US07752677B2

A system and method for providing a request to a portlet wherein the portlet can render itself in a graphical user interface (GUI), comprising mapping the request to a control tree wherein the control tree is a logical representation of the GUI and wherein the control tree includes a set of controls which are related hierarchically to one another, advancing the control tree through at least one life cycle stage based on the request, wherein the control tree includes a portlet control that represents the portlet, and providing the request to a portlet container, wherein the providing can be performed by the portlet control.
US07752674B2

Methods, systems and architectures for processing renderable digital content are described. The various embodiments can protect against unauthorized access or duplication of unprotected content (i.e. decrypted content) once the content has reached a rendering device such as a user's computer. A flexible framework includes an architecture that allows for general media sources to provide virtually any type of multimedia content to any suitably configured rendering device. Content can be protected and rendered locally and/or across networks such as the Internet. The various embodiments can provide a standard platform that can that can be leveraged to protect content across a wide variety of rendering environments, content types, and DRM techniques.
US07752673B2

A television receiving apparatus having an HDCP authentication function of protecting the video contents from illegal copy, including: an analog input terminal for inputting a composite signal or component signal; a digital input terminal for inputting a digit video signal conforming to the DVI standards; switching means for switching internally between the analog input terminal and the digital input terminal; and switching control means for controlling the switching means to switch the internal connection from a digital input terminal side to an analog input terminal side, when the HDCP authentication is unsuccessful in a state where the digital input terminal and a digital output terminal of an external device are connected.
US07752669B2

Provided are methods, apparatus and computer programs for identifying vulnerabilities to viruses of hacking. Hash values are computed and stored for resources stored on systems within a network. If a first resource or a collection of resources (such as files comprising an operating system, Web Browser or mail server) is associated with a vulnerability, hash values for the first resource or collection of resources are compared with the stored hash values to identify systems which have the vulnerability. Messages may be sent to the people responsible for the vulnerable systems, or the vulnerability may be removed by automatic downloading of patches or service packs.
US07752665B1

A method for detecting surveillance activity in a computer communication network comprising automatic detection of malicious probes and scans and adaptive learning. Automatic scan/probe detection in turn comprises modeling network connections, detecting connections that are likely probes originating from malicious sources, and detecting scanning activity by grouping source addresses that are logically close to one another and by recognizing certain combinations of probes. The method is implemented in a scan/probe detector, preferably in combination with a commercial or open-source intrusion detection system and an anomaly detector. Once generated, the model monitors online activity to detect malicious behavior without any requirement for a priori knowledge of system behavior. This is referred to as “behavior-based” or “mining-based detection.” The three main components may be used separately or in combination with each other. The alerts produced by each may be presented to an analyst, used for generating reports (such as trend analysis), or correlated with alerts from other detectors. Through correlation, the invention prioritizes alerts, reduces the number of alerts presented to an analyst, and determines the most important alerts.
US07752651B2

In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for propagating security information for an application between a first environment and a second environment. These mechanisms and methods can enable embodiments to propagate changes to security information from a first application instance in a first environment to a second application instance in a second environment. For example, an embodiment can receive security information from an adapter associated with a test version of an application, and then propagate the security information to a production version of the application residing in a production environment. The ability of embodiments to propagate security information between adapters associated with application versions can enable propagation of changes to security information, i.e., information about changes to permissions, rules, policies and so forth relating to security, between a first environment and a second environment without necessitating taking the production version of the application off line.
US07752649B1

A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming.
US07752648B2

An interactive method includes receiving, at a display device, background video including a multiplicity of video frames, at least one of the multiplicity of video frames including a plurality of sub-pictures, each of the plurality of sub-pictures representing an alternative background, and switching, at the display device, between a first sub-picture of the plurality of sub-pictures and a second sub-picture of the plurality of sub-pictures. Related apparatus and methods are also disclosed.
US07752646B2

A digital television (DTV) receiver and a decoding method are discussed. According to an embodiment, the DTV receiver includes: a receiving unit for receiving a digital broadcasting signal including a plurality of extended text tables (ETTs) that appear in transport stream packets having common PID values, each ETT comprising a section header and a message body, wherein the section header contains a table identification extension field that serves to establish uniqueness of each ETT, and wherein the message body includes an extended text message (ETM) which provides detailed descriptions of a virtual channel or an event associated with each ETT; and a program and system information protocol (PSIP) decoder for detecting the table identification extension field to determine uniqueness of each ETT and detecting at least one pertinent ETT from the plurality of ETTs using the determined uniqueness of each ETT.
US07752640B2

An optical disc device and a disc changer drive capable of achieving a reduction in cost and number of articles and a reduction in size of the disc drive with a simple configuration rather than the prior art and also carrying out a stable playing/writing operation are provided. An optical disc device includes a playing chassis which is supported turnably on a main body of the disc drive and on which a turntable is installed, a substantially Y-shaped cam groove formed on the playing chassis, a driving lever on which a substantially T-shaped cam groove is formed and which transmits a power to a holding portion of the disc, and a turning lever supported turnably on the main body and engaged with the playing chassis and the cam groove of the driving lever via a driving shaft, wherein a turning of the turning lever is followed by a turning of the playing chassis and a movement of the driving lever that follows the turning of the playing chassis to hold a disc as a series of operations.
US07752637B2

The invention provides a software component plugin framework. The system described supports dynamic loading, instantiation, and unloading of interface implementations (plugin modules), together with encapsulation of these interface implementations. The many benefits provided by the invention include software reuse, interoperability and fast product development cycles.
US07752613B2

A method and apparatus for disambiguating in a dynamic binary translator is described. The method comprises selecting a code segment for load-store memory disambiguation based at least in part on a measure of likelihood of frequency of execution of the code segment; heuristically identifying one or more ambiguous memory dependencies in the code segment for disambiguation by runtime checks; based at least in part on inspecting instructions in the code segment, and using a pointer analysis of the code segment to identify all other ambiguous memory dependencies that can be removed by the runtime checks.
US07752610B2

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media supporting thread abstraction in Java are provided. In some illustrative embodiments, a system is provided that includes a Java execution flow class that represents an execution flow context, an execution flow scheduler object including a Java native execution flow activation method, a Java virtual machine, a Java scheduler that executes on the Java virtual machine, and a Java thread class that extends the execution flow class. The execution flow class includes an execution flow execution method and a constructor that creates an execution flow context. The Java thread class includes an execution flow execution method that overrides the execution flow execution method of the execution flow class. In this system, a thread object including one or more instructions of a thread is instantiated using a custom thread class that extends the Java thread class, the constructor creates an execution flow context for the thread, and the Java scheduler invokes the execution flow activation method to switch from a currently executing execution flow context to the thread execution flow context to execute the one or more instructions.
US07752609B2

Presently described is a decompilation method of operation and system for parsing executable code, identifying and recursively modeling data flows, identifying and recursively modeling control flow, and iteratively refining these models to provide a complete model at the nanocode level. The nanocode decompiler may be used to determine if flaws, security vulnerabilities, or general quality issues exist in the code. The nanocode decompiler outputs in a standardized, human-readable intermediate representation (IR) designed for automated or scripted analysis and reporting. Reports may take the form of a computer annotated and/or partially human annotated nanocode listing in the above-described IR. Annotations may include plain English statements regarding flaws and pointers to badly constructed data structures, unchecked buffers, malicious embedded code or “trap doors,” and the like. Annotations may be generated through a scripted analysis process or by means of an expert-enhanced, quasi-autonomous system.
US07752602B1

An application package startup procedure is divided into a plurality of atomic steps. For each of the plurality of atomic steps, a start fragment is created. The start fragment is configured to execute substeps that further the startup procedure. A stop fragment is created. The stop fragment is configured to execute substeps that undo its corresponding start fragment.
US07752599B2

An easy-to-use workflow language can be created by extending an existing, common language such as JAVA. The language can be extended by adding those constructs that are missing but desirable. Such desirable constructs can include parallelism, asynchrony, loops over asynchronous events, and flexible handling of XML. Such constructs can allow a user to define a virtual program using the extended JAVA syntax. For example, XML can be placed inside a JAVA class that defines the high-level orchestration logic a workflow should follow. That orchestration logic can refer to the JAVA class to carry out work, such that the logic to handle an incoming message is really in JAVA. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.
US07752598B2

Provided are a method, system, and program for generating executable objects implementing methods for an information model. A file including code defining a class implementing at least one method in an information model is received. The file is translated to produce an object oriented implementation of the class and the at least one method in an object oriented programming (OOP) language file. Protocol statements of the information model are added to the OOP file to enable a client application to invoke the at least one method on a server. The OOP file is compiled to produce an executable object capable of being invoked by a call to a method invocation statement, wherein the client application calling the method invocation statement causes execution of the protocol statements and the at least one method in the executable object to invoke the at least one method on the server.
US07752584B2

Provided is a method for verifying a pattern of a semiconductor device. In the method, a designed layout of target patterns is provided, and transferring the designed layout on a wafer to form wafer patterns. Wafer patterns image contour is obtain. The image contour for wafer patterns on the designed layout are matched, After edge differences between the designed layout and the wafer patterns image contour are extracted, a checking layout for detecting wafer pattern defects is obtain by adding the edge differences on the designed layout. Defects on the checking layout is identified to verify the patterns in view of processes before fabrication of a photomask.
US07752582B2

A method and apparatus for determining electro-migration (EM) in integrated circuit designs is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes pre-characterizing an output current waveform for a logic cell of the circuit at selected load and input slew points, estimating an effective load and operating slews at a chip level of the circuit and directly generating an equivalent current source waveform at output, evaluating current densities through a metal segment of the circuit using a fast solver, parametrically representing process variations and a netlist to parametrically model the interconnect variations of the circuit, and determining current densities for selected yield numbers using a parametrically generated current source on an interconnect network, wherein calculated results statistically predict a point of current density less than 9−σ a through any metal segment in the parametrically modeled circuit. The method may further include comparing selected current densities with predetermined EM guidelines.
US07752579B2

A film thickness predicting apparatus compares a measurement value of a copper plating formed on wiring grooves of various patterns measured using a TEG and a film thickness of the copper plating calculated based on a plating model and a condition file. The film thickness predicting apparatus then delivers optimal plating model from the comparison result and calculates the film thickness of the copper plating formed on a substrate surface to be designed using the optimal plating model. The film thickness predicting apparatus enables to conduct a highly accurate film thickness predicting simulation.
US07752572B1

Systems and techniques related to generating a GUI. In general, in one implementation, a GUI may be generated by grouping objects into object groups; defining an arrangement for the object groups, where each object group corresponds to at least one relationship in the arrangement; assigning a graphic pattern that is distinct for each relationship; generating a graphical structure for each object to be represented in the GUI; generating a background region for the GUI for related graphical structures associated with an object group; and, generating the GUI such that one or more related graphical structures are within the background region. In that case, each background region is based on a distinct graphic pattern for the relationship corresponding to the object group. The technique can include displaying the GUI. Also, the graphic pattern assigned to a relationship may represent a color to be displayed in a background region.
US07752571B2

A facsimile driver program recorded in a program recording medium is installed in a client device for a user to enter the type of process requested of a multifunction device. A first transmission unit transmits a command to the multifunction device asking for a screen corresponding to the entered type of process. Using the facsimile driver program, a user can make appropriate selections so that, even when the multifunction device has a plurality of server functions, the user is not required to go through needless operations.
US07752570B2

In an output setup to a device apparatus, when the contents of a plurality of setting items are changed in a lump by using a compound setup consisting of a plurality of setting items, a mismatching of the set contents and a function of the device apparatus is avoided. For this purpose, according to the invention, when the compound setup can be used for a plurality of device apparatuses, the compound setup which is used for the designated device apparatus is selected, and in case of performing the output setup to the designated device apparatus by using the selected compound setup, whether the output can be performed by the contents of each setting item of the compound setup in the device apparatus or not is discriminated in accordance with the function of the device apparatus.
US07752568B2

Provided is a control method for a digital image processing apparatus having a movement mode in which a user moves a target object to a target position, the method including: displaying icons including an image icon of a target object and an icon indicating a target position; displaying an icon indicating a new target position in response to the detection of a target position change signal; displaying an image icon of a new target object in response to the detection of a target object change signal; and moving the target object of the image icon currently displayed to the target position indicated by the icon currently displayed in response to the detection of a movement signal.
US07752565B2

First user-generated input is received that selects a first element in a graphical user interface identifying a work area. In response, a plurality of second elements characterizing categories of objects associated with the work area are displayed in the graphical user interface. Thereafter, second user-generated input is received that selects a second element in the graphical user interface element. Once the second element is selected, a visual representation of a plurality of primary objects associated with the category corresponding to the second element is displayed. The plurality of displayed primary objects are displayed in a first person perspective projection format with the objects being displayed in order at depths in the first person perspective projection according to values of an attribute associated with the second element. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.
US07752564B2

A sequence of cards representing filters is displayed along a first axis of a user interface with a single card being displayed in a focus area. The card in the focus area defines a selected object type filter, which is applied to another sequence of available options. The filtered sequence is then displayed along another (perpendicular) axis of the user interface, which only includes options corresponding to the selected option type filter.
US07752562B2

A method includes retrieving a plurality of data extractors to extract data across a plurality of business applications. The plurality data extractors are executed to generate a plurality of individual results sets. The plurality of individual results sets are combined into a combined result set. A rule is applied to the combined result set to detect a procedural deficiency across the plurality of business application.
US07752561B2

The present invention relates to new and improved embodiments of systems and methods for using a “pen” input as a temporary pointer to highlight a portion of a document and having the “ink” disappear. In embodiments, a method and system for temporarily marking a portion of a document comprises sending a marking directive that produces a visual indicia on a document being viewed on two or more display devices connected over a network, waiting a period of time, and automatically erasing the visual indicia on the document being viewed on the two or more display devices.
US07752551B2

Embodiments of the invention comprise a design tool for designing an application interface. The design tool includes a graphical user interface (GUI) that visually represents a hierarchy of data and the relationships between the data. Thus, the design tool eliminates the need for an interface designer to have independent knowledge of the structure of the data (i.e., the data fields and relationships between the data). The design tool's GUI represents the data and the relationships between the data in a hierarchical display referred to as a data palette. An output hierarchy comprised of output levels is created as the user selects fields from the data palette to be displayed in the application's interface. When a data field is selected, the design tool automatically determines the appropriate interface component and output level of the output hierarchy using the relationships defined for the data. Output levels are associated with interface components that comprise the application's interface. Examples of interface components that can be used in the application's interface include a form, view and subband.
US07752544B2

A method of communicating physical human interactions over a communications network can include detecting physical movement of a user, generating data specifying the physical movement, and determining at least one action indicated by the data. The method further can include transmitting the action over a communications network to a receiving system and simulating the action in the receiving system.
US07752539B2

A communications system comprising a first terminal device and one or more second terminal devices communicating with the first terminal device. The first terminal device is configured to associate at least one content item with a given multimedia file, and to send the content item associated with the multimedia file from the first terminal device to the one or more second terminal devices; and the second terminal device is configured to present the received content item in the second terminal device when a multimedia file having the same content as the multimedia file with which the at least one content item is associated is presented in the second terminal device.
US07752528B2

A digital broadcast transmitting system and a signal processing method thereof that improves the receiving performance of the system. A digital broadcast transmitter includes a randomizer to receive and randomize a transport stream into a specified position of which stuff bytes are inserted, a replacement sequence generator to generate known data including a predefined sequence, a stuff-byte exchange unit to insert the known data into the specified position of the transport stream into which stuff bytes are inserted, an encoder to encode the transport stream output from the stuff-byte exchange unit for an error correction, and a transmission unit to modulate the encoded transport stream, RF-convert the modulated transport stream and transmit the RF-converted data. The digital broadcast receiving performance is improved even in an inferior multi-path channel by detecting the known data from the received transmission and using the known data for synchronization and equalization.
US07752526B2

The reliability of data is significantly increased without considerably increasing costs by performing minor data corrections within an information storage device and performing major error corrections in an information processing device. When a request to transfer user data for reading is issued from an information processing device, a control circuit transfers the user data and management data to an error detection circuit, which checks the user data for errors. If the user data contains no error, the control circuit notifies the information processing device that the user data can be transferred, and transfers it to the information processing device. If the user data contains errors, an X count error position and correction data calculation circuit uses the user data and the management data to calculate correction locations and correction data, and judges whether the correction locations are correctable. If uncorrectable (there are more correction locations than X locations), the control circuit notifies the information processing device that the user data is uncorrectable, and then transfers the user data and the management data to the information processing device.
US07752525B2

A system for cyclic redundancy check (CRC) calculations with modulo-2 multiplication is disclosed for repetitive CRC computations that optimizes processing efficiency and maximizes capacity. The resulting system results in the use of relatively fewer logical gates and conserves on power. The system receives a message ({right arrow over (m)}) including a plurality of blocks ({right arrow over (b)}i) and a set of pre-computed coefficients ({right arrow over (β)}i). The system performs a modulo-2 multiply-accumulate operation on the message ({right arrow over (m)}) using the relationship given by: CRC ⁡ ( m → ) ≡ CRC ( ∑ i ⁢ b → i ⊗ β → i ) .
US07752521B2

Low density parity check code (LDPC) base parity check matrices and the method for use thereof in communication systems. The method of expanding the base check parity matrix is described. Examples of expanded LDPC codes with different code lengths and expansion factors are also shown.
US07752516B2

A semiconductor device includes a clock signal separating circuit and a logic circuit. The clock signal separating circuit separates a clock signal into a first separation clock signal and a second separation clock signal and to supply the second separation clock signal to a test circuit. The logic circuit generates an output clock signal from the first separation clock signal and a first scan clock signal to the test circuit. A second scan clock signal is supplied to the test circuit.
US07752496B2

A log management module 10 acquires log data from a computer, temporarily stores the log data in a buffer, and writes the stored log data into a disk device 30a. When the log management module 10 detects a failure in the computer, the log management module 10 stops writing log data in the disk device 30a, and writes log data acquired after the failure is detected in a disk device 30b.
US07752493B2

A high reliability system in which a plurality of apparatuses each having a variable function unit and a fixed function unit are mutually connected through an internal network. Pairs of apparatuses are constructed and spare apparatuses are allocated, thereby providing redundancy. Each apparatus has a service processing unit which executes the software for providing a peculiar service to every apparatus pair, a synchronization processing unit which synchronizes the services between the apparatus pair, a fault detecting unit which detects a fault of the pair partner apparatus, and a fault processing unit which, issues a pair request to the network and reconstructs an apparatus pair together with the apparatus to which the pair application has been made. The redundancy recovery after the exchange of the failed apparatus is executed automatically, thereby shortening a time in a non-redundant state.
US07752475B2

A double data rate interface in which the set-up interval is extended for a data path in which data is delayed relative to the other data path. Data is latched into a register comprised of mid cycle type latches, such as for example L2* latches. For example, if the delayed half of the data is not available until the second half of the double data rate cycle, the second half of the data is allowed to have a set-up interval around the mid cycle point while the on-chip timing logic launches the least delayed half of the data on the clock edge after it is set up, without waiting for the expiration of the set up interval of the delayed data.
US07752471B1

A bridge circuit that is located between a peripheral device and a USB connection to a host. The bridge stores data indicating the amount of power required to execute each particular command. When a command is received, the command is executed if this list indicates that a particular command can be executed with the available power. If the list indicates that the command can not be executed with the available power, the command is either rejected or delayed. The bridge may include a power storage device that accumulates and stores power. In this case the list of commands would indicate commands that can be delayed until the storage device has accumulated sufficient power.
US07752468B2

A method is to include implementing at least one statistical prediction model to predict memory power utilization and reduce power consumption for a computing platform. The implementation includes determining a configuration parameter for the computing platform, monitoring an operating parameter for the computing platform and predicting memory power utilization for the computing platform based on the determined configuration parameter and the monitored operating parameter. The method is to also include transitioning at least one memory module resident on the computing platform to one of a plurality of power states based at least in part on memory power utilization predicted via the implementation of the at least one statistical prediction model.
US07752462B2

A content output apparatus of the invention comprises an encryption processing unit configured to apply an encryption processing to the content, a recording unit configured to record the content to which the encryption processing has been applied and identification information which identifies the content itself on the network in the storage device on the network so as to be related with each other, and an output unit configured to read a requested content from the storage device on the basis of a content acquisition request supplied via the network, decrypt the encryption, further apply a predetermined processing to the content, and transmit it on the network.
US07752457B2

A secure data mirroring capability in a storage system includes encrypting data blocks in a primary volume in preparation for a data mirroring operation. The encrypted data blocks are mirrored to a secure secondary volume. Host systems provide keys from which encryption keys are produced for encrypting the data blocks. Access to data on the secure secondary volume requires decryption using the key that was used to produce the encrypted data blocks.
US07752451B2

Systems and methods applicable, for example, in allowing a user to come to possess a physical entity that allows for the receipt, use, access, and/or the like of a virtual entity (e.g., a media item, software, a service, data, and/or the like). A number of form factors for physical entities might be available. Available form factors might include, for example, images, jewelry, toys, clothing, iron-ons, straps, cards, nail treatments, temporary tattoos, stickers, figurines, and/or the like. Various attributes of a physical entity might, for example, be definable and/or selectable by a user.
US07752449B1

A system and method for generating a non-repudiatable record of a communications data stream is provided, which is applicable to real-time and quasi-real-time data streams. A binary communication data stream is captured and segmented into defined frames. A key frame is generated for each of a number of data frames containing integrity and authentication information. The key frame is inserted into the data stream to provide an authenticated data stream.
US07752443B2

A user device initiates a network access authentication operation via a network access device with a network access authentication server, e.g., a Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) server, which also generates an X.509 proxy certificate and includes the proxy certificate with the information, such as a set of network access parameters, that is returned to the user device in response to a successful completion of the network access authentication operation. The user device extracts and stores the proxy certificate. The network access parameters are used by the user device to communicate via the network access device on a network, which supports a grid. When the user device accesses a resource in the grid, the proxy certificate is already available, thereby obviating the need to generate a new proxy certificate and allowing a user of the user device to experience an integrated single-sign-on for network access and grid access.
US07752440B2

The proposed invention solves the problem of spoofing the origin to create e-mail spam, virus distribution, and other abuse of the electronic mail. In particular, it solves a notoriously dangerous problem of distributing computer viruses via e-mail allegedly sent from friends, colleagues, and well-respected organizations. The proposed invention defines a comprehensive set of mechanisms and apparatus to reasonably ensure that an e-mail message—when received by an e-mail gateway, e-mail relay server, or the destination e-mail server—has originated at the location and sent by a person (or a program) specified in its “From:” field.
US07752437B1

A data storage infrastructure is disclosed for a communication network that produces a plurality of data flows of network data. The data storage infrastructure comprises a plurality of data storage systems and a storage management system. The data storage systems are configured to store the network data using a plurality of service classes, wherein different ones of the data storage systems provide different ones of the service classes. The storage management system is configured to process characteristics for the data flows to assign individual ones of the data flows to individual ones of a plurality of data classes and to assign individual ones of the data flows to individual ones of the data storage systems based on the data class assignments.
US07752436B2

Executing a monitor on a platform, the monitor capable of providing exclusive, secure access to an audio I/O device of the platform, executing a first partition on the platform, providing an audio device model in the first partition by directly mapping the audio I/O device from the monitor to the first partition for applications executing in the first partition, and providing exclusive, secure access to the audio I/O device to a program performing an audio function in a secure mode in the first partition.
US07752432B2

A code inspection system produces a dynamic decoy machine that closely parallels one or more protected systems. The code inspection system can analyze and monitor one or more protected systems, and as those protected systems are updated, altered or modified, the dynamic decoy machine, in which potentially malicious code is tested, can also be updated. Thus, the dynamic decoy machine can accurately reflect the current state of the one or more protected systems such that the potentially destructive nature, if any, of suspicious code can be evaluated as if it were in the actual environment of the protected system, without jeopardizing the security of the protected system.
US07752427B2

A stack pointer is copied to a stack pointer base to debug stack underflow. A move instruction, used to initialize the stack pointer, is modified to additionally copy the stack pointer to a stack pointer base register. During a course of execution in a single context, the stack pointer base sticks to the initial base value while the stack pointer is altered by a succession of PUSH and POP instructions. By monitoring for equivalence in the stack pointer and the stack pointer base values, a balanced number of PUSH and POP instructions is detected. If an equal number of PUSH and POP instructions is detected and an additional POP instruction is programmed, a stack underflow condition exists, an exception condition signaled, and exception flag produced. The exception condition allows the stack to be protected from an excessive POP instruction retrieving data out of context and subsequent loss of stack data.
US07752426B2

A processor (1700) for processing instructions has a pipeline (1710, 1736, 1740) including a fetch stage (1710) and an execute stage (1870), a first storing circuit (aGHR 2130) associated with said fetch stage (1710) and operable to store a history of actual branches, and a second storing circuit (wGHR 2140) associated with said fetch stage (1710) and operable to store a pattern of predicted branches, said second storing circuit (wGHR 2140) coupled to said first storing circuit (aGHR 2130), said execute stage (1870) coupled back to said first storing circuit (aGHR 2130). Other processors, wireless communications devices, systems, circuits, devices, branch prediction processes and methods of operation, processes of manufacture, and articles of manufacture, as disclosed and claimed.
US07752423B2

A device is presented including a first processor and a second processor. A number of memory devices are connected to the first processor and the second processor. A register buffer is connected to the first processor and the second processor. A trace buffer is connected to the first processor and the second processor. A number of memory instruction buffers are connected to the first processor and the second processor. The first processor and the second processor perform single threaded applications using multithreading resources. A method is also presented where a first thread is executed from a first processor. The first thread is also executed from a second processor as directed by the first processor. The second processor executes instructions ahead of the first processor.
US07752422B2

A computer array (10) has a plurality of computers (12). The computers (12) communicate with each other asynchronously, and the computers (12) themselves operate in a generally asynchronous manner internally. When one computer (12) attempts to communicate with another it goes to sleep until the other computer (12) is ready to complete the transaction, thereby saving power and reducing heat production. The sleeping computer (12) can be awaiting data or instructions (12). In the case of instructions, the sleeping computer (12) can be waiting to store the instructions or to immediately execute the instructions. In the later case, the instructions are placed in an instruction register (30a) when they are received and executed therefrom, without first placing the instructions first into memory. The instructions can include a micro-loop (100) which is capable of performing a series of operations repeatedly. In one application, the sleeping computer (12) is awakened by an input such that it commences an action that would otherwise have required an interrupt of an otherwise active computer.
US07752420B2

Occurrence and propagation of glitches caused by changing the path layout are suppressed, thereby reducing the power consumption. An array-type processor comprises a plurality of processor elements and can change the path layout relating to data transmission/reception between the processor elements depending on clock cycle. Each processor element comprises a layout information memory 11 that stores a layout information indicating signal relating to the layout of the paths, a delay adjusting circuit 12 that adjusts the timing of a layout information indicating signal Pin outputted from the layout information memory 11 at every clock cycle, and a wiring connection circuit 13 that changes a path to at least one of the other processor elements (PE) or function unit(s) (a register file unit 14 and an arithmetic logic unit 15) based on a layout information indicating signal Pout whose timing has been adjusted.
US07752419B1

The present invention concerns a new category of integrated circuitry and a new methodology for adaptive or reconfigurable computing. The exemplary IC embodiment includes a plurality of heterogeneous computational elements coupled to an interconnection network. The plurality of heterogeneous computational elements include corresponding computational elements having fixed and differing architectures, such as fixed architectures for different functions such as memory, addition, multiplication, complex multiplication, subtraction, configuration, reconfiguration, control, input, output, and field programmability. In response to configuration information, the interconnection network is operative in real-time to configure and reconfigure the plurality of heterogeneous computational elements for a plurality of different functional modes, including linear algorithmic operations, non-linear algorithmic operations, finite state machine operations, memory operations, and bit-level manipulations. The various fixed architectures are selected to comparatively minimize power consumption and increase performance of the adaptive computing integrated circuit, particularly suitable for mobile, hand-held or other battery-powered computing applications. In an exemplary embodiment, some or all of the computational elements are alternately configured to implement two or more functions.
US07752416B2

A system and method of media library access that utilizes distributed mapping of media library partitions. A first controller can be connected to a data transport element of a media library and a second controller can be connected to a media changer of the media library. The first controller can maintain a media library partition representing a portion of the media library, receive a command from a host application based on the media library partition and forward the command to the second controller. The first controller can further translate logical addresses referenced in the command to physical addresses before forwarding the command to the second controller. The second controller can receive the command from the first controller and forward the command to the media changer. The second controller can also prioritize the command using a FIFO or other prioritization scheme.
US07752415B2

The present invention provides a new method and a new system for controlling the capacity usage of a logically partitioned data processing system comprising physical data processing resources that are divided into multiple logical partitions, wherein the capacity of the logical partitions is monitored to control the consumption of the physical data processing resources. The new method and the system are characterized in that at least one group of logical partitions is defined that is managed towards a common capacity group limit.
US07752410B1

A hardware implemented method for accessing data in a multicycle operations cache is provided. In this hardware implemented method, a request to access the data in a sub-bank of the multicycle operations cache is received. If the sub-bank is accessed in a previous, consecutive clock cycle, then the request to access the data in the sub-bank is ignored. Else, if the sub-bank is not accessed in the previous, consecutive clock cycle, then the data is allowed to be accessed in the sub-bank. A memory chip and a system for accessing data in the multicycle operations cache also are described.
US07752409B2

This invention aims to improve the data guarantee performance of an external storage apparatus. Upon managing a storage extent of the external storage apparatus as a volume, a guarantee code corresponding to read or write access-target data is created with a guarantee code creation/confirmation unit, the created guarantee code is stored in the external storage apparatus, and, upon executing the read or write access to the storage extent of the external storage apparatus, the concordance of the guarantee code stored in correspondence with the access-target data and the guarantee code created from the access-target data is confirmed with the guarantee code creation/confirmation unit 206, whereby the access-target data can be guaranteed.
US07752401B2

A system is provided to commit data to persistent storage. The system comprises a configuration component to set an autocommit period, a scanner to detect that the autocommit period has expired for a file and a commit component to commit the file to write once read many (WORM) status In one embodiment, when an autocommit period is set, the system may be configured to automatically commit a file to WORM status if the file has not been changed for the autocommit period.
US07752400B1

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for crossbar arbitration. In one embodiment, the crossbar arbitration includes a memory, a plurality of functional units that transfer data to and from the memory, a crossbar unit that provides a data path from each unit to the memory, and an arbitration unit that monitors data traffic generated by each functional unit through the crossbar unit and assigns a priority to each functional unit based on the data traffic. In another embodiment, the crossbar arbitration includes a method for data transfer arbitration including monitoring data transfers for a plurality of devices, and assigning a priority to each device corresponding to the amount of data transfers generated by the device.
US07752399B2

Disclosed is an information processing apparatus that has an update procedure semaphore, and a generation management information as management information of a shared data area that requires exclusion control. The generation management information specifies one item of generation information of the shared data area. As generation information provided for every generation, the apparatus has a reference-count measuring counter, a semaphore for updating generation information, a pointer for pointing to old generation information, and a pointer for pointing to the substance of the shared data area. In a case where the latest shared data is updated, a duplicate of the latest shared data area is created, new generation information corresponding to the duplicated shared data area is generated, data in the duplicated shared data area is updated and generation information, which corresponds to the shared data area after the updating thereof, is registered as the latest generation information.
US07752381B2

A non-volatile memory and erase block/data block/sector/cluster update and address translation scheme utilizing a version number is detailed that enhances data updating and helps reduce program disturb of the memory cells of the non-volatile memory device. The various embodiments utilize a version number associated with each erase block, data block, sector, and/or cluster. This allows for determination of currently valid data block, sector and/or cluster associated with the logical ID of the data grouping by locating the most recent version associated with the logical ID. With this approach, old data need not be invalidated by programming a valid/invalid flag, avoiding the risk of program disturb in the surrounding data rows.
US07752375B2

