first optical filter at a first zone is detected and a second control signal is created while the second light emitting through the second optical filter at a second zone is detected.
US08816989B2

An approach is provided to direct data to different applications based upon the amount of pressure applied by a user of a pressure sensitive touch-enabled screen. In this approach, a touch input is received at a location of the pressure sensitive touch-enabled screen. The various applications currently being displayed at the location are identified along with the physical pressure level (amount of pressure applied) at the location on the pressure sensitive touch-enabled screen. One of the applications running on the device is selected based on the amount of pressure applied and the touch-based input provided by the user is directed to the selected application.
US08816987B2

A method and device for signal detection is disclosed. At least one detection period is predefined for detecting a signal of a signal source, a differential signal of a pair of signal sources, or a dual-differential signal of three signal sources during at least one clock cycle.
US08816979B2

A method and device for determining a single touch or multiple touches is disclosed. A touch related sensing information with a single zero-crossing is used for determining a pair of values, and the locations of a pair of centroids are calculated depending on the pair of values. The distance between the locations of the pair of centroids can be used to determine whether the number of touches is one or more.
US08816975B2

An information processing apparatus of the present invention includes a touch panel for displaying predetermined information and accepting a touch operation input; and a control section for controlling operation of the information processing apparatus itself having the touch panel installed therein. The control section includes a processing occurrence detection means for detecting occurrence of a predetermined processing executed by the control section; and a panel control means for nullifying a touch operation input against the touch panel when the occurrence of the predetermined processing is detected by the processing occurrence detection means. The panel control means cancels nullification of the touch operation input against the touch panel after an elapse of a preset time from the occurrence of the predetermined processing, and sets, in association with the occurred predetermined processing, a touch operation input acceptable range allowing the touch panel to accept the touch operation input with respect to the predetermined processing.
US08816970B2

A touch panel including first electrode bands, second electrode bands, and a transparent dielectric material is provided. The first electrode bands are disposed on a first substrate and extended in a first direction, wherein each of the first electrodes has a plurality of first slits in the form of enclosed configuration. The second electrode bands are disposed on a second substrate, facing to the first electrode bands, and extended in a second direction interlacing the first direction. Each second electrode band is partially exposed by the first slits. The transparent dielectric material is disposed between the first electrode bands and the second electrode bands to provide a changeable gap.
US08816967B2

A capacitive sensor may include a flex circuit, a substrate facing the flex circuit, and conductive electrodes configured to sense an input applied to the substrate. At least one of the conductive electrodes is associated with a surface of the substrate and an at least one of the electrodes is associated with a surface of the flex circuit.
US08816964B2

A keyboard is provided that includes an arrangement of keys, circuitry and a first processor configured to generate a signal in response to a keystroke in which a respective key of the arrangement of keys is depressed, and determine how to interpret the keystroke. The keyboard also includes one or more sensors and a second processor configured to measure a relationship of an object to the sensor(s), and produce a gesture signal based upon a signal representative of the measured relationship. This gesture signal is interpretable into one or more commands or instructions for directing performance of one or more operations of an apparatus or software operating on the apparatus. A related apparatus and computer-readable storage medium are also provided.
US08816954B2

In a display apparatus according to one or more embodiments, a boosting circuit boosts an input voltage to a backlight driving voltage, and a backlight unit receives the backlight driving voltage to generate light. A backlight driving circuit controls the boosting circuit in response to a dimming signal and compensates a plurality of feedback voltages from the backlight unit to output a panel driving voltage. A panel driving circuit receives the panel driving voltage from the backlight driving circuit to output a data voltage corresponding to an image signal and receives a gate driving voltage to generate a gate voltage. A display panel displays an image in response to the gate voltage and the data voltage. Accordingly, a number of the boosting circuits for the display apparatus may decrease, thereby reducing a manufacturing cost of the display apparatus.
US08816951B2

A shift register unit, gate drive circuit, and display apparatus. The shift register unit comprises: input module for inputting first and second clock signals, frame start signal, high and low voltage signals, the first clock signal is identical with phase-inverted signal of the second clock signal within one frame; a processing module comprising multiple TFTs, for generating gate drive signal according to the first and second clock signals and frame start signal, controlling voltage of first node formed by TFTs lower than the low level of power supply signal during evaluation period of shift register unit, and resetting second node formed by TFTs to cut off transient DC path formed by input terminals of the high and low voltage signals, and at least one TFT in time; an output module for sending gate drive signal generated by the processing module.
US08816947B2

A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel having a thin film transistor connected to a gate line and a data line on a substrate, a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor, a common electrode for forming a horizontal electric field with the pixel electrode, a common line connected to the common electrode and parallel to the gate line, and a storage line parallel to the gate line and having a portion overlapping the pixel electrode with at least one insulating film therebetween to form a storage capacitor, a gate driver for supplying a scan pulse to the gate line, a data driver for supplying a pixel voltage signal to the data line, a common driver for supplying a common voltage signal to the common line, and a storage driver for supplying a storage voltage signal to a storage line.
US08816943B2

In order to efficiently execute threshold value compensation for a driving transistor, a coupling capacitor has one end connected to a data line. Another end of the coupling capacitor is connected to a selection transistor and one end of a reset transistor. A control terminal of a driving transistor is connected to the other end of the selection transistor, and an organic EL element is connected to this driving transistor via a light emission control transistor. A data voltage, corresponding to a gradation signal supplied to the data line, is written to a storage capacitor via the coupling capacitor, and with the selection transistor and the light emission control transistor in an off state and the reset transistor turned on, a compensation voltage corresponding to a degree of mobility of the driving transistor is written to the coupling capacitor.
US08816936B2

An antenna or a printed-circuit board is formed using a plurality of unit structures which are repetitively aligned in a one-dimensional manner or in a two-dimensional manner. The unit structure includes a conductive plane and a conductive patch which are disposed in parallel with each other, a power-supply unit applying a high frequency signal between the conductive plane and the conductive patch, and at least one shunt which is aligned in the conductive patch and which is constituted of a transmission line having an open end aligned in a plane above or below the conductive patch and a conductive via electrically connecting the transmission line to the conductive plane. Alternately, the transmission line is aligned in a plane above or below the conductive plane so that the transmission line is electrically connected to the conductive patch via the conductive via.
US08816933B2

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a directional diversity receive system. The system may comprise a plurality of antennas attached to and fixed with respect to a frame. The system may further comprise a steerable antenna attached to and moveable with respect to the frame. The system may be encapsulated by a cover and may be configured for relocation as an integrated module.
US08816924B2

A communication device includes an antenna structure, wherein the antenna structure includes a ground element and an antenna element. One edge of the ground element has a notch, and the notch is extended into the interior of the ground element to form a slot region. The slot region is substantially extended along the edge of the ground element. The antenna element includes a first radiating portion and a second radiating portion. The first radiating portion is disposed in the slot region and is excited to form at least a resonant mode in the first operating band of the antenna element. The second radiating portion is an open-slot antenna and is formed by the slot region. The second radiating portion is excited to form a resonant mode in the second operating band of the antenna element.
US08816912B2

Antenna devices and techniques that provide specific control of the spatial distributions of DC and RF signals at various positions in a wireless apparatus are disclosed. The wireless apparatus includes various device components each having specifications for achieving desired operations in antenna devices.
US08816911B2

A multiple resonant antenna unit (AT2) comprises a current feed area (SPI) from which only a single, spiral-like antenna branch (AZI) emanates. The total course of this spiral-like antenna branch (AZI) forms a first resonant antenna structure for a low frequency range and at least one partial section (SE15) inside the total course of this spiral-like antenna structure (AZI) forms a second resonant antenna structure for a higher frequency range.
US08816901B2

A method of calibrating antenna-position detection associated with a radar system, the radar system including a first gimbal and a first angle sensor configured to detect an angular position of the first gimbal, includes mounting a second angle sensor to the first gimbal configured to detect an angular position of the first gimbal. The first gimbal is rotated through each angular position of a set of the angular positions. A first set of data is generated with the first angle sensor that characterizes a detected angular position of the first gimbal. A second set of data is generated with the second angle sensor that characterizes a detected angular position of the first gimbal. A third data set is determined comprising differences, between the first and second data sets, in detected angular position at each first-gimbal angular position. The third data set is stored in a memory device.
US08816897B2

A method of estimating the angular position θc of a target detected by a radar equipping a mobile carrier and emitting, via an steerable antenna, a signal, in the form of pulses, towards the target and receiving echoes from the reflection of said signal on the target, comprises: estimating, for each pulse or group of pulses of time index i, the angular position θ(i) of the antenna; estimating, for each pulse or group of pulses of time index i, the Doppler frequency fD(i) of the echo or echoes received; pairing, for each pulse or group of pulses of time index i, the angular position θ(i) and the Doppler frequency fD(i); and, estimating the angular position θc at least by solving the equation λ ⁢ ⁢ f D ⁡ ( i ) 2 = V a ⁢ sin ⁢ ⁢ θ ⁡ ( i ) ⁢ ( θ c - θ ⁡ ( i ) ) + V r , c , where λ is the wavelength of the radar, Va is the norm of the speed of the carrier and Vr,c is the radial speed of the target.
US08816894B1

A ship having identifiable radar hot spots along its length is protected against radar homing missile attack by a floating decoy, which may be towed. The decoy has a plurality of radar return signal generators spaced along its length, with the amplitudes and spacing of the generators emulating the amplitudes and spacing of the hot spots. The homing missile is seduced away from the ship and toward the decoy.
US08816882B2

A portable landing pad marker includes a base, a light source, a light cover, at least two stacking indents, and at least two raised stacking pins. The portable landing pad marker may also include a collapsible traffic cone in the base of the marker and have a portion of the base removed to form a handle to easily transport the markers. The portable landing pad marker may also include a base that is at least partially visible with night vision equipment.
US08816866B2

A method for audibly detecting a fluid flow state change in a flow meter pipeline. The flow state change may be identified as an upset in the normal flow state. The upset may be corrected to improve the accuracy of the flow meter. A system includes acoustic sensors mounted in the flow meter pipeline, and a computer to collect audible data from the acoustic sensors and compare the audible data to a baseline to detect an upset in the normal fluid flow state.
US08816860B2

In combination a fluid dispenser for dispensing fluid and a sound sensing mechanism remote from the fluid dispenser, the fluid dispenser dispensing fluid when activated, the fluid dispenser including a sound generator which generates a sound when the fluid dispenser is activated, the sound sensing mechanism separate from and spaced from the fluid dispenser, the sound sensing mechanism including a sound sensor to sense the sound generated by the sound generator, the sound sensing mechanism including a communication system to transmit data representative of the sound sensed by the sound generator.
US08816840B1

A wireless, removable vehicle signaling control and illumination apparatus for use on antique vehicles lacking original equipment vehicle signaling devices. The system utilizes a miniature digital radio transceiver inside a lamp housing to provide wireless control of the lamp. This signaling system provides a previously unavailable removable automotive signaling solution for antique vehicle owners who want improved illumination and safety features of modern automotive lighting while leaving the vehicle in “original” and “unmodified” condition, which is of such value to antique vehicle owners.
US08816838B2

A transmission position indicator for a vehicle may include a housing, a PCB (printed circuit board) embedded in the housing, wherein a light source may be provided at a predetermined position on the PCB, a light guide plate provided above the PCB and receiving light from the light source, wherein the light guide plate includes light-diffusion-ink patterns printed on a surface thereof, each of the light-diffusion-ink patterns having ink dots, and a cover coupled to an upper end of the housing, wherein the cover may be made of opaque material and includes gear indication characters therein, the gear indication characters being made of transparent material, so that the light transmitted from the light guide plate may be emitted outside the cover through the gear indication characters.
US08816832B2

Coupling circuit for coupling a power line communication device to a power line network, including a first network port coupled between a network phase line and a first network line, a second network port coupled between a network neutral line and a second network line, a third network port coupled between a network ground line and a third network line, a first differential modem port including a first terminal and a second terminal, a second differential modem port including a third terminal and a fourth terminal, a first transformer including a first network side winding and a first modem side winding, a second transformer including a second network side winding and a second modem side winding, the transformers including respective terminals, a center tap extending from the midpoint of the first network side winding to a terminal of the second network side winding and a plurality of capacitors.
US08816829B2

Household appliance control system, comprising at least one appliance switch, at least one device supplying functional commands, at least one device supplying power and at least one household appliance, wherein the aforementioned devices are at least partially arranged in a building power supply network, and wherein these devices at least partially communicate among each other via said building power supply network, by impressing information independently to their respective zero-crossing either on an alternating voltage or on an alternating current, whereby said information can be read out again from both of the voltage and current, and whereby said information exclusively consists of real power instead of using high frequency modulation or even an additional line for data transmission purpose.
US08816821B2

[Problems to be Solved]It is an object to provide a tag associating system that, when a plurality of RFID tags are collected to move as a tag group, associates the RFID tags belonging to the tag group with a representative RFID tag ranked as a representative of the tag group; its associating method; etc.[Means for Solving the Problems]The present system associates an RFID tag (2A) ranked as a representative of the tag group (2). A communication area (J) of a first antenna (4A) to read out data from the representative tag group (2A) is arranged to partially overlap with a communication area (K) of a second antenna (4B) to read out data from each RFID tag (2B) of the tag group (2). When the first antenna (4A) reads out a plurality of times data from the representative RFID tag (2A), the second antenna (4B) reads out data from each RFID tag (2B) of the tag group (2), so as to make the data read out from the representative RFID tag (2A) and the data reads out from the RFID tag (2B) of the tag group (2) into a pair of associated data.
US08816816B2

An apparatus for securing a portable device is described. The portable device includes a housing having a mating feature adapted to mate with a corresponding mating feature of the cradle. The cradle includes a locking mechanism that is capable of locking the portable device to the cradle. A transceiver is positioned in the housing. The transceiver is capable of communicating with a remote server containing data of a registered user. A radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader is positioned in the housing. The RFID reader controls the locking mechanism such that the locking mechanism releases the portable device from the cradle when a RFID tag storing the data of the registered user is positioned proximate to the RFID reader.
US08816798B2

A parallel plate waveguide structure may be configured to suppress spurious propagating modes by including a lossy frequency selective surface (FSS). The electromagnetic material properties of individual layers disposed between the conductive plates of the waveguide may be engineered to extend the suppression band of the fundamental TE mode up to the cutoff frequency of the second TE mode. Examples of mode suppression structures are presented and analyzed by transverse resonance models. Applications include, for example, cavity mode suppression in microwave and millimeterwave assemblies at the board, package, and chip level.
US08816796B2

A multilayer filter includes a laminate including a plurality of dielectric layers stacked on each other. Inner layer electrodes and outer terminals are provided in the laminate. A second coil electrode constituting a balanced-side inductor is defined by one of the inner layer electrodes. The second coil electrode has a coiled shape, and includes a first end connected to a first coil electrode through a via electrode and a second end connected to a third coil electrode through a via electrode. The second coil electrode is connected at a predetermined position along the winding direction thereof to a ground terminal, as one of the outer terminals, through an electrode for connection to a ground. The position where the ground connection electrode is connected to the second coil electrode is determined based on a balance characteristic in the balanced terminal side.
US08816788B2

A frequency generator with frequency jitter is disclosed. The frequency generator comprises a capacitor, a comparing unit, a charging and discharging unit, a delay unit, and a charging and discharging switch unit. The comparing unit is coupled to the capacitor and generates a charging and discharging control signal according to a voltage of the capacitor. The charging and discharging unit is coupled to the capacitor. The delay unit is coupled to the comparing unit and receives a delay signal. The delay unit delays the charging and discharging control signal according to the delay signal to generate a charging and discharging delay signal. The charging and discharging switch unit is coupled to the charging and discharging unit and the delay unit, and charges or discharges the capacitor according to the charging and discharging delay signal.
US08816779B2

