US08109108B2
A ventilation flow path through which air present in an internal space at an instrument panel is drawn and discharged to the outside of the cabin as a blower fan operates is formed in a ventilation mode without forming an air-conditioning flow path for blowing inside air or outside air into the cabin and the air-conditioning flow path is formed without forming the ventilation flow path in a mode other than the ventilation mode.
US08109106B2
The present invention relates to a malfunction preventing device and a method thereof, which ignores an input signal produced by electricity capacity variation because of moisture to prevent a malfunction of a refrigerator. A malfunction preventing device for a refrigerator includes an inputting part in which a static electricity switch is provided to produce an input signal, and a controlling part that ignores a first input signal inputted in a wait mode, wherein there is no inputted signal from the inputting part for a predetermined delaying time period in the wait mode. A method for preventing a malfunction of a refrigerator includes performing a wait mode in that there is no input signal produced by static electricity for a predetermined delay time period, and ignoring a first input signal inputted in the wait mode.
US08109103B2
After the power source to the control substrate is turned on, power is supplied to the compressor driver and the fan driver. Then, when it is determined that an indoor unit is in operation, the compressor driver and the fan driver are operated. Meanwhile, when it is determined that the indoor unit is not in operation, after the lapse of ten minutes or twenty minutes under a predetermined setting, the power to the compressor driver and the fan driver is cut. When the operation of the indoor unit is started again, power is supplied to the compressor driver and the fan driver.
US08109097B2
A high efficiency combined cycle internal combustion and steam engine includes a cylinder with a combustion chamber outward of a piston, a cylinder cap slideably mounted within the piston and a steam expansion chamber inside the piston. The cap can be heated to reduce condensation of steam. Steam remaining when a steam exhaust valve closes can be recompressed prior to admitting the next charge of steam. One valve or a pair of steam inlet valves connected in series act in cooperation to help maximize efficiency. The amount of steam admitted each stroke is regulated by shifting the phase of one steam admission valve of a pair to vary their overlap for determining the steam mass admitted each cycle. Other valves balance steam displacement with the steam generator output to use steam more efficiently.
US08109096B2
Method for production of mixed vapors at low temperatures. The thermal energy stored in the mixed vapors is intended to be converted to mechanical energy in a thermal power machine, in order to operate an electrical generator.
US08109088B2
Our problem relates to a master cylinder with a U-shaped seal. Our goal is to avoid defective bleeding of hydraulic braking systems. The defects arise out of the fact that the vacuum causes the lips of the seal (21) to stick together and to stick against the wall (41). To achieve this, reliefs (42) will be created on one wall (44) of one lip (28) facing the other lip (27) and on the edge face (50) of this same lip. These reliefs will prevent the lips from sticking tightly to one another and to the wall facing the edge face of the lips. This lack of sticking will prevent a vacuum from being created between the two lips and between the edge face of the lips and the wall (41). As a result, the seal will be able to return to a position in which bleeding can be performed effectively.
US08109076B2
A method and a device for purging an injector in a fuel injector system of use in regeneration of a particle filter. The aging of fuel is determined and compared with a fuel aging threshold value, and a purge request is activated if the threshold value is exceeded. On activating the purge request the satisfaction of the conditions of purge activation are verified and, if satisfied, the purge is activated. The purge is continued while the conditions are satisfied until the quantity of fuel purged reaches a quantity of fuel to be purged.
US08109072B2
A rope structure comprising a plurality of rope subcomponents, a plurality of bundles combined to form the rope subcomponents, a plurality of first yarns and a plurality of second yarns combined to form the bundles. In one embodiment, the first yarns have a tenacity of approximately 25-45 gpd and the second yarns have a tenacity of approximately 6-22 gpd. In another embodiment, the first yarns have a breaking elongation of approximately 2%-5% and the second yarns have a breaking elongation of approximately 2%-12%.
US08109071B2
The present invention may be embodied as a line structure for use as a mud line assembly. In this case, the line structure comprises a plurality of strands, and each of the strands comprises a core portion, a jacket portion, and a barrier portion. The barrier portion is arranged between the core portion and the jacket portion to inhibit movement of contaminate material into the core portion.
US08109068B2
An agricultural harvester includes a base unit and a header coupled with the base unit. The header includes a frame; at least one draper belt; a header lift detector providing an output signal indicating a lift state of the header; and a draper belt accelerator receiving the output signal from the header lift detector and accelerating each of the draper belts upon receipt of the output signal.
US08109066B2
In some embodiments, containers can be, for example, labeled with a uniquely identifiable customer label. The labeled containers can be loaded into a carrier that caries containers. The carrier can be transported to and from various stations by a transport system. The container carrier can travel through, for example, a solid pharmaceutical dispensing system where all or some of the containers in the carrier can be filled with a specific quantity of pharmaceutical product. The carrier can be transported to a capping and branding station where the containers can be capped and branded. The caps can be pre-branded, blank, or a combination of pre-branded and blank. Where at least some of the containers are branded with blank caps, a carrier and/or container can be transported to a branding station that can brand caps with cap labeling information (e.g., logos, graphics, artwork, text, etc.) that can be specific to each cap.
US08109063B2
An envelope sealing apparatus for sealing an envelope having a main body and a sealable flap foldable about a hinge between the flap and main body, and sealable thereto. The apparatus comprises a feed path along which an envelope can be fed; a driving means associated with the feed path for feeding an envelope along the feed path; a flap securing means cooperative with the driving means to secure an open envelope flap in contact with the driving means; and a flap sealing means cooperative with the driving means to seal the flap to the main body when the driving means drives the envelope in a flap sealing direction along the feed path. A mail piece creation device incorporating such an envelope sealer is further provided, along with corresponding methods.
US08109060B1
A light transmitting storm shutter for protectively covering building portals, windows and the like from hurricane damage. A corrugated polycarbonate panel is formed having lengthwise corrugations, each of which preferably has radiused side margins and a generally flattened central portion offset from a neutral axis of the panel. A central corrugation extending along the centerline of the panel, preferably has a depth in a range of at lest 10% greater than that of the edge corrugations, the central corrugations also preferably have a width in a range of at least 4% less than that of the edge corrugation wherein impact and wind resistance of the panel are enhanced. Impact resistant film bonded to one panel surface preferably adds impact strength and sputter coating one panel surface with a transparent metallic or ceramic material enhances solar and UV rejection.
US08109059B2
The multifunctional finishing set for a floor covering includes: a modular profile with at least one groove arranged therein for separation of the profile into two distinct modules, a decorative film which is applied to the profile and covers the separation groove and a fixed reinforcement means housed in the separation groove which permits a reinforcement of the modular profile in the region of the separation groove.
US08109057B2
Described herein are various embodiments of a tower foundation system for an above-ground tower. For example, according to one representative embodiment, a tower for supporting a structure above the ground includes a foundation and a second support column section. The foundation includes a first support column section and a plurality of arms that extend radially outward away from an outer surface of the first support column. Additionally, the foundation includes a plurality of elongate anchors coupled to the plurality of arms. The first and second support column sections include each include a plurality of engagement elements engageable with each other to splice the first and second support column sections together. More specifically, the second support column section is insertable into and rests upon the first support column section such that the plurality of engagement elements engage each other.
US08109056B2
A frame construction for a low rise building. In the construction, a wall frame panel is made of thin light-gauge section steel by bonding together a surface member, a lower frame member, vertical frame members and an upper frame member. Roof or floor support girders are made of heavyweight section steel having H-shape or channel shape. The girders are coupled to frame construction panels by bolts or hold-down fasteners.
US08109055B2
A structural insulated panel includes a rigid foam core without thermal bridging. A particular embodiment includes a rigid foam core having first and second faces, a plurality of stud channels being formed on the first and second faces of the rigid foam core, each of the stud channels being formed in the rigid foam core in an L-shape in cross-section. The particular embodiment includes a plurality of studs being insertable into the plurality of stud channels such that one face of each of the plurality of studs being external to the first and second faces of the rigid foam core and substantially flush with a face of the rigid foam core, each of the plurality of studs being fabricated using no more than four bends to produce a stud with a hat channel shape in cross-section.
US08109052B2
A fenestration construction member includes a monolithic frame having a front surface, a rear surface, and peripheral wall extending between the front and rear surfaces. The peripheral wall having an inward facing surface and an outward facing surface. The inward facing surface of the peripheral wall defining a through opening into which is positionable a window assembly in sealing contact with the inward facing surface. The monolithic frame further having a sill pan flange extending continuously around the interior facing surface in a direction inwardly therefrom. The monolithic frame further having a fastening flange extending in a direction outwardly from the outward facing surface. The monolithic frame being positionable in a wall frame having a rough opening defined by a sill, a header and a pair vertical jambs extending therebetween with the peripheral wall extending into the rough opening and with the fastening flange abutting an exterior surface of the wall frame.
US08109047B2
A constructed permeability control infrastructure can include a permeability control impoundment defining a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted water-containing hydrocarbonaceous material can form a permeable body within the encapsulated volume. The impoundment includes a water vapor outlet for removing water vapor from the encapsulated volume. A heating device is also embedded within the permeable body to provide convective heating thereof. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to initially remove water therefrom as a water vapor. The water vapor can be removed from the infrastructure via the outlet which can be controlled or shut off when the permeable body is sufficiently dewatered. The dewatered permeable body can then be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. During heating the hydrocarbonaceous material is substantially stationary as the constructed infrastructure is a fixed structure. Removed hydrocarbons can be collected for further processing, use in the process, and/or use as recovered.
US08109041B2
A powered device for a vehicle sliding member includes a base member, a shaft rotatably supported on the base member, a drive source, a speed reduction mechanism, an output drum rotatably supported on the base member through the shaft, a clutch mechanism which includes a rotor rotatably and coaxially disposed on the shaft, a generally cylindrical field core disposed on the rotor, and an armature which is disposed on the shaft so as to be rotatable about and moveable in an axial direction of the shaft, a first stop which limits axial displacement of the rotor relative to the shaft, and a second stop which limits axial displacement of the field core relative to the rotor.
US08109038B2
A drive mechanism is provided for a door operator, comprising a drive member and a driven member. The drive member includes a protrusion, the edges of the protrusion forming first and second driving surfaces which define a free space of at least about 90° there between. The driven member includes a protrusion, the sides of the protrusion form a first and a second driven surface, respectively. The drive member is adapted to be operably connected to between a motor assembly for rotating the drive member and a door closer assembly rotating with the driven member. The drive member and the driven member are disposed for relative rotation in substantially the same plane such that the driven member protrusion moves in the free space defined by the driving surfaces of the drive member protrusion. Rotation of the drive member from a first angular orientation to a second angular orientation in a direction toward an adjacent driven surface causes rotation of the driven member for powered opening of the door from the closed position to the open position. The driven member protrusion moves in the free space without engaging the protrusion surfaces when the door is opened manually from the closed position and allowed to close.
US08109031B2
The electronic sight includes a base, an optical window, a point light source, a photomask and a low-reflective layer. The optical window is disposed on a first end of the base. The point light source, disposed on a second end of the base, provides a lightbeam. The photomask is disposed between the point light source and the optical window, and the low-reflective layer is formed thereon. The lightbeam passes through the photomask along a first direction, hits the optical window, and is reflected toward a second direction by the optical window. The method for manufacturing the electronic sight includes: providing a base; providing an optical window disposed on a first end of the base; providing a point light source disposed on a second end of the base; providing a photomask; forming a low-reflective layer on the photomask; and positioning the photomask between the point light source and the optical window.
US08109026B1
A folding stock assembly for firearms such as rifles and shotguns. The stock is made of metal rod that has been bent to form laterally spaced left and right elongated arm members that have rear ends connected to the top end of a U-shaped shoulder rest portion. The front end of the respective elongated arm members are pivotally connected to the rear end of a neck portion extending rearwardly from the upper end of the handgrip. There is structure in the interior of the end cap for locking the elongated arm members in either its static storage position or its rearward functional deployed position.
US08109023B2
A shot counter includes a firearm with a loaded chamber indicator and a striker status indicator. A first switch operates with the loaded chamber indicator and a second switch operates with the striker status indicator. When the loaded chamber indicator moves it activates the first switch and when the striker status indicator moves it activates the second switch. If one of the first and second switches is activated, an electrical signal is sent to a processor and the processor interprets the electrical signal as an indication that a shot has been fired. If the electrical signal is from the first switch, the processor actually counts a number of cartridges going in and out of a chamber of the firearm, and if the electrical signal is from the second switch, the processor actually counts a number of times the firearm was cocked.
US08109017B2
A steaming system (100) comprises a steam generator (120), a removable water tank (130) for holding and supplying water to the steam generator (120); and a dosing device (140) for supplying an amount of a water treatment agent to the water tank (130). The dosing device is configured to be triggered by a movement of the water tank (130) relative to the steam generator (120).
US08109012B2
An article of footwear configured to drain water away from a foot wearing the article of footwear includes a plurality of drainage holes positioned between ribs formed on the sole. The drainage holes are formed along a centerline of the sole. The drainage holes are substantially vertical channels formed entirely through the sole. The ribs include raised center portions disposed at or near the inlets to the drainage holes to lift the foot away from the drainage holes.
US08109011B2
A bulkhead structure for a clothes dryer has a generally cylindrical outer wall that fits within an open end of the clothes dryer drum to define a junction. The bulkhead has two side wall portions facing into the drum on opposing sides of a bulkhead access opening. Each of the side wall portions has a recess extending from the bulkhead access opening towards the cylindrical outer wall. The recess has a concave curvature terminating in an outer deflection wall inwardly spaced from the cylindrical outer wall. The recess and the outer deflection cause clothing contacting the recess and moving towards the dryer drum to be swept away from the junction.
US08109009B1
A rotating drum in an oven is sealed against hot gas and air transfer. An annular outer seal holder has an L shaped cross section. A first end of the holder is connected to the oven. A second end is a radial flange. A backing plate has first and second sections. The first section has an inward extending guide. The second section has an inner diameter larger than an inner diameter of the guide portion. Bolts hold the backing plate and the seal retainer segments assembled on the flange. A cylindrical space between the radially guide portion of the backing plate and the seal retainer segments receives radially outwardly extending holder plates of segmental inner sealing elements. Partially cylindrical plates welded to the holder plates engage a drum wear plate. Leaf springs are connected to the seal retainer segments. Inner edges pressing the cylindrical plates radially inward.
US08109008B1
A device and method for determining the length of an object. The device includes a height rod assembly with a uniform marker row and a non-uniform marker row detected by sensors to determine the location of the height rod assembly which is translated to the height or length of the measured object. The uniform marker row includes uniform markers of equal length spaced apart by a uniform length. The non-uniform marker row is divided into equal sections, each section including a non-uniform marker with a unique length adjacent to a non-uniform spacing with a unique length. Upon startup, a controller determines the location of the height rod assembly within a set distance of movement regardless of the position of the height rod assembly. The height rod assembly is telescoping rod assembly including sensors, uniform marker row, and non-uniform marker row for each height rod section.
US08109000B2
A method of forming a Salisbury axle that includes: forming an assembly having a housing that is made of nodular iron, the housing having an opening and a pair of apertures; removing a pair of caps from the housing to expose a pair of journals; installing a differential through the opening to the journals; replacing the caps to the journals; forming a pair of axle tubes from a high strength steel, each of the axle tubes having a circular proximal end, a circular distal end and a mount portion between the proximal and distal ends, the proximal ends of the axle tubes being larger in diameter than the apertures, the mount portion having a top wall and a pair of opposite side walls that are oriented generally perpendicular to the top wall; and inserting the proximal ends of the axle tubes into the apertures. A Salisbury axle is also provided.
US08108999B2
A hearing aid includes a shell (104) manufactured by a rapid prototyping process, so as to include a first part customized to adapt it to the shape of the ear canal of a user, and a second part that defines an aperture; an electronics module; and a plug (200) with means for retaining it in a fixed position in the shell. The shell has guideways (212) for guiding lateral portions of the plug to support the plug in the aperture. The shell is adapted to receive by the aperture the electronics module; and the electronics module is adapted to engage a lip (206) of the plug to secure it in the shell. The invention further provides a method of assembling a part of a hearing aid.
US08108998B2
At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a laser cutting method where a laser beam is condensed at internal points inside a substrate forming processing regions, and where the laser is swept along a cutting line, where the cutting line is associated with a recess on the substrate and where the recess can be formed contemporaneously with the formation of the processing regions.
US08108991B2
Connection with an ACF is realized relative to a wiring board having an electronic component mounted on the rear surface thereof with high connection reliability and uniform thermal compression bonding. A thermal compression bonding head 12 is used to apply pressure to flexible printed circuit boards 4 and 5 relative to a motherboard substrate 1 having an electronic component 6 mounted thereon and heat an anisotropic conductive film, thereby connecting the motherboard substrate 1 with the ACF to the flexible printed circuit boards 4 and 5 that are connecting members. At this time, in a state in which a receiving plate 13 made of an elastic material, such as silicone rubber, and provided at a mounting position of the electronic component 6 of the motherboard substrate 1 with a concave portion 13a corresponding in shape to the electronic component 6 supports thereon the rear surface of the motherboard substrate 1, the thermal compression bonding is performed.
US08108982B2
In one embodiment, a tool for forming an article in a molding operation has a tool body formed from a non-particulate material, with a particulate material bonded to the body. The body provides a forming surface for forming the article. The particulate material, or the particulate material and the tool body collectively provide a duct for conveying a fluid for transfer of heat with the forming surface. In another embodiment, the tool has a tool body formed from a non-particulate material with a cavity and the particulate material is disposed within the cavity. A heat transfer material is disposed in the cavity bonding the particulate material to the tool body. Methods for manufacturing such tools are also disclosed.
US08108979B2
A method of repairing a part, which has a first side, a second side opposite of the first side, and an aperture that makes the part susceptible to cracking, includes the steps of forming a slot in the first side of the part near the aperture, inserting a stiffener into the slot, and attaching at least one repair ply onto the first side of the part to cover the stiffener.
US08108966B1
A ceiling tool assembly has a unique ergonomically curved handle supported by a user at its rearward end with a cantilever rocker-shaped arm and forwardly slanted pistol grip. A curved concave surface conforms to the underarm part of a user's forearm above the elbow and further includes a forwardly slanted pistol grip with stub extension and an upward handle offset bend. Scraping force is provided by handle shape and handle attachments of my scraping unit for easy removal of popcorn from an overhead ceiling. A forearm resting area allows the user to provide either a right handed or left handed lifting force to the scraper unit. The offset portion, provided at the mid point of the handle, together with a handle attachment/design allows a two arm back and forward scraping force to be exerted along the length of the scraper unit.
US08108965B1
A convertible vacuum attachment for conveying a particulate material is disclosed. The attachment comprises a housing defining a chamber, with the housing having an inlet in fluid communication with the chamber and that defines an inlet opening. The housing has an outlet in fluid communication with the chamber for connection to a vacuum source. The convertible vacuum attachment also comprises an area changing structure configured to change an area of the inlet opening from a first area to a second area.
US08108964B2
A sealed pick-up head for a mobile sweeper comprises a housing defining a substantially hollow interior and a suctioning bottom opening. A suctioning front opening is for receiving debris into the substantially hollow interior of the housing. A door frame surrounds the suctioning front opening. A rotatable door has at least a first door portion and a second door portion joined together at a central pivot axis, and is operatively mounted at the central pivot axis in rotatable relation on the pick-up head at the suctioning front opening. A seal is operatively disposed between the rotatable door and the door frame for sealing the rotatable door with respect to the door frame, to thereby substantially preclude air from ingressing into the substantially hollow interior of the housing through the suctioning front opening, as the rotatable door rotates to permit debris to enter the substantially hollow interior of the housing. A dust and debris outlet in the housing permits dust and debris to be suctioned from the substantially hollow interior of the housing into a hopper.
US08108963B2
A wash bucket for use with detergent and water to ensure that the detergent and water are mixed in a predetermined ratio. The wash bucket has a cup within the wash bucket cavity. In some embodiments the cup is attached to the wash bucket structure and not easily removed by hand. In other embodiments the cup is removably attached to the wash bucket structure. A proper detergent to water ratio is achieved by filling the cup to a point indicated on the cup and then filling the wash bucket to a point indicated on the wash bucket.
US08108959B2
The present invention relates to a method for washing a washing tub (120) in a washing machine, and a washing machine having a washing tub washing course provided thereto for enabling washing tub (120) washing by the same, and more particularly, to a method for which makes effective washing tub washing, with a small amount of washing water consumption, a lower power consumption, and high washing effect; and a washing machine having the same applied thereto. A method for washing a tub (120) or a drum (130) in a washing machine having the tub (120), the drum (130) rotatably mounted in the tub (120), and a steam supply unit for supplying steam to the tub (120), includes a steam supply step for supplying steam to the tub by using the steam supply unit.
US08108949B2
Waterproof moisture-permeable fabric for clothing which includes, on one side of a polyester fabric A, a waterproof moisture-permeable layer B including a colorless transparent polyester film stacked, and a white or gray resin C partially stacked, and clothing including the waterproof moisture-permeable fabric. Preferably, a moisture-permeable polymer resin D containing inorganic fine particles is stacked on the waterproof moisture-permeable layer B, and the white or gray resin C is partially stacked thereon.
US08108948B2
A method and apparatus for holding a shirt collar in a desired position and orientation, magnetically, against a shirt front. The apparatus includes a collar stay insertable into a conventional collar stay pocket or attachable to an inside surface of a collar, and a magnet magnetically attachable or couplable to the collar stay through the shirt front, and the pocket, if applicable, for holding the shirt collar in the selected position and orientation. The collar stay and the magnet can be optionally interlockable and/or include detents for preventing undesired relative movements thereof, which can include particularly, relative longitudinal movements, but which can also include twisting and sideward movements. For collars which do not include any collar stay pocket, or where a collar stay pocket is not desired to be used, the collar stay can include an adhesive on an outer surface thereof adapted for adhesive attachment to the inside surface of a collar.
US08112816B2
A document verification apparatus includes a determining portion that determines whether a change that influences a verification result is made to at least one of an electronic document and a given condition, after it is verified whether or not the electronic document that has been input satisfies the given condition, and also includes an outputting portion that outputs the verification result after it is verified whether or not the electronic document satisfies the given condition, if it is determined that the change is made to at least one of the electronic document and the given condition, or outputs a result of a time when it is verified whether or not the electronic document satisfies the given condition most recently, if it is determined that the change is not made.
US08112815B2
One embodiment of the invention is a method for providing media content while preventing its unauthorized distribution. The method includes transmitting from a client to an administrative node a request for delivery of an instance of media content (IMC); determining which content source (CS) of a plurality of CSs to provide delivery of the IMC, provided the client is authorized to receive the IMC; transmitting to the client an access key and a location of the IMC; transmitting from the client to the CS a second request and the access key; in response to receiving the second request and the access key, transferring the IMC from the CS to the client; transmitting from the client to the administrative node an indicator indicating a successful transfer of the IMC; and generating a transaction applicable to the client and associated with the transfer of the IMC to the client.
US08112813B1
The present invention is directed to a method and system for verifying a user for copying or printing a limited portion of digital content while allowing the user to view the digital content. The digital content may have image portions that are digital images generally scanned from a printed page of the content and text portions that are digital texts including all forms of letters, characters, symbols, etc. An interactive image document displaying image portions of the digital content is provided for secure data access to text portions. A user can request and obtain a limited text portion of the digital content or view the image portions of the digital content via user interactions within the interactive image document. While the text portions can be reproduced, copied, or printed, the image portions can not be re-used or manipulated by the user due to their non-text accessible format.
US08112810B2
One embodiment of the invention is a method for providing media content while preventing its unauthorized distribution. The method includes transmitting from a client to an administrative node a request for delivery of an instance of media content (IMC); determining which content source (CS) of a plurality of CSs to provide delivery of the IMC, provided the client is authorized to receive the IMC; transmitting to the client an access key and a location of the IMC; transmitting from the client to the CS a second request and the access key; in response to receiving the second request and the access key, transferring the IMC from the CS to the client; transmitting from the client to the administrative node an indicator indicating a successful transfer of the IMC; and generating a transaction applicable to the client and associated with the transfer of the IMC to the client.
US08112808B2
A license server generates USB serial IDs for USB memory secured in a multi-function machine and then makes electronic signature files using the USB serial IDs and firmware that is the target of installation at the multi-function machine. The license server further makes electronic signature files using the firmware installer and SD card serial IDs. The license server then stores data for installation use including the electronic signature files in an SD card inserted in a client device connected to the license server.
US08112806B1
Computers are monitored for malware communicating directly with the NIC. The infection of computers with NIC level malware is detected. Operating system level network packet transmission statistics are monitored, as are transmission counters maintained by the NIC. The operating system level transmission statistics are compared to the NIC level transmission counters for a given period of time. If the NIC counters indicate the occurrence of a greater number of transmissions than as is indicated by the operating system level statistics, it is concluded that the computer is infected with NIC level malware.
US08112801B2
A method of detecting malware may include: a) examining header data in each PDU transferred by a port of an access switch to identify PDUs transferred from a local network device, b) extracting a far-end device address for PDUs based at least in part on examination of an address portion of the corresponding header data, c) maintaining fan-out information indicative of a quantity of unique far-end device addresses extracted from the PDUs during consecutive time windows, d) determining a current trend based on the fan-out information for a current time window, e) comparing the current trend to an expected trend, and f) identifying a suspected malware infection in the local network device when the current trend exceeds the expected trend by a trend threshold. A network element that may implement the method may include a header data processing unit, data storage logic, data processing logic, and malware identification logic.
US08112800B1
An intrusion detection system is described that is capable of applying a plurality of stacked (layered) application-layer decoders to extract encapsulated application-layer data from a tunneled packet flow produced by multiple applications operating at the application layer, or layer seven (L7), of a network stack. In this was, the IDS is capable of performing application identification and decoding even when one or more software applications utilize other software applications as for data transport to produce packet flow from a network device. The protocol decoders may be dynamically swapped, reused and stacked (layered) when applied to a given packet or packet flow.
US08112796B2
Techniques for secure federation of data communications networks are provided. The techniques employ an edge proxy server to route messages depending on a federation mode. In Direct federation mode, an edge proxy server of a network is configured to exchange messages with a specified set of entities, such as other networks, servers, other devices, or users. In Automatic federation mode, an edge proxy server may accept all incoming messages from entities that have a valid certificate. In Clearinghouse federation mode, the edge proxy server forwards all outgoing messages to a specified, trusted clearinghouse server.
US08112787B2
Systems and methods for securing a credential generated by or stored in an authentication token during an attempt to access a service, application, or resource are provided. A secure processor receives a credential from an authentication token and securely stores the credential. The secure processor then verifies the identity of the individual attempting to use the authentication token and cryptographically verifies the identity of the server being accessed. The credential is only released for transmission to the server if both the identity of the individual and the identity of the server are successfully verified. Alternatively, a secure connection is established between the secure processor and the server being accessed and a secure connection is established between the secure processor and a computing device. The establishment of the secure connections verifies the identity of the server. After the secure connections are established, the identity of the user is verified.
US08112768B2
A computer-implemented method for updating a web user interface on a client device is provided. A router back-boned to the Internet communicates with the client device web-user interface data defined in markup language to dynamically update the web-user interface on the client device. The router contains no logic regarding the web-user interface running on the client device. The client device has a browser server for dynamically updating the web-user interface through downloading and caching the data from the router. The browser server on the client device has (i) a user interface model of the web-user interface running on the client device defined in Javascript, and (ii) a JavaScript Runtime Engine for dynamically converting the downloaded and/or cached web-user interface markup language data into JavaScript objects. The web-user interface is dynamically updated by combining steps (i) and (ii).
US08112764B2
Various embodiments of the present invention transform devices into Web services or special-purpose servers that are capable of communicating with personal computers. Various embodiments of the present invention allow various low-level aspects of device drivers to reside in the devices, eliminating the need for the devices to be compatible with legacy specification. Various embodiments of the present invention allow various devices to be shipped from the factory with low-level software already built in so that users are liberated from having to deal with the experience of installing and upgrading device drivers. In various embodiments of the present invention, each device is preferably a network node identifiable by a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI).
US08112762B2
A blade server includes a management blade and managed blade. The management blade manages service data necessary for the service of an application. In the managed blade, the application is activated. The managed blade includes a service data list creation unit and service data list transmission unit. The service data list creation unit creates a service data list representing service data necessary for the service of the application. The service data list transmission unit transmits the service data list created by the service data list creation unit to the management blade. The management blade includes a service data transmission unit. The service data transmission unit transmits, to the managed blade, service data in the service data list transmitted from the service data list transmission unit before the service of the application starts. A service start method for a blade server is also disclosed.
US08112754B2
In case of a task scheduling processing that assigns plural divided execution program tasks to plural processor units, a multiprocessor system using SOI/MOS transistors employs two processes; one process is to determine an order to execute those tasks so as to reduce the program execution time and the other process is to control the system power upon task scheduling so as to control the clock signal frequency and the body-bias voltage to temporarily speed up the operation of a processor unit that processes another task that might affect the processing performance of one object task if there is dependency among those tasks.
US08112750B2
In scheduling shared processing that has a higher priority than LPAR processing, giving precedence to physical CPUs running idle LPARs prevents prolonged hold-up of LPAR processing. In a system is comprised of multiple physical CPUs, multiple LPARs to which these physical CPUs are allocated and which execute programs under their guest OSes, and a management program managing these LPARs, a few additional units are introduced: a guest OS monitoring unit that can grasp the states of guest OSes running on these LPARs and a dispatcher unit that allocates one of these physical CPUs to shared processing requested by the management program, which has a higher priority than LPAR processing. When a request for shared processing arises, the dispatcher unit interrogates the guest OS monitoring unit and, based on the information obtained from it, gives priority of allocation to the physical CPU processing an idle LPAR.
US08112745B2
A method includes identifying one or more features of an execution environment to be used by an application during execution and determining if use of the one or more features is restricted. The method also includes, if use of the one or more features is not restricted, compiling and executing the application in the execution environment. The method further includes, if use of any of the one or more features is restricted, blocking execution of the application in the execution environment. Determining if the use of the one or more features is restricted may include using a configuration list or a profile identified using a custom attribute. The configuration list or the profile identifies features that are available for use in the execution environment and/or features that cannot be used in the execution environment.
US08112744B2
A system for self-assembling software components is described herein. In one embodiment, a system includes a first and second set of language components, where each language component defines at least one part of language runnable on a computer by associating a piece of grammar of the language with at least one software component that implements the piece of grammar. The system further includes a request broker that upon being provided with a section of code written in the language matches syntactic appearances of the first set of language components in the section of code and granting logic to grant access to the language components of the first set whose syntactic appearances the request broker matched, in order to enable self-assemblage of the language components of the first set with language components of the second set.
US08112743B2
The invention relates to a method of designing a system. The system includes an application having software components and an architecture having hardware components on which the application is run. The system has to satisfy at least one functional and one non-functional requirement. The functional analysis step (11) obtains a breakdown of the functional need relating to the application. A step defines the architecture (12). A step for designs hardware components (13) according to the architecture. A step design software components (14) based on the breakdown of the functional need. A step for integrates the software components in the hardware components (15). A step validates the functional requirements of the system (16). A step validates the non-functional requirement of the system (17). An upstream step (21) validates the non-functional requirement of the system, preceding the steps for designing hardware components (13) and software components (14).
US08112739B2
In one embodiment, a method for adding a new function type to an application development tool includes determining that a function specified by a user for a design of an application is of a new type, and presenting a user interface (UI) associated with the specified function. The method further includes creating custom metadata based on input provided by the user via the UI for the specified function, and converting the custom metadata into expression metadata having a format understandable by a code generator.
US08112734B2
A method incorporating adaptive body biasing into an integrated circuit design flow includes the steps of (A) adding adaptive body biasing input/outputs (I/Os) during a bonding layout stage of the integrated circuit design flow, (B) floorplanning the integrated circuit design, (C) generating an adaptive body biasing mesh and (D) generating a layout of the integrated circuit design based upon a plurality of adaptive body biasing corners.