The input output control device is provided with a plurality of fibre channel interface circuits and a protocol processing circuit capable of sequentially executing the protocol processing of each port, and is provided with a reception port identification register capable of identifying the port handling data to be received and a transmission port designation register designating the port handling data to be transmitted. In addition, it is possible to provide a controller using jointly the data buffers concerned with the plurality of ports. Control of a plurality of fibre channel interfaces with a low component count is possible, as is also the provision of an input output control device making an adequate capacity distribution with respect to the protocol processing between the plural fibre channel interfaces.
US07752360B2

A method and system to map virtual I/O devices and resources to a standard I/O bus is provided. The system, in one example embodiment, comprises a virtual device detector, a resource allocator, and an activation module. The virtual device detector may be configured to detect an indication of a virtual Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) device having an associated template. The resource allocator may allocate, based on the template, a plurality of resources required for the virtual PCIe device from a pool of available resources. The activation module may generate a set of entries in a resource mapping table, the set of entries corresponding to the allocated resources and defining the virtual PCIe device.
US07752351B1

One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for reducing the latency associated with media protection notification for serial interface mass storage devices, such as serial AT attachment (SATA) hard disk drives. A new link layer primitive, referred to as hold-emergency (HOLDE), incorporates the flow-control behavior of the existing HOLD command, with the additional new action of notifying the hard disk drive to take emergency steps to prepare for impact. The HOLDE link layer primitive operates in conjunction with the existing hold-acknowledge (HOLDA) primitive and is semantically similar to the existing HOLD primitive. The HOLDE mechanism is preferably implemented directly in hardware in the SATA link layer state machines within the host and the hard disk drive.
US07752349B2

The DMA data transfer apparatus includes a memory, a communication controller, a DMA controller having a plurality of DMA engines each of which transfers data by DMA to the communication controller from the memory, and a DMA control unit. The DMA control unit determines a division size of transfer data such that the DMA engine can transfer the data, issues a data transfer directive by the DMA to the DMA controller, and controls data transfer by the DMA. The DMA control unit transmits the determination information for determination of the termination of data transfer to the communication controller. The communication controller determines the termination of data transfer based on the determination information transmitted from the DMA control unit.
US07752341B2

A programmable controller includes a CPU unit, a communication unit and peripheral units connected together through an internal bus. The communication unit has a bus master function, including a cache memory for recording IO data stored in the memory of an input-output unit. When a message is received, it is judged whether the IO data stored in the memory of the input-output unit specified by this message is updated or not. If the data are not updated, a response is created based on the IO data stored in the IO data stored in the cache memory. If the data are updated, the input-output unit is accessed and updated IO data are obtained and a response is created based on the obtained IO data.
US07752335B2

A system for networked computing using objects, each object comprising: enablement data, a first identity arrangement for holding a first identity indicating a host or provider (22) of said object (26), and a second identity arrangement for holding a second identity of a remote entity (client 10) establishing a relationship with said object via a network (12). Such a system supports network based computing and interactions between remote objects, including desktop-like behavior in which such remote objects are represented by desktop-like icons on a user terminal device.
US07752334B2

An intelligent network address translation system and methods for intelligent network address translation. The invention analyzes all data packets being communicated between the private address realm and the public address realm and performs a predefined mode of network address translation based on the packet type. By analyzing every packet that the network encounters and adjusting the network address translation mode based on the packet type, the system and method of the present invention is able to adjust the mode of network address translation dynamically during a network user's ongoing network session. Additionally, by basing which mode of translation will be employed based on packet type the translation method of the present invention insures that IP addresses are distributed efficiently and distribution of the amount of addresses is minimized.
US07752333B1

A local network is interfaced with one or more external network elements via a gateway that implements an address substitution mechanism for ensuring that communications between devices attached to the local network are not routed through an external network as a result of, e.g., disparity in their remotely-assigned Internet protocol (IP) addresses. In accordance with the invention, the gateway is configured to intercept communications from devices on the local network in order to determine remotely-assigned IP address information for those devices. After such information is determined for a given device, the gateway creates a set of address substitution information that includes sub-network compatible addresses for use by other devices on the local network when communicating with the given device. Advantageously, the created address substitution information when utilized by the other devices on the local network to communicate with the given device ensures that such communications are not routed outside the local network regardless of IP address disparity between the devices.
US07752331B2

A system for providing information to users and for managing and routing requests from users. The information delivery system is preferably a platform independent application, which enables users to receive responses based upon on-demand, scheduled or event driven requests or triggers. On-demand requests are those that a user sends and, some time later, receives a response with the requested information. Scheduled requests are those provided to users who subscribe to a service offering. On a set schedule, information is sent to the user based upon the information desired and criteria selected. Event driven responses are generated based upon certain criteria or thresholds being met. For each of the above types of requests, the responses may be formatted in plain text, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) or other format depending upon the requestor device type or the subscriber's specified e-mail client.
US07752309B2

A method and associated apparatus are described that enables unattended, remotely distributed appliances, such as vending machines, utility meters, thermostats and kitchen appliances (ovens, washing machines, refrigerators, etc.) to be connected inexpensively to each other and to a centrally located server. The apparatus 1) uses relatively simple “personality” modules to adapt the apparatus to the application in combination with a sophisticated core module that provides the intelligence needed to process data locally, to format that data and to transfer it to a remote server and 2) uses existing Internet-based communication links, thereby avoiding the costly proprietary links used with current state-of-the-art solutions.
US07752300B2

Described herein are processes and devices that automatically determine management information base (MIB) modules for a device. One of the devices described is a MIB detection device. The MIB detection device can automatically filter a first set of MIB modules to isolate all MIB modules (1) that are fully supported by a Simple Network Management Protocol enabled device and (2) that are unique to a manufacturer of the device, resulting in a second set of MIB modules. The MIB detection device can also automatically parse the second set to determine all MIB modules referenced in the second set. The MIB detection device automatically retrieves the referenced MIB modules and automatically parses those retrieved MIB modules to obtain additional referenced MIB modules. The MIB detection device continues automatically parsing and retrieving until reaching a management information base hierarchy root, resulting in a supported set of objects for managing the device.
US07752295B2

When information on a device such as a server, storage, and an FC switch constituting a SNA system is input, these devices are displayed and arranged properly on a screen (S1, S2). When information on a physical path is input by a designer by using this display screen, a virtual SAN system in which the devices are connected by a fiber channel is displayed on the screen (S3). Furthermore, when information on an access path is input by the designer by using the construction image, the access path is additionally displayed on the construction image of the virtual SAN system (S5). Since the construction image of the virtual SAN system is displayed on the screen, the designer can easily create a design drawing while visually checking the SAN system. This can reduce the work load and time required for construction of the SAN system.
US07752293B1

Command processing includes providing a managed object corresponding to a command. The command is associated with a noun and a verb, where the noun represents an item and the verb represents an action to perform on the item. The managed object describes generation of a request for the command. A request for the command generated in accordance to the managed object is received. The request includes a noun value corresponding to the noun and a verb value corresponding to the verb. A reply is determined in response to the request and is transmitted.
US07752291B2

A server borrowing apparatus, includes a storing unit that stores lender installation setting information which includes a setting item determined by a server lender for installation of a server which is lent out as resource, a receiving unit that receives a request to lend out the server as the resource and borrower installation setting information which includes a setting item determined by a server borrower for the installation of the server, from a borrowing control apparatus which is connected to a network to manage the server and to control server borrowing, a combining unit that combines the setting item in the borrower installation setting information and the setting item in the lender installation setting information to generate installation setting information for the installation of the server at the server borrowing, and an installing unit that performs the installation of the server based on the installation setting information.
US07752283B2

A server (1) with a memory (7) that stores files for configuring an automation system. A remote client (4) accesses the files over communication links (2, 3, 5, 9, 10) via an interface (6, 8) in the server. The interface includes first means (8) for transmitting to one or more remote clients a copy of selected files in the memory. The interface further comprises second means (6) for receiving from remote clients files produced or modified by the remote clients. The first and second means of the interface convert the files between a format in the memory that can be processed by the server and a format for transmission that can be processed by the client.
US07752282B2

In a communication system in which a plurality of processing apparatuses are communicably connected to one another over a network, a processing apparatuses has an update request issuing unit issuing an update request containing address information to be updated in order to update an address book and an address book updating unit updating the address book on the basis of a response result to the update request, a determining unit determines whether or not the address information contained in the update request is valid when receiving the update request from the processing apparatus, and a response result transmitting unit transmits a result of determination made by the determining unit to the processing apparatus as the response result to the update request. The address book of the processing apparatus retaining the address information about other processing apparatuses can be updated to the latest state, with certainty.
US07752278B2

A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer program product for providing instant messaging users with an alarm to remind users of an event or to rejoin an instant messaging chat. An instant message that includes a request for a user to currently participate in an event is received at an instant messaging client. If the user is currently unable to participate in the event, the user may create an alarm message that defines a delay time period after which the user is able to participate in the event. The alarm message is then sent to users in the instant messaging chat session. Responsive to receiving the alarm message at an instant messaging client, a countdown of the delay time period is initiated. Additionally, the receipt of the alarm message and timer countdown processing may occur on the instant messaging server, which would dispatch a message to the instant messaging client when the timer expires. Upon expiration of the delay time period, an alarm popup window is displayed, wherein the alarm reminds the user to participate in the event.
US07752277B2

A method, system and computer program product for storing document information in an application service provider (ASP) which is connected to a user terminal through a network, such as the Internet. The method on which the system and computer program product are based includes inputting the document information into the user terminal, inputting a previously created e-mail address into the user terminal, the e-mail address being confirmed by the ASP and corresponding to a storage location in the ASP, and sending the document information to the e-mail address via the network. The document information may be input into the user terminal either manually or automatically and a storage folder may be created for storing documents to the ASP. Where the user terminal is an Internet fax machine, the Internet fax machine can be set up to automatically send all document information received by the Internet fax machine to the ASP for storage.
US07752276B2

In one aspect, a data processing device which comprises an application for use in an ad-hoc network whereby the application is provided with a data interface to a central service for the processing of the first data is provided. A proxy instance is connected to the application via a first data connection for the exchange of the first data, while the proxy instance is connected to a plurality of additional data processing devices via the ad-hoc network for the exchange of second data. The proxy instance is adapted to generate the first data from the second data and to generate the second data from the first data, the exchange of the first data between the application and the proxy instance being carried out via the data interface.
US07752269B2

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a system capable of enforcing document security and delivery policies. In particular, the present invention allows for the detection and removal of files attached to electronic messages. When an attached file is removed from an electronic message, the file may be placed in secure storage. A link to the stored file is inserted in the electronic communication prior to delivery of the message to the addressee of the communication. In order to access the stored file, the recipient of the message is required to select the provided link, which establishes a secure communication channel between the secure storage device and the receiving client computer. Optionally, the recipient may also be required to provide a password and/or digital certificate in order to access the stored file.
US07752263B2

The invention relates to a method for provision of an address of an online computer, connected to a data network, for at least one receiving computer. The aim of the invention is the provision of an address, in particular, a temporary IP address in which known disadvantages do not occur. Said aim is achieved, whereby the online computer carries out the following steps: transmission of a first data set, with the identification for at least one server structure globally accessible by the data network, to the receiver computer, whereby the server structure is selected from a number of available server structures, transmission of a second data set, identifying at least one code designator, to the receiving computer and storage of the address of the online computer together with the code designator on the identified server structure.
US07752262B2

A load balancing system and a corresponding computer-readable medium are proposed. The load balancing system is used in environments (e.g., implementing a licensing management application) wherein each client is associated with a preferred server storing specific information for the client. Each client periodically detects a workload and a response time of all the servers. The client selects a subset of nearest servers (according to their response times). The server in that subset with the lowest workload is set as an eligible server. Whenever a ratio between the workload of the preferred server and the workload of the eligible server exceeds a predefined threshold value (e.g., 1.1), the client switches to the eligible server (transferring the corresponding specific information). The system of the invention exhibits a slow dynamic, and tends to reach a steady condition (wherein the specific information of the clients is not continuously moved across the system).
US07752258B2

The present invention enables a content provider to dynamically assemble content at the edge of the Internet, preferably on content delivery network (CDN) edge servers. Preferably, the content provider leverages an “edge side include” (ESI) markup language that is used to define Web page fragments for dynamic assembly at the edge. Dynamic assembly improves site performance by catching the objects that comprise dynamically generated pages at the edge of the Internet, close to the end user. The content provider designs and develops the business logic to form and assemble the pages, for example, by using the ESI language within its development environment. Instead of being assembled by an application/web server in a centralized data center, the application/web server sends a page template and content fragments to a CDN edge server where the page is assembled. Each content fragment can have its own cacheability profile to manage the “freshness” of the content. Once a user requests a page (template), the edge server examines its cache for the included fragments and assembles the page on-the-fly.
US07752254B2

Contexts are propagated between a first and second system. The contexts provide information about the environment within which work in the first and second systems is to be performed. The contexts have a hierarchical structure in which the bottom most context in the hierarchy is identified as a leaf context. A request is received at the first system to perform work. Context information is created in the first system pertaining to the environment within which the work is to be performed. The context information forms a context hierarchy having a root context and one or more descendant contexts. Information is propagated from the first system to the second system enabling re-creation at the second system of context information pertaining to the leaf context only.
US07752252B2

The present invention aims at avoiding fragmentation during transmission of a structured document (10). This is achieved by a method of progressive transmission for a structured document (10), the structured document (10) comprising sub-documents (12, 14, 16, . . . ) with related relevance weightings. In particular, a fragmentation measure is determined according to the transmission sequence in an automatic manner using a formal expression of fragmentation. After comparison the fragmentation measure with a predetermined threshold value the transmission sequence is modified to reduce fragmentation when the fragmentation measure exceeds the threshold value.
US07752246B2

A binary tree structure for detecting inventory problems. A first embodiment detects on-hand inventory problems. A second embodiment detects inventory requirements problems. Both embodiments use a binary tree whose nodes store time values and delta values. The delta values represent inventory consumers or producers. The time values of trees used for inventory requirements problems are shifted in accordance with build-ahead times.
US07752244B2

A binary tree structure for detecting inventory problems. A first embodiment detects on-hand inventory problems. A second embodiment detects inventory requirements problems. Both embodiments use a binary tree whose nodes store time values and delta values. The delta values represent inventory consumers or producers. The time values of trees used for inventory requirements problems are shifted in accordance with build-ahead times.
US07752242B1

A legacy application program contains unmanaged code. Application definitions for common unmanaged applications are established. An application definition includes a manifest that describes the unmanaged code and an execution wrapper that projects the unmanaged code as a managed assembly to the execution environment. An application definition can also specify other modifications to the unmanaged code, such as modifications to cause the unmanaged code to call managed application programming interfaces (APIs). The application definition is utilized to transform the unmanaged code into a managed assembly. The manifest and wrapper are added to the managed assembly and the unmanaged code is maintained as a resource. The managed execution environment uses the manifest to compute a permissions set for the unmanaged code, and the wrapper invokes the unmanaged code. The unmanaged code uses the managed APIs, and the managed execution environment can therefore manage execution of the code.
US07752233B2

Described are techniques for clustering a data set of objects. Divide phase processing is performed to partition the data set into two or more partitions forming a hierarchy of the objects. Merge phase processing may be performing using the hierarchy to determine one or more disjoint clusters of objects of the data set. Optional preprocessing may be performed to determine weights for one or more features of an object.
US07752221B2

Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with progressive relaxation across tiers of a search system are described. One system embodiment includes a first tier of computing components that stores search data that can be used to locate documents. The system embodiment may also include a second tier of computing components that also store search data that can be used to locate documents. The system may also include a query logic that receives a query and locates a set of items relevant to the query by selectively progressively relaxing a search across the search data stored at different levels until a threshold is met.
US07752216B2

A retrieval apparatus 100 for searching document data comprises a document storage area 141 for storing documents to be searched and a document management table 142 for storing a data size of a document such that the data size is associated with a document ID for identifying the document. The retrieval apparatus 100 reads out from the document management table data sizes of documents to be searched, and calculates a retrieval document size by adding up the read out data sizes, and calculates an estimated time t1 taken for a retrieval process by the index scan method and an estimated time t2 taken for the retrieval process by the text scan method, based on the retrieval document size. The retrieval apparatus 100 compares the estimated times t1 and t2, and decides which method to use for a retrieval process, the index scan method or the text scan method.
US07752210B2

A method of determining a geographical location from IP address information comprising: interrogating a database of IP address information mapped to domain name information by submitting a given IP address; the database returning a domain name in response to the given IP address; deriving one or more likely web site addresses from the domain name; and scanning the or each derived web site address for geographical address information to determine likely geographical address information.
US07752198B2

A method, device and computer program product for determining an importance score for a document D in a document set by exploiting a similarity matrix/graph S or subgraph S′.
US07752197B2

The present invention generally is directed to a system, method and article of manufacture for generating a reusable query component. The reusable query component may include one or more query conditions and may be used to facilitate building a database query including the one or more query conditions. Reusable query components may also include reusable query subcomponents, each including one or more query conditions. The query subcomponents may be statically or dynamically linked to the reusable query component.
US07752196B2

A computer and implemented process for retrieving and storing information to manage information in a computer system. The computer implemented process uses an input and a processing means, with the input arranged to obtain a statement. The processing means is arranged to select a first record based on an element of the statement. Then select a second record that references the first record. Next, examine the second record to identify a third record, and then retrieve the information by using the third record.
US07752186B2

A method and system for grouping metadata search results associated with media on a computer network, such as multimedia and streaming media include binning and iterative masking. The media metadata has an associated media file, which has an associated uniform resource locator (URL). Each URL has at least one field, and each field has at least one character. Binning includes selecting, sorting, and putting URLs having a common attribute into the same bin. Masking includes creating a mask of masking characters. Each field in each URL in each bin is compare with the mask. If a masking character matches a character in a field, the character in the field is removed from the field. This produces at least one resultant URL, i.e., URL that has been compared with a mask. Identical resultant URLs are collapsing into one URL. Thus, redundant and variant URLs are collapsed into a single URL, which may be provided to a search system (e.g., search engine) and/or to a user.
US07752185B1

A system and method to perform data indexing in a transaction processing environment are described. Data is periodically extracted from one or more database servers storing the data. A database stored in a storage device is then updated with the extracted data to obtain an updated database. Finally, the updated database is transmitted to one or more search servers.
US07752184B2

An information processing apparatus which, when a user searches through a plurality of contents for a desired content, causes a display device to display a plurality of indexes corresponding to the plurality of contents is provided. The apparatus includes: a content selection device that selects one of the plurality of contents; an approximation degree calculation device that calculates degrees of approximation between the selected content on the one hand and each of the other contents on the other hand; and a layout determination device that determines a layout of the index of the selected content and determines layouts of the indexes of the other contents relative to the index of the selected content in accordance with the degrees of approximation. The index of the selected content and the indexes of the other contents are displayed on the display device as laid out by the layout determination device.
US07752181B2

Embodiments of the present invention include a method for performing a data uniqueness check in a set of sorted data blocks comprising accessing data to be inserted into the set of sorted data blocks, determining a proper data block of the set of sorted data blocks for which the data to be inserted should be located based on a first sorting key. The method further includes examining the proper data block for an existing data entry and if the proper data block is empty, the method further includes inserting the data to be inserted into the proper data block of the set of sorted data blocks.
US07752169B2

A method, system and program product for centrally managing computer backups are provided. Specifically, backup data is received to a backup system from at least one computer system in one or more formats. Once received, the backup data is converted from the format in which it was received to a central format, and then communicated to a central system. Once received by the central system, the converted backup data can be analyzed, and reports based thereon can be generated.
US07752165B2

A system, method, and computer program product are provided for creating a data subscription to a remote database. Additionally, a system, method, and computer program product are provided for creating a persistent query, wherein a table in a remote database is represented by a meta-data definition.
US07752162B2

The analysis of OLAP data to determine user-relevant information firstly generates a set of queries based on said preferences. Each query is evaluated sequentially against the OLAP data to give a query result. For each evaluated query in turn, it is determined whether said result is relevant to the user on the basis of conditions derived from the user preferences. An output results set is formed consisting of the relevant results. Further, if a previous query result containing a common measure was determined not to be relevant, then a subsequent query can be omitted from evaluation.
US07752160B2

The retrieval of distinct tuples in a relational database management system. In response to a request from a consumer process for distinct tuples in a relational database table matching a defined criteria, a distinct operator component sequentially requests tuples from a source component. The source component access the database table and returns a tuple in the sequence to the distinct operator component. The distinct operator component passes each tuple in the sequence to an auxiliary logger. The auxiliary component receives a tuples from the distinct component and determines if it is distinct from other previously received tuples in the sequence to verify its uniqueness to the distinct operator. Tuples that are verified as unique by the auxiliary logger are returned to the consumer process by the distinct operator upon verification.
US07752153B2

Detailed herein is a technology which, among other things, provides for forward chaining in a ruleset. In one approach to this technology, a first rule is examined, to identifying a data object associated with it. A second rule is identified, also associated with the data object. The relationship between the two rules is determined, where execution of the second rule will modify the data object, which, in turn, will alter the outcome of the first rule.
US07752132B2

An electronic payment and authentication system that includes features to verify the authenticity of a payer, validate debit data, and facilitate debit (as opposed to credit) payment transactions. The electronic payment system allows a consumer to purchase items and services via a network while utilizing a debit transaction. The invention provides merchants with the ability to verify the identity of the consumer, determine if the consumer is a good debit transaction risk, and retrieve debit data associated with a particular consumer.
US07752126B2

The invention is a computer-implemented system and method, and a computer-readable medium for use with computer means, that enables portfolio managers to price, on a risk-adjusted basis, any traded or under written risk vehicle in finance and insurance that has a historically-known or computer-generated probability distribution. More importantly, the invention provides a universal approach to pricing assets and liabilities traded on an exchange or over-the-counter market, or underwritten for direct risk-transfer, even if those assets and liabilities are grouped or segregated, or whose prospective outcomes may alternate between positive or negative values.
US07752121B2

A trading system for trading financial instruments, comprising a matching unit for matching received orders having corresponding requirements and an order book for storing unmatched orders is described. The trading system further comprises a decision unit/reinsertion unit connected to the order book for determining when matched orders are to be removed/reinserted based on confirmation of acceptance of the trade received from a user terminal.
US07752118B1

A system and method for displaying and controlling risk related information in an electronic trading environment are described. One method includes creating a display interface including a data structure and a display grid. The data structure may be a tree-based data structure with a plurality of data nodes associated with trader-related risk information, where the data in the data nodes is automatically updated based on fill information being received from at least one electronic exchange. Also, the data structure includes the ability to select, manipulate, and group the data nodes based on user preferences. The method further includes selecting data nodes to be mapped to the at least one data grid, and displaying trader-related risk information corresponding to the selected data nodes on the at least one data grid.
US07752117B2

A system and method for money management in an electronic trading environment are presented. According to one embodiment, a trader may configure a plurality of filters, each including at least one filter criteria and filter condition. When a money management module detects a new order, the money management module intercepts the order and determines if the order matches one or more predefined filters. If the order matches one or more filters then conditions associated with the applicable filter(s) are applied to the order. The application of one or more conditions to an order may result in sending a modified order, preventing the order from reaching the exchange, or sending order to the exchange without any modifications.
US07752116B2

An automated futures trading exchange is provided that rewards market participants that provide liquidity to a central processing system and charges a fee to market participants that remove liquidity from the central processing system. The liquidity maker and the liquidity taker in each transaction is identified, and it is further determined whether the liquidity maker and/or the liquidity taker is a member of a market making class. By assigning a credit or a debit to the accounts of each market participant based upon whether a market participant to a transaction is a liquidity maker or liquidity taker or based upon whether the market participant is a market maker, a multi-factored and dynamic system is provided for promoting and controlling market liquidity. Additionally, different rates of debits and credits may be applied, using volume-tiered rates and the trading status of the trader.
US07752113B2

A system, method and computer program product are provided for performing a contingent claim valuation of a multi-stage option including a plurality of contingent claims exercisable at a plurality of respective exercise points including one or more exercise points before an expiration exercise point. The method may include determining a present value distribution of contingent future benefits attributable to the exercise of the contingent claim at the expiration exercise point, including discounting a distribution of contingent future benefits according to a first discount rate; and determining present values of exercise prices required to exercise the contingent claim at respective exercise points, including discounting exercise prices at respective exercise points according to a second discount rate that need not equal the first discount rate. A value of the contingent claim may then be determined based upon the present value distribution of contingent future benefits and the present values of exercise prices.
US07752110B1

A system for graphically differentiating user preferred securities from one another is disclosed. The system comprises a server system (12) and a client system (14). The server system (12) is in communication with a security data source (26) that provides security data on a plurality of securities. The client system (14) is in communication with the server system (12) and provides M user specific criteria to the server system (12). The server system (12) then analyzes the security data based upon the M user specific criteria and identifies user preferred securities from the plurality of securities. The server system (12) provides the client system (14) with data relating to the user preferred securities. The client system (14) uses N user specific parameters received from an input device (16, 18) to generate an N dimensional graph that is populated with icons representing the user preferred securities, thereby graphically differentiating the user preferred securities from one another on a display device (20).
US07752105B2

A method using a computer system, and a computer system, computing tiered constant dollar instruments to finance a transaction. The method can include associating, with a computer system using input data, a first tier of one or more constant dollar financial instruments that do not finance a transaction and a second tier of one or more constant dollar financial instruments financed by the first tier that do finance the transaction, in producing output to implement the transaction.
US07752098B2

An information terminal apparatus includes: a communication unit for transmitting/receiving information among the communication means, a server of a credit card firm, and a server owned by a settling financial institution which settles a charge requested from the credit card firm; a processor for executing a comparison process as to both credit card charge historical information issued from the credit card firm and balance account information saved in the settling financial institution, the credit card charge historical information being contained in the transmission/reception information of the communication unit; and an output unit for outputting predetermined information based upon the comparison process result by the processing means.
US07752086B2

A method of distributing products, including computer processing content of the orders including regrouping the orders into groups of orders, and ungrouping the content of each order group into a order subgroups; regrouping the products, including performing a collection of the products, reading the identifier of each collected product and arranging each to obtain a concordance between the product groups and the order groups, ungrouping the products, including for each product group performing a collection of the products, reading the identifier of each collected product and arranging each in a compartment associated with a product subgroup to obtain a concordance between the product subgroups and the order subgroups, and a step of final separation including for each product subgroup performing a collection of each of the products, reading the identifier and arranging each in a compartment associated with a physical order.
US07752085B2

A product information tag, typically for a medical product such as a drug or device, is prepared in accordance with various rules. The product information tag is associated with the product as it travels from a product distributor to a shipper, to a customer such as a doctor and possibly even to a patient. When the product information tag is created, a database record for the product is also created. As the product passes into the possession of different parties, the database record is updated with information regarding the location and usage of the product. Different field devices, possessed by different parties such as the shipper or the doctor, are able to read the product information tag to obtain additional information relating to the product from the database and/or to provide supplemental information about the product to the database.
US07752075B2

A method and system for auctioning items via the Internet permit customers to bid on items and others to bid after delivery has been scheduled, and optionally commenced, to a previous bidder. A bid increment is set according to a geographic location of the new bidder, so that the requirements of rescheduling delivery to the new bidder can be taken into account in the auction. The items may be food items. Items and an estimated time of arrival (ETA) are displayed on a web page that provides an interface for purchase or bidding. Bidding may be made for the actual item purchase or for a scheduled delivery time. Audio and/or visual communication with an ordering point and/or delivery vehicle may be provided in the user interface.
US07752074B2

A computer method and device for intercepting contracting client's sent electronic messages, scanning the message body content for key words, sending the key words to a remote central computer server which analyses the key words and enhances the message by attaching a relevant, contextual advertising tag line or image/banner/words/HTML/Flash, etc. to the electronic message, and transmitting the enhanced message to a receiver.
US07752073B2

Methods and systems for providing advertising content over the Internet through a hierarchical content-specific node structure and pricing advertising delivery over each node independently. Independent delivery and pricing allows an advertiser to pay more for advertisements delivered to a narrowly targeted audience likely to be interested in the goods or services offered by the advertising entity and to pay less for advertisements directed at a more general audience who may or may not have an interest in the goods or services offered. The less content specific the node is, the less targeted the advertisement will be, and therefore, the less valuable the advertisement will be to the advertising entity. Targeted advertising to multiple levels of content specific nodes is enabled.
US07752061B2

Methods and systems are provided for adjusting liability estimates associated with past or theoretical accidents. Embodiments may be used in association with methods and systems for estimating liability in a vehicle accident. In an embodiment, liability estimates may be associated with past or theoretical accidents. The liability estimates associated with the past or theoretical accidents may be used in methods and systems for estimating liability in a vehicle accident. The liability estimates associated with the past or theoretical accidents may be tested to determine if they yield a desired or expected liability estimate for a real accident. If the liability estimates associated with the past or theoretical accidents do not yield the desired or expected liability estimate for the real accident they may be adjusted.
US07752054B1

An apparatus and method for an advisor referral tool for objectively matching professional services between users and advisors in an on-line or computer based environment. The advisor referral tool matches users with professional advisors by executing an advisor matching algorithm to select a subset of advisors from an advisor database based on user selected search criteria. A server computer calculates a percent match value for each advisor in the subset of advisors that corresponds to consumer responses to predetermined psychographic/profile questions. The server computer then creates a best fit advisor list of advisors from the subset of advisors that is based on the calculated percent match value. The best fit advisor list is then transmitted to and displayed on the user's computer.
US07752052B2

A down-sampler 101 down-samples the sampling rate of an input signal from sampling rate FH to sampling rate FL. A base layer coder 102 encodes the sampling rate FL acoustic signal. A local decoder 103 decodes coding information output from base layer coder 102. An up-sampler 104 raises the sampling rate of the decoded signal to FH. A subtracter 106 subtracts the decoded signal from the sampling rate FH acoustic signal. An enhancement layer coder 107 encodes the signal output from subtracter 106 using a decoding result parameter output from local decoder 103.
US07752050B1

A multi-user voice control system for use in endoscopic imaging system includes a first input channel, a second input channel, an automatic speech recognizer (ASR), a control unit, and a selector. The first input channel receives speech of a first user, and the second input channel receives speech of a second user. The ASR recognizes speech received on the first channel and recognizes speech received on the second channel. The control unit enables the voice control system to control a device in the endoscopic imaging system in response to recognized speech. The selector selectively determines whether recognized speech associated with the first channel or recognized speech associated with the second channel is used to control the device, by applying a selection priority to the first and second channels.
US07752049B2

Disclosed is a digital audio device that includes a communications port to communicatively connect the device to a server. The device also includes a unique identifier to identify the device. The device also includes a controller to allow transfer of digital audio files from the server. The digital audio files contain interleaved data selected by the server based on the unique identifier. The device also includes a decoder to decode the interleaved data and a data store to store at least one of the digital audio files and the interleaved data.
US07752048B2

A method of providing speech recognition resolution in a database includes receiving an utterance from an end-user or application, and dispatching it to the database which is coupled to or has access to a speech recognition technology. The method further includes converting the utterance to an intermediate form suitable for searching, and transmitting the intermediate form from the database to the speech recognition technology. An item-matching is then performed via the speech recognition technology which returns items matching the utterance to the database along with a confidence metric, and the utterance matches are then provided from the database in the form of an ordered result set.
US07752043B2

Included are embodiments for multi-pass analytics. At least one embodiment of a method includes receiving audio data associated with a communication, performing first tier speech to text analytics on the received audio data, and performing second tier speech to text analytics on the received audio.
US07752041B2

A method and an apparatus for encoding/decoding a digital signal are provided. First, a digital input signal is transformed into samples to remove redundant information among signals. Then, a lookup table corresponding to a characteristic of the input signal is selected among a plurality of lookup tables that indicate different numbers of bits allocated for each quantization unit depending on different characteristics of input signals, and the number of bits allocated for each quantization unit is acquired from the selected lookup table. Next, a distribution of samples within each quantization unit is divided into a predetermined number of sections, and the samples are linearly quantized using the allocated number of bits on a section-by-section basis. Thereafter, a bitstream comprised of frames is produced from the quantized samples and predetermined side information so that information about a frame length is stored in the end of frame.
US07752033B2