A device for an atomic clock, including: a laser source (102) generating a laser beam; a quarter-wave plate (105) modifying the linear polarization of the laser beam into a circular polarization and vice versa; a gas cell (106) placed on the laser beam having a circular polarization; a mirror (107) sending the laser beam back toward the gas cell; a first photodetector (108a); means (103, 101a, 107) for diverting the reflected beam of the laser source (102), and a second photodetector (109) placed behind the mirror (107), the mirror being semitransparent and allowing a portion of the laser beam to pass therethrough, the second photodetector (109) being used for controlling the optical frequency of the laser and/or for controlling the temperature of the cell (106).
US08816773B2

Apparatus and methods are disclosed related to trimming an input offset current of an amplifier. One such apparatus can include auxiliary bipolar transistors connected in parallel with bases of respective bipolar transistors of an input stage of an amplifier. The auxiliary bipolar transistors can be biased such that the base currents of the auxiliary bipolar transistors compensate for a mismatch in base currents of the bipolar transistors of the input stage of an amplifier. The offset current at an input of an amplifier can be reduced independent of an offset voltage at the input of the amplifier.
US08816768B2

A power module for envelope tracking includes a linear amplifier and a DC-to-DC (Direct Current to Direct Current) converter. The linear amplifier has a positive input terminal for receiving a first control signal, a negative input terminal, and an output terminal for outputting a first adaptive supply voltage, wherein the output terminal is fed back to the negative input terminal. The DC-to-DC converter receives a second control signal, and supplies a second adaptive supply voltage to the linear amplifier according to the second control signal. The first control signal is related to the second control signal.
US08816767B2

A system and method of calibrating an amplifier are presented. The amplifier has a first amplification path and a second amplification path. A first state of the amplifier is identified defining a first phase shift of the first path and a second phase shift of the second path resulting in a maximum efficiency of the amplifier when an attenuation of the first path and an attenuation of the second path are set to first attenuation values. The attenuation of the first path and the attenuation of the second path is set to achieve a maximum efficiency of the amplifier when the phase shift of the first path and the phase shift of the second path are set according to the first state.
US08816760B2

A capacitor amplifying circuit and an operating method thereof are disclosed. The capacitor amplifying circuit includes a first current source, a second current source, a current mirror unit, and an output capacitor. There is a proportion relationship between a first current of the first current source and a second current of the second current source. The current mirror unit is coupled between the first current source and the second current source. The current mirror unit includes N stages of current mirror circuit in series, wherein N is larger than or equal to 1. Each of the N stages of current mirror circuit has a proportional constant respectively. Two terminals of the output capacitor are coupled to the current mirror unit and a ground terminal respectively. The equivalent capacitance magnification of the output capacitor is related to the proportional constants based on the proportion relationship.
US08816754B1

An integrated circuit can include an operational section comprising a first body bias circuit coupled to drive first body regions to a first bias voltage in response to at least first bias values; a second body bias circuit coupled to drive second body regions to a second bias voltage in response to at least second bias values; a plurality of monitoring sections formed in a same substrate as the operational section, each configured to output a monitor value reflecting a different process variation effect on circuit performance.
US08816753B2

A trim circuit for a power supply controller includes: a control circuit; at least a capacitance type programmable circuit connection; and a switching circuit, under control of the control circuit, the switching circuit selectively coupling the capacitance type programmable circuit connection to anyone of an operation voltage and a programming voltage, for determining a programming state of the capacitance type programmable circuit connection.
US08816734B2

A clock generation circuit includes a delay line, a delay modeling block, a phase detection block, a multi-update signal generation block, and a delay line. The delay line delays an input clock and generates a delayed clock. The delay modeling block delays the delayed clock by a modeled delay value and generates a feedback clock. The phase detection block compares phases of the input clock and the feedback clock and generates phase information, and quantizes a phase difference between the input clock and the feedback clock and generates phase codes. The multi-update signal generation block generates a multi-update signal in response to the phase codes. The delay line control block changes a delay amount of the delay line in response to the multi-update signal and the phase information.
US08816727B2

A line driver circuit for a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) transmitter is disclosed. The line driver circuit includes a pre-driver circuit having a pair of pre-driver differential inputs and a pair of pre-driver differential outputs. A driver circuit having a pair of driver differential inputs and a pair of driver differential outputs is also included. Each of the pair of pre-driver differential outputs is coupled to a respective one of the pair of driver differential inputs. Each of the pair of driver differential outputs is coupled to a respective one of a pair of output terminals. The pre-driver further includes a pair of pre-driver cascode transistors. Each of the pre-driver cascode transistors is arranged between one of the pre-driver differential outputs and a respective one of the output terminals and wherein the driver circuit and the pre-driver circuit are operable to receive a current supplied by a HDMI receiver coupled to the pair of output terminals.
US08816723B1

A buffer circuit includes a first current mirror circuit, a second current mirror circuit, a first transistor, and a second transistor. The first current mirror circuit passes a first mirror current through a second node, corresponding to a first current passed through a first node, and is activated based on a first activating signal. The second current mirror circuit is connected to the first node and the second node, passes a second mirror current through the second node, corresponding to a second current passed through the first node, and is activated based on a second activating signal. The first transistor has a gate to which a reference voltage is applied and has a drain connected to the first node. The second transistor has a gate to which an input voltage is applied and has a drain connected to the second node.
US08816717B2

The present disclosure relates to integrated circuits having tamper detection and response devices and methods for manufacturing such integrated circuits. One integrated circuit having a tamper detection and response device includes at least one reactive material and at least one memory cell coupled to the at least one reactive material. An exothermic reaction in the at least one reactive material causes an alteration to a memory state of the at least one memory cell. Another integrated circuit having a tamper detection and response device includes a substrate, at least one gate on the substrate, and a reactive material between a first well and a second well of the at least one gate. A reaction in the reactive material causes a short in the gate.
US08816716B2

A diagnostic apparatus for erroneous installation of power storage stacks includes a first connector portion included in a first power storage stack, a second connector portion included in a second power storage stack capable of connection to the first power storage stack, and a third connector portion included in a third power storage stack which should be prohibited from connection to the first power storage stack, wherein the first connector portion and the second connector portion provides a first circuit when they are connected to each other, and the first connector portion and the third connector portion provides a second circuit when they are connected to each other, the second circuit having a different circuit configuration from that of the first circuit.
US08816712B2

An object of the invention is to provide an inspection device which has a function of preventing electric discharge so that an absorbed current is detected more efficiently.In the invention, absorbed current detectors are mounted in a vacuum specimen chamber and capacitance of a signal wire from each probe to corresponding one of the absorbed current detectors is reduced to the order of pF so that even an absorbed current signal with a high frequency of tens of kHz or higher can be detected. Moreover, signal selectors are operated by a signal selection controller so that signal lines of a semiconductor parameters analyzer are electrically connected to the probes brought into contact with a sample. Accordingly, electrical characteristics of the sample can be measured without limitation of signal paths connected to the probes to transmission of an absorbed current. In addition, a resistance for slow leakage of electric charge is provided in each probe stage or a sample stage.
US08816705B2

Method and device for monitoring a zone of a metal structure in terms of its electrical resistance in order to detect possible defects in the structure, by periodically passing current through the zone in different directions while measuring and recording voltage drops in a number of selected unit areas (aij) within the zone, and by combining, for each unit area (aij), at least two measured values recorded during at least two measurements made with current passing in different directions, and by comparing values obtained by at least one similarly obtained value made earlier.
US08816694B2

Apparatus and method for partial discharge detection of turn-to-turn insulation in motor has a surge generator for generating a surge voltage to the windings of the motor by applying a pulse voltage, and a partial discharge current detector for detecting partial discharge currents between the winding turns of the motor. The surge generator generates in and between the windings of the motor the surge voltage that has the rise time and fall time corresponding to the rise time of the surge voltage observed at the motor terminal when the motor is driven by an inverter, and that is repeated at a frequency of 50 Hz to 20 kHz.
US08816690B2

A marine electromagnetic sensor cable system includes a first sensor cable subsystem including at least a first sensor cable segment. The first sensor cable segment includes a plurality of spaced apart electrodes which electrically contact a body of water when the first sensor cable segment is immersed therein, and an electrical conductor coupled to each electrode, each electrical conductor extending from one longitudinal end of the sensor cable segment to the other. The system includes a first signal processing module electrically coupled to a longitudinal end of the first sensor cable segment, and including a voltage measuring circuit electrically connected between two or more electrodes from the first plurality of electrodes. Marine electromagnetic surveys are conducted using the marine electromagnetic sensor cable system.
US08816686B2

A positron emission tomography (PET)-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) convergence system. In one aspect, the invention may be a PET-MRI convergence system including: a cylindrical magnet bore which includes an outer wall and an inner wall; a gradient magnet which is disposed adjacent to the inner wall of the magnet bore; a MRI RF coil which is disposed adjacent to the inner wall of the gradient magnet, emits an RF pulse signal and detects MRI data corresponding to the RF pulse signal; and a PET detector which is spaced apart from the MRI RF coil and is disposed adjacent to the inner wall of the gradient magnet, and detects PET data.
US08816683B2

Magnetic field sensing method and apparatus of this disclosure uses two tunneling magneto-resistor (TMR) devices. Angles of the free magnetizations of the two TMR devices with respect to a fixed direction are set in a first to fourth period. In the first to fourth period, the two TMR devices act as a TMR sensing unit and a zero-field reference unit by turns, and each of the conductance difference between the sensing unit and the zero field reference unit is also obtained in each of the first to fourth period. Finally, the four conductance differences are summed up.
US08816678B2

A magnetism detection elements are arranged in an arrangement direction substantially perpendicular to a tooth trace of a gear when viewed from a magnetism generation unit and send a signal according to a magnetic flux flowing between the gear and the magnetism generation unit. A detection unit detects rotation of the gear according to the signal. A case accommodates the magnetism detection elements. A movement restriction unit is equipped to the case and located on the side of the gear at a place between the magnetism detection elements to restrict a magnetic foreign matter, which adheres to the case, from moving in the arrangement direction of the magnetism detection elements.
US08816677B2

A sensing apparatus includes first and second magnet assemblies. The first magnet assembly includes first and second magnets that have respective first and second opposite magnetic fields. The first magnet has a plurality of dimensions including an inner circumferential dimension, an outer circumferential dimension, an inner axial dimension, an outer axial dimension, and a radial dimension, and the second magnet has a corresponding plurality of dimensions. The inner circumferential dimension or outer circumferential dimension of the first magnet is relatively smaller than the corresponding dimension of the second magnet. A second magnet assembly is positioned at a distance from the first magnet assembly and includes a third magnet having a third magnetic field opposite to the first magnetic field. The first magnet assembly is a high-resolution track, and the second magnet assembly is a low-resolution track.
US08816660B2

A method for regulating a buck converter, in which the amount of the output volume is adjusted via a controlled switching, comprising a pulse sequence having a pulse rate and being pulse width modulated, and an inductor, which is switched serially with a load over which an output voltage drops, and an arrangement with a control input and with a control output, between which an analog-to-digital converter, a non-linear amplifier, an IIR filter, and a pulse width modulation circuit is switched, to allow a quick reaction upon a load transient by which the regulation of the output voltage at a buck converter occurs faster and with less overshooting. This is attained such that the sample rate is adjusted to be greater than the pulse rate and the pulse values of the pulse sequence are controlled during the cycle duration.
US08816657B2

A multi-phase DC-DC power converter including a pulse width modulation (PWM) controller and a plurality of output stage circuits is provided. The output stage circuits convert an input voltage into an output voltage. The PWM controller includes a PWM generation module, a ramp generator and a feedback circuit. The feedback circuit generates a trigger signal according to the output voltage and a ramp signal. The PWM generation module generates a PWM signal with a constant on time, and adjusts a duty cycle of the PWM signal according to the trigger signal, the input and output voltages, so as to control phase channels of the multi-phase DC-DC power converter in order.
US08816654B2

A universal-voltage discrete input circuit uses a high voltage depletion-mode field effect transistor in combination with a low-voltage, adjustable precision shunt regulator and an isolation circuit for interfacing a low voltage digital logic circuit to a switched external voltage ranging from about 7 volts to about 1000 volts AC or +/− DC, at a low fixed current. In addition to the wide input voltage range accepted at a uniform low current value, very high voltage isolation is provided between the external voltage and the low voltage digital logic circuit, and elimination of ground loops and common mode noise.
US08816653B2

A circuit for a semiconductor switching element including a transformer. One embodiment provides a first voltage supply circuit having a first oscillator. A first transformer is connected downstream of the first oscillator. A first accumulation circuit for providing a first supply voltage is connected downstream of the first transformer. A driver circuit having input terminals for feeding in the first supply voltage and having output terminals for providing a drive voltage for the semiconductor switching element, designed to generate the drive voltage for the semiconductor switching element at least from the first supply voltage.
US08816649B2

Included herein is a DC power plant, a DC power system, a method charging a remote battery system and a battery charging controller. In one embodiment, the DC power plant includes: (1) a rectifier system including an AC power input and a DC power output, the rectifier system configured to receive an AC input voltage at the AC power input and produce a DC output voltage at the DC power output and (2) a controller configured to determine a permitted charging current for a remote battery system coupled to the rectifier system and dynamically adjust the DC output voltage to provide the permitted charging current for the remote battery system.
US08816648B2

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that charges a battery. During operation, the system obtains a set of charging currents {I1, . . . , In} and a set of charging voltages {V1, . . . , Vn}. Next, the system repeats constant-current and constant-voltage charging operations, starting with i=1 and incrementing i with every repetition, until a termination condition is reached. These constant-current and constant-voltage charging operations involve charging the battery using a constant current Ii until a cell voltage of the battery reaches Vi, and then charging the battery using a constant voltage Vi until a charging current is less than or equal to Ii+1.
US08816646B2

A secondary battery controller and a method for controlling a secondary battery that can increase the continuous operating time of an apparatus. The secondary battery controller includes a plurality of temperature detectors that detect temperatures of a plurality of secondary batteries; a switching device that connects an output of any one of the plurality of secondary batteries to a load; and a control portion that selects which secondary battery to use from the plurality of secondary batteries and controls the switching device to switch between the secondary batteries based on temperature information of each of the plurality of secondary batteries.
US08816641B2

A bi-directional inverter-charger including a bridge rectifier and DC-to-DC conversion components. The inverter-charger may be connected between an alternating current source, e.g., an AC line, and a direct current source, e.g., a battery pack. The DC-to-DC conversion components may include boost and buck circuits that are switchably configured between a charge mode and an inverter mode such that common components are used in both charge and inverter configurations. In the charge configuration, a full wave rectified signal from the H-bridge is up converted by the boost circuit, and the buck circuit controls charge current to the direct current source. In the inverter configuration, the boost circuit up converts the direct current voltage source, and the buck circuit controls the current and its form to the bridge circuit so that the bridge circuit may be Connected directly with the AC source.
US08816637B2

A vehicle guidance system is provided with a controller configured to receive input signals indicative of an instantaneous charging port position relative to an external charging pad and a charging status. The controller is further configured to transmit a vehicle status signal in response to the input signals. An interface communicates with the controller, and is configured to display a vehicle position indicator and a charging status message in response to the vehicle status signal.
US08816632B2

A wireless power transmission system for use in a mobile asset comprising a host transmitter for providing at least one of a microwave or a lightwave energy signal, a receiver configured to receive said signal, a converter for converting said signal to a storable energy form, and a controller to control the transfer of storable energy from said converter to at least one energy storage device.
US08816629B2