US08112729B2
A method and system for modeling an integrated circuit. The method includes converting a representation of the integrated circuit into design shapes of design levels of a design of the integrated circuit; adding control shapes to the design, the control shapes not defining any physical part of the integrated circuit; extracting layout-dependent stress parameters of the devices from the design levels of the design based on the control shapes and the design shapes; converting the layout-dependent stress parameters to stress parameters using a stress algorithm; generating stressed device parameters from the stress parameters using a compact model; and simulating performance of the integrated circuit using the stressed device parameters in a simulation model of the integrated circuit design.
US08112727B2
Disclosed is a method, system and computer program product to specify an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit includes a hardwired specific logic technology portion and a programmable specific logic technology portion. The method includes generating a hybrid logic network by mapping each uncertain logic function to an abstract programmable logic element implementation thereof and by mapping each known logic function to a technology-independent logic element implementation thereof; simplifying the hybrid logic network using logic synthesis optimizations; mapping the simplified hybrid logic network to a specific technology by mapping the abstract programmable logic element implementation to the specific programmable logic technology and the technology-independent logic element implementation to the specific logic technology; and further includes optimizing the mapped network to meet performance constraints. Generating involves using integrated circuit specification language extensions that include an Uncertain Function that is used in place of a logic function or operator, an Uncertain Function Assertion for imposing at least one constraint on the Uncertain Function, an Uncertain Register for a register having a programmable size within a specified range and an Uncertain Constant.
US08112724B2
A method of designing a semiconductor integrated circuit includes a cell arranging and wiring step of arranging and wiring cells for creating a physical layout, a design-rule checking step of verifying a shape of a second physical layout including the cells of the physical layout with reference to a rule library for design rule check, a mask-data creating step of creating mask data corresponding to the physical layout using the second physical layout when the design rule is satisfied in the design-rule checking step, a mask-data processing step of performing, when the design rule is not satisfied in the design-rule checking step, mask data processing for the verification-object second physical layout, and a mask-data creating step for creating mask data corresponding to the physical layout using the second physical layout subjected to the mask data processing in the mask-data processing data.
US08112720B2
A system and method for automatically, programmatically generating media item recommendations on a graphical user interface (GUI) based on a friend media item recommendation selected by a user. In the preferred embodiment, a selected media item recommendation is displayed in the GUI. Received friend media item recommendations are displayed in a list in relevance order adjacent to the selected media item. A programmatically-generated media item recommendation list is automatically generated based on relevance to the selected media item and displayed in another adjacent area to the selected media item recommendation. In this manner, a user can easily play the selected media item recommendation, and then browse the friend media item recommendations and the automatically updated programmatically-generated media item recommendations, which are both provided in their own respective adjacent areas, in order of closest relationship to the selected media item recommendation, at anytime.
US08112706B2
When image data obtained by scanning a document is to be registered in a document management system, a search index can be generated by layout analysis and object analysis. However, when application data generated by an application is to be registered, similar analysis processing cannot be done, and a search index cannot be generated. Hence, an instruction of application data to be registered in the document management system is received, and it is checked if that application data can be processed by the document management system. If it is determined that the application data cannot be processed by the document management system, the application data is converted into PDL data (S756), and the application data or data as a combination of the PDL data and application data is transmitted to the document management system.
US08112705B2
A web browser magnifies the content of the whole page in memory and displays the relevant portion in a magnifier with hyperlinks. The web browser then maps the magnified display to the original document. Thus, manipulation of the mouse in the magnified display may result in an action with respect to the original document. The user may then select a link for navigation within the magnified display. Alternatively, the web browser may analyze the original web page and construct magnifier contents on the basis of either the document object model, extensible markup language (XML), or hypertext markup language (HTML) representation of the magnified portion.
US08112703B2
A technique is provided for providing an aggregate tag view of a website that comprises a plurality of webpages that each has a corresponding URL. A tag is a set of one or more words that have been associated with a URL and is typically created by a user to describe content of the webpage corresponding to the URL. Initially, a request is received to display information pertaining to a website. In response to the request, a plurality of tags associated with the website is displayed. A first subset of the plurality of tags is associated with a particular URL. A second subset of the plurality of tags is associated with one or more URLs that are not the particular URL. Alternatively, or in addition to an aggregate tag view tag-related information for each URL of the website is provided, in response to the initial request.
US08112688B2
A data-transmission control method is implemented when transmitting data after dividing the data into a plurality of blocks and performing error correction when performing data transmission. The method includes obtaining additional information indicating a result of error correction process of received data and a result of data transmission (ACK/NACK) from a reception station, and deciding a data length of data to be retransmitted when NACK is obtained as the result of data transmission so that a rate of occurrence of transmission errors upon retransmission is minimized, based on a number of blocks in which error correction has failed indicated by the additional information.
US08112683B1
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for system and application debugging are described herein. A tested platform may include a debug event monitor in a boundary scan interface that detects a debug event in a process and determines a characteristic associated with the debug event. The debug event monitor may trigger an application debug event or a boundary scan debug event based at least in part on the determined characteristic. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08112682B2
Apparatus and methods for effecting bad-block testing operations are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, instead of effecting bad-block testing for the majority of the flash memory blocks of a flash memory device during manufacture, most or all bad-block testing is postponed until the end user is in possession of the flash memory device. In some embodiments, after user data is received by the flash memory device from a host device, one or more blocks of the flash memory device are subjected to bad-block testing.
US08112681B2
The application discloses an integrated circuit comprising: circuitry; a fusebox for storing an array of data identifying faulty elements within said circuitry; at least one fusebox controller for repairing said faulty elements in said circuitry in response to data received from said fusebox; a data communication path linking said fusebox controller with said fusebox; wherein said data stored in said fusebox is compacted data and said at least one fusebox controller comprises a data expander for expanding said compacted data received from said fusebox via said data communication path prior to repairing any faulty elements in said circuitry.
US08112679B2
Apparatus and associated method that stores first metadata only at the same addressable storage location of a computer readable medium as that where associated first user data is stored, and afterward satisfies a read request for the first user data by retrieving the first user data from the addressable location of the computer readable medium where the first metadata is stored if the first metadata has a first value, and by reconstructing the first user data from other metadata stored at another addressable location of the computer readable medium than where the first metadata is stored if the first metadata has a second value.
US08112678B1
Systems and methods for detecting and correcting errors in programmable logic ICs are provided. In one embodiment, a scrubber periodically reads the memory cells in a programmable logic IC, detects and corrects any errors, and writes the corrected contents back into the memory cell. In another embodiment, regions of memory cells in a programmable logic IC each have associated error correcting circuitry which operates to continuously detect and correct errors as they occur. Error correcting circuitry can further be designed to reduce static hazards. It may be more desirable to design programmable logic IC routing architectures that reduce the number of memory cells needed to implement a given function. Error correcting circuitry can be provided for configuration memory or for an embedded memory block on a programmable logic IC.
US08112674B2
A diagnostic control methodology provides reduced disruption of device operation when performing diagnostics on devices within a computer system. A diagnostic application notifies a device driver that controls a particular device that diagnostics should be performed during a period of low activity on the device. In response to receiving the notification, the device driver waits for a time of low activity and either notifies the application to unload the device driver and load a diagnostic device driver, or enters a diagnostic mode directly if such operation is supported by the functional device driver. A timeout duration can be specified, and may be set by the notification, so that the diagnostics will be performed within the timeout period even if a time of low activity has not occurred by the expiration of the timeout.
US08112665B1
Methods and systems for rapidly rolling back and retrying a data migration between a first and a second storage system. In one embodiment, upon receiving a request at a provisioning manager to perform a rollback of a first data migration, the first storage system merges, to a baseline dataset, a first incremental dataset received by the second storage system after the first data migration. In another embodiment, upon receiving a request at a provisioning manager to perform a retry of the data migration, the second storage system merges, to the data received by the second storage system during and immediately after the first data migration, a second incremental dataset received to the first storage system after performance of the rollback. Throughout the migration rollback and retry, the data of the baseline dataset, first incremental dataset, and second incremental data set is made available to the client.
US08112655B2
A memory system is described, where the transmission time of data between memory modules is managed so that the overall time delay between specified points in the memory system is maintained a constant. Each lane of a multilane bus may be separately managed, and a data frame evaluated at the destination module, without a need for deskewing at intermediate modules. The time delay in propagation of the data through a module, which may have a switch to route the data, is reduced by operating the data path through the module at one or more submultiples of the bus serial data rate, and selecting the sampling point of the received data so that variations in time delay due to temperature changes or ageing are accommodated.
US08112640B2
Provided is a method and of controlling a voltage of power supplied to a 3-dimensional (3D) graphics data processor and the 3D graphics data processor using the method. The method includes controlling the voltage of the power supplied to the graphics data processor based on the amount of data representing an object included in graphics data and re-controlling the voltage of the power supplied to the graphics data processor based on a time difference between scheduled processing time according to the controlled voltage for the object and actual processing time consumed by the graphics data processor, thereby reducing power consumption.
US08112634B2
Methods and devices for increasing or hardening the security of data stored in a storage device, such as a hard disk drive, are described. A storage device provides for increased or hardened security of data stored in hidden and non-hidden partitions of a storage medium in the device. An algorithm may be utilized for deriving a key that is used to encrypt or decrypt text before it is read from or written to the hard disk. The algorithm accepts as input a specific media location factor, such as an end address or start address of the block where the text is being read from or written to, and a secret key of the storage component. The output of the algorithm is a final key that may be used in the encryption and decryption process. Thus, in this manner, the final key is dependent on the location of the block where the data is being written or read, thereby making it more difficult to tamper with the data, which may be stored in a hidden or non-hidden partition of a hard disk.
US08112617B2
In an information processing device, a screen display control part displays an operation screen, and a firmware update part updates a firmware of the screen display control part. An operating state holding part stores an operating state of the information processing device at a time of displaying the operation screen after the firmware is updated by the firmware update part. A high-speed starting part starts the information processing device and displays the operation screen based on the stored operating state.
US08112612B2
A processing system comprising processors and the dynamically configurable communication elements coupled together in an interspersed arrangement. The processors each comprise at least one arithmetic logic unit, an instruction processing unit, and a plurality of processor ports. The dynamically configurable communication elements each comprise a plurality of communication ports, a first memory, and a routing engine. For each of the processors, the plurality of processor ports is configured for coupling to a first subset of the plurality of dynamically configurable communication elements. For each of the dynamically configurable communication elements, the plurality of communication ports comprises a first subset of communication ports configured for coupling to a subset of the plurality of processors and a second subset of communication ports configured for coupling to a second subset of the plurality of dynamically configurable communication elements.
US08112594B2
Systems and methods for writing and/or reading data to a point-to-point shared memory communication mechanism are provided according to embodiments disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, a determination may be made whether a first memory location in the cache of a general purpose multi-core processor includes an empty symbol. If the first memory location includes the empty symbol, then data may be placed in the first memory location in the cache. If the first memory location does not include the empty symbol, then waiting until it does. In another embodiment, a determination may be made whether a first memory location of a general purpose multi-core processor includes the empty symbol. If it does not, then data may be read from the first memory location and/or the empty symbol may be written into the first memory location. If the first memory location does include the empty symbol, then pausing.
US08112582B2
A method of configuring a storage device is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) receiving a single data unit over a communication network, the data unit (i) being transferred via the communication network using a standard communication protocol, (ii) defining both (a) a plurality of new configuration items that define a new configuration of the storage device and (b) a command to be performed by the storage device and (iii) having a standard markup language format, (B) calculating at least one configuration change from a plurality of current configuration items to the new configuration items, the current configuration items defining a current configuration of the storage device, (C) adjusting the storage device into the new configuration based on the at least one configuration change and (D) performing a requested operation with the storage device in the new configuration in response to the command.
US08112579B2
Selecting a destination tape recording device, out of a plurality of tape recording devices, for saving data. Particularly a technique for selecting a tape recording apparatus whose performance is optimal for data to be saved, thereby improving data backup performance in a plurality of tape recording apparatuses.
US08112578B2
A comparand word is input to a plurality of hash circuits, with each hash circuit responding to a different portion of the comparand word. The hash circuits output a hash signal which enables or precharges portions of a content addressable memory CAM. The comparand word is also input to the CAM. The CAM compares the comparand word in the precharged portions of the CAM and outputs information responsive to the comparison. When Internet addresses are processed, the output information is either port information or an index for locating port information.
US08112576B2
Methods, systems, and devices are described for the implementation of a novel architecture to support a calibrated rate for the transfer of circuit configuration data. Sets of configuration data from a memory may be transferred to volatile memory to support reconfigurable circuit elements, for example, for use in a clock generator. Upon system power-up, there may be a default speed for the transfer of the configuration data. Techniques are described to first transfer calibration data upon power-up; the transferred calibration data may then be used to set an accelerated speed for a remaining portion of the transfer.
US08112569B2
An IC (100) for communicating over a data communication bus (220) comprising a first pair of conductors including a data signal conductor (SDA) and a synchronization signal conductor (SCL), e.g. an I2C bus, is disclosed. The IC comprises a group of address pins (106a-c) for defining the bus address of the integrated circuit (100), each address pin being arranged to be coupled to a conductor from a group of conductors comprising the first pair of conductors and a second pair of conductors including a conductor for carrying a fixed high potential (Vdd) and a conductor for carrying an fixed low potential (GND). The IC (100) further comprises first and second further pins (102, 104) for being coupled to the data signal conductor (SDA) and the synchronization signal conductor (SCL) respectively and a bus address decoder (110) comprising, for each address pin, first means (118) for distinguishing between the first pair of conductors and the second pair of conductors and second means (112, 116) for distinguishing between the conductors belonging to the same pair of conductors. The IC (100) of the present invention provides an area-efficient implementation of an address decoder (110) capable of decoding addresses in an enhanced addressing scheme. In addition, an electronic device (200 comprising a data communication bus (220) and an IC (100) coupled to the data communication bus (220) is disclosed.
US08112567B2
A method for a portable media player to control power provided an accessory is disclosed. The method includes requesting information about the power capabilities of the accessory by the portable media player. The method further includes providing information about the power capabilities of the accessory by the accessory to the portable media player, and utilizing the information to set the power of the accessory. A method and system in accordance with the present invention provides a system that allows a portable media player to obtain information from an accessory concerning its power requirements. A portable media player can then utilize the power requirements information to allow for the powering of the accessory when connected to the portable media player.
US08112566B2
Methods and apparatuses for processing input and/or output requests for data storage devices are disclosed. Method embodiments generally comprise receiving a number of requests, wherein at least one of the requests is an isochronous request having an initial deadline value, calculating a new deadline value for the isochronous request, and issuing the isochronous request when the new deadline value is less than a threshold value. Apparatus embodiments generally comprise a request receiver to receive a number input or output requests, a logic module to calculate a deadline value for an isochronous request, where the calculated deadline value relates to the amount of time which has transpired between the creation of the isochronous request and the time the calculation is made, and an issuance module to issue the isochronous request if the calculated deadline value is equal or less than a threshold value.
US08112563B2
An arrangement including a first semiconductor chip and a second semiconductor chip connected thereto, where the second semiconductor chip is additionally connected to electrical loads and drives these electrical loads on the basis of a timing which is prescribed to it by load control data, and where the first semiconductor chip transmits to the second semiconductor chip the aforementioned load control data and pilot data which control the second semiconductor chip, and where the second semiconductor chip transmits to the first semiconductor chip diagnostic data which represent states prevailing in the second semiconductor chip or events which occur. The diagnostic data are transmitted via a first transmission channel and the load control data and the pilot data are transmitted via a second transmission channel.
US08112562B2
Port management information is prepared for managing information related to the status of each of a plurality of ports possessed by a storage system in a unified manner. Change of the status related to any one of a plurality of ports from “normal” to anomalous is detected. For a subject external device which is using the anomalous path as an I/O path, a “normal” port is selected, on the basis of the port management information, from one or more ports related to one or more paths which are being used as alternate paths. And information related to this “normal” port which has been selected is notified to the subject external device. During path changeover, the subject external device selects as an I/O path an alternate path which is related to the “normal” port specified from the notified information.
US08112544B2
A system and method for enabling users to send and receive messages and other information from mobile devices and enabling users to access server-based information using mobile devices over wireless data networks are disclosed. The present invention enables users to customize information that is received and sent from mobile devices. For example, the user may select to receive emails (or other correspondences) from a particular individual or group of individuals. The user may also select to receive a particular type of types of emails (or other correspondences), such as the ones marked as high priority or otherwise designated as being important. Other variations may also be implemented. In addition, the user may customize responses, replies and other outgoing information from the user's mobile device. Mobile device users may also customize various aspects of views and applications. Examples of customizable options may include home page (e.g., personal, any URL), time zone, date format, font format, language and other options.
US08112543B2
Systems and methods for performing storage operations over multi-stream data paths are provided. Prior to performing a storage operation, it may be determined whether multi-streaming resources are available to perform a multi-stream storage operation. Availability of multi-streaming resources may be related to network pathways capable of supporting multi-stream storage operations, existing network load related to other storage operations being or to be performed, availability of components capable of supporting multi-stream storage operation, and other factors. If system resources to support multi-stream storage operations are not available, the system may optionally perform a traditional storage operation that does not incorporate multiple data streams.
US08112540B2
A forward and backward compatible streaming protocol requires subsequent versions of the protocol to be purely additive relative to earlier versions. When a data segment is transmitted as a data stream, a first stream of data that is in accordance with a first version of the protocol is transmitted, with additional streams of data that are in accordance with subsequent versions of the protocol appended in sequence to the first stream of data. When a read module implements an earlier version of the protocol than a write module, the data segment is truncated to include only the data supported by the version implemented by the read module. On the other hand, when the read module implements a later version of the protocol than the write module, receipt of the data segment is terminated after the data supported by the version implemented by the write module is received.
US08112539B2
Methods and systems are provided to fast fill media players and buffers associated with media players. A bandwidth associated with initial startup of a media player is overloaded to rapidly fill the buffer and initiate the media player. Alternatively, multiple simultaneous data communication sessions are established with a media data source device, and the media data are concurrently received from the simultaneous sessions into the buffer or transferred of out the buffer at startup, thereby decreasing the latency associated with initiating the media player.
US08112532B2
System and method for tearing down individual IP communication sessions in multiple IP stack devices
Embodiments of the invention are used to provide a system and method for tearing down and reclaiming an IP address from a multi-IP stack device based on configurable timer parameters that provide a network operator with independent control over each protocol-specific IP network layer session. Dedicated idle and session timers for each IP network layer session are implemented at the network layer of various network nodes in order to independently tear down IPv4 and IPv6 network sessions while maintaining the underlying link layer connection. In embodiments, the IP protocol-specific idle and session timers are processed by the Packet Data Serving Node (PDSN) or the Home Agent (HA). To achieve user session level control of IP protocol-specific network layer sessions, embodiments of the invention provide for storing the network layer idle and session timer attributes at the Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) server prior to passing such attributes to the PDSN or the HA for processing during the dual-stack communication session.
US08112527B2
A virtual machine management apparatus connected to a plurality of server devices via a network generates a new virtual machine on a server device in accordance with a request from a management terminal. At that time, for one or more server devices to which a new virtual machine can be allocated, the virtual machine management apparatus refers to an allocation rule table for storing a score for each of combinations of types of virtual machines. The score indicates appropriateness of a condition that each combination of types of virtual machines is to be allocated to the same server device. Thus, the virtual machine management apparatus computes an index value indicative of appropriateness of a condition that the new virtual machine is to be allocated to the server device. Then the virtual machine management apparatus determines an allocation target for the new virtual machine with reference to the computed index value.
US08112526B2
A process on a highly distributed parallel computing system is disclosed. When a first compute node in a first pool is ready to hand-off a task to second pool for further processing, the first compute node may first determine whether a node is available in the second pool. If no node is available from the second pool, then the first compute node may begin performing a primary task assigned to the second pool of nodes, up to the point where a service available exclusively to the nodes of the second pool is required. In the interim, however, one of the nodes of the second pool may become available. Alternatively, an application program running on a compute node may be configured with an exception handling routine that catches exceptions and migrates the application to a compute node where a necessary service is available, as such exceptions occur.
US08112521B2
A system and method for monitoring a network and detecting network vulnerabilities is provided. A communication associated with one or more programs is issued to one or more devices in a network and the response from the devices is detected and analyzed. Based on the analysis, a device response is identified as a threat response if it represents at least an alert, an unexpected response or a response time-out indicating that the device did not response to the communication. The vulnerability of the network is determined based on the threat responses of the devices.
US08112520B2
To provide a method for assigning a service wherein power consumption can be reduced, and an information processing apparatus for implementing the method. The method includes: receiving a request of a service provided by a device connected to a network; checking whether or not a device providing the requested service is in a sleep state; selecting a device to be used based on the checked sleep state of the device, a service table that stores a combination of a service provided via the network and a device connected to the network and providing the service, and a power consumption table that stores a device connected to the network and power consumption of the device, under conditions of a time until the service is provided and power consumption; and issuing an instruction of providing the service to the selected device.
US08112506B2
Provided are a system and method for automatically setting up configurations of a home network. The system includes a setting information manager, placed within an individual home, for collecting and managing setting information associated with configurations of the home network. The setting information manager shares the setting information with a remote setting information management server or another setting information manager. Since customized setting information of an individual home is shared, setting information of home network configurations can be effectively managed, thereby reducing costs and efforts required for maintenance and repair of the home network.
US08112501B2
A system and method are directed towards enabling centralized registration for managing a selective display of visitor information to distributed social networking websites. A visitor may enter selective personal information, and determine what information is made available on a social networking webpage. The visitor may then return to the social networking website to view selective visitor information, such as within a reader roll. A visitor to a social networking website may select to not have their information displayed at selective a social networking website, while still being displayed at another social networking website. In one embodiment, selecting to not display their information may be performed by ‘mousing’ over their information and selecting a display option. Social networking websites may look to a centralized registration system to determine whether to display the visitor information, while still being able to obtain information about the visitor, and/or provide benefits to the visitor.
US08112499B2
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for administering devices that include creating a user metric vector including a plurality of disparate user metrics, creating a user metric space including a plurality of metric ranges, determining whether the user metric vector is outside the user metric space, identifying an action in dependence upon the user metric vector if the user metric vector is outside a user metric space, and executing the action.
US08112497B1
The invention relates to a method of educating a user about the use of a website. The method includes the step of obtaining interactive web content from the website, and displaying the interactive web content to the user, along with information educating the user about how to interact with the website. The method then further includes receiving user input for a user interaction with the web content. The user interaction is assessed, to determine if it is in accordance with the information presented to the user. If so, the interaction is transmitted to the website. The present invention has particular application to social networking websites, and educating a user about behavioral and ethical issues associated with social networking online.
US08112496B2
The present invention finds candidate objects for remote differential compression. Objects are updated between two or more computing devices using remote differential compression (RDC) techniques such that required data transfers are minimized. An algorithm provides enhanced efficiencies for allowing the receiver to locate a set of objects that are similar to the object that needs to be transferred from the sender. Once this set of similar objects has been found, the receiver may reuse any chunks from these objects during the RDC algorithm.
US08112493B2
The present invention is a method, system and apparatus for programmatically applied role-based security in a dynamically generated user interface. In accordance with the present invention, a server page can be configured for processing by a server page engine. The server page can include at least one markup language fragment defining a user interface for a first view and an additional markup language fragment defining a link to a second view. A custom tag can be included in the additional markup language fragment to conditionally include the link to the second view only if a role detected for an end user attempting to access the first view also has been defined in a deployment descriptor as an authorized role for accessing the second view. Notably, in a preferred aspect of the invention, the first and second views can be JSPs and the deployment descriptor can be a configuration file for an application framework incorporating the JSPs. In this regard, the application framework can be the Struts framework.
US08112487B2
A collaborative messaging system and method includes, in a communications engine, a plurality of message interrogators to process a message from a sender to a receiver. The plurality of message interrogators includes a message adjudicator configured to compare message information from the sender with message information obtained by the message adjudicator and to modify the message information from the sender to a more restrictive value. The plurality of message interrogators further includes a message validator configured to allow or deny the message based upon the modified message information.
US08112486B2
Systems and methods for processing a message are provided. A message may be processed to generate a message summary by removing or replacing certain words, phrases, sentences, punctuation, and the like. Message signatures based upon the message summary may be generated and stored in a signature database, which may be used to identify and/or classify spam messages. Subsequently received messages may be classified by signature and processed based on classification.
US08112485B1
In response to a user sending an electronic mail message to a recipient, a whitelist manager creates a temporary whitelist entry for the recipient on the user's whitelist. The temporary whitelist entry is set to expire after a set period of time. During the period of time that the temporary whitelist entry is in effect, electronic mail messages from the recipient are passed to the user without being subject to security screening. The whitelist manager keeps track of email traffic between the user and the recipient during this time period. If the nature of this email traffic is sufficient to establish that the recipient is legitimate, the whitelist manager converts the temporary entry to a permanent one. Otherwise, the whitelist manager disables the temporary entry, after which email from the recipient to the user is subject to normal security processing.
US08112484B1
Apparatus and method for auxiliary classification for generating features for a spam filtering model
A computer-implemented system and method are described for integrating a series of auxiliary spam detection models with a base spam detection model, thereby improving the accuracy and efficiency of the overall spam detection engine. For example, a system according to one embodiment of the invention comprises: a base spam filter feature extractor to detect a first set of features from incoming email messages; one or more auxiliary model feature extractors, each of the auxiliary model feature extractors to detect a different set of features from the incoming email messages; one or more auxiliary detection modules, each of the auxiliary detection modules to receive an indication of the different sets of features detected by a corresponding one of the auxiliary model feature extractor modules and to apply weights to the detected features; and a base spam filter module to receive an indication of the first set of features from the base spam filter feature extractor and the weights generated by the auxiliary detection modules, the base spam filter module to assign base spam filter weights to the first set of features and to determine whether an email message is spam based on the weights of the first set of features and the weights of the different set of features identified by the auxiliary model feature extractors.
US08112474B2
In response to a request, one of primary content data as a copyrighted work and incidental content data is received from a server. With a music editing and sharing application, the content data is used in a secondary usage fashion for editing in order to produce new incidental content data. The incidental content data is not the one that is produced by arranging directly the primary content data as an editing material but play control information for giving an instruction defining a play mode. The incidental content data is uploaded to an incidental content server.
US08112471B2
A system for optimizing the performance of a website that runs on one or more HTTP servers and is configured to receive HTTP requests from one or more clients via user agents and provide HTTP responses to the one or more clients includes an intermediary component configured to connect to the clients and the servers via network connections. The intermediary component includes a traffic management system (TMS) that includes means for managing HTTP requests originating from the clients and targeting the servers and HTTP responses originating from the servers and targeting the clients and means for redirecting the HTTP requests to the intermediary component. The intermediary component further includes a traffic processing system that includes means for receiving the redirected HTTP requests and the HTTP responses and means for applying optimization techniques to the redirected HTTP requests and the HTTP responses.
US08112464B2
One or more levels of a stub directory from a container file are written out to a storage device. The stub directory initially includes identifiers of one or more directories in the one or more levels of the stub directory but not identifiers of additional directories in the one or more directories. In response to a request to access one of the one or more directories, identifiers of one or more additional directories and/or one or more files in the one directory are extracted from the container file.
US08112445B2
Systems and methods for hosting variable schema data such as dynamic tables and columns in a fixed physical database schema. Standard objects, such as tables are provided for use by multiple tenants or organizations in a multi-tenant database system. Each organization may add or define custom fields for inclusion in a standard object. Custom fields for multiple tenants are stored in a single field within the object data structure, and this single field may contain different data types for each tenant. Indexing columns are also provided, wherein a tenant may designate a field for indexing. Data values for designated fields are copied to an index column, and each index column may include multiple data types. Each organization may also define custom objects including custom fields and indexing columns. Custom objects for multiple tenants are stored in a single custom object data structure. The primary key values for the single custom object table are globally unique, but also include an object-specific identifier which may be re-used among different entities.
US08112431B2
Methods and system for processing search requests are described. In one embodiment, a term of a search request may be received. A determination of whether the term is a meta-keyword may be made. One or more linguistically transformed keywords associated with the meta-keyword may be obtained. A search may be run on at least one of the one or more linguistically transformed keywords to obtain a result of the search.
US08112420B2
The present invention relates to an information search system, an information processing apparatus and method, and information search apparatus and method. A PC extracts, from the mail document transmitted/received by a user, words corresponding to the user's interests and records the interest data. In steps S121 and S122, upon logged in by the user, an HDD recorder requests the acquisition of interest data. On the basis of this request, the PC sends the interest data corresponding to the login user. In steps S123 and S124, the HDD recorder sends the received interest data to a server. In step S131, the server searches for the program information that matches the received interest data. In step S125, on the basis of the program information contained in the search result, the HDD recorder sets the timer-recording of a program. The present invention is applicable to programs which are installed in personal computers.
US08112419B2
A Universal Geographic Database (“UGD”) is provided that includes a real-time, automated registry/clearinghouse for the publication and retrieval of real-world locations and location-related information for businesses and other entities. By this registry, entities may publish their location and location-related information in a single place, and information services and their users can refer to this single place, via telecommunications devices, to obtain static, real-time location and location-based information about the registered locations. Each UGD record is keyed by a proprietary location address (PLA) based on the World Geographic Referencing System (WGRS). PLAs may be used as key reference and addressing terms, e.g., imbedded in digital documents, websites, GPS devices, or other information services to provide links to maps, directions, and information in the registry related to such locations. PLAs may also provide a concise, user-friendly notation for location naming and designating real-world locations and on all types of location-sensitive electronic devices.
US08112418B2
Embodiments of a computer system to determine one or more annotation items associated with an audio file are described. During operation, the computer system provides an interactive environment in which multiple users listen to the audio file within a time interval. Next, the computer system receives one or more annotation items associated with the audio file from the multiple users. Then, the computer system displays the received one or more annotation items from the multiple users in the interactive environment, thereby enabling the multiple users to provide feedback to a given user in the multiple users.
US08112415B1
Two methods and computer-readable medium for obtaining information using field group unpacking functions. The first method obtains information using field group unpacking functions by identifying an optimized unpacking function from field group unpacking functions, and an optimized unpacking function is used to unpack a field associated with the data stream. The second method obtains information using field group unpacking functions by identifying an optimized unpacking function from the field group unpacking functions. Then, a prefilter is applied and associated with the optimized unpacking functions and used to unpack a field associated with the data stream. The computer-readable medium obtains field group unpacking functions for execution by a computing device using field group unpacking functions that identify an optimized unpacking function from the field group unpacking functions, and use an optimized unpacking function to unpack a field associated with the data stream.
US08112406B2
Removing or minimizing human participation in the collection or hold process, pursuant to electronic discovery, in a robust, fast, transparent, and legally defensible manner. A method and apparatus that ensures a robust and defensible way of communicating electronic discovery collection and hold requests from electronic discovery management systems to disparate data sources in a uniform way.
US08112401B2
The document management system has a Native Template database including a list of templates for one or more types of documents having common characteristics and a Conversion Database including a list of one or more data points associated with each listed document type, one or more descriptive text entries associated with each listed data point, and proximity range information relating to the location of the data point within the descriptive text. The locations of words, sentences, paragraphs, and sections within the externally generated document are recorded and a document type is selected from the Native Template database that has common characteristics. A data point is selected from the template and the introduced document is searched for Possible Data Points. A determination is made as to whether Possible Data Point values are located within a Proximity Range. A cumulative Evaluation Score is calculated for each Possible Data Point value. The Possible Data Point with the highest score is recorded. These steps are repeated until each data point has been selected.
US08112400B2
A method for collecting data from semiconductor equipment includes selecting a plurality of data values to request from semiconductor equipment and assigning each of the data values to a chamber. Each chamber is associated with an engine that processes the data values in the associated chamber to detect a fault in the semiconductor equipment. The method also includes determining an order to receive the data values from the semiconductor equipment, and, after the order for the data values is determined, communicating a setup message requesting the semiconductor equipment to communicate the data values in the predetermined order. The method further includes receiving the data values from the semiconductor equipment and providing each of the received data values to the particular engine associated with the chamber of the data value.