A text generation method and a text generation device generate a meaningful text even though the number of input keywords is insufficient. In order to achieve this object, keywords are input to the text generation device. In the text generation device, a Bunsetsu-generation-rule acquisition unit acquires a Bunsetsu generation rule from a corpus and a Bunsetsu-candidate generation unit generates Bunsetsu candidates from the keywords. A text candidate generation unit generates text candidates with assuming a dependency relation among the Bunsetsu candidates. An evaluation unit evaluates the text candidates and outputs text in accordance with the evaluation.
US07752031B2

Multiple speaker cadence is managed for translated conversations by separating a multi-speaker audio stream into single-speaker audio tracks containing one or more first language audio snippets organized according to a timing relationship as related in the multi-speaker audio stream, generating a pause relationship model by determining time relationships between the single-speaker snippets and assigning pause marker values denoting the each beginning and each ending of each mutual silence pause, collecting a translated language audio track corresponding to each single-speaker track, generating pause relationship controls according the pause relationship model, and producing a translated multi-speaker audio output including the translated tracks in which the translated snippets are related in time according to the pause relationship controls.
US07752030B2

A processor based system including a processor and a storage subsystem communicatively coupled with the processor, an operating system stored in the storage subsystem to schedule instructions for execution, including a driver in which are included a virtual machine monitor and an emulator for an emulated processor; and a virtualization subsystem of the processor based system to generate an event for the virtual machine monitor.
US07752029B2

A method for changing operation of a device, comprising: sending target device descriptors to the device's device emulator, which processes and stores the descriptors as the current descriptors in memory, and the device emulator responding to a query from a host simulating operation of the target device. Using the method, the host recognizes the device as a different, target device, such as printers, MFPs, peripherals, digital cameras, etc. Device emulation enables installation and other testing of a new and yet unavailable target device under development. The methods also include USB device enumeration, making a print job containing extended PJL commands and sending it using a generic device driver, emulator firmware analyzing and storing the descriptors in registers, sending a line reset command to simulate device detachment and reattachment, and meeting timing requirements of USB detached and attached states.
US07752027B2

Methods and apparatus for simulating a distributed business process are disclosed. The methods and apparatus simulate an interdependent business process, such as a financial transaction system, in a secure distributed manner. Each business entity that is part of the interdependent business process models itself on a local client device at any chosen level of detail. A simulation server connects the separate client based simulations into one large simulation. Details of each local simulation may be hidden from other simulation participants. However, interruptions in business flow caused by simulated disruptions introduced at the simulation server and/or a client device are propagated to all of the effected simulation participants via the simulation server. In addition, if a client based model is not available, the server supplies a software agent to replace the inputs and outputs normally associated with that portion of the overall simulation.
US07752023B2

A method for enhancing allocation of fluid flow rates among a plurality of wellbores coupled to surface facilities is disclosed. The method includes modeling fluid flow characteristics of the wellbores and reservoirs penetrated by the wellbores. The method includes modeling fluid flow characteristics of the surface facilities. An optimizer adapted to determine an enhanced value of an objective function corresponding to the modeled fluid flow characteristics of the wellbores and the surface facilities is then operated. The objective function relates to at least one production system performance parameter. Fluid flow rates are then allocated according to the optimization.
US07752015B2

A system to facilitate reducing false train stops includes an infrared bearing scanner that is coupled to a processing unit. The processing unit is programmed to receive inputs from the infrared bearing scanner, generate a bearing profile for each bearing passing the Hot Box Detection System, assign a classification to each bearing profile, determine a quantity of bearing profiles assigned to each classification, and generate a maintenance alert if the quantity of bearings assigned to at least one classification exceeds a predetermined threshold. A method of reducing false trains stops is also described herein.
US07752012B2

Detection of one or more abnormal situations is performed using various statistical measures, such as a mean, a median, a standard deviation, etc. of one or more process parameters or variable measurements made by statistical process monitoring blocks within a plant. This detection is enhanced in various cases by using specialized data filters and data processing techniques, which are designed to be computationally simple and therefore are able to be applied to data collected at a high sampling rate in a field device having limited processing power. The enhanced data or measurements may be used to provided better or more accurate statistical measures of the data, may be used to trim the data to remove outliers from this data, may be used to fit this data to non-linear functions, or may be use to quickly detect the occurrence of various abnormal situations within specific plant equipment, such as distillation columns and fluid catalytic crackers.
US07752008B2

An index detector detects image coordinates of indices arranged on a scene from an image shot by an imaging device. An orientation sensor is attached to the imaging device, and outputs a measured orientation. An orientation prediction unit predicts an orientation of the imaging device on the basis of the measured orientation obtained by the orientation sensor. A position/orientation calculator receives the predicted orientation of the imaging device and a set of the image coordinates and world coordinates of each index, determines the position of the imaging device and an update value for an azimuth-drift-error correction value of the orientation sensor, and calculates the position and orientation of the imaging device.
US07752005B2

An application development environment is provided. A selection of instruments is provided. A selection of an instrument is received. The selected instrument is automatically queried for an identification information of an instrument driver. An absence of the instrument driver is determined in the application development environment. The instrument driver is identified at a remote storage location, the instrument driver having metadata. The identified instrument driver is verified based on the metadata. The verified instrument driver is automatically retrieved from the remote storage location. The retrieved instrument driver is installed in the application development environment. Communications are established between the application development environment and the selected instrument via the installed driver.
US07751998B2

A plurality of series circuits each consisting of a current-carrying element and an element to be measured are provided between a power supply potential VDD and a ground potential VSS. The current-carrying elements are supplied with a test signal commonly, and corresponding selection signals, respectively. After a mode is set so that power consumption of a main circuit unit included in a semiconductor device is substantially zero or almost constant, the elements to be measured are energized sequentially and, in this state, a power supply current that flows through the semiconductor device is measured sequentially. Accordingly, it is possible to accurately know the power consumption of the element to be measured and it is also possible to know the characteristics of the element to be measured based thereon.
US07751997B2

The invention relates to a method for unambiguously determining a physical parameter Φ using m phase-measured values αi with 1≦i≦m, whereby the phase-measured values αi have different, integer periodicity values ni and an integer periodicity difference (a) with Δn>1 within an unambiguous range E of the physical parameter Φ. A value T with (b) and (c) is calculated based on the phase-measured values αi and the periodicity values ni thereof, and, within a reduced unambiguous range Ered with (d), a value V is allocated to the value T by allocation according to (e), wherein TUk stands for a respective lower limit and TOk for a respective upper limit of T. The allocation intervals between the upper (TOk) and the lower limits (TUk) for T, as wells as the distances (f) correspond at least to the periodicity difference Δn. In order to determine the physical parameter Φ, value V is added up with the phase-measured values αi in a weighted manner. Δ ⁢ ⁢ n =  n i - n i - 1  ( a ) T = T ⁡ ( α j , n i ) ( b ) j , l ∈ Z ⁢ { 1 , … ⁢ , i } ( c ) E red = 1 Δ ⁢ ⁢ n · E ( d ) V = V ⁡ ( T ) = { V 1 ⁢ f ⁢ u ¨ ⁢ r ⁢ ⁢ T ≥ T O ⁢ ⁢ 1 V 2 ⁢ f ⁢ u ¨ ⁢ r ⁢ ⁢ T U ⁢ ⁢ 2 ≤ T < T O ⁢ ⁢ 2 V 3 ⁢ f ⁢ u ¨ ⁢ r ⁢ ⁢ T U ⁢ ⁢ 3 ≤ T < T O ⁢ ⁢ 3 … V k ⁢ f ⁢ u ¨ ⁢ r ⁢ ⁢ T < T Uk ( e ) Δ ⁢ ⁢ V =  V k + 1 - V k  ( f )
US07751992B2

Disclosed is a system and method of controlling and triggering a TRIAC by actuating a load with any power factor from a single short-duration pulse at the gate of the TRIAC. The TRIAC comprising a gate, the TRIAC being connected to a load, the gate being electrically connected to a control unit, which actuates the TRIAC for selectively applying a network voltage to the load and enabling the circulation of an electric current in the load, the system comprising a gate voltage detection unit, a control unit, the gate voltage detection unit being electrically connected to a control unit, the control unit establishing a gate voltage limit value and generating a pulse at the gate of the TRIAC to keep it in conduction, the pulse at the gate being generated from a comparison between the voltage limit value established by the control unit and a voltage measured at the gate from the gate voltage detection unit, the control unit measuring the electric current and adjusting the voltage limit value in a way proportional to the current value measured.
US07751990B2

Detecting a fouled air filter in a computer equipment enclosure that includes an air filter, a supply plenum connecting the air filter and the computer equipment enclosure, a fan operating at a current fan speed, and a filter monitoring module connected for data communications to a management module. Detecting a fouled air filter according to embodiments of the present invention includes calculating, by the filter monitoring module, a pressure differential across the air filter; determining, for the current fan speed by the filter monitoring module in dependence upon a pressure differential profile for the air filter, whether the calculated pressure differential across the air filter exceeds a predetermined threshold value; and if the calculated pressure differential across the air filter exceeds the predetermined threshold value, reporting, by the filter monitoring module to the management module, that the calculated pressure differential across the air filter exceeds the predetermined threshold value.
US07751989B2

A system for inspecting a pipeline having at least two transducers divided into segments, the segments each containing a number of sensors, wherein a maximum number of segments is equal to a number of transducers, an arrangement configured to send, receive and store signals, wherein the arrangement has a number of pulser channels and a number of receiver channels, wherein the arrangement has at least one multiplexing arrangement for multiplexing signals from the arrangement; and a time delay arrangement connected to the arrangement configured to send, receive and store signals. The system may also provide for focal point skewing, near real time coating compensation for proper excitation mode, adjusted time delay capability and the ability to focus beyond changes in geometry.
US07751988B2

A method for the prediction of adverse cross-reactions between lead candidate biomolecules and potential reactant molecules, often biopolymers, is described. In a computational system, reactions are modeled within a suitable environment, in order to determine a reaction profile between a lead candidate molecule and a potential reactant molecule. A risk assessment is then generated for each lead based on a plurality of reaction profiles for the lead with respect to a plurality of potential reactant molecules. The method includes provisions for redesign and optimization of the lead candidate, possibly iterative in nature, in order to avoid predicted adverse cross-reactions.
US07751987B1

A method for predicting an amino acid sequence compatible with a three-dimensional (3D) structure of a protein. A reduced virtual representation of the 3D structure is constructed, and, for each position along the representation, its solvent accessibility is determined. For each position along the structure, an amino acid residue is randomly selected from a predefined group of amino acids having a solvent accessibility compatible with the solvent accessibility of the position. A Monte-Carlo simulation is performed on this devised protein in which an amino acid at a particular position is sequentially replaced with other amino acids having the same solvent accessibility, and an energy score is calculated for each rotamer. The lowest scoring rotamer for this position is then selected The Monte-Carlo simulation is repeated for each position along the sequence, to obtain an amino acid sequence with the lowest total energy score.
US07751977B2

COTS devices are integrated into a system employing custom software and custom hardware and software interfaces to collect and communicate data concerning current flows around fixed structure (e.g., inland locks, bridges, harbor structures, etc.) in various bodies of water (e.g., inland waterways, harbors, canals, etc.). Embodiments comprise: sensors and communications equipment, for example wireless systems that transmit sensor data to a lock house; lock house communications equipment that receive sensor data; a processor, e.g., a personal computer, with installed custom software and interface for processing data; an Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponder interfaced to the processor; an AIS installed in vessels to include an electronic vector chart display, such as may be installed in a towboat pilothouse; and an optional web-based database application for lock operators to record dam operation scenarios that may be used in research, investigations, and the like.
US07751974B2

A method for navigation processing in a satellite positioning system receiver is disclosed. A method in accordance with the present invention comprises separating the three SATPS satellites into a first pair and a second pair, constructing a primary solution and an alternate solution, wherein the primary solution and the alternate solution satisfy the measurement constraints, computing a Doppler difference estimate for the primary solution and a Doppler difference estimate for the alternate solution, computing Doppler difference residuals for the first pair and the second pair of SATPS satellites, and comparing the Doppler difference residuals for said primary and alternate solutions to determine a valid solution. Typically, the computing of a Doppler difference residuals comprises differencing a measured Doppler difference from an estimated Doppler difference for the first pair and the second pair of SATPS satellites. Typical determination of a valid solution comprises comparing the difference between the Doppler difference residuals to a predetermined number. Usually when the Doppler difference residuals exceed the predetermined number, the alternate solution is selected as the valid solution.
US07751961B2

A method for classifying a road surface condition by estimating the maximum tire/road surface coefficient of friction and actively inducing acceleration or deceleration. In one embodiment, the induced acceleration/deceleration is provided by applying torque to the driven wheels of the vehicle. The speeds of the driven and non-driven wheels are measured. The tire/road surface coefficient of friction and the driven wheel slip ratio are calculated from the wheel speeds. The tire/road surface coefficient of friction and the wheel slip ratio are used to determine the slope of the wheel slip/coefficient of friction curve, which is used to classify the road surface condition.
US07751957B2

A vehicle controller or a portable controller has a memory that stores an inside data group having information on the intensity of request signals transmitted from a plurality of transmitting antennas when a position of a portable device is the inside of a vehicle, and an outside data group having information on the intensity of request signals transmitted from the plurality of transmitting antennas when the position of the portable device is the outside of the vehicle. The vehicle controller determines whether the information on the intensity of request signals is closer to the inside data group or the outside data group stored in the memory.
US07751953B2

The present invention is directed toward a cellular phone that connects to an existing vehicle data link to perform the functions of an off-board device, such as a scan tool, for displaying diagnostic information relating to vehicles. In addition, the cellular phone connects to a starter/charger system and/or a battery to perform the functions of a starter/charger/battery testing device. Such a device allows a user to connect the cellular phone to a data link connector located in a vehicle, download software to either an adaptor or the cellular phone, retrieve information relating to diagnostic tests on the vehicle and view the results on the cellular phone display, and/or communicate the results to another person or device.
US07751938B2

There is provided a control device for a robot arm which includes an operation procedure information acquisition means for acquiring information on the procedure of a domestic operation, a progress management means for managing information on the progress of the operation, and a control parameter setting means for setting a control parameter for the robot arm based on the operation procedure information and the progress information, whereby the control device controls an operation of the robot arm based on the control parameter from the control parameter setting means.
US07751936B2

Disclosed herein is a processing method for playing motion-including multimedia content using a network-based robot system. The method including the step at which the service server forms and stores motion-including multimedia content data packets by inserting synchronized robot terminal motion control data into a multimedia content file divided at packet playing time intervals; the step at which, when a user issues a command to play specific motion-including multimedia content in a specific robot terminal, the command is transmitted to a service server; the step at which, in response to the transmitted command, the service server reads motion-including multimedia content data packets corresponding to the specific motion-including multimedia content and sequentially transmits the read motion-including multimedia content data packets to the buffer of the specific robot terminal; and the step at which the specific robot terminal sequentially stores the motion-including multimedia content data packets in the buffer, and sequentially reads and plays the motion-including multimedia content data packets at the packet playing time intervals.
US07751929B1

A package handling system for use with a plurality of packages having package identification thereon. The system of one embodiment comprises processing stations where packages having heterogeneous contents are processed. One or more identifiers are positioned at the processing stations to detect the package identifications associated with the packages. A controller is coupled to the identifier and has access to first and second package data. The first package data related to an actual condition of the package, and the second package data related to acceptable package conditions. A labeler coupled to the controller is configured to apply a first label to the package if the first and second package data indicate that the package is in an acceptable condition or a second label if the first and second package data indicate that the package is in a condition requiring further processing.
US07751921B2

In order to detect an abnormality of semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, a biaxial coordinate system having first and second axes respectively assigned two different monitoring parameters selected from plural apparatus status parameters representing statuses of semiconductor manufacturing apparatus is prepared. As monitoring parameters, for example, a cumulative film thickness for deposition processes that have previously been performed in deposition apparatus and an opening of the pressure control valve located in a vacuum exhaust path to control the internal pressure of a reaction vessel are selected. Values of monitoring parameters obtained when the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus was normally operating are plotted on the biaxial coordinate system. A boundary between a normal condition and an abnormality status is set around a plot group. Values of monitoring parameters obtained during present operation of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus are plotted on the biaxial coordinate system to determine whether or not there exists an abnormality and identify a type of abnormality based on a positional relation between the plots and the boundary.
US07751919B2

A buffer station provides potential improvement for the operation of a facility. By storing to-be-accessed workpieces in the buffer stations of an equipment, the operation of the facility is not interrupted when the equipment is down. The workpieces can be retrieved through emergency access port of the buffer station, thus ensure the continuous supply of workpieces for the workpiece flow of the facility. Algorithm for getting the needed workpieces to the buffer station is also provided through a controller or a computer mechanism. The buffer station can be incorporated in a stocker, such as wafer stocker or reticle stocker.
US07751914B2

A signal processing apparatus includes an input attribute determination section for determining an input attribute representing at least one of a type of an audio codec, a sampling frequency and a number of channels of an input signal; and an input signal processing section for processing the input signal. The input signal processing section determines whether the input attribute has been changed based on a determination result provided by the input attribute determination section; and when a calculation remainder generated in the input signal processing section by the change in the input attribute, the input signal processing section assigns at least apart of the calculation remainder to processing of the input signal.
US07751907B2

An apparatus comprising a controller. The controller includes an input/output (I/O) module and a rule module. The I/O module is configured to present a question for a patient when communicatively coupled to a user interface and receive patient information in response to the question via the user interface. The rule module is configured to apply a rule to the patient information and generate a suggested insulin pump setting from application of the rule. Other devices, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US07751898B2

In one embodiment of the present invention, an acoustic prosthesis is disclosed. The acoustic prosthesis comprises: an external speech processor unit comprising electronic components and a power source contained within a housing, wherein the power source provides power to the electronic components via a power line; and a magnetically-responsive switch disposed along the power line to switchingly connect the power source to the electronic components in response to the presence of a magnetic field.
US07751893B2

The present invention is directed to a header assembly attachable to a medical device for the purpose of connecting its output terminals to at least one lead, the lead terminating at a target organ or portion of the body intending to be assisted. A number of leads are connectable to the header, including single and coaxial leads. The header assembly may be molded directly to the medical device or preformed and then attached to the device casing, either by mechanical fastener and/or chemical adhesive.
US07751892B2

Systems and methods for a configurable programmer for an implantable cardiovascular medical device are disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises a graphical user interface to visualize programming processes to alert a clinician to potential problems with the patient's condition or the therapy provided by the device, or the device itself. The programmer is further adapted to minimize the risk of programming potentially dangerous changes to the implantable device's parameter settings by requiring the clinician to first review new value changes before initiating the programming step. The programmer also allows the clinician to view how a change to one or more parameter settings affect other settings before the implantable device is programmed or re-programmed.
US07751886B1

An implantable stimulation device that maps the location of irritable foci causing an atrial arrhythmia is provided by certain embodiments disclosed herein. The device may, for example, collect intra-cardiac data from a plurality of electrodes spatially distributed throughout a chamber of the heart. This data may be compared with data related to the location of each electrode and the electrical properties of the heart to approximate a point of origin for the atrial arrhythmia. Further embodiments may provide methods and systems for using this information to provide more efficient treatment of the atrial arrhythmia. For example, an optimized ATP pulse train may be determined based on the location of one or more irritable foci. Such an ATP pulse train may be applied to more efficiently terminate the atrial arrhythmia.
US07751877B2

A system and method for a neural interface system with a unique identification code includes a sensor including a plurality of electrodes to detect multicellular signals, an processing unit to process the signals from the sensor into a suitable control signal for a controllable device such as a computer or prosthetic limb. The unique identification code is embedded in one or more discrete components of the system. Internal and external system checks for compatibility and methods of ensuring safe and effective performance of a system with detachable components are also disclosed.
US07751876B2

A system and method for automatically detecting abnormal heart contractions originating in the ventricles, in a way that is independent of signal morphology is provided. As an uninterrupted series of ventricular detections indicates a possible ventricular arrhythmia, all ventricular beats are detected including isolated premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and the associated R-R intervals are corrected. Premature ventricular contractions (ectopic beats) in non-standard lead configuration in a noisy signal from an ambulatory subject from a low-cost sensor that may be a small form factor sensor with 1 inch lead separation and may be rotated through multiple placements to correct an R-R interval time series used to detect atrial fibrillation.
US07751873B2

A depolarization waveform classifier based on the Modified lifting line wavelet Transform is described. Overcomes problems in existing rate-based event classifiers. A task for pacemaker/defibrillators is the accurate identification of rhythm categories so correct electrotherapy can be administered. Because some rhythms cause rapid dangerous drop in cardiac output, it's desirable to categorize depolarization waveforms on a beat-to-beat basis to accomplish rhythm classification as rapidly as possible. Although rate based methods of event categorization have served well in implanted devices, these methods suffer in sensitivity and specificity when atrial/ventricular rates are similar. Human experts differentiate rhythms by morphological features of strip chart electrocardiograms. The wavelet transform approximates human expert analysis function because it correlates distinct morphological features at multiple scales. The accuracy of implanted rhythm determination can then be improved by using human-appreciable time domain features enhanced by time scale decomposition of depolarization waveforms.
US07751872B2

An apparatus for measuring cardiac electrical activity of a patient includes: a malleable pad, a first electrocardiogram electrode, and a ground electrode. The pad includes: a right handle for grasping with the patient's right hand, the right handle including an electrocardiogram electrode; a left handle for grasping with the patient's left hand, the left handle also including an electrocardiogram electrode; and an electronic circuit configured for receiving electrical signals from the electrodes and also configured to invert the signals from the electrodes for transmission to a processor to produce a graphic recording of the differences in electrical potential between the electrodes. The pad also includes a multiplex cable for coupling the electronic circuit to leadwires attached to the electrocardiogram electrodes; and a port configured for coupling with the processor. The first electrode and the handle electrodes form an inverted Einthoven triangle with the first electrode at an apex of said triangle, being located anatomically superior to the horizontal axis formed by the second and third electrodes.
US07751866B2

A detecting system of the position and the posture of a capsule medical device includes a main body of the capsule medical device that is inserted in a living body, a coil in a capsule that is arranged to the main body of the capsule medical device and forms a resonant circuit, a magnetic field generating device that is arranged around the living body and generates the Alternating magnetic field for generating an induced magnetic field in the coil in the capsule, and a plurality of magnetic field detecting devices that detect the strength of the induced magnetic field generated by the coil in the capsule by the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating device.
US07751840B2

An own-group storage area in which beacon information concerning a group of the own device is stored and an other-groups storage area in which beacon information concerning other groups different from the group of the own device is stored are allocated to a memory area of a wireless communication device in a network. The wireless communication device includes storage means for storing the beacon information concerning the other groups in the own-group storage area and the other-groups storage area in the same structure as that of the beacon information concerning the group of the own device.
US07751832B2

Wireless location device and process of manufacture including a location device for use in an encasement or a shoe, the shoe including a footbed having a first surface, a second surface, and a periphery extending from and connecting the first surface to the second surface, one or more circuit boards, with at least one of the one or more circuit boards being a cellular telecommunications board located within the footbed and connected to the battery, and a cellular antenna located within the footbed and connected to the telecommunications board, all configured to communicate with a cellular network enabling the location device to be located via a cellular network or device based location technology and communicate that location via cellular communication.
US07751824B2

A radio communication system in which a plurality of wireless terminals form wireless channels separately between a common base station unit and wireless terminals and communicate with the base station unit, the radio communications system comprises quality managing section manages communication quality of wireless channel for each of wireless terminals by assigning occupied band of wireless channel on basis of a predetermined parameter, channel securing section secures continuously wireless channel for at least one wireless terminal by controlling data rate of the wireless channel according to change in channel state between wireless sections, and rate change detecting section supplies trigger information to quality managing section when data rate of at least one wireless channel changes as a result of control performed by channel securing section, the quality managing section, when being given trigger, updating occupied band assigned state of the wireless channel for each of wireless terminals.
US07751810B1

A system and method of transmitting multimedia data related to an event to the wireless communication units of the event attendees. The multimedia data may be broadcasted on a plurality of channels. For example, multimedia data generated from different cameras across the event venue may be placed on multiple channels. Attendees using mobile communication units may tune to any channel in order to view the event performances from the perspective of the selected camera. Also disclosed is a method of provisioning a mobile communication unit for receiving wireless communication services at an event. In this regard, a user purchases or rents a mobile communication unit containing a unique identifier residing in a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The user also purchases for receiving wireless communication services for a particular event. A provisioning device at the event venue reads the identifier from the RFID tag to provision the mobile communication unit for receiving wireless communication services.
US07751803B2

A method and arrangement for determining the expiry time for a period during which the re-establishment of lost radio bearers is allowable. There is determined a first expiry time (206, 207) for a period during which the re-establishment of lost radio bearers used to provide services of a first category, like real time services, is allowable. Additionally there is determined a second expiry time (208, 209) for a period during which the re-establishment of lost radio bearers used to provide services of a second category, like non-real time services, is allowable.
US07751801B2

Mobile wireless devices include a Service Trial Client that establishes a link to a Service Trial Server to set up temporary trials of online services. The Service Trial Client and Service Trial Server enable a service provider to attract potential customers with free trial subscriptions to an online service for a limited period of time. The trial subscription can be shared with friends of the customer for the limited period of time, thereby enabling the service provider to attract a larger number of potential customers. Monitoring logic is included in the Service Trial Server to review the record of each trial service subscriber on a periodic basis and to prompt the subscriber and the subscriber's friends to subscribe the service provider's normal paid-subscription service at the end of the trial period. The result is a complete over-the-air service trial and subscription tool that integrates discovery, trial and subscription functions for online services.
US07751793B2

An integrated circuit including a structure of inductances on a semiconductor substrate, intended for operating at frequencies greater than several hundreds of MHz, including a first inductance formed by a conductive track and having first and second terminals respectively connected to each of the two ends of the conductive track, including a second inductance formed by the conductive track between the second terminal and any intermediary point of the conductive track connected to a third terminal, said second and third terminals forming the two terminals of the second inductance, and means for setting the third terminal to high impedance when the first inductance is used.
US07751789B2

When the diversity reception is cut, communications with the base station are continued. When it is judged by the judgment section of the mobile communication terminal that a predetermined disconnection requirement for disconnecting diversity reception is satisfied, the gain control section of the digital baseband circuitry 20 reduces the gain of the AGC14B contained in the RF receiver circuitry 10B constituting the disconnection target by a fixed value at fixed times. Diversity reception is cut after the level of the signal output by the AGC14B has reached zero.
US07751782B2

A radio-frequency signal receiver capable of enhancing reception performance includes an antenna for receiving radio-frequency signals, a first switch having an end coupled to the antenna, a filter coupled to the first switch, a second switch having an end coupled to the first switch and an end coupled to the filter, a low noise amplifier coupled to the second switch for amplifying signals received from the second switch, a frequency down converter coupled to the low noise amplifier for down-converting a frequency of signals outputted from the low noise amplifier, a signal processing circuit coupled to the frequency down converter for performing signal processing, and a control circuit for controlling the first and the second switches.
US07751781B2

Disclosed is a multi-transceiver system adapted to estimate a frequency offset on basis of a test signal and a reference signal. Transceivers in the multi-transceiver system are adapted to transmit signals compensated with the frequency offsets.
US07751779B2

A payload (108) to be mounted onto a satellite (102) can include a first steerable antenna (302) providing a downlink to and an uplink from a first user terminal; a second steerable antenna (304) providing a downlink to and an uplink from a second user terminal; a switching network (306) coupling the first steerable antenna to the second steerable antenna; and a payload control unit (120) controlling the switching network to select one of the downlink to the first user terminal provided by the first steerable antenna and the downlink to the second user terminal provided by the second steerable antenna, and one of the uplink from the first user terminal provided by the first steerable antenna and the uplink from the second user terminal provided by the second steerable antenna.
US07751768B2

A fixing device includes a fixing member, a pressure member and a separation mechanism. The pressure member presses against the fixing member to form a nip through which a toner image on a recording medium is fixed. The separation mechanism is disposed at a downstream side from the nip to separate the recording medium from the fixing member. The separation mechanism includes a separation plate and a gap control member. The separation plate opposed to the fixing member with a gap therebetween includes a metal base member and a resin tip member. The gap control member controlling the gap by contacting the fixing member includes a curved tip having a radius of not greater than 0.6 mm. A center of the curved tip and a tip of the resin tip member are congruent with each other in a direction perpendicular to a feed direction of the recording medium.
US07751767B2

Embodiments herein include an apparatus that can comprise any heating device, such as one having an outer surface adapted to contact items, such as sheets of print media, and a rotatable air outlet (vent, jet, blower, etc.) positioned next to the heating device. The air outlet can be, in one embodiment, part of a tube-shaped air pleneum. In some embodiments, the air outlet can comprise a slit, perforations, rows of jets, etc. and the air outlet can have a length at least as long as the width as the fuser. The rotatable air outlet can be positioned to blow air to remove the items from the heating device and can rotate from a first position to a different second position.
US07751757B2

A developer cartridge constructed in a structure in which an overload is not applied to stirring units to stir a developer even when the developer is lump includes a housing having a developer storage chamber, a first stirring unit rotatably mounted in the housing, and a second stirring unit rotatably mounted in the housing such that the second stirring unit is rotatable with time delay after a rotation of the first stirring unit. The second stirring unit includes a rotary shaft, and the developer cartridge further includes a rotary member coupled to one end of the rotary shaft and a power transmission member to transmit a rotary force to the rotary member after rotation thereof by a predetermined angle.
US07751751B2

In an image forming apparatus, an upper unit rotates about a first shaft provided in an image forming device for forming an image on a sheet with respect to the image forming device. A slide portion is provided on the upper unit to slide in a forward direction toward a side of the image forming device in which the first shaft is provided and a backward direction opposite to the forward direction. The forward direction and the backward direction are perpendicular to an axial direction of the first shaft. A force applier applies a force to the upper unit in an open direction in which the upper unit is opened with respect to the image forming device. A force adjuster decreases the force applied by the force applier to the upper unit as the slide portion slides with respect to the upper unit in the forward direction.
US07751737B2

An image forming apparatus is provided in which on-surface potential unevenness of an image carrier can be suppressed, and with which an output image having excellent on-surface uniformity of color or the like can be obtained. The image forming apparatus includes: a photoconductive image carrier; charger which charges the image carrier; image exposing unit which exposes an image on a surface of the image carrier after the charging to form a latent electrostatic image; developing unit which develops the latent electrostatic image by adhering toner to the latent electrostatic image to form a toner image; and transfer charger which transfers the obtained toner image to a final supporting member such as plain paper.
US07751735B2

An image-forming device has an image-forming unit, a toner density detection unit, a reflective shutter, a storage unit, and a control unit. The control unit calculates a correction value for correcting the output value to control an image-forming unit according to the correction value. The image-forming unit forms a reference toner image on the image-carrying member. The toner density detection unit receives a reflected light beam from the reflective shutter positioned at the shielding position to generate a first output value, the first output value being stored in the storage unit. The toner density detection unit receives another reflected light beam from the reference toner image to generate a second output value when the reflective shutter is positioned at the retracted position, the second output value being stored in the storage unit. The control unit calculates a ratio of the second value and the first value and then calculates the correction value based on the ratio.
US07751734B2