A vibration control robot system of the present invention includes: a robot controller (101) transmitting an operation command value and receiving an output value of a pulse encoder of the servo motor, wherein the robot controller includes a controller-side communication unit (5) which transmits the operation command value and the output value of the pulse encoder to a robot vibration controller; and the robot vibration controller (11) including: an acceleration sensor interface (15); a corrected operation command value calculation unit (13) which calculates a corrected operation command value obtained so as to suppress vibration of the robot; and a vibration-controller-side communication unit (12) which transmits the corrected operation command value to the robot controller (101), wherein the robot vibration controller (11) is arranged independently of the robot controller (101).
US08816628B2

Telerobotic, telesurgical, and/or surgical robotic devices, systems, and methods employ surgical robotic linkages that may have more degrees of freedom than an associated surgical end effector n space. A processor can calculate a tool motion that includes pivoting of the tool about an aperture site. Linkages movable along a range of configurations for a given end effector position may be driven toward configurations which inhibit collisions. Refined robotic linkages and method for their use are also provided.
US08816625B2

Integrated AC regenerative motor drives and operating methods are presented in which a precharging circuit is provided with an IGBT, a diode and a parallel current limiting component in an intermediate DC circuit between a switching rectifier and an output inverter, and the drive is operated in one of three modes for motoring, regenerating and precharging.
US08816622B2

A control apparatus for an AC rotating machine that can reliably and stably start up an AC rotating machine, particularly a synchronous motor using a permanent magnet, in position-sensorless vector control thereof, includes: a steady speed calculator that calculates, during steady state control of the AC rotating machine, a rotation angular frequency of the AC rotating machine based on an AC current and voltage commands; and a start-up speed calculator that calculates, during start-up control within a predetermined period after the AC rotating machine has been started up, the rotation angular frequency of the AC rotating machine based on the AC current and the voltage commands. The control apparatus corrects during the start-up control current commands so that the AC voltage amplitude of the voltage commands will be a constant value not more than the maximum output voltage of a power converter.
US08816616B2

A method of controlling a synchronous motor that may include windings and a power driving stage coupled to the windings, may include using a feedback loop including using a feedback circuit coupled to the windings to generate current feedback components, using current controllers for generating respective voltage signals, and using an anti-transform circuit for generating control signals for the power driving stage. Using the feedback loop may include generating additional compensation signals for compensating the control signals, and adding the additional compensation signals from the current controllers by one of generating the additional compensation signals as quadrature and direct voltage compensation signals and adding them to the voltage signals to generate compensated quadrature and direct signals, and supplying the compensated quadrature and direct signals to the power driving stage by providing the compensated quadrature and direct signals to the anti-transform circuit.
US08816615B2

In a drive device for a railway vehicle, in which regeneration braking force is increased by adding the output voltage of a voltage adjustment device to a DC power source voltage, operation of the current control device is started prior to the start of the power running operation or the regeneration operation of the inverter device, and the operation of the current control device is stopped later than the stopping of the power running operation or the regeneration operation of the inverter device. Thereby, the current control device is surely operated at least during the operation period of the inverter device, so that the output voltage of the voltage adjustment device is adjusted by the current control device, to thereby prevent the over-discharge of the energy storage device at the time of power running operation or the overcharge of the energy storage device at the time of regeneration operation.
US08816612B2

A controller includes: an inverter having switching devices for converting by a PWM method and supplying an electric power to a multi-phase rotary device; a duty calculator calculating a duty command value with To; a pseudo duty calculator calculating a N-th update duty value based on N-th and (N−1)-th duty command values according to a ratio of To/Tr with a linear compensation method; a comparator comparing the update duty value with a carrier wave to generate an on-off signal of each switching device; and a detector detecting current of each phase with To. The duty calculator changes an average voltage of each phase to make an on-state time of a detection side switching device equal to or longer than minimum. When the on-state time at one phase is smaller than minimum, the pseudo duty calculator outputs a pseudo duty value to detect the current of other phases.
US08816608B2

According to one embodiment, a luminaire includes a lighting circuit configured to light a light source with a power supply from the outside, an accumulated-lighting-time storing section configured to store accumulated lighting time of the light source, and a control circuit configured to control the lighting circuit in a set mode. The control circuit sets, if a pattern for turning on and off the power supply from the outside is a predetermined initial illuminance correction setting pattern, a mode in an initial illuminance correction mode for performing initial illuminance correction corresponding to the accumulated lighting time of the light source. The control circuit sets, if the pattern for turning on and off the power supply from the outside is a predetermined normal setting pattern, the mode in a normal mode for not performing the initial illuminance correction.
US08816607B2

The present invention relates to an LED light emitting device and a driving method thereof. The LED light emitting device supplies a power supply voltage to at least two LED channels. The LED light emitting device samples channel voltages of the at least two LED channels to detect a minimum voltage from among the sampled voltages, and amplifies a difference between the detected minimum voltage and a predetermined reference voltage to generate an error amplifying signal. The LED light emitting device generates an enable signal having a duty extended by a predetermined delay period from a duty of a dimming signal for controlling light emission periods of the at least two LED channels. In this instance, the error generator is operable by the enable signal.
US08816606B2

A driving circuitry arranged to pass a dead time over an isolation transformer, the driving circuitry constituted of: a three-state driver arranged to output a first signal, the first signal selectively at one of two complementary voltage levels and a high impedance state; a first capacitor, a first end of the first capacitor coupled to receive the first signal; and a first isolation transformer, a first end of a first winding of the first isolation transformer coupled to a second end of the first capacitor.
US08816599B2

An examination light apparatus including a touch-less control component that enables a user to control the apparatus without requiring physical contact between the user and the apparatus. The apparatus employs an LED control component that is configured to adapt its electrical interface to a variable quantity of light emitting diodes in order to interface with each of a plurality of lamp heads that each can include a unique arrangement and quantity of light emitting diodes. The light emitting diodes (LEDs) provide a high level of light quality, quantity and intensity (luminosity) while requiring low power consumption and low space and weight requirements and are employed without requiring a cooling fan. Uniform mechanical and electrical interfaces between the control component and other portions of the examination lamp provide for efficient and simple manufacturing of various examination light configurations.
US08816597B2

An LED driving circuit includes a dimming circuit that controls a conducting angle of an alternating current supplied from a power supply to phase-control a current to be supplied to an LED, a rectifier circuit that rectifies an alternating-current voltage output from the dimming circuit, a smoothing circuit that smoothes a direct current voltage output from the rectifier circuit, a switching device that is connected with the LED in series; a constant current control circuit that outputs a high frequency pulse signal to the switching device to control the switching device, and a bleeder circuit that is provided between an output terminal of the rectifier circuit and a ground and that has a bleeder resistance and a bleeder switch connected in series. The high frequency pulse signal is input to the bleeder switch so that a bleeder current having a high frequency pulse form flows in the bleeder resistance.
US08816585B2

A light-emitting diode arrangement has a frame-shaped piezo transformer having at least one output-side connection, and having a light-emitting diode module that generates electromagnetic radiation, which module is disposed within the frame-shaped piezo transformer and electrically connects to the output-side connection of the piezo transformer by at least one output-side electrical conductor, wherein radiation emitted by the light-emitting diode module in the direction of the piezo transformer is reflected at the latter.
US08816584B2

Provided is a light source apparatus which include a light emitting unit including a light emitting area of unit of surface, an antenna disposed along the outer periphery so as not to encroach on a light emitting area and a driving unit, and a driving unit processing wireless power received from the antenna and supplying the processed wireless power to the light emitting unit. According to the light source apparatus, miniaturization may be accomplished and a shielding phenomenon of an antenna reception signal caused by the light emitting area may be suppressed.
US08816567B2

This disclosure provides implementations of electromechanical systems resonator structures, devices, apparatus, systems, and related processes. In one aspect, a resonator structure includes a first conductive layer of electrodes and a second conductive layer of electrodes. A piezoelectric layer including a piezoelectric material is disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. One or more trenches can be formed in the piezoelectric layer on one or both sides in space regions between the electrodes. In some implementations, a process for forming the resonator structure includes removing an exposed portion of the piezoelectric layer to define a trench, for instance, by partial etching or performing an isotropic release etch using a XeF2 gas or SF6 plasma. In some other implementations, a portion of a sacrificial layer is removed to define a trench in the piezoelectric layer.
US08816557B2

A device, including a rotor, a stator, a coil wound around the stator, wherein the stator has a coil support structure having at least one side edge arranged along a line which is not parallel to a line extending from an axis of the rotor through a center of the coil.
US08816550B2

Disclosed is a bus bar of an EPS motor configured to improve a terminal structure of a bus bar to enable an easy assembly between a stator and the bus bar, whereby assemblage and operational reliability can be enhanced, the bus bar that is connected to a stator coil of the EPS motor, the bus bar including: an insulator made of insulation materials that forms a body of the bus bar; a lower terminal protrusively formed at a lower side of a periphery of the insulator, and connected to the stator coil; and an upper terminal protrusively formed at an upper side of the periphery of the insulator, and connected to the stator coil, whereby the terminals of the bus bar are divided to an upper terminal and a lower terminal to enhance assemblage and operational reliability by further obtaining a broader mutually discrete gap.
US08816544B2

An electric power tool includes a housing, a brushless motor, an output shaft, and a motor driver circuit. The housing defines an axial direction. The brushless motor is accommodated in the housing and having a drive shaft. The output shaft extends in a direction generally perpendicular to the drive shaft. The motor driver circuit is accommodated in the housing for driving the brushless motor. The housing has a cylindrical shape and has a part functioning as a grip portion.
US08816542B2

A slim type stator includes: a number of division cores; a number of bobbins that partially surrounds the number of the division cores; an electric power terminal block on the outer portion of which a connector is provided in which external electric power is applied through the connector and that has terminal pins that are extended to the inside of the stator from the connector; a wiring box that is integrally formed with each bobbin and that mutually connects a stator coil with the terminal pins per phase; and a stator holder that mutually connects a number of division stator cores around which coils are wound with the outer circumference of the bobbins and supports the number of division stator cores.
US08816522B2

A magnus rotor designed for high speed operation. Aerodynamic drag is reduced by lessening the air density around endplates and half the radial surface of the rotor by installing a circuit of aerodynamic seals to enclose a vacuum about the internal volume of the rotor as well as the endplates and half the radial surface of the rotor.
US08816516B2

An apparatus for generating energy using mechanical energy and gravitational energy comprises a generator, a plurality of free wheels, a first pulling mechanism, a second pulling mechanism, and a battery. The generator and the plurality of free wheels are connected by a turbine shaft. The first pulling mechanism and the second pulling mechanism are connected to the plurality of free wheels. Each plurality of free wheels comprises a rod which oscillate forward and backward turning the plurality of free wheels. Since the turbine shaft is connected with the plurality of free wheels and the generator, the generator rotates simultaneously with the plurality of free wheels. As a result, the generator produced energy which is converted into electricity.
US08816496B2

Electronic assemblies and methods are described. One embodiment includes a circuit board and a socket coupled to the circuit board. The assembly also includes a package positioned in the socket, the package including a substrate, a die, and a heat spreader, the die positioned between the substrate and the heat spreader. The assembly also includes a load plate positioned on the heat spreader, the load plate covering a majority of the heat spreader, the load plate applying a force to the heat spreader that couples the package to the socket. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08816491B2

Structure and methods of forming stacked semiconductor chips are described. In one embodiment, a method of forming a semiconductor chip includes forming an opening for a through substrate via from a top surface of a first substrate. The sidewalls of the opening are lined with an insulating liner and the opened filled with a conductive fill material. The first substrate is etched from an opposite bottom surface to form a protrusion, the protrusion being covered with the insulating liner. A resist layer is deposited around the protrusion to expose a portion of the insulating liner. The exposed insulating liner is etched to form a sidewall spacer along the protrusion.
US08816482B2

A flip-chip leadframe semiconductor package designed to improve mold flow around the leadframe and semiconductor die. An embodiment of the semiconductor package includes a leadframe, a semiconductor die attached to the leadframe, and an encapsulant covering the leadframe and semiconductor die, wherein a portion of the leadframe that is attached to the semiconductor die is below a portion of the leadframe that enters the encapsulant.
US08816479B2

A quantum device is provided that includes controllably quantum mechanically coupled dangling bonds extending from a surface of a semiconductor material. Each of the controllably quantum mechanically coupled dangling bonds has a separation of at least one atom of the semiconductor material. At least one electrode is provided for selectively modifying an electronic state of the controllably quantum mechanically coupled dangling bonds. By providing at least one additional electron within the controllably quantum mechanically coupled dangling bonds with the proviso that there exists at least one unoccupied dangling bond for each one additional electron present, the inventive device is operable at least to 293 degrees Kelvin and is largely immune to stray electrostatic perturbations. Room temperature operable quantum cellular automata and qubits are constructed therefrom.
US08816473B2

A semiconductor structure providing a precision resistive element and method of fabrication is disclosed. Polysilicon is embedded in a silicon substrate. The polysilicon may be doped to control the resistance. Embodiments may include resistors, eFuses, and silicon-on-insulator structures. Some embodiments may include non-rectangular cross sections.
US08816470B2

A semiconductor chip has an independently voltage controlled silicon region that is a circuit element useful for controlling capacitor values of eDRAM trench capacitors and threshold voltages of field effect transistors overlying the independently voltage controlled silicon region. A bottom, or floor, of the independently voltage controlled silicon region is a deep implant of opposite doping to a doping of a substrate of the independently voltage controlled silicon region. A top, or ceiling, of the independently voltage controlled silicon region is a buried oxide implant in the substrate. Sides of the independently voltage controlled silicon region are deep trench isolation. Voltage of the independently voltage controlled silicon region is applied through a contact structure formed through the buried oxide.
US08816467B2

A semiconductor device including a Schottky diode of the trench-junction-barrier type having an integrated PN diode, and a corresponding method for manufacturing the device, are provided. An n layer is provided on an nt substrate, and trenches are provided in the n layer. The trenches are provided with p-doped regions. The nt substrate and the n layer carry a contact layer.
US08816466B2

A protective element for electronics has at least one Schottky diode and at least one Zener diode which are located between a power supply and the electronics, the anode of the Schottky diode being connected to the power supply and the cathode of the Schottky diode being connected to the electronics, and the cathode and the anode of the Zener diode are connected to ground. The Schottky diode is a trench MOS barrier junction diode or trench MOS barrier Schottky (TMBS) diode or a trench junction barrier Schottky (TJBS) diode and includes an integrated semiconductor arrangement, which has at least one trench MOS barrier Schottky diode and a p-doped substrate, which is used as the anode of the Zener diode.
US08816463B2

The following disclosure describes several embodiments of (1) methods for wafer-level packaging of microelectronic imagers, (2) methods of forming electrically conductive interconnects in microelectronic imagers, (3) methods for forming optical devices for microelectronic imagers, and (4) microelectronic imagers that have been packaged using wafer-level packaging processes. Wafer-level packaging of microelectronic imagers is expected to significantly enhance the efficiency of manufacturing microelectronic imagers because a plurality of imagers can be packaged simultaneously using highly accurate and efficient processes developed for packaging semiconductor devices. Moreover, wafer-level packaging of microelectronic imagers is expected to enhance the quality and performance of such imagers because the semiconductor fabrication processes can reliably align an optical device with an image sensor and space the optical device apart from the image sensor by a desired distance with a higher degree of precision.
US08816462B2