US08112394B2
In one embodiment, a method for facilitating long-lived data transactions includes starting a data transaction during a first user session, storing data associated with the data transaction in a temporary storage table, and ending the data transaction during a second user session using contents of the temporary storage table.
US08112392B1
A method may include identifying a virtualized application that has a read-only virtualization sublayer and a read-write virtualization sublayer. The read-only virtualization sublayer may represent a base state of the virtualized application and the read-write virtualization sublayer may be configured to store changes to the base state of the virtualized application. The method may also include determining a first difference between the read-only virtualization sublayer and the read-write virtualization sublayer at a first point in time and using the first difference between the read-only virtualization sublayer and the read-write virtualization sublayer to create a first snapshot that represents a state of the virtualized application at the first point in time. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US08112387B2
A received report query specifies a dimension coordinate constraint and an associated grain for the dimension coordinate constraint. At least one query is generated to the dimensionally-modeled fact collection. A result of providing the at least one query to the dimensionally-modeled fact collection is processed. The processed result includes an indication of every dimension coordinate satisfying the dimension coordinate constraint and having a particular value at the associated grain, and the processed result further includes facts of the dimensionally-modeled fact collection that are specified by at least one other dimension coordinate indicated by the processed result having the particular value at the associated grain and not satisfying the dimension coordinate constraint.
US08112379B2
A policy processor is described that may be used to implement a system for managing the configuration of assets in a distributed computing network, such as an enterprise network. The policy processor resides on a managed node in the distributed computing network and operates to receive, evaluate and enact policies issued by one or more policy authorities in the distributed computing network. The policy processor utilizes a conflict resolution model to determine which policy rules included within the policies should be put into effect and which should not.
US08112368B2
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to predict faults. Initially, a plurality of features are provided to a plurality of models. A subset of features is selected for each model. The plurality of features selected by a respective model is dependent upon a time scale associated with a respective model. As a result of their dependence upon different time scales, the plurality of selected features provided to a first model will differ from those provided to a second model. The plurality of models process the respective plurality of selected features. The outputs from the plurality of models are fused to generate a measure indicative of an impending fault. By providing different selected features to the models that are dependent upon the associated time scales and by then combining the outputs of the plurality of models, the resulting measure of an impending fault may accurately predict a fault well in advance of its occurrence.
US08112364B2
An identification token such as a proximity payment device may be integrated with a wristwatch. For security purposes, the identification token may be disabled when removed from the user's wrist. The identification token may be re-enabled by interaction with a docking station or personal computer at the user's residence.
US08112357B2
Preventing duplicate ICL files and/or ICL file elements, including duplicate ICLs, items, and item bundles, from being processed for payment and/or presentment. A duplicate detection module can assign a predictable and repeatable unique identifier to each ICL file and/or ICL file element. The duplicate detection module can determine whether each ICL file and/or element is a duplicate by comparing the identifier associated with the ICL file and/or element with information stored in a record of already processed files/elements. In response to determining that an ICL file and/or element is a duplicate, the duplicate detection module can determine not to process the file/element for payment and/or presentment. In response to determining that the ICL file and/or element is not a duplicate, the duplicate detection module can store information regarding the file/element in the record. For example, the stored information can include the unique identifier associated with the file/element.
US08112356B2
A database is provided for storing a plurality of primary sales transactions between buyers and sellers. An electronic receipt is generated for one of the sales transactions, the electronic receipt is transmitted to a device associated with a user, and a signal is received from the user whereby a sales transaction is initiated relating to a secondary purchase.
US08112354B2
The present invention provides a method and a system for consolidating bill payment-related information. A consolidation toolbar is installed inside the browser of a user's computer. The consolidation toolbar enables the user to interact with a virtual consolidation system for facilitating online bill payment-related activities. Lists of all the billers that are of interest to the user are presented through the consolidation toolbar. On selecting a biller, the user is presented with the login page on the biller's web site. The virtual consolidation system assists the user in providing the required information on various web pages on the selected biller's web site, to perform various payment-related activities.
US08112351B2
A trading system is described herein for hosting a collection of one or more electronic exchanges. The collection of electronic exchanges may be made up of separately designated exchanges under one or more authorizing and regulating bodies. The trading system receives from traders bids to purchase and offers to sell a tradeable object listed at one of the electronic exchanges. Then, the trading system directs the bids and offers to the appropriate exchange where the bids and offers may be automatically matched in the corresponding market. The trading system may also be used to take actions in one or more markets that are internal and external to the trading system on behalf of a trader using preprogrammed trading instructions.
US08112350B2
The present invention relates to computerised trading systems and associated methods, particularly those that implement trades in basis trading where the two instruments have different and non-universally agreed pricing mechanisms and metrics, such as futures crosses in the European derivative markets. The present invention allows traders to enter orders expressed in terms of their own metrics. These orders are then converted to be expressed according to a standardised metric such that comparisons may be made and orders matched. Once matching orders are identified, these orders can be reported back to the traders, expressed in terms of their own metrics.
US08112345B2
The present invention provides an investment option known as a lifetime income share. Lifetime income shares mitigate survival risk, the risk that an individual will outlive his or her assets. More specifically, the purchase of a plurality of lifetime income shares guarantees an individual a predetermined, periodic income payment for the life of the purchaser. The guaranteed stream of monthly income commences at a specified age. Furthermore, the guaranteed stream is utilized to supplement an existing income level or provide income in the event that the individual outlives his or her accumulated liquid assets.
US08112344B2
Techniques, including computer-implemented methods, systems, and apparatus, for establishing a contractual relationship between two parties based on a segregated contract participation unit. The techniques include offering to a set of potential investors, on an electronic exchange, a segregated contract participation unit to purchase an economic participatory interest associated with a specific aspect of an issuer operation, and upon purchase of the segregated contract participation unit by a specific investor of the set of potential investors, establishing a contractual relationship between the issuer and the specific investor that binds the issuer to execute a set of obligations according to terms specified in the segregated contract participation unit.
US08112337B2
A method and system for electronically clearing financial instruments may include receiving electronic files of items containing data scanned from financial instruments including an amount of each instrument, and applying a rule to sort the items by determining whether the item may be stored or forwarded for clearing without storage. The rule may include determining whether an amount of the instrument exceeds a predetermined value, and if so, forwarding the instrument for clearing, or if not, storing the item for forwarding at a later time when the per item fee for clearing is lower. The system may include a control for receiving electronic files from a scanning device and applying a rule to sort the files by determining whether each file should be stored or forwarded and an image export server for converting the files to a preferred format and transmitting them for clearing.
US08112336B2
A method and system for converting an annuity fund to a life insurance policy at a predetermined conversion date comprising the following steps: establishing an annuity fund of a predetermined value and purchasing a fixed or variable annuity for the annuity fund, establishing an irrevocable life insurance conversion plan including selecting the predetermined conversion date, selecting a predetermined mortality death benefit at the predetermined conversion date and purchasing a guaranteed insurability option to guarantee the availability of the predetermined mortality death benefit at the predetermined conversion date, accruing investment income within the annuity fund on a tax deferred basis until the predetermined conversion date, converting the annuity fund to the life insurance policy with the predetermined mortality death benefit at the predetermined conversion date, accruing income within the life insurance policy until the death of the insured under the life insurance policy and disbursing the death benefit consisting of mortality insurance and accrued cash values to the beneficiary at the death of the insured under the life insurance policy.
US08112335B2
Processing pricing data can be provided by receiving first data associating a first price source, a first market condition, and an instrument; receiving second data from at least one of a plurality of price sources, the second data comprising a first price quote for the instrument; determining that the at least one of the plurality of price sources matches the first price source; and generating a second price quote for the instrument based on the second data. Time data may be used for synchronizing the first data and the second data. The first price source may be changed to a second price source and/or the first market condition may be changed to a second market condition; and a third price quote generated for the instrument based on the associated second price source. Cached data may be used for processing the pricing data.
US08112302B1
Systems and methods for reconciling a forecast for a dimension based upon data that is associated with the dimension. A method can be used that includes generating a plurality of forecasts for the dimensions such that the forecast of a first dimension is generated independently of a forecast of a second dimension. The forecast of the first dimension has a constraint that is influenced by the forecast of the second dimension. A reconciliation is performed between the forecast of the first dimension and the forecast of the second dimension in order to determine how the constraint of the first dimension's forecast is to influence the first dimension's forecast.
US08112288B1
Systems and methods for determining options for reducing spend and/or trend for a prescription drug plan are provided. Based on an analysis of spend and/or trend for the prescription drug plan, a prescription drug spend and/or trend application may determine that an option is available to reduce spend and/or trend. For example, an option may be provided that addresses a primary component of spend and/or trend as determined by the spend and trend application. In another example, an option may be provided that addresses a deviation by the prescription drug plan from a selected performance metric. In yet another example, an option may be provided that addresses a status change for a drug in a marketplace. The spend and/or trend application may optionally project an impact of an option on the prescription drug plan (e.g., financial impact, member impact) using a related model.
US08112282B2
A computer-implemented method is described for optimizing prompts for a speech-enabled application. The speech-enabled application is operable to receive communications from a number of users and communicate one or more prompts to each user to elicit a response from the user that indicates the purpose of the user's communication. The method includes determining a number of prompt alternatives (each including one or more prompts) to evaluate and determining an evaluation period for each prompt alternative. The method also includes automatically presenting each prompt alternative to users during the associated evaluation period and automatically recording the results of user responses to each prompt alternative. Furthermore, the method includes automatically analyzing the recorded results for each prompt alternative based on one or more performance criteria and automatically implementing one of the prompt alternatives based on the analysis of the recorded results.
US08112278B2
Disclosed are arrangements that provide security for items to which access is restricted by providing a single layer of security requiring a biometric signature (101) for access. A memory-space reduction approach reduces the search time to identify a matching biometric signature, this based on an auxiliary input (112) that is vocally uttered by a user seeking access to the controlled item (811). The disclosed arrangements can also use the auxiliary codes as control signals to expand the utility of the disclosed voice controlled memory partitioning arrangements.
US08112259B2
Method of determining the compositional evolution of fluids present in a porous medium as a result of biodegradation.A biodegradation compositional scheme is defined from twelve chemical classes allowing the hydrocarbons and the gases resulting from biodegradation to be described. The initial amount of each one of these chemical classes contained in the fluids before biodegradation is determined. A reaction scheme is then defined for biodegradation, wherein the chemical classes react with electron acceptors according to parallel reactions having different velocities, and each class reacts with these acceptors according to sequential reactions. The biodegradation reaction velocities are determined for each class. The composition of the fluids is then deduced by assessing the amount of each chemical class by applying the reaction scheme. The composition of the biodegraded hydrocarbons, as well as the amount of acid gas and of methane produced, are notably deduced.Application: notably petroleum reservoir development.
US08112257B2
A method and a system directed to semantically annotating business process modeling components of a business process model are described. For example, a definition of a business process modeling component and an association of a domain element with the business process modeling component are received. Then, the definition of the business process modeling component is semantically annotated using the domain element.
US08112242B2
A system for determining a property of a paving-related material is provided. Such a system comprises a measuring device for selectively and directly measuring the property. A computer device is capable of executing a software program product and communicating with the measuring device. The computer device directs the measuring device to measure the property of the paving-related material according to a parameter determined by the software program product, and to receive data comprising the measured property from the measuring device. A communication element operably engaged between the measuring device and the computer device allows communication therebetween. The communication element is configured to allow the computer device to be spaced apart from the measuring device, thereby allowing the computer device to be prepared, to include the parameter and to manipulate the data, in spaced apart relation with respect to the measuring device. An associated method is also provided.
US08112238B1
A method is provided for aligning a measurement instrument that includes a tunable filter. The method includes: (i) applying an output signal of an internal noise source of the measurement instrument to the input of the tunable filter, (ii) applying a control signal to the tunable filter to tune the tunable filter to a selected alignment frequency, (iii) measuring a value for a gain alignment parameter of the tunable filter while the output signal of the internal noise source is applied to the input of the tunable filter and the control signal is applied to the tunable filter, (iv) storing the measured gain alignment parameter value in an alignment table in the memory device, and (v) repeating steps (ii) through (iv) for a plurality of selected alignment frequencies in an operating frequency range of the tunable filter.
US08112229B2
A method for arranging assays in an order for execution in a system that employs a plurality of clinical analyzers, typically automated clinical analyzers. The method comprises the steps of (a) prioritizing the order of execution of a number of individual assays in a set of assays for a given sample in a sample container, the priority of an individual assay in the set of assays for the given sample being specified by the sensitivity of the individual assay, wherein there is at least one sample-to-sample carryover contribution from at least one other sample, an assay of the at least one other sample preceding the individual assay of the given sample; (b) comparing the sum of the sample-to-sample carryover contribution(s) from the at least one other sample for at least one assay of the at least one other sample that precedes the individual assay of the given sample to the sensitivity threshold of the individual assay of the given sample; and (c) using this comparison to determine whether to establish an order for the execution of assays for the given sample that includes the individual assay of the given sample or dispense at least a portion of the given sample into at least one additional container in order to carry out the assay.
US08112226B2
At least one inertial sensor is configured to sense movement of a telephone (or other portable device such as a personal digital assistant, portable computer, portable game device, portable audio player, or portable video player). Information derived at least in part from data output by the inertial sensor is used as input to software executing on the telephone.
US08112224B2
The guidance system (1) comprises a first means (2) for guiding the aircraft while maintaining a spacing with another aircraft, a second means (3) for making the aircraft pass through a particular waypoint at a required passing time, and means (5) for selecting automatically one of said first and second means (2, 3).
US08112219B2
A system and method for updating and communicating traffic information to at least one receiving vehicle includes a traffic information center and at least one probe vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, major road sections are represented as links, the center stores and updates a parent map database of links that are associable with a first value of a condition, each probe vehicle is configured to receive a copy of the database either periodically or upon request, determine a second value of the condition, and compare the first and second values to determine a condition discrepancy. Where the discrepancy surpasses a threshold, each probe vehicle is further configured to upload at least the second value to the center, so as to update the parent map database.
US08112214B2
A system for limiting the speed of a vehicle includes a first module that generates a first torque signal based on a vehicle speed, a second module that generates a second torque signal based on a difference between a predetermined vehicle speed limit and the vehicle speed, and a third module that generates an output torque signal based on the first and second torque signals. The output torque signal is adapted to control the output torque of a motor.
US08112198B2
An active suspension system includes a relative slow-responding force bias eliminator (such as a pneumatic actuator) and a relatively fast-responding actuator (such as an electromagnetic actuator) that together support a plant (such as a truck seat or vehicle cabin). The system also includes a load-unload detector (which may be a physical or virtual detector) to detect a loading or unloading of the plant. When such a loading or unloading is detected, the system causes the force bias eliminator to respond quickly (e.g., as quick as possible) while controlling the fast-responding actuator so as to preserve the available energy for operating the actuator (e.g., so as to keep the fast-responding actuator from consuming all of its available energy) prior to when the force bias eliminator can respond.
US08112195B2
The present invention relates to a method of providing and utilizing information for vehicle travel, such as information about traffic flow on roads, and about parking lots. In an encoding method according to the present invention, at least one component including information for vehicle travel is generated. Information about a time point is included in the generated component. The information about the time point includes a selector, having a bit element indicating whether to use the present date and time and indicating the type of loaded information, and at least one of information elements indicating a year, month, day, hour, minute, and second, depending on the value of the selector.
US08112194B2
A hybrid powertrain system includes an engine and a torque actuator coupled to a driveline to transfer tractive power to a wheel including a friction brake. A method includes monitoring an operator braking request and determining a request for regenerative braking torque. Operation of the torque actuator to react tractive power is inhibited when a fault is detected in the monitored request for regenerative braking torque and achieved regenerative braking torque.
US08112192B2
A method for controlling a powertrain system includes monitoring output power of the energy storage device, modifying a preferred electric power limit when the output power of the energy storage device transgresses a trigger power limit, and determining the power constraint of the first power actuator based on the estimated output power of the energy storage device when the output power of the energy storage power transgresses the preferred power limit.
US08112191B2
A system is provided for monitoring the effectiveness of a braking function in a powered system. The system includes a sensor configured to measure a parameter related to the operation of the powered system. Additionally, the system includes a processor coupled to the sensor, to receive data related to the parameter. Subsequent to activating the braking function, the processor is configured to determine the effectiveness of the braking function of the powered system, based upon whether the parameter data varies by a predetermined threshold. A method and a computer software code are also provided for monitoring the effectiveness of a braking function in a powered system.
US08112186B2
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for displaying flight plan data. First level flight plan data is displayed and user input is received selecting a selection of a portion of the first level flight plan data. In response to receiving the selection of the portion of the first level flight plan data, second level flight plan data is displayed, wherein the second level flight plan data displayed is used to derive the selected portion of the first level flight plan data selected by the user input.
US08112175B2
Methods and apparatus for medicament tracking are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, medicaments are initially stored within secure medicament containers. One or more containers comprise a radio frequency identification module or another electromagnetic transmitter adapted to generate tracking signals. Optionally, the tracking signals may be transmitted according to one or more anti-collision protocols in order to reduce and/or prevent interference with other transmitted signals. Electromagnetic readers situated at one or more locations verify when the medicament containers are proximate to those readers. In some embodiments, once the medicament containers have successfully been tracked to a target location, inventory and tracking data may be updated within one or more external devices.
US08112168B2
A manufacturing process including a controller method to generate a tool setting which includes a tool offset and a device offset. The controller method uses a device parameter measurement to update the tool offset and device offset. A tool weight and a device weight is assigned so that only one of the tool offset and device offset is significantly changed during the update. The process may be applied to semiconductor device manufacturing and particularly to integrated circuit fabrication.
US08112167B2
A process control method comprises adjusting a process condition in consideration of a performance variation among a plurality of manufacturing apparatuses, the performance variation affecting a finished shape of a pattern used to manufacture a semiconductor device, running a simulation of the finished shape under the adjusted process condition, extracting a dangerous point of the pattern affecting satisfaction from the result of the simulation, comparing a first process capability serving as a judgment standard to find whether a production schedule of the device is achieved with a second capability serving to form a dangerous pattern containing the dangerous point, and improving the second process when the second process capability is lower than the first process capability.
US08112166B2
A method of generating a personalized sound system hearing profile for a user. The method begins by selecting an initial profile, based on selected factors of user input. In an embodiment, the initial profile is selected based on demographic factors. Then the system identifies one or more alternate profiles, each having a selected relationship with the initial profile. The relationship between alternate profiles and the initial profile can be based on gain as a function of frequency, one alternate profile having a higher sensitivity at given frequencies and the other a lower sensitivity. The next step links at least one audio sample with the initial and alternate profiles and then plays the selected samples for the user. The system then receives identification of the preferred sample from the user; and selects a final profile based on the user's preference. An embodiment offers multiple sound samples in different modes, resulting in the selection of multiple final profiles for the different modes. Finally, the system may apply the final profile to the sound system.
US08112160B2
A cardiac rhythm management device that includes a lead and a pulse generator. The lead can comprise a lead body, a helical composite electrode, a composite conductor and a proximal connector. The helical composite electrode can have first and second electrodes in a co-axial configuration. The composite connector can electrically connect the first and second electrodes to the proximal connector. The proximal connector can be configured to couple to the pulse generator.
US08112159B2
This disclosure describes a kit to facilitate implantation of therapy elements into a patient, and techniques for percutaneously inserting therapy elements into a patient. In particular, embodiments of the invention are directed to techniques for percutaneously inserting two or more therapy elements into a patient via a single needle. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a kit to facilitate implantation of therapy elements into a patient. The kit comprises a needle defining a lumen a first therapy element sized to pass through the lumen, and a second therapy element sized to pass through the lumen. The lumen is sized to receive both of the first and second therapy elements simultaneously. The first and second therapy elements are separate and not attached to one another such that distal ends of the first and second therapy elements can be positioned to provide therapy in distinct locations of the patient.
US08112157B2
This disclosure relates to the design and fabrication of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) for applications in such varied fields as the biomedical, micro-fluidics and chemical analysis fields for wireless data and power transfer.
US08112156B2
Method and device for improving blood flow by a series of electrically-induced muscular contractions
A treatment method and device for promoting a localized increase in the flow of blood through a blood vessel in an area of the body, the method including the steps of: (a) providing a system including: (i) at least a first electrode operatively contacting a first portion of body tissue; (ii) at least a second electrode operatively contacting a second portion of body tissue; and (iii) a signal generator, operatively connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, for providing a plurality of electrical impulses to the electrodes; (b) applying the electrical impulses so as to subject the muscular tissue to at least one voltage differential, thereby inducing repeated, contracting, directional movement of muscular tissue associated within the blood vessel, so as to produce a localized increase in the flow of blood through the blood vessel.
US08112150B2
The system provides information to facilitate efficient optimization of programmer settings for cardiac pacemakers. It uses simultaneous measurement of a patient's electrocardiogram and peripheral blood pressure waveform in order to calculate, in real-time, a value correlated to the patient's pre-ejection time (PET) and, optionally, ejection duration (ED) for the patient's left ventricle. The peripheral blood pressure waveform is preferably monitored with a wrist mounted tonometer. Data including the electrocardiogram and peripheral blood pressure trace, as well as the surrogate pre-ejection time interval (SPET) for each heart beat and trending is displayed on a computer monitor, thereby allowing a physician or nurse to quickly optimize PET for the patient and adjusting programmer settings for an implanted pacemaker.
US08112149B2
A system and method determining physiological status of a patient. A determination is made whether the patient is sleeping. The amplitude and change in voltage over time of any intramyocardial electrogram is measured for a right ventricle and a left ventricle of a heart of the patient for a predefined number of heartbeats at a specified time interval in response to determining the patient is asleep. The measurements are averaged for the right ventricle and left ventricle. The averaged measurements are transmitted to a receiver for communication to an intended recipient.
US08112145B2
An assessment of myocardial viability in a subject is performed by acquiring an MR image which distinguishes infarcted myocardium from normal myocardium. A contrast agent is used and after a waiting period, a cardiac-gated segmented inversion recovery gradient-recalled radial sampling technique is employed to acquire NMR data over a substantial portion of the cardiac cycle. By interleaving the radial sampling patterns, images can be reconstructed over a range of possible TI intervals enabling the optimal TI for maximum contrast to be retrospectively selected.
US08112131B2
The present invention comprises a docking system for connecting a portable communication device to a further signal transmission line. The docking system may be arranged within a workstation such as a desk or a tray. The system may also envelope a room in a building or be located in a vehicle, to control and restrict the radiative emission from the communication device and to direct such radiation to a further remote antenna and or signal distribution system connected to the transmission line.
US08112128B2
A camera housing positionably coupled to an electronic appliance is disclosed. Preferably, the camera housing is positionable in two discrete positions such that the camera can be positioned to face towards or away from the user. The appliance includes a recess sized to receive the camera housing. A cellular telephone includes a camera housing which is positionable in two discrete positions. In the first position, the camera faces the user. In the second position, the camera faces away from the user. The camera housing is coupled to the cellular telephone by a hinge mechanism that latches the camera into one of the two positions.
US08112125B2
Provided are methods and systems for hands free communication with a wearable telecommunication device configured to recognize a command associated with the audio message and executing the command by communicating wirelessly with at least one communication device or a mobile telecommunication system. The wearable wireless telecommunications headset includes a casing containing a speaker for receiving an audio message, a microphone for sending an audio message, transceiver and a processor programmed for voice recognition. Methods are provided for direct communication with a telecommunication system and also communicating with a telecommunications system via an intermediary local device.
US08112122B2
A mobile communication apparatus comprising a numeric keypad is disclosed, wherein a number of functions are associated with keys of said keypad. The functions are related to a context of a present application running on said mobile communication apparatus, and associated with one or more further applications, wherein actuation of any of said keys results in activation of any of said one or more further functions to perform said related function by said associated applications.
US08112115B2
A mobile base station device and billing method, which can provide an incentive for use at a specific position, while securing convenience for users, are provided. In a mobile base station device 10, upon installation by an owner, registered user terminal-specific information transmitted from a network N, and installation position information specifying the installation position, are stored. When there is transmission from a portable terminal 30, judgment is made as to whether the user of the portable terminal 30 is a registered user and as to whether transmission is from within a prescribed area; only when these conditions are satisfied, a communication connection is established at a flat rate. By this means, in the mobile base station device 10, an incentive can be provided to users for use in a specific position. Further, billing adjustments are made for use at other than the specific position, but communication service is not completely forbidden, and user convenience is secured.
US08112106B2
The present invention relates to a method for obtaining group information by an invited user in a Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) session. The method comprises: sending, by a PoC client where a user initiating the session is located, a session request message carrying information about the user initiating the session and the session group member information to a PoC server; and sending, by the PoC server, the session request message carrying the information about the user initiating the session to a PoC client where the invited user is located. The PoC server sends session group member information to the PoC client where the invited user is located, so that the invited user is able to know the session group member, or refer to the session group member information to determine subsequent operations. The present invention has also disclosed a PoC system.
US08112104B1
Improved approaches for users of electronic devices to communicate with one another are disclosed. The electronic devices have audio and/or textual output capabilities. The improved approaches can enable users to communicate in different ways depending on device configuration, user preferences, prior history, etc. In one embodiment, the communication between users is achieved by short audio or textual messages.
US08112100B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods of location-based status checking. Such a method comprises scheduling an event to occur at a scheduled time at a defined location; inviting an individual to attend the event; querying the individual as to whether the individual will attend the event; and tracking a physical location of the individual to determine whether the individual is on schedule to appear at the event by the scheduled time. Other methods and systems are also provided.
US08112094B1
Architecture that efficiently adds additional carrier(s) (e.g., UMTS) to a wireless operator's network which allows the additional carrier(s) network to co-exist with other technologies by sharing the spectrum in geographically adjacent sites. When employing UMTS, the UMTS is CDMA-based such that all users utilize the same frequency 5 MHz band. With this innovation, additional carriers (e.g., a 2nd 5 MHz UMTS carrier) can be added when capacity is needed on a site-by-site basis without clearing an additional 5 MHz of spectrum.
US08112085B2
Various embodiments are described relating to selecting anchor nodes among nodes in a wireless network. In an example embodiment, a topological arrangement of a first wireless node and one or more other wireless nodes neighboring to the first wireless node in a wireless network may be determined by the first wireless node. A second wireless node may be selected to perform anchor node operations for the first wireless node based on the determined topological arrangement. For example, the first wireless node may select itself to perform the anchor node operations based on the determined topological arrangement.
US08112084B2
A method, a system and an apparatus for performing mobile Internet protocol deregistering, includes that the network element in the ASN to which the terminal attaches detects whether the MS terminates unconventionally, and sends the message with the MS identifier of the MS which terminates unconventionally to the ASN GW/DP. The ASN GW/DP instructs the ASN GW/FA to release the link resource with the MS and release the link resource with the HA proving service for the MS.
US08112080B2
A method and system for providing a broadcast/multicast (BCAST) service, are provided. The method includes obtaining, by the terminal, at least one BCAST service from a visiting network when the terminal roams in the visiting network.
US08112079B2
A first communication channel is used by a communication unit for communicating with a base site. The first communication channel has an inbound link and an outbound link. The communication unit determines that congestion is present on the communication channel. The communication unit determines its transmission requirements and whether the first communication channel is capable of supporting its transmission requirements. If the first communication channel is not capable of supporting the transmission requirements of the communication unit, the communication unit locates a second communication channel capable of supporting its transmission requirements, and switches to the second communication channel to communicate with the base site.
US08112077B2
Media data from a first communication session and media data from a second communication session are received by a unit in the communication network and are combined therein to form at least one combined media data stream which contains the media data from the two communication sessions. The combined media data stream is sent to the communication terminal.
US08112069B2
A communication system for receiving incoming communications from mobile communication devices and for initiating a call-back is disclosed. The communication system receives incoming communications from a mobile communication device, such as data requests. The data requests may be for a list of providers or companies and for a list of corresponding queues related to customer services, such as billing, for example. Further, the communication system typically includes components and queues for initiating a call-back sequence to a communication receiving device and placing an identifier associated with the communication receiving device in a user-selected queue. The communication system also determines the wait time in a queue and places an outgoing call to the communication receiving device. Also, a method for initiating a call-back to a communication receiving device is disclosed. The method includes receiving data from a mobile communication device and placing an identifier associated with a communication receiving device in a user-selected queue. The method further includes determining and sending the expected wait time in the queue to the mobile communication device. If a call back request is received from the mobile communication device, a call back to the communication receiving device is placed based upon the assigned placeholder in the queue.
US08112063B2
The present invention deals with a method and system for routing a call in a mobile communication network. The method comprises receiving a message by a caller prevailing network corresponding to a caller from a callee home network corresponding to a callee, if the callee is roaming. The message is received in response to the call being initiated by the caller for the callee. The message can comprise a redirection information corresponding to the callee in roaming. The method further comprises solving a predefined criterion for routing the call based on the redirection information in the message and connecting the call based on solution of the predefined criterion.
US08112062B2
A mobile station user is informed of reaching of at least one threshold level of data usage via a wireless communication network in real time. An account of the mobile station user has a maximum data plan limit defined by a user's plan and a data usage balance reflecting an amount of data usage remaining under the plan. When required data usage corresponding to requested data session does not cross the threshold level, a slice of data for the data session is allocated. When required data usage corresponding to the requested data session crosses the threshold level, reduced slice of data is allocated. Data usage is counted in real time during the data session, and a notification of reaching the at least one threshold level of data is sent to the mobile station in real time, at the time when data usage under the mobile station user's account reaches the at least one threshold level.
US08112059B2
A mixer circuit comprises an input stage arranged to convert an input voltage signal received at an input of the mixer circuit into at least one current signal, and a frequency conversion stage comprising at least one switching element arranged to convert a signal component of the at least one current signal from an input frequency to a output frequency. The input stage comprises at least one resistance connected between the input of the mixer circuit and the at least one switching element. The at least one switching element and the at least one resistance are arranged such that the at least one switching element comprises a ‘turn-on’ resistance that exhibits a resistivity that is a factor less than the at least one resistance connected thereto.
US08112049B2
Technology is described that allows the transmitter to make different channel quality adjustments to reported channel quality information for use in allocating resources for subsequent transmissions depending on whether a precoder recommendation is used or overridden. When a reported precoder recommendation is overridden in favor of an alternate precoder, a different channel quality adjustment value associated with the alternate precoder is used, which results in improved transmission performance.
US08112033B2
A data relay apparatus includes a first demodulating unit, demodulating a modulation signal of a first modulation mode from a first transmission source; a second demodulating unit, demodulating a modulation signal from a second transmission source, having a modulation mode higher than the first modulation mode; a combination controlling unit, providing a mapping rule necessary for performing signal combination in accordance with the modulation mode of the modulation signal from each of the first and second transmission source, the mapping rule to map the demodulated modulation signal from the first transmission source together with the demodulated modulation signal from the second transmission source to a constellation of symbols of the second modulation mode; a data combining unit, performing data combination on the demodulated modulation signal from the first transmission source and the demodulated modulation signal from the second transmission source according to the mapping rule.
US08112030B2
An apparatus includes a voltage generator and a superstructure. The voltage generator includes a conductive base, an insulating spacer and a conductive top. The superstructure includes a platform and an antenna system. The voltage generator provides a voltage difference between the conductive base and the conductive top that is greater than 10,000 volts.
US08112020B2
Embodiments relate to a developing device for use in an image-forming apparatus including a developing roller having a conductive base surface which may be covered with a resin layer containing an ion conductive material and a silicone-modified urethane resin having an ether structure. The resin layer may be a product of a crosslinking reaction of the silicone-modified urethane resin and the ion conductive material in the presence of a crosslinking agent and a crosslinking catalyst.
US08112015B2
At least one of a plurality of rollers supporting an endless belt includes a flange arranged on an end portion of the roller. The flange includes a cylindrical portion that is inserted into an opening portion of the roller at its end. Outer circumference of the cylindrical portion makes contact with inner circumference of the roller, and inner circumference of the flange makes contact with a rotation shaft of the roller. The inner edge of a surface where the flange is in contact with the rotation shaft is located on the inner side of the outer edge of a surface where the cylindrical portion is in contact with the roller in the longitudinal direction of the rotation shaft.