A marking engine forms one or more toned patches and/or images on a photoreceptor transfer device such as a photoreceptor belt or drum, either within or outside a main image area. A sensor illuminates the tones patches and/or images on the photoreceptor transfer device using wavelengths outside the photo response range of the photoreceptor transfer device, thereby allowing reflectance values for each toned patch and/or image to be measured without generating ghost images on the photoreceptor transfer device. The sensor supports collection of measured reflectance values from single-color, mixed-color; and multi-separation image-on-image toned patches and/or images directly from the photoreceptor transfer device at rates as high as one or more times per revolution of the photoreceptor transfer device. The measured reflectance values may be used to generate and/or update color stabilization tone reproduction curves.
US07751726B1

Systems and methods for operating transponders that automatically accommodate multiple received signal types. The different signal types may include different clients such as, e.g., SONET/SDH, G.709, 10 Gigabit Ethernet, etc. as well as different data rates. A transponder can automatically detect the client signal type and data rate and respond by processing the received signal appropriately, notifying a control processor, and invoking an appropriate performance monitoring method. This maximizes the network operator's flexibility and ease of configuration.
US07751723B2

Methods and apparatus for monitoring the power level of one or more optical emitters are provided. In some embodiments, optical signals from two or more optical emitters are directed at different regions of a photo detector. The photo detector may include two or more spaced contacts that are adapted to receive different contributions of photo current from each of the optical signals. By monitoring the photo currents in the two or more spaced contacts, a measure of the optical power of each of the optical signals may be determined.
US07751720B2

System and method for dispersion compensation tuning for a WDM optical transmission system. A tunable dispersion compensation module (4) is located at or substantially close to a transmitting end of the optical transmission line (2) and at least one distributed Raman amplifier having an Raman pump (1) is coupled to the transmission line 2. The dispersion compensation is controlled by means of a signal derived from the Raman pump (1) which is fed through a control loop (3) to the tunable dispersion compensation module (4).
US07751713B2

Embodiments of the present invention route a WDM signal across multiple communication paths using skew characteristics of at least some of the communication paths. The network is an optical transport network, using either circuit or packet based switching, and wavelength division multiplexed wavelengths and/or optical carrier groups (“OCGs”) over a fiber link to another node in the network. The plurality of communication paths involves different signal and path attributes such as a plurality of carrier wavelengths, optical carrier groups, physical communication paths (different nodes, different fibers along a same path, or any combination of the foregoing), or any other differentiating factors between two paths.
US07751694B2

The present invention provides a three-dimensional endoscope system comprising a three-dimensional imaging device and a three-dimensional display device using a variable focal length micromirror array lens. The micromirror array lens has enough focusing speed and focusing depth range for three-dimensional imaging and realistic three-dimensional display.
US07751687B2

A data processing apparatus for outputting a plurality of picture data forming reproduced data to a reproduction apparatus for reproduction, the data processing apparatus having a processing circuit for judging if the reproduction rate of the picture data by the reproduction apparatus is slower than a transfer rate for transferring the picture data to the reproduction apparatus and outputting all of the picture data forming the reproduced data to the reproduction apparatus when judging as a result of the judgment that the reproduction rate is slower than the transfer rate.
US07751686B2

In the case where rate information is not transmitted on an input bit stream, it was difficult to efficiently record the input bit stream in accordance with the rate of the input bit stream. Therefore, a data recording apparatus is realized which comprises: signal processing means of coding the input bit stream to a recording signal; a packet counter section that counts the number of packets serving as constituting units of the input bit stream, for a fixed time period; a system controller that controls a recording rate on a tape-like recording medium; and recording means of recording the recording signal on the tape-like recording medium, and which is configured so as to calculate the rate of the input bit stream from an output of the packet counter section to control the recording rate, whereby recording can be efficiently conducted in accordance with the rate of an input signal.
US07751681B2

Time-series data are recorded retroactively from a time point precedent to a time point of definitively starting recording. Provided is a time-series data recording device for recording time-series data, which includes, a control unit having first characteristic detecting means for detecting a first characteristic to be a candidate for a record starting time point of the time-series data, a temporary storage unit for storing information concerning a first time point representing occurrence of the first characteristic, and second characteristic detecting means for detecting a second characteristic to determine record starting of the time-series data, a first recording unit for recording the time-series data after a second time point representing detection of the second characteristic, and a second recording unit for recording the time-series data between the first time point and the second time point.
US07751666B2

An optical tube assembly having at least one optical waveguide, at least one dry insert, and a tube. The at least one optical waveguide is disposed within the tube and generally surrounds the at least one optical waveguide. In one embodiment, the dry insert has a first layer comprising a felt having at least one type of non-continuous filament. The dry insert may also include a plurality of water-swellable filaments. In another embodiment, a dry insert has a first layer, a second layer, and a plurality of water-swellable filaments. The first and second layers are attached together at least along the longitudinal edges thereof, thereby forming at least one compartment between the first and second layers and the plurality of water-swellable filaments are generally disposed in the at least one compartment. The dry insert also is advantageous in tubeless cable designs.
US07751663B2

The disclosure generally involves an optical (perhaps flat panel) display utilizing backside reflection for time-multiplexed optical shuttering. One display comprises a side-illuminated light guide associated with conditions for total internal reflection. A first surface of the light guide is elastomeric. Disposed against this elastomeric surface is an active layer that selectively deforms the elastomeric surface in locations that can correspond to display pixels. This resulting change in the geometry of the elastomeric surface can be sufficient to defeat the conditions for total internal reflection. When appropriate, light is reflected by the particular deformation and is ejected from another surface of the light guide. In this case, each location that allows light to exit could represent an activated display pixel. In certain situations, color flat panel displays of varying sizes may further implement field sequential color and time-multiplexed optical shuttering.
US07751660B2

An optoelectric composite wiring module includes: a pair of optical circuit sections, each including an optical element that performs photoelectric conversion and that receives or outputs an optical signal; an optical wiring section including an optical wiring that transmit the optical signal between the pair of optical circuit sections; and an electric wiring section including an electric wiring that transmits an electric power or electric signal that is not related to the photoelectric conversion, the electric wiring section including a first portion being stacked above the optical wiring section and a second portion being separated from and not stacked above each of the pair of optical circuit sections.
US07751659B2

An optical chassis includes a mount substrate an optoelectronic device on the mount substrate, a spacer substrate, and a sealer substrate. The mount substrate, the spacer substrate and the sealer substrate are vertically stacked and hermetically sealing the optoelectronic device. An external electrical contact for the optoelectronic device is provided outside the sealing. At least part of the optical chassis may be made on a wafer level. A passive optical element may be provided on the sealer substrate or on another substrate stacked and secured thereto.
US07751643B2

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for reducing uneven brightness in an image from a particle based image system. This uneven brightness is most often seen as regions of shadow, but may also be seen as regions of over brightness. In cases where the uneven brightness is in the form of shadowing, the method corrects for the shadowy regions by first identifying the area of shadow, obtaining brightness information from a region near the shadow, where the brightness is optimal, applying statistical methods to determine the measured brightness as a regression function of the optimal brightness, and number and proximity of shadowy objects, then correcting the shadow area brightness by calculating the inverse of the function of the shadow brightness. With this method, the brightness within the shadowy or over brightness regions are corrected to appear at a substantially similar level of brightness as the region of optimal brightness in the image.
US07751642B1

An image processing method comprises receiving a raw color image as produced by an image sensor. A color image having a plurality of pixels is generated by processing raw image data from said raw color image, wherein pixels for which color values are absent in said raw image data are assigned color values derived from present color values in said raw image data. A sharpening term is generated by processing raw image data from said raw color image. Then, an improved color image is produced by combining said color image with said sharpening term. The raw color image may be a Bayer image, and the image processing method may be implemented in a cost and power efficient integrated circuit using limited memory.
US07751632B2

An Intelligent, dynamic, long-term digital Surveillance Media storage System (ISMS), proposes an intelligent, dynamic, digital media storage mechanism for digital surveillance applications that can analyze media streams in real-time and provide flexible, scalable, and self-adjustable encoding and indexing mechanisms based on actual needs for digital surveillance systems. The system includes several subsystems, such as: (1) a media stream retriever/receiver; (2) a content-based description generator; (3) an intelligent engine with metadata description storage and media file storage (4) an event manager; (5) a media stream writer; and (6) an encoding optimizer.
US07751623B1

A handwriting guide including an active and/or inactive writing guide is rendered by displaying a shaded outline object having a line for receiving electronic ink, displaying the active writing guide thereby indicating a location of a current active context, and expanding the active and/or inactive writing guide up to a maximum width of the outline object in response to receiving more electronic ink within a line. The active writing guide can comprise a bracket displayed on each corner of a writing area distinguished on a line and can correspond to an insertion point upon switching to text mode. A drawing guide that includes an active and/or inactive drawing guide is rendered by displaying a shaded drawing guide and the active drawing guide in response to detecting ink strokes within the drawing guide. The active drawing guide can comprise a bounding rectangle encompassing a drawing area that receives ink strokes.
US07751620B1

In some embodiments, image spam is identified by comparing color histograms of suspected spam images with color histograms of reference (known) images. The histogram comparison includes comparing a first color content in a query image with a range of similar color contents in the reference image. For example, a pixel count for a given color in the query image may be compared to pixel counts for a range of similar colors in the reference image. A histogram distance between two images may be determined according to a computed pixel count difference between the given query histogram color and a selected color in the range of similar reference histogram colors.
US07751618B2

A color chart and an illumination unevenness correcting chart are shot by a digital camera 1 under the same illumination, and color data on a first image obtained by shooting the color chart and color data on a second image obtained by shooting the illumination unevenness correcting chart are input to a color processing parameter editing apparatus 2 for generating a color processing condition used in color processing to be performed on an image shot by the digital camera 1. A correcting unit 204 corrects the color data on the first image using the color data on the second image. Target color data corresponding to the corrected color data on the first image is input. A parameter optimizing unit 205 generates a color processing condition for converting the corrected color data on the first image into the target color data.
US07751614B2

A color scheme suitable for a captured position is performed on a portion except a captured image based on position information of the captured image. The album creating apparatus according to the present invention includes a captured position specifying section that specifies a captured position at which a captured image constituting an album is taken, an image storing section that stores a captured images in association with a captured position, an image classifying section that classifies a plurality of captured images stored on the image storing section into captured image groups based on the captured position, a color selecting section that selects a color to be used in a portion except the captured image in the album based on the captured position specified by the captured position specifying section, a color adding section that uses the color selected by the color selecting section to add color to the portion except the captured image in the album, and an image arranging section.
US07751613B2

A method for rapidly building image space relation using plane filtering limitation is provided. The method comprises first getting a plurality of continuous image data taken from different shooting angles. Then, a plurality of feature points of the image data is initialized. Next, a number of feature points of those image data is randomly extracted and compared to determine whether the compared feature points are coplanar or not. When the selected feature points are not coplanar, an epipolar fundamental matrix is calculated according to the selected feature points. On the contrary, when the selected feature points are coplanar, a medium error value for all the feature points is set as a maximum value.
US07751610B2

Provided is an image recognition method in which a first pattern area which is set inside a target to be recognized and a second pattern area which is set outside the target are used as a mask pattern. When a comparison circuit judges that a difference obtained by subtracting, by a differential circuit, the largest luminance value in the target image contained in the first pattern area, which is detected by a largest value detection circuit, from the smallest luminance value in the target image contained in the second pattern area, which is detected by the smallest value detection circuit, is larger than a certain offset amount, the matching judgement that a predetermined pattern is present is made. This recognition judgment is performed with the whole target image being scanned.
US07751605B2

A method and a device are disclosed for visualizing a sequence of tomographic image data records of an examination volume that has been recorded at a time interval from one another. In at least one embodiment of the method, the image data records are firstly registered with one another. On the basis of the registration with regard to a display perspective and a displayed volume region identical views are generated from at least three of the image data records and displayed on an imaging surface of a graphic display unit in a fashion superposed on one another with adjustable weighting and/or adjustable transparency. For the superposed display, there are inserted on the imaging surface one or more controllers by whose interactive operation an operator can adjust or vary the weighting and/or transparency with which the at least three views are superposed. The present method and the associated device, in at least one embodiment, allow an operator to evaluate the corresponding image data records with a reduced outlay on time.
US07751599B2

A method for driving virtual facial expressions by automatically detecting facial expressions of a face image is applied to a digital image capturing device. The method includes the steps of detecting a face image captured by the image capturing device and images of a plurality of facial features with different facial expressions to obtain a key point position of each facial feature on the face image; mapping the key point positions to a virtual face as the key point positions of corresponding facial features on the virtual face; dynamically tracking the key point of each facial feature on the face image; estimating the key point positions of each facial feature of the current face image according to the key point positions of each facial feature on a previous face image; and correcting the key point positions of the corresponding facial features on the virtual face.
US07751596B2

Methods and arrangements for identifying content, and employing such identification, are detailed. One method embeds a plural-bit digital watermark into content, but first checks to see if the content is previously watermarked. Another method applies a digital watermark detection procedure to only a sub-portion of a digital content item. Yet another arrangement involves plural-portion content, where one portion is watermarked with first data governing its rights management, and another portion is watermarked with second data governing its rights management. Still another method concerns distribution of content items, where each is watermarked with a unique ID as part of the distribution process. Yet another method concerns deriving an identifier from content, and using the content to access related metadata from a remote computer system. Still other methods concern arrangements for recognizing content, and then providing links to information about the content creator, etc., in response. A variety of other technologies and improvements are also detailed.
US07751595B2

Method and system for reconstructing seamless fingerprint image from set of image slices, or frames, from fingerprint swipe sensor. Robust normalized cross-correlation procedures are used for frame evaluation and image matching. Efficient use of device processing resources including memory by keeping only data frames that indicate moving finger and discards frames where no finger exists at sensor during acquisition or finger has not moved since last frame was acquired. Capability to adjust sensor settings during acquisition process to obtain optimal results. Logic ensures operation across different physical systems and sensor characteristics with varying acquisition speeds. Statistics regarding resulting reconstructed image and finger swiping process are computed and embedded in reconstructed image and are useful to the downstream fingerprint matching system, and by embedding in image, inventive system and method ensure that any fingerprint processing system can use information if when called upon to do so.
US07751594B2

Methods and systems are provided for performing a biometric function. A purported skin site of an individual is illuminated with white light. Light scattered from the purported skin site is received with a color imager on which the received light is incident. Spatially distributed images of the purported skin site are derived and correspond to different volumes of illuminated tissue of the individual. The images are analyzed to perform the biometric function.
US07751593B2

An image reading apparatus having a security function that realizes highly precise authentication and high operability while suppressing an increase in manufacturing cost. An original 10 is placed on a platen glass 12, and an authentication card 80 is placed on a security information reading section 101. An image sensor 25 reads an image of the original 10 placed on the platen glass 12 and security information stored in the authentication card 80 placed on the security information reading section 101. A control section 4 controls processing of the image of the original 10 read by the image sensor 25 in accordance with the security information read by the image sensor 25.
US07751587B2

A watermark information detection process prevents prolonging of time required for setup process when no watermark information can be detected from an optical disc where watermark information has been recorded. During a setup, the number of retrials is limited. Weighting of the retrial is changed so that detection of watermark information is performed when it is confirmed that watermark information is recorded. This enables detection of information for copyright protection in an appropriate processing time.
US07751580B2

The present invention relates to a system for improving a user's hearing and more particularly to a receiver system used in the system. In one embodiment, the receiver system has a housing and a plurality of arms extending from the housing for positioning and suspending the receiver within the ear canal of a user. Each of the arms may be formed from a flexible, plastic material or a bendable wire. In a second embodiment, the receiver system is surrounded by a disc formed from a sound filtering material. When installed in a combination instrument, the receiver is separated from the microphone. When installed in a tinnitus/hyperacusis device, the receiver is separated from the body of the instrument.
US07751563B2

A selective encryption encoder consistent with certain embodiments of the invention has vertical and/or horizontal stripes encrypted. In one embodiment, packets are examined in the digital video signal to identify a specified packet type, the specified packet type being both packets carrying intra-coded data representing a pattern of horizontal stripes across an image and packets carrying intra-coded data representing a pattern of vertical stripes across an image. The packets identified as being of the specified packet type are encrypted using a first encryption method to produce first encrypted packets. These first encrypted packets are then used to replace the unencrypted packets in the digital video signal to produce a partially encrypted video signal. The packets of the specified type can also be multiple encrypted and replaced in the data stream to produce a multiple encrypted video data stream. This abstract is not to be considered limiting since embodiments consistent with the present invention may incorporate more, fewer or differing elements than mentioned in this abstract.
US07751561B2

A multiple partial encryption device consistent with certain embodiments has an input for receiving a unencrypted video signal. An encryption arrangement produces a partially multiple encrypted video signal from the unencrypted video signal. An output provides the partially multiple encrypted video signal. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US07751557B2

A method and apparatus are disclosed for efficiently de-scrambling one or more bytes of data according to DSL standards on a processor. This is achieved by providing an instruction for de-scrambling one or more bytes of data according to the DSL standards. Accordingly, the invention advantageously provides a processor with the ability to de-scramble data with a single instruction thus allowing for more efficient and faster de-scrambling operations for subsequent processing.
US07751555B2

According to one embodiment, an angle variable mechanism includes: a fixed unit that has guide surfaces and coaxial shaft portions; a movable unit that includes an outer surface, a concave portion having side surfaces, guide grooves, and notches; and a lock member that is swingably supported with the fixed unit and interposed between the side surfaces. The lock member has convex portions. The convex portions are slidably fitted to the guide grooves through the notches. Each of the convex portions has end portions. A length of the convex portion between the end portions is larger than an opening width of each of the notches. The end portion is formed thinner than another end portion, so that a gap is formed between the end portion and an inner surface of the guide groove.
US07751552B2

Communications are routed to an agent. An agent model is selected for each of a group of agents, based upon an identified modality of an incoming communication from a requester. An agent is determined corresponding to one of the selected agent models best matched to a requester corresponding to the incoming communication. A communication connection is established between the requester and the best matched agent.
US07751550B2

A method and apparatus are provided for retrievably storing information within an automatic contact distributor system within a database that is accessible through the Internet. The method includes the steps of saving the information from the automatic call distributor system within the database using a SIP REGISTER message and retrieving the information through the Internet using a SIP SUBSCRIBE message.
US07751549B1

A tandem switch migration method is provided according to the invention. The tandem switch migration method migrates at least some end users from an old tandem switch of a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to a new tandem switch using a Local Number Portability (LNP) capability. The method includes configuring a Local Routing Number (LRN) information of the PSTN in order to direct inbound cells from the PSTN through the new tandem switch and to an old node. The method further includes programming routing information of the new tandem switch to direct inbound calls from the PSTN to a new node after at least a portion of end users of the old node have been physically moved from the old node to the new node.
US07751547B2

A method and apparatus are disclosed that enable a call-processing server to extend a received call out to a telecommunications terminal endpoint, wherein the terminal, such as a hotel room phone, is local to and accessible only through an intermediate point, such as a hotel switchboard. Also disclosed are a method and apparatus that enable a data-processing system, such as a server, to determine whether or not to grant a telecommunications terminal endpoint one or more privileges, without some of the disadvantages of the prior art. The methods and apparatus that are taught in this disclosure can be used for extending the incoming call to the endpoint independently of or in the absence of determining whether or not to grant privileges to the endpoint.
US07751546B2

In a call transfer of a call there is an original calling network device, an original recipient of the call, and a transferee of the call. Systems, network devices, and methods are provided for delivering local call transfer functionality. Each network device is capable of functioning in the capacity of any one or more of the above three roles, namely, originator, original recipient, and transferee by providing local call transfer functionality. There is no requirement for central processing equipment used to provide local call transfer functionality for transferring calls.
US07751543B1

Systems and methods for button-independent dispatch communications are provided. A dispatch station monitors a microphone input to determine whether it provides voice information. When the input provides voice information, the dispatch station then determines whether the floor of the dispatch communication is open. When the floor is open, the dispatch station seizes the floor and transmits the voice information. When the floor is not open, the dispatch station can store the voice information and transmit it once the dispatch station is able to seize the floor.
US07751542B2

A system and method for permitting an initiator of a communication session request and a recipient of the communication session request to quickly negotiate the beginning of a communication session, such as a phone call, wherein the negotiation is performed based on the expressed current need and the current availability of the recipient.
US07751539B2

In order to provide a telecommunication control system for determining the most appropriate connection configuration according to a connection configuration requested by a caller terminal and a receiver terminal, the telecommunication control system comprises a caller priority call category judgment unit for generating a first priority call category identifier by judging a priority call category from first connection configuration information; a priority call category identifier notification unit for notifying a receiver side telecommunication control system of the first priority call category identifier; a requested call category judgment unit for judging a requested call category from a first priority call category identifier; a requested call category notification unit for notifying the receiver terminal of the requested call category; a receiver priority call category judgment unit for generating a second priority call category identifier from second connection configuration information; a connection call category judgment unit for judging a connection call category from the first priority call category identifier and second priority call category identifier; and a telecommunication establishment unit for making telecommunication established by the connection call category.
US07751535B2

A system for implementing voice services can include at least one virtual machine, such as a Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE) virtual machine. The virtual machine can include a bean container for handling software beans, such as Enterprise Java Beans. The bean container can include a voice browser bean. The voice browser bean can include a VoiceXML browser.
US07751534B2

A voice-image e-mail transmitter device that is designed for emergency and surveillance purposes is disclosed. This device converts voice signals and picture images into digital format, which are transmitted to the nearest voice-image message receiving station from where the digital signal strings are parsed and converted into audio and image files, such as “.wav” and “.jpeg” files. The generated files are attached to e-mails and delivered to pre-defined e-mail addresses and a 911 rescue team. The message information includes the caller's voice, pictures of a potential attacker, time the message was sent and received, device serial number, and approximate location of the caller. An external camera and microphone may be connected by wire or wireless means to a CPU element in a base portion of the voice-image e-mail transmitter device. Data may be recorded and sent within seconds by simply pressing and releasing a push button on the device.
US07751518B2

The present invention describes a method and a system for executing preamble detection, symbol timing recovery, and frequency offset estimation that are applied to a PHS system for executing the preamble symbol detection and timing recovery. The system includes a first absolute value circuit, an average circuit, a multiplier, a sample and accumulate circuit coupled to the multiplier, a second absolute value circuit, a first compare circuit, and a second compare circuit, such that the system with the foregoing structure can detect a preamble symbol by less symbols while performing a timing recovery. The invention also describes a frequency offset computation method and its circuit.
US07751512B2

Method and apparatus for performing midamble cancellation to remove midamble interference from the convolution tail of data field 1 and the first W-1 chips of the midamble field which results from the delay spread of the multipath channel and for canceling the first W-1 chip midamble spread in the data field 2, which operations are performed substantially simultaneously. The received burst, typically a TDD burst, is stored, the midamble interference and the corresponding parts in the received burst is removed and the resulting burst is applied to a multi-user detector to obtain the symbol sequences.
US07751508B2

A system and method for determining a frequency correction for a received signal having a transmission frequency, including first and second frequency error tracking loops where the first tracking loop corrects frequency errors over a maximum range of frequencies and the second frequency tracking loop corrects frequency errors that are multiples of the maximum range of frequencies.
US07751499B2

A flexible and resource-efficient despreading-on-demand (DoD) technique is described where only channels that actually contain data to be despread are despread, and only a single despreading operation need be performed using the actual spreading factor associated with that data. In one example, the data portion of the received signal is buffered for a frame so that an associated transport format, including the actual spreading factor, can be determined before the data is despread. The data is buffered in a memory at a first rate and then subsequently read out at a second rate that is considerably faster than the first rate. The fast data read-out allows despreading at a high rate so that the despread data symbols from the buffered frame are available for further processing shortly after the last sample belonging to the frame has been received.
US07751498B2

The invention provides a semiconductor device with high yield by reducing an effect of variations in characteristics of a semiconductor element. Further, by reducing an effect of variations in characteristics of a semiconductor element to improve productivity, an inexpensive semiconductor device can be provided. Further, an inexpensive semiconductor device can be provided by forming a semiconductor device in a large amount over a large substrate such as a glass substrate and a flexible substrate. A semiconductor device of the invention includes a demodulation signal generating circuit and an antenna or a wire for connecting the antenna. The demodulation signal generating circuit includes a demodulation circuit and a correction circuit. The correction circuit corrects a first demodulation signal generated from the demodulation circuit and generates a second demodulation signal.
US07751496B2

The invention relates to a system for electromagnetic processing of an input wave involving the steps of receiving a modified signal derived from two or more signals that represent the input wave when combined; and regulating the modified signal using a digital signal containing at least one characteristic of the two or more signals. Embodiments of the invention may utilize in-phase and quadrature phase signals, where the magnitude portion of the signals may be used for regulating the modified signal. The modified signal may be created by modulating a characteristic of the I, Q signals, such as their sign, with an RF or other frequency carrier wave.
US07751489B2

An aspect of the invention relates to a digital generator for multi-carrier frequency division multiplexing (FDM) signals. The digital generator comprises an electronic circuit being operated under the control of a computer program. The digital generator is configured to generate FDM signals being comprised of FDM symbols, wherein at least one FDM symbol has pilot symbols which are non-equidistantly spaced in frequency. Another aspect of the invention relates to a digital receiver for multi-carrier FDM signals. The digital receiver comprises an electronic circuit being operated under the control of a computer program, and further comprises a demodulator for demodulating digital multi-carrier FDM signals, said signals being comprised of FDM symbols having pilot symbols, the pilot symbols of at least one FDM symbol being non-equidistantly spaced in frequency. Furthermore, it comprises a signal modification unit, said unit being configured to replace, on a sub-carrier basis, at least one data symbol with a pilot symbol, whereby the replacement yields a spacing of pilot symbols which is equidistant in frequency for all FDM symbols.
US07751488B2

A system and device communicates data. A modulation and mapping circuit modulates and maps data symbols into a plurality of multiple subcarrier frequencies that are orthogonal to each other to form an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) communications signal based on a fixed or variable OFDM symbol rate. A pseudo-random signal generator is operative with the modulation and mapping circuit for generating pseudo-random signals to the modulation and mapping circuit based on an encryption algorithm for frequency hopping each subcarrier at an OFDM symbol rate to lower any probability of interception and detection, reduced power per frequency (dB/Hz/sec), and lower any required transmission power while maintaining an instantaneous signal-to-noise ratio.
US07751487B2

A multiband OFDM_UWB transmitting and receiving apparatus is provided in Low-IF configuration to solve problems attributed to a direct-conversion transmitting and receiving apparatus. A Low-IF receiver performs sorting by rotating a sub-carrier after FFT to eliminate the need for frequency conversion using a second local signal and uses the same AD conversion clock as that for a direct conversion receiver. An FFT-free preamble can be detected by using a sequence resulting from previously multiplying an original preamble pattern and an IF frequency together.
US07751485B2

Data coding and entropy coding are performed with interconnection, and grouping is used to enhance coding efficiency. The present invention includes the steps of obtaining a group reference value corresponding to a plurality of data included in one group through first grouping and external grouping for the first grouping and a difference value corresponding to the group reference value and obtaining the data using the group reference value and the difference value.
US07751483B1

A video codec that allows for improved performance of embedded devices using vector quantization and the high correlation between frames in a scene to reduce the overhead associated with displaying video data. Video coding includes determining scene changes in a movie, producing one codebook for each scene, and coding each frame within a scene with the same codebook. The quantized video data is then losslessly compressed and formed into a video stream. Video decoding includes decoding the codebook for a frame and supplying the codebook and frame indices for frame rendering. Alternatively, video coding also includes dividing CPU time between codebook processing, indices processing, and frame rendering to ensure smooth video output.
US07751478B2

A prediction mode for encoding data is selected using a reduced number of rate-distortion cost computations. This reduction in rate-distortion cost computations is caused by filtering the number of potential intra prediction modes based on two criteria. First, the number of potential prediction modes is reduced based on at least one characteristic of a quantization procedure performed during the encoding procedure. Second, the number of potential prediction modes is reduced based on an error value calculated for each of the potential prediction modes.
US07751477B2

Communications signal transcoder. A solution is provided to transcode a signal from a first signal type to a second signal type to ensure proper interfacing between devices that may operate using different signal types. For example, within a communication system, a first signal type (having a first modulation type, e.g., 8 PSK) may be received. The transcoder then ensures that this signal, after it has undergone any initial processing (such as tuning, down-converting, decoding, and so on), is encoded into a second signal type (having a second modulation type, e.g., QPSK) such that it can interface properly with a device for which the received signal is intended. This transcoder functionality may be implemented within discrete components, or it may alternatively be integrated within a functional block of an integrated circuit. This functionality may be implemented in a variety of communication systems including satellite, cable television, Internet, and others.
US07751467B2

Signal processing delays are selected from a candidate set in a wireless receiver based on both present and past channel behavior. According to one embodiment, a subset of signal processing delays are selected for received signal processing by accumulating a history of periodic delay selection computations for a candidate set of signal processing delays during a time interval. The delay selection calculations are based on cross-correlations between different ones of the signal processing delays. At the end of the time interval, a subset of the signal processing delays are selected from the candidate set of delays for received signal processing based on the history of delay selection computations.
US07751464B2

A method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving data by performing an iterative multi-user detection is provided. The apparatus includes: a receives a transmission signal and generates a received signal, the transmission signal being generated by modulating a single carrier signal via a modulation process, specialized for each user, in a wireless communication system; an interference canceled signal generator which generates an interference canceled signal by canceling a signal interference using a demodulated signal with respect to the received signal, the signal interference being caused by an other user; and a demodulated signal generator which generates the demodulated signal by demodulating the received signal via a demodulation process using the interference canceled signal, the demodulation process being specialized for each user, wherein the demodulated signal, which is generated by performing the generating of the interference canceled signal and the generating of the demodulated signal at least once, is adopted as a final demodulated signal.
US07751461B2

An excimer laser cavity is disclosed which includes at least one grating-prism (grism) and a wavelength-selective diffraction grating arranged in sequence. The grism grating surface faces the gain medium and produces an expanded beam which is diffracted on the same side of the prism grating surface normal as the incident beam. The expanded diffracted beam is transmitted through a second surface of the grism either to another grating surface of an additional grism or to a wavelength-selective diffraction grating operating in Littrow configuration. The laser produces a laser output beam with a narrow spectral linewidth which is suitable, in particular, for lithography applications.
US07751450B2

A watermark is inserted or overwritten into a packetized voice stream in a VoIP environment to characterize the voice data stream for various functions, such as providing certain in-band audible information or markers for detection. A visual type of marker can be inserted to measure delay for various applications, such as the round trip delay associated with providing directory assistance services, including measuring the delay from providing a prompt to a caller to the their response. The visual marker facilitates use of processes to detect measuring points for measuring delays. Audible markers can be used to provide various types of audible signals, including informational tones to agents, as well as announcements to callers.
US07751445B2

A base station apparatus in a CDMA/TDD mobile communication system is provided. A signal is formed employing a frame configuration with a plurality of time slots and spreading processing utilizes a long spreading code for identifying a cell and a short spreading code for acquiring frame synchronization. The base station apparatus includes a first control channel former that forms a first control channel including a symbol that is spread by a first short spreading code. A second control channel former forms a second control channel including a symbol spread by a second short spreading code and positioned at a same timing as the symbol spread by the first short spreading code.
US07751443B2

A switching device and methods thereof are disclosed. One of the methods includes an arbitration process for communicating a data payload between interface modules. A first intra-chassis packet is sent by a source interface module to the target interface module. The first intra-chassis packet represents a request for permission to transmit a data payload to the target interface. A second intra-chassis packet is received at the source interface module from the target interface module indicating whether the request has been approved. If the request is approved, the source interface module sends a third intra-chassis packet comprising at least a portion of the data payload to the target interface module.
US07751437B2

A method and apparatus for adaptively obtaining bandwidth requests in a broadband wireless communication system. The method and apparatus includes dynamically varying technique combinations enabling a plurality of users to efficiently request bandwidth from a shared base station. A user may “piggyback” a new bandwidth request upon, or set a “poll-me bit” within, presently allocated bandwidth. A base station may poll users, individually or in groups, by allocating unrequested bandwidth for new requests. Polling may respond to a “poll-me bit,” and/or it may be adaptively periodic at a rate based on communication status parameters, such as recent communication activity and connection QoS levels. Group polling permits a possibility of collisions. Polling policies may be established for dynamically varying user groups, or may be determined for each user. Dynamic selection of appropriate polling techniques makes use of efficiency benefits associated with each technique.
US07751431B2