An image sensor pixel includes a photodiode region having a first polarity doping type disposed in a semiconductor layer. A pinning surface layer having a second polarity doping type is disposed over the photodiode region in the semiconductor layer. The second polarity is opposite from the first polarity. A first polarity charge layer is disposed proximate to the pinning surface layer over the photodiode region. An contact etch stop layer is disposed over the photodiode region proximate to the first polarity charge layer. The first polarity charge layer is disposed between the pinning surface layer and the contact etch stop layer such that first polarity charge layer cancels out charge having a second polarity that is induced in the contact etch stop layer. A passivation layer is also disposed over the photodiode region between the pinning surface layer and the contact etch stop layer.
US08816457B2

The present disclosure provides various embodiments of an image sensor device. An exemplary image sensor device includes an image sensing region disposed in a substrate; a multilayer interconnection structure disposed over the substrate; and a color filter formed in the multilayer interconnection structure and aligned with the image sensing region. The color filter has a length and a width, where the length is greater than the width.
US08816454B2

A microphone component has a micromechanical microphone pattern which is implemented in a layer construction on a semiconductor substrate and includes (i) an acoustically active diaphragm which at least partially spans a sound opening on the backside of the substrate, (ii) at least one movable electrode of a microphone capacitor system, and (iii) a stationary acoustically penetrable counterelement having through holes, which counterelement is situated in the layer construction over the diaphragm and functions as the carrier for at least one immovable electrode of the microphone capacitor system. The diaphragm is tied in to the semiconductor substrate in a middle area, and the diaphragm has a corrugated sheet metal type of corrugation, at least in regions.
US08816437B2

Disclosed is a semiconductor device in which an n-channel type first thin film transistor and a p-channel type second thin film transistor are provided on the same substrate. The first thin film transistor has a first semiconductor layer (11), and the second thin film transistor has a second semiconductor layer (20), a third semiconductor layer (21), and a fourth semiconductor layer (22). The first semiconductor layer (11), the second semiconductor layer (20), the third semiconductor layer (21) and the fourth semiconductor layer (22) are formed of the same film, and the first and second semiconductor layers (11, 20) respectively have slanted portions (11e, 20e) positioned at respective peripheries, and main portions (11m, 20m) made of portions other than the slanted portions. A p-type impurity is implanted into the slanted portion (11e) of the first semiconductor layer at a concentration higher than that in the main portion (11m) of the first semiconductor layer and that in the main portion (20m) of the second semiconductor layer.
US08816434B2

An LDMOS transistor includes a substrate of semiconductor material, an insulator layer overlying the substrate, a semiconductor layer overlying the insulator layer, a RESURF region, and a gate. The semiconductor layer includes a first conductivity type well region, a second conductivity type source region in contact with the first conductivity type well region, a second conductivity type drain region. The RESURF region includes at least one first conductivity type material portion, and at least one portion of the at least one first conductivity type material portion electrically coupled to the first conductivity type well region. A semiconductor material having a second conductivity type is located below the RESURF region. The second conductivity type semiconductor material is also located over a part of the RESURF region. The gate is located over the first conductivity type well region and over the RESURF region.
US08816429B2

Charge balanced semiconductor devices with increased mobility structures and methods for making and using such devices are described. The semiconductor devices contain a substrate heavily doped with a dopant of a first conductivity type, a strained region containing a strain dopant in an upper portion of the substrate, an epitaxial layer being lightly doped with a dopant of a first or second conductivity type on the strained region, a trench formed in the epitaxial layer with the trench containing a MOSFET structure having a drift region overlapping the strained region, a source layer contacting an upper surface of the epitaxial layer and an upper surface of the MOSFET structure, and a drain contacting a bottom portion of the substrate. Since the drift region of the MOSFET structure is formed from the strained region in the substrate, the mobility of the drift region is improved and allows higher current capacity for the trench MOSFET devices. Other embodiments are described.
US08816426B2

In a non-volatile memory, writing/erasing is performed by changing a total charge amount by injecting electrons and holes into a silicon nitride film, which serves as a charge accumulation layer. The gate electrode of a memory cell has a laminated structure made of a plurality of polysilicon films with different impurity concentrations. In a two-layered structure the gate electrode has a p-type polysilicon film with a low impurity concentration and a p+-type polysilicon film with a high impurity concentration deposited thereon. Holes are injected into the charge accumulation layer from the gate electrode.
US08816422B2

A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a top gate over the semiconductor substrate, and a stacked gate between the top gate and the semiconductor substrate. The stacked gate includes a first tunneling layer, a first storage layer adjoining the first tunneling layer, and an additional layer adjoining the first tunneling layer. The additional layer is selected from the group consisting of a retention layer and an additional composite layer. The additional composite layer comprises a second tunneling layer and a second storage layer adjoining the second tunneling layer. The semiconductor device further includes a blocking layer adjoining the first storage layer.
US08816419B2

Provided is a semiconductor device having a high switching speed. A semiconductor device is provided with an n-type epitaxial layer having a plurality of trenches arranged at prescribed intervals; an embedded electrode formed on an inner surface of the trench through a silicon oxide film to embed each trench; and a metal layer, which is capacitively coupled with the embedded electrode by being arranged above the embedded electrode through a silicon oxide film. In the semiconductor device, a region between the adjacent trenches operates as a channel (current path). A current flowing in the channel is interrupted by covering the region with a depletion layer formed at the periphery of the trenches, and the current is permitted to flow through the channel by eliminating the depletion layer at the periphery of the trenches.
US08816417B2

A semiconductor device includes a back bias dielectric including a negative fixed charge, a gate electrode overlapping the back bias dielectric, a semiconductor layer disposed between the gate electrode and the back bias dielectric, and a gate dielectric disposed between the semiconductor layer and the gate electrode, wherein the negative fixed charge accumulates holes at a surface of the semiconductor layer facing the back bias dielectric.
US08816406B2

The invention relates to image sensors, more particularly but not exclusively to scanning sensors with signal integration (or TDI sensors, for ‘Time Delay Integration linear sensors’). The adjacent pixels along a column each comprise an alternation of at least one photodiode and one storage gate adjacent to the photodiode. The gates comprise a main body and, on the upstream side in the direction of the transfer of the charges but not on the downstream side, a series of narrow fingers extending from the main body toward the upstream side, the ends of the fingers on the upstream side being adjacent to a photodiode situated upstream of the gate, the narrow fingers being separated from one another by doped isolating regions of the first type of conductivity, with a higher doping and preferably deeper than the surface regions, connected, as they are, to the reference potential of the active layer, these isolating regions being interposed between the main body of the gate and the photodiode. These fingers induce a directionality on the charge transfer.
US08816403B2

Provided are semiconductor device cells, methods for forming the semiconductor device cells and a layout style for the semiconductor device cells. The device cells may be repetitive cells used throughout an integrated circuit. The layout style utilizes an area at the polysilicon level that is void of polysilicon and which can accommodate conductive leads therein or thereover. The conductive leads are formed of material typically used for contacts or vias and are disposed beneath the first metal interconnect level which couples device cells to one another. The subjacent local conductive leads may form subjacent signal lines allowing for additional power mesh lines to be included within the limited number of metal tracks that can be accommodated within a device cell and in accordance with metal track design spacing rules.
US08816401B2

Structures and methods of making a heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) device that include: an n-type collector region disposed within a crystalline silicon layer; a p-type intrinsic base comprising a boron-doped silicon germanium crystal that is disposed on a top surface of an underlying crystalline Si layer, which is bounded by shallow trench isolators (STIs), and that forms angled facets on interfaces of the underlying crystalline Si layer with the shallow trench isolators (STIs); a Ge-rich, crystalline silicon germanium layer that is disposed on the angled facets and not on a top surface of the p-type intrinsic base; and an n-type crystalline emitter disposed on a top surface and not on the angled lateral facets of the p-type intrinsic base.
US08816391B2

An integrated circuit structure includes a substrate, and a channel over the substrate. The channel includes a first III-V compound semiconductor material formed of group III and group V elements. A gate structure is over the channel. A source/drain region is adjacent the channel and includes a group-IV region formed of a doped group-IV semiconductor material selected from the group consisting essentially of silicon, germanium, and combinations thereof.
US08816385B2

An exemplary light-emitting diode (LED) package includes a first electrode, a second electrode spaced from the first electrode, an electrically insulating substrate sandwiched by and connecting with the first electrode and the second electrode, a first LED chip and a second LED chip mounted on top surfaces of the first and second electrodes respectively, and a reflector covering the top surfaces of the first and second electrodes. The first LED chip mounted on the top surface of the first electrode is above the second LED chip mounted on the top surface of the second surface. L-shaped retaining walls are formed on the top surfaces of the first and second electrodes. By the retaining walls, the LED package can also be used as a side-view LED package.
US08816383B2

High performance light emitting diode with vias. In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, an article of manufacture includes a light emitting diode. The light emitting diode includes a plurality of filled vias configured to connect a doped region on one side of the light emitting diode to a plurality of contacts on the other side of the light emitting diode. The filled vias may comprise less that 10% of a surface area of the light emitting diode.
US08816382B2

There is provided a semiconductor light-emitting element which has an electrode structural body including a connection electrode and a wiring electrode connected to the connection electrode, the wiring electrode stretching along a surface of a semiconductor layered body while being in partial contact with the surface of the semiconductor layered body exposed from an opening formed on the insulation layer. The area of a contact region between the wiring electrode and the semiconductor layered body increases, from a connection end which is connected to the connection electrode, along a direction in which the wiring electrode stretches.
US08816371B2

Coated color-converting particles and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. A coating of the coated color-converting particles can include, for example, a parylene, such as a fluorinated parylene. In particular embodiments, the coating can be configured to protect a color-converting material of a particle core of the coated color-converting particles from detrimental reactions. For example, the coating can prevent, slow, or otherwise inhibit detrimental reactions between the color-converting material and a matrix material or between the color-converting material and an environmental constituent that can diffuse through a matrix. In particular embodiments, the coated color-converting particles can be incorporated into a matrix to form a composite. The composite can be used, for example, with a radiation transducer. Methods associated with the coated color-converting particles can include, for example, separating coated color-converting particles having acceptable coatings from coated color-converting particles having unacceptable coatings using relative buoyancy.
US08816370B2

Disclosed is a light emitting device. The light emitting device includes a first conductive semiconductor layer, an active layer on the first conductive semiconductor layer, a second conductive semiconductor layer on the active layer, a passivation layer surrounding the first conductive semiconductor layer, the active layer, and the second conductive semiconductor layer, a first light extracting structure layer having a concave-convex structure on the passivation layer, a first electrode layer electrically connected to the first conductive semiconductor layer through the passivation layer and the first light extracting structure layer, and a second electrode layer electrically connected to the second conductive semiconductor layer through the passivation layer and the light extracting structure layer.
US08816365B2

Disclosed is a hybrid LED chip: comprising a first clad layer of P-type semiconductor material; a second clad layer of N-type semiconductor material; an active layer between the first and second clad layers; a first bonding metal layer on the first clad layer; a second bonding metal layer on the second clad layer; a ceramic substrate positioned on and bonded to the first and second bonding metal layers, wherein the ceramic substrate includes at least one first via hole to expose the first bonding metal layer, and at least one second via hole to expose the second bonding metal layer; a P-type electrode formed by burying a conductive material in the at least one first via hole; and an N-type electrode formed by burying a conductive material in the at least one second via hole, wherein the first and second via holes in the ceramic substrate are formed in cylindrical shapes, and the circumferential surface of each cylindrical shape is provided with an intaglio pattern.
US08816355B2

For suggesting a structure capable of achieving both a low start-up voltage and high breakdown voltage, a SiC vertical diode includes a cathode electrode, an n++ cathode layer, an n− drift layer on the n++ cathode layer, a pair of p+ regions, an n+ channel region formed between the n− drift layer and the p+ region and sandwiched between the pair of p+ regions, n++ anode regions and an anode electrode formed on the n++ anode regions and the p+ regions.
US08816353B2

In at least one embodiment of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip (1), the latter comprises a semiconductor layer sequence (2) comprising at least one active layer (3) designed for generating an electromagnetic radiation. Furthermore, the optoelectronic semiconductor chip (1) has coupling-out structures (4), which are fitted at least indirectly on a radiation passage area (20) of the semiconductor layer sequence (2). In this case, a material of the coupling-out structures (4) is different than a material of the semiconductor layer sequence (2). The refractive indices of the materials of the coupling-out structures (4) and of the semiconductor layer sequence (2) deviate from one another by at most 30%. Furthermore, facets (40) of the coupling-out structures (4) have a total area amounting to at least 30% of an area content of the radiation passage area (20).
US08816344B2

A thin-film transistor includes a structure for protecting an active layer, and an organic light-emitting display device including the thin-film transistor. The thin-film transistor includes: a gate electrode disposed on a substrate; a first insulating layer disposed on the gate electrode; an active layer disposed on the first insulating layer, and corresponding to the gate electrode; a second insulating layer disposed on the first insulating layer and covering the active layer, the second insulating layer including first and second openings exposing first and second portions of the active layer, respectively; a source electrode disposed on the second insulating layer and connected to the first portion of the active layer via the first opening of the second insulating layer; a drain electrode disposed on the second insulating layer and connected to the second portion of the active layer via the second opening of the second insulating layer; and a dummy member disposed on the second insulating layer and corresponding to at least a third portion of the active layer between the first and second portions of the active layer.
US08816342B2

A device comprises a semiconductor chip including an edge elongated in a first direction. A plurality of first pads is formed on the semiconductor chip. The first pads are substantially equal in length in the first direction to each other. A second pad is formed on the semiconductor chip. The second pad is greater in length in the first direction than the first pads. The first pads and the second pad are arranged in a line elongated in the second direction, that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, without an intervention of any one of the first pads between the second pad and the edge.
US08816334B2

There is presently provided organic compounds of formula I, n-type acceptor materials derived from such compounds and devices comprising such n-type acceptor materials. (An-DprAn  I
US08816325B2

A quantum bit computing architecture includes a plurality of single spin memory donor atoms embedded in a semiconductor layer, a plurality of quantum dots arranged with the semiconductor layer and aligned with the donor atoms, wherein a first voltage applied across at least one pair of the aligned quantum dot and donor atom controls a donor-quantum dot coupling. A method of performing quantum computing in a scalable architecture quantum computing apparatus includes arranging a pattern of single spin memory donor atoms in a semiconductor layer, forming a plurality of quantum dots arranged with the semiconductor layer and aligned with the donor atoms, applying a first voltage across at least one aligned pair of a quantum dot and donor atom to control a donor-quantum dot coupling, and applying a second voltage between one or more quantum dots to control a Heisenberg exchange J coupling between quantum dots and to cause transport of a single spin polarized electron between quantum dots.
US08816318B2

A nonvolatile memory device includes a first and second conductive unit and a memory layer. The memory layer is provided between the first conductive unit and the second conductive unit. The memory layer includes a material expressed by (M11−uM2u)xX+yα+zβ (M1 and M2 include at least one selected from the group consisting of Mg, Al, Sc, Y, Ga, Ti, Zr, Hf, Si, Ge, Sn, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Nb, Ta, Mo, W, Ru, Rh, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Ln (a lanthanoid element), X includes at least one of O and N, α includes at least one of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and Fr, β includes at least one of F, Cl, Br, and I, 0.1≦x≦1.1, 0.0001≦y≦0.2, 0.9≦y/z≦1.1).
US08816317B2

Non-volatile resistive-switching memories formed using anodization are described. A method for forming a resistive-switching memory element using anodization includes forming a metal containing layer, anodizing the metal containing layer at least partially to form a resistive switching metal oxide, and forming a first electrode over the resistive switching metal oxide. In some examples, an unanodized portion of the metal containing layer may be a second electrode of the memory element.
US08816315B2