US08112014B2
A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein a plurality of cartridges is detachably mountable to a main assembly of the apparatus, includes a cartridge supporting member movable between an inside position which is inside the main assembly and an outside position which is outside the main assembly, supporting the cartridges, wherein the cartridges are mounted to and dismounted from the cartridge supporting member placed in the outside position, and wherein the cartridge supporting member is movable between the inside position and the outside position intersecting a feeding path of a recording material.
US08112011B2
An image forming apparatus includes a placement tray, an image forming unit, a drive unit, a control board, a power supply substrate, a high-voltage board, and low-voltage power supply harnesses. The placement tray holds a recording sheet thereon. The image forming unit forms an image on the recording sheet. The drive unit supplies driving force to the image forming unit. The control board controls the drive unit. The power supply substrate supplies electric power to the control board. The high-voltage board is disposed in one side of the placement tray. In the high-voltage board, voltage is generated higher than voltage in the power supply substrate. The low-voltage power supply harnesses are disposed in another side of the placement tray so as to supply electric power from the power supply substrate to the control board.
US08112004B2
An optical receiver implemented with two electronic dispersion compensators (EDC) is disclosed. The optical receiver selects one of the EDC in an ordinary operation. Once there shaped signal compensated by the selected EDC is degraded due to irregular conditions of the optical transmission line, the optical transmitter and so on, the optical receiver reconfigures the tap coefficients of the unselected EDC and switches to the newly configured EDC after setting the tap coefficients for the new condition of the transmission line and the transmitter.
US08112001B2
A method of transmitting information over a non-linear optical channel includes the step (152) of generating an information-bearing signal, preferably an OFDM signal, which includes a plurality of closely-spaced sub-carriers in the frequency domain. A time-varying phase modulation is determined (154), which is a first function, and preferably a linear function, of the transmitted optical power corresponding with the information-bearing signal. The information-bearing signal and the time-varying phase modulation are applied (156) to an optical source in order to generate a corresponding transmitted optical signal having substantially the stated transmitted optical power characteristic. The first function of transmitted optical power is selected so as to mitigate the effect of the non-linearity of the optical channel upon the transmitted optical signal. In alternative arrangements, a time-varying phase modulation, being a second function of optical power, is computed (162) and applied (164) to a signal received following transmission through a non-linear optical channel. The two alternative arrangements provide, respectively, for pre-compensation and post-compensation of non-linear propagation effects that may be carried out entirely within the electrical domain, for example using digital signal processing techniques.
US08111987B2
A system, method, and computer readable medium for rogue Optical Network Unit (ONU) detection via photonic mixing, comprises a first Wavelength Division Multiplexer (WDM), a second WDM communicably coupled to the first WDM, a non-linear medium communicably coupled to the second WDM, and a photodetector communicably coupled to the non-linear medium, wherein the first WDM transmits a first upstream beam and a second upstream beam to the second WDM, wherein the first upstream beam is a normal upstream beam and wherein the second upstream beam is a rogue upstream beam, wherein the second WDM transmits the normal upstream beam and the rogue upstream beam to the non-linear medium, wherein the non-linear medium mixes the normal upstream beam and the rogue upstream beam resulting in a mixed beam, wherein the non-linear medium transmits the mixed beam to the photodetector, and wherein the photodetector analyzes the mixed beam to indicate the presence of a rogue ONU.
US08111984B2
A matte box assembly is arranged for use with a camera rig including a camera body supported on a pair of parallel and spaced apart mounting rails extending in a longitudinal direction. The matte box assembly includes a matte frame surrounding a lens opening for alignment with the camera lens and a filter mount to support a lens filter spanning the lens opening. A support frame is arranged to be mounted on the mounting rails of the camera rig onto which the matter frame is supported for pivotal movement about a vertical axis between an in-use position aligned with the camera lens and an out-of-use position offset to one side of the camera lens.
US08111983B2
A camera includes a display device capable of displaying on a single screen a plurality of images, each of which can be observed from one of a plurality of directions; a selection device that selects any one of a plurality of operating modes; and a display control device that displays at the display device the plurality of images each correlated to the operating mode selected via the selection device.
US08111982B2
An imaging device includes an arrayed imaging element group configured to receive light passing through a photographic lens, wherein the imaging element group includes a plurality of photographic elements used for photographic image data generation and a plurality of phase difference detection elements used for phase difference detection for focus detection of the photographic lens, each of the photographic elements and each of the phase difference detection elements include: an on-chip microlens configured to collect light passing through the photographic lens; a photoelectric conversion element configured to receive the light passing through the on-chip microlens; and an internal microlens disposed between the on-chip microlens and the photoelectric conversion element, the photographic element is configured such that an optical axis of the on-chip microlens matches an optical axis of the internal microlens, and the phase difference detection element is configured such that the optical axis of the on-chip microlens is shifted from the optical axis of the internal microlens.
US08111980B2
A water heater including a water inlet line having an inlet opening that introduces cold water to a tank, a water outlet line having an outlet opening that withdraws heated water from the tank, and a heating element. The water heater further includes a control circuit. The heating element can be an electrical resistance heating element, a gas heating element, or a combination thereof. In one construction, the gas heating element includes a first combustive section and a second combustive section separately controlled from the first combustive section.
US08111978B2
Apparatus and methods for thermally processing a substrate are provided. A chamber containing a levitating support assembly configured to position the substrate at different distances from a plate during the heating and cooling of a substrate. In one embodiment a plurality of openings on the surface of the plate are configured to evenly distribute gas across a radial surface of the substrate. The distribution of gas may couple radiant energy not reflected back to the substrate during thermal processing with an absorptive region of the plate to begin the cooling of the substrate. The method and apparatus provided within allows for a controllable and effective means for thermally processing a substrate rapidly.
US08111959B2
A method for making a multimode fiber optic subassembly includes alignment of an optical detector with a fiber termination of an optical fiber. The output of the optical detector (e.g. photocurrent) can be measured from light being transmitted through the optical fiber and detected by the optical detector. The end of the optical fiber and/or the optical detector can be positioned and angularly oriented in order to obtain relative maximum or peak output of the optical detector for a given position and orientation. The output of the optical detector can be monitored while mechanically manipulating, e.g. bending, flexing, shaking and/or twisting, the optical fiber, in order to verify that the positional relationship between the end of the optical fiber and the optical detector corresponds to a position and/or orientation that provides stable output from the optical detector. If the optical detector output is not stable, the end of the multimode optical fiber and the optical detector can be moved, changing the position and/or the orientation of one or both, until the output of the optical detector is stable during manipulation. If the optical detector output is stable, the end of the multimode optical fiber is fixed to the optical detector. The resulting subassembly, a fiber optic pigtail, can be made by cutting the optical fiber a short distance from the optical detector.
US08111950B2
An image processing apparatus and method are provided in which a reduced image is generated by removing some of a plurality of pixels of an original image. A pixel value of a pixel to be removed is reflected into a pixel value of an adjacent pixel and a reduced image is generated using the reflection result and the removal result.
US08111947B2
The present invention aims to provide image processing device and method capable of generating a difference image at high speed without occurring misregistration. To achieve this, in the image processing device and method, plural regions of interest are set respectively to input first and second images, a shift vector indicating a misregistration amount between the first and second images is calculated with respect to each of the regions of interest, a filter process is executed to the shift vector, the filter-processed shift vector is interpolated, the first and second images are registered based on the interpolated shift vector, and a subtraction operation is executed between corresponding pixels on the respective registered images to acquire the difference image.
US08111937B2
An image processing method includes wavefront coding a wavefront that forms an optical image, converting the optical image to a data stream and processing the data stream with a color-specific filter kernel to reverse effects of wavefront coding and generate a final image. Another image processing method includes wavefront coding a wavefront that forms an optical image, converting the optical image to a data stream and colorspace converting the data stream. The method separates spatial information and color information of the colorspace converted data stream into one or more separate channels and deblurs one or both of the spatial information and the color information. The method recombines the channels to recombine deblurred spatial information with deblurred color information, and colorspace converts the recombined deblurred spatial and color information to generate an output image.
US08111933B2
A display panel driver including a compression circuit configured to, when receiving image data of a set of pixels of a target block, generate compressed image data corresponding to the target block by compressing the image data, the number of the set of pixels being equal to or more than four, an image memory configured to store the compressed image data, a decompression circuit configured to generate decompressed image data by decompressing the compressed image data reading from the image memory, and a drive circuit configured to drive a display panel in response to the decompressed image data, wherein the compression circuit selects one of a plurality of compression methods based on a correlation between the image data of the set of pixels of the target block, and generates the compressed image data by using the selected compression method.
US08111928B2
The present invention provides a scheme for compressing the color components of image data, and in particular, data used in multi-sampled anti-aliasing applications. Adjacent pixels are grouped into rectangular tiles, with the sample colors stored in compressed formats accessible via an encoded pointer. In one embodiment, duplicate colors are stored once. Unlike prior compression schemes that rely on pixel to pixel correlation, the present invention takes advantages of the sample to sample correlation that exists within the pixels. A memory and graphics processor configuration incorporating the tile compression schemes is also provided. The configuration defines the tile sizes in main memory and cache memory. In one embodiment, graphics processor relies on a Tile Format Table (TFT) to process incoming tiles in compressed formats. The present invention reduces memory consumption and speeds up essential and oft-repeated operations in rendering. Thus it is valuable in the design and manufacture of graphic sub-systems.
US08111920B2
Systems and methods for operating an avionics component to a level of certification. Steps include: receiving and sending data to a data monitor and an integrity monitor, the data monitor operating at a first level of certification and the integrity monitor operating at a second higher level; using the integrity monitor, determining where a feature of the data should appear on a display; checking if the feature properly appears, and if not, an error condition appears. The system includes: a sensor for sensing an aircraft condition; a data monitor for receiving and rendering data from the sensor, the data monitor certified to a first category level; an integrity monitor for receiving the data from the sensor and for calculating where a feature of the data should appear on a data display, the integrity monitor certified to a second higher level. If the feature does not properly appear, an error condition appears.
US08111910B2
An apparatus (10) includes a device for acquiring a plurality of images of an identical subject taken from a plurality of viewpoints; a device for selecting a prescribed image as a reference image, selecting an image other than the reference image as a target image from among the images, and detecting feature points from the reference image and corresponding points from the target image to generate pairs of the feature point and corresponding point, wherein feature of the feature point and the corresponding point in the same pair are substantially identical; a device for estimating geometrical transformation parameters for geometrically-transforming the target image such that y-coordinate values of the feature point and the corresponding point included in the same pair are substantially identical, wherein y-direction is orthogonal to a parallax direction of the viewpoints; and a device for geometrically-transforming the target image based on the parameters.
US08111908B2
Provided are an apparatus and method for matching a 2D color image and a depth image to obtain 3D information. The method includes matching resolution of the 2D color image and resolution of a light intensity image, wherein the 2D color image and the light intensity image are separately obtained, detecting at least one edge from the matched 2D color image and the matched light intensity image, and matching overlapping pixels of the matched 2D color image and a depth image, which corresponds to the matched light intensity image, with each other in case that the matched 2D color image and the depth image are overlapped as much as the matched 2D color image and the matched light intensity image are overlapped so that the detected edges of the matched 2D color image and the detected edges of the matched light intensity image are maximally overlapped with each other. Accordingly, the 2D color image and the depth image can be accurately matched so that reliable 3D image information can be quickly obtained.
US08111884B2
A medical diagnostic and data processing system is disclosed. The system includes, in at least one embodiment, an arithmetic logic unit and an imaging diagnostic device that can be connected to the latter for data purposes, and a data memory in which data describing anatomical structures including lymph nodes are stored. The arithmetic logic unit is set up programmatically in such a way to produce an automatic assignment between a lymph node recorded by way of the imaging diagnostic device and data describing the lymph node that are stored in the data memory.
US08111882B2
The invention relates to a method for testing a fingerprint whose reference data are stored in a portable data carrier. The reference data contain at least positions and orientations of minutiae and pores and an orientation vector. According to the invention it is provided that the testing of the fingerprint includes first sensing measuring values stating the actual value of the sensed fingerprint and extracting the minutiae and the pores from said measuring values. Then the reference data of the minutiae and the orientation vector are read from the portable data carrier and the minutiae from the sensed fingerprint compared with the corresponding reference data. Subsequently, the position of the pores relative to the minutiae is transmitted to the portable data carrier and the pores are checked in the portable data carrier.
US08111881B2
An image pickup device can effectively detect a face in accordance with an object without causing a user to do bothersome setting. A speed preference mode and a person-number preference mode both having different detection conditions of a face region are prepared beforehand as face detection modes. The user is caused to select a desired face detection mode, and minimum values of a face size set as detectable in a face detection and a maximum number of face regions to be detected are set to values corresponding to the face detection mode selected by the user. In a case where an image-pickup preparation is set by pressing a shutter key halfway, when the face detection mode is the speed preference mode, the mode is forcibly changed to the person-number preference mode.
US08111880B2
Provided are a method and apparatus for extracting facial features from an image containing a face. The method and apparatus filter an input image using a filter set for face recognition at each of predetermined locations in the input image, merge values obtained by filtering the input image at locations, which are horizontally symmetrical to each other with respect to the center of the face, and synthesize values obtained by filtering the input image at locations which are not symmetrical to each other with respect to the center of the face with the merged values. Therefore, the time, feature values, and storage space required to extract or compare facial features can be significantly reduced. In addition, a face recognition system that runs well on low specification hardware can be implemented.
US08111878B2
A vein authentication device according to the present invention includes an imaging part for continuously imaging a portion of venation present inside a finger by near-infrared light scattered inside the finger by irradiating a finger surface with the near-infrared light while continuously imaging a portion of fingerprints present on the finger surface or inside the finger by reflected light reflected on the finger surface or inside the finger, a motion vector detection part for detecting a motion vector of the fingerprints, an image synthesis part for synthesizing images picking up a portion of the fingerprints to generate an image of the fingerprints and synthesizing images picking up a portion of the venation to generate an image of the venation, a vein pattern extraction part for extracting a vein pattern from the image of the venation, and an authentication part for performing authentication processing.
US08111876B2
A plurality of pieces of observation raw data observed by an observation unit are subjected to an object identifying process, and by using a parameter determined by a parameter determination unit in accordance with a period of time between a point of object identifying process completion time of one piece of data and process completion scheduled time of another piece of data, a position estimating process of the object is carried out from the data that has been subjected to the object identifying process, and the position of the object relating to the object ID is estimated based upon the object ID and positional candidates acquired by an object identifying unit.
US08111874B2
An image capturing method is provided, especially adaptable in a camera. First, a composition profile for a picture to be taken, is configured. The composition profile defines the number of objects to be included in the picture, and positions and sizes of each object. Thereafter, a sensor in the camera is enabled to receive an image, and simultaneously, it is determined whether the image satisfies the composition profile. If the image satisfies the composition profile, the image is stored to be the picture.
US08111867B2
An electronic device (100) having a speaker (30) located in a sealed and separate speaker enclosure is described. The electronic device includes a housing (20), a circuit board (70), a cover (60), and two connecting bodies (50). The housing includes a cavity (22) defined therein for receiving the speaker. The circuit board is electrically connected to the speaker. The cover has through holes (622) defined thereon and is disposed between the housing and the circuit board. In addition, one end of the connecting bodies connects to the speaker, and the other end of the connecting bodies is configured to resist the circuit board via the through holes to electrically connect the speaker and the circuit board.
US08111860B2
A waterproof recreational audio device and method that transmits sound via transcutaneous bone conduction provides high fidelity musical signals to a user. The device can be worn on the head of a user and integrated into various types of headgear. The device is tunable for sound quality and comfort by adjusting and moving the sound transmitting transducers around the head of the user. The present invention uses commercially available transducers to produce sounds in the low, mid and high frequency ranges. A sound source for the musical signal can also be provided as part of the waterproof recreational audio device. Controls enable the user to select volume levels for the high, mid and low frequency ranges, while a volume limiter restricts the mid range to a preset maximum volume level to allow external ambient sounds to be heard via the ear canal and protects the hearing of the user.
US08111859B2
A headgear assembly is provided with an integrated music or other sound player supportable therein. The headgear assembly includes a headband or cap with pouches therein for various portions of the music player. In particular, a left speaker pouch is provided for a left speaker, a right speaker pouch is provided for a right speaker and a player pouch is provided for a sound player. A wire harness is also provided to preferably removably attach the speakers to the sound player. The headband or cap with the pouches therein holds the player and speakers directly adjacent a head of the user, and with the speakers directly over ears of the user. Controls on the player are accessed through a window in an outer panel of the headband or cap to allow user access. The player, wire harness and speakers are all substantially concealed within the headgear assembly.
US08111853B2
In one embodiment, a dual-mode earphone is provided, comprising a first earbud including a speaker with a diaphragm and at least one acoustic port in front of the diaphragm, and a cap in front of the speaker. The speaker or the cap is configured to move relative to the other for opening and closing the acoustic port in one embodiment and a movable seal is provided in another embodiment. The earphone further includes a second earbud housing operably coupled to the first earbud opposite the speaker. A method for providing acoustic equalization in a dual-mode earphone is also disclosed.
US08111849B2
A hearing aid which achieves a comfortable feeling to use while preventing generation of howling includes a microphone for converting an environmental sound to an electric signal, a hearing aid processor for hearing aid processing of an output signal of the microphone, an earphone for converting an output signal of the hearing aid processor to a sound signal, an external ear canal microphone converting a sound within an external ear canal to an electric signal, and an adaptive filter for comparing an output signal of the external ear canal microphone and the output signal of the hearing aid processor to automatically adjust the output signal of the hearing aid processor in such a manner that the output signal of the external ear canal microphone approaches the output signal of the hearing aid processor. The output signal of the hearing aid processor functions as an input signal and a desired signal of the adaptive filter, and the output signal of the external ear canal microphone functions as a response signal of the adaptive filter.
US08111842B2
A handheld wireless communications device has an adjustable volume setting. The communications device also has a downlink audio processor containing a digital audio filter. Storage in the device contains a first set of filter coefficients that configure the filter to enable the device to pass a wireless communications device certification process while sacrificing sound quality, at a low volume setting. The storage also contains a second set of filter coefficients that configure the filter to enhance sound quality while sacrificing passing the wireless communications device certification process, at a high volume setting. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08111839B2
A system that records audio and stores the recording is provided. The system includes first and second monitoring assemblies mounted in an earpiece that occludes and forms an acoustic seal of an ear canal. The first monitoring assembly includes an ambient sound microphone (ASM) to monitor an ambient acoustic field and produce an ASM signal. The second monitoring assembly includes an ear canal microphone (ECM) to monitor an acoustic field within the ear canal and produce an ECM signal. The system also includes a data storage device configured to act as a circular buffer for continually storing at least one of the ECM signal or the ASM signal, a further data storage device and a record-activation system. The record-activation system activates the further data storage device to record a content of the data storage device.
US08111834B2
A frequency detecting circuit estimates the frequency fp of a propeller shaft based on the frequency fc of vehicle speed pulses, and calculates a control frequency fp′ which is a harmonic of the frequency fp. A basic signal generator generates a basic cosine wave signal xp1 and a basic sine wave signal xp2 of the control frequency fp′. Adaptive filters and an adder generate a control signal Scp for canceling a driveline noise produced in a passenger compartment by the propeller shaft. A speaker outputs a canceling sound based on the control signal Scp into the passenger compartment.
US08111833B2
The method comprises, in the time domain, echo cancellation processing (40) by subtracting from the microphone signal a reference signal delivered by an adaptive circuit for modeling the acoustic coupling between the microphone (18) and the loudspeaker (16). Successive frames of the signal are subjected in the frequency domain to processing (42) for suppressing the residual echo that remains after the echo cancellation, together with noise reduction processing (44). The residual echo suppression processing comprises estimating respective values for the power of the residual echo over a plurality of defined frequency bands for successive signal frames, then calculating and applying a variable gain specific to each frequency band and to each frame, the respective gains being smaller whenever the estimated relative power of the residual echo is high for the frequency band under consideration, and vice versa. For each frequency band and for each frame, the respective values of the power of the ambient noise present in the microphone signal are estimated a priori, and the relative levels of the power of the noise and of the power of the residual echo in the microphone signal are compared. The variable gain is a function of the estimated relative power of the residual echo when its level is greater than that of the noise, and otherwise of the estimated relative power of the noise.
US08111832B2
A method is provided for making localized decisions and taking localized actions to achieve a global solution. In an embodiment of the present invention, acoustic impedances for impedance-tunable acoustic segments are adjusted. A first acoustic segment through an N-th acoustic segment are defined. To start the process, the first acoustic segment is designated as a leader and a noise-reducing impedance is determined therefor. This is accomplished using (i) one or more metrics associated with the acoustic wave at the leader, and (ii) the metric(s) associated with the acoustic wave at the N-th acoustic segment. The leader, the N-th acoustic segment, and each of the acoustic segments exclusive of the leader and the N-th acoustic segment, are tuned to the noise-reducing impedance. The current leader is then excluded from subsequent processing steps. The designation of leader is then given one of the remaining acoustic segments, and the process is repeated for each of the acoustic segments through an (N−1)-th one of the acoustic segments.
US08111831B2
An acoustic apparatus includes a positive value conversion section configured to convert, into a positive value, a response signal obtained by collecting a test signal emitted from a speaker using a microphone; a detection section configured to detect a first transient response part that becomes a first mountain portion of the converted response signal; an estimation section configured to estimate a rise point of the converted response signal from at least N points that contain a peak position of the first transient response part or the vicinity thereof; and a computation section configured to compute a time delay of audio collected by the microphone based on the estimated rise point and on a timing at which the test signal is generated.
US08111824B2
A control device for controlling a supply voltage which can be switched between a constant line current operation and a constant line voltage operation, wherein a line current, which consists of a direct current for supplying the terminal and of an alternating current for transmitting information, flows via a subscriber line of a terminal, comprising a sensing circuit for sensing an analogue input voltage dependent on the line current, a subtractor which, in the constant line current operation, subtracts an analogue feedback voltage dependent on an adjustable nominal direct-current value from the sensed input voltage for generating an analogue difference voltage, an analogue/digital converter for converting the generated analogue difference voltage into a digital difference voltage value, a digital low-pass filter for filtering a sequence of control error values out of the generated sequence of difference voltage values, a controller for generating a control value in dependence on the filtered-out sequence of control error values, and comprising a first digital/analogue converter which, in the constant line current operation, converts the control value in each case generated by the controller into the analogue direct voltage for supplying the terminal.
US08111818B2
A method of processing a call by proxy in a network is provided. The method comprises: receiving a request from a first party for a proxy call on behalf of a second party at a first call control entity, whether or not an active call exists between the first and second parties; signaling the proxy call through the network; and establishing the proxy call to an appropriate destination, such as an emergency call center near the second party.
US08111817B2
A portable tele-homecare monitoring system and method for the same overcomes the problem of medical monitoring requiring a large organized system, with the associated high costs and disadvantages generated due to the large amount of equipment required by the prior art. The present invention allows a user to access home monitoring data by a portable electronic device, an application program or explorer via the Internet from a distributed data server. The portable tele-homecare monitoring system does not require a server and is designed to be modular and portable, so it costs are reduced and so that the design is flexible.
US08111796B2
An apparatus and method is disclosed for synchronizing a timing signal for a computational system to different reference clock signals without impairing the operation of the computational system. A corresponding “offset” register is provided for each of the reference clock signals (RCS) for storing signal timing differences between the timing signal and RCS. When one of the reference clock signals not used for synchronizing the timing signal, is selected as the signal for synchronizing the timing signal, the corresponding offset register R0 (for the newly selected reference clock signals) retains its last value prior to the switch, and another register R1 stores subsequent signal timing differences between the timing signal and the newly selected reference clock signals. To synchronize the timing signal with the new reference clock signal without distorting the timing signal and impairing the operation of the computation system, differences between R1 and R0 are output (for successive time intervals) for iteratively adjusting the timing signals. The contents of the offset register R0 is incrementally changed toward a predetermined value (i.e., zero) thereby gradually adjusting the timing signals to factor in a potentially large timing change when switching between reference clock signals.
US08111794B2
According to one embodiment, a data hold module is configured to receive first data synchronized with a first clock signal on the basis of a second timing signal and output second data obtained by synchronizing the received first data with a second clock signal differing from the first clock signal in frequency. A reception timing generator is configured to generate a timing signal synchronized with the second clock signal as the second timing signal on the basis of a first timing signal corresponding to the first data and synchronized with the first clock signal. The reception timing generator comprises flip-flops connected in cascade. An update timing adjusting module is configured to limit the timing to update the flip-flops in value on the basis of an update enable signal synchronized with the second clock signal.
US08111791B2
A method for designing a digital filter, includes: (a) selecting a predetermined number of current sets of coefficients for the digital filter; (b) selecting a metric for evaluating coefficients of the digital filter; (c) computing a metric for each current set of coefficients; (d) deriving a next set of coefficients based on a subset of the current set of coefficients; (e) computing the metric for the next set of coefficients; (f) replacing a selected one of the current set of coefficients based on comparing the metric for the next set of coefficients with the metric for the selected current set of coefficients; and (g) iterating steps (a) to (e) until a termination criterion is met. In one embodiment, the selected metric represents a desired stop band response. The next set of coefficients may be derived by adjusting a first current set of coefficients by a weighted difference between a second current set of coefficients and a third current set of coefficients. The weighted difference may be obtained by multiplying a predetermined factor to the difference between the second current set of coefficients and the third current set of coefficients. In one embodiment, a scaling is performed such that the next set of coefficients does not include a pole outside of the unit circle.
US08111786B2
A signal converter. The signal converter converts an analog inphase signal and an analog quadrature phase signal into a digital baseband inphase signal and a digital baseband quadrature phase signal. The analog inphase signal and the analog quadrature phase signal are orthogonal to each other and are carried in a predetermined intermediate frequency. The digital baseband inphase signal and the digital baseband quadrature phase signal are carried in zero frequency. The signal converter comprises a signal combiner combining the analog inphase signal and the analog quadrature phase signal to obtain an analog combined signal, an analog to digital converter converting the analog combined signal to a digital combined signal, and a signal separator separating the digital combined signal to obtain the digital baseband inphase signal and the digital baseband quadrature phase signal.
US08111781B2
An RFID interrogator includes a signal processing module for converting a transmission signal transmitted from an RFID tag into an input signal; a first matched filter coupled to the signal processing module for generating a first matched signal according to the input signal and a first predetermined signal pattern; a second matched filter coupled to the signal processing module for generating a second matched signal according to the input signal and a second predetermined signal pattern; a control unit for generating a control signal according to the input signal; and a decision unit, coupled to the first matched filter, the second matched filter and the control unit, for comparing the first matched signal with the second matched signal according to the control signal to generate a read-back signal.
US08111776B1
Systems and methods for bandwidth reduction in polar modulation systems are described. Detection of problematic signal transition paths may performed, and then, dependent on the signal path, a correction signal may be generated and added to the signal to improve system performance. In typical implementations, detection of problematic signal paths may be performed by determining whether the signal transitions through a particular region in the signal constellation, such as a region about the origin, or whether the signal instantaneous frequency exceeds a predetermined threshold, and then responsively generating the correction signal.
US08111775B2
A communication device adopted for a multi-input multi-output orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) system and a method thereof are provided. The MIMO-OFDM system comprises the communication device and a corresponding communication device, and they communicate with each other. The communication device comprises a transceiving module, a singular value decomposition (SVD) operation module, and an interpolation operation module. The transceiving module receives a channel state information (CSI) from the corresponding communication device, wherein the CSI comprises CSIs of a plurality of selected subcarriers. For each of the selected subcarriers, the SVD module performs an SVD decomposition operation on the channel matrix representing the CSI of the selected subcarrier to obtain a decomposed result, wherein the decomposed result comprises a beamforming matrix, an SVD matrix, and a decoding matrix. The interpolation operation module performs interpolations on the beamforming matrices of the selected subcarriers to derive beamforming matrices of the unselected subcarriers. The interpolation operation module performs interpolations on the decoding matrixes of the selected subcarriers to derive obtain decoding matrices of the unselected subcarriers.
US08111772B2
The present disclosure relates to communication technologies and discloses a method and apparatus for multi-antenna transmitting based on spatial-frequency encoding. The method includes: performing spatial-frequency encoding on input data and outputting encoded data; mapping the encoded data to the same sub-carrier of each antenna in an antenna group; adding a phase shift to the encoded data on different sub-carriers of each antenna; OFDM-modulating the phase-shifted encoded data on each antenna; and transmitting the OFDM-modulated data by transmit antennas.
US08111771B2
A wireless transmitting method includes calculating a beamforming channel matrix which is a channel matrix generated at a time when a transmitting apparatus applies a beamforming matrix to a data signal and transmits the data signal to receiving apparatuses, selecting a parameter to be used while transmitting the data signal based on the beamforming channel matrix and noise information fed back from the receiving apparatuses, and transmitting the data signal by using the selected parameter.
US08111770B1
An electronic MIMO-OFDM carrier frequency recovery method is disclosed. The method includes receiving a wirelessly propagated time-domain signal observation, estimating a data-channel vector from a latest observation vector by correcting for a phase rotation effect based on an initial estimate or an up-to-date estimate of a phase rotation term, removing an effect associated with the data-channel vector from the latest observation vector using the estimated data-channel vector to obtain an up-to-date estimate of the phase rotation term; and repeating those prior acts iteratively to allow for production of FFT input samples that are free or nearly free of carrier frequency and phase error.
US08111767B2
An adaptive sliding block Viterbi decoder (ASBVD) includes forward and backward Viterbi processors, a state estimator and a control unit. The processors generate metrics of states and of transitions between the states associated with an encoder, based on encoded input information symbols received via a communications channel. Each processor includes a plurality of buffers for storing information symbols so that a number of the encoded input information symbols can be concurrently decoded. The state estimator estimates a current state of a code trellis based on the generated metrics, and the processors decode the stored information symbols based on the estimated current state. The control unit adapts the number of encoded input information symbols to be concurrently decoded based on a condition of the communications channel, and selectively controls the number of buffers that are enabled in accordance with the number of encoded input information symbols to be concurrently decoded.
US08111766B2
An apparatus for generating sets of radio parameters includes a first deriving unit deriving a set of radio parameters for specifying a symbol including an effective symbol part with the same period as the effective symbol part specified by another set of radio parameters and a guard interval part with a different period from the guard interval part specified by the other set of radio parameters. The apparatus further includes a second deriving unit deriving a set of radio parameters so that an occupancy proportion of the guard interval part in a single symbol specified by another set of radio parameters is equal to an occupancy proportion of the guard interval part in a single symbol specified by the other set of radio parameters.
US08111765B2
A communication apparatus for transmitting transmission data containing a preamble and a postamble is provided. The communication apparatus includes: a phase vector assigning unit which assigns a first phase vector to a plurality of subcarriers relating to the preamble and assigns a second phase vector to a plurality of subcarriers relating to the postamble, the first phase vector being different from the second phase vector.
US08111762B2
A radio transmission device capable of improving channel estimation precision for each frequency. In this device, an FFT unit (103) subjects a data signal to a Fourier transformation. A signal substitution unit (108) substitutes the frequency component of a portion of a plurality of frequency components composing the Fourier-transformed data signal, for a pilot signal. An IFFT unit (109) subjects the data signal, the frequency component of which has been partially substituted for the pilot signal, to an inverse Fourier transformation. A transmission RF unit (111) transmits the inversely Fourier-transformed data signal on a single carrier.
US08111756B2
A method for reducing computational complexity of video compression standard is provided, and it includes an intra 4×4 macroblock (I4MB) search algorithm, an intra 16×16 macroblock (I16MB) search algorithm and a chroma search algorithm. The I4MB search algorithm and I16MB search algorithm accelerate the prediction process of the luma macroblock, and the chroma search algorithm accelerates the prediction process of chroma macroblock. The above algorithms can greatly reduce the computation of prediction mode of video compression standard.