A communication unit (105) includes a communication interface, for transmitting and receiving communications when operably connected to a first communication network; and a processor cooperatively operable with the communication interface. Responsive to receipt of an utterance, the communication unit (105) can perform a fetch (109) over the communication interface and can transmit a first message (107) having the utterance over the communication interface. The communication unit (105) can receive a second message (113) having a result (111) of a recognition of the utterance from the communication interface in response to the fetch (109).
US07751424B2

A communication method for a CSMA network including a radio terminal and a base station supporting RTS/CTS, includes: the base station transmitting an RTS frame to the radio terminal during a transmission-suspend-period in which the radio terminal suspends transmission to prevent a collision of packets; the radio terminal transmitting an RTR frame to the base station after the transmission-suspend-period has elapsed; and the base station transmitting a data frame to the radio terminal in response to the RTR frame.
US07751422B2

A method according to one embodiment may include receiving one or more packets from at least one external device and storing one or more packets in at least one queue in memory, the memory includes a plurality of queues and a plurality of queue descriptors having pointer information to point to a queue. The method may also include grouping a plurality of queues to form a group of queues; generating a group tag that associates the group of queues; storing said group tag in a register in a content addressable memory (CAM); and mapping the queue descriptors for each queue in the group of queues into a queue array, the group tag may point to more than one of the queue descriptors in the queue array. Of course, many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment.
US07751421B2

A switch in a data communications network for performing traffic generation in addition to standard switching and routing operations is disclosed. The switch uses a fixed number of test packets retained in a conventional switch buffer to produce one or more infinite packet streams transmitted to a router under test (RUT). The switching device enqueues packets in the priority queues, dequeues the packets from the priority queues, transmits the dequeued packets to the RUT, and re-enqueues a copy of the dequeued packets into the priority queues from which they were dequeued. The enqueued packets and associated pointers to packets are organized into linked lists. By re-writing a copy of each dequeued packet to the tail of a linked list and updating the pointers, the switch produces repeatable streams of test packets. The priority buffers, without the re-write operation, may also be used for conventional egress traffic.
US07751420B2

In a wireless network, access points communicate with each other by transmitting and receiving data in first units and with client devices by transmitting and receiving data in second units over wireless links. A first unit encapsulates one or more second units addressed to client devices served by the same access point. Multiple second units encapsulated in a single first unit are transmitted with a single first-unit header. This scheme enables more payload data to be delivered with less overhead than would be required if every second unit were to be encapsulated in a separate first unit.
US07751407B1

Controlling communication through a communication resource includes allocating a percentage of a maximum bandwidth of the communication resource to a subset of processes that communicate using the resource, determining a delay amount between I/O operations, where the delay amount corresponds to the percentage of bandwidth allocated to the subset of processes, and waiting an amount of time corresponding to the delay amount between I/O operations for the subset of processes. The delay amount may be increased in response to the actual I/O throughput being greater than an amount corresponding to the percentage of the maximum bandwidth allocated to the subset of processes. The delay amount may be decreased in response to the actual I/O throughput being less than an amount corresponding to the percentage of the maximum bandwidth allocated to the subset of processes.
US07751400B2

A packet that represents unknown traffic for a virtual host is received. A first test is performed to ascertain whether or not a destination connection can be determined for the received packet wherein, if a destination connection can be determined, a second test is performed to ascertain whether or not one or more connection-specific resources required to send the packet to a virtual host memory corresponding to the destination connection are available. If a destination connection for the packet cannot be determined, the packet is passed to a store engine. If the one or more connection-specific resources are not available, the packet is passed to the store engine. The store engine obtains a free packet buffer from a FIFO memory. The store engine moves the packet into the free packet buffer and submits the free packet buffer to the elastic FIFO memory. A monitoring procedure is performed to detect both an availability of connection-specific resources and a presence of one or more waiting packets with a known destination connection. When (i) a destination connection with one or more waiting packets, and (ii) available connection-specific resources, are both detected, removing the packet from the local data store; allocating the one or more connection-specific resources required to send the packet to the virtual host memory corresponding to the connection destination; and writing the packet to the virtual host memory.
US07751395B2

A method for preventing simultaneous issuance of two multicast flows, comprising a process of ceasing the transmission of a multicast flow upon an internet protocol set-top box (IP STB) being switched on; the ceasing of the multicast flow transmission can be initiated by the IP STB or by communication entities on the network side. The method provided by the present invention prevents simultaneous issuance of two multicast flows and thus eliminates unfavorable consequences of simultaneous issuance of two multicast flows, including picture quality loss and even abnormal restart of an IP STB, therefore the user experiences will be improved and user satisfaction will be distinctively increased.
US07751390B2

A method of managing traffic in an ad hoc network includes measuring local data traffic levels on at least one network resource. Criteria are established for different transmission media. A microutility of a data sample is evaluated and the data sample is transmitted through one or more media, the selection of the media being based upon evaluation of the microutility against the criteria.
US07751388B2

A broadband communication channel access network comprises an Ethernet device disposed in a serving area interface. The Ethernet device serves as an Ethernet bridge for a neighborhood service area. The Ethernet device communicates with a plurality of customer premises modems in the neighborhood service area. An Ethernet switch disposed at a central office communicates with the Ethernet device via a fiber optic medium using an Internet Protocol over a second Ethernet standard. The Ethernet switch provides a packet data core network termination.
US07751385B2

Methods and systems for assigning participant identifying data to network transmission events. Participant identifying data and identifying data related to a network transmission event are provided to a predetermined (also referred to as central) monitoring location and stored in a database at the central monitoring location.
US07751381B2

To provide a wireless base station comprising an array antenna which transmits packets to terminals, a packet scheduler which determines transmission sequence of the packets, a modulator which generates modulated signals based on the packets, and a beam former for transmission signal which multiplies the packets with array weights for transmission signal and outputs the transmission signal to the array antenna the beam former for transmission signal comprises a memory which stores the array weights for transmission signal associated with the terminals' IDs. The beam former for transmission signal receives the IDs of selected terminals from the packet scheduler, refers to the memory, and selects the array weights for transmission signal by the IDs of the terminals.
US07751380B2

A wireless device in a discoverable mode controls its visibility by determining whether to ignore or respond to an inquiry, received from an inquiring device, based at least in part on one or more properties of the inquiring device.
US07751376B2

In a network system including base stations accommodated in a mobile phone network through an IP network, when a mobile phone terminal as a calling terminal makes a calling request and the calling request from the calling terminal is sent through a source base station to the mobile phone network and then from the mobile phone network through a destination base station to a mobile phone terminal as a called terminal, it is judged whether the source base station and the destination base station are both connected to the mobile phone network through the same IP network, and when the source base station and the destination base station are both connected to the mobile phone network through the same IP network, a data transmission path is established between the calling terminal and the called terminal that directly connects the source base station and the destination base station through the same IP network and without via the mobile phone network.
US07751375B2

A communications system and protocol are described for wirelessly interconnecting a pair of bed and wall units that communicate the patient information, including bed exit alerts, from the patient supporting equipment to the hospital nurse call system. A linking procedure is provided for establishing a communications link to interconnect the pair of units, wherein the communications link fails upon detection of a third communications device simultaneously undergoing the link attempt mode. In one embodiment, the system provides for advanced collision detection by monitoring corruption of the end-of-packet byte within the periodic check-in message sequences between the linked units to prevent data corruption and future collisions. To ensure prompt interconnection of units, embodiments of the invention provide for a link reminder to alert the health care provider to initiate the steps for linking the bed and wall units whenever two or more unlinked units are in proximity.
US07751372B2

In a duplex radio link digital data information is transmitted to a remote terminal at a constant symbol rate in accordance with a selected data rate mode that is a function of direct sequence spreading gain, error correction code rate, and signal constellation type. The data rate is adapted by selecting a data rate mode that is a function of a data packet arrival rate and a link quality measure fed back from the remote terminal. The data packet arrival rate is controlled as a function of the link quality measure and the current data packet arrival rate. In systems with multiple transmit diversity channels, independent data is sent over each of the transmit diversity channels. In an idealized feedback communication example, a single antenna troposcatter system in a Ku-band application is shown to have 15.5 times the data rate capability of a conventional two-antenna system at S-band.
US07751368B2

Methods and apparatuses for reducing an amount of bandwidth required for feedback to a transmitter station in a closed-loop multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system are described herein. The methods may include initially measuring at a receiver station channel qualities associated with receiving signals from a transmitter station for a first and a second spatial channel, the transmitter and receiver stations employing a closed-loop MIMO system. The receiver station may then determine a first and a second channel quality indicator (CQI) based on the measured channel qualities and may then transmit to the transmitter station the first and the second CQI to directly and indirectly identify a first and a second modulation coding scheme (MCS) entry among a plurality of ordered MCS entries, respectively. The second MCS entry being one of a selected subset of lower ordered MCS entries relative to the first MCS entry. The transmitter station may selectively use the first and the second identified MCS to transmit signals to the receiver station over the first and the second spatial channel, respectively.
US07751364B2

A system is provided for transmitting/receiving downlink resource allocation information in a communication system. In the system, a base station generates first information including downlink resource allocation information necessary for supporting a first mode supported by the base station, generates second information including length information of the first information, and transmits the first information and the second information. A mobile station notifies the base station of a second mode supported by the mobile station, receives, after the notification, the first information and the second information from the base station, and skips without decoding as much downlink resource allocation information as a length corresponding to the length information without decoding, if the first mode is different from the second mode.
US07751360B2

In a wireless packet transmission system that includes multiple wireless basestations and one or more wireless terminals belonging to one of the wireless basestations, transmission trees extending from two or more wireless basestations as root stations are used. Each of the wireless basestations has a tree table configured to record the root stations in association with the ID information about the transmission trees. When receiving a packet, each of the wireless basestations determines the transmission tree to be used for the packet transmission, and transmits the packet to a next node along the determined transmission tree.
US07751354B2

The present invention provides a method involving a corresponding node and a mobile node having a first session for multimedia communication. The first session includes a plurality of streams having a corresponding plurality of endpoints. The method includes providing, from a network entity, a first message to the corresponding node requesting transfer of at least one of the plurality of stream endpoints to at least one third node. The method also includes providing, from the network entity, at least one second message inviting the at least one third node to accept transfer of the at least one of the plurality of stream endpoints from the mobile node. The method further includes providing, from the network entity, a third message inviting the mobile node to modify the first session to transfer the at least one of the plurality of stream endpoints to the at least one third node.
US07751347B2

A converged conferencing appliance having at least one voice port and one data port for managing multi-device conferences allowing multiple participants to concurrently connect diverse devices over public switched, mobile, IP, wireless local or wide area, personal networks, and cable or fixed wireless networks. Each of the ports can be connected to an individual, respective device and all of the ports can be configured for simultaneous operation. In addition to the voice and data ports, at least one broadband port and at least one wireless port can be provided in the appliance. A mechanism is also provided to synchronize multi-modal communications and conferences among a number of users. Participants may participate in integrated voice, data and video conferences by simultaneously connecting from one or more devices such as traditional phones, mobile phones, voice and data capable smart phones, computers, VoIP devices, wireless devices and other intelligent handheld devices.
US07751342B2

A method for determining a topology of an apparatus for processing physical documents. The apparatus comprises processing modules and a central control unit. The central control unit and the processing modules are connected by central communication connections. A module communication connection connects the processing modules in series. The module communication connection has a data flow direction with a predetermined orientation with respect to the processing direction.A processing module upstream in the data flow direction sends first network configuration data. The first network configuration data represents the topology of an upstream part of the data communication network located upstream of the downstream processing module and contains the upstream processing module. A downstream processing module generates second network configuration data on the basis of the first configuration data, which represents the topology of the part of the data communication network that contains the downstream processing module and the part located upstream of the downstream processing module. The downstream processing module sends the second network configuration data to the central control unit. The central control unit determines the topology on the basis thereof.
US07751339B2

A method and apparatus for configuring an appliance, such as a network node, for performing s service, such as communicating with a network, controlled by a service provider include inserting into an Ethernet port on the appliance an Ethernet couple on a device that is usually small compared to the appliance. The device is configured to send through the Ethernet couple without human intervention an Internet Protocol (IP) data packet that is directed to a logical port of an established standard, such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) port 80. The IP data packet includes appliance configuration data in a message form for the established standard, such as an HTTP POST. As a result, the appliance is configured automatically for performing the service controlled by the service provider.
US07751337B2

A system and method for monitoring and adjusting the data transmission rate of a forward link RF signal from a base station to a mobile platform to maintain a desired, minimum link margin with each of the mobile platforms. The system involves using a signal quality monitoring subsystem carried by each mobile platform during the normal course of its operation to transmit signal quality information via a return link to the base station. The base station uses the signal quality information to monitor and adjust the signal quality of subsequent forward link signals transmitted to the mobile platforms in a manner that optimizes the data transmission rate of the forward link signals. The present invention better accounts for time varying factors that influence the signal quality of received forward link signals by the mobile platforms and obviates the need for mobile test platforms or other expensive and relatively complex methods for predicting needed data transmission rates for the forward link signals.
US07751331B1

A technique efficiently renders a policy-based decision from a plurality of options based on policy priority in a computer network. According to the novel technique, each of a plurality of policies is assigned an exclusive priority value, as well as a “variance” specifying an acceptable value range (e.g., a percentage). Beginning at the highest priority policy, values corresponding to the plurality of options are analyzed based upon the current priority policy, and a “best” option is determined according to the current policy. Thereafter, the variance for the current policy is applied to the value of the best option, defining a range of acceptable values for the current policy, and remaining options having an acceptable value for the current policy are established. If only one remaining option exists, that option is selected as the best option. Otherwise, the remaining options are analyzed based upon the next priority policy, a best option is determined, the variance is applied, and remaining options are established in the same manner, until a single best option exists.
US07751328B2

A system enables efficient flow control in computer network. In the preferred embodiment, when an entity detects an impending full condition, it cuts short its transmission of the current frame that is being sent, and immediately sends a pause signal. The entity also deliberately corrupts the error detection signature of the cut-off frame to ensure that whatever portion of it that may have been sent is discarded. After sending the pause signal, the entity re-sends the cut-off frame in its entirety. Upon receiving a pause signal, the receiving entity cuts short the current frame being transmitted to the entity that sent the pause signal. The receiving entity also corrupts the correction value of this cut-off frame. The receiving entity suspends its transmission of frames to the entity that sent the pause signal for a period of time. When the pause period expires, the receiving entity re-sends the cut-off frame in its entirety, and resumes the transmission of frames.
US07751326B2

A mobile communications system comprising a radio access network having a multiplicity of network sites organised in a multi-layered hierarchy and a traffic flow management system for controlling the routing of traffic flow through the network. The management system trades resource at the various network sites against a plurality of user Quality of Service parameters to achieve required contractual levels of commitment to a multiplicity of users.
US07751325B2

A sketch-based change detection technique is introduced for anomaly detection. The technique is capable of detecting significant changes in massive data streams with a large number of network time series. As part of the technique, we designed a variant of the sketch data structure, called k-ary sketch, uses a constant, small amount of memory, and has constant per-record update and reconstruction cost. A variety of time series forecast models are implemented on top of such summaries and detect significant changes by looking for flows with large forecast errors. Heuristics for automatically configuring the forecast model parameters are presented. Real Internet traffic data is used to demonstrate and validate the effectiveness of sketch-based change detection method for utilization as a building block for network anomaly detection and traffic measurement in large computer networks.
US07751320B2

A method includes receiving a request for admission of a new communications session to a data network. The requested admission is such that the new communications session is granted a first set of one or more bandwidth usages of a resource of the network in response to being admitted. Each of one or more admitted communications sessions concurrently has a granted set of one or more bandwidth usages of the resource. The method includes admitting the new communications session to the data network in response to a sum over each set of the largest bandwidth usage of the resource in the each set being larger than an effective input bandwidth of the resource. Each admitted communications session is able to access a bandwidth of the resource up to any of the one or more bandwidth usages in its own one of the sets.
US07751318B2

Methods and systems have been provided for constructing autonomous system (AS)-disjoint Traffic Engineering LSPs for load-balancing and protection purposes using AS-Level topology information in a network. The constructed network paths through a plurality of domains may be disjoint or partially disjoint.
US07751308B2

A method for synchronizing and identifying the cell code (scrambling code) of a cell in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) based cellular communication system is provided. In this method, desired cell is found by utilizing a frame structure of OFDM symbols and through a corresponding cell search procedure, where the frame structure has periodic signal pattern and contains the information about the cell code of the desired cell in common pilot channel (CPICH) signal. And, the cell search method utilizes the periodic property of the frame structure to detect frame timing, and the correlation property of CPICH signal to identify the cell code. The cell search method of the present invention offers the advantages of good link quality, fast acquisition, and low power consumption.
US07751306B2

Embodiments of the invention relate to a method of generating digital multi-carrier frequency division multiplexing (FDM) signals, the signals comprising FDM symbols having pilot symbols, wherein at least one FDM symbol has pilot symbols which are non-equidistantly spaced in frequency. Other embodiments of the invention relate to a method of processing multi-carrier frequency division multiplexing (FDM) signals, the method comprising the following steps: a) demodulating digital multi-carrier FDM signals, said signals being comprised of FDM symbols having pilot symbols, the pilot symbols of at least one FDM symbol being non-equidistantly spaced in frequency, b) replacing, on a sub-carrier basis, at least one data symbol with a pilot symbol, whereby the replacement yields a spacing of pilot symbols which is equidistant in frequency for all FDM symbols.
US07751304B2

Provided are an apparatus and method for transmitting/receiving a pilot code pattern used to identify a base station. In the base station, a pilot code pattern determiner determines a code set that includes a number of spreading codes based on a specific ID of the base station. A first spreader spreads a pilot symbol mapped onto an FC with a corresponding spreading code according to the determined code set, and controls gain so as to transmit the pilot symbol at a higher signal level than data. A second spreader spreads data symbols mapped onto the FC with spreading codes of the code set except for the spreading code used for the pilot spreading. A mapper groups a spread signal from the first spreader and spread signals from the second spreader on a TFC basis, and outputs signals that constitute each TFC to points of sub-carriers. An IFFT unit performs an IFFT operation on signals output from the mapper. Because the pilot as well as the data is spread, it is easy to implement the base station. Also, it is possible to identify base stations according to the pilot spreading codes as well as a pilot hopping pattern.
US07751301B2

Plural grooves or lands formed in an information recording carrier include at least a wobbling region and data is recorded wobblingly in this wobbling region by phase shift modulation while recorded digitally with a single or multiple waves as a channel bit.
US07751299B2

There is provided an inexpensive optical pickup device that is capable of accurately detecting light quantities of output laser beams on occasion of at least either of reproduction and recording on an information recording medium. A beam from a first light source 1 which beam does not pass through a wavelength selection film 6 of a light separation element 7 is reflected by a first reflection film 10 in a direction to an optical monitor 5. A beam from a second light source 2 which beam does not pass through the wavelength selection film 6 of the light separation element 7 is reflected by a second reflection film 11 in a direction to the optical monitor 5.
US07751286B2

An optical pickup unit for recording information on and/or reproducing information from a multilayer information recording medium including multiple recording surfaces in each of which a guide groove on which the information is to be recorded is spirally formed is disclosed. The optical pickup unit includes a light source, a diffraction element configured to split the light beam emitted from the light source into a main light beam and first and second sub light beams, an objective lens for focusing the main and sub light beams onto a recording surface of the multilayer information recording medium, and multiple light receiving elements each divided into light receiving parts so as to receive the main and sub light beams reflected from the recording surface. The focused first and second sub light beams are disposed at respective positions at least 3/2 tracks away from the focused main light beam on the recording surface.
US07751284B2

A self-moving alarm clock shakes the user awake in addition to providing an audible alarm. The device includes a housing with a cavity therein to house an alarm clock. A housing moving mechanism, which moves the housing from a first position to a second position, is electrically connected to the alarm clock. When an alarm signal is activated by the alarm clock upon an alarm event, the housing moving mechanism is activated to move the housing repeatedly from position to position. A switch on the housing is used to turn off the audible alarm and the housing moving mechanism. Since the switch is located on the housing which is moving, the user must locate, chase, pick up, then hold onto the housing during which time the user is shaken awake while they are turning off the alarm switch.
US07751283B2

An electronic device includes a timer which measures a current time, a display which displays information based on the time, a receiver which, by receiving and decoding a signal, including time information indicating a standard time, which is encoded by means of a predetermined communication system, acquires the time information, and a controller which, as well as instructing the receiver to acquire the time information, corrects a deviation of the measured time, based on the time information, and instructs the display to display information based on the corrected time. The controller gives an instruction in such a way that no time period occurs in which both the receiver's operation of acquiring the time information, and the display's operation of displaying the information based on the corrected time, are executed.
US07751281B1

Acoustic apparatus and method for detecting and identifying near-surface buried objects using a non-contact array of ultrasonic vibrometers (200) each vibrometer having a focused beam in air (400) pointing vertically at the ground. Also there is a low-frequency loudspeaker (60). Both are connected to a digital signal processor (40). The loudspeaker emits continuous sound that penetrates the ground and generates echoes from a buried object, creating seismic vibrations (350) at the surface (150). The vibrometers emit pulses of focused ultrasound with a known depth of field (650) and receive echo pulses (770) from the seismic vibrations. The pulses occur at a much faster rate than the frequency of the seismic vibrations, typically a few thousand times faster, thus permitting the processor to compute the motion and frequency content of the seismic vibrations. This data from the array determines the shape and frequency response of near-surface buried objects which are shown on a display device. The apparatus is practical and inexpensive. A movable means of scanning with the apparatus can cover the ground one section of area at a time.
US07751280B2

A method for determining structure in the Earth's subsurface includes generating an initial model of the structure. The initial model includes at least one layer boundary. A wellbore is drilled along a selected trajectory through the Earth's subsurface in a volume represented by the initial model. At least one formation parameter is measured azimuthally along the wellbore. A distance is determined from the wellbore at selected positions therealong to the at least one layer boundary using the azimuthal formation parameter measurements. The initial model is adjusted using the determined distances. In one example, the parameter is resistivity. In one example, the parameter is acoustic velocity.
US07751278B2

Various methods are disclosed for identifying faults in a seismic data volume. In some method embodiments, the fault identification method comprises determining a planarity value for each of multiple positions of an analysis window in the data volume. The planarity value may be indicative of the planarity of discontinuities in the analysis window, and may be further filtered by limits on the verticality and centrality of the discontinuities. Thus a filter may be determined for suppressing relatively non-planar, relatively non-vertical, and relatively un-centered discontinuities from a discontinuity display, thereby enhancing a display of faults present in the seismic data volume.
US07751275B2

Disclosed is a double data rate (DDR) input block comprising first and second input registers corresponding to a DDR input of the DDR input block. The first and second input registers are coupled to the DDR input. The DDR input block is configured to load a first data into the first input register and a second data into the second input register during a single clock cycle of a system clock, thereby operating at double data input during a single clock cycle. A single data rate/double data rate (SDR/DDR) input block may be operated in either SDR or DDR mode. The DDR input block may he used with a scannable output reduction block. The DDR input block may be used in systems utilizing a content addressable memory (CAM) or a random access memory (RAM), or other types of memory devices.
US07751271B2

A semiconductor memory device includes: a reference signal delay unit configured to delay a reference signal for a predetermined operation to output a delayed reference signal; an address delay unit configured to delay a bank address to output a delayed bank address; and a decoding unit configured to receive the delayed reference signal to output a signal for determining a timing of a predetermined operation on a bank selected by the delayed bank address.
US07751263B2

Various data protection techniques are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes manufacturing a memory component of an electronic system. Manufacturing the memory component may include disposing a memory array on a substrate and coupling a control circuit to the memory array. The control circuit may be configured to selectively prevent access to data stored within the memory array upon removal of the memory component from the electronic system. Various additional methods, devices, and systems are also provided.
US07751259B2

One package contains a plurality of memory chips. Each memory chip has an I/O terminal which generates a busy signal. The busy signal enables a busy state when a power supply voltage value reaches a specified and guaranteed range after a power-on sequence. The busy signal maintains the busy state until completion of initialization operations for the plurality of memory chips. The busy signal releases the busy state after completion of all initialization operations for the plurality of memory chips.
US07751254B2

A method of programming a non-volatile memory device may include performing a first programming operation including applying a program voltage to a memory cell and verifying the memory cell using a first verification voltage. A perturbation pulse may be applied to the memory cell to facilitate thermalization of charges in the memory cell if the memory cell passes the verification using the first verification voltage. The memory cell may be verified using a second verification voltage greater than the first verification voltage after the perturbation pulse is applied.
US07751248B2

An electronic test structure and method for testing non-volatile memory cells. The structure includes a first transistor coupled in series to a floating gate transistor whereby a source of the first transistor is coupled to a positive power supply voltage and a source of the floating gate transistor is coupled to a power supply ground. A gate of the first transistor is further coupled to a source of the first transistor. A second transistor is coupled in series with a memory cell with a source of the second transistor coupled to a positive power supply voltage and a gate of the second transistor is coupled to the drain of the first transistor.
US07751240B2

A method for data storage in a memory that includes a plurality of analog memory cells includes storing data in the memory by writing first storage values to the cells. One or more read reference levels are defined for reading the cells, such that at least one of the read reference levels is negative. After storing the data, second storage values are read from the cells using the read reference levels, so as to reconstruct the stored data. In another disclosed method, data is stored in the memory by mapping the data to first storage values selected from a set of the nominal storage values, and writing the first storage values to the cells. The set of nominal storage values is defined such that at least one of the nominal storage values is negative.
US07751218B2

A design structure for designing, manufacturing, or testing a content addressable memory (CAM) device. The CAM device includes a plurality of CAM cells, match-lines (MLs), search lines, and ML sense amplifiers. The ML sense amplifiers are capable of self-calibration to their respective thresholds to reduce effects of random device variation between adjacent sense amplifiers.
US07751212B2

Methods and apparatus to provide a rectifier having a high power factor not limited by voltage ratings of switching devices. Methods and apparatus can include pairs of series-coupled switches coupled to a respective phase signal to, along with respective diode pairs, apportion voltage over a series of load capacitors coupled across the rectifier DC output terminals.
US07751208B2

This invention relates to control techniques and controllers for resonant discontinuous forward power converters (RDFCs).A controller for a resonant discontinuous forward converter (RDFC), said converter including a transformer with primary and secondary matched polarity windings and a switch to, in operation, cyclically switch DC power to said primary winding of said transformer, said converter further having a DC output coupled to said secondary winding of said converter, said controller having a primary sense input to sense a primary winding signal, said primary winding signal representing a voltage across said primary winding or across an additional winding coupled to said primary winding, and wherein said controller is configured to switch on said switch in response to detection of a reduction in a rate of change of said primary winding signal below a threshold, adjacent a substantially minimum value in an operational cycle of said sensed primary winding signal to convey power to said DC output.
US07751204B2

An electronic shielding component includes a shielding body, at least one cavity on a first side of the shielding body, the at least one cavity adapted to accommodate an electronic component therein, and at least two cavities on a second side of the shielding body, each of the at least two cavities adapted to accommodate an electronic component therein. Each cavity is adapted to electromagnetically isolate an electronic component therein from cavities on an opposite side of the shielding body and from cavities on the same side of the shielding body.
US07751202B2

Disclosed is a multi-layered printed circuit board including a plurality of insulation layers; a plurality of conductive patterns stacked on the multi-layered printed circuit board while alternating with the insulation layers; an integrated circuit positioned inside a core insulation layer of the insulation layers so as to be embedded in the multi-layered printed circuit board, a plurality of external connection terminal being positioned on a surface of the integrated circuit for external electric connection; and a film attached to a surface of the integrated circuit, the film having a plurality of inner conductive pads in one-to-one electric connection with the external connection terminals, the film being electrically connected to an adjacent conductive pattern layer.
US07751201B2

A power converter includes semiconductor device, a driver device, a current sensor, a control device, and a capacitor. The semiconductor device has a plurality of switching elements for converting a direct current to an alternating current, the direct current being supplied from a direct current terminal. The driver device controls an operation of the plurality of switching elements provided in the semiconductor device. The current sensor detects the alternating current. The control device controls an operation of the driver device in accordance with the alternating current that has been detected by the current sensor. The capacitor is connected with the direct current terminal. The driver device and the control device are mounted on the same printed board. The driver device is arranged above the semiconductor device.
US07751197B2

According to one embodiment, a fastening device comprises an object having a through hole, and a fastener which fixes the object to a support by being screwed into a screw hole. The fastener includes a gripper and a stopper. The gripper is capable of protruding outside of the object from the through hole and getting into the through hole, and has an end surface on a side opposite to a male screw portion. The stopper is positioned between the male screw portion and the gripper. In a state in which the male screw portion is screwed into the screw hole, the end surface is positioned inside the through hole. In a state in which the male screw portion is removed from the screw hole, the gripper protrudes outside of the object from the through hole, and the stopper is caught in the object and holds the fastener to the object.
US07751182B2

A portable display device having improved durability includes: a mold frame mounting a first display panel and a back light assembly thereon; at least one printed circuit board, arranged on one surface of the mold frame, to supply control signals to the first display panel; and a protruding portion, surrounding and wrapping at least two sides of the at least one printed circuit board, and extending from at least two side surfaces of the mold frame, the at least two side surfaces of the mold frame being connected together.
US07751165B2

A centrally controlled protection system is provided. The system includes a plurality of circuit breakers, a plurality of modules, and a central computer. Each of the plurality of breakers are in electrical communication with a respective one of the plurality of modules. The central computer is in communication with each of the plurality of modules via a network. The central computer controls the plurality of circuit breakers in either a normal mode or a reduced energy let-through mode.
US07751156B2

Tunneling magnetoresistive (TMR) elements and associated methods of fabrication are disclosed. In one embodiment, the TMR element includes a ferromagnetic pinned layer structure, a tunnel barrier layer, and a free layer having a dual-layer structure. In one embodiment, the free layer includes a first amorphous free layer and a second amorphous free layer. In another embodiment, the free layer includes a first polycrystalline free layer and a second amorphous free layer. The compositions of the first free layer and the second free layer of the dual layer structure differ to provide improved TMR performance and controlled magnetostriction. In one example, the first free layer may have a composition optimized for TMR while the second free layer may have a composition optimized for magnetostriction.
US07751153B1

A head suspension assembly couples a baseplate to a rotatable load through a planar triangular piezo microactuator for effecting hingeless rotation of the load. The microactuator expands, responsive to an excitation voltage, with greater magnitude in one direction than in another direction normal to the first direction, resulting in an angular movement of the hypotenuse thereby rotating the load. The upper surface of the microactuator is grounded to a bottom surface of the baseplate or load beam to position the microactuator lead connection surface closest to the load to facilitate trace routing. A load beam grounding surface may be raised to accommodate the microactuator and fix the lead connection surface on a common plane with the unraised surface to further minimize trace routing and provide access for bonding the trace to the load beam.
US07751152B2

A head suspension for a hard disk drive is thin from an arm to a head and involves a minimum step between the arm and a load beam. The head suspension includes a load beam that includes a rigid part and a resilient part. The load beam applies load onto a head that is arranged at a front end of the load beam to write and read data to and from a disk arranged in the hard disk drive. The head is connected to read/write wiring patterns of a flexure. The flexure supports the head and is attached to a disk-facing surface of the rigid part. An arm is attached to a carriage of the hard disk drive and is turned around a spindle. The arm supports the resilient part that is attached to a base end of the rigid part. A disk-facing surface of the arm is arranged within the total of thicknesses of the rigid part and head.
US07751151B2