A memory cell is provided that includes a reversible resistance-switching element above a substrate. The reversible resistance-switching element includes an etched material layer that includes an oxidized layer of the etched material layer above a non-oxidized layer of the etched material layer. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US08816313B2

Provided are a memory element and a memory device. A memory layer is provided with an ion source layer. The ion source layer includes Zr (zirconium), Cu (copper), and Al (aluminum) as a metal element together with an ion conductive material such as S (sulfur), Se (selenium), and Te (tellurium) (chalcogen element). The amount of Al in the ion source layer is 30 to 50 atomic percent. The amount of Zr is preferably 7.5 to 25 atomic percent, and more preferably, the composition ratio of Zr to the chalcogen element in total included in the ion source layer (=Zr (atomic percent)/chalcogen element in total (atomic percent)) falls within a range from 0.2 to 0.74.
US08816304B1

A standard EM wave field generator, includes a first tapered region configured to have a first port formed on its one side and be supplied with a source to generate EM field through the first port; and a first untapered region configured to have at least one or more slits in the form of a hole. Further, the standard EM wave field generator includes a second tapered region configured to have a third port formed on its one side and output the EM field generated from the first port through the third port.
US08816303B2

A method of processing of an object comprises scanning a particle beam across a surface of the object and detecting electrons emerging from the object due to the scanning; determining a height difference between the surface of the object and a predetermined surface for each of plural of locations on the surface of the object based on the detected electrons; determining a processing intensity for each of the plural locations on the surface of the object based on the determined height differences; and directing a particle beam to the plural locations based on the determined processing intensities, in order to remove material from or deposit material on the object at the plural locations.
US08816293B2

Partially and completely curved and spherical scintillation arrays are described. These arrays can provide improved imaging of a variety of subjects and objects.
US08816284B2

In one embodiment, a heterodyne detection system for detecting light includes a first input aperture adapted for receiving first light from a scene input, a second input aperture adapted for receiving second light from a local oscillator input, a broadband local oscillator adapted for providing the second light to the second input aperture, a dispersive element adapted for dispersing the first light and the second light, and a final condensing lens coupled to an infrared detector. The final condensing lens is adapted for concentrating incident light from a primary condensing lens onto the infrared detector, and the infrared detector is a square-law detector capable of sensing the frequency difference between the first light and the second light. More systems and methods for detecting light are described according to other embodiments.
US08816283B2

The electromagnetic radiation detection device includes, on a same substrate: at least one active detector of the electromagnetic radiation provided with a first element sensitive to said radiation, at least one reference detector including a second element sensitive to said electromagnetic radiation, and a lid provided with first reflective means reflecting the incident electromagnetic radiation, said lid covering without contact the second sensitive element and defining with the substrate a cavity having the reference detector housed therein. The lid is designed to improve the sensitivity of the detection device.
US08816276B2

An electron beam writing apparatus comprising a XY stage that a sample is placed on, an electron optical column, an electron gun emitting an electron beam disposed in the optical column, an electrostatic lens provided with electrodes aligned in an axial direction of the electron beam disposed in the optical column, wherein a shield plate is disposed between the XY stage and the electron optical column to block reflected electrons or secondary electrons generated by irradiation to the sample with the electron beam. The electrostatic lens is disposed immediately above the shield plate to change a focal position of the electron beam. A voltage supply device applies a negative voltage constantly to the electrostatic lens.
US08816275B2

The invention generally relates to systems and methods for mass spectrometry analysis of samples. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a mass spectrometry probe including at least one porous material connected to a high voltage source, in which the porous material is discrete from a flow of solvent.
US08816265B2

A solid-state image pickup device includes a plurality of effective pixels each including a photoelectric conversion element and an OB pixel that is provided outside of an area where the effective pixels are formed and obtains the same output with a dark output of the effective pixel. Each of the effective pixels includes a first signal read-out circuit formed on a semiconductor substrate. The OB pixel includes a second signal read-out circuit formed on the semiconductor substrate and a capacitor connected to an input node of the second signal read-out circuit. The second signal read-out circuit has the same configuration as the first signal read-out circuit. A capacitance value of the capacitor is a value that renders the capacitance value at the input node of the first signal read-out circuit and the capacitance value at the input node of the second signal read-out circuit to be substantially equal to each other.
US08816258B2

An inductively coupled heating system having a segmented susceptor is disclosed. The segmented susceptor includes two or more segments, each segment having a side edge that is mateable with a side edge of another segment. The two mated side edges form an interface, increasing eddy currents near the interface. An inductively coupled heating system having a susceptor with multiple doped regions is also disclosed.
US08816256B2

A heat generating body has a first electrode and a second electrode arranged opposed to each other, and also has a mesh-like electrically conductive membrane (mesh-like pattern) mounted in a curved surface shape between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode are arranged so as to satisfy the relationship of (Lmax−Lmin)/((Lmax+Lmin)/2)=0.375, where Lmin is a minimum value of the distance between two opposite points which are on the first and second electrodes and on the electrically conductive membrane and Lmax is a maximum value of the distance.
US08816253B2

Multi-lane, side-by-side, independently driven transport systems particularly useful for transfer on conveyor belts or finger/chains of thin work pieces, such as silicon wafers, through processing equipment for converting the wafers into solar cells, including UV pre-treaters, dopers, dryers, diffusion furnaces and metallization furnaces. The inventive multi-lane transport systems may employ wire mesh belts having a flying bridge wafer support system comprising longitudinally spaced carrier wire elements that support the wafers at their side edges at only point contacts, by means of opposed, inwardly inclined, downwardly slanted segments or wings. Alternately, finger drives comprising spaced-apart chains having inwardly projecting fingers may be used for transport of the wafers by side edge contact. Friction or sprocket drives having tensioner assemblies associa-ted therewith are used to move the transport belts or finger chains through the furnace zones. Each lane may be independently controlled to provide unique thermal profiles along their processing paths.
US08816246B2

A series of laser pulses, each pulse characterized by one or more predetermined pulse characteristics including wavelength, pulse energy, inter-pulse time interval, pulse width or pulse shape, is provided to drill a hole in a material. Drilling the hole in the material is achieved by placing the series of laser pulse spots at the location wherein the hole is to be drilled. One or more characteristics of one or more laser pulses in the series is changed in order to optimize the drilling process for the hole. The ability to change the characteristics of one or more laser pulses in the series of pulses to optimize the drilling process results in holes with desired attributes and a high drilling rate.
US08816243B2

A laser beam irradiation apparatus irradiates a laser beam onto a sealing unit disposed between a first substrate and a second substrate so as to seal the first substrate and the second substrate. A center portion of the laser beam comprises a first beam profile having a beam intensity which increases toward a beam center portion, and a center of each of a plurality of peripheral portions of the laser beam is included in an area onto which the first beam profile is irradiated. The plurality of peripheral portions are symmetrically distributed around the first beam profile, and comprise a plurality of second beam profiles having the same beam intensities. The first beam profile and the plurality of second beam profiles are symmetrically distributed around a center point of the first beam profile and move in synchronization with one another.
US08816239B2

A method of manufacturing a component. The method includes the steps of heating a working region of a substrate with a heating means; directing a material into the working region to bring the material into a temporary molten state, and depositing said material on the substrate such that when the material solidifies it forms at least part of the component. The heating means power output, stand off, orientation, speed and direction of travel relative to the substrate are adjustable and controlled throughout the material deposition process to control the shape and/or size of the working region to thereby control the distribution and rate of heat delivery to the substrate.
US08816234B2

A method for sorting particles in a fluid. The method involves generating an optical landscape using an acousto-optic device. Preferably, the optical landscape is arranged to sort particles based on size or refractive index or shape.
US08816228B2

A wireless switching device with an actuating member that can move along a main axis between an idle position and a working position, a spring stressed by force by the actuating member in a direction substantially parallel to the main axis, a switching assembly that can include a plunger arranged to be actuated by the actuating member and a wireless transmitter module provided with an antenna for sending a message to a receiver module in the event of an action on the plunger. The antenna can be arranged prominently on the switching assembly in a direction substantially parallel to the main axis and the spring of helical type being arranged coaxially to the antenna.
US08816226B2

A switch device with a greatly strengthened limit structure where damage in the limit structure can be quickly detected and the structure can be easily replaced. The switch device includes a housing; a rotating shaft supported inside the housing and rotatable around its axis; a sway rod outside the housing, which is mounted at the end of the rotating shaft and configured to sway around the rotating axis of the rotating shaft by an external force applied outside the housing; a movable part outside the housing, which is configured to rotate together with the sway rod around the rotating axis of the rotating shaft; and a limit bearing part outside the housing and fixed relative to the housing, when the movable part is abutted on the limit bearing part, the swaying of the sway rod is limited, and the rotating shaft stops rotating.
US08816225B2

A method for detecting weight on a platform lift having a platform, a hydraulic cylinder, and a hydraulic circuit including the steps of measuring a static pressure of the hydraulic circuit, and comparing the measured static pressure to a baseline pressure of the hydraulic circuit. The baseline pressure is a static pressure of the hydraulic circuit without external weight positioned on the platform.
US08816218B2

A multilayer composite electronic structure comprising at least two feature layers extending in an X-Y plane and separated by a via layer comprising a dielectric material that is sandwiched between two adjacent feature layers, the via layer comprising via posts that couple adjacent feature layers in a Z direction perpendicular to the X-Y plane, wherein a first via has different dimensions in the X-Y plane from a second via in the via layer.
US08816212B2

A flexible device has a flexible panel, a driver, and a restraining component. The flexible panel includes a main region and a driver bonding region outside the main region. The driver is electrically connected to the driver bonding region. The restraining component is disposed adjacent to the driver bonding region. Rigidity of the restraining component is greater than rigidity of the flexible panel, and coefficient of thermal expansion of the restraining component is smaller than coefficient of thermal expansion of the flexible panel.
US08816190B2

In one aspect of the present invention, a photovoltaic device is provided. The photovoltaic device includes a transparent layer; a first porous layer disposed on the transparent layer, wherein the first porous layer comprises a plurality of pores extending through a thickness of the first porous layer; a first semiconductor material disposed in the plurality of pores to form a patterned first semiconductor layer; and a second semiconductor layer disposed on the first porous layer and the patterned first semiconductor layer, wherein the patterned first semiconductor layer is substantially transparent. Method of making a photovoltaic device is also provided.
US08816186B2

A solar energy collection system comprised of non-penetrating structural components wherein the solar collectors including the structure are restrained from movement by wind energy redirection, and an interlocking cable restraint system.
US08816185B2

A photovoltaic module may include a transparent conductive layer on a substrate a first submodule including a first plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in series and a second submodule including a second plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in series.
US08816184B2

A thermoelectric bias voltage generator having a substrate, an active device formed in a semiconductor region of the substrate, and a thermoelectric junction disposed on the substrate and connected to the active device to provide the bias voltage for the active device.
US08816182B2

Systems and methods for processing a signal of an electric guitar are provided. An input guitar signal is received by a portable handheld computing device. The input guitar signal is processed using the digital signal. The combined guitar output is transmitted through the portable handheld computing device.
US08816179B2

Systems and methods of synchronizing media are provided. A client device may be used to capture a sample of a media stream being rendered by a media rendering source. The client device sends the sample to a position identification module to determine a time offset indicating a position in the media stream corresponding to the sampling time of the sample, and optionally a timescale ratio indicating a speed at which the media stream is being rendered by the media rendering source based on a reference speed of the media stream. The client device calculates a real-time offset using a present time, a timestamp of the media sample, the time offset, and optionally the timescale ratio. The client device then renders a second media stream at a position corresponding to the real-time offset to be in synchrony to the media stream being rendered by the media rendering source.
US08816176B1

A banjo, made almost entirely of wood, eliminates most metal parts of a traditional banjo. The neck is bolted to the body, improving sustain. The body consists of a drum assembly bolted to a resonant tone chamber. The resonant tone chamber consists of a thin back, thin rim assembly, interior flange ring, thin decorative cover and tone ring. The interior flange ring provides mechanical strength to the resonant tone chamber and anchors the drum assembly. The drum assembly consists of a banjo head and a tension hoop. The banjo head snugly fits over the tone ring, and is tensioned via a plurality of bolts that secure the tension hoop in the drum assembly to the flange ring in the resonant tone chamber. A sound port cut into the rim assembly provides sound to a player. Sound holes cut into the decorative cover project sound from the resonant tone chamber toward an audience.
US08816168B1

A soybean cultivar designated S120108 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S120108, to the plants of soybean cultivar S120108, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar S120108, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar S120108. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S120108. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S120108, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar S120108 with another soybean cultivar.
US08816165B2

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1026866. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1026866. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1026866 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1026866 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08816156B2

The invention provides plants comprising transgenic event MON 88302 that exhibit tolerance to glyphosate herbicide. The invention also provides seeds, plant parts, cells, commodity products, and methods related to the event. The invention also provides DNA molecules that are unique to the event and were created by the insertion of transgenic DNA into the genome of a Brassica napus plant.
US08816153B2

Recombinant DNA constructs, for use in plants and plant cells, have site-specific recombination sites that allow assessing phenotypes and modes of action by over expression or suppression of endogenous genes. In an aspect, a single DNA construct can be switched between over expression and suppression by the action of a recombinase such as the Cre recombinase on constructs having lox recombination sites. Other useful recombination systems include the Flp/frt system, the R/Rs system, the Dre/rox system, and the GIN/gix system.
US08816152B2

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for regulating expression of transcribable polynucleotides in plant cells, plant tissues, and plants. Compositions include regulatory polynucleotide molecules capable of providing expression in plant tissues and plants. Methods for expressing polynucleotides in a plant cell, plant tissue, or plants using the regulatory polynucleotide molecules disclosed herein are also provided.
US08816147B2

A process for recovering 1-hexene comprising: a) separating the mixture obtained from the ethylene trimerization reaction into a top fraction comprising ethylene and a bottom fraction, b) separating a portion of the bottom fraction obtained from step a) into a top fraction comprising 1-hexene and 1-butene and a bottom fraction, c) separating a portion of the fraction comprising 1-hexene and 1-butene obtained from step b) into a top fraction principally comprising 1-butene and into a bottom fraction principally comprising 1-hexene, and in said process: a portion of the bottom fraction obtained from step b) is returned to the reaction section and another portion of said bottom fraction obtained from step b) is used in a recirculation loop connecting the reaction section and the column of said step b), said recirculation loop being used to cool the reaction section and to reboil said column of step b).
US08816145B2

The present invention provides a process for producing a monoalkylated aromatic compound comprising the step of contacting an alkylatable aromatic compound with an alkylating agent in the presence of a catalyst composition under effective alkylation conditions, said catalyst composition comprising MCM-56 and a binder, such that the crystal/binder weight ratio in the catalyst composition is from above 20/80 to about 80/20.
US08816144B2

Multistage processing of biomass to produce at least two separate fungible fuel streams, one dominated by gasoline boiling-point range liquids and the other by diesel boiling-point range liquids. The processing involves hydrotreating the biomass to produce a hydrotreatment product including a deoxygenated hydrocarbon product of gasoline and diesel boiling materials, followed by separating each of the gasoline and diesel boiling materials from the hydrotreatment product and each other.
US08816143B2