US08111754B1
Coding techniques for a video image compression system involve improving an image quality of a sequence of two or more bi-directionally predicted intermediate frames, where each of the frames includes multiple pixels. One method involves determining a brightness value of at least one pixel of each bi-directionally predicted intermediate frame in the sequence as an equal average of brightness values of pixels in non-bidirectionally predicted frames bracketing the sequence of bi-directionally predicted intermediate frames. The brightness values of the pixels in at least one of the non-bidirectionally predicted frames is converted from a non-linear representation.
US08111750B2
A method for 3-D recursive search motion estimation is provided to estimate a motion vector for a current block in a current frame. The method includes the following steps. First, provide a spatial prediction by selecting at least one motion vector for at least one neighboring block in the current frame. Then, provide a temporal prediction. After that, estimate the motion vector for the current block based on the spatial prediction and the temporal prediction. The temporal prediction is obtained by selecting at least one most frequent motion vector from a plurality of motion vectors for a plurality of blocks in a corresponding region of a previous frame, wherein the corresponding block encloses a previous block which is location corresponding to the current block in the current frame.
US08111749B2
A method is proposed for encoding/decoding an image having rectangular blocks of pixels. The image has a height of H blocks and a width of W blocks and is divided into vertical (or horizontal) bands of blocks having the height of H (or width of W) blocks. The method includes: obtaining N processors and M coprocessors, the M coprocessors distributed over S levels, N>1, S>0 and M>S; assigning the N processors Pi to N contiguous bands BPi having sizes of Ki blocks, 0≦i≦N−1 and ∑ i = 0 N - 1 K i = W ; for every level of coprocessors s, 0≦s≦S−1, assigning Ms coprocessors CPs,j to Ms contiguous bands having sizes of Qs,j blocks, with: ∑ j = 0 M s - 1 Q s , j = W ; managing sending of first, second and third start messages, and first and second verification messages to the processors and coprocessors, according to a predetermined set of rules.
US08111747B2
A picture coding method of the present invention codes a picture signal and a ratio of a number of luminance pixels and a number of chrominance pixels for the picture signal, and then one coding method out of at least two coding methods is selected depending on the ratio. Next, data related to a picture size is coded in accordance with the selected coding method. The data related to the picture size indicates a size of the picture corresponding to the picture signal or an output area, which is a pixel area to be outputted in decoding in a whole pixel area coded in the picture signal coding.
US08111746B2
Motion graphics keying in the compressed domain may be accomplished by receiving a compressed video stream comprising one or more source macroblocks, receiving a keyed graphics stream, determining which of the one or more source macroblocks overlaps with the keyed graphics stream, decoding only the one or more overlapping macroblocks to create one or more decoded macroblocks, combining the keyed graphics stream with the one or more decoded macroblocks to create a composited video stream, encoding the composited video stream to create an encoded composited video stream, and restoring the encoded composited video stream in the compressed video stream in place of the one or more overlapping macroblocks.
US08111739B1
A system for removing low frequency offset distortion from a digital signal, the system comprising an analog-to-digital converter to convert an analog frequency signal associated with an optical storage medium to a digital frequency signal; an equalizer to equalize the digital frequency signal; an estimator to estimate a low frequency offset distortion of the digital frequency signal; a compensator to substantially cancel the low frequency offset distortion of the digital frequency signal from the equalized digital frequency signal using the estimate; and a decoder to decode the equalized digital frequency signal having the low frequency offset distortion substantially cancelled therefrom.
US08111737B2
A bidirectional digital communication circuit and a bidirectional digital communication method for combining multi-channel signals to a duplex digital communication system apply time division multiplexing. The signals can be unidirectional and bidirectional; signals relationship is not necessary. The direction detector circuit determines signal directional automatically to avoid the signal loop. It's suitable for applying to fiber, cable or wireless communication system which is needed to minimize the communication channels.
US08111732B2
Method for generating reference signal sequence using grouping is explained. In this method, base sequences are grouped such that each group contains at least one base sequence of each length, so UE(s) can use various length sequences as a reference signal. And in this method, inter cell interference caused by using various length sequence as a reference signal sequence can be minimized by grouping sequences having the high cross correlation relation.
US08111730B2
An optoelectronic (OE) package or system and method for fabrication is disclosed which includes a silicon layer with a wiring layer. The silicon layer has an optical via for allowing light to pass therethrough. An optical coupling layer is bonded to the silicon layer, and the optical coupling layer includes a plurality of microlenses for focusing and or collimating the light through the optical via. One or more first OE elements are coupled to the silicon layer and electrically communicating with the wiring. At least one of the first OE elements positioned in optical alignment with the optical via for receiving the light. A second OE element embedded within the wiring layer. A carrier may be interposed between electrical interconnect elements and positioned between the wiring layer and a circuit board.
US08111722B1
Techniques and devices based on optical resonators made of nonlinear optical materials and nonlinear wave mixing to generate RF or microwave oscillations and optical comb signals.
US08111719B2
A transmission system includes: a transmission-side device that has a transmission-side clock generation unit that generates a first clock signal on the basis of a reference clock signal; a clock extraction unit that removes a data clock signal superimposed with transmission data to a reception-side device; a clock difference acquisition unit that determines a difference between the first clock signal and the data clock signal; and a packet generation unit that packetizes the information on the difference determined by the clock difference acquisition unit; and the reception-side device that has a reception-side clock generation unit that generates a second clock signal on the basis of the reference clock; a packet reception unit that receives the information on the packetized difference from the transmission-side device; and a data clock regeneration unit that regenerates the data clock signal on the basis of the second clock signal and the difference information.
US08111714B2
A broadband access node and method for controlling access by end users to services over communication channels. A resource admission control mechanism includes a first memory for storing information about a currently available transmission capacity on an uplink channel, a second memory for storing information about a currently available transmission capacity on a downlink subscriber line; and a third memory for storing information about a currently available maximum performance of the access node. A fourth memory stores service-related information regarding the capacity and performance service requirements of respective services. A processor calculates whether the service requirements of a requested service fulfill given conditions in relation to currently available uplink/downlink capacity and currently available performance capability of the access node. Requests that fulfill the given conditions are granted while requests that do not fulfill the conditions are rejected.
US08111712B2
Embodiments provide an apparatus, method, and storage medium wherein a communication identifier of a session or part of a session is provided in a package or added to a message. An apparatus may check, based on the communication identifier of package or the received communication identifier, whether or not a service indicated by the communication identifier is supported. A decision of transferring the service may be based on the communication identifier.
US08111710B2
The invention is directed to a method for receiving a feedback for at least a multicast broadcast service flow transmitting to a plurality of subscriber stations. The method comprises steps of assigning a plurality of code division multiple access (CDMA) codes to a feedback corresponding to the multicast broadcast service flow and then performing an allocation process for allocating a feedback channel for the subscriber stations. Thereafter, an announcement process is performed to announce a multiple feedback condition, the CDMA codes and the feedback channel to the subscriber stations. A channel monitoring process is performed for receiving a negative-acknowledgment (NACK)-based feedback sending from one of the subscriber stations unsatisfied with the multiple feedback condition and the NACK-based feedback is in a form of one of CDMA codes corresponding to the multicast broadcast service flow and is transmitted through the feedback channel.
US08111709B2
A wireless communication method in a MIMO OFDMA system in which users in each of multiple adjacent cells are served by a base station of the cell, the base station having a transmission link to each user in the cell on a respective MIMO channel. The method involves the base station (BSA) of a first cell carrying out the following steps: receiving, from a base station (BSB) or user (B) of another cell, one or more requests for reduction of interference which it is causing to users in that other cell; identifying a rank deficient MIMO channel (HA) among its transmission links to users in the first cell to select a MIMO channel to be made the subject of zero forcing; and applying zero forcing to transmissions on the selected MIMO channel (HA) to reduce interference experienced by at least one user (B) in the other cell. A rank deficient MIMO channel is chosen to minimize the reduction of overall data capacity due to the zero forcing; it is found by examining eigenvalues of the channel matrix and calculating ratios thereof. In addition, correlation between the selected channel (HA) and the channel (HB) to the user (B) in the other cell is checked and if they are correlated by more than a threshold amount, another channel in the first cell is selected instead.
US08111703B2
An IP telephone repeater includes a first communication portion connected to an internet IP telephone network, a second communication portion connected to a local area IP telephone network, and a call controller which supplies, upon receipt of an incoming call via the first communication portion from the internet IP telephone network, a jingle signal to the incoming call and to a plurality of terminals connected to the second communication portion, and which supplies a holding tone to the incoming call and supplies the jingle signal to the plurality of terminals connected to the second communication portion in the case where a response operation of a non-audio terminal connected to the second communication portion is conducted.
US08111693B2
A method for receiving a broadcast message in a wireless communication device is disclosed. The device receives a broadcast message that has associated therewith a unique message grouping identifier and determines whether the unique message grouping identifier of the received message is equal to a unique message grouping identifier of a previously received message. The device ignores the received broadcast message when the unique message grouping identifier of the received message is equal to the unique message grouping identifier of the previously received message and in some implementations enters sleep mode.
US08111689B2
A system for allocating bandwidth resources among various mobile stations which are wirelessly connected to a base station. The length of the data queue in each mobile station is determined and information regarding that length is placed in a field in the outgoing data packet. When it is received in the base station, this field is decoded and the queue length information used to allocate bandwidth resources among the mobile station connections. This allows a very quick response to data queue lengths and accordingly better service.
US08111686B2
A method and system for aggregating capabilities from multiple endpoints associated with a user are provided. The system aggregates the capabilities of the endpoints associated with a user into an aggregate view of available modes of communication for reaching the user. Then, the system publishes the aggregate view so that other users who want to send communications to the user will know the modes of communication available for that user. In addition, the system may designate certain modes of communication as preferred or as capable of reaching the user.
US08111685B2
Embodiments of the present invention route a wavelength division multiplexed signal across multiple communication paths using skew characteristics of at least some of the communication paths. The network is a wavelength division multiplexed optical transport 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.
US08111682B2
A method and system reduce interference between overlapping first and second wireless LAN cells contending for the same medium. Each cell includes a respective plurality of member stations. An inter-cell contention-free period value is assigned to a first access point station in the first cell, associated with an accessing order in the medium for member stations in the first and second cells. The access point in the first cell transmits an initial shield packet to deter other stations from contending for the medium. The access point then transmits a beacon packet containing the inter-cell contention-free period value to member stations in the second cell. A second access point in the second cell can then delay transmissions by member stations in the second cell until after the inter-cell contention-free period expires. The beacon packet sent by the first access point station also includes an intra-cell contention-free period value, which causes the member stations in the first cell to delay accessing the medium until polled by the first access point. After the expiration of the intra-cell contention-free period, member stations in the first cell may contend for the medium based on the quality of service (QoS) data they are to transmit, using the Tiered Contention Multiple Access (TCMA) protocol.
US08111681B2
A wireless data-communication arrangements including a wireless terminal, located in a direction, receiving the pilot signal and determining a data rate according to reception quality of the pilot signal; the wireless terminal transmitting to a base station a signal for requesting the determined data rate; the base station receiving the signal and, based on the requested data rate, transmitting data to the wireless terminal with the radiation pattern, which includes the beam pattern in a same direction as the direction in which the pilot signal was transmitted, using a data channel of a second slot which is a predetermined number of slots after the first slot.
US08111680B2
In a system where mobile stations use one frequency to transmit/receive and share position information data, synchronization has been made in a shared time resulting from GPS and the mobile stations transmit the data at mutually different timings that are predetermined, whereby overlapping of the transmissions is avoided. However, the transmission period of a station cannot be changed even if that station wants to change its transmission period. Transmission period determining units are disposed which determine transmission periods on the basis of the moving speeds of mobile stations. The mobile stations are time-synchronized by GPS. After the time synchronization, fundamental transmission periods comprising plural time slots are disposed. Transmission is done just in one time slot within one fundamental transmission period normally, and the number of transmissions is increased to two times or three times within one fundamental transmission period when the period is to be shortened.
US08111679B2
A wireless communication apparatus on the base station transmits beamformed multi-beam data to a wireless communication apparatus on the mobile station side using a multiple antennas. To obtain an expected directivity without gain reduction under the existence of phase variation in transmission circuits, the wireless communication apparatus on the base station is equipped with a code book that stores beamforming information, a precoder that reads the code book and performs processing to form a multi-beam pattern for the data, and a control unit that controls, based on feedback information, the reading of beamforming information from the code book for the compensation of phase variation.
US08111670B2
A method and system for processing high definition video data using remainder bytes is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving an information packet having the length of L bytes, wherein L=(M×n×K)+A, and where: M is the depth of an interleaver, n is the number of interleavers, K is an encoding code length and A is the number of remainder bytes with respect to M×n×K bytes, wherein the remainder bytes are located at the end of the information packet, and wherein M×n×K bytes represent M×n codewords. The method further includes converting the A remainder bytes into a plurality of shortened codewords, wherein each of the shortened codewords is shorter in length than each of the M×n codewords. At least one embodiment of the invention provides much lower padding efficiency while improving the decoding performance.
US08111669B2
Methods and systems in a wireless receiver for enabling the reception of input signals at varied power levels in the presence of co-channel interference utilizing combinations of space-time adaptive processing (STAP), interference cancellation multi-user detection (MUD), and combined STAP/MUD techniques. In MUD, code, timing, and possibly channel information of multiple users are jointly used to better detect each individual user. The novel combination of adaptive signal reconstruction techniques with interference cancellation MUD techniques provides accurate temporal cancellation of interference with minimal interference residuals. Additional methods and systems extend adaptive signal reconstruction techniques to take Doppler spread into account. STAP techniques permit a wireless receiver to exploit multiple antenna elements to form beams in the direction of the desired signal and nulls in the direction of the interfering signals. The combined STAP-MUD methods and systems increase the probability of successful user detection by taking advantage of the benefits of each reception method. An additional method and system utilizes STAP techniques in the case where no pilot signal is available. This method compares the outputs of various hypothesized STAP solutions.
US08111667B2
In a MIMO wireless transceiver, priority control that judges priority of transmit data and a transmission mode table are provided to control an option as to which transmission system SDM or STBC is selected, coding rate and modulation method based on a transmission mode for a transmission destination that is determined by priority of transmission data and status of a communication matrix at the time of data transmission. With such arrangement, a wireless communication system composed of the MIMO wireless transceiver can control coding, MIMO signal processing and modulation methods according to priority of transmit data. More specifically, it is possible to ensure transmission of data having higher priority and improve throughput in total when a plurality of types of data are transmitted.
US08111658B2
An access radio port is provided that includes means for spreading a payload data signal, extracted from an ATM packet, with a uniquely assigned orthogonal code, means for transmitting the spread payload data signal to one of a group of mobile subscriber terminals located within a microport cell of a wireless terrestrial network, and means for releasing the uniquely assigned orthogonal code. In another aspect, a mobile subscriber terminal, configured to be located within a microport cell of a terrestrial wireless network that interfaces with an access radio port, is provided. The mobile subscriber terminal includes means for receiving an assignment of a unique orthogonal code, means for spreading a payload data signal by the unique orthogonal code, means for modulating and forwarding the spread payload data signal to the access radio port, and means for releasing the assignment of the unique orthogonal code.
US08111654B2
A wireless communication system and method for wireless communication are disclosed. One embodiment of the system includes a wireless communication device. The device includes a receiver configured to receive a data packet via a channel. The device further includes a transmitter configured to send an acknowledgment (ACK) signal via a low-rate channel upon receiving the data packet. The low-rate channel has a directional mode and an omni-directional mode. The acknowledgment signal includes a low-rate physical layer (LRP) preamble and an acknowledgment (ACK) header including a mode index field. The mode index field includes a plurality of bits indicative of whether the ACK signal is transmitted using the directional mode or the omni-directional mode.
US08111653B2
In the present invention, a wireless transmission system includes a plurality of mobile stations in a cell area, and a base station. The base station divides each of an uplink frame and a downlink frame into a plurality of blocks, assigns a specific one of the plurality of blocks to each of the plurality of the mobile stations, assigns a specific frequency channel to the mobile station, and notifies the specific block and the specific frequency channel to the mobile station. The length of each of the plurality of blocks is optional, and a sum of the lengths of the plurality of blocks is equal to the length of the frame.
US08111644B2
A device for wirelessly communicating a service to user equipment is provided. The device includes a transmitter, a receiver, and a processor. The processor is programmed to promote the transmitter polling to determine whether user equipment desire a service and responsive to receiving, via the receiver, at least one user equipment request for the service, the processor programmed to promote the transmitter providing a point-to-multipoint (PTM) broadcast of the service.
US08111641B2
A method for performing multi-user joint-detection in a neighboring cell in a TDD-CDMA system presets slot types and includes: a network device configuring a slot type of each uplink slot in its administrated cells and a base station of each cell obtaining a slot type of each uplink slot in a neighboring cell from the network device; the network device configuring for each user a slot for transmitting uplink data and a midamble and channelization code to be used according to the slot type of each uplink slot and a service type of each user in each cell; each user in each cell using the configured midamble and channelization code to transmit uplink data in the configured slot; and the base station detecting activated code channels in the neighboring cell according to the received uplink data transmitted by users in the neighboring cell and obtaining midamble used by each user in the neighboring cell according to the channeliazation codes of the activated code channels and according to the slot type of each uplink slot in the neighboring cell so that the base station may perform the multi-user joint-detection in the neighboring cell.
US08111638B2
There is provided a radio measurement procedure for station statistics measurements in wireless communication network. In the method, a requesting station transmits to a requested station a triggered station statistics measurements request message including a group identity field which indicates the requested statistics group and a triggered reporting field for station counter which is used to specify trigger conditions comprising reporting triggers and thresholds for the corresponding reporting triggers, wherein the group identity field is set to a predetermined value indicating one group between two groups of station counters, and wherein all subfields for specifying the reporting triggers regarding the other group between the two groups of station counters is set to 0. And the requesting station receives from the requested station a station statistics measurements report message when the trigger conditions specified in the triggered reporting field for station counter of the triggered station statistics measurements request message.
US08111630B2
A system and method to intercept traffic at standard interface points as defined by Cellular/Wireless networks (GSM/GPRS, 3G/UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA, CDMA, WIMAX, LTE), emulate the respective protocols on either side of the interception point, extract user/application payloads within the intercepted packets, perform optimizations, and re-encapsulate with the same protocol, and deliver the content transparently is disclosed. The optimizations include but are not limited to Content Caching, prediction & pre-fetching of frequently used content, performance of content-aware transport optimizations (TCP, UDP, RTP etc.) for reducing back-haul bandwidth, and improvement of user experience. An additional embodiment of the current invention includes injecting opportunistic content (location based, profile based or advertisement content) based on the information derived while monitoring control plane protocols.
US08111616B2
An apparatus and method as described for constructing a repair path for use in the event of failure of an inter-routing domain connection between respective components in first and second routing domains of a data communications network. The apparatus is arranged to assign a propagatable repair address for use in the event of failure of the inter-routing domain connection and to propagate the repair address via data communications network components other than the inter-routing domain connection.
US08111613B2
A method of implementing a p-cycle protection scheme for a communications network comprising a plurality of nodes and interconnecting communications links along which Ethernet traffic is forwarded in a connection-oriented manner. The method comprises for each said Ethernet node in the communications network determining a label associated with each connection-oriented Ethernet path along one or more links in said communications network for which an entry exists in a forwarding table of Ethernet switching apparatus located at said Ethernet node and mapping a plurality of said paths individually identified by said respective labels, to another path defining a p-cycle between logically adjacent nodes in said communications network, wherein each said p-cycle is provisioned in the same layer as said Ethernet traffic.
US08111609B2
According to an example embodiment, a method may include determining, by a first wireless node in a wireless network, a number N of resource blocks available for transmitting data within a cell, the N resource blocks each including V resource block orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, the V resource block OFDM symbols each including U resource block subcarriers. The method may also include mapping the N resource blocks into N subchannels based on a permutation formula, the permutation formula assigning, based on permutation parameters including the number N and a random or pseudorandom variable, U subchannel subcarriers for each of V subchannel OFDM symbols to each of the N subchannels and thereby allocating a subchannel index for each of the N subchannels. The method may also include sending a message to a second wireless node indicating the permutation parameters and the allocated subchannel index of at least one of the N subchannels for communication between the first wireless node and the second wireless node.
US08111606B2
The optical storage medium comprises a substrate layer, a data layer, and a nonlinear layer with a super-resolution structure disposed on the data layer, wherein pits and lands having a size above a diffraction limit of a pickup for reading of the data establish a first and a second level of the data layer, and pits and lands having a size below the diffraction limit of the pickup are arranged on a further level of the data layer. In a preferred embodiment, pits having a size below the diffraction limit are arranged on a third level and lands having a size below the diffraction limit are arranged on a fourth level of the data layer. The optical storage medium is in particular a read-only optical disc comprising a phase-change material, for example AgInSbTe, for providing the super-resolution effect.
US08111604B2
A fabrication method of a multilayer optical recording medium having a plurality of recording layers, comprises a step of preparing an optical recording medium having at least one record area; a write-position mark generating step of recording write-position marks in the record area beforehand; a step of preparing an optical system including a common objective lens to focus a data recording beam and a position mark recording beam on different positions in a thickness direction of the record area; a first data writing step of writing data between the write-position marks with following the write-position marks by the data recording beam; a position mark recording step of, in parallel with the first data writing step, recording new write-position marks in the record area by the position mark recording beam; and a second data writing step of writing data between the new write-position marks with following the new write-position marks by the data recording beam.
US08111602B2
Provided are an optical pickup apparatus and an objective lens which can record and/or reproduce information for discs with different recording densities and can realize simplification of the structure of themselves and reducing cost. When the expression (1) is satisfied, step differences of a step structure can be further reduced than those in the case that d1=λ1(n−1) holds, and fine grooves corresponding to a steps structure, formed on an optical-surface transfer surface of a mold for molding the objective lens become shallow, to be easily processed. In addition, the moldability is enhanced because the material of the objective lens easily enters the inner portion of the grooves. Further, a fluctuation of a diffraction efficiency caused when wavelength of a light flux changes or temperature changes is reduced so that information can be recorded and/or reduced stably.
US08111600B2
A method for detecting whether vertical deviation of an optical disc occurs is provided. First, before a pickup head is successfully focused on the optical disc, a pickup head is actuated based on an input control signal so as to generate a focus error signal with a plurality of S-curves. Then, a plurality of zero crossing points of the S-curves in the focus error signal is identified and a plurality of input control values respectively corresponding to the zero crossing points is obtained. A variation of the input control values is then calculated. Whether vertical deviation of the optical disc occurs can be determined according to the variation of the input control values.
US08111599B2
An optical disc drive apparatus (100) of the present invention rotates an optical disc (1) at a predetermined rotation speed using a motor (2). An optical pickup (3) irradiates the optical disc (1) with a laser beam (5) emitted from an internal semiconductor laser (4) included therein, and obtains a reproduction signal (7) based on a laser beam reflected from the optical disc (1). A laser driving unit (8) controls a driving current (9) of the semiconductor laser (4) to a predetermined level, and superimposes a high-frequency current (11) having a predetermined level on the driving current (9). In a high-speed reproduction mode, a control unit (12) sets the rotation speed of the optical disc (1) higher, the power of the laser beam (5) irradiating the optical disc (1) higher, and the level of the high-frequency current (11) lower than in a normal reproduction mode.
US08111585B1
A sonar system includes an objective having reflecting surface(s) with coincident forward radiant axes. Each of the reflecting surfaces defines sets of equivalent acoustic output/receiving locations allowing the use of a plurality of transducers with each reflecting surface. When used in a projection mode, and depending upon the frequency radiated, the sound sources may function as a distributed, functionally continuous sound source. In a passive mode use of a field reflector allows determination of bearings.
US08111584B1
A method of detecting a submerged vessel in or near the wake of a ship in which a plurality of optical fiber sensors are trailed from said ship and in which at least one of said sensors which is located in the ship's wake comprises a magnetically-responsive optical fiber sensor.
US08111583B2
A method and apparatus for determining the direction of a sound source is disclosed. The method includes determining time differences of arrival of the sound at N locations and using the differences to determine the angular direction of the source. The apparatus indicates the angle of arrival and additionally indicates the type of the sound source.
US08111558B2
A nonvolatile memory cell is constructed using a floating-gate pFET readout transistor having its source tied to a power source (Vdd) and its drain providing a current, which can be sensed to determine the state of the cell. The gate of the pFET readout transistor provides for charge storage, which can be used to represent information such as binary bits. A control capacitor coupled between a first voltage source and the floating gate and a tunneling capacitor between a second voltage source and the floating gate are fabricated so that the control capacitor has much more capacitance than the tunneling capacitor. Manipulation of the voltages applied to the first voltage source and second voltage source controls an electric field across the capacitor structure and pFET dielectrics and thus Fowler-Nordheim tunneling of electrons on and off the floating gate, controlling the charge on the floating gate and the information stored thereon.
US08111536B2
The memory cell array has memory cells each positioned at respective intersections between a plurality of first wirings and a plurality of second wirings. Each of the memory cells has a rectifier element and a variable resistance element connected in series. The resistance element may have at least a first resistance value and a second resistance value higher than the first resistance value. The contact arrangement portion is formed to arrange a plurality of contacts on a plane. The contacts are connected to the first wirings or the second wirings. The probe can move along the plane to electrically contact with either of the contacts.
US08111535B2
A programmable volatile memory cell has a reset device in communication with a bit store. The reset device may produce a high or low logic state within a latch loop when activated by an assertive logic level on a reset line. A set of mask programmable vias may be provided on a single mask layer in a semiconductor fabrication process for the memory cell. A program-selectable one of two sets of vias may communicate with one reset device to the reset line and the other reset device to ground. In this way a single and programmatically determinable logic state may be produced in the memory cell with reset signaling. Otherwise, the memory cell is capable of retaining a logic state according to read/write processes. The memory cell may be implemented in an array where all or some of the cells may be reset at once.
US08111532B1
Aspects of the disclosure provide a CAM module that can be used independent of a defective entry line. The CAM module can include at least a CAM array having at least X CAM entry lines, and an additional CAM entry line. Each CAM entry line may include a selection line for enabling the CAM entry line for writing and/or reading and an entry output for indicating matching to a search key. Further, the CAM module can include a decoder unit that can decode an address to enable one out of X word-lines, and an encoder unit that can encode X matching outputs to a matching address according to a predetermined priority sequence. Additionally, the CAM module can include a switching unit coupling the CAM array with the decoder unit and the encoder unit. The switching unit can select X CAM entry lines from the X+1 CAM entry lines based on a defective status of the CAM array; correspond the X word-lines of the decoder unit to the selection lines of the selected X CAM entry lines; and correspond the entry outputs of the selected X CAM entry lines to the X matching outputs of the encoder unit.
US08111523B2
A wiring board for use in mounting an electronic component includes a switch element portion interposed in a signal transmission line including a wiring layer linked to an electrode terminal of the electronic component. The switch element portion has such a structure as to change the shape thereof depending on a temperature, and to disconnect the signal transmission line when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. A conductor layer which constitutes a portion of the signal transmission line is formed at the bottom of a cavity formed in an electronic component mounting surface side of the wiring board. One end of the switch element portion is fixedly connected to the wiring layer, and another end thereof is in contact with the conductor layer when the temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature.
US08111522B2
An electrical contact area on a printed circuit board (“PCB”), that would otherwise be subject to abrasion and possibly also corrosion, can be protected by covering it with another, more durable contact structure that is bonded to the first-mentioned contact area using an anistropic conductive adhesive (“ACA”). The more durable contact structure may include a member of PCB material or the like with electrically connected electrical contacts on its upper and lower surfaces. At least the upper one of these contacts (which is exposed for the service that involves possible abrasion and/or corrosion) may be given high durability by plating it with hard gold. The lower of these contacts is adhered to the main PCB via the above-mentioned ACA.
US08111520B2
A semiconductor module can include a printed circuit board (PCB) and a semiconductor package inserted into an inner space of the PCB. The semiconductor package may be electrically connected to the PCB. The PCB may thus surround the semiconductor package so that cracks may not be generated in the outer terminals.
US08111517B2
A heat sink assembly, a portable electronic device using the same and a wireless modem using the heat sink assembly are disclosed. The heat sink assembly assembled within the portable electronic for dissipating the heat source generated within the portable electronic device to the outside. The heat sink assembly includes a frame, a cover and an absorbing sheet. The frame includes a through opening formed and surrounded thereby. The cover foldably or bendably extends outwardly from one side of the frame and is configured to be alternatively accommodated within the opening of the frame for covering the opening or forming an angle relative to the frame. The absorbing sheet is fixedly covered on the other side of the frame opposite to the cover.
US08111516B2
A system for cooling processor assembly is disclosed which comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) with a plurality of heat emitting electronic components and a housing for each PCB with a heat collector. The heat collector is constructed in one-piece material covering the plurality of heat emitting electronic components through heat collecting areas with different heights adapted to the different heights of the electronic components as regard to the PCB surface wherein the heat collecting areas being in thermal contact with the electronic components.
US08111511B2
A portable electronic device comprises a physical security component configured to be in a retracted position and an extended position relative to a housing of the portable electronic device, the physical security component having at least two differently shaped openings enabling at least two different types of locking devices to be coupled to the at least two differently shaped openings.
US08111505B2
A multipart computer housing is described. The multipart computer housing includes at least a structural support layer and a body. The body includes at least an outer layer formed of lightweight flexible material and an inner layer attached to the outer layer. The inner layer is connected to the support layer forming a load path between the inner layer and the structural support layer. A load applied to the multipart computer housing is transferred by way of the load path to the support layer without substantially affecting the outer layer.
US08111504B2
A current-sensing assembly comprising a housing and first and second current transformers contained in and fixed in position by the housing. The assembly includes at least one conducting pin corresponding to each of the first and second current transformers and inserted through the housing to expose a top end and a bottom end. The top end of the pin is electrically coupled to an end of the conducting wire of the corresponding current transformer through a window in the housing coinciding with the current transformer. The top end of a common pin is electrically coupled through the window to the opposite end of the coil conductor. The bottom end of each pin is configured to be coupled to a printed circuit board. The housing includes first and second elongated rings passing substantially through the centers of the current transformers and configured to accept first and second current lines.
US08111500B2
Described herein is electroadhesion technology that permits controllable adherence between two objects. Electroadhesion uses electrostatic forces of attraction produced by an electrostatic adhesion voltage, which is applied using electrodes in an electroadhesive device. The electrostatic adhesion voltage produces an electric field and electrostatic adherence forces. When the electroadhesive device and electrodes are positioned near a surface of an object such as a vertical wall, the electrostatic adherence forces hold the electroadhesive device in position relative to the surface and object. This can be used to increase traction or maintain the position of the electroadhesive device relative to a surface. Electric control of the electrostatic adhesion voltage permits the adhesion to be controllably and readily turned on and off.
US08111498B2
An electronic circuit which provides an electrical incapacitation current to a living target. The circuit includes a high voltage power supply, a charge-storing capacitor connected by a high voltage lead to the high voltage power supply. The charge-storing capacitor stores a charge at high voltage as supplied by the high voltage power supply. The circuit further includes a switch, a step-up transformer including a primary coil a secondary coil, a resonant circuit and an output terminal serially connected through the secondary coil to the high voltage lead of the charge-storing capacitor. The primary coil is connected in parallel with the charge-storing capacitor through the switch. During the incapacitation, the output terminal is operatively attached to at least a part of the living target. When the switch is closed, the resonant circuit initially stores zero charge, and any gap if present between the output terminal and the living target undergoes electrical breakdown from energy stored in the charge-storing capacitor. After the electrical breakdown, the incapacitation current is provided substantially from the charge stored in the charge-storing capacitor.
US08111497B2
A device 10 for electrically discharging samples of an electrically non-conductive liquid includes an electrically conductive outer member 12, an electrically conductive inner member 14 disposed within the outer member 12, an electrically conductive rod 16 with upper and lower plugs 18 and 19 secured thereto to maintain a non-conductive fluid in the device 10, non-conductive handles 20 and 22 secured to the outer and inner members 12 and 14, and an electrically conductive ground cable 26 detachably secured to the rod 16 to ultimately remove or reduce static charge in the electrically non-conductive liquid via the liquid engaging the outer member 12, inner member 14 and rod 16, which are electrically grounded via the cable 26.