A base plate and hard disk drive having the base including a head stack assembly installation portion on which a head stack assembly carried by a shipping comb having a middle support portion is rotatably installed; and a step portion formed on a surface of the base plate to restrict rotation of the shipping comb by hooking the middle support portion of the shipping comb when the head stack assembly installed on the head stack assembly installation portion is rotated with the shipping comb coupled to the head stack assembly.
US07751143B2

A magnetic head position control method is provided to control a magnetic head to follow the track on a DTM (discrete-track magnetic) disk by accurately detecting the eccentricity compensation amount through a simple process. An angle detection unit detects θ1 at which the relative displacement between the magnetic head and the tracks on the DTM (discrete-track magnetic) disk has a peak with no vibration data added. A vibration data calculation unit calculates first vibration data with first vibration amplitude, so that the displacement has a peak at θ2 displaced from θ1 by a predetermined value. The angle detection unit detects θ3 at which the relative displacement has a peak with the first vibration data added. A compensation data calculation unit calculates compensation data for the eccentricity of the tracks, from the detected angles θ1, θ3, the first vibration amplitude, and θ2. The position of the magnetic head is compensated according to the correction data.
US07751139B1

Circuits, systems, and methods for generating and calibrating bias for a magneto-resistive (MR) sensor. The circuit relates to a preamplifier circuit in a magnetic storage system, including an amplifier having an input coupled to a first MR sensor node, a first feedback path comprising a feedback resistor, the path configured to receive an amplifier output from the amplifier and to provide a feedback output to the first MR sensor node, a charging circuit configured to generate a current, apply the current to the first MR sensor node, and sample a voltage between the first MR sensor node and a second MR sensor node to produce a sampled voltage, the charging circuit operating when the feedback path is activated, and a bias circuit configured to apply a bias voltage across the first and second MR sensor nodes and to adjust the bias voltage to match the sampled voltage, the bias circuit operating when the feedback path is deactivated. The present invention advantageously provides for fast and accurate calibration of bias across an MR sensor that compensates for bias error introduced by the feedback path.
US07751132B2

A lens barrel drive apparatus which can be reduced in outside diameter to realize reduced diameter. A guide bar guides a lens along an optical axis. Hollow magnets are disposed on an outer peripheral side of the lens and have magnetized portions alternately magnetized to different poles in the circumferential direction. A cylindrical rotor is disposed rotatably with respect to the magnets, made of a soft magnetic material, and is comprised of magnetic pole portions opposed to the magnetized portions of the magnets. A coil energizes the magnetic pole portions of the rotor. A stator fixes the magnets and the coil. A conversion unit adapted to convert rotating movements of the rotor into forward and backward movements of the lens along the optical axis. The magnets have breaks formed along the optical axis, and the guide bar is disposed in the break of the magnets.
US07751130B2

The present invention is directed to optical element damping systems. In particular, an eddy current damper is disclosed. The eddy current damper includes a rod, a series of conducting plates coupled to the rod, and layers of magnets. The alternating layers have alternating magnetic fields. When an optical element moves, the optical element will exert a force on the rod. The rod causes the conducting plates to move relative to the alternating layers of magnets to generate eddy currents within each of the conducting plates, such that the eddy currents damp the motion of an optical element. In an alternative embodiment, an eddy current damper motion amplifier is used to provide additional mechanical advantage that significantly increases the damping provided by the eddy current damper. Eddy current dampers are provided within conventional scanning lithography devices and optical maskless lithography devices to improve performance by stabilizing optical element motion.
US07751123B2

The refractive, transmissive or diffractive optical elements are made from a ceramic containing one or more oxides of the type X2O3, which is transmissive for visible light and/or for infrared radiation and which has a cubic crystal structure analogous to that of Y2O3. In preferred embodiments X is Y, Sc, In, or a lanthanide element, namely La to Lu, and in particular is Lu, Yb, Gd, or La. Also mixtures of oxides of the type X2O3 with oxides having different stoichiometries, such as HfO2 and/or ZrO2, may be present, as long as the cubic structure of the ceramic is maintained.
US07751122B2

There is provided an optical system, including a mechanical body (110), a light-transmitting substrate (20) having two major surfaces and edges, embedded in the mechanical body, an optical element (90) for coupling light into the substrate by total internal reflection and a plurality of partially reflecting surfaces (22) carried by the substrate, wherein the partially reflecting surfaces are parallel to each other and are not parallel to any of the edges of the substrate. The system also includes an image capturing device (112), a display source (4), and an image-processing unit (114). The image-capturing device (112) is connected via the image-processing unit (114) to the display source (4).
US07751121B2

An anti-glare film has a plurality of diffuser elements, and has specified optical properties. The ratio of I(α+1)/I(α) is more than 0.1 to 0.6, where I(α) is an intensity of a light reflected toward an arbitrary angle α of 10° or less from a specular reflection direction of an incident light upon the surface at an angle of 5° to 30° from the surface normal, and I(α+1) is an intensity of a reflected light deviated from the arbitrary angle α by 1° in a wide-angle direction. The gain of a light reflected in the direction at 20° or more from the specular reflection direction of the incident light is 0.02 or less, in which the gain is obtained by normalizing a reflected light intensity using a specular reflection intensity of a standard diffuse plate as 1. The diffuser elements have an average space therebetween of 50 to 300 micrometers.
US07751111B2

Provided is a display element which is drivable with simple components and at a relatively low voltage and exhibits high display contrast, enhanced white display reflectance, superior response speed and reduced image unevenness. The display element includes opposing electrodes having therebetween an electrolyte containing silver or a compound having silver in the chemical structure, wherein the opposing electrodes are driven by a drive circuit disposed for each of pixels so that the silver is dissolved and deposited and the opposing electrodes are provided on a plane separate from the drive circuit.
US07751109B1

Various embodiments of an improved electro-optic shutter are disclosed. One embodiment comprises an electro-optic element, first and second polarizers, and a pair of electrodes. The electro-optic element has opposing transverse surfaces and operates as a half wave plate when a voltage Vπ is applied to the element. The first and second polarizers are each disposed adjacent to one transverse surface of the electro-optic element. The first and second electro-optic element have parallel transmission axes. Each electrode is disposed on one of the transverse surfaces of the electro-optic element and has an electric field which is substantially uniform over the transverse extent of the electro-optic element.
US07751094B2

An image reading apparatus for generating image data corresponding to a document image, includes: an irradiating section for irradiating light rays to an image bearing surface of a document; a housing formed with a slit for restrictedly passing light rays reflected from the image bearing surface of the document; a photoelectric conversion element for converting an optical image made of the light rays having passed through the slit of the housing to an electric signal; and an optical system for guiding the light rays having passed through the slit of the housing to the photoelectric conversion element. The housing has a light restrictor at each of the both ends of the slit. The light restrictor projects toward the image bearing surface of the document to thereby keep light rays reflected from an area outside a reading area of the image bearing surface of the document from entering the slit.
US07751093B2

A copying system is capable of generating image data from an existing representation and communicating the image data to one or more associated marking systems for distributed copy output of sheet media bearing an image corresponding to the existing representation. A method of generating such distributed output is also included.
US07751090B2

A method of printing a second document from a computer system is provided. The method makes use of a first document and a handheld optically imaging sensor. The first document includes an interface, the interface including visible textual information and substantially invisible first coded data in the form of one or more tags, each tag defining unique coded data identifying the first document and a position of that tag on the first document. The sensor generates indicating data indicative of the position of the sensor relative to the first document using sensed coded data. The method includes the steps of, in the computer system: (a) receiving the indicating data from the sensor; (b) determining the second document with which the indicating data is associated; and (c) causing the second document to be printed by a printer. The second printed document includes visible textual information and substantially invisible second coded data in the form of one or more tags, each tag defining unique coded data identifying the second document and a position of that tag on the second document.
US07751087B2

Embodiments herein include a method of adding color to a monochrome (single color printing) document that begins by inputting/creating colorization rules relating to the previously printed monochromatic document and scanning the previously printed monochromatic document to locate rasterized data. After the scanning, the method performs optical character recognition on the rasterized data to search for text corresponding to the previously printed monochromatic document. After the rules are input and the rasterized data is produced, the method automatically colorizes portions of rasterized content according to the colorization rules and this generates a colorized electronic document.
US07751071B2

An image reproduction apparatus having a basic function at low cost, and additional functions as an option. The image reproduction apparatus is configured to detect invalid pixels, remove a black streak, and detect a blank document page. The image reproduction apparatus includes a base engine/image data controller that includes a process controller, a RAM used as a work area, a ROM in which operation commands are stored, a video controller that processes image data and controls the flow of image data, and an I/O controller that monitors and controls I/Os of various devices, such as drivers or sensors, wherein those parts are connected via a CPU bus. The image reproduction apparatus can be extended into the form of a digital multifunction device by connecting a controller board to the base engine/image data controller via a parallel bus.
US07751069B2

A method for producing personalized greeting cards includes receiving a plurality of greeting card orders from users and separating the ordered greeting cards into batches. The ordered greeting cards are produced in batches and a batch-separation symbol is printed on at least one greeting card in each batch. The greeting cards produced are separated into batches using the batch-separation symbols.
US07751068B2

A digital copying machine that performs transfer of image data from the image reader to an external computer based on an image reading operation, as well as transfer of image data from the external computer to the printing unit based on a printing operation using the same bus, wherein the image reading operation and the printing operation are performed simultaneously by alternating the two types of transfers in response to the signal, based on the operation timing of the printing unit.
US07751065B2

The present invention provides an optical displacement meter in which light receiving elements are disposed two-dimensionally, capable of stably obtaining a reception light amount in accordance with a work. The optical displacement meter includes: a two-dimensional light receiving device for receiving reflection light of strip-line-shaped light from an object to be measured and outputting the received reflection light as a reception light signal in each of positions in a first direction; reception light level control means for controlling any of parameters of at least operation amounts including a light emission amount of a projector and amplification factor of an amplifier so that a distribution of peaks in the first direction of amplification signals obtained by the amplifier lies in a predetermined range; and mode switching means for switching between a measuring mode of measuring displacement of an object to be measured and a setting mode of setting an operation amount of the reception light level control means. In the setting mode, strip-line-shaped light is emitted from the projector to the object to be measured, a distribution state of peaks of the amplification signals in the positions in the first direction is measured, and the reception light level control means can adjust the operation amount in accordance with the distribution state in the first direction.
US07751061B2

Non-contact apparatus and methods for evaluating at least one of the DC (or RF) dielectric constant, the hardness, and Young's Modulus of a dielectric material on a microelectronic workpiece under process and for generating a correlation factor that relates a measured IR spectrum to at least one of the dielectric constant, the hardness, and Young's Modulus of the dielectric material. A specific example of a method comprises measuring a thickness of the dielectric material on the process workpiece, irradiating the process workpiece with an IR source, and collecting and measuring an IR spectrum from the process workpiece. The measured thickness and at least a portion of the measured IR spectrum from the process workpiece are used with the correlation factor to determine at least one of the dielectric constant, the hardness, and Young's Modulus of the dielectric material. The determined value from the correlation factor is then stored and/or displayed.
US07751053B2

Method and apparatus for the single particle detection of submicron structures such as biological molecules and viruses utilises an optical element (100) comprising an optically transparent substrate (1) partially coated with a thin film of metal (2) illuminated with an optical beam (4) incident on a non-metal coated region (3) of the surface of the optical element at a point adjacent or close to the metal coated region of the optical element such that the beam propagates above but close and substantially parallel to the metal surface defining a measurement zone from within which submicron particles (7) contained in a sample (6) placed in contact with the optical element scatter or emit light which can be detected in the far field by conventional photodetection systems. The apparatus can be configured in a flow cell or optical microscope configuration.
US07751050B1

A fluid quality monitoring apparatus (100) comprising a fluid flow channel (120) having a photo sensing material (104) disposed upon a first surface and a light source emitting light (132) through an opposing light transitive surface (106). The condition of the fluid affects the absorption and reflection of the light. The penetrating light is received by the photo sensing material (104), which provides an output that can be utilized to analyze the condition of the fluid. The light can be provided via a plurality of LEDS, the incorporation of a radially distributed series of fiber optic strands, or any other light source. The sensing material can include defraction gratings, improving the monitoring process. The sensing material can be incorporated in a variety of configurations. The apparatus is preferably designed to be integrated between a fluid filter and the respective filter mounting bracket.
US07751047B2

A lithographic substrate provided with an alignment mark, the alignment mark having a plurality of features spaced apart from one another, each feature being spaced apart from adjacent features by a different distance is disclosed. Further, there is disclosed a method of aligning a lithographic substrate provided with an alignment mark which has a plurality of features spaced apart from one another, each feature being spaced apart from adjacent features by a different distance, the method including measuring a distance between two of the features on the substrate, comparing the distance with a recorded set of distances, and determining from the comparison the position of the substrate.
US07751046B2

Methods and systems for monitoring semiconductor fabrication processes are provided. A system may include a stage configured to support a specimen and coupled to a measurement device. The measurement device may include an illumination system and a detection system. The illumination system and the detection system may be configured such that the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of the specimen. For example, the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of a specimen including, but not limited to, critical dimension and overlay misregistration. In this manner, a measurement device may perform multiple optical and/or non-optical metrology and/or inspection techniques.
US07751040B2

Disclosed is a microchip for a flowcytometer. A channel is expanded around a point, on which laser beams emitted from an optical unit are focused, so that focused sample particles slow down when they pass the expanded portion. This improves the detection intensity of sample particles.
US07751037B2

A method and apparatus for detecting defects are provided for detecting harmful defects or foreign matter with high sensitivity on an object to be inspected with a transparent film, such as an oxide film, by reducing noise due to a circuit pattern. The apparatus for detecting defects includes a stage part on which a substrate specimen is put and which is arbitrarily movable in each of the X-Y-Z-θ directions, an illumination system for irradiating the circuit pattern with light from an inclined direction, and an image-forming optical system for forming an image of an irradiated detection area on a detector from the upward and oblique directions. With this arrangement, diffracted light and scattered light caused on the circuit pattern through the illumination by the illumination system is collected. Furthermore, a spatial filter is provided on a Fourier transform surface for blocking the diffracted light from a linear part of the circuit pattern. The scattered and reflected light received by the detector from the specimen is converted into an electrical signal. The converted electrical signal of one chip is compared with that of the other adjacent chip. If these signals are not identical to each other, the foreign matter is determined to exist on the specimen in detection.
US07751036B2

When size of a defect on an increasingly miniaturized pattern is obtained by defect inspection apparatus in the related art, a value is inconveniently given, which is different from a measured value of the same defect by SEM. Thus, a dimension value of a defect detected by defect inspection apparatus needs to be accurately calculated to be approximated to a value measured by SEM. To this end, size of the defect detected by the defect inspection apparatus is corrected depending on feature quantity or type of the defect, thereby defect size can be accurately calculated.
US07751032B2

A lithographic apparatus includes a projection system configured to project a patterned radiation beam onto a substrate supported by a substrate table; a liquid supply system configured to supply a space between the projection system and the substrate with a liquid; a closing surface configured to provide a confining surface for liquid supplied by the liquid supply system in place of the substrate; and a closing surface positioning device configured to create and maintain a gap between the liquid supply system and the closing surface so that the liquid flows in the gap when the closing surface is used to confine the liquid supplied by the liquid supply system.
US07751030B2

A lithographic projection apparatus includes an illumination system, an interchangeable upper optics module, and a lower optics module. The illumination system provides a beam of radiation. The interchangeable upper optics module receives the beam and includes, sequentially, a beam splitter that splits the beam into portions, an aperture plate, and a plurality of reflecting surfaces. The lower optics module receives portions of the beam from respective ones the reflecting surfaces and directs the portions of the beam onto a substrate. Interference fringes or contact hole patterns are formed on the substrate using the portions of the beam.
US07751028B2

An exposure method includes the steps of introducing fluid to a space between a surface of an object to be exposed, and a final surface of a projection optical system, projecting a pattern on a mask onto the object via the projection optical system and the fluid, wherein the introducing step includes the steps of filling the fluid in the space between the surface of the object and the final surface of the projection optical system, and wherein the filling step changes a capillary attraction of the fluid different from the capillary attraction that operates during the projection step.
US07751023B2

An apparatus for rubbing an alignment layer on a substrate is disclosed. The apparatus includes a platform to support the substrate; a conveyance unit incorporating the platform to convey the substrate in a predetermined direction; a rubbing roller located above the platform for rubbing the alignment layer on the substrate; a combing unit located at one side of the rubbing roller for contacting with the rubbing roller; and at least one vacuum suction unit located at one side of the platform to suck and remove the particles released from the rubbing. The combing unit serves to smoothen a rubbing cloth on the rubbing roller, with a result of low static electricity accumulation on the substrate and of a better alignment effect on the alignment layer.
US07751021B2

A liquid crystal display device and a fabricating method thereof for simplifying a process are disclosed. In the method of fabricating the liquid crystal display device, a first conductive pattern group including a gate line and a gate electrode, a common line and a common electrode, a pixel electrode and a pad is formed on a substrate. An insulating film including a plurality of contact holes and a semiconductor pattern is formed on the first mask pattern group. And a second conductive pattern group including a data line, a source electrode and a drain electrode is formed on an insulating film provided with the semiconductor pattern, and exposes an active layer of the semiconductor pattern.
US07751020B2

A liquid crystal display device includes first and second substrates, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first and second substrates, a pixel electrode formed on the first substrate, and a counter electrode formed on the second substrate. A plurality of projected portions are formed on the second substrate in a pixel area. The plurality of projected portions includes a first projected portion and a second projected portion, and the first projected portion is longer than the second projected portion in the pixel area.
US07751018B2

A segment block 61, which is formed into a shape like the numeral eight (“8”) constituted by seven segments 63, is connected to the adjacent segment block 61 by way of liquid crystal injection paths 62, each of which has a key-type S-shaped structure. Within the segment block 61, two pairs of segments 63 each consisting of one left and one right segment and which are located on the opposing upper and lower sides, are mutually connected by way of liquid crystal injection paths 64, each of which has a key-type S-shaped structure, and three segments 63 located at the upper, middle and lower parts are respectively connected to the liquid crystal injection paths 64 by way of linearly structured liquid crystal injection paths 65 that are vertically branched respectively from the liquid crystal injection paths 64.
US07751015B2

A panel module for an LCD device has an LCD panel including a TFT panel and a counter panel, signal line and scanning line drive boards for connecting to external circuits, and TCPs connecting together the TFT panel and the drive boards. The signal line driver TCP has a plurality of slits in the film substrate thereof and bent at the slits, allow the signal line drive board to be located on the rear side of the backlight unit of the LCD device. The panel module is suited any of stacked, L-shaped or U-shaped board structure.
US07751012B2

An array substrate for an IPS mode LCD device includes a gate line in a first direction on a substrate and a data line in a second direction over the substrate; a metal and a common lines in the second direction on the substrate and includes a plurality of first and second protruding portions in the first direction, respectively; a TFT connected to the gate and data lines; an insulating layer over the metal and common lines; a common electrode over the insulating layer and including a first common portion in the second direction and a plurality of second common portions in the first direction; and a pixel electrode over the insulating layer and including a first pixel portion in the second direction and a plurality of second pixel portions in the first direction, wherein the plurality of second common and pixel portions are alternately arranged.
US07751009B2

An array substrate is provided for an in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device. The array substrate includes a substrate, a thin film transistor on the substrate, a gate line connected to the transistor, a data line crossing the gate line and connected to the transistor such that the crossed data line and gate line define boundaries of a pixel region, a pixel electrode disposed in the pixel region connected to the transistor, and a common electrode disposed in the pixel region. The pixel electrode has at least one vertical portion and a plurality of horizontal portions, and the common electrode has at least two horizontal portions and a plurality of horizontal portions. The vertical portion of the pixel electrode is between the vertical portions of the common electrode, and the horizontal portions of the common electrode cross the vertical portion of the pixel electrode.
US07751008B2

In a neighborhood of a display area in a liquid crystal display formed is a barrier for acquiring foreign matters. A method of manufacturing the barrier has a step of forming a TFT and forming the barrier of the same materials as a plurality of materials constituting the TFT at the same time. Thus provided is a manufacturing method which allows the foreign matters caused by a brush cleaning to be held back and acquired outside the display area and avoids a defect due to a short circuit made by the foreign matters between adjacent pixels or with a counter electrode substrate.
US07750997B2

A displaying method and device. The display device includes a back light module and a display panel. The back light module emits at least M color lights. The display panel includes a plurality of pixel areas arranged in array structure, wherein each pixel area comprises N color filters, and at least one of the color filters is for passing through a plurality of primary color lights. In the displaying method, the back light module provides at least M color lights in a frame time, and a frame is displayed by arranging the M color lights and the N color filters in each pixel area, wherein M≧2 and N≧2. Moreover, the display panel may include an active component array substrate, a liquid crystal layer and a color filter substrate. In addition, any two adjacent pixel areas can share at least one color filter.
US07750996B2

To provide a liquid crystal display device to suitably perform color balance adjustment. For this, the liquid crystal display device includes pixel regions each including a light reflection portion and a light transmission portion on a liquid-crystal-side surface of one substrate out of respective substrates arranged to face each other in an opposed manner while sandwiching liquid crystal therebetween, wherein color filters are formed in pixel regions on a liquid-crystal-side surface of the other substrate out of the respective substrates, and each color filter is provided with an opening or notch at a part of a portion facing the light reflection portion in an opposed manner, material layers having a layer thickness substantially equal to a height of step generated by the color filters in regions facing the opening or notch of each color filter in an opposed manner on the liquid-crystal-side surface of one substrate.
US07750974B2

A system and method for processing video information are disclosed and may include calculating at least one pixel difference between at least one pixel in a first field and at least one corresponding aligned pixel in a second field. The first field and the second field may be adjacent to a current field. At least one pixel in the current field may be deinterlaced based at least in part on the calculated at least one pixel difference. A first pixel difference between a first pixel in the first field and a corresponding aligned second pixel in the second field may be calculated. A second pixel difference between a third pixel in the first field and a corresponding aligned fourth pixel in the second field may be calculated. The third pixel and the fourth pixel may be adjacent to a current output sample.
US07750969B2

Camera calibration which is robust against noise factors such as variation in environmental lighting and obstructions is realized. Light-emitting markers, whose on/off states can be controlled, are arrayed in a matrix on a reference panel on which an object is placed. The light-emitting markers blink in accordance with respective switching patterns in synchronism with the frame of continuous imaging of a camera. A three-dimensional measuring instrument determines the time-varying bright-and-dark pattern of a blinking point from the image of each frame and identifies, on the basis of the pattern, to which light-emitting marker each point corresponds. By reference to the identification results, camera calibration is performed, and a coordinate transformation parameter is computed.
US07750968B2

An image processing apparatus is adapted to enlarge and display, in a case where image advancing is performed after an image is enlarged and displayed, a subsequent image while maintaining an enlargement position and an enlargement magnification set for the enlarged and displayed image if the subsequent image has a predetermined image attribute.
US07750966B2

The camera according to this invention comprises an L-shaped frame that is capable of changing the size or aspect ratio of the viewfinder by relative movement, a back-face image-pickup device for photographing an image of the eye of the photographer, and a photographing optical system for forming the image of the subject image to the internal CCD, analyzes the image captured by the back-face image-pickup device and calculates the distance and direction to the eye of the photographer from the center of the viewfinder, and based on the calculated information and the size or aspect ratio information of the viewfinder, the photographer performs optical zooming or shifting of the photographing optical system, or performs electronic zooming or shifting by cropping the taken image by use of the CCD, in order for the range that the photographer observed via the viewfinder to become the photographing range.
US07750965B2

An image pickup apparatus comprising: an image pickup device which takes an image of a subject and generates an image signal; an operation device in which first operation and second operation are independently acceptable; a detection device that detects the first operation and second operation of the operation device; a memory device which loads and stores the image signal from the image pickup device when the first operation of the operation device is detected by the detection device; a preview image display device which performs predetermined display processing to the image signal stored in the memory device, displays a preview image on a monitor in accordance with the processed image signal, and stops display of the preview image when the first operation or second operation of the operation device is detected by the detection device during display of the preview image; and an image data recording device which performs predetermined recording processing to the image signal stored in the memory device and records the processed image signal on a recording medium as image data when the second operation of the operation device is detected by the detection device during display of the preview image.
US07750958B1

A method is disclosed for applying a first voltage to a back plate of a memory capacitor of a pixel to discharge the memory capacitor, pre-charging the memory capacitor in the pixel by applying the first voltage to a source of a pre-charge transistor while applying the first voltage to the back plate of the memory capacitor, and applying a second voltage to the back plate of the memory capacitor and the source of the pre-charge transistor, wherein the second voltage is at a higher potential than the first voltage to generate a negative gate-to-source voltage in the pre-charge transistor.
US07750955B2

When clamping a signal from a solid state image sensor, float of an optical black pixel output due to incoming of infrared light avoids a malfunction of a clamp from occurring. When clamping a signal from the solid state image sensor, the difference between the optical black pixel output and a clamp target level is output as a difference output, the difference output is compared with a comparison level to integrate the number of times larger than the comparison level every horizontal line. When the number of times is equal to or more than a certain rate (⅔) from the number of optical black pixels on the horizontal line, an optical black float state is determined and clamping operation is performed in accordance with a held value immediately before.
US07750953B2

When there is created one composite image comprising an arrangement of a plurality of associated captured small images, an intended small image needs to be extracted from the composite image. When a plurality of small images are arranged to create one composite image, pixel data on the first row of a first small image is stored at a first address of DRAM. Pixel data on the second row and later are sequentially stored at specified addresses of DRAM. Likewise, second through ninth small images are stored at specified addresses of DRAM. In this manner, one composite image is created. When the first small image is selected to be extracted, pixel data on the first row of the first small image is read from the first address of DRAM. Pixel data on the second row is read from the second address. Pixel data on the third row and later are sequentially read by incrementing addresses. The present invention can be applied to a digital still camera.
US07750942B2

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and method enabling to correct for camera shake given in image capturing, a recording medium, and a program. Discrete data pieces indicating shifts are obtained. The discrete data pieces are interpolated to obtain data indicating a shift every line. By the interpolation, a correction is calculated every line on the basis of the corresponding shift. On the basis of the corrections, pixel data read positions are determined. Pixel data is read based on the determined read positions. When a pixel to be read overlaps two pixels, pixel data of the pixel to be read is produced (interpolated) from pixel data pieces. In this manner, the effects of camera shake are corrected. The present invention is applicable to video cameras.
US07750941B2

Audio regeneration data indicating where sound during audio regeneration is stored is recorded in a recording medium together with captured image data when image-capturing. The image data recorded in the recording medium and the audio regeneration data is read during image regeneration process. The image is displayed in accordance with the image data while the sound during the image-capturing is regenerated in accordance with the audio regeneration data. Therefore, the image and the sound can be easily appreciated simultaneously and the image regeneration can be effectively enjoyed.
US07750939B2

An image photographing device (1), which converts an optical image of a subject into an electric signal by an image pick up device, and stores image data by the electric signal in an information recording medium (21), includes a communication interface (25), which communicates the image data, a determination device (31), which determines whether a device connected to the communication interface is an external device (2) or a release device (3), a communication process device (10), which conducts a communication process with the external device if the determination device determines that the external device is connected, and a photographing process device (10), which conducts a photographing process if the determination device determines that the release device is connected.
US07750938B2

An arrangement for maintaining even tube burn-in. The arrangement identifies active and inactive display regions on a display unit when video content is displayed on the display unit. When inactive display regions are identified the arrangement monitors the duration that the active display regions remain active. After the active display regions become inactive and a predetermined time period has passed the arrangement displays a corrective image on the identified inactive regions. The predetermined time period may be set by a user or based on the user's viewing habits.
US07750932B2

A light source, a polygon mirror mechanism, a deflection lens, and a mirror unit are housed in a casing. The mirror unit includes a base member of metal fixed to the casing and a mirror supporting plate attached to the base member. The mirror supporting plate is formed by a metal flat plate and includes a mirror supporting section. A holder member is attached to the mirror supporting section. An end of the mirror is held in the holder member by a spring member. The holder member is rotatable around an axis of the mirror. When the holder member is rotated, an angle of the mirror changes. After the angle of the mirror is adjusted, the holder member is fixed to the mirror supporting section by a fixing member.
US07750931B2

Light sources emit light beams onto deflecting surfaces of a deflecting unit through incident optical systems. The deflecting unit deflects the light beams in a uniform direction to form images onto different surfaces to be scanned through imaging optical systems. An optical path length, or a distance from a deflection point of the deflecting unit to a surface to be scanned, of an imaging optical system to form an image onto a surface to be scanned closest to the deflecting unit is different from that of an imaging optical system to form an image onto a surface to be scanned farthest from the deflecting unit. Also, the following condition is satisfied: 0.85
US07750929B2

An electrostatic latent image is formed by controlling the amount of light, the emission time, and the like, considering the spot diameters of a laser, without changing the charging bias, the developing bias, and the like so as to obtain a plurality of correlations between density patches and development contrasts faithfully representing the developing characteristics of an image forming apparatus in a short time.
US07750926B2

Methods and apparatus for production of composite images, videos, or films which exhibit virtual objects. More particularly, methods and apparatus for rendering, scaling, and/or locating, virtual objects within composite images, videos, or films employing marker objects as reference objects.
US07750916B2

A method of generating a stream of non-contiguous memory addresses representing contiguous points in logical space is described. The method comprises: generating initializing parameters describing the contiguous points in the logical space; configuring a memory address engine with the initializing parameters; performing an algorithm in the memory address engine according to the initialising parameters to produce a plurality of non-contiguous memory addresses; and collating the non-contiguous memory addresses into the stream of memory addresses for output to a data memory. The present invention has particular application to SIMD processing techniques where there are a plurality of memory address engines.
US07750906B2

The effective illumination volume (e.g., angular spread and falloff) of each light source in an object model scene can be represented by a simple geometry. Geometry-based culling techniques then can be used to automatically remove or de-activate lights for a frame, set of frames, or entire shot of animation, based on interactions of the light geometries with objects in the scene. The light pruning process can be run in a pre-pass procedure, such that production and rendering preparation procedures do not have to deal with lights that will not affect a final image. Further, a pre-pass pruning removes lights before rendering, such that the data for each light does not have to be loaded into memory at render time. Removing the lights before rendering also can reduce a amount of ray tracing and other processing used for the lights at render time.
US07750904B2

A simplified general model and an associated estimation algorithm is provided for modeling visual data such as a video sequence. Specifically, images or frames in a video sequence are represented as collections of flat moving objects that change their appearance and shape over time, and can occlude each other over time. A statistical generative model is defined for generating such visual data where parameters such as appearance bit maps and noise, shape bit-maps and variability in shape, etc., are known. Further, when unknown, these parameters are estimated from visual data without prior pre-processing by using a maximization algorithm. By parameter estimation and inference in the model, visual data is segmented into components which facilitates sophisticated applications in video or image editing, such as, for example, object removal or insertion, tracking and visual surveillance, video browsing, photo organization, video compositing, etc.
US07750903B2

A simplified general model and an associated estimation algorithm is provided for modeling visual data such as a video sequence. Specifically, images or frames in a video sequence are represented as collections of flat moving objects that change their appearance and shape over time, and can occlude each other over time. A statistical generative model is defined for generating such visual data where parameters such as appearance bit maps and noise, shape bit-maps and variability in shape, etc., are known. Further, when unknown, these parameters are estimated from visual data without prior pre-processing by using a maximization algorithm. By parameter estimation and inference in the model, visual data is segmented into components which facilitates sophisticated applications in video or image editing, such as, for example, object removal or insertion, tracking and visual surveillance, video browsing, photo organization, video compositing, etc.
US07750899B2

The invention provides a liquid crystal display device for displaying an image, having a signal processing function and a narrow frame. In the display device of the invention, a signal processing circuit is formed by thin film elements and at least a portion of the signal processing circuit is formed in the region that extended the region where a wiring connection portion is formed along a side of a substrate. By providing the signal processing circuit outside the sealed region of liquid crystal and the like and utilizing regions beside an FPC connected portion which tended to be a dead space conventionally, a display device having a narrow frame can be provided.
US07750895B2