A method comprising providing a fatty acyl mixture comprising: (i) a C10-C16 acyl carbon atom chain content of at least 30 wt. % wherein at least 80% of the C10-C16 acyl carbon atom chains are saturated; and (ii) a C18-C22 acyl carbon atom chain content of at least 20 wt. % wherein at least 50% of the acyl C18-C22 carbon atom chains contain at least one double bond; hydrolyzing the mixture to yield a quantity of C10-C16 saturated fatty acids and C18-C22 unsaturated fatty acids; oligomerizing at least some of the C18-C22 unsaturated fatty acids to yield a quantity of C36+ fatty acid oligomers; hydrotreating at least some of the C10-C16 saturated fatty acids and at least some of the C36+ fatty acid oligomers to yield a quantity of diesel fuel blendstock and C36+ alkanes; and separating at least some of the diesel fuel blendstock from the C36+ alkanes.
US08816139B2

The present invention relates to a facile method of preparing 1,4-bis(chlorodifluoromethyl)benzene, comprising the steps of: (A) providing a reactant liquid of 1,4-bis(difluoromethyl)benzene; optionally (B) providing a light source for UV radiation; and (C) introducing chlorine gas into the reactant liquid at a temperature of 50-90° C. under a pressure above 1 atm to obtain 1,4-Bis(chlorodifluoromethyl)benzene. The invented facile method can be utilized in a batch process or a continuous process for effective production of 1,4-bis(chlorodifluoromethyl)benzene.
US08816130B2

A heterogeneous catalyst that is a combination of rhodium, zinc, iron, a fourth metal and at least one metal selected from alkali metals and alkaline earth metals on a catalyst support (e.g. at least one of silica, alumina, titania, magnesia, zinc aluminate (ZnAl2O4), magnesium aluminate (MgAl2O4), magnesia-modified alumina, zinc oxide-modified alumina, zirconium oxide-modified alumina, and zinc oxide) and use of the catalyst in converting an alkylene to an oxygenate that has one more carbon atom than the alkylene.
US08816117B2

The subject of the invention is the method of synthesis of fluoracarbofunctional cage silsesquioxanes of the general formula in which•R1 stands for HCF2(CF2)n(CH2)mO(CH2)3Si(CH3)2O or HCF2(CF2)n(CH2)mO(CH2)3 group in which n=1-12, m=1-4;•R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 can be the same as R1 or different from it and stand all either for the (C1-C25) alkyl group or any aryl group, based on hydrosilylation of fluoroalkyl-allyl ether with an appropriate hydrogen-silsesquioxane in the presence of siloxide rhodium complex [{Rh(OSiMe3)(cod)}2] as a catalyst.
US08816110B2

There are provided various polyunsaturated fatty acid monoglycerides and derivatives thereof. These compounds can be useful as cancer chemopreventive agents, cancer treating agent, inhibiting tumor growth or cell proliferation, reducing tumor growth or as radioenhencers for radiotherapy of cancer.
US08816099B2

A polyfunctional polyoxyalkylene compound represented by the following formula (1): wherein Z represents a hydroxyl group-removed residue of pentaerythritol or dipentaerythritol, R represents a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 24 carbon atoms, OA1 and OA2 represent an oxyalkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, L1 and L2 represent an alkylene group which may have an ester bond or the like in the alkylene chain or at the terminal end, and X represents a functional group capable of reacting chemically; R, OA1, OA2, L1, and L2 are the same or different from one another in one molecule, m and n are an average number of moles of the oxyalkylene group added, m represents 5 to 1,000, and n represents 0 to 1,000; p and q represent 0 or 1; r1+r2=4 or 6; and r1 and r2 are an integer of 2 or more.
US08816089B2

The present invention provides: (1) antiviral agents that act by reducing or inhibiting the activity of SR proteins, more specifically, (i) antiviral agents that act by enhancing dephosphorylation of SR proteins, and (ii) antiviral agents that act by inhibiting proteins that phosphorylate SR proteins; (2) antiviral agents that act by inhibiting the expression of SR proteins, and (3) antiviral agents that act by activating proteins that antagonize SR proteins. The present invention also provides compounds that inhibit SRPKs, which phosphorylate SR proteins. Such compounds inhibit the activity of SR proteins and have antiviral activities. Various new viruses including SARS have emerged, and thus the present invention provides long-lasting broad-spectrum antiviral agents applicable to new viruses.
US08816079B2

Provided are a novel low-molecular-weight compound that suppresses production of induction type MMPs, particularly MMP-9, rather than production of hemostatic type MMP-2, as well as a prophylactic/therapeutic drug for autoimmune diseases or osteoarthritis. An amide derivative represented by the following formula (I) wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof.
US08816077B2

The invention relates to (among other things) oligomer-PTK inhibitor conjugates and related compounds. A compound of the invention, when administered by any of a number of administration routes, exhibits advantages over PTK inhibitor compounds lacking a water soluble, non peptidic oligomer.
US08816067B2

Compositions for improving the health of a subject comprise alpha-(1,2)-branched alpha-(1,6) oligodextrans, preferably with an average molecular weight between about 10 kDa and 70 kDa, between about 10% and 50% alpha-(1,2)-osidic side chains, and having at least partial indigestibility in the subject. Methods for improving the health of a subject comprise administering the composition to a subject in an amount effective to improve gut health, or to prevent or treat a gastrointestinal disorder, a cholesterol-related disorder, diabetes, or obesity. Methods for making oligodextrans having controlled size and controlled degree of branching comprise providing alpha-(1,6) oligodextrans having an average molecular weight between 0.5 and 100 kDa and introducing at least 10% alpha-(1,2)-osidic side chains onto the alpha-(1,6) oligodextrans.
US08816065B2

Provided are a method of preparing a zinc oxide nanostructure electrode and a method of preparing a dye-sensitized solar cell using the same.The present invention relates to a use of nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate or a derivative thereof for promoting the differentiation of keratinocytes into fibroblasts. The present invention provides a pharmaceutical or cosmetic use of a composition containing NAADP or a derivative thereof for regenerating and improving a skin barrier, or preventing, improving or treating stratum corneum disorders such as psoriasis or atopy, and a use for promoting the differentiation of separated keratinocytes.
US08816059B2

The invention provides a method of determining the prognosis of cancer in a subject. The method comprises (a) obtaining a sample from the subject, (b) analyzing the sample for the expression level of a carboxypeptidase E (CPE) splice variant, and (c) correlating the expression level in the sample with the prognosis of cancer in the subject. The invention further provides a method of diagnosing cancer, methods of treatment, kits for detecting mRNA expression of a CPE-ΔN, and inhibitors of CPE-ΔN and compositions thereof.
US08816057B2

Newly identified mammalian taste-cell-specific G protein-coupled receptors, and the genes and cDNA encoding said receptors are described. Specifically, T1R G protein-coupled receptors active in taste signaling, and the genes and cDNA encoding the same, are described, along with methods for isolating such genes and for isolating and expressing such receptors. Methods for representing taste perception of a particular tastant in a mammal are also described, as are methods for generating novel molecules or combinations of molecules that elicit a predetermined taste perception in a mammal, and methods for simulating one or more tastes. Further, methods for stimulating or blocking taste perception in a mammal are also disclosed.
US08816056B2

Disclosed herein are antisense compounds and methods for decreasing STAT3 mRNA and protein expression. Such methods, compounds, and compositions are useful to treat, prevent, or ameliorate hyperproliferative diseases.
US08816055B2

Plasma kallikrein binding proteins and methods of using such proteins are described.
US08816054B2

Factor VIII variants and methods of use thereof are disclosed.
US08816051B2

Novel biologically active compounds of the general formula (I) in which one of X and X′ represents a polymer, and the other represents a hydrogen atom; each Q independently represents a linking group; W represents an electron-withdrawing moiety or a moiety preparable by reduction of an electron-withdrawing moiety; or, if X′ represents a polymer, X-Q-W— together may represent an electron withdrawing group; and in addition, if X represents a polymer, X′ and electron withdrawing group W together with the interjacent atoms may form a ring; each of Z1 and Z2 independently represents a group derived from a biological molecule, each of which is linked to A and B via a nucleophilic moiety; or Z1 and Z2 together represent a single group derived from a biological molecule which is linked to A and B via two nucleophilic moieties; A is a C1-5 alkylene or alkenylene chain; and B is a bond or a C1-4 alkylene or alkenylene chain; are formed by conjugating a suitable polymer to a suitable biologically active molecule via nucleophilic groups in said molecule, preferably via a disulphide bridge.
US08816040B2

A polymer dye has repeating units of formula (I): Each of R1, R2, and R3 is independently a monocyclic carbocyclic group, a condensed polycyclic carbocyclic group, a monocyclic heterocyclic group, or a condensed polycyclic heterocyclic group. In any case, each of R1, R2, and R3 independently may have a substituent. R1 is a divalent group, and R2 and R3 are monovalent groups. D is an organic dye group and n is an integer of from 0 to 10. The polymer dye has a number-average molecular weight of from 500 to 500,000. The dye can be a component in a film. The dye can also be included in various industrial materials in automobiles; communication instruments, such as mobile phones, PDA, remote controllers, mobile information terminals, electronic dictionaries, and electronic organizers; home electric appliances; construction parts; and the like.
US08816030B2

Provided are a chloroprene rubber, a chloroprene rubber composition and the vulcanizate and formed body thereof superior in low-temperature properties.A chloroprene rubber is obtained by emulsion polymerization of raw monomers containing antiperiplanar trans-1-chlorobuta-1,3-diene and cis-1-chlorobuta-1,3-diene in a total amount of 0.5 mass % or more, 2,3-dichlorobuta-1,3-diene in an amount of 2.0 mass % or more, and the rest being chloroprene. A composition containing the chloroprene is vulcanized into a formed body.
US08816019B2

The present disclosure relates to thermoplastic compositions. The disclosed compositions comprise a polycarbonate polymer, a polysiloxane-polycarbonate copolymer, a laser direct structuring additive, and a siloxane additive. Also disclosed are methods for making the disclosed thermoplastic compositions and articles of manufacture comprising the disclosed thermoplastic compositions.
US08816015B2

Low VOC emission polyoxymethylene and compositions and products that incorporate the polyoxymethylene are described. The polyoxymethylene is end capped with compound that can prevent degradation of the polymer and subsequent emission of VOC degradation products such as formaldehyde. The end-capped polyoxymethylene can include an inorganic linkage within the polymer backbone that is the reaction product of a terminal hydroxyl group of the polyoxymethylene and a hydrolyzable group of the compound. Also disclosed are products as may be formed from the low VOC emission polyoxymethylene.
US08816014B2

There are provided a modified conjugated diene-based polymer having a good balance between the hysteresis loss properties and the wet skid resistance, practically sufficient abrasion resistance and fracture strength, and high processability when formed into a vulcanized product, and a modified conjugated diene-based polymer composition. A method for producing a modified conjugated diene-based polymer, comprising: a polymerization step of polymerizing a conjugated diene compound or copolymerizing a conjugated diene compound with an aromatic vinyl compound using an alkali metal compound or an alkaline earth metal compound as a polymerization initiator to obtain a conjugated diene-based polymer having a reactive end, and a modifying step of reacting a compound having a specific structure with the reactive end of the conjugated diene-based polymer.
US08816009B1

The present invention is directed to a method of making a functionalized elastomer, comprising the steps of polymerizing at least one diene monomer and optionally a vinyl aromatic monomer in the presence of an initiator of formula (II) to produce a protected hydroxyl end-terminated polymer where R1, R2, R3 can all be the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of alkyls having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, cycloalkyls having from 3 to 11 carbon atoms, or aryls having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms, R4 is an alkylene having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, a cycloalkylene having from 3 to 11 carbon atoms, or an arylene having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms, X is S, O or NH, and Li is lithium; de-protecting the protected hydroxyl end-terminated elastomer to produce a hydroxyl end-functionalized polymer; reacting the hydroxyl end-funtionalized polymer with a maleimido acid chloride to produce a maleimido end-functionalized polymer; and reacting the maleimido end-functionalized polymer with a thiol-terminated polymer derived from a monomer having a hydrogen bond donor site and a hydrogen bond acceptor site to produce the functionalized elastomer.
US08816007B2

The present invention provides methods to functionalize and solubilize WCNT with a phenolic polymer such as a lignin or a PF resin followed by in-situ integration of this functionalized CNT in the presence of formaldehyde and phenol and/or lignin to generate either CNT-reinforced phenol-formaldehyde polymer or CNT-reinforced lignin-phenol-formaldehyde polymer in either liquid or powder form suitable as an adhesive in the manufacture of a lignocellulosic composite material such as OSB and plywood.
US08816005B2

The present invention provides a method for making a composition comprising an amphiphilic polymeric material which comprises a straight or branched chain carbon-carbon backbone and a multiplicity of side chains attached to the backbone; wherein in the method, backbone precursors comprising acylating groups are mixed with side chain precursors which comprise a nucleophilic group at at least one terminus, to form a reaction mixture; the backbone precursors, side chain precursors and/or the reaction mixture are heated; the reaction mixture is stirred; and the nucleophilic groups react with the acylating groups to form the amphiphilic polymeric material wherein the side chains are linked to the backbone via acyl linkages; characterized in that the reaction mixture does not comprise organic solvent.
US08816004B2

Oxazolinyl-containing compounds having a single oxazolinyl group plus a first polymeric group are described. Grafted compounds are also described that are the product of a reaction of an oxazolinyl-containing compound with a second compound that has one or more acidic groups to form a grafted compound. In some embodiments, the second compound is a polymeric material having at least one acidic group and the reaction product is a grafted copolymer. Blended compositions of the grafted copolymer with a polyamide are also described.
US08816003B2

This invention involves a composition, a method of making, and an application of high plasticization-resistant chemically cross-linked polymeric membranes such as cross-linked cellulose acetate (CA) membrane. These cross-linked polymeric membranes with covalently interpolymer-chain-connected rigid networks showed no decrease in CO2/CH4 ideal selectivity under 690 kPa (100 psig) pure CO2 pressure and also no CO2 plasticization up to 3447 kPa (500 psig) pure CO2 pressure. By using the method of chemical cross-linking as described in this invention, the separation characteristics of the polymeric membranes can be decisively improved. These new cross-linked polymeric membranes can be used not only for gas separations such as CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 separations, O2/N2 separation, olefin/paraffin separations (e.g. propylene/propane separation), iso/normal paraffins separations, but also for liquid separations such as pervaporation and desalination.
US08815998B2

After hydrolyzing a phospholipid bonded to a molecular end of a natural rubber, a compound having a polar group reacting with a hydroxyl group is condensed with a hydroxyl group contained in the phospholipid-hydrolyzed natural rubber to thereby obtain a modified natural rubber in which a polar group is present at a molecular end. The modified natural rubber thus obtained in which a polar group is present at a molecular end is used for a rubber component of a rubber composition, whereby a rubber composition in which carbon black and silica as fillers are bonded to the rubber component to enhance a reinforcing effect and which is excellent in a low hysteresis loss property and abrasion resistance to a large extent is obtained. An enzyme or an alkali is used for hydrolyzing the phospholipid, and a condensing agent is used for condensing the polar group-containing compound.
US08815997B2

The present invention provides one component aqueous compositions comprising (i) from 0.01 to 7 wt. %, based on the total weight of solids in the composition, of anion exchange resin beads having a weight average particle size of from 0.1 to 20 μm a low crosslinker content, the anion exchange resin copolymer beads being chosen from gelular beads, beads having a dual morphology, and mixtures thereof, (ii) an emulsion copolymer having a copolymerization residue of one or more phosphorus acid monomer, and having an anionic surfactant or its polymerization residue and a reductant or its polymerization residue and, (iii) at least one phosphorous containing surfactant in the amount of from 0.1 to 5 wt. %, based on the weight of emulsion copolymer solids. The compositions find use as coating binders and either pigmented or unpigmented paints and enable the provision of a single coat primer plus topcoat with excellent stain blocking.
US08815990B2