US08111494B2
A memristor-protection integrated circuit. The memristor-protection integrated circuit includes a first current-bias circuit, a second current-bias circuit, an inverter, and a current limiter. The first and second current-bias circuits are configured to be coupled to first and second power-supply rails, respectively. The inverter is coupled to the first current-bias circuit and to the second current-bias circuit, and is configured to couple at least one memristor to at least one of the first current-bias circuit and the second current-bias circuit in response to an input signal applied to the inverter. The current limiter is coupled to the first current-bias circuit and coupled to the second current-bias circuit, and is configured to limit current flowing through the memristor.
US08111487B2
Devices for reading or writing electromagnetic information include a wafer substrate piece disposed between an electromagnetic transducer and an electrostrictive or piezoelectric actuator. The substrate piece is shaped as a rigid body adjoining the transducer and as a flexible element connecting the body and the actuator. To fabricate, at least one electrostrictive layer and many transducers are formed on opposite sides of a wafer that is then cut into rows containing plural transducers. The rows are processed from directions generally normal to the wafer surface upon which the transducers were formed, by removing material to form a head, flexures and a media-facing surface on the head. Conductive leads are formed on a back surface of flexures connecting the transducer with drive electronics. The flexures are aligned with forces arising from interaction with the media surface and from seeking various tracks, reducing torque and dynamic instabilities and increasing actuator access time.
US08111477B2
Provided is a recording medium onto which a plurality of tracks that constitute a unit as one unit of signal processing for reproducing data are recorded, each of the plurality of tracks being recorded with at least data and, as a preamble necessary for controlling the reproduction of the data, a separation pattern necessary for detecting a positional relationship between a reproducing head and the plurality of tracks in a track width direction and synchronization patterns for synchronization processing, the synchronization patterns being recorded in front and rear of the separation pattern in a running direction of the plurality of tracks.
US08111469B2
A combined gear includes a pair of first gear and second gear having the same tooth profile and rotatably combined in a state, wherein rotation centers of the gears are coincident. One gear of the pair of gears includes an elastic displacement portion that is biased in a direction of rotating the other gear with respect to one gear. The other gear includes a positioning portion that positions the other gear with respect to one gear, and elastic displacement portion contacts positioning portion.
US08111468B2
A lens barrel includes a movable lens unit movable in an optical-axis direction, an actuator configured to move the movable lens unit in the optical-axis direction, a guide member configured to guide the movable lens unit in the optical-axis direction, and a guide-member-holding portion holding the guide member. The guide member is held by the guide-member-holding portion with one end thereof being in a press-fitted state and the other end thereof being in a non-press-fitted state.
US08111458B2
There is provided an optical device including a plurality of first phasors having substantially the same phase delaying axis as each other; and a plurality of second phasors having substantially the same phase delaying axis as each other in a direction different from that of the first phasors and providing a phase difference substantially the same as that provided by the first phasors, in which the plurality of first phasors and the plurality of second phasors are arranged on substantially the same face, a density of the first phasors is substantially the same as a density of the second phasors, and a spatial distribution of the density of the first phasors and a spatial distribution of the density of the second phasors are substantially uniform.
US08111453B2
A submarine optical repeater that shares optical pump power in multiple gain stages such that approximately the same wavelengths of optical pump is provided to each of the gain stages. Also, tilt control mechanism may adjust gain dependency on wavelength by adjusting the amount of optical pump power delivered to the optical gain stages. Residual optical pump power from both forward and backward Raman amplification may be used to power corresponding optically pumped amplifiers.
US08111445B2
A spatial light modulator comprises an integrated optical compensation structure, e.g., an optical compensation structure arranged between a substrate and a plurality of individually addressable light-modulating elements, or an optical compensation structure located on the opposite side of the light-modulating elements from the substrate. The individually addressable light-modulating elements are configured to modulate light transmitted through or reflected from the transparent substrate. Methods for making such spatial light modulators involve fabricating an optical compensation structure over a substrate and fabricating a plurality of individually addressable light-modulating elements over the optical compensation structure. The optical compensation structure may be a passive optical compensation structure. The optical compensation structure may include one or more of a supplemental frontlighting source, a diffuser, a black mask, a diffractive optical element, a color filter, an anti-reflective layer, a structure that scatters light, a microlens array, and a holographic film.
US08111444B2
An imaging method includes emitting radiation from an illumination source towards a total internal reflection (TIR) modulator. At least one of the pixel regions is controlled to form at least one image pixel on a surface. A first electric potential is imposed on a first pixel region, the first electric potential being associated with a first signal provided by a first electrical conductor to the second set of electrodes associated with the first pixel region, the first electrical conductor extending over a first non-pixel region. A second electric potential is imposed on the first pixel region, the second electric potential being associated with a second signal provided by a second electrical conductor to first set of electrodes associated with the first pixel region, the second electrical conductor extending over a second non-pixel region, wherein the second non-pixel region is different from the first non-pixel region, and the second electric potential is different from the first electric potential. The second electric potential is imposed on the first non-pixel region.
US08111441B2
Method for treating a nominally pure crystal having non-linear optical properties. The nominally pure crystal contain foreign atoms at a residual concentration of less than 20 ppm so as to provide specific absorption of incident light. The method includes determining, based on testing on a specifically doped reference crystal of same type as the nominally pure crystal, a threshold value. The threshold value is defined by a temperature at which a migration of ions in the nominally pure crystal to the surface of the nominally pure crystal ceases. The foreign atoms are transformed to a higher valance state by a thermally-supported oxidation process including heating the nominally pure crystal at a heating rate that increases by less than 3 ° C. per minute to a maximum temperature above the threshold value and below a Curie temperature of the nominally pure crystal. An electrical voltage is applied so as to eliminate electrons released during the oxidation process from the nominally pure crystal.
US08111433B2
An image reading device includes a reference member, a reading unit, a first reference value setting unit, a detecting unit, a second reference value setting unit, a determining unit, and a pixel value setting unit. The reading unit obtains image data and reference data. The first reference value setting unit sets a first reference value based on the reference data. The detecting unit detects a usage state of the reading unit. The second reference value setting unit sets a second reference value in accordance with the usage state. If the determining unit determines that the first reference value is in a predetermined condition, the pixel value setting unit sets a pixel value based on the image data and the first reference value; otherwise, the pixel value setting unit sets the pixel value based on the image data and the second reference value.
US08111412B2
According to a printer of the present invention, the displaying unit creates a print image of the image received by the receiving unit and displays a preview of the print image when the loss detecting unit detects the lost part of the image, and the displaying unit creates a print image of an image obtained as a result of the trimming and displays a preview of the print image when the trimming unit trims the image, and the printing unit prints an image obtained as a result of the trimming by the trimming unit. Consequently, if a user failed in communicating an image as the user did not set an external communication terminal to an appropriate place and the image has been lost, the user can display a preview of the image by removing the lost part by trimming and display the lost part by a preview, check the trimmed image and print it.
US08111410B2
In merging the printing data of the merger source to the printing data of the merger destination, the setting information concerning the tab sheets are identified from the both printing data and the aligning process is executed for aligning the tab setting information of the both printing data. For example, the tab positions are changed and aligned in such a way that the tab positions vary sequentially from the start side of pages.
US08111407B2
A displacement is accurately measured at high speed to a measurement object having various surface states. In a displacement sensor including a confocal optical system in which an objective lens is moved along an optical axis, light emitted from a laser diode is formed into a slit beam by a cylindrical lens, a Y-axis side orthogonal to the optical axis is narrowed such that the light is collected on a surface of a measurement object, and an X-axis orthogonal to the optical axis is elongated in order to average a component of the light reflected from the surface. A photodiode receives the light reflected from the surface of the measurement object through an opening disposed in a position of conjugation with the laser diode. The opening is formed into a slit shape that is short in the Y-axis while being long in the X-axis. The displacement of the surface is measured from a position of the objective lens when a light receiving signal becomes the maximum.
US08111402B2
Techniques and devices based on transverse magnetic (TM) and transverse electric (TE) modes in an optical resonator or interferometer to provide sensitive optical detection with insensitivity to a change in temperature. A shift in a difference between a first resonance wavelength of a TE optical mode and a second resonance wavelength of a TM optical mode is measured to measure a change in a sample that is in optical interaction with the optical resonator or interferometer. For example, the detected shift can be used to measure a change in a refractive index of the sample.
US08111400B2
An SPR sensor comprising a thin conducting layer comprising at least one conductive element formed on a surface of a transparent substrate, a light source that illuminates an interface between the conducting layer and the substrate, a photosensitive surface that generates signals from light reflected from the interface, a flow cell formed with at least one flow channel having a lumen defined by a wall formed from an elastic material and from a region of the conducting layer, and at least one hollow fluid-providing flow control apparatus having a lumen and an orifice communicating with its lumen. Fluid flow is enabled between the flow channel and the lumen of the flow control apparatus by forcing an end of the flow control apparatus through the elastic material so that the orifice communicates with the flow channel lumen.
US08111398B2
According to an example, a first layer of a substrate comprises a plurality of gratings having a periodicity P. A second layer of the substrate comprises a plurality of gratings, overlapping with the first set of gratings, and having a periodicity of NP, where N is an integer greater than 2. A first set of gratings has a bias of +d and the second set of gratings has a bias of −d. A beam of radiation is projected onto the gratings and the angle resolved spectrum of the reflected radiation detected. The overlay error is then calculated using the angle resolved spectrum of the reflected radiation.
US08111397B2
A plate inspection system and a plate inspection method with which irregularities in phase difference caused in a retardation layer can be efficiently detected. The inspection system is for inspecting a plate to be inspected having a retardation layer. The plate inspection system comprises a polarized-light source for irradiating a polarized light and an observation-side polarizer placed on the observation side. In the inspection system, a plate to be inspected is placed between the polarized-light source and the observation-side polarizer so that the plate to be inspected is irradiated with polarized light from the polarized-light source. The position of at least the observation-side polarizer or the plate to be inspected is changeable relative to the polarized-light source.
US08111391B2
An optical cell for spectral analysis is disclosed generally comprising a monolithic cell body that transmits light, the cell body having an outer surface and a fluid channel for receiving a sample that defines an inner surface. The inner surface of said cell body includes a planar section, and the outer surface of said cell body likewise includes a planar section, which is adjacent and substantially parallel to the planar section of the inner surface. In certain embodiments, the ends of the channel are frustoconical, and ferrules are employed to secure sample inlet/outlet tubes to the cell.
US08111386B2
The output modal content of optical fibers that contain more than one spatial mode may be analyzed and quantified by measuring interference between co-propagating modes in the optical fiber. By spatially resolving the interference, an image of the spatial beat pattern between two modes may be constructed, thereby providing information about the modes supported by the optical fiber. Measurements of the phase front exiting the optical fiber under test are advantageously performed in the far field.
US08111376B2
A method and apparatus for process control in a lithographic process are described. Metrology may be performed on a substrate either before or after performing a lithographic patterning process on the substrate. One or more correctables to the lithographic patterning process may be generated based on the metrology. The lithographic patterning process performed on the substrate (or a subsequent substrate) may be adjusted with the correctables.
US08111365B2
A liquid crystal display device includes an active area which is composed of pixels arrayed in a matrix, and a light-shield area surrounding the active area. The liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate including pixel electrodes disposed in the respective pixels, a second substrate including color filters disposed in the respective pixels, and a counter-electrode which is disposed to cover the color filters and extends from the active area to at least a part of the light-shield area, and a liquid crystal layer held between the first substrate and the second substrate. The pixel electrode and the color filter of the pixel, which is disposed at an end portion of the active area, extend into the light-shield area beyond a boundary between the active area and the light-shield area.
US08111364B2
An in-plane switching (IPS) mode liquid crystal display (LCD) includes: a plurality of gate lines and data lines arranged vertically and horizontally to define a plurality of pixel regions on a first substrate; thin film transistors (TFTs) at each crossing of the gate and data lines and including an active layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode, respectively; a common electrode line substantially parallel to the gate lines; a plurality of first pixel electrodes and first common electrodes and a plurality of second pixel electrodes and second common electrodes having a tilt angle with respect to the gate lines and alternately disposed on upper and lower portions of the pixel regions to generate an in-plane electric field; and a second substrate attached with the first substrate.
US08111363B2
A LCD device includes a gate line on a substrate and a data line crossing the gate line to define a pixel area; a thin film transistor source and drain electrodes; a common line parallel to the gate line; a common electrode extended from the common line and a pixel electrode extending from the drain electrode wherein the gate line and the common line have a first conductive layer group having at least double conductive layers, and the common electrode is formed by an extension of at least one transparent conductive layer of the common line; and the gate line, the source electrode and the drain electrode have a second conductive layer group having at least double conductive layers, and the pixel electrode is formed by an extension of at least one transparent conductive layer of the drain electrode.
US08111345B2
A LCD device includes a LC panel unit including TFT and counter substrates, and a backlight unit on which the LC panel unit is mounted. The backlight unit has a plurality of positioning ribs protruding from the backlight unit in the vicinity of the corners of the display panel for positioning the display panel. Some of the positioning ribs have a first positioning wall having a height larger than the height of the boundary between the TFT substrate and the counter substrate in a first display area in which the edge of the TFT substrate protrudes from the edge of the counter substrate. Others of the positioning ribs have a second positioning wall having a height lower than the height of the boundary between the TFT substrate and the counter substrate in a second display area in which the edge of the TFT substrate is flush with the edge of the counter substrate.
US08111342B2
A display substrate that has increased aperture ratio is presented. The display substrate includes a base substrate, a first metal pattern formed on the base substrate and a gate wiring and a gate electrode. A first insulating layer is formed on the base substrate covering the first metal pattern. A second metal pattern is formed on the first insulating layer including a data wiring crossing the gate wiring, a source electrode connected to the data wiring and a drain electrode separated from the source electrode. A second insulating layer is formed on the base substrate covering the second metal pattern. A transparent electrode is formed on the second insulating layer. An organic layer is formed on the transparent electrode, and a pixel electrode is formed on the organic layer being insulated with the transparent electrode, and contacted to the drain electrode. The organic layer may comprise red, green and blue color filters.
US08111341B2
A liquid crystal display according to the present invention includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other, a pixel electrode disposed on the first substrate and including a first sub-pixel electrode and a second sub-pixel electrode spaced apart from the first sub-pixel electrode by a gap, a common electrode disposed on the second substrate, a shielding member disposed on the first substrate or the second substrate and overlapping the gap between the first sub-pixel electrode and the second sub-pixel electrode, an alignment layer disposed on at least one of the pixel electrode and the common electrode, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate.
US08111339B2
A liquid crystal projector which projects a three-dimensional imaged based on image signals for the left and right eyes including: a liquid crystal panel into which an image for the left or right eye is written in a one-field time period based on the image signal; an optical shutter has a plurality of divisional regions arranged in a vertical direction and controllable independently in regard to whether or not light should be blocked; a polarizing element has a plurality of divisional regions arranged in vertical direction and controllable independently in regard to whether the polarization direction should be set to that for the left eye or the right eye; and a control circuit controls the optical shutter and the polarizing element in synchronism with a writing position in the liquid crystal panel.
US08111336B2
Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, scanned beam projector may comprise a light source, a scan drive and a scanning platform to project an image onto a projection surface. The scan drive circuit is capable of at least partially correcting distortion in the projected image by varying an amplitude of the scan drive signal to at least partially compensate for the distortion in the projected image.
US08111333B2
A video bit-stream gamma characteristic correction method and a multipoint control unit in video communication field resolve the gamma distortion problem of video image in the existing multimedia communication. In the method, the receiving end carries out correction once through carrying the gamma characteristic parameter of the transmission end in the video bit-stream; or the multipoint control unit and the receiving end correct gamma distortion of the video image in multiple steps. A multipoint processor (200) of the multipoint control unit includes a gamma characteristic parameter storing module (201), which stores gamma characteristic parameter of the video image transmission end; and a gamma characteristic correction module (202), which is connected to the gamma characteristic parameter storing module and corrects the gamma characteristic of the video image according to the gamma characteristic parameter of the video image transmission end.
US08111331B2
An apparatus embodiment is operative to scale video and includes an input buffer coupled to a real time source of video data and configured to hold a number of lines of video, a horizontal resizer coupled to the input buffer to resize lines of image data, outputting horizontally scaled line(s) to an intermediate buffer configured to store a number of lines. The apparatus has a vertical resizer coupled to the intermediate buffer configured to output vertically and horizontally resized lines of image data. At any given time, some of the lines in the input buffer are scheduled using the DMA controller for replacement via DMA by lines generated by the source of video data, and some or all of the remaining lines in the input buffer are available for processing by the horizontal resizer. A sufficient number of lines are available in the intermediate buffer, such that in operation, the intermediate buffer need not introduce latency.
US08111324B2
A method for film reconstruction includes identifying motion tear artifacts within a plurality of video fields of a stream of video fields. The motion tear artifacts identified by analyzing the video fields using fuzzy logic. The method also includes comparing the analysis of one video field to the analysis of an immediately preceding video field to determine whether there is a relatively high level of motion tear artifacts within the video field or a relatively low level of motion tear artifacts within the video field. The method further includes identifying a pattern of temporal periodicity for the comparisons. The method also includes determining the cadence of the stream of video fields based on the pattern of temporal periodicity.
US08111319B2
A class of imaging systems in which the imaging optics, the sensor array and the image processing are related by three parameters: W040 the amount of third order spherical aberration, U the undersampling factor defined as the ratio of the Nyquist frequency of the sensor array divided by the diffraction-limited frequency of the imaging optics, and N the number of rows in the FIR implementation of the image processing. In one aspect, W040 is between approximately 2 and 8 waves, U is between approximately 0.05 and 0.30, and N satisfies an equation that defines the acceptable range of N as a function solely of W040 and U.
US08111310B2
An image sensor includes: a plurality of first pixels that receive a light flux having passed through an optical system and output pixel signals to be used as image signals; a plurality of second pixels that receive a light flux having passed through the optical system and output pixel signals to be used as signals other than the image signals; a plurality of first pixel rows, each of which includes an array made up with a plurality of first pixels; at least one second pixel row that includes an array made up with first pixels and second pixels; an output circuit that outputs a read signal in response to which pixel signals output at the first pixels are read out from the first pixel rows over first pixel intervals and pixel signals output at the second pixels are read out from the second pixel row over second pixel intervals, different from the first pixel intervals, the output circuit outputting externally the pixel signals having been read out; and a switching device that selects a specific pixel row, either one of the first pixel rows or the second pixel row, from which pixel signals are to be read out by the output circuit.
US08111309B2
A solid-state image pickup device having a reduced signal transfer time and a signal processing method using the solid-state image pickup device. A pixel array includes a plurality of light-receiving pixel elements and a plurality of light-blocked pixel elements. A read block reads the output signals of the plurality of light-blocked pixel elements. An AD conversion processing block includes a circuit for summing up the output signals of adjacent light-blocked pixel elements and transferring the signals of the light-blocked pixel elements in a reduced period.
US08111306B2
An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup device including plural imaging planes each having different dark current characteristics, each of the imaging planes having an effective image area and an corresponding optical black (OPB) area. The image pickup apparatus also includes a memory that stores a dark current data table including difference data between dark current values pre-measured at upper and lower areas of the effective image area of each of the imaging planes and dark current values pre-measured at corresponding upper and lower areas of the OPB area. The image pickup apparatus further includes an image processing unit to calculate estimate dark current values for the effective image area based on the dark current data table and actual dark current values measured in the OPB area for each of the imaging planes, and eliminates the dark current components for the effective imaging areas.
US08111301B2
There is provided a method of performing auto white balance including: setting a plurality of sections of a whole range of a value of each of Y, Cb, and Cr in the YCbCr color space, according to a size of each value; calculating an accumulated Y, Cb, and Cr value of pixels included in each of the plurality of sections; determining effective sections according to the number of the pixels included in each of the plurality of sections; calculating a mean Y, Cb, and Cr value of pixels included in all of the effective sections by using the accumulated Y, Cb, and Cr value of each of the effective sections; calculating a mean RGB value by converting the mean Y, Cb, and Cr value into an RGB color space; and determining an RGB color gain of a Bayer image outputted from an image sensor by using the mean RGB value.
US08111295B2
A CCD support mechanism includes a CCD holder for holding a CCD, a first printed circuit board having a first printed coil, a second printed circuit board having a second printed coil, a pair of horizontal leaf springs, and a pair of vertical leaf springs. When a camera shake occurs by hand-held shooting, a VCM composed of the first printed coil and a first stationary magnet shifts the CCD, while bending the horizontal leaf springs, to counteract the camera shake in a Y-axis direction. A VCM composed of the second printed coil and a second stationary magnet shifts the CCD, while bending the vertical leaf springs, to counteract the camera shake in an X-axis direction. Current values of the VCMs are determined by feedback control by using an output signal from a shake detector as a target value and a present position from a position detector as a measurement value.
US08111291B2
Image capture systems capable of ensuring clear images are provided, in which an image capture module senses at least one image, and an operational module performs a compensation to the image capture system according to a modulation transfer function (MTF) value corresponding to the image, such that the image capture system can be operated under an optimized total gain thereby ensuring clear images.
US08111288B2
There is provided an image processing controller capable of faithfully recreating a process of a series of image processing based upon a control program, which includes: a history buffer for extracting a result of the measurement in each processing unit, executed by the program executing section, as history information in each measurement cycle and holding the extracted result in association with the processing unit and the measurement cycle; a history buffer for extracting a camera image acquired from a camera by the program executing section during execution of a control program, as history information in each the measurement cycle and holding the extracted image in association with the measurement cycle; and a history information transferring section for transferring history information, held in the history buffers, to the PC.
US08111278B2
An image forming apparatus which performs an exposure of a plurality of line images concurrently, by scanning an image carrier with a plurality of light beams in a main scanning direction and simultaneously drives the image carrier in a sub scanning direction, the image forming apparatus having: a plurality of light sources which are driven to emit the plurality of light beams corresponding to image data; a polygon mirror configured to deflect the plurality of light beams emitted from the plurality of light sources in a main scanning direction; and a control section which determines an image formation speed and switches, based on the determined image formation speed, a control between a control of changing a number of light sources used for light emission drive and a control of changing a number of polygon mirror use-surfaces used for a scanning with the light beams in the main scanning direction.
US08111276B2
An optical scanning device deflects a light beam emitted from a light source device by a vibrating mirror, scans a scanning surface with deflected light beam, and focuses the light beam onto the scanning surface by a scanning imaging optical system. The optical scanning device includes an offset detecting unit that detects an offset that is a deviation between a center of vibration amplitude of the vibrating mirror and a center of an optical scanning area and an adjusting unit that adjusts the center of the vibration amplitude when the offset detected by the offset detecting unit is larger than a predetermined value.
US08111271B2
Methods, apparatus, and systems for generating drive sequences for pulse width modulated displays are described. A pulse width modulated signal that includes a drive sequence of temporal segments that are activated and deactivated to produce a desired gray scale. The temporal segments can be non-binary, non-equally weighted. The drive sequence can also include at least two of the temporal segments are least significant bit segments and the other segments are higher order segments.
US08111270B2
A driving device including a signal controller which receives input image data corresponding to a plurality of frame periods, outputs the input image data during a first sub-frame period of one frame period among the plurality of frame periods, and outputs impulsive data having gray-scales, which are lower than those of the input image data, during a second sub-frame period of the one frame period. The impulsive data in the frame periods in which still images are displayed comprise first gray-scales, and the impulsive data in the frame periods in which moving images are displayed comprise second gray-scales, the second gray-scale being different from the first gray-scales. A data driver converts the input image data to pixel voltages during the first sub-frame period, and converts the impulsive data to impulsive voltages during the second sub-frame period.
US08111261B1
A method for creating an appearance of texture in a computer image having the steps of introducing information into a computer from which the image is produced for each point of the image in 3D geometric space. There is the step of computing a pseudo-random hash value at each vertex of a unit cube surrounding the point of the image using six + modules and seven L modules where the L module is implement as a look-up table having 64 6 bits entries. There is the step of mapping the lower six bits from last stage L modules of a plurality of stages of modules to a fixed set of 64 gradient vectors where the set is chosen such that a length of each component of every vector of the 64 vectors is a power of two. There is the step of based on the gradient vectors, combining with the computer the contribution from each vertex into a single interpolated result to produce the point of the image with noise interpolated texture that do not have visible grid artifacts. There is the step of after all points of the image are obtained, displaying the image on a display.
US08111254B2
A depth image-based representation (DIBR) method of modeling a 3-dimensional (3D) object, by which the 3D object is expressed by depth information, color information, and camera parameters or geometry information, color information, and camera parameters. The camera parameters include position, orientation, ranges of camera view or angle (fieldOfView), front and back of a camera volume (nearPlane and farPlane) and projection information(orthographic) on whether an object is projected on a camera orthographically or perspectively, and, when at least one of modeling and rendering of a 3D object is performed, values of the camera parameters are changed in real time.
US08111247B2
A system and method changes touch screen functionality based on whether a user is detected during camera operation. A first camera generates a video signal containing a representation of at least a portion of a scene within a field of view of the first camera. A controller analyzes the video signal to determine whether one or more physical features of a user of the electronic device are present within the field of view of the first camera. A touch input device includes one or more touch points for receiving user input, each touch point being associated with controlling a respective one of a plurality of functions of the second camera. At least one of the touch points is associated with controlling a shutter function of a second camera, and a total number of touch points is dependent upon a result of the video signal analysis made by the controller.
US08111244B2
Provided are an apparatus, method, and medium for providing a user interface for file transmission. The apparatus includes a motion perception (recognition) module perceiving (recognizing) a motion input to the user interface and identifying a position of the perceived (recognized) motion; a motion execution module executing a motion corresponding to the perceived motion and the identified position of the perceived motion and modifying components of the user interface according to the executed motion; and a communication module transmitting a file to a transmission target based on the perceived motion and the identified position of the perceived motion. The components of the user interface include a file list region where a file to be transmitted is selected and the selected file is moved; a transmission target region where a transmission target to which the selected file is to be transmitted and the selected transmission target is moved; and an execution region to which the selected file and the selected transmission target are moved and in which the selected file is transmitted to the selected transmission target.
US08111238B2
A liquid crystal display device and a dimming controlling method thereof are disclosed. The liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel, a drive circuit supplying a data pulse and a gate pulse to the liquid crystal display panel, a backlight unit divided into a plurality of block including light sources, and irradiating lights of which luminescence is controlled by the blocks, respectively, a controller analyzing an input video data by the block unit, generating a block dimming value based on a result of the analyzing, repeating a low pass filtering to the block dimming value to generate a local dimming value, applying a predeterminded global dimming value to an average of the local dimming value to generate a dimming signal, and a backlight driver generating a PWM signal for controlling a luminescence of the light sources by the blocks respectively according to the dimming signal to drive the light sources by the blocks respectively.
US08111237B2
A liquid crystal display includes: a liquid crystal panel; a backlight; an image move speed detection unit that detects the move speed of a display image, which is displayed on the liquid crystal panel; a black insertion percentage setting unit that sets black insertion percentage to produce black display according to liquid crystal response on the liquid crystal panel based on the move speed of the display image detected by the image move speed detection unit; and a backlight drive circuit that changes the luminance of the backlight in response to the black insertion percentage.
US08111224B2
An organic light emitting diode display, and a display panel and driving method thereof are provided. The organic light emitting diode display includes a plurality of data lines for transmitting data signals, a plurality of scan lines for transmitting selection signals, and a plurality of pixel circuits coupled to the data lines and the scan lines. The pixel circuits include at least four emitting elements for emitting light corresponding to amount of an applied current, a light emitting element driver for outputting a data current corresponding to at least one of the data signals, and a switching unit for respectively transmitting the data current to the four emitting elements. In the display, at least two emitting elements of the four light emitting elements are formed in different places.
US08111223B2
In order to perform local dimming, a driving dimming duty cycle is generated using a target gamma curve (TGV), wherein the driving dimming duty cycle corresponds to a representative grayscale value (RGV) of each of a plurality of dimming unit areas. Each of a plurality of light unit blocks of a light source is driven based on the driving dimming duty cycle, wherein the light unit blocks correspond to the dimming unit areas, respectively. Therefore, a display apparatus may display an image having a higher contrast ratio than normal.
US08111220B2
An EL device includes a substrate having a square shape, an element-forming region provided on an upper surface of the substrate and having organic light-emitting elements, a protruding section arranged in a region between the element-forming region and an end portion of the substrate, and a protection film deposited in a region extending from the element-forming region to the end portion of the substrate and disposed so as to cover the protruding section. The protruding section is disposed in a substantially strip-like shape along at least two of four sides of the substrate.
US08111215B2
The luminance of light emitting elements varies when the characteristics thereof change due to changes in environment temperature and changes with time. It is an object of the present invention to suppress the effect of the change in current value of a light emitting element due to the changes of environment temperature and changes with time. The invention provides a display device provided with a compensation function for the changes in environment temperature and a compensation function for the change with time. The display device of the invention includes a light emitting element, a driving transistor connected to the light emitting element, and a monitoring light emitting element. By using this monitoring light emitting element, an effect of the change of current value of the light emitting element due to the change of environment temperature and change with time can be suppressed.
US08111214B2
A control circuit for an electro luminescent display in which a flyback converter and an H-bridge are used to provide a high voltage alternating current to a capacitive load from a low voltage DC source. Each time the polarity of the capacitive load is reversed, the capacitive load discharges. This high voltage discharge is stored on a low voltage capacitor and subsequently used as an auxiliary power supply to power the switching elements of the control circuit.
US08111211B2
A plasma display includes a plurality of first electrodes divided into at least two groups. In the plasma display, first group cells corresponding to first electrodes of the first group are initialized, and light emitting cells are selected from the first group cells to be sustain-discharged. In addition, second group cells corresponding to the first electrodes of the second group are initialized, and light emitting cells are selected from the second group cells to be sustain-discharged.
US08111201B2
A wireless communication device includes: a case made of a first dielectric material; a cover made of a second dielectric material which covers an outer surface of the case; a wireless communication circuit which is housed in the case; an antenna element made of a conductive material and provided on the outer surface of the case between the case and the cover, the antenna element being electrically connected to the wireless communication circuit by a connection member that penetrates the case; and an adhesive layer which is disposed between the antenna element and the case to adhere the antenna element onto the case, the adhesive layer being made of a third dielectric material.
US08111181B2
An embodiment of the invention provides a single-ended polar transmitting circuit. The single-ended polar transmitting circuit comprises a DAC, a differential-to-single-ended converter, a GmC filter and a load. The GmC filter comprises two gain stages, two filters, two switching devices, a translinear loop and a current mirror. When a second clock signal is high, a first current is conducted through the load, a second switching device and a second gain stage. When a first clock signal is high, a second current is conducted through a first switching device and the second gain stage. The first gain stage has a transconductance Gm1 and the second gain stage has a transconductance Gm2. The bandwidth of the GmC filter is approximately equal to the square root of the quantity (Gm1*Gm2)/(C1*C2). The bandwidth of the GmC filter is substantially a constant value.
US08111160B2
A radio frequency identification (RFID) card having an antenna configured to transmit data wirelessly to a remote receiver and an integrated circuit configured to transmit the data through the antenna to the remote receiver. The integrated circuit includes a transmitter section and a memory section. The memory section is configured to store the data. A power generating device is configured to supply power to the integrated circuit and a light-sensitive switch is interposed between one or more portions of the RFID card. The light-sensitive switch is configured to provide electrical coupling between the one or more portions of the RFID card when light is incident on the switch.
US08111156B2
This invention is an intruder detection system which integrates wireless sensor network and security robots. Multiple ZigBee wireless sensor modules installed in the environment can detect intruders and abnormal conditions with various sensors, and transmit alert to the monitoring center and security robot via the wireless mesh network. The robot can navigate in the environment autonomously and approach to a target place using its localization system. If any possible intruder is detected, the robot can approach to that location, and transmit images to the mobile devices of the securities and users, in order to determine the exact situation in real time.