A method of navigating items on a display on a computing device with a touch sensitive input device is disclosed. Similar to a bike wheel, the list of items will rotate in relation to the velocity of the input applied including speed up, slow down, stop and change directions.
US07750891B2

A selective input system and associated method is provided which tracks the motion of a pointing device over a region or area. The pointing device can be a touchpad, a mouse, a pen, or any device capable of providing two or three-dimensional location. The region or area is preferably augmented with a printed or actual keyboard/pad. Alternatively, a representation of the location of the pointing device over a virtual keyboard/pad can be dynamically shown on an associated display. The system identifies selections of items or characters by detecting parameters of motion of the pointing device, such as length of motion, a change in direction, a change in velocity, and or a lack of motion at locations that correspond to features on the keyboard/pad. The input system is preferably coupled to a text disambiguation system such as a T9® or Sloppytype™ system, to improve the accuracy and usability of the input system.
US07750884B2

A method and apparatus of driving a liquid crystal display device is disclosed in the present invention. The liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of data lines, a plurality of gate lines crossing the data lines, a plurality of first liquid crystal cells on a first side of the data lines, a plurality of second liquid crystal cells on a second side of the data lines, a first switching part in each of the first liquid crystal cells and controlled by the ith gate line and the (i+2)th gate line (wherein i is a natural number), and a second switching part in each of the second liquid crystal cells and controlled by the ith gate line.
US07750880B2

An automatic digital variable resistor capable of preventing failure in a liquid crystal display panel and an LCD having the same are provided. The automatic digital variable resistor comprises a programmable memory in which an intermediate value of n-bit data is stored, wherein (n≧2) and a voltage adjuster adjusting the intermediate value stored in the memory in response to an external control signal and outputting an analog voltage value corresponding to the adjusted intermediate value, wherein the voltage adjuster further outputs an analog voltage value corresponding to the intermediate value read from the memory when the intermediate value is a maximum or minimum value of n-bit data.
US07750869B2

RF-optical metamaterials with (±∈, ±μ) figures-of-merit of interest are constructed from coupled magnetic and dielectric multi-resonant multi-disks (finite-size cylinders) or multi-sphere lattices arranged in a periodic or a random fashion to offer tailored magnetic and electric dipole moments. The present metamaterials include embedded particles arrays that provide coupled magnetic and electronic modes equivalent to L (inductor) and C (capacitor) circuit models. Novel arrangements of these dipole modes (L and C) tailor the transfer function to the physics of interest.
US07750868B1

A low profile broadband antenna capable of measuring shielding effectiveness (SE) of a shielded boundary above or below ground for permanent installation behind walls, under floors, above ceilings and other areas with limited transverse (as opposed to lateral) available space is provided. A spiral antenna having a wide operating bandwidth is positioned within the interior of an environmentally sealed enclosure. The enclosure likewise has a low profile suited for installation in such locations.
US07750864B2

A circuit array, comprising a substrate, and comprising an electrically conducting folded dipole antenna arranged on and/or in the substrate, the folded dipole antenna having a first antenna connection and having a second antenna connection, and wherein the folded dipole antenna has a disconnected portion dividing the folded dipole antenna in a first antenna portion and in a second antenna portion such that a capacity is formed at the disconnected portion between the first antenna portion and the second antenna portion. An integrated circuit can be or is arranged on the substrate, the integrated circuit having a first integrated circuit connection connected to the first antenna connection and having a second integrated circuit connection connected to the second antenna connection.
US07750863B2

A satellite-based communications system operating at high data rates includes a plurality of satellites each having uplink and downlink antennas for transmitting and receiving a plurality of signals utilizing a plurality of spot beams to and from a plurality of coverage areas at a predetermined range of frequencies. The system also includes a plurality of user terminals for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the plurality of communications satellites at the predetermined range of frequencies and at one of the first plurality of data rates. Each of the user terminals having a steerable antenna for tracking relative movement of each of the user terminals with respect to each of the plurality of communications satellites and for tracking movement of each of the plurality of communications satellites in order to maintain communications with the plurality of communications satellites.
US07750860B2

A helmet substrate is covered with a highly absorptive layer and an antenna layer. The antenna layer includes a conformal log periodic dipole array wherein adjacent antenna elements connect through switches. By driving appropriate ones of the switches, the log periodic dipole array tunes to a desired frequency band.
US07750853B2

A partially shorted microstrip antenna configured to wrap around a projectile's body without interfering with the aerodynamic design of the projectile. The microstrip antenna has three identical conformal antenna elements equally spaced around the circumference of the projectile's body. The antenna has an operating frequency of 231.0 MHz±400 KHz. Each antenna element includes a plurality of vias which operate as a partial short connecting the radiating element to the ground plane and thereby increase the bandwidth of the antenna element.
US07750851B2

A communication system includes the following elements: a transmitter including a transmission circuit unit configured to generate an RF signal for transmitting data and an EFC antenna configured to transmit the RF signal as an electrostatic field or an induced electric field; and a receiver including an EFC antenna and a reception circuit unit configured to receive and process the RF signal received by the EFC antenna. The EFC antennas of the transmitter and the receiver each include a coupling electrode and a resonating section including a distributed-constant circuit configured to strengthen electrical coupling between the coupling electrodes. The RF signal is transmitted by electric-field coupling between the EFC antennas, facing each other, of the transmitter and the receiver.
US07750849B2

A method and arrangement for finding the direction to an emitter source by determining the spatial frequency of a signal received from the source in a sensor panel and comparing the spatial frequency with the instantaneous frequency. The panel includes a first matrix of sensors and a second matrix of sensors interleaved with the first matrix. The spatial frequency is determined by comparing the signals received by the first and second sensor matrices.
US07750848B2

A spread spectrum signal receiver comprises a radio signal processing unit, at least partly implemented in software running on a processor. The processing unit determines a candidate collection of subsets of signal sources from a group of potential sources, by the criterion that an anticipated processing intensity required to derive position/time related data from that subset is equal to or less than a maximum specified processing intensity. Each subset contains at least a minimum number of signal sources necessary to produce position/time related data. The processing unit also selects a set of preferred signal sources from a candidate subset, based on a highest estimated quality of the position/time related data attainable during a subsequent operating period for the receiver without exceeding the maximum specified processing intensity. During the subsequent operating period, the receiver receives spread spectrum signals from the selected set of signal sources and produces position/time related data therefrom.
US07750846B2

A GPS or Galileo receiver for radio positioning signals wherein at least a part of the computing of position related data based on radio signals received from a plurality of space vehicles is carried out by a processor (21) mounted on a graphic or sound card (20). The receiver thus makes use of available computing resources, thus achieving a lower Bill of Material.
US07750839B2

An aim of the invention is to allow the detection of turbulence in the absence of tracers. A radar is embedded aboard an aircraft (21) and implements the following steps: searching for the upper part of a convective system (1) situated outside the given zone, reflecting the electromagnetic waves; searching for divergence zone (7) inside the convective system by searching for a divergence profile; reckoning the appearance of turbulence in the given zone as a function of observable meteorological phenomena in the divergence zone (7) by applying fluid mechanics properties.
US07750838B2

The invention relates to a measuring device comprising a transmitter (6) for transmitting (38, 60) a measuring signal (16) that lies within a frequency range, a sensor (8) for receiving (40, 62) an evaluation signal (20) that has been induced by the measuring signal (16) and a control unit (10) for evaluating (42, 66) the evaluation signal (20) to produce a measured result. According to the invention, the function of the control unit (10) is to check the frequency range before the transmission (38, 60) of the measuring signal (16) for the presence of a signal (28) that is independent of the measuring signal (16).
US07750834B2

In a pipelined analog-to-digital (AD) converter, if logically incongruent signals S1 and S2 are output from an AD converter section of a converter stage of the AD converter, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) section is to be prevented from erroneously operating. When a logically incongruent combination of signals S1 and S2, such as S1=“H” and S2=“L”, is output from comparators that compare an input voltage VI to reference voltages +REF/4 and −REF/4, an encoder outputs a signal corresponding to a normal signal combination (S1=“L” and S2=“H”) to generate signals X, Y and Z that control switches of the DAC section. This eliminates the risk that the switches shall be turned on simultaneously, thus preventing the erroneous operation of the DAC section.
US07750826B2

An input stream of characters is received. A new string entry is added to a data structure based on a current portion of the input stream if the current portion fails to match any of a plurality of existing string entries in the data structure. An additional string entry is added to the data structure based on a combination of the current portion and a previous portion of the input stream, wherein the additional string entry corresponds to a subset of the combination that fails to match any of the plurality of existing string entries in the data structure. An output stream is generated that includes literal values of the characters and index values corresponding to string entries in the data structure that match portions of the input stream.
US07750813B2

Microstrip patch antenna (46), feed structure (48), and matching circuit (50) designs for an RFID tag (10). A balanced feed design using balanced feeds coupled by a shorting stub (56) to create a virtual short between the two feeds so as to eliminate the need for physically connecting substrate to the ground plane. A dual feed structure design using a four-terminal IC can be connected to two antennas (46a,46b) resonating at different frequencies so as to provide directional and polarization diversity. A combined near/field-far/field design using a microstrip antenna providing electromagnetic coupling for far-field operation, and a looping matching circuit providing inductive coupling for near-field operation. A dual-antenna design using first and second microstrip antennas providing directional diversity when affixed to a cylindrical or conical object, and a protective superstrate (66). An annual antenna (46c) design for application to the top of a metal cylinder around a stem.
US07750812B2

Apparatuses, systems for, and methods of transporting digital signals and radio-frequency (“RF”) signals are disclosed. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, an intelligent network (e.g., a combination router) and corresponding method are provided for transporting RF signals to, for example, an RFID antenna and transporting digital signals to, for example, a controller. In a preferred embodiment, the intelligent network is implemented with a manager unit for controlling a plurality of network devices to facilitate the efficient management of RFID-enabled devices. The network devices may include a combination router/switch, which has the capability of switching both digital data and RF data, RFID readers, RFID reader/writer pads, and other devices. In accordance with preferred embodiments, the intelligent network allows enhanced flexibility in controlling systems for interrogation of RFID antennae.
US07750811B2

An asset monitoring and security system includes at least one asset assigned a unique identifier and operable wirelessly transmit an identification signal embodying the identifier. A data store maintains a list of the assets and privileges associated with the assets for authorized users of the assets. A control unit is adapted to receive identification signals from the assets and monitor positions of the assets within a defined area. The control unit communicates with the data store and is further operable to initiate an alarm event when privileges associated with a given asset for authorized users of the asset are exceeded. Each of the assets includes a lock-out mechanism that impedes use of the asset when the lock-out mechanism is activated. The control unit activates the lock-out mechanism of a given asset when the privileges associated with the asset for authorized users of the asset are exceeded.
US07750807B2

A mobile communication device is provided herein. The mobile communication device includes a touch unit for generating a trigger signal when detecting a touch, a controller for generating an audible alarm in response to the trigger signal, and a transceiver for communicating wirelessly with an anti-theft device. The audible alarm, transmitted to the anti-theft device via the transceiver, is for enabling the anti-theft device to output a first alarm. An anti-theft system and method are also provided.
US07750806B1

A security tag assembly structured to discourage unauthorized removal of merchandise comprising a base including at least one magnetomechanical member normally operatively oriented in an armed mode. The armed mode is at least partially defined by the magnetomechanical member demonstrating a vibration or mechanical resonance when exposed to a predetermined resonant frequency, such as when passing through or otherwise disposed in proximity to a monitoring alarm assembly. A stabilizing assembly comprising at least one stabilizing magnet is disposed and structured to expose said magnetomechanical member to a stabilizing magnet field sufficient operative characteristics to facilitate restoration or maintenance of the armed mode of the magnetomechanical member even when exposed to a disruptive magnetic field, such as when the magnetomechanical member is attempting to be disarmed by an unauthorized source.
US07750804B2

A circuit for operating a plurality of electrical devices such as lamps for outdoor illumination includes a plurality of motion sensor circuits for detecting motion relative thereto and a plurality of outputs conditioned upon motion detection. Additionally, a photocell sensor circuit for detecting a low ambient illumination level has an output command conditioned upon the detection of a predetermined illumination level that is electrically coupled to the control circuit for illumination of lamps at low ambient lighting levels. The present invention enables the activation of lamps by a plurality of motion sensors having differing fields of view.
US07750802B1

An illumination and detection architecture that illuminates a target for detecting a material of interest. The architecture includes an illumination component that illuminates the target using a predetermined light wavelength known to energize and thereby cause a detectable change in the desired chemical and/or compounds associated with the target in a particular way. The change is then captured by an image capture system and processed to determine the presence or absence detected of the desired material of interest at the target.
US07750801B2

The present invention is directed to a method of asset location. Location data is received from a cellular transmitter associated with a selected asset, which location data includes data representative of a cellular receiver with which direct communication with the cellular transmitter is made. The location data is then communicated to a tracking service system, which tracking service system includes a database representative of geographic locations associated with a plurality of cellular receivers. The database is then queried with received location data so as to generate geographic tracking data associated with a location of the cellular receiver, the geographic tracking data including display data adapted to generate a map image including a representative of a location of the selected asset. The geographic tracking data is then communicated to an associated security agency so as to allow for viewing of an image generated in accordance with the display data and at least one of tracking and interception of the selected asset.
US07750792B2

Multi-mode (e.g., EAS and RFID) tags and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. The tag generally includes an antenna, an electronic article surveillance (EAS) function block coupled to the antenna, and one or more identification function blocks coupled to the antenna in parallel with the EAS function block. The method of reading the tag generally includes the steps of applying an electric field to the tag, detecting the tag when the electric field has a relatively low power, and detecting an identification signal from the tag when the electric field has a relatively high power. The present invention advantageously enables a single tag to be used for both inventory and anti-theft purposes, thereby improving inventory management and control at reduced system and/or “per-article” costs.
US07750787B2

An impedance transformer includes a first winding and a second winding. The first winding includes a first plurality of winding components, wherein each of the first plurality of winding components is on a corresponding layer of a first set of layers of a supporting substrate. The second winding includes a second plurality of winding components, wherein each of the second plurality of winding components is on a corresponding layer of a second set of layers of the supporting substrate and the first and second sets of layers are interleaved. The first winding has a first impedance within a desired frequency range and the second winding has a second impedance within the desired frequency range, where the first and second impedances are based on at least one of spacing, trace width, and trace length of the first and second plurality of winding components.
US07750786B2

The electromagnetic coil according to the invention has a coil core, a winding of coil wire and two contact pins, the contact pins being secured to at least one resilient holding member and being movable relative to the coil core. The holding member is formed in a unitary manner with the coil core, and the ends of the coil wire are secured to the movable/resilient contact pins.
US07750781B2

Field emission structures comprising electric or magnetic field sources having magnitudes, polarities, and positions corresponding to a desired spatial force function where a spatial force is created based upon the relative alignment of the field emission structures The magnetic field sources may be arranged according to a code having a desired autocorrelation function. In particular, a high peak to sidelobe autocorrelation performance may be found desirable. Specific exemplary embodiments are described having non-parallel linear substructures. The non-parallel linear substructures may use the same or different codes and may have none, one, or more magnets in common. Other embodiments include substructures spaced according to a spacing code. Exemplary spacing codes include, but are not limited to Golomb ruler or Costas array. A polarity code may be applied across the substructures.
US07750779B2

An improved field emission system and method is provided that involves field emission structures having electric or magnetic field sources. The magnitudes, polarities, and positions of the magnetic or electric field sources are configured to have desirable correlation properties, which may be in accordance with a code. The correlation properties correspond to a desired spatial force function where spatial forces between field emission structures correspond to relative alignment, separation distance, and the spatial force function.
US07750777B2

An improved field emission system and method is provided that involves field emission structures having electric or magnetic field sources. The magnitudes, polarities, and positions of the magnetic or electric field sources are configured to have desirable correlation properties, which may be in accordance with a code. The correlation properties correspond to a desired spatial force function where spatial forces between field emission structures correspond to relative alignment, separation distance, and the spatial force function.
US07750771B2

Magnetic attractive force of a magnet exerted on a movable contact in a sealing case through yokes changes as a result of movement of a magnetic shunt element induced by movement of a movable element located outside the sealing case. As a result, the movable contact can be brought into or out of contact with a stationary contact without involvement of entry of the movable element into the sealing case.
US07750770B2

A gas diverter is disclosed that slows, cools, and directs the hot gas and plasma generated during the operation of an electrical switching device. The gas diverter mounts to the switching device and has an inlet for accepting the gas and exit for expelling the gas. The diverter has peripheral walls and internal partitions that divide the gas and provide for two independent circuitous flow paths. In multi-phase switching devices, a plurality of gas diverters may be used to further separate the gases generated in each respective phase. The gas diverter is made of a high temperature, arc resistant plastic which is molded to form a two piece structure. The gas diverter is mounted to the device via a slide in place flange-channel mechanism.
US07750769B2

An electromagnetic relay includes a base including a fixed contact piece and a movable contact piece. The movable contact piece includes a movable contact point that is moved to contact and be separated from the fixed contact piece at a fixed contact point by driving the movable contact piece. The movable contact piece includes a terminal portion held in the base and partially protruding from the base, a first contact piece portion connected to the terminal portion and protruding from the base at a different position from the terminal portion, a bent portion connected to the first contact piece portion and changing a protruding direction gradually, and a second contact piece portion connected to the bent portion, extending in a different direction from a base portion, and provided with the movable contact point.
US07750768B2

An electrical switching device including a plurality of magnetic microswitches organized in a matrix on a substrate and each includes a mobile element driven between two stable positions held under the effect of a magnetic field, the device being characterized in that it includes a network of crossed conducting lines, wherein magnetic microswitches are positioned near to intersections formed by the conducting lines. The passage of an electrical current, through two conducting lines commands a change in position of the mobile element of the magnetic microswitch situated at the intersection of the two conducting lines.
US07750764B2

Coaxial-to-microstrip transitions may include a microstrip line and coaxial-line assembly. The microstrip line includes a first dielectric having an aperture, a conductive strip disposed on one primary face of the first dielectric, and a ground plane disposed on the opposite primary face of the first dielectric. The coaxial-line assembly includes an outer conductor and an inner conductor. In some examples, the ground plane extends between the outer conductor and the inner conductor on a first side of the coaxial-line assembly proximate the conductive strip and an aperture cross section extends beyond the outer conductor on a second side of the coaxial-line assembly distal the conductive strip. In some examples, the ground plane has a non-circular aperture. In some examples, the outer conductor encloses an area that is less than an area of the aperture. In some examples, the enclosed area has a width that is less than a corresponding width of the first aperture.
US07750762B2

A waveguide corner including a first rectangular waveguide and a second rectangular waveguide. An end face of the second rectangular waveguide is made open to an H-plane wall of the first rectangular waveguide and the H-plane walls of the second rectangular waveguide are disposed along the pipe axis of the first rectangular waveguide. Accordingly, planes of polarization of electromagnetic waves being propagated in the first and second rectangular waveguides are made perpendicular to each other.
US07750754B2

A metamaterial is proposed which is composed of base elements having six ports with two ports, respectively. The base element further comprises four nodes connected with a central point via inductors, to which nodes the ports are connected via capacitors.
US07750753B1

A system includes a source of electromagnetic energy or power and an amplitude-sensitive circuit. An amplitude-limiting transmission line couples the source to the circuit. The transmission line includes a semiconductor in the field of the transmission line and a light source for illuminating the semiconductor with light responsive to the amplitude from the source. Application of energy or power to the light source illuminates the semiconductor, which produces a plasma. The plasma tends to attenuate the energy or power reaching the circuit.
US07750752B1

Programmable SAW filter module are provided to overcome undesirable drawbacks, limitations and shortcomings associated with “in-line” SAW filters, such as insertion loss, propagation loss and strong signal capture effects. The programmable SAW filter modules remove the SAW structure from the primary signal path, adding signal gain to drive the splitter and using the SAW portion of the circuit as a programmable impedance element. The programmable SAW filter module includes an amplifier, an impedance, a surface acoustic wave propagation element, a splitter, input and output IDT electrodes, input and output interdigitated transducers, means for gain control and a combiner to combine or sum the signals received from the output IDT electrodes and form an output signal. The input and output IDT's are fully integrated circuits comprising the power splitter and power combiner functions, the phase shift, and gain functions. The embodiments include an amplifier and impedance preceding the input splitter, the amplifier preceding the input splitter with the impedance connected to the combiner, and placing programmable SAW devices in both branches of the circuit.
US07750745B2

An oscillator circuit has a first and a second piezoresistive resonator (1,2), each having a resonant frequency, each piezoresistive resonator having an input for driving the resonator, and each piezoresistive resonator having its input coupled directly to an output of the other of the resonators, to provide feedback according to a resistance of the respective resonator without amplification and without a phase shifter. This enables feedback without the need for another component to provide the phase shift. This means a simpler circuit can be used, which can facilitate greater integration and hence lower costs. By using piezoresistive resonators the need for an external crystal can be avoided, enabling greater integration and lower costs.
US07750736B2

An integrated circuit system comprising: forming a differential amplifier including: forming a first transistor, coupling a second transistor to the first transistor in a high gain configuration, and coupling a third transistor, having a low gain configuration, in parallel with the second transistor; and adjusting a gain of the differential amplifier by adjusting a ratio of the size of the second transistor to the size of the first transistor.
US07750733B2

Methods and systems for vector combining power amplification are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of signals are individually amplified, then summed to form a desired time-varying complex envelope signal. Phase and/or frequency characteristics of one or more of the signals are controlled to provide the desired phase, frequency, and/or amplitude characteristics of the desired time-varying complex envelope signal. In another embodiment, a time-varying complex envelope signal is decomposed into a plurality of constant envelope constituent signals. The constituent signals are amplified equally or substantially equally, and then summed to construct an amplified version of the original time-varying envelope signal. Embodiments also perform frequency up-conversion.
US07750726B2

A reference voltage generating circuit includes a current generating section, a voltage generating section, a voltage dividing circuit, and a synthesis section. The current generating section generates a first current having a positive temperature coefficient. The voltage generating section generates a voltage having a negative temperature coefficient. The voltage dividing circuit divides the voltage of the negative temperature coefficient, generated by the voltage generating section. The synthesis section generates a voltage which is the sum of a terminal voltage obtained on causing the first current through a resistor and a voltage obtained on dividing the voltage having the negative temperature coefficient by the voltage dividing circuit, and outputs the sum voltage generated as a reference voltage.
US07750719B2

A driving circuit is provided by the invention. The driving circuit includes a level shifter, a buffer and a switch. The switch is coupled between an operation voltage and a power supply terminal of the first buffer for controlling a power-supplying time of the first buffer. While the level shifter is transiting, the switch is turned off, and the switch is turned on after the level shifter completes the transition. Therefore, the transition time of the level shifter is different from the transition time of the buffer so as to avoid simultaneously conducting large currents to adversely affect the transition capability of the level shifter.
US07750702B2

A pulse generation circuit for outputting to an output terminal (OT) includes an inverter delay circuit (IDC) for processing a start signal with a predetermined delay; a first switching circuit (SC) adapted to connect the OT to a first voltage when a logical product of the IDC is true, and to connect the OT to a second voltage when a logical sum of the IDC is false; a second SC adapted to connect the OT to the first voltage when a logical product of the IDC is true, and to connect the OT to the second voltage when a logical sum of the IDC is false; and a start signal control circuit adapted to input the start signal to the IDC with a delay when the first SC is activated, and to input the start signal to the IDC without the delay when the second SC is activated.
US07750699B2

A DLL circuit and a synchronous memory device perform stable operation in a power down mode although the entry and exit into/from the power down mode is repeated rapidly. The synchronous memory device operates in a normal mode and a power down mode. A delay locked loop (DLL) generates a DLL clock having frozen locking information when exiting the power down mode. A controller precludes phase update operation of the DLL when a predetermined time passes after entering the power down mode to thereby obtain a time margin for a phase update operation undertaken in the normal mode.
US07750698B2

A delay lock loop having improved timing control of input signals. Specifically, a fine delay block is provided having feedback loops therein such that the fine delay block is self tuning. The output of the fine delay block may be implemented to control a coarse delay block in a delay lock loop.
US07750696B2

A method of calibrating a PLL that includes forcing a control voltage input to a voltage controlled oscillator to be a reference voltage and setting a calibration divider coupled to receive an output clock signal from the voltage controlled oscillator such that the calibration divider utilizes one of a plurality of divisors that results in the output clock signal having a high frequency can substantially avoid overshoot and glitch problems associated with conventional PLL calibrations.
US07750691B1

Clock driver circuit having upper and lower transistors1 and upper and lower transistors2. Voltage node1 coupled to electrodes of upper transistor1 and upper transistor2. Voltage node2 coupled to electrodes of lower transistor1 and lower transistor2. Coupling transistor1 couples another electrode of upper transistor1 to another electrode of lower transistor2. Coupling transistor2 couples another electrode of upper transistor2 to another electrode of lower transistor1. Two series1 capacitors couple the another electrode of upper transistor1 to the another electrode of lower transistor1. Two series2 capacitors couple the another electrode of upper transistor2 to the another electrode of lower transistor2. Node intermediate the two series2 capacitors provides in-phase clock output. Node intermediate the two series1 capacitors provides anti-phase clock output. In-phase clock input is coupled to control inputs of upper transistor1, coupling transistor1 and lower transistor1. Anti-phase clock input is coupled to control inputs of upper transistor2, coupling transistor2 and lower transistor2.
US07750684B2

A power-on detection circuit for detecting a minimum operational frequency includes: an oscillating circuit, which includes: a ring oscillator, for generating a first oscillating signal; and a high pass filter for filtering the first oscillating signal to generate a second oscillating signal. The power-on detection circuit also includes a rectification device, coupled to the high pass filter, for generating a logic signal once the second oscillating signal reaches a certain frequency.
US07750683B2

PFD includes UP and DOWN signal modules, and RESET signal module. UP and DOWN signal modules transmit UP and DOWN signals according to reference and fed-back clock signals. RESET module includes UP-RESET and DOWN-RESET signal modules. UP-RESET signal module resets UP signal module according to pre-trigger fed-back signal, UP and DOWN signals. Pre-trigger fed-back signal is generated according to original fed-back clock signal and calculation of logic gates and inverting delay module. DOWN-RESET signal module resets DOWN signal module according to pre-trigger reference signal, UP and DOWN signals. Pre-trigger reference signal is generated according to original reference clock signal and calculation of logic gates and inverting delay module.
US07750682B2

A novel methodology for the construction and operation of logical circuits and gates that make use of and contact to a fourth terminal (substrates/bodies) of MOSFET devices is described in detail. The novel construction and operation provides for maintaining such body-contacted MOSFET devices at a lower threshold voltage (VTh) when actively on (to increase overdrive and performance), and at a higher relative threshold voltage when off (to reduce leakage power). Because the threshold potential of a gate moves inversely to its body potential, it follows then that in general, the body of a given device must be tied to the inverse of the device's drain voltage to achieve such a desirable threshold potential modulation effect for improved device, circuit, gate and logical family operation.
US07750680B2

A method extends a clock-gating technique to provide a sleep signal for controlling switch circuits that reduce active leakage power. Using this extension of the clock-gating technique, fine-grained power-gating is achieved. The method automatically identifies, at an RTL or a gate level, the logic circuits that can be power-gated. The method of the present invention derives a sleep signal for fine-grained power-gating that may be applicable to both time-critical and non-time-critical designs.
US07750677B2

A novel methodology for the construction and operation of logical circuits and gates that make use of and contact to a fourth terminal (substrates/bodies) of MOSFET devices is described in detail. The novel construction and operation provides for maintaining such body-contacted MOSFET devices at a lower threshold voltage (VTh) when actively on (to increase overdrive and performance), and at a higher relative threshold voltage when off (to reduce leakage power). Because the threshold potential of a gate moves inversely to its body potential, it follows then that in general, the body of a given device must be tied to the inverse of the device's drain voltage to achieve such a desirable threshold potential modulation effect for improved device, circuit, gate and logical family operation.
US07750667B2

A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a MOS logic operating by first and second voltages; a switching transistor unit disposed between a supply terminal of the first voltage or the second voltage and the MOS logic, and turned on or off in response to a control signal so as to control a supply of the first or second voltage to the MOS logic; and a fuse unit disposed between the supply terminal of the first voltage or the second voltage and the switching transistor unit, for cutting off a supply of the first or second voltage to the switching transistor unit by a selective cut based on a test result. Whereby, a product development or production difficulty or a yield decrease based on a performance drop or leakage current increase in a circuit having a power gate or MTCMOS may be improved. In addition, a product development delay caused by a mask revision required at a transistor level may be improved in a revision of an NMOS or PMOS transistor.
US07750664B2

A programmable phase shifter is constructed of Rapid Single Flux Quantum (RSFQ) logic elements. The logic elements may include an RSFQ inverter and an RSFQ T flip-flop. A digital word comprising N bits is used to control the amount of phase shift and the phase shifter selectively imparts a respective phase shift for any of 2N states that can be represented by the digital word. The RSFQ logic elements utilize Josephson junctions which operate in the superconducting temperature domain.
US07750660B2

An integrated circuit that supports testing of multiple pads via a subset of these pads includes at least two sections. Each section has multiple pads and multiple test access circuits coupled to these pads. For each section, one pad is designated as a primary pad and the remaining pads are designated as secondary pads. For each section, the test access circuits couple the secondary pads to the primary pad such that all of the pads in the section can be tested by probing just the primary pad. Each test access circuit may be implemented with a simple switch. A controller generates a set of control signals for the test access circuits in all sections. These control signals enable and disable the test access circuits such that all of the sections can be tested in parallel, and the pads in each section can be tested in a sequential order.
US07750659B2

A voltage detecting circuit detects a voltage between first and second wirings, and comprises at least first and second transistors connected in series between the first and second wirings, wherein a first reference voltage is supplied to a gate of the first transistor, a gate and a drain of the second transistor are short-circuited, and a detection signal is output from a connection point between a drain of the first transistor and a source of the second transistor.
US07750654B2

A probe method of this invention includes a step of reducing an electrode of a wafer by using a forming gas, and a step of bringing the electrode and a probe pin into contact with each other in a dry atmosphere. The probe method further includes, prior to a reducing process of an electrode of the object to be tested, placing the object to be tested in an inert gas atmosphere and heating the object to be tested. The reducing process is performed by bringing a reducing gas into contact with the electrode of the object to be tested under atmospheric pressure.
US07750652B2

A test structure including a differential gain cell and a differential signal probe include compensation for the Miller effect reducing the frequency dependent variability of the input impedance of the test structure.
US07750650B2

A method, and apparatus resulting from the method, for fabricating a circuit board suitable for mounting electronic components. The method includes drilling a plurality of through-holes in a plurality of dielectric sheets, forming a conductive film on at least one side of each of the plurality of dielectric sheets, and substantially filling each of the plurality of through holes with a conductive material. The conductive material is both electrically and thermally uninterrupted from a first face to a second face of each of the plurality of dielectric sheets. The plurality of dielectric sheets are then sequentially mounted, on atop another, to form the circuit board. The sequential mounting step is performed after the steps of drilling the plurality of through-holes, forming the conductive layer, and substantially filling the plurality of through-holes.
US07750646B2

A detector system for precursively identifying an electrical arcing event is provided. The system may include a transmission channel for transmitting a radio frequency signal to a zone where an arcing event may occur. The system may further include a reception channel for receiving a radio frequency signal resulting from an interaction of the transmitted radio frequency signal and an electric field which forms at the zone as a precursor to an arcing event. A pre-arc identification circuit may be coupled to process the resulting radio frequency signal. The identification circuit may be configured to generate a signal indicative of a pre-arc condition based on at least one parameter of the resulting radio frequency signal.
US07750644B2