A stabilizer composition comprising a phenyl acrylate compound or phosphite compound, and a sugar alcohol.A thermoplastic polymer composition comprising a phenyl acrylate compound or phosphite compound, and a sugar alcohol, wherein the total weight of the phenyl acrylate compound or phosphite compound, and the sugar alcohol is 0.001 to 3 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the thermoplastic polymer.
US08815976B2

A system for use in forming polymer compositions, including as a replacement for phenolic based resin systems, for instance, in preparing foundry molds. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes the use of a) a polyermizable hydroxyl-containing component comprising a humic substance (as can be provided by lignite), b) an isocyanate component, and c) a catalyst, and preferably amine catalyst, component adapted to catalyze the polymerization of a) and b). The system is optionally used as binder system in the presence of a filler, such as, in combination with a foundry aggregate such as sand. A polymer system of this invention can be substantially free of formaldehyde or phenol, and preferably contains little or no aromatic solvents.
US08815975B2

Absorbable and non-absorbable cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive/sealant formulations include at least one multipurpose carboxylic, acid-bearing C-succinylated polymeric rheology modifier capable of increasing the viscosity of the liquid formulation, while controlling the anionic polymerization of the cyanoacrylate monomers and increasing the compliance of the cured solid adhesive.
US08815972B2

The present invention relates to ionic silicone hydrogel polymers displaying improved thermal stability. More specifically, the present invention relates to a polymer formed from reactive components comprising at least one silicone component and at least one ionic component comprising at least one anionic group. The polymers of the present invention display good thermal stability and desirable protein uptake.
US08815969B2

A novel UV-curable coating includes acrylated soybean oil, a hyperbranched acrylate, an optional adhesion promoter, and an optional renewable reactive diluent.
US08815963B1

A catalyst composition includes an active material having a molybdenum- and sulfur-containing substance impregnated with an effective amount of cesium sufficient to promote synthesis of an alcohol, optionally carried on an inert support, wherein the active material is at least substantially free of a transition metal. The present invention is further directed to methods of preparing and using the same.
US08815955B2

A method wherein subjects having or at risk for having hyperopia, presbyopia or astigmatism are administered a composition having an effective amount of ocular antioxidants, including specifically macular pigments, to prevent, treat, or delay the onset of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
US08815953B2

The present invention provides topical formulations containing a vitamin K analog, e.g., menadione, that deliver a uniform, therapeutically effective concentration of the vitamin K analog to the skin in a vehicle which is stable, non-irritating, non-drying and cosmetically acceptable. These topical formulations are useful for the treatment and prevention of dermatological conditions associated with inflammation, particularly, dermatological conditions resulting from anti-EGFR therapies.
US08815947B2

A method of increasing the insulin sensitivity of insulin resistant cells includes administering to the cells an amount of all-trans-retinoic acid effective to activate transcription factor perosixome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) β/δ of the cells.
US08815946B2

Provided herein are methods of preventing a fibrotic response and/or scarring in a wound, comprising administering to a subject a composition comprising an amount of an amide or ester of an alpha-ketoalkanoic acid effective to inhibit a proliferative and/or fibrotic response in the wound. In one instance, the wound is to a subject's cornea, such as a wound resulting from refractive surgery. In one embodiment, the amide or ester of an alpha-ketoalkanoic acid is ethyl pyruvate.
US08815945B2

Improved cancer treatments with bis[thiohydrazide amide] compounds such as elesclomol, in particular for identifying patient populations that would benefit from such treatments.
US08815940B2

The present invention relates to certain coumarin/chalcone compounds or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The present invention particularly relates to the coumarin/chalcone compounds as anticancer agents useful for the treatment of cancer. The present invention also relates to the process of preparation of the said compounds.
US08815929B2

The present invention is directed to the treatment of skin erythema as exhibited in rosacea and other conditions characterized by increased erythema (redness) of the skin. These conditions exhibit dilation of blood vessels due to a cutaneous vascular hyper-reactivity. In particular, the present invention is directed to a novel composition and method for the treatment of skin erythema using α1-adrenergic receptor (α1-adrenoceptor) agonists incorporated into cosmetic, pharmacological or dermatological compositions for topical application to the skin.
US08815919B2

The invention relates to oxadiazole compounds of formula I. The compounds are useful e.g. in the treatment of autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis.
US08815905B2

The invention relates to propionic acids, propionic acid esters, and related compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, and methods of using these compounds for the treatment of various diseases or conditions, including but not limited to diseases and/or conditions of Central Nervous System (CNS).
US08815889B2

Methods and compositions for treating a blood glucose condition involve identifying a suitable subject and administering an effective amount of a composition that contains one or more of an opioid antagonist, an anticonvulsant, and a psychotherapeutic agent. The compositions can include insulin. In some embodiments, such methods and compositions can be used to modulate a blood glucose level. In preferred embodiments, such methods and compositions are useful for increasing a subject's sensitivity to insulin.
US08815883B2

Compounds having the structures below that are TPH1 inhibitors are provided: The compounds are useful of, e.g., to increase bone mass. In preferred embodiments, the patient is known to have, or to be at risk for, a low bone mass disease such as osteoporosis.
US08815882B2

Compounds of the formula I: or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein X, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined herein. Also disclosed are methods of making the compounds and using the compounds for treatment of diseases associated with LRRK2 receptor, such as Parkinson's disease.
US08815881B2

This invention relates to compounds of the formula wherein R1 to R9 are as described below, or to pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. These compounds are BACE2 inhibitors and can be used as medicaments for the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of diseases such as diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic disorders.
US08815879B2

Selenophene compounds of formula (I) are described herein. In the compounds of Formula (I), ring A is a 6-membered aromatic fused ring, optionally containing one, two or three nitrogen atoms; a 5-membered heteroaromatic fused ring; or a mono- or bicyclic saturated heterocyclic fused ring having at least one ring member selected from the group consisting of N, O, S, SO and SO2; Y in ring B is nitrogen or substituted carbon; X is NR6, O, S, S(O), or S(O)2. R1, R2, R3, R4, and R6 are defined in the specification. Selenophene compounds of formula (I) may be used in methods of treating cell proliferative disorders, particularly cancer. Pharmaceutical compositions containing selenophene compounds of formula (I) may be used for treatment, inhibition, or control of cancer.
US08815869B2

The present application relates to calcium channel inhibitors containing compounds of formula (I) wherein Ar1, n, R1, X and Y are as defined in the specification. The present application also relates to compositions comprising such compounds, and methods of treating conditions and disorders using such compounds and compositions.
US08815868B2

The present invention relates to novel oxindole derivatives of the general formula (I) to medicaments comprising them and to their use for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of diseases.
US08815867B2

The invention is directed to compounds of Formula I: wherein Z, X, J, R2 and W are set forth in the specification, as well as solvates, hydrates, tautomers and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, that inhibit protein tyrosine kinases, especially c-fms kinase. Methods of treating autoimmune diseases; and diseases with an inflammatory component; treating metastasis from ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, stomach cancer, hairy cell leukemia; and treating pain, including skeletal pain caused by tumor metastasis or osteoarthritis, or visceral, inflammatory, and neurogenic pain; as well as osteoporosis, Paget's disease, and other diseases in which bone resorption mediates morbidity including rheumatoid arthritis, and other forms of inflammatory arthritis, osteoarthritis, prosthesis failure, osteolytic sarcoma, myeloma, and tumor metastasis to bone with the compounds of Formula I, are also provided.
US08815866B2

The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of protein kinase. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising said compounds and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disease, conditions, or disorders. The invention also provides processes for preparing compounds of the inventions.
US08815865B2

The present invention relates to substituted 4-hydroxypyrimidine-5-carboxamides useful as HIF prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors to treat anemia and like conditions.
US08815861B2

The present invention relates to novel N-(imidazolidin-2-ylidene)quinoline derivatives, processes for preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as pharmaceuticals.
US08815859B2

Arylpyrazinone derivatives of formula (I), as insulin secretion stimulators, the preparation and use of these pyrazinone derivatives for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of diabetes and pathologies associated.
US08815857B2

The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1-R5 and n are as defined herein. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, methods of using these compounds in the treatment of various diseases and disorders, processes for preparing these compounds and intermediates useful in these processes.
US08815851B2

A composition having BACE 1 inhibitory activity containing a compound represented by the general formula (I): wherein ring A is an optionally substituted carbocyclic group or an optionally substituted heterocyclic group; E is lower alkylene; X is S, O, or NR1; R1 is a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl; R2a, R2b, R3a, R3b, R4a and R4b is each independently a hydrogen atom, halogen, or hydroxy etc.; n and m are each independently an integer of 0 to 3; n+m is an integer of 0 to 3; R5 is a hydrogen atom or substituted lower alkyl; its pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or a solvate thereof.
US08815846B2

Compounds derived from imidazo[4,5-c][1,2,6]thiadiazine 2,2-dioxides, for use as a drug or pharmaceutical composition for treatment of parasitic diseases, preferably of diseases caused by parasites of the Trypanosoma genus, and more preferably for treatment of the Chagas disease. Furthermore, the invention also relates to the pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds.
US08815833B2

A storage stable aqueous solution of amifostine at a pH of at least 10.0, in an amifostine concentration of about 50 to about 250 mg/l, which formulation is storage stable under refrigerated conditions.
US08815830B2

The invention provides a compound of formula (I), wherein R1-R6 and X have any of the values described, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and therapeutic methods comprising the administration of such compounds.
US08815826B2

Provided herein are compositions and methods for the modulation of ′miR-214 for the treatment and/of prevention of fibrosis and fibroproliferative conditions.
US08815817B2

The invention provides methods for treating asthma by using multiple rounds of administration of ISS over a period of time to confer long term disease modification.
US08815809B2

Compounds of Formula II wherein R1a is H; and R1b is C1-C6alkyl, Carbocyclyl or Het; or R1a and R1b together define a saturated cyclic amine with 3-6 ring atoms; R2a and R2b are independently H, halo, C1-C4alkyl, C1-C4haloalkyl or C1-C4alkoxy, or R2a and R2b together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a C3-C6cycloalkyl; R3 is a branched C5-C10 alkyl chain, C2-C4haloalkyl or —CH2C3-C7 cycloalkyl; R4′ is C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6haloalkyl or oxetany-3-yl. for use in the prophylaxis or treatment of a disorder characterized by inappropriate expression or activation of cathepsin S.
US08815803B2

This invention provides a composition for increasing a body height of a patient with short stature or an individual other than patients with short stature. More specifically, the invention provides: a composition for increasing the body height of an individual comprising a guanyl cyclase B (GC-B) activator as an active ingredient, the composition being to be administered to an individual free from FGFR3 abnormality; a method for increasing the body height of an individual free from FGFR3 abnormality which comprises activating GC-B; a method for screening an agent for increasing the body height of an individual which comprises selecting an agent for increasing the body height using GC-B activity as an indication; and a method for extending a cartilage bone free from FGFR3 abnormality which comprises activating GC-B in an individual.
US08815797B2

The present invention relates in general to a shelf-stable liquid enteral composition for providing nutrition, either as a supplement, or as a complete nutrition, with a high protein content of a non-hydrolysed globular protein, in particular a whey protein.
US08815788B2

A cleaning solution includes an aqueous base, 0.1 wt % to 10 wt % of an organic acid, 0.1 wt % to 35 wt % of a surfactant, 0.1 wt % to 10 wt % of an organic ester derived from a carboxylic acid having at least 4 carbons, and 0.1 wt % to 11 wt % of an ethylene glycol ether.
US08815776B2

An herbicidal emulsifiable concentrate composition that contains Prodiamine herbicide that shows excellent spreadability and stability and is particularly suitable for effective control of weeds in general residential and commercial landscaped areas.
US08815765B2

The invention provides a catalyst composition, which includes an emulsion of an aqueous phase in an oil phase, wherein the aqueous phase comprises an aqueous solution containing a group 6 metal and a group 8, 9 or 10 metal. The metals can be provided in two separate emulsions, and these emulsions are well suited for treating hydrocarbon feedstocks.
US08815763B2

A method of manufacturing a catalyst body which includes: soaking at least part of a fired zeolite-based body in a transition metal oxide solution; removing the body from the transition metal oxide solution; exposing the body to a humidified atmosphere at one or more temperatures above 20° C.; then drying the body; and calcining the body.
US08815757B2

The present invention provides a coated base fabric for an air bag which can ensure sufficient air permeability even when the coating amount of the resin is 20 g/m2 or less. A coated base fabric for an air bag wherein silicone resin is coated at least on one side of the woven fabric constituted from synthetic fiber filaments which is characterized in that the coating amount of the silicone resin is 20 g/m2 or less, film strength and film elongation of the resin are 3 MPa or more and 300% or more, respectively and air permeability of the coated base fabric under the pressure difference of 100 kPa is 0.02 L/cm2/min or less.
US08815755B2

The instant invention relates to polydiorganosiloxane oils having branched carbamate functions, their preparation and their use as softeners in the textile industry.
US08815748B2

A method for forming a semiconductor device is provided including processing a wafer having a target material, forming a multilevel photoresist structure having a protection layer over the target material, and forming a multilevel recess in the target material with the multilevel photoresist structure.
US08815742B2

One method disclosed herein includes forming a conformal liner layer in a plurality of trenches that define a fin, forming a layer of insulating material above the liner layer, exposing portions of the liner layer, removing portions of the liner layer so as to result in a generally U-shaped liner positioned at a bottom of each of the trenches, performing at least one third etching process on the layer of insulating material, wherein at least a portion of the layer of insulating material is positioned within a cavity of the U-shaped liner layer, and forming a gate structure around the fin. A FinFET device disclosed herein includes a plurality of trenches that define a fin, a local isolation that includes a generally U-shaped liner that defines, in part, a cavity and a layer of insulating material positioned within the cavity, and a gate structure positioned around the fin.
US08815736B2

Disclosed herein are various methods of forming metal silicide regions on semiconductor devices by using different temperatures during the silicidation processes. In one example, the method includes forming a plurality of N-doped source/drain regions and a plurality of P-doped source/drain regions in a semiconducting substrate and performing a first heating process at a first temperature to initially form a first metal silicide region in each of the P-doped source/drain regions. The method further includes performing a second heating process at a second temperature to initially form a second metal silicide region in each of the N-doped source/drain regions, wherein the second temperature is less than the first temperature and performing a third heating process at a third temperature to complete the formation of the first and second metal silicide regions, wherein the third temperature is greater than the first temperature.
US08815728B2

A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device are provided. The semiconductor device uses an aluminum alloy, rather than aluminum, for a metal gate. Therefore, the surface of the high-k metal gate after the CMP is aluminum alloy rather than pure aluminum, which can greatly reduce defects, such as corrosion, pits and damage, in the metal gate and improve reliability of the semiconductor device.
US08815725B2

An electrically conductive paste providing low alpha particle emission is provided. A resin and conductive particles are mixed, and a curing agent is added. A solvent is subsequently added. The electrically conductive paste including a resin compound is formed by mixing the mixture in a high shear mixer. The electrically conductive paste can be applied to a surface of an article to form a coating, or can be molded into an article. The solvent is evaporated, and the electrically conductive paste is cured to provide a graphite-containing resin compound. The graphite-containing resin compound is electrically conductive, and provides low alpha particle emission at a level suitable for a low alpha particle emissivity coating.
US08815724B2

Embodiments of the invention described herein generally provide methods and apparatuses for forming cobalt silicide layers, metallic cobalt layers, and other cobalt-containing materials. In one embodiment, a method for forming a cobalt silicide containing material on a substrate is provided which includes exposing a substrate to at least one preclean process to expose a silicon-containing surface, depositing a cobalt silicide material on the silicon-containing surface, depositing a metallic cobalt material on the cobalt silicide material, and depositing a metallic contact material on the substrate. In another embodiment, a method includes exposing a substrate to at least one preclean process to expose a silicon-containing surface, depositing a cobalt silicide material on the silicon-containing surface, expose the substrate to an annealing process, depositing a barrier material on the cobalt silicide material, and depositing a metallic contact material on the barrier material.
US08815723B2