US08111153B2
Provided are an apparatus and a method for providing position information and gathering information using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). The apparatus includes: a plurality of RFID tags, driven by a radio frequency transmitted from an RFID reader installed in the vehicle, for providing stored tag information in order to provide current position information to the vehicle; a plurality of sensor nodes for sensing the time point when the RFID tags are driven and transmitting the sensed information through a sensor network; and an information gathering server for gathering and processing the information sensed by the sensor nodes, where at least two RFID tags and one sensor node are configured in groups, and the groups are installed at predetermined intervals on each lane of a road.
US08111152B2
A relative positioning system and method has an adjoining pair of spaced apart receivers positioned proximal to an object causing a signal interference with a radio frequency signal detectable by each receiver of the adjoining pair. The radio frequency signal is associated with an emitter. Control electronics operatively couple the spaced apart receivers. The control electronics are configured to determine a direction of the emitter based on the signal interference. In an embodiment of the system and method the emitter is associated with an object of interest, the signal encodes information relating to the identity and status of the object, and information and heading of the object are cutaneously communicated to an operator by an article worn by the operator.
US08111148B2
A wireless electrically isolated plug-n-play communications system for branch circuit breakers. The system providing means for automatically connecting the wireless electrically isolated communication system between the branch circuit breaker and a communications strip as the branch circuit breaker is being installed in the load center.
US08111144B2
A mobile device, through the use of an NFC subsystem, may determine holster-proximity information, i.e., whether the mobile device is near to (including in) a holster or out of, and away from, the holster. The holster-proximity information may be used by the mobile device to enter into a user-inactive mode. Such entry into a user-inactive mode may involve disabling user interface components, such as input devices and output devices. In particular, the holster-proximity information may be used by the mobile device to disable the keyboard, that is, prevent presses on keys in the keyboard from being recorded. Such disabling may be considered of particular importance when the mobile device is going into and coming out of the holster.
US08111143B2
An assembly for monitoring an environment includes a RFID tag and a sensing unit. The sensing unit is configured to be activated by a RF signal received by the RFID tag and to sense information regarding an environment.
US08111141B1
Systems and methods provide for determining a distance between a signpost and a tag and for locating a tag using multiple signposts. The system uses a signal received at a tag from a signpost, and from them measures the signal strength of the signal with respect to one or more antennas on the tag. The system calculates an RSSI using the measured signal strength, from which a distance can be determined between the signpost and the tag. The system also uses signals received from multiple signposts, to measure multiple signal strengths, resulting in multiple distance determinations corresponding to the various signposts, thereby establishing a location for the tag.
US08111139B2
An arrangement for monitoring the switching state of a switch has a monitoring circuit that monitors a circuit containing a first switch. The monitoring circuit has RFID electronics and a second switch. An outlet of the RFID electronics is connected in series with an RFID antenna, and the second switch is connected to an input of the RFID electronics, such that the second switch opens or closes the monitoring circuit dependent on the switching state thereof. The first and second switches are coupled to each other so that the switching state of the second switch is controlled as a function of the switching state of the first switch, so the switching state of the second switch represents the switching state of the first switch. An RFID reading device is within range of the RFID antenna, and feeds a query signal via the RFID antenna into the monitoring circuit to determine the representative switching state of the first switch via the switching state of the second switch.
US08111138B2
Passive tags use two antennas with only limited mutual coupling one of which receives a power/clock field and the other of which receives a data signal. An area-reading antenna, or two or more antennas, are deployed to generate the power/clock field, from a base station. The base station, or active tags, or both, generate the data signals from time to time. This topology together with the use of low frequencies permits area reads, and permits small and economical passive tags, and further permits localization of a particular passive tag as being nearby to a particular active tag.
US08111131B2
Programmable occupancy sensors that control the on/off operation of a fluorescent lamp automatically determine loss of lamp life as the lamp is used. The programmable occupancy sensors can provide lamp life status and can automatically alert a user when a lamp is nearing its end of life and should be replaced. The occupancy sensors are also programmable to automatically maximize lamp life and energy savings by selecting an optimal time delay from among a number of selectable time delays at which to operate the sensor. The selection is based on an occupancy pattern sensed by the sensor over a given period of time. The optimal time delay, which prevents the lamp from turning off immediately after last sensing occupancy, extends lamp life by limiting the number of lamp off/on transitions, which shortens lamp life, in view of overall energy usage and lamp usage.
US08111128B2
A method for arranging a plurality of thermally isolated microstructures over at least one cavity, each of the microstructures housing at least part of a thermally-trimmable resistor, the thermally-trimmable resistor having at least a functional resistor, the method comprising: providing pairs of facing microstructures; grouping together sets of pairs of facing microstructures, each of the sets having at least one pair of facing microstructures; and arranging microstructures within a given set to have each microstructure exposed to heat from a same number of facing, side, and diagonal neighbors of microstructures from a same resistor.
US08111126B2
An over-current protection device comprises a PTC material layer, a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, a first side electrode and a second side electrode. The PTC material layer is sandwiched between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. The first side electrode and the second side electrode are respectively disposed on two opposite side surfaces of the PTC material layer, and are respectively connected to the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. Furthermore, the first side electrode and the second side electrode are respectively extended to four surfaces adjacent and perpendicular to the two side surfaces.
US08111117B2
An electromagnetic relay includes an electromagnetic block formed by winding a coil around an iron core and a frame shaped card. One end portion of the frame-shaped card is engaged with a movable iron piece that is rotated by being attracted to and separated from a magnetic pole portion of the iron core based on excitation and non-excitation of the electromagnetic block. The electromagnetic relay also includes a contact mechanism portion configured to be driven by the other end portion of the frame-shaped card that makes a reciprocating movement so as to open/close contacts and a pair of protrusions protrusively provided on the same shaft center inside of the one end portion of the frame-shaped card. Both side edge portions of the movable iron piece are held by the one end portion of the card and the protrusions. An adjustment opening is provided between the pair of protrusions.
US08111112B2
A semiconductor device has a first coil structure formed over the substrate. A second coil structure is formed over the substrate adjacent to the first coil structure. A third coil structure is formed over the substrate adjacent to the second coil structure. The first and second coil structures are coupled by mutual inductance, and the second and third coil structures are coupled by mutual inductance. The first, second, and third coil structures each have a height greater than a skin current depth of the coil structure defined as a depth which current reduces to 1/(complex permittivity) of a surface current value. In the case of copper, the coil structures have a height greater than 5 micrometers.The first, second, and third coil structures are arranged in rounded or polygonal pattern horizontally across the substrate with a substantially flat vertical profile.
US08111111B2
Device (5) comprising controlled matching stages (10) for matching second stages such as antenna stages (2) to first stages such as power amplifier stages (1) get a simple construction by providing the controlled matching stages (10) with deriving means (11) for deriving first signals and second signals from output signals of the first stages, with detecting means (12) for detecting phases between the first signals and the second signals, and with controlling means (13) for controlling adjustable impedance networks (14) in response to said detecting for said matching. The deriving means (11) comprise elements (21) such as passive elements such as inductors and capacitors, with the first signals being the output signals and the second signals being derived via the elements (21). The detecting means (12) comprise phase detectors (22-24) made of first and second limiters (22,23) for limiting the first and second signals and mixers (24) for mixing the limited first and second signals. The controlling means (13) comprise analog-to-digital converters (25) such as limiters and digital circuits (26) such as up-down counters.
US08111104B2
Biasing methods and devices for power amplifiers are described. The described methods and devices use the power amplifier output voltage to generate bias voltages. The bias voltages are obtained using rectifiers and voltage dividers. The described biasing methods and devices can be used with class-E power amplifiers.
US08111102B2
An auto gain controller is provided. The auto gain controller includes a variable gain amplification unit configured to receive differential input signals, adjust an amplification gain based on an auto gain control voltage and output differential output signals. The auto gain controller also includes a peak detector configured to detect at least one peak value among the amplified differential output signals, a comparator configured to compare the at least one detected peak value with a reference voltage and generate a comparison signal, and a voltage adjusting circuit configured to adjust the auto gain control voltage and the reference voltage based on the comparison signal.
US08111100B1
The present invention covers novel approaches to the differential amplification of an input signal. Embodiments of the present invention have precise gain, swing to within micro-volts (μV) of ground, and have high CMRR without the need for precision resistors or tuned potentiometers. Embodiments of the present invention are particularly suited for the amplification of an instrumentation signal for delivery to an analog-to-digital converter. Examples of such signals include the product of a strain-gauge front end, a temperature sensor front end, and certain devices for bioelectronics detection. Embodiments of the present invention which are systems for amplification of a differential input signal can comprise a differential input stage transconducing a differential voltage input signal into a single-ended intermediate current signal using a follower transconductance amplifier, and a single-ended output stage comprising an amplifier producing an output voltage across a resistor network that forms a negative feedback network of the amplifier.
US08111092B2
A digital data register is disclosed that provides setup and hold timing on the pre-register side, clock centering on the post-register side, and constant propagation delay time over variations in process, supply voltage and temperature (PVT) using a novel means to generate and distribute the clock signal. These features allow the register to be used in applications operating at clock frequencies in excess of 800 MHz.
US08111087B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes an n-channel spin FET including one of a magnetic tunnel junction and a magneto-semiconductor junction, the n-channel spin FET including a gate terminal to receive an input signal, a source terminal to receive a first power supply potential, and a drain terminal connected to an output terminal, a p-channel FET including a gate terminal to receive a clock signal, a source terminal to receive a second power supply potential, and a drain terminal connected to the output terminal, a subsequent circuit connected to the output terminal, and a control circuit which turns on the p-channel FET to start charging the output terminal, then turns off the p-channel FET to end the charging, and supplies the input signal to the gate terminal of the n-channel spin FET.
US08111085B2
It is desired to reduce the current consumption of an autonomous impedance adjustment circuit. The semiconductor integrated circuit according to the present invention stops the change in the drive capability of a driver correspondingly to the output (count data) of a comparator which is sequentially outputted for changing the drive capability of a replica driver and an output driver.
US08111084B2
An impedance calibration circuit includes: a first calibration unit configured to compare a first converted voltage obtained by converting a first calibration signal with a reference voltage and vary the first calibration signal; a voltage detection unit configured to activate a voltage detection signal according to a level of a power supply voltage; a multiplexing unit configured to select and output the reference voltage or the first converted voltage in response to the detection signal; and a second calibration unit configured to compare a second converted voltage obtained by converting a second calibration signal with the level of the output signal of the multiplexing unit and vary the second calibration signal.
US08111080B2
An improved knee probe for probing electrical devices and circuits is provided. The improved knee probe has a reduced thickness section to alter the mechanical behavior of the probe when contact is made. The reduced thickness section of the probe makes it easier to deflect the probe vertically when contact is made. This increased ease of vertical deflection tends to reduce the horizontal contact force component responsible for the scrub motion, thereby decreasing scrub length. Here “thickness” is the probe thickness in the deflection plane of the probe (i.e., the plane in which the probe knee lies). The reduced thickness probe section provides increased design flexibility for controlling scrub motion, especially in combination with other probe parameters affecting the scrub motion.
US08111073B2
A testing device (100) includes a main body (20) for supplying power to an electronic product including a space capable of assembling a battery therein, and a housing (10). The main body includes a fixing member (22) and a moving member (24) movable relative to the fixing member. The housing includes a plurality of supporting posts (14) for supporting the main body and at least one driving post (18) for driving the moving member to move relative to the fixing member. When the testing device is in standby mode, a length of the main body is shorter than that of the battery of the electronic product; when the testing device is performing its testing process, the length of the main body is equal to that of the battery of the electronic product.
US08111069B2
A magnetic resonance system has a basic magnet system that generates a temporally static, spatially homogeneous basic magnetic field in an examination volume of the magnetic resonance system, and a radio-frequency system. An overlay system generates overlay fields in the examination volume that, together with the basic field, form a complete field. The overlay system has at least one first order field system and at least one second order field system. The first order field system generates fields that, to a first approximation, exhibit a spatial dependency of the first order. The second order field system generates fields that, to a first approximation, exhibit a spatial dependency of the second order. A control device operates the radio-frequency system with an operating frequency and controls the first and second order field systems to cause a deviation between the complete field and a desired gradient to exhibit a spatial dependency of the second order and to satisfy a minimum condition within a correction volume.
US08111068B2
A method and system for improving image quality by correcting errors introduced by rotational motion of an object being imaged is provided. The object is associated with a fiducial mark. The method provides a computer executable methodology for detecting a rotation and selectively reordering, deleting and/or reacquiring projection data.
US08111058B2
A reference voltage generating circuit in a semiconductor memory apparatus comprises a driving control signal generating unit configured to generate a driving control signal according to a temperature variation, wherein the driving control signal generating unit is enabled in response to a power-up signal, a driving unit configured to control a voltage level, which is applied to a voltage transfer node, in response to the power-up signal and the driving control signal, and a reference voltage generating unit configured to generate a reference voltage when a voltage level on the voltage transfer node is higher than a predetermined voltage level.
US08111056B2
A converter device which is configured by connecting three converter circuits in parallel is provided between a secondary battery serving as a first power supply and a fuel cell serving as a second power supply. Two differential ammeters are placed on three reactors corresponding to the three converter circuits. A control unit includes a passing electric power calculation module which calculates electric power passing through the converter device on the basis of detected values of the two differential ammeters, an electric power equalization module which performs equalization of passing electric power between the respective converter circuits which constitute the converter device, a module for changing the number of drive phases which changes the number of drive phases of the converter device in response to the passing electric power, and a voltage conversion control module which controls the converter device and executes a desired voltage conversion.
US08111051B2
An output monitoring comparator outputs an ON signal when an output voltage becomes lower than a reference voltage. A pulse modulator generates a pulse signal at a predetermined level, an ON time-period from when the ON signal is outputted. A driver circuit alternately turns ON, after a dead time, a switching transistor and a synchronous rectification transistor, based on the pulse signal. A light load mode detector compares a switching voltage at a connection point of the switching transistor and the synchronous rectification transistor, and ground potential, and at timing at which the ON signal is outputted from the output monitoring comparator, when the switching voltage is higher than the ground potential, nullifies the ON signal.
US08111041B2
A power reception device transmits authentication information (e.g., start code, manufacturer ID, product ID, rated power information, and resonance characteristic information) to a power transmission device before starting normal power transmission by a non-contact power transmission system. The power transmission device performs instrument authentication based on the received authentication information, and regulates the maximum transmission power is regulated to conform to a power-reception-device side rated power. The power transmission device then performs normal power transmission.
US08111037B2
A method is provided for determining a battery's state-of-health. An initial battery voltage is measured after a first voltage drop during an initiation of an engine cranking phase. A battery voltage is monitored during the remainder of the engine cranking phase. A lowest battery voltage is determined during the remainder of the engine cranking phase. A determination is made if a voltage difference between the lowest battery voltage and the initial battery voltage at the initiation of the engine cranking phase is less than a voltage threshold. A low battery state-of-health is identified in response to the voltage difference being less than the voltage threshold.
US08111019B2
A sensing type control circuit for an electronic apparatus is provided. An output unit is coupled between an external power source and the electronic apparatus and provides varied power supply to the electronic apparatus according to a control signal. A switch is coupled between the external power source and the output unit and disconnects or connects the external power source. A control unit receives a sensing signal and generates the control signal to the output unit according to the received signal. A sensing unit includes a sensing device and senses an external variation, wherein the sensing unit generates the sensing signal to the control unit when the sensing device senses an excitation.
US08111001B2
An LED package containing integrated circuitry for matching a power source voltage to the LED operating voltage, LEDs containing such integrated circuitry, systems containing such packages, and methods for matching the source and operating voltages are described. The integrated circuitry typically contains a power converter and a constant current circuit. The LED package may also contain other active or passive components such as pin-outs for integrated or external components, a transformer and rectifier, or a rectifier circuit. External components can include control systems for regulating the LED current level or the properties of light emitted by the LED. Integrating the power supply and current control components into the LED can provide for fabrication of relatively small LEDs using fewer and less device-specific components.
US08111000B2
The invention describes a method for operation of a mercury vapour discharge lamp (1) in an image rendering system (30), wherein during a total operation time necessary for the presentation of an image content (C), the lamp (1) is deliberately operated in a saturated operating regime at least over a part of the total operation time according to a brightness parameter (BP) of the content (C), in which saturated operating regime mercury is condensed in an arc tube (2) of the lamp (1), and, at least over another part of the operation time, the lamp (1) is driven in an unsaturated operating regime, in which essentially the entire mercury evaporates. Thereby, the duration of the operation periods in the saturated and the unsaturated operation regime are chosen so that no significant blackening of the walls of the arc tube (2) arises during the total operation time of the lamp. The invention describes further an appropriate operation controller (27) for operation of a mercury vapour discharge lamp in an image rendering system (30) according to this method. Moreover a method for driving such an image rendering system and an appropriate image rendering system are described.
US08110986B2
A dispersion-type EL element formed on a thin or flexible transparent plastic film and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The dispersion-type electroluminescent element is a dispersion-type electroluminescent element with at least a transparent conductive layer, a phosphor layer, a dielectric layer, and a rear electrode layer sequentially formed on a transparent plastic film surface, in which a thickness of the transparent plastic film is less than 50 μm, and the transparent conductive layer is formed by applying compression processing to an applied layer formed by applying a transparent conductive layer forming application liquid mainly composed of conductive oxide particles and a binder on the transparent plastic film surface and then, curing the compressed layer.
US08110983B2
To provide a method of improving an efficiency for extracting light in a self light-emitting device using an organic EL material. In the self light-emitting device having a structure in which an EL layer (102) is sandwiched between a transparent electrode (103) and a cathode (101), a film thickness of the EL layer (102) and a film thickness of the transparent electrode (102) are equivalent to the film thicknesses in which there is no occurrence of a guided light, and an inert gas is filled in a space between the transparent electrode (103) and a cover material (105).
US08110981B2
Provided is an organic light-emitting display apparatus with improved contrast. The organic light-emitting display apparatus includes: a substrate; an organic light-emitting device on the substrate, the organic light-emitting device including a first electrode, a second electrode, and an organic light-emitting layer between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a pixel define layer on the first electrode, the pixel define layer including an opening through which the first electrode is exposed and having a black color, wherein the organic light-emitting layer and the second electrode are sequentially disposed on a portion of the first electrode exposed through the opening, and the second electrode includes indium oxide doped with a metal or metal oxide.
US08110978B2
The present invention provides a display device including: a pair of substrates in which a plurality of pixels are disposed in a matrix form as a whole, the pixels being configured with pixels corresponding to R (red), G (green), or B (blue), and the pixels corresponding to the R, G, or B having size different from each other; a self-luminous photo-emission element formed in a region corresponding to each of the pixels, on one of the pair of substrates; and a black matrix layer formed in a region corresponding to among the pixels, on the other of the pair of substrates. Formula (1) and formula (2) are satisfied, or formula (1) and formula (3) are satisfied.
US08110973B2
An integrally ballasted lamp assembly (200) including a spacer disk (220) disposed in a lamp receptacle cavity (244) between a lamp (226) and the bottom (238) of the lamp receptacle (214). The disk (220) may be configured to contact connector clips (216, 218) coupled to the bottom (238) of the lamp receptacle to positively align the clips (216, 218) for connection to a ballast circuit disposed on a PCB (212). The disk (220) may also, or alternatively, at least partially occlude connector clip openings (402, 404) in the bottom (238) of the lamp receptacle (214) for hindering the flow of uncured cement (902) through the openings (402, 404), and may also, or alternatively, provide a thermal barrier between the lamp (226) and the lamp receptacle (214).
US08110971B2
A light emitting element of the present invention includes an electrode substrate; a thin-film electrode; and an electron acceleration layer sandwiched between the electrode substrate and the thin-film electrode. In the electron acceleration layer, as a result of a voltage applied between the electrode substrate and the thin-film electrode, electrons are accelerated so as to be turned into hot electrons. The hot electrons excite surfaces of the silicon fine particles contained in the electron acceleration layer so that the surfaces of the silicon fine particles emit light. Such a light emitting element of the present invention is a novel light emitting element, which has not been achieved by the conventional techniques. That is, the light emitting element of the present invention is able to (i) be produced by using a silicon material, which is available at low price, through a simple production method, and (ii) efficiently emit light.
US08110968B2
The present invention relates to an irradiation device having a radiation source and a filter which is arranged in the optical path and has two transparent filter disks which are substantially arranged in parallel with each other and which are held with their surrounding edges in a frame made of a material of good heat conduction, the filter disks and the frame defining a closed cavity which has provided therein a medium which selectively influences the radiation spectrum. In order to improve an irradiation device such that a degassing of the medium is prevented during heating and the filter disks do not deform as the pressure increases, provision is made for the cavity to be in the form of a pressure chamber, so that during operation of the irradiation device overpressure prevails in the cavity, and for the filter disks to be made of glass ceramic or mineral glass, wherein the filter disk which is arranged closer to the radiation source is in the form of a safety device such that it is more susceptible to breaking than the filter disk which is further away from the radiation source.
US08110967B2
A spherical rotary piezoelectric motor comprises a spherical rotor, a hemispherical stator, and a plurality of piezoelectric actuators. The hemispherical stator comprises an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface forms a hemispherical hollow portion which substantially corresponds to the spherical rotor so as to contain a portion of the spherical rotor. The plurality of piezoelectric actuators is arranged on the inner surface (or the outer surface) of the hemispherical stator respectively so as to drive the hemispherical stator. The hemispherical stator generates traveling waves with a resultant elliptical motion, so the spherical rotor can be rotated accordingly with at least one degree of freedom.
US08110959B2
A method for producing a core and a method for producing an electrical machine. Said core has a body of soft magnetic material having a plurality of teeth and at least one magnetic flux cross section area enlarging element being made from a composite of a soft magnetic powder and a binder, said magnetic flux area enlarging element being arranged onto a tooth of said body.
US08110952B2
To provide a rotating electric machine capable of accurate detection of coil temperature by causing refrigerant to flow so as not to contact a temperature detecting element provided on a coil end portion. A rotating electric machine (10) comprises: a cylindrical stator core (12); coils (16) wound around a plurality of teeth (14) projecting from an inner circumferential surface of the stator core (12) and having coil end portions (18) protruding beyond respective end portions in an axial direction of the stator core (12); a cooling part (50) to cool the coil (16) by dropping refrigerant onto the coil end portions (18); and a temperature detecting element (30) placed in contact with the coil end portion (18), for detecting coil temperature. The temperature detecting element (30) is provided so as not to directly contact the refrigerant flowing on the coil end portion.
US08110948B2
A power conversion apparatus includes an interfacing circuit that enables a current source inverter to operate from a voltage energy storage device (voltage source), such as a battery, ultracapacitor or fuel cell. The interfacing circuit, also referred to as a voltage-to-current converter, transforms the voltage source into a current source that feeds a DC current to a current source inverter. The voltage-to-current converter also provides means for controlling and maintaining a constant DC bus current that supplies the current source inverter. The voltage-to-current converter also enables the current source inverter to charge the voltage energy storage device, such as during dynamic braking of a hybrid electric vehicle, without the need of reversing the direction of the DC bus current.
US08110935B2
An apparatus for converting wave energy into electrical energy includes a wave power generation unit including a frame and float guides. A wave power generation float is joined to the float guides for vertical motion in response to the wave energy. The wave power generation float includes at least one wave power conversion module. The wave power conversion module includes a module case and an air sealing tube formed in the module case for generally preventing fluids from entering the module case. A power transmission cable transmits electrical energy where one end of the power transmission cable passes through the air sealing tube and is joined to the frame. A cable reel winds and unwinds the power transmission cable. A power transmission drive translates a bidirectional rotation of an input shaft into a unidirectional rotation. A generator generates electrical energy in response to the unidirectional rotation.
US08110931B2
A wafer defines a plurality of chips arranged in array manner. Each chip includes at least one aluminum pad and a middle material. The middle material covers the aluminum pad and is mounted on the aluminum pad.
US08110919B2
A package includes a thermal interface member which includes a bulk layer and a surface layer that is disposed on at least a portion of a surface of the bulk layer. The surface layer is highly thermally conductive, has a melting point exceeding a solder reflow temperature, and has a maximum cross-sectional thickness of less than about 10 microns.
US08110917B2
A package substrate 310 incorporating a substrate provided with a conductor layer 5, a conductive connecting pin 100 arranged to establish the electrical connection with a motherboard and secured to the surface of the substrate, wherein a pad 16 for securing the conductive connecting pin is provided for the package substrate 310. The pad 16 is covered with an organic resin insulating layer 15 having an opening 18 through which the pad 16 is partially exposed to the outside. The conductive connecting pin 100 is secured to the pad exposed to the outside through the opening with a conductive adhesive agent 17 so that solution of the conductive connecting pin 100 from the substrate occurring, for example when mounting is performed is prevented.
US08110915B2
An RF semiconductor package includes a substrate having generally planar top and bottom surfaces. The substrate includes a metallic base region and one or more metallic signal terminal regions extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, and an insulative material separating the metallic regions from one another. The bottom surface of an RF semiconductor die is surface-mounted to the base region at the top substrate surface. The RF semiconductor die has a terminal pad disposed at a top surface of the RF semiconductor die. The terminal pad is electrically connected to one of the signal terminal regions at the top substrate surface. A lid is attached to the top substrate surface so that the RF semiconductor die is enclosed by the lid to form an open-cavity around the RF semiconductor die. The base and signal terminal regions are configured for surface-mounting at the bottom substrate surface.
US08110911B2
A first wiring pattern is formed on a surface of a first support plate; a semiconductor chip is disposed on the first wiring pattern; and electrode terminals of the semiconductor chip are electrically connected to the first wiring pattern at required positions. Post electrodes connected to a second wiring pattern of a wiring-added post electrode component integrally connected by a second support plate are collectively fixed and electrically connected to the first wiring pattern formed on the first support plate at predetermined positions. After sealing with resin, the first and second support plates are separated; a glass substrate is affixed on a front face side; and external electrodes connected to the second wiring pattern are formed on a back face side.
US08110908B2
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing a substrate having a substrate cavity; mounting a bottom flip chip die below the substrate; mounting an internal integrated circuit die above the substrate; filling between the internal integrated circuit die and the substrate and between the bottom flip chip die and the substrate with a substance filling through the substrate cavity; and encapsulating the internal integrated circuit die with an encapsulation.
US08110899B2
An apparatus including a first die including a plurality of conductive through substrate vias (TSVs); and a plurality of second dice each including a plurality of contact points coupled to the TSVs of the first die, the plurality of second dice arranged to collectively include a surface area approximating a surface area of the first die. A method including arranging a plurality of second dice on a first die such that collectively the plurality of second dice include a surface area approximating the surface area of the first die; and electrically coupling a plurality of second device to a plurality of the first die. A system including an electronic appliance including a printed circuit board and a module, the module including a first die including a plurality of TSVs; and the plurality of second dice arranged to collectively include a surface area approximating the surface area of the first die.
US08110891B2
Methods for forming dielectric layers, and structures and devices resulting from such methods, and systems that incorporate the devices are provided. The invention provides an aluminum oxide/silicon oxide laminate film formed by sequentially exposing a substrate to an organoaluminum catalyst to form a monolayer over the surface, remote plasmas of oxygen and nitrogen to convert the organoaluminum layer to a porous aluminum oxide layer, and a silanol precursor to form a thick layer of silicon dioxide over the porous oxide layer. The process provides an increased rate of deposition of the silicon dioxide, with each cycle producing a thick layer of silicon dioxide of about 120 Å over the layer of porous aluminum oxide.
US08110890B2
A semiconductor device including reentrant isolation structures and a method for making such a device. A preferred embodiment comprises a substrate of semiconductor material forming at least one isolation structure having a reentrant profile and isolating one or more adjacent operational components. The reentrant profile of the at least one isolation structure is formed of substrate material and is created by ion implantation, preferably using oxygen ions applied at a number of different angles and energy levels. In another embodiment the present invention is a method of forming an isolation structure for a semiconductor device performing at least one oxygen ion implantation.
US08110878B2
There is provided a technology which allows improvements in manufacturing yield and product reliability in a semiconductor device having a triple well structure. A shallow p-type well is formed in a region different from respective regions in a p-type substrate where a deep n-type well, a shallow p-type well, and a shallow n-type well are formed. A p-type diffusion tap formed in the shallow p-type well is wired to a p-type diffusion tap formed in a shallow n-type well in the deep n-type well using an interconnection in a second layer. The respective gate electrodes of an nMIS and a pMIS each formed in the deep n-type well are coupled to the respective drain electrodes of an nMIS and a pMIS each formed in the substrate using an interconnection in a second or higher order layer.
US08110875B2
A structure for dissipating charge during fabrication of an integrated circuit. The structure includes: a substrate contact in a semiconductor substrate; one or more wiring levels over the substrate; one or more electrically conductive charge dissipation structures extending from a top surface of an uppermost wiring level of the one or more wiring levels through each lower wiring level of the one or more wiring levels to and in electrical contact with the substrate contact; and circuit structures in the substrate and in the one or more wiring layers, the charge dissipation structures not electrically contacting any the circuit structures in any of the one or more wiring levels, the one or more charge dissipation structures dispersed between the circuit structures.
US08110872B2
A semiconductor device includes a transistor, a conductive pad, and a contact. The conductive pad is electrically connected to the transistor. The conductive pad may include, but is not limited to, a first region and a second region. The contact is electrically connected to the conductive pad. At least a main part of the first region overlaps the transistor in plan view. At least a main part of the second region does not overlap the transistor in plan view. At least a main part of the contact overlaps the second region in plan view. The at least main part of the contact does not overlap the first region in plan view. The at least main part of the contact does not overlap the transistor in plan view.
US08110871B2
The semiconductor device includes an active region, a recess, a Fin channel region, a gate insulating film, and a gate electrode. The active region is defined by a device isolation structure formed in a semiconductor substrate. The recess is formed by etching the active region and its neighboring device isolation structure using an island shaped recess gate mask as an etching mask. The Fin channel region is formed on the semiconductor substrate at a lower part of the recess. The gate insulating film is formed over the active region including the Fin channel region and the recess. The gate electrode is formed over the gate insulating film to fill up the Fin channel region and the recess.
US08110869B2
A semiconductor power device supported on a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type with a bottom layer functioning as a bottom electrode and an epitaxial layer overlying the bottom layer with a same conductivity type as the bottom layer. The semiconductor power device includes a plurality of FET cells and each cell further includes a body region of a second conductivity type extending from a top surface into the epitaxial layer. The body region encompasses a heavy body dopant region of second conductivity type. An insulated gate is disposed on the top surface of the epitaxial layer, overlapping a first portion of the body region. A barrier control layer is disposed on the top surface of the epitaxial layer next to the body region away from the insulated gate. A conductive layer overlies the top surface of the epitaxial layer covering a second portion of the body region and the heavy body dopant region extending over the barrier control layer forming a Schottky junction diode.
US08110867B2
A semiconductor device includes a device isolation insulating film which is buried in a semiconductor substrate, a gate insulation film which is provided on the semiconductor substrate, a gate electrode which is provided on the gate insulation film, a source region and a drain region which are provided in the semiconductor substrate and spaced apart from each other in a manner to sandwich the gate electrode, both end portions of each of the source region and the drain region being offset from the device isolation insulating film in a channel width direction by a predetermined distance, and first and second gate electrode extension portions which are provided in a manner to cover both end portions of each of the source region and the drain region in a channel length direction.
US08110862B2
A structure and a method for fabrication of the structure use a capacitor trench for a trench capacitor and a resistor trench for a trench resistor. The structure is typically a semiconductor structure. In a first instance, the capacitor trench has a linewidth dimension narrower than the resistor trench. The trench linewidth difference provides an efficient method for fabricating the trench capacitor and the trench resistor. In a second instance, the trench resistor comprises a conductor material at a periphery of the resistor trench and a resistor material at a central portion of the resistor trench.
US08110859B2
A photoelectric conversion device includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion units each generating charges corresponding to light, an element isolation portion which electrically isolates the plurality of photoelectric conversion units, and an antireflection portion which is arranged to prevent reflection of light, which has entered the element isolation portion from above the element isolation portion, only on a bottom face of the element isolation portion or only on the bottom face and a lower part of a side face of the element isolation portion. In addition, a first semiconductor region is arranged below the element isolation portion. A refractive index of the antireflection portion takes a value between a refractive index of the element isolation portion and a refractive index of the first semiconductor region.