A plasma reactor system for processing a wafer in which respective comparators are coupled to the respective RF transient sensors which are coupled in turn to respective RF power application points. The comparators have respective comparison thresholds. The system further includes a controller programmed to updating the respective thresholds of the comparators with respective updated thresholds for different ones of the steps of the process recipe.
US07750643B2

Processes and systems for detecting surface anomalies in components generally includes contacting a surface of the component with a detection apparatus, wherein the detection apparatus includes at least one post, a wire extending from the post and a sensor in operative communication the wire; and sensing the surface anomaly as an increase in resistance of the wire across the surface.
US07750641B2

A battery system and a method for monitoring a battery are provided. The battery has a first plurality of cells electrically coupled in series to one another. The first plurality of cells includes a second plurality of cells and a third plurality of cells electrically coupled together at a node. The method includes calculating a first number of failed cells in the first plurality cells. The method further includes calculating a second number of failed cells in the second plurality cells and a third number of failed cells in the third plurality cells.
US07750635B2

The invention relates to a device (1) for magnetic resonance imaging of a body (7) placed in a stationary and substantially homogeneous main magnetic field comprising a main magnet (2) for generation of a stationary and substantially homogeneous main magnetic field within the examination zone. In order to provide an MR device (1) which is arranged to allow for massive parallel imaging without extensive cabling between the individual receiving coils and the back end electronics, the invention proposes to make provision for a plurality of receiving units (10a, 10b, 10c) placed in or near the examination zone, which receiving units (10a, 10b, 10c) each comprise a receiving antenna (12a, 12b, 12c) for receiving MR signals from the body, a digitizing means (21a, 21b, 21c) for sampling the received MR signals and for transforming the signal samples into digital signals, and a transmitter (22a, 22b, 22c) for transmitting the digital signals to a central processing unit (13). Further, the device (1) comprises synchronization means (17) for synchronizing the operation of the individual digitizing means (21a, 21b, 21c) of the receiving units (10a, 10b, 10c).
US07750628B2

A magnetic field sensor circuit with common-mode voltage nulling, reduces or eliminates the effect of common-mode variation and transients due to rotation of the magnetic field sensor terminals between the bias current source and sensor output voltage terminals. A switching circuit rotates the bias current source and sensor output voltage terminals between pairs of terminals of the semiconductor magnetic field sensor. After each rotation, the switching circuit momentarily shorts all of the terminals of the semiconductor magnetic field sensor to a reference voltage such as ground. After a predetermined period of time, a sample/hold circuit having an input coupled to the sensor output terminals samples and holds the voltage at the sensor output voltage terminals, resulting in a sampled output free of common mode error between samples due to common-mode error and magnitude changes between magnetic field sensor terminal pairs.
US07750626B2

A method of eddy current testing without the need for lift-off compensation. Signal response features similar to those used in pulsed eddy current techniques are applied to conventional (harmonic) eddy current methods. The described method provides advantages in terms of data storage, since only two response parameters, the amplitude and phase, are sufficient to reconstruct any sinusoidal signal, therefore allowing for scanning of large surfaces.
US07750625B2

A sensor assembly for measuring a linear position includes a slider having a rack gear that engages a pinion gear. The pinion gear is rotatable relative to the slider responsive to linear movement. The pinion gear supports a permanent magnet that generates a magnetic field. Changes in the magnetic field caused by rotation of the pinion gear are sensed by a magnetic field sensor. Signals from the magnetic field sensor are indicative of a rotation of pinion gear and correspond to linear movement of the slider.
US07750620B2

By subdividing the free layer of a GMR/TMR device into multiple sub-elements that share common top and bottom electrodes, a magnetic detector is produced that is domain stable in the presence of large stray fields, thereby eliminating the need for longitudinal bias magnets. Said detector may be used to measure electric currents without being affected by local temperature fluctuations and/or stray fields.
US07750616B2

A buck converter LED driver circuit is provided. The driver circuit includes a buck power stage, a rectified AC voltage source, a voltage waveform sampler, and a control circuit. The buck power stage includes at least one LED and provides a first signal directly proportional to the current through the LED. The rectified AC voltage source is coupled to the buck power stage for driving the buck power stage. The voltage waveform sampler is coupled to the rectified AC voltage source for providing a second signal directly proportional to the voltage provided by the rectified AC voltage source. The control circuit is coupled to the voltage waveform sampler and the buck power stage for turning on and turning off the buck power stage according to a comparison between the first signal and the second signal.
US07750613B2

A regulator and a method for regulating include sensing an input voltage at a sensing unit and outputting a sensed voltage to a sensed voltage node. A bypassing unit receives the input voltage, bypassing the sensing unit, and applies the input voltage to the sensed voltage node. A comparison unit compares a the sensed voltage from the sensed voltage node to a reference voltage and outputs a comparison result signal.
US07750611B2

A voltage controller may include a pulse generator and an internal voltage control circuit coupled to the pulse generator. The pulse generator may be configured to generate a control signal in response to at least one of a mode signal and/or an external voltage. The internal voltage control circuit may be configured to generate an internal voltage at an internal voltage node, and the internal voltage control circuit may include a voltage divider, first and second comparators, and a driver. The voltage divider may be coupled between the internal voltage node and a first reference voltage, and the voltage divider may generate a feedback voltage that is between the internal voltage and the first reference voltage. The first comparator may be configured to generate a first comparison result responsive to comparing the feedback voltage with a second reference voltage, and the second comparator may be configured to generate a second comparison result responsive to comparing the feedback voltage with the second reference voltage in response to the control signal. The driver may be coupled between an external voltage and the internal voltage node, and the driver may be configured to generate the internal voltage responsive to the first and second comparison results. Related methods and smart cards are also discussed.
US07750604B2

Circuits and methods for battery charging are disclosed. In one embodiment, the battery charging circuit comprises an AC to DC converter, a charging control switch, and a charger controller. The AC to DC converter provides a charging power to a battery pack. The charging control switch is coupled between the AC to DC converter and the battery pack. The charging control switch transfers the charging power to the battery pack. The charger controller detects a battery status of the battery pack and controls the charging control switch to charge the battery pack in a continuous charging mode or a pulse charging mode according to the battery status. The charger controller also controls the AC to DC converter to regulate the charging power according to the battery status.
US07750597B2

A power supply apparatus is provided which includes: a fuel cell; a power storage device which stores electric power; a connection terminal for connecting a load; a charge-used voltage converter which converts the output voltage of the fuel cell into a charging voltage for charging the power storage device and charges the power storage device; and an output-used voltage converter which converts the output voltage of the power storage device into a predetermined set output voltage and outputs it to the connection terminal.
US07750595B2

A rotating machinery includes a first control member for performing rectangular wave control by operating the switching devices of an inverter such that an on-state and an off-state occur once for one cycle period in electrical angle of a motor, a second control member for operating the switching devices on the basis of a magnitude relation between upper and lower limits of a predetermined hysteresis region and an actual current flowing through the motor, and a switching member for, when the actual current deviates from the hysteresis region while the rectangular wave control is undertaken, switching the control to an instantaneous current value control performed by the second control member.
US07750588B2

A method of accurately maintaining, in position registers of memory modules, a net count of rotor signals received from a motor equipped with a rotor position sensor. A vehicle apparatus includes the memory modules and motor, as well as a driven component and processors that: (a) adjust the net count while the motor is driven; (b) monitor for, and terminate power upon encounter of, a mechanical stop; and (c) correct the net count for rotor signals received thereafter. Storage media and memory modules are encoded with processor instructions and processor-readable code that, when executed by processors, cause them to perform the method.
US07750584B1

A motor driver comprises a first power supply, a second power supply, a multiplexer, and an output power module. The first power supply provides a first power signal after a first period. The second power supply provides a second power signal after a second period, where the second period is longer than the first period. The multiplexer initially selects the first power signal and then selects the second power signal. An output power module controls a motor and receives power from an output of the multiplexer.
US07750583B2

The invention relates to an electronic ballast presenting an input capacitor and comprising and step-up chopper for operating a load, for example a discharge lamp, on a phase control dimmer having an integrated or parasite inductance. In such a way, the voltage overshooting on the input capacitor are reduced by active charge or discharge thereof.
US07750577B2

The present application discloses a method and apparatus for providing an isolated set point from an input signal. The set point can control the amount of power applied to a lamp via a lamp ballast. An AC output signal from the ballast powers a dimming circuit. The AC signal is coupled across an isolation transformer and subsequently converted into a DC signal. This DC signal is loaded by a variable resistor, which creates a voltage differential across the resistor. This voltage differential is then seen across DC input terminals of the ballast, and it is across the DC input terminals that the set point is created. By varying the value of the resistor, the ballast set point is varied ultimately changing the power that is applied to the lamp by the ballast.
US07750574B2

A pulse voltage is applied on a process gas to generate discharge plasma. The pulse voltage has a duty ratio controlled in a range of 0.001 percent or more and 8.0 percent or less. Preferably, the discharge plasma has an electron density of 1×1010 cm−3 or larger and an electron temperature of 1.5 eV or lower at a supplied power of 1.0 W/cm2 or more per a unit area of a discharge electrode.
US07750571B2

A mercury-free gas discharge lamp suitable in particular for motor vehicles has an enhanced discharge arc diffuseness. The lamp according includes an inner vessel and/or outer bulb with a structured arrangement or pattern such that the discharge arc diffuseness of the lamp is increased, such as by 0.01 mm to 1.5 mm.
US07750570B2

The present invention relates to glow-switch starters 1, lighting devices therewith and use thereof. The glow-switch starter 1 is suitable for use with three phase supply voltages substantially higher than the common 230V supply voltage 26. This allows more efficient gas discharges in e.g. fluorescent lamps 20, and/or more lamp power, and/or less energy losses in ballasts 22 and lamp electrodes. To make the glow-switch starter suited for such use, according to the invention, the gas filling 5 of the starter 1 is adapted. An important criterion is that the glow current in the steady state operation of the fluorescent lamp that is started by the starter is small enough to prevent closing of the (bimetallic) switch.
US07750557B2

An organic electroluminescent display device comprising: a substrate; a reflective layer provided on the substrate and reflecting light; an insulating layer provided on the reflective layer and transmitting light; a lower electrode provided on the insulating layer; an organic electroluminescent layer provided on the lower electrode; and an upper electrode provided on the organic electroluminescent layer and electrically connected to the reflective layer.
US07750551B2

A light emitting device includes a light emitting element mounted on a base; a phosphor-containing transparent resin section which contains a phosphor for absorbing light emitted from the light emitting element and for emitting light having a wavelength different from that of the absorbed light, and which is filled in the base while containing the light emitting element mounted on the base and with the light emitting element covered therewith; and a high-concentration phosphor-containing resin layers, which is formed on a section directly above the light emitting element, and which has a phosphor concentration higher than that of the phosphor-containing transparent resin.
US07750548B2

An image display device in which each pixel has a thin-film electron source composed of a lower electrode (which is a signal wire), an electron accelerating layer (which is formed by anodizing the surface of said signal wire), and an upper electrode (which covers said electron accelerating layer and releases electrons), in which the anodized film constituting said electron accelerating layer contains hydrated alumina component and anhydrous alumina component such that their ratio in the side close to the upper electrode is greater than that in the side close to the lower electrode. This structure prevents said thin-film electron source from being deteriorated in diode characteristics by said electron accelerating layer, thereby enhancing the reliability of said image display device.
US07750545B2

The oblong bulb (1) of the lamp is sealed at opposing ends by sealing pieces (6; 32), with application of a holder to each end, whereby said holder comprises an electrical contact element (13; 25), electrically connected to a power supply (15; 21), running to the lighting means. The contact element is housed in a tubular extension (11; 22) of the sealing piece and the maximum external diameter of the contact element (13; 25) is loosely matched to the inner diameter of the sleeve.
US07750544B2

This invention provides compositions of matter that contain an electron emitting substance and an expansion material. The expansion material may, for example, be an intercalation compound. When a film is formed from the composition, expansion of the expansion material typically causes rupturing or fracturing of the film. No further treatment of the surface of the film is typically required after expansion of the expansion material to obtain good emission properties. A surface formed from such a fractured film acts as an efficient electron field emitter and thus is useful in vacuum microelectronic devices.
US07750543B2

A lamp and a back light unit for improved brightness and efficiency are disclosed. In the lamp, a transparent tube is sealed with a discharge gas. A fluorescent material is formed within the transparent tube in an emitter section that generates light. Electrodes are installed at both sides of the glass tube.
US07750539B2

A reception bush for a piezoelectric actuator is provided with two connection pins for electrically bonding the piezoelectric actuator, in particular for a piezoelectric actuator controlling the injector of an injection system for an internal combustion engine. The reception bush has a first (1) and a second (2) bush elements which are interconnected when the bush is mounted. The first element (1) is provided with through holes (4, 5) for the connection pins of the inventive piezoelectric actuator. The second element (2) is provided with at least one guide (12) for the connection pins.
US07750536B2

In one aspect, matching layers for an ultrasonic transducer stack having a matching layer comprising a matrix material loaded with a plurality of micron-sized and nano-sized particles. In another aspect, the matrix material is loaded with a plurality of heavy and light particles. In another aspect, an ultrasound transducer stack comprises a piezoelectric layer and at least one matching layer. In one aspect, the matching layer comprises a composite material comprising a matrix material loaded with a plurality of micron-sized and nano-sized particles. In a further aspect, the composite material can also comprise a matrix material loaded with a plurality of heavy and light particles. In a further aspect, a matching layer can also comprise cyanoacrylate.
US07750527B2

A motor/generator is basically provided with a stator, a first rotor member and a magnetic resistance changing mechanism. The stator has a plurality of coils configured and arranged to be energized with a composite electrical current to form first and second magnetic fields. The first rotor member is configured and arranged to be rotated with respect to the stator using the first magnetic field. The magnetic resistance changing mechanism is configured and arranged to change a magnetic resistance between the stator and the first rotor member using the second magnetic field.
US07750526B2

The invention is a compensator for minimizing circulatory current losses generated in a winding of an electric machine, the compensator comprising a frame part made of a magnetically conductive material and a winding formed in the frame part, the winding comprising at least one conductor having at least two sub-conductors; and at least one opening in said frame part. Said at least two sub-conductors extend through said at least one opening in such a way that the total current flowing through the opening is substantially zero, when a substantially equal current is led to the sub-conductors; and that at least two different sub-conductors are placed to extend through at least one opening. There is also disclosed an electric machine, the compensator being used in connection with the stator of the electric machine; and a method for forming a compensator to be used for minimizing circulatory current losses generated in a winding of an electric machine.
US07750523B2

A rotor of an embedded magnet type motor is disclosed. A rotor core of the motor includes first accommodation holes and V-shaped accommodation holes. The first accommodation holes extend in radial directions, and the V-shaped accommodation holes protrude radially outward. The rotor core has grooves at positions corresponding to the first accommodation holes on the outer periphery of the rotor core. Each groove has a width as a dimension in the circumferential direction when viewed from the axial direction. Each first magnet has a width as a dimension in the circumferential direction when viewed from the axial direction. The width of the grooves is larger than the width of the first magnets.
US07750518B1

This disclosure relates to transient energy systems for supplying power to a load substantially instantaneously on demand. Transient energy systems may include a flywheel coupled the rotor of an induction motor generator. One embodiment of the disclosure refers to systems and methods for reducing loads on a bearing in a transient energy system. In another embodiment, the disclosure refers to an induction motor generator that is optimized for high power transient power generation, yet low power motor operation. Yet another embodiment of the disclosure refers to using a flywheel as a drag pump to cool components of a transient energy system. In yet another embodiment, a slip control scheme is discussed for regulating a DC bus. In yet a further embodiment of the disclosure a method is provided for reducing unnecessary turbine starts by making turbine start a function of the rotational velocity of a flywheel.
US07750517B2

An apparatus is disclosed for enhancing the operational performance of a servo. The apparatus comprises an auxiliary shaft that is independent and displaced from the servo and an actuation sensor that is operably coupled to the auxiliary shaft. The auxiliary shaft is configured to be driven by a motor associated with the servo.
US07750511B2

An integrated circuit (IC) includes power supply interconnects that couple to a power source. The integrated circuit includes electronic devices that perform desired functions and further includes decoupling capacitor circuits that provide noise reduction throughout the integrated circuit. In one embodiment, each decoupling capacitor circuit includes a decoupling capacitor and a switching circuit. The switching circuit connects the decoupling capacitor to the power supply interconnects during a connect mode when the switching circuit detects no substantial decoupling capacitor leakage. However, the switching circuit effectively disconnects the decoupling capacitor from the power supply interconnects during a disconnect mode when the switching circuit detects substantial decoupling capacitor leakage. The decoupling capacitor circuit self-initializes in the connect mode without external control signals and is thus self-contained. Because of the self-contained nature of the decoupling capacitor circuit, an integrated circuit may contain an array of decoupling capacitor circuits without expenditure of substantial chip real estate for respective decoupling capacitor control lines.
US07750503B2

A first primary winding N11 of a transformer 1 is connected with a commercial power source 30 via a transistor Q1, and a second primary winding N22 of the transformer 1 is connected with a backup battery 31 via a transistor Q2. An electric power on the second primary winding N12 is output for a controlling apparatus. When a voltage of the commercial power source 30 is larger than a predetermined value, a backup stopping circuit 10 turns off a LED 9 and stops the transistor Q2. The second primary winding N22 is connected with input terminals 14, 15 as a power source for charging a battery 31. While the transistor Q2 is stopped, an electric power for the battery is output from the second primary winding N22. Since the LED 9 turns on at the time of electric power breakdown, the electric power for the battery is stopped.
US07750500B2

An integrated circuit comprising multiple independent power supply zones at substantially the same voltage level and a method for utilizing such power supply zones. An integrated circuit may comprise a first module and may, for example, comprise a second module. A first power supply bus may communicate first electrical power to the first module, where the first electrical power is characterized by a first set of power characteristics comprising a first voltage level. A second power supply bus may communicate second power to the second module, where the second power is characterized by a second set of power characteristics comprising a second voltage level that is substantially similar to the first voltage level. The second set of power characteristics may, for example, be substantially different than the first set of power characteristics. The second power supply bus may also, for example, communicate the second electrical power to the first module.
US07750491B2

The invention provides a fluid-dynamic renewable energy harvesting system which includes fluid-foil means for interfacing with a fluid current such as a water current or wind or both, and which includes energy harvesting means utilizing fluid current driven periodic motion of the fluid-foil means for capturing fluid-dynamic renewable energy and converting it into usable energy in a desired form such as electricity. The invention provides devices, methods and systems for harvesting renewable energy for small-scale, medium-scale and large-scale applications, to provide real and substantial benefits towards efficiently fulfilling energy needs while also more broadly serving humanity and our global environment. The various embodiments of the invention provide energy with zero consumption of fossil fuels and zero emissions of greenhouse gases, and some selectively sited embodiments can beneficially counter global warming induced ice melting.
US07750485B2

According to the method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, a surface of a lower insulating film (55) is planarized by CMP or the like, and an upper insulating film (56) and a protective metal film (59) are formed on the lower insulating film (55). Accordingly, the upper insulating film (56) and the protective metal film (59) are formed in such a manner they have an excellent coverage and the water/hydrogen blocking capability of the upper insulating film (56) and the protective metal film (59) is maximized.
US07750481B2

A semiconductor die is provided on a spacer, the die having first and second opposite edges which extend beyond respective first and second opposite edges of the spacer, the first edge of the die extending beyond the first edge of the spacer to a lesser extent than the second edge of the die extends beyond the second edge of the spacer. Furthermore, a first semiconductor die has a plurality of bond pads thereon, a second semiconductor die has a plurality of bond pads thereon, and a substrate has a plurality of bond pads thereon. Each of a first plurality of wires connects a bond pad on the first semiconductor die with a bond pad on the second semiconductor die, and each of a second plurality of wires connects a bond pad on the second semiconductor die with a bond pad on the substrate.
US07750478B2

A semiconductor device with improved reliability and its manufacturing method is offered. The semiconductor device of this invention includes a semiconductor substrate, a pad electrode formed on the semiconductor substrate through an insulation layer made of silicon oxide, silicon nitride or the like, a supporting plate bonded to a top surface of the semiconductor substrate to cover the pad electrode and a via hole formed in the semiconductor substrate and extending from a back surface of the semiconductor substrate to the pad electrode, wherein an aperture of the via hole at a portion close to the pad electrode is larger than an aperture of the via hole at a portion close to the back surface of the semiconductor substrate.
US07750473B2

Provided is a semiconductor device including first and second wiring layers, and dummy and conductive patterns. The first and second wiring layers each have a hollow structure, and are stacked vertically adjacent to each other on a semiconductor substrate. The dummy pattern is formed in the first wiring layer, and does not function as a signal line. The conductive pattern is formed in the second wiring layer. The dummy and conductive patterns have an overlapping portion where these patterns overlap each other, and a non-overlapping portion where these patterns overlap each other, as viewed from above the semiconductor substrate.
US07750472B2

Embodiments relate to a dual metal interconnection structure of a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same. In embodiments, the dual metal interconnection structure may include a contact plug selectively formed in an interlayer dielectric, which covers a silicon substrate, and contacted with an active area of the silicon substrate, a first aluminum interconnection formed on one contact plug in every two cells and having a width larger than a width of the contact plug, a dielectric wrapping an upper surface and a side plane of the first aluminum interconnection, and a second aluminum interconnection formed on one contact plug in every two cells alternatively with the first aluminum interconnection, insulated from the first aluminum interconnection by the dielectric, and having a width larger than a width of the contact plug. The dual metal interconnection structure may be formed by performing an interconnection process two times, and a width of the interconnection and a gap between interconnections may be increased.
US07750466B2

A microelectronic assembly and a method of forming the assembly. The microelectronic assembly includes a package having a package substrate having a die side and a carrier side, and substrate lands on the carrier side thereof; a microelectronic die mounted on the package substrate at the die side thereof; and an array of first level interconnects electrically coupling the die to the package substrate. The assembly further includes a carrier having a substrate side, the package being mounted on the carrier at the substrate side thereof; and an array of second level interconnects electrically coupling the package to the carrier, each of the second level interconnects including a solder joint connecting the substrate lands to the carrier lands, and a crack arrester element at least partially encompassed within the solder joint.
US07750459B2

An apparatus for an integrated module. A silicon carrier with through-silicon vias has a plurality of die connected to a top side of the silicon carrier. In addition, a substrate is connected to a bottom side of the silicon carrier. The substrate is coupled to the plurality of die via the through-silicon vias.
US07750450B2

A system may include a first integrated circuit die comprising a first upper surface, an integrated circuit package substrate comprising a second upper surface, a wire coupled to the a first upper surface and to the second upper surface, a plurality of elements coupled to the first upper surface, and a second integrated circuit die coupled to the plurality of elements. A portion of the wire is disposed between the first integrated circuit die and the second integrated circuit die.
US07750448B2

A semiconductor package includes a semiconductor device having a first main surface and a second main surface, a first electrode plate provided on the first main surface, a second electrode plate provided on the second main surface, and a wiring substrate provided between the semiconductor device and the first electrode plate, in which a plurality of opening portions in the side surface of a protruding portion provided on the first electrode plate are engaged respectively with a plurality of engaging portions which face the opening portions and which are provided on the inner side surface of an intrusion opening portion in the wiring substrate into which the protruding portion is intruded.
US07750445B2

A multichip module buck converter 10 has a high side power mosfet 12, a low side power mosfet 22 and a pre-molded leadframe 40 between the two mosfets for connecting the source of mosfet 12 to the drain of mosfet 22. Clips 14, 16, 18 and 26 carry the source, gate and drain terminals of the mosfet from planes parallel but spaced apart to a common plane.
US07750436B2

An electronic device (ICD) comprises an integrated circuit (AIC) and a capacitance element (PIC). The integrated circuit (AIC) is provided with a plurality of circuit contact pairs (CI). The capacitance element (PIC) is provided with a plurality of capacitance contact pairs (CC). A capacitance is present between each of at least part of the capacitance contact pairs (CC). The plurality of capacitance contact pairs (CC) faces the plurality of circuit contact pairs (CI). At least a part of the capacitance contact pairs (CC) is electrically coupled in a pair-by-pair manner to at least a part of the circuit contact pairs (CI).
US07750434B2

A first wiring layer in a circuit substrate structure is provided with a first inductor and a second inductor. A dielectric layer is provided with a first via and a second via electrically connected to the first inductor and the second inductor, respectively. A second wiring layer is provided with: a bridge electrically connecting the first via and the second via; and a conductive pattern provided around the bridge, the outer edge of the conductive pattern being located outside the outer edge of the first wiring pattern and the second wiring pattern in the first wiring layer. The bridge functions as a coplanar line and suppresses generation of electromagnetic field.
US07750432B2

A semiconductor fuse box includes a fuse structure and a protective structure disposed between the fuse structure and an integrated circuit structure. The protective structure has at least one irregular side surface. The protective structure (which may also include a pad formed there-under) extends beyond a bottom of the fuse structure. Such an irregular side surface and such an extension of the protective structure minimize propagation of damaging energy to the adjacent integrated circuit structure when a laser beam is directed to the fuse structure.
US07750431B2

Storage cells for a semiconductor device can include a first layer of phase change material on a substrate and a second layer of phase change material being in contact with the first layer, the second layer of phase change material having a higher resistance than the first layer.
US07750426B2

An integrated circuit, including a junction barrier Schottky diode, has an N type well, a P-type anode region in the surface of the well, and an N-type Schottky region in the surface of the well and horizontally abutting the anode region. A first silicide layer is on and makes a Schottky contact to the Schottky region and is on an adjoining anode region. A second silicide layer of a different material than the first silicide is on the anode region. An ohmic contact is made to the second silicide on the anode region and to the well.
US07750423B2

A photoelectric conversion device comprising a lower electrode, an upper electrode opposing to the lower electrode and a photoelectric conversion layer provided between the lower electrode and the upper electrode, the photoelectric conversion device being for collecting a photocurrent upon application of a bias voltage between the lower electrode and the upper electrode, wherein the upper electrode works as an electrode in a light incident side, the upper electrode is transparent, and the lower electrode is a metallic electrode having a function to reflect light.
US07750419B2

An RF MEMS tuneable arrangement, e.g. variable capacitor, having two or more tunable devices, e.g. variable capacitances, a coupling circuit arranged to couple the tunable devices together to provide a combined output, e.g. a combined capacitance, that is variable according to a tuning signal. The coupling circuit is reconfigurable to alter a response of the arrangement to changes in the tuning signal, to enable a broader range of applications, manufacturing cost reductions and more flexibility in design. The device can have a pivoted beam (30), actuable by a control signal, the beam having electrodes (40, 60) at either side of the pivot, and corresponding fixed electrodes (50, 70) facing the electrodes on the beam to provide a two or more variable devices such as switches or variable capacitors, arranged such that a given movement of the beam causes electrode separation in the same direction for the two or more switches or capacitors.
US07750411B2

Provided is a semiconductor integrated circuit device, which includes: a low-voltage MOS transistor having a source/drain region formed of a low impurity concentration region and a high impurity concentration region; and a high-voltage MOS transistor similarly having a source/drain region formed of a low impurity concentration region and a high impurity concentration region, in which, the source/drain high impurity concentration region of the low-voltage NMOS transistor is doped with arsenic, while the source/drain high impurity concentration region of the high-voltage NMOS transistor is doped with phosphorus.
US07750409B2

Provided is a semiconductor device including an n-type metal oxide semiconductor transistor for electrostatic discharge protection including drain regions connected with a first metal interconnect and source regions connected with another first metal interconnect alternately placed with each other, and gate electrodes each placed between each of the drain regions and each of the source regions, in which: at least one of the first metal interconnect and the other first metal interconnect being connected to a plurality of layers of metal interconnects other than the first metal interconnect; and the source regions include via-holes for electrically connecting the other first metal interconnect and the plurality of layers of metal interconnects other than the first metal interconnect, a greater number of the via-holes is formed as a distance of an interconnect connected to the NMOS transistor for ESD protection becomes larger.
US07750399B2

A MOS transistor having a recessed channel region is provided. A MOS transistor includes a source region and a drain region disposed in an active region of a semiconductor substrate and spaced apart from each other. A gate trench structure is disposed in the active region between the source and drain regions. A gate electrode is disposed in the gate trench structure. A gate dielectric layer is interposed between the gate trench structure and the gate electrode. A semiconductor region is disposed between the gate trench structure and the gate dielectric layer. The semiconductor region is formed of a different material from the active region. A method of fabricating the MOS transistor having a recessed channel region is also provided.
US07750390B2

A spin FET according to an example of the present invention includes a magnetic pinned layer whose magnetization direction is fixed, a magnetic free layer whose magnetization direction is changed, a channel between the magnetic pinned layer and the magnetic free layer, a gate electrode provided on the channel via a gate insulation layer, and a multiferroric layer which is provided on the magnetic free layer, and whose magnetization direction is changed by an electric field.
US07750386B2

A memory cell that includes a first contact having a first surface and an opposing second surface; a second contact having a first surface and an opposing second surface; a memory material layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface; and a nanoporous layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface, the nanoporous layer including at least one nanopore and dielectric material, the at least one nanopore being substantially filled with a conductive metal, wherein a surface of the nanoporous layer is in contact with a surface of the first contact or the second contact and the second surface of the nanoporous layer is in contact with a surface of the memory material layer.
US07750374B2

An electronic device includes an n-channel transistor and a p-channel transistor. The p-channel transistor has a first gate electrode with a first work function and a first channel region including a semiconductor layer immediately adjacent to a semiconductor substrate. In one embodiment, the first work function is less than the valence band of the semiconductor layer. In another embodiment, the n-channel transistor has a second gate electrode with a second work function different from the first work function and closer to a conduction band than a valence band of a second channel region. A process of forming the electronic device includes forming first and second gate electrodes having first and second work functions, respectively. First and second channel regions having a same minority carrier type are associated with the first and second gate electrodes, respectively.
US07750370B2

A semiconductor device is fabricated to include source and drain contacts including an ohmic metal sunken into the barrier layer and a portion of the channel layer; a protective dielectric layer disposed between the source and drain contacts on the barrier layer; a metallization layer disposed in drain and source ohmic vias between the source contact and the protective dielectric layer and between the protective dielectric layer and the drain contact; and a metal T-gate disposed above the barrier layer including a field mitigating plate disposed on a side portion of a stem of the metal T-gate.
US07750369B2

A nitride semiconductor device according to the present invention includes: a nitride semiconductor laminated structure comprising a first layer made of a Group III nitride semiconductor, a second layer laminated on the first layer and made of an Al-containing Group III nitride semiconductor with a composition that differs from that of the first layer, the nitride semiconductor laminated structure comprising a stripe-like trench exposing a lamination boundary between the first layer and the second layer; a gate electrode formed to oppose the lamination boundary; and a source electrode and a drain electrode, having the gate electrode interposed therebetween, each connected electrically to the second layer.
US07750342B2

Disclosed is an insulating organic polymer having side chains that enable the formation of a highly hydrophobic insulating layer with decreased surface energy. Decreased surface energy of an organic insulating layer formed using the insulating organic polymer may lead to an increase in the degree of alignment of a semiconductor material. Therefore, the insulating organic polymer may be used to fabricate an organic thin film transistor having improved characteristics, e.g., decreased threshold voltage and increased charge carrier mobility. Further disclosed are an organic insulating layer formed using the insulating polymer, an organic thin film transistor comprising the insulating layer and a method of fabricating the same, and an electronic device comprising the organic thin film transistor.
US07750340B2

To provide a light-emitting device which can emit light with high luminance and high efficiency, and is excellent in durability. The light-emitting device includes an organic compound layer containing a phenanthroline compound represented by the general formula [I] and a carbonate.
US07750338B2

A semiconductor includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate stack on the semiconductor substrate, and a stressor having at least a portion in the semiconductor substrate and adjacent to the gate stack. The stressor includes a first stressor region and a second stressor region on the first stressor region, wherein the second stressor region extends laterally closer to a channel region underlying the gate stack than the first stressor region.