A method of forming an image sensor device includes forming a light sensing region at a front surface of a silicon substrate and a patterned metal layer there over. Thereafter, the method also includes performing an ion implantation process to the back surface of the silicon substrate and performing a green laser annealing process to the implanted back surface of the silicon substrate. The green laser annealing process uses an annealing temperature greater than or equal to about 1100° C. for a duration of about 100 to about 400 nsec. After performing the green laser annealing process, a silicon polishing process is performed on the back surface of the silicon substrate.
US08815722B2

A method of forming an integrated circuit includes forming a gate structure over a substrate. At least one silicon-containing layer is formed in source/drain (S/D) regions adjacent to sidewalls of the gate structure. An N-type doped silicon-containing layer is formed over the at least one silicon-containing layer. The N-type doped silicon-containing layer has an N-type dopant concentration higher than that of the at least one silicon-containing layer. The N-type doped silicon-containing layer is annealed so as to drive N-type dopants of the N-type doped silicon-containing layer to the S/D regions.
US08815712B2

A treatment is performed on a surface of a first semiconductor region, wherein the treatment is performed using process gases including an oxygen-containing gas and an etching gas for etching the semiconductor material. An epitaxy is performed to grow a second semiconductor region on the surface of the first semiconductor region.
US08815707B2

A device fabrication method includes: (1) providing a growth substrate including a base and an oxide layer disposed over the base; (2) forming a metal layer over the oxide layer; (3) forming a stack of device layers over the metal layer; (4) performing interfacial debonding of the metal layer to separate the stack of device layers and the metal layer from the growth substrate; and (5) affixing the stack of device layers to a target substrate.
US08815695B2

A first electrode layer for a Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) DRAM capacitor is formed wherein the first electrode layer contains a conductive base layer and conductive metal oxide layer. A second electrode layer for a Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) DRAM capacitor is formed wherein the second electrode layer contains a conductive base layer and conductive metal oxide layer. In some embodiments, both the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer contain a conductive base layer and conductive metal oxide layer.
US08815693B2

A method includes patterning a fin on a semiconductor substrate, depositing a local trench isolation (LTI) layer on the semiconductor substrate, patterning a gate stack over a channel region of the fin and over a portion of the LTI layer, depositing a first capping layer over exposed portions of the LTI layer, performing an etching process to remove oxide material from exposed portions of the fin, and epitaxially growing a semiconductor material from exposed portions of the fin to define active regions.
US08815691B2

The device includes a wafer substrate including an isolation feature, a fin base embedded in the isolation feature, at least one channel disposed above the fin base, and a gate stack disposed around the channel, wherein the gate stack includes a top portion and a bottom portion of the gate stack formed by filling a cavity around the channel such that the top portion and bottom portion are aligned each other. The device further includes at least one source and one drain disposed over the fin base, wherein the channel connects the source and the drain. The device further includes the source and the drain disposed over a fin insulator disposed over the fin base.
US08815686B2

A method for production of doped semiconductor regions in a semiconductor body of a lateral trench transistor includes forming a trench in the semiconductor body and introducing dopants into at least one area of the semiconductor body that is adjacent to the trench, by carrying out a process in which dopants enter the at least one area through inner walls of the trench.
US08815676B2

Methods of forming vertical nonvolatile memory devices may include forming an electrically insulating layer, which includes a composite of a sacrificial layer sandwiched between first and second mold layers. An opening extends through the electrically insulating layer and exposes inner sidewalls of the first and second mold layers and the sacrificial layer. A sidewall of the opening may be lined with an electrically insulating protective layer and a first semiconductor layer may be formed on an inner sidewall of the electrically insulating protective layer within the opening. At least a portion of the sacrificial layer may then be selectively etched from between the first and second mold layers to thereby define a lateral recess therein, which exposes an outer sidewall of the electrically insulating protective layer.
US08815674B1

One method disclosed includes forming a sidewall spacer proximate a gate structure, forming a sacrificial layer of material above a protective cap layer, the sidewall spacer and a substrate, forming a sacrificial protection layer above the sacrificial layer, reducing a thickness of the sacrificial protection layer such that its upper surface is positioned at a level that is below the upper surface of the protective cap layer, performing a first etching process to remove a portion of the sacrificial layer and thereby expose the protective cap layer for further processing, performing a wet acid etching process that includes diluted HF acid in the etch chemistry to remove the protective cap layer and performing at least one process operation to remove at least one of the reduced-thickness sacrificial protection layer or the sacrificial layer from above the surface of the substrate.
US08815669B2

A method of forming a field effect transistor (FET) device includes forming a gate structure over a substrate, the gate structure including a wide bottom portion and a narrow portion formed on top of the bottom portion; the wide bottom portion comprising a metal material and having a first width that corresponds substantially to a transistor channel length, and the narrow portion also including a metal material having a second width smaller than the first width.
US08815668B2

A FinFET structure is formed by forming a hardmask layer on a substrate including a silicon-containing layer on an insulating layer. The hardmask layer includes first, second and third layers on the silicon-containing layer. An array of fins is formed from the hardmask layer and the silicon-containing layer. A gate is formed covering a portion but not all of a length of each of the array of fins. The portion covers each of the fins in the array. The gate defines source/drain regions on either side of the gate. A spacer is formed on each side of the gate, the forming of the spacer performed to remove the third layer from portions of the fins in the source/drain regions. The second layer of the hardmask layer is removed from the portions of the fins in the source/drain regions, and the fins in the source/drain regions are merged.
US08815664B2

A method for fabricating a semiconductor device including: forming a silicon layer on an upper face of a nitride semiconductor layer including a channel layer of a FET; thermally treating the nitride semiconductor layer in the process of forming the silicon layer or after the process of forming the silicon layer; and forming an insulating layer on an upper face of the silicon layer after the process of forming the silicon layer.
US08815661B1

A method of forming a FinFET structure having a metal-insulator-metal capacitor. Silicon fins are formed on a semiconductor substrate followed by formation of the metal-insulator-metal capacitor on the silicon fins by depositing sequential layers of a first layer of titanium nitride, a dielectric layer and a second layer of titanium nitride. A polysilicon layer is deposited over the metal-insulator-metal capacitor followed by etching back the polysilicon layer and the metal-insulator-metal capacitor layers from ends of the silicon fins so that the first and second ends of the silicon fins protrude from the polysilicon layer. A spacer may be formed on surfaces facing the ends of the silicon fins followed by the formation of epitaxial silicon over the ends of the silicon fins. Also disclosed is a FinFET structure having a metal-insulator-metal capacitor.
US08815654B2

A Silicon on Insulator (SOI) Integrated Circuit (IC) chip with devices such as a vertical Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR), vertical bipolar transistors, a vertical capacitor, a resistor and/or a vertical pinch resistor and method of making the device(s). The devices are formed in a seed hole through the SOI surface layer and insulator layer to the substrate. A buried diffusion, e.g., N-type, is formed through the seed hole in the substrate. A doped epitaxial layer is formed on the buried diffusion and may include multiple doped layers, e.g., a P-type layer and an N-type layer. Polysilicon, e.g., P-type, may be formed on the doped epitaxial layer. Contacts to the buried diffusion are formed in a contact liner.
US08815653B2

Embodiments of a method for packaging cMUT arrays allow packaging multiple cMUT arrays on the same packaging substrate introduced over a side of the cMUT arrays. The packaging substrate is a dielectric layer on which openings are patterned for depositing a conductive layer to connect a cMUT array to VO pads interfacing with external devices. Auxiliary system components may be packaged together with the cMUT arrays. Multiple cMUT arrays and optionally multiple auxiliary system components can be held in place by a larger support structure for batch production. The support structure can be made of an arbitrary size using inexpensive materials.
US08815651B2

A method for manufacturing an electronic interconnect device is described, the method comprising: providing an electronic members each having one or more electrical contacts on a first member side thereof; providing a carrier having a carrier base and having sets of one or more electrically conductive projections on a surface of the carrier base; attaching the electronic members with the corresponding contacts thereof to the respective set of projections to thereby electrically connect the one or more electrical contacts of the respective chip with the corresponding one or more electrically conductive projections of the respective set; encapsulating exposed portions of the electronic member with an encapsulating material to form an encapsulation.
US08815649B2

The present invention features a method for fabricating a lead-frame package, having a first, second, third and fourth electrically conductive structures with a pair of semiconductor dies disposed therebetween defining a stacked structure. The first and second structures are spaced-apart from and in superimposition with the first structure. A semiconductor die is disposed between the first and second structures. The semiconductor die has contacts electrically connected to the first and second structures. A part of the third structure lies in a common plane with a portion of the second structure. The third structure is coupled to the semiconductor die.
US08815645B2

A multi-chip stacking method to reduce voids between stacked chips is revealed. A first chip is disposed on a substrate, and a plurality of first bonding wires are formed by wire bonding to electrically connect the first chip and the substrate. A second chip is disposed on an active surface of the first chip where a FOW (film over wire) adhesive is formed on a back surface of the second chip. The FOW adhesive partially encapsulates the first bonding wires and adheres to the active surface of the first chip. Then, the substrate is placed in a pressure oven to provide a positive pressure greater than one atm during thermally curing the FOW adhesive with exerted pressures. Accordingly, voids can be reduced inside the FOW adhesive during the multi-chip stacked processes where issues of poor adhesion and popcorn between chips can be avoided.
US08815639B2

A composition comprising: at least one compound comprising a hole transporting core, wherein the core is covalently bonded to a first arylamine group and also covalently bonded to a second arylamine group different from the first, and wherein the compound is covalently bonded to at least one intractability group, wherein the intractability group is covalently bonded to the hole transporting core, the first arylamine group, the second arylamine group, or a combination thereof, and wherein the compound has a molecular weight of about 5,000 g/mole or less. Blended mixtures of arylamine compounds, including fluorene core compounds, can provide good film formation and stability when coated onto hole injection layers. Solution processing of OLEDs is a particularly important application.
US08815635B2

A photoelectric conversion device has a structure that includes a first amorphous silicon layer and a second amorphous silicon layer that are in contact with a single crystalline silicon substrate, and a first microcrystalline silicon layer with one conductivity type and a second microcrystalline silicon layer with a conductivity type that is opposite the one conductivity type that are in contact with the first and second amorphous silicon layers, respectively. The first and second microcrystalline silicon layers are formed using a plasma CVD apparatus that is suitable for high pressure film formation conditions.
US08815617B2

A semiconductor structure configured for use in a VCSEL or RCLED. The semiconductor structure includes an oxidizing layer constructed from materials that can be oxidized during a lithographic process so as to create an oxide aperture. The semiconductor structure further includes a number of layers near the oxidizing layer. A passivation material is disposed on the layers near the oxidizing layer. The passivation material is configured to inhibit oxidation of the layers.
US08815613B2

A method of manufacturing a touch sensing panel includes providing a substrate, forming a plurality of first electrodes arranged on the substrate, the first electrodes being separated from each other, forming a photoresist layer on the plurality of first electrodes, forming a plurality of photoresist removing regions positioned to intersect the first electrodes and to be separated from each other on the photoresist layer, and forming a tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) element layer and a second electrode layer comprising a plurality of second electrodes on the photoresist layer. The method provides a touch sensing panel capable of being driven at high speed and reduces manufacturing cost and time.
US08815608B2

Curable compositions are prepared from polyol components containing one or more polyols and isocyanate components containing one or more isocyanates, which compositions contain at least one indicator having at least one quinonoid group, which indicator signifies the degree of curing by a change of color. A method is also provided for indicating the progress of curing in such curable compositions.
US08815607B2

A test strip to assist in determining the concentration of an analyte in a fluid sample comprises a base, at least one tab and a break line. The base includes a capillary channel and a test element. The capillary channel is in fluid communication with the test element. The test element is adapted to receive the fluid sample. The at least one tab is removably attached to the base. The capillary channel extends from the base into a portion of the tab. The break line intersects the capillary channel in which an inlet to the capillary channel is exposed along the break line when the tab is separated from the base.
US08815604B2

A microchannel chip having a microchannel formed in a substrate and a gas-liquid phase separation microchannel whose upper part is covered with a porous film, the gas-liquid phase separation microchannel being connected to the downstream end of the microchannel and having a depth of 10 μm to 100 μm. Also, a gas-liquid phase separation method which is a method for separating a liquid-phase flow from a two-phase flow flowing through a microchannel by removing a gas phase, the two-phase flow composed of the gas phase and the liquid phase, which liquid phase flows in the periphery of the above-described microchannel and which gas phase flows interiorly of the liquid-phase flow.
US08815601B2

A calorimeter with at least one reactor for receiving a sample is disclosed. A reactor jacket may surround the reactor. A reactor-heating device and a reactor-cooling device serve to regulate an internal reactor temperature. The reactor-cooling device preferably comprises a thermoelectric cooling element that is thermally connected to a coolant. The reactor-cooling device and the reactor-heating device are preferably individual units, both of which are thermally connected to the reactor by way of the reactor jacket. A temperature control device is provided to control the reactor-heating device and the reactor-cooling device.
US08815591B2

The present invention provides cell populations that are enriched for mesendoderm and mesoderm, and cell populations that are enriched for endoderm. The cell populations of the invention are useful for generating cells for cell replacement therapy. The present invention further provides a method of generating hepatocytes, cell populations enriched for hepatocytes, and a method of hepatocyte replacement therapy.
US08815583B2

Cell lines are provided for expressing peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase (PAM), or one of its two catalytic domains. High levels of enzyme expression are achieved while utilizing a non-animal source, low protein tissue culture medium. A robust two-step downstream purification results in high enzyme purity. Resulting PAM, or its PHM catalytic domain, is used to catalyze the enzymatic conversion of X-Gly to X-alpha-hydroxy-Gly or X—NH2 (X being a peptide or any chemical compound having a carbonyl group to which a glycine group can be covalently attached). Methods of preparing preferred cell lines are also set forth.
US08815581B2

The present invention relates to stem cells in which a gene that activates signaling is introduced and to a method for proliferating the stem cells. More specifically, the invention relates to a method of significantly increasing the ability of stem cells to proliferate, either by transfecting stem cells with the Notch intracellular domain (NICD) to activate the Notch signaling pathway, or by transfecting stem cells with the c-MET gene and treating the transfected stem cells with the HGF ligand protein to activate the c-MET/HGF signaling pathway. According to the present invention, as a result of activating the Notch signaling pathway or the c-MET/HGF signaling pathway, stem cells having an excellent ability to proliferate can be produced in large amounts. Particularly, since neural stem cells which have been difficult to culture in vitro can be proliferated in large amounts, thus the neural stem cells will be more useful for the preparation of cell therapeutic agents for treating cranial nerve diseases.
US08815574B2

A system and method is provided for non-invasively measuring changes in a specimen suspected of containing one or more microbes, by monitoring changes in the dielectric constant of the specimen caused by metabolic processes of such microbes.
US08815568B2

The invention provides eukaryotic unicellular algae engineered to express a nucleosome alteration protein fused to a protein with affinity to the DNA binding site acting in coordination. An example is a LexA-p300 fusion protein, where the p300 is derived from Chlamydomonas. The LexA binding domain guides the p300 to the binding site and the p300 loosens the nucleosome structure by acetylating histones within proximity of the transgene, thus remodeling the local chromatin structure to allow for high-level expression.
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