US08110857B2
A low noise (1/f) junction field effect transistor (JFET) is disclosed, wherein multiple implants push a conduction path of the transistor away from the surface of a layer upon which the transistor is formed. In this manner, current flow in the conduction path is less likely to be disturbed by defects that may exist at the surface of the layer, thereby mitigating (1/f) noise.
US08110855B2
An array with cells that have adjacent similar structures that are displaced from each other across a common cell border in a direction that is not perpendicular to the cell border thus avoiding an across cell border design rule violation between the adjacent similar structures. A method of forming reduced area memory arrays by displacing adjacent similar structures along a common cell border. A method of building arrays using conventional array building software by forming unit pairs with cells that are not identical and are not mirror images or rotated versions of each other.
US08110853B2
A semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a first transistor on the semiconductor substrate, and a guard ring on the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate includes a top substrate surface which defines a reference direction perpendicular to the top substrate surface. The guard ring includes a semiconductor material doped with a doping polarity. A first doping profile of a first doped transistor region of the first transistor in the reference direction and a second doping profile of a first doped guard-ring region of the guard ring in the reference direction are essentially a same doping profile. The guard ring forms a closed loop around the first transistor.
US08110852B2
A finger length a1 of a transistor P11 is longer than a finger length A1 of a transistor P1, and a finger length b1 of a transistor N11 is longer than a finger length B1 of a transistor N1. The finger length b1 of the transistor N11 is shorter than the finger length A1 of the transistor P1, and the relation: a1>A1>b1>B1 is established. In a relation between an I/O section and a logic circuit section, as for MOS transistor of the same conductive type, a finger length of a MOS transistor constituting the logic circuit section is set so as to be longer than a finger length of a MOS transistor constituting the I/O section.
US08110848B2
The substrate is used for opto-electric or electrical devices and comprises a layer of nitride grown by means of vapor phase epitaxy growth wherein both main surfaces of the nitride substrate are substantially consisting of non N-polar face and N-polar face respectively and the dislocation density of the substrate is 5×105/cm2 or less. Therefore, the template type substrate has a good dislocation density and a good value of FWHM of the X-ray rocking curve from (0002) plane less than 80, so that the resulting template type substrate is very useful for the epitaxy substrate from gaseous phase such as MOCVD, MBE and HVPE, resulting in possibility of making good opto-electric devices such as Laser Diode and large-output LED and good electric devices such as MOSFET.
US08110846B2
Semiconductor devices and methods for making such devices are provided. One such method may include forming a transparent diamond layer having a SiC layer coupled thereto, where the SiC layer has a crystal structure that is substantially epitaxially matched to the transparent diamond layer, forming epitaxially a plurality of semiconductor layers on the SiC layer, and coupling a diamond substrate to at least one of the plurality of semiconductor layers such that the diamond support is oriented parallel to the transparent diamond layer. In one aspect such a method may further include electrically coupling at least one of a p-type electrode or an n-type electrode to at least one of the plurality of semiconductor layers.
US08110845B2
The application is related to a method of forming a substrate of a light-emitting diode by composite electroplating. The application illustrates a light-emitting diode comprising the following elements: a light-emitting epitaxy structure, a reflective layer disposed on the light-emitting epitaxy structure, a seed layer disposed on the reflective layer, a composite electroplating substrate disposed on the seed layer by composite electroplating, and a protection layer disposed on the composite electroplating substrate.
US08110843B2
Provided is a light emitting element, a light emitting device including the same, and fabrication methods of the light emitting element and light emitting device. The light emitting device comprises a substrate, a light emitting structure including a first conductive layer of a first conductivity type, a light emitting layer, and a second conductive layer of a second conductivity type which are sequentially stacked, a first electrode which is electrically connected with the first conductive layer; and a second electrode which is electrically connected with the second conductive layer and separated apart from the first electrode, wherein at least a part of the second electrode is connected from a top of the light emitting structure, through a sidewall of the light emitting structure, and to a sidewall of the substrate.
US08110838B2
Light-emitting devices (e.g., LEDs) and methods associated with such devices are provided. In some embodiments, the device includes a distribution of light-generating portions (including active regions) that are spatially localized and separated (e.g., horizontally or vertically) from one or more patterned light extraction portions. This arrangement can allow light generated by the device to propagate and pass through regions of low absorption (e.g., light-extraction portions) rather than in regions of high absorption (e.g., light-generating portions), which can enhance light emission.
US08110836B2
A semiconductor is provided with: a silicon substrate 2a of a first conductivity type, including a first surface S1a and a second surface S2a; a silicon layer 4a of a second conductivity type, arranged on the first surface S1a of the silicon substrate 2a, including a third surface S3a opposite a junction surface with the silicon substrate 2a; a first electrode 12a arranged on the second surface S2a; a second electrode 14a arranged on the third surface S3a; and an argon added area 6a formed in a semiconductor area formed of the silicon substrate 2a and the silicon layer 4a. The argon added area 6a includes an area indicating an argon concentration of a minimum of 1×1018 cm−3 and a maximum of 2×1020 cm−3.
US08110820B2
A multipurpose ion implanter beam line configuration constructed for enabling implantation of common monatomic dopant ion species and cluster ions, the beam line configuration having a mass analyzer magnet defining a pole gap of substantial width between ferromagnetic poles of the magnet and a mass selection aperture, the analyzer magnet sized to accept art ion beam from a slot-form ion source extraction aperture of at least about 80 mm height and at least about 7 mm width, and to produce dispersion at the mass selection aperture in a plane corresponding to the width of the beam, the mass selection aperture capable of being set to a mass-selection width sized to select a beam of the cluster ions of the same dopant species but incrementally differing molecular weights, the mass selection aperture also capable of being set to a substantially narrower mass-selection width and the analyzer magnet having a resolution at the mass selection aperture sufficient to enable selection of a beam of monatomic dopant ions of substantially a single atomic or molecular weight.
US08110818B2
A method of controlling particle absorption on a wafer sample being inspected by a charged particle beam imaging system prevents particle absorption by grounding the wafer sample and kept electrically neutral during the transfer-in and transfer-out process.
US08110802B2
In a photodetecting device 3, positional alignment marks 18A, 18B to serve as positional references of a photodetecting element 11 are formed at the front surface side of the photodetecting element 11. Moreover, a pin base 13 is provided with a threaded fitting pin 32 to be fitted with a cold plate 2, and the threaded fitting pin 32 is accurately positionally aligned with respect to the photodetecting element 11 via a positioning portion 33 positioned with respect to the positional alignment marks 18A, 18B exposed from a slit portion 23 and a cutaway portion 24 of a wiring board 12. Accordingly, in the photodetecting device 3, by only fitting the threaded fitting pin 32 with a recess portion 4 of the cold plate 2, the photodetecting element 11 is accurately positionally aligned with respect to the cold plate 2.
US08110795B2
Mass spectrometry with lasers generates ions from analyte molecules by matrix assisted laser desorption for a variety of different mass spectrometric analysis procedures. The mass spectrometers with laser systems supply laser light pulses having at least two different pulse durations, and mass spectrometric measuring techniques use the laser light pulses of different durations. The duration of the laser light pulses allows the characteristics of the ionization of the analyte molecules, particularly the occurrence of the ISD (in-source decay) and PSD (post-source decay) types of fragmentation, whose fragment ion spectra supply different kinds of information, to be adapted to the analytic procedure.
US08110786B2
A novel concentrator system is described, which increases the efficiency of collecting and concentrating sunlight energy onto a target. This method uses an array of small movable reflective or refractive concentrator components that can move via a feedback mechanism which tracks the sun and concentrates the suns energy on to a second array of energy converting elements. In order to improve the effective collected energy, the array of concentrator elements is placed on a moving or tiltable flat slab (or dish, substrate, plane, plate, holder, tablet, or similar flat or non-flat surface) that tracks the sun. An alternative method uses an array of target elements or linear elements and a second array of concentrator elements in harmony such that the suns energy is efficiently redistributed by the reflective or refractive array on to the energy converting array as the sun's position in the sky (elevation and azimuth) changes. The elements of the reflective or refractive array are tilted by novel actuation mechanisms describe herein.
US08110785B2
A projectile including: a body having an internal space; and a mechanical stepper motor disposed in the body. The mechanical stepper motor including: a shuttle having one of a plurality of pockets and movable pins offset from each other with a first spacing; a body portion having the other of the plurality of pockets and movable pins offset from each other with a second spacing, where the first spacing is different from the first spacing; and actuation means for engaging at least one of the movable pins into a corresponding pocket to step one of the shuttle and body portion a predetermined linear and/or rotary displacement.
US08110783B2
A tubular heater includes a continuous heat-generating resistance element formed in a predetermined pattern on one surface of a tubular insulating substrate, and first and second lead wires connected opposite ends of the heat-generating resistance element and extending from one end of the tubular insulating substrate in a common axial direction of the tubular insulating substrate. The first and second lead wires are disposed in diametrically opposed relation to each other about a central axis of the tubular insulating substrate.
US08110782B2
Heated architectural panel temperature control systems and methods are provided for heating windows that are formed from heated architectural panels. The control system comprises the heated architectural panel that produces heat when connected to external AC power, a panel frame disposed around the panel periphery, and a temperature control circuit that is electrically connected to the window. The temperature control circuit, which may be disposed in the panel frame, controls the temperature of the panel by utilizing a Hall effect sensor and the panel temperature coefficient of resistance α. The panel may comprise insulated glass panels, laminated structures, or combinations thereof, where the window is disposed in an opening of a building.
US08110774B2
A laser welding method includes providing a storage medium containing stored data about possible welding defects and associated repair welding parameters, welding a workpiece with a laser to produce weldings on the workpiece, monitoring the produced weldings for defective weldings, and, in response to detecting a defective welding from among the monitored weldings: comparing the defective welding with the stored data about possible welding defects; selecting repair welding parameters from among the associated repair welding parameters based on the comparison; and then performing a repair welding in a region of the detected defective welding in accordance with the selected repair welding parameters.
US08110769B2
The invention relates to a vacuum switch, especially a vacuum circuit breaker, for medium and high voltages, comprising a mobile switch unit arranged inside a vacuum switch compartment (1) and provided with mutually mobile elements including a contact tappet (17), an insulator (18), and a driving or switching rod (11) introduced into the vacuum switch compartment (1) by means of metal bellows. Said vacuum switch also comprises a fixed contact inserted into the housing of the vacuum switch compartment (1). The upper end of the insulator (18) is fixed to the contact tappet (17), and the lower end of the insulator (18) is fixed to the driving or switching rod (11). The contact tappet (17) is connected to a conductor (8) by a flexible, electroconductive connection (20), said conductor being electroconductively connected to at least one laterally arranged output contact (6). The aim of the invention is to enable an improved embodiment of the switching and contact surfaces. To this end, the fixed contact (16) and the contact tappet (17) respectively comprise a switching contact part (14a, 14b) comprising an outer switching and contact surface (29) and an inner switching and contact surface (30) that can be moved in relation to the outer surface.
US08110765B2
An combined monolithic electroluminescent lamp and membrane switch is manufactured by continuous printing. Graphic indicia is imprinted on deformable substrate. An electroluminescent lamp is imprinted on the graphic indicia layer and a membrane switch is formed on the lamp. The monolithic switch has a layer for sensing switch actuation by means including resistance change, capacitance change, or magnetic field change.
US08110764B2
A key structure is provided, including a substrate, a key cap, a first link, and a second link pivotally connected to the first link. The first and second links movably connect the key cap with the base. The key cap comprises a first surface and a guiding portion extended along a first direction, wherein the guiding portion has a second surface. The first link is made of metal and has a sliding end forming a first curved portion and a second curved portion. The first and second curved portions are respectively adjacent to the first and second surfaces and slidable along the guiding portion.
US08110755B2
A device includes: a package having a bottom and a side wall surrounding the bottom; an element adhered to the bottom of the package; an internal contact formed inside the package; a resin encapsulation material with which a space between the package and the element is filled; and a coating formed to cover an end surface of the internal contact near the element, and made of a material whose thermal expansion coefficient is greater than or equal to the thermal expansion coefficient of the package and less than the thermal expansion coefficient of the resin encapsulation material.
US08110740B2
In a dye sensitizing solar cell 1 wherein an electrolyte 4 is filled in a space between a photoelectrode substrate 2 and a counter electrode of a counter electrode substrate 3, a composite film 7 comprising metal portions 7a of titanium or the like and oxide portions 7b thereof is formed on a transparent electrode film 6 formed on the surface of a substrate member 5, and a porous semiconductor electrode film 8 adsorbing or carrying sensitizing dyes 8a thereon is formed on the composite film 7, the metal portions 7a of the composite film 7 contacting the porous semiconductor electrode film 8, and the oxide portions 7b of the composite film 7 contacting the electrolyte 4 without contacting the porous semiconductor electrode film 8.
US08110737B2
The invention teaches novel structure and methods for producing electrical current collectors and electrical interconnection structure. Such articles find particular use in facile production of modular arrays of photovoltaic cells. The current collector and interconnecting structures may be initially produced separately from the photovoltaic cells thereby allowing the use of unique materials and manufacture. Subsequent combination of the structures with photovoltaic cells allows facile and efficient completion of modular arrays. Methods for combining the collector and interconnection structures with cells and final interconnecting into modular arrays are taught.
US08110735B2
A first control may be for setting a patch including one or more types of effects to be provided by circuitry to an inputted music signal, the patch associated with multiple candidate keywords to be displayed by a display device. A second control may be for assigning a patch name including a candidate keyword from the multiple candidate keywords to the patch. A storage device may be for storing the patch name and the patch. The one or more types of effects may be provided to the inputted music signal based on the patch stored in the storage device.
US08110732B2
A keyboard device for an electronic keyboard instrument, ensuring stable pivotal motion of each key and improved in each of assembly and disassembly. Each key extends in a front-rear direction and has a pivot shaft extending at a rear end in a left-right direction. A keyboard chassis has a mounting portion and key-separating support portions each for supporting the pivot shaft. A pivot shaft bearing member has a pivot shaft support portion cooperating with each key-separating support portion to form a bearing for the pivot shaft, supporting each key pivotally movable, and is removably mounted to the mounting portion. During assembly, with each key engaged with the key-separating support portion via the pivot shaft and held on the keyboard chassis, the mounting portion remains exposed, enabling the bearing member to be mounted from above or rear.
US08110729B2
Pyrocarbon components have been found to create richer, clearer sound when employed as bridges (19), saddles (1), nuts (2), frets (3), tuning heads (4), pegs (9) and other components which contact the strings in guitars (6, 16), violins (11) and like stringed musical instruments. Bridges/saddles and nuts of stringed instruments produce a marked difference in the sound when pyrocarbon components are used compared with currently used materials. There is a significant increase in sound volume for a given intensity of string movement, along with richer harmonics and a clearer, less muddy sound. The crystalline structure of pyrolytic carbon minimizes the damping of string vibration as it is transferred to the sound-amplifying portion of acoustic instruments, producing a rich, pleasing and higher volume sound. The useful life of strings is increased in contact with pyrolytic carbon components before they go “dead” or break.
US08110728B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1016498. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1016498. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1016498 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1016498 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08110724B2
The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules and their corresponding encoded polypeptides able to confer the trait of altered flowering time in plants. The present invention further relates to using the nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides to make transgenic plants, plant cells, plant materials or seeds of a plant having flowering times that are altered with respect to wild-type plants grown under similar conditions. Altered flowering time includes both plants having an early flowering time and a late flowering time with respect to wild-type plants grown under similar conditions. Flowering time in plants may be altered either with respect to the normal time at which wild-type plants flower within their normal life cycle or altered temporally such that the entire life cycle of the plant is accelerated or prolonged using the nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides of the present invention.
US08110721B2
The present invention provides novel methods of maintaining genetic stability of non-human animal inbred strains. In the methods, pedigree-tracked cryopreserved embryos derived from a foundation colony are produced and used to re-establish the foundation colony at appropriate intervals.
US08110712B2
The invention provides a process for the preparation of an alkylene glycol from an alkylene oxide. Alkylene oxide reacts with carbon dioxide in the presence of a carboxylation catalyst to provide alkylene carbonate; alkylene carbonate reacts with water in the presence of a hydrolysis catalyst to provide alkylene glycol. An initial charge of the carboxylation catalyst and an initial charge of the hydrolysis catalyst are added, the degradation and activity of the hydrolysis catalyst are monitored, and when the activity of the hydrolysis catalyst has fallen below a minimum level, an additional charge of the hydrolysis catalyst is added.
US08110704B2
Stable NCO prepolymers are produced from polyisocyanates having a melting point greater than 70° C., preferably, naphthalene diisocyanate, having advantageous physical properties. An important feature of the process of the present invention is the rapid cooling of the prepolymer. The process of the present invention may be carried out on a continuous or batch basis. The prepolymers of the present invention are particularly suitable for the production of cast polyurethane elastomers.
US08110694B2
A method for manufacturing dialkylaluminum monohalide is provided by which dialkylaluminum monohalide substantially including no zinc component after recovering dialkylzinc from a reaction product obtained by a reaction of zinc halide and trialkylaluminum used as raw materials can be efficiently obtained on an industrial scale at a high yield. According to the method for manufacturing dialkylaluminum monohalide of the present invention, zinc halide is reacted with trialkylaluminum to produce dialkylzinc and dialkylaluminum monohalide, and after the dialkylzinc is separated from a reaction product by distillation, metal aluminum in which a molar ratio is 0.40 or more to zinc component, that is dissolved in the reaction product, and then the mixture is distilled to separate the dialkylaluminum monohalide which substantially includes no zinc component.
US08110689B2
Benzanilides of the formula: in which X represents hydrogen, halogen, nitro, C1-6 alkylthio, C1-6 alkylsulfinyl, C1-6 alkylsulfonyl or C1-6 alkylsulfonyloxy; Y represents halogen or C1-6 alkyl; R1 represents C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 alkylthio-C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 alkylsulfinyl-C1-6 alkyl or C1-6 alkylsulfonyl-C1-6 alkyl; R2 represents hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl or C1-6 haloalkyl; R3 represents hydrogen or hydroxy; W represents CH or N; and Q represents optionally substituted phenyl or optionally substituted pyridyl wherein the substituent is at least one group selected from the group consisting of halogen, C1-6 haloalkyl, C1-6 haloalkoxy, C1-6 haloalkylthio, C1-6 haloalkylsulfinyl and C1-6 haloalkylsulfoxy; provided that when R3 is hydroxy, R2 is not C1-6 alkyl, or when R2 is C1-6 haloalkyl, R3 is hydroxy, W is CH, and the substituents of Q are two or more C1-6 haloalkyl. Insecticides comprising the benzanilides are herein provided.
US08110686B2
The present invention relates to methods of treatment of certain metabolic diseases, and to novel compounds and their prodrugs, and/or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds useful in treating such diseases. In particular, this invention relates to the use of novel compounds and compositions for treatment of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers, acidosis, and obesity through the inhibition of malonyl-CoA decarboxylase (MCD). These compounds have the formulae (I) and (II), wherein Y, C, R1, R2, R6, and R7 are defined herein.
US08110685B2
A novel azafluorene derivative and an organic light-emitting device having the derivative are provided. The organic light-emitting device includes a pair of electrodes composed of an anode and a cathode one of which is a transparent or semi-transparent electrode, and an organic compound layer interposed between the pair of electrodes. The organic compound layer contains the azafluorene derivative represented by the following general formula (I):
US08110662B2
A cDNA fragment participating in the maintenance of smooth muscle differentiation was isolated using a culture system of chicken gizzard smooth muscle cells, the differential display method and the subtracted hybridization method. Using the obtained cDNA sequence as a query, cDNA sequences of Helix Research Institute (Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-118776) were retrieved, and thus, a novel gene “C-NT2RP3001495” was obtained. The protein encoded by this gene has two WW domains that participate in protein interactions in the N-terminal domain. Evidence suggests that this protein binds to other proteins, and thus regulates the intracellular signal transduction, gene expression, and so on, thereby participating in the maintenance of the differentiation of smooth muscle cells. This protein and compounds regulating the expression thereof are markedly useful in developing drugs for various diseases associated with abnormality in the maintenance of smooth muscle cell differentiation.
US08110641B2
An anionic polymerization method for styrene derivative containing pyridine as functional group is provided. The method includes forming a complex of (vinylphenyl)-pyridine and lithium chloride and performing anionic polymerization. Accordingly, a polymer of styrene derivative containing pyridine can be obtained. The polymer has excellent optical properties, and its molecular weight and molecular weight distribution can be controlled.
US08110637B2
Disclosed is a room temperature curable silicon group-containing polymer composition containing a reactive silicon group-containing polymer (A) having a group represented by the formula (1) at an end of the main chain, which is obtained through a reaction between a polyoxypropylene polyol and a γ-isocyanate propyltrialkoxysilane, a curing catalyst (B), an amino-functional organosiloxane (C), and optionally an inorganic filler (D) which is surface-treated with glycol. Also disclosed is a room temperature curable silicon group-containing polymer composition which contains, as the reactive silicon group-containing polymer (A), a mixture of a polymer (A1) having a reactive silicon-containing group at two or more ends, which is obtained through a reaction between a polyoxypropylene polyol and a γ-isocyanate propyltrialkoxysilane, and another polymer (A2) having a reactive silicon containing-group only at one end, which is obtained through a reaction between a hydroxypolyoxypropylene having a hydroxyl group at one end and a γ-isocyanate propyltrialkoxysilane, a curing catalyst (B) and an amino group-substituted alkoxysilane (C1) or an amino-functional organosiloxane (C2).
US08110632B2
A profile extruded article includes a composition that is formed by melt-kneading particular amounts of a poly(arylene ether), a polystyrene-poly(ethylene-butylene)-polystyrene triblock copolymer, a homopolystyrene, and a polysalicylate. The article is particularly useful in the fabrication of solar collectors for low cost solar energy systems.
US08110627B2
A rubber composition for a tire superior in low heat build-up (tan δ) and superior in fracture strength is provided. A rubber composition for a tire comprising (B) 5 to 80 parts by mass of silica based on 100 parts by mass of (A) including (a) 10 to 60% by mass of a butadiene rubber including 2.5 to 20% by mass of 1,2-syndiotactic polybutadiene crystals, (b) 5 to 60% by mass of a modified diene rubber and (c) 20 to 75% by mass of a diene rubber other than (a) and (b).
US08110615B2
The application discloses stable correction fluids and/or correction fluids that change from colored to substantially white (or to a color substantially matching the color of a substrate to which the correction fluid is to be applied) after application to a substrate.
US08110613B2
Provided is a method for efficiently producing a cationically curable condensed silicon compound. There was an unsolved problem that, in a condensation reaction, an oxetanyl group is subjected to ring-opening under an acidic condition, while gelation is easily caused under an alkaline condition. It was found that a silicon compound (C) having an oxetanyl group can be obtained without causing gelation even at a high concentration by the present method including a first step of separately subjecting a silicon compound (A) having four siloxane bond-forming groups and a silicon compound (B) having an oxetanyl group to alcohol exchange reaction with 1-propanol and a second step of subjecting silicon compounds (AP) and (BP) undergone the first step to hydrolytic copolycondensation under an alkaline condition at a specific ratio.
US08110610B2
A radiation curable composition comprising a curable compound, a photo-initiator and a co-initiator, characterized in that said co-initiator is a oligomer or polymer having a repeating unit, said repeating unit comprising at least two tertiary amines, and said polymer being prepared by the polycondensation of di- or oligofunctional Michael acceptors with mono- or oligofunctional aliphatic primary amines or with di- or oligofunctional aliphatic secondary amines or with a mixture thereof.
US08110609B2
The invention relates to a composition comprising a modified, random copolyetherester containing a modified, random polytrimethylene terephthalate copolymer block that is derived from a polyethylene terephthalate component selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene terephthalate copolymers and combinations thereof; and contains at least one residue derived from the polyethylene terephthalate component; and a polyalkylene oxide copolymer block that contains polyalkylene oxide and at least one residue derived from the polyethylene terephthalate component. The composition has a modulus of elasticity that is at least 80%, as compared to the modulus of elasticity of a copolyetherester derived from (1) polytrimethylene terephthalate derived from a monomer component selected from the group consisting of terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, alkyl esters of terephthalic acid, hydroxyalkyl esters of terephthalic acid, alkyl esters of isophthalic acid, 1,3-propane diol, (2) polyalkylene oxide glycol, and (3) combinations thereof.
US08110607B2
A composition containing 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid at a high concentration is obtained by intracellularly and extracellularly producing 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid using a bacterium belonging to the genus Propionibacterium and collecting it. This composition is efficacious in improving intestinal flora, alleviating abdominal ailments in association with the intake of milk, and preventing metabolic bone diseases.
US08110605B2
The invention discloses a novel compound effective in inactivating viruses and bacteria. The compound, 2-(10-mercaptodecyl)-propanedioic acid or salts thereof, is shown to disrupt, break down or inactivate viruses and bacteria, thus suppressing infection and proliferation thereof in host cells. A method of chemically synthesizing the novel compound is also disclosed.
US08110596B2
The present invention provides a triprenyl phenol compound represented by the following formula (II) and (III) and having a thrombolysis-enhancing activity, and an efficient method for producing the triprenyl phenol compound. In formula (II) and (III), R1 represents an aromatic group having as a substituent or as a part of a substituent at least one member selected from the group consisting of a carboxyl group, a hydroxyl group, a sulfonic acid group and a secondary amino group, or an aromatic group which comprises a secondary amino group and may comprise nitrogen; R4 in the general formula (III) represents an aromatic amino acid residue represented by the general formula (III-1) below; X represents —CHY—(CH3)2Z; and Y and Z are respectively —H or —OH or together form a single bond: (III-1) wherein R5 represents a hydroxyl group which may be present or absent; and n represents an integer of 0 or 1.
US08110588B2
This invention relates to novel 1,2,3-triazole derivatives, which are found to be modulators of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Due to their pharmacological profile the compounds of the invention may be useful for the treatment of diseases or disorders as diverse as those related to the cholinergic system of the central nervous system (CNS), the peripheral nervous system (PNS), diseases or disorders related to smooth muscle contraction, endocrine diseases or disorders, diseases or disorders related to neuro-degeneration, diseases or disorders related to inflammation, pain, and withdrawal symptoms caused by the termination of abuse of chemical substances.
US08110584B2
This invention relates to compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for use in the prevention and treatment of cerebral insufficiency, including enhancement of receptor functioning in synapses in brain networks responsible for basic and higher order behaviors. These brain networks, which are involved in regulation of breathing, and cognitive abilities related to memory impairment, such as is observed in a variety of dementias, in imbalances in neuronal activity between different brain regions, as is suggested in disorders such as Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, respiratory depression, sleep apneas, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and affective or mood disorders, and in disorders wherein a deficiency in neurotrophic factors is implicated, as well as in disorders of respiration such as overdose of an alcohol, an opiate, an opioid, a barbiturate, an anesthetic, or a nerve toxin, or where the respiratory depression results form a medical condition such as central sleep apnea, stoke-induced central sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea, congenital hypoventilation syndrome, obesity hypoventilation syndrome, sudden infant death syndrome, Rett syndrome, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, Cheney-Stokes respiration, Ondines curse, Prader-Willi's syndrome and drowning, hi a particular aspect, the invention relates to bicyclic amide compounds useful for treatment of such conditions, and methods of using these compounds for such treatment.
US08110577B2
The present invention provides histone deacetylase inhibitors of general formula (I), a process for the preparation of such compounds and uses of the compounds in medicine, especially in the treatment of cancers and the inhibition of histone deacetylase activity.
US08110576B2
Compounds and salts thereof, formulations thereof, conjugates thereof, derivatives thereof, forms thereof and uses thereof are described, wherein the compounds have the formula: In certain aspects and embodiments, the described compounds or salts thereof, formulations thereof, conjugates thereof, derivatives thereof, forms thereof are active on at least one Raf protein kinase. Also described are methods of use thereof to treat diseases and conditions associated with activity of Raf protein kinases, including melanoma, colorectal cancer, thyroid cancer, ovarian cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, pain or polycystic kidney diseases.
US08110574B2
A subject of the present application is new derivatives of 4-aminopiperidines of formula in which R1, R2 and R3 represent various radical, and their preparation processes by synthetic methods in parallel in liquid and solid phase. These products having a good affinity with certain sub-types of somatostatin receptors, they are particularly useful for treating the pathological states or diseases in which one (or more) somatostatin receptors are involved.
US08110568B2
The invention provides novel inhibitors of IAP that are useful as therapeutic agents for treating malignancies where the compounds have the general formula I: wherein X, Y, A, R1, R2, R3, R4, R4′, R5, R5′, R6 and R6′ are as described herein.
US08110562B2
This invention provides nuclear hormone receptor binding compounds, compositions comprising the same and methods of uses thereof in treating a variety of diseases or conditions in a subject, including, inter-alia, prostate cancer and/or diseases or disorders of bone and muscle.
US08110556B2
The gene associated and causative of classical late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (LINCL), CLN2, has been identified and characterized. The translation product of this gene is a novel protease and a deficiency in this activity results in LINCL. Identification of CLN2 will not only aid in the prevention of LINCL through genetic counseling but provides strategies and test systems for therapeutic intervention. In addition, further characterization of this previously unknown lysosomal enzyme may provide useful insights into other more common human neurodegenerative disorders. Finally, the utility of a general approach for determining the molecular bases for lysosomal disorders of unknown etiology has been demonstrated.
US08110551B2
This invention relates to immunotoxins and their use. Specifically, the invention relates to compositions comprising Cdt toxins or their inhibitors and their use in methods for treating infectious and proliferative diseases.
US08110546B2
Formulations of a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-specific fusion protein antagonist are provided including a pre-lyophilized formulation, a reconstituted lyophilized formulation, and a stable liquid formulation. Preferably, the fusion protein has the sequence of SEQ ID NO:4.
US08110535B2
The present invention relates to semi-aqueous formulations and the method using same, to remove bulk photoresists, post-etched and post-ashed residues, as well as contaminations. The formulation comprises: an alkanolamine, a water miscible organic co-solvent, a quarternary ammonium compound, a non-free acid functionality corrosion inhibitor, and remainder water. The pH is greater than 9.
US08110520B2
A method of preparing carbon-coated metal oxide nano-particles and carbon-coated metal oxide nano-particles prepared with the same method are described. The method includes the following steps at least. A precursor of a polymer is polymerized on metal oxide nano-particles to form polymer-coated metal oxide nano-particles. Then, pyrolysis is conducted to carbonize the polymer coated on the metal oxide nano-particles, so as to form carbon-coated metal oxide nano-particles.
US08110494B1
Systems and methods for maximizing the breakdown voltage of a semiconductor device are described. In a multiple floating guard ring design, the spacing between two consecutive sets of floating guard rings may increase with their distance from the main junction while maintaining depletion region overlap, thereby alleviating crowding and optimally spreading the electric field leading to a breakdown voltage that is close to the intrinsic material limit. In another exemplary embodiment, fabrication of floating guard rings simultaneously with the formation of another semiconductor feature allows precise positioning of the first floating guard ring with respect to the edge of a main junction, as well as precise control of floating guard ring widths and spacings. In yet another exemplary embodiment, design of the vertical separation between doped regions of a semiconductor device adjusts the device's gate-to-source breakdown voltage without affecting the device's pinch-off voltage.
US08110491B2
A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device of the present invention includes the step of forming an insulating film on a substrate, and the step of forming a high dielectric constant insulating film on the insulating film, and the step of forming a titanium aluminum nitride film on the high dielectric constant insulating film, wherein in the step of forming the titanium aluminum nitride film, formation of an aluminum nitride film and formation of a titanium nitride film are alternately repeated, and at that time, the aluminum nitride film is formed firstly and/or lastly.
US08110489B2
Embodiments of the invention described herein generally provide methods and apparatuses for forming cobalt silicide layers, metallic cobalt layers, and other cobalt-containing materials. In one embodiment, a method for forming a cobalt silicide containing material on a substrate is provided which includes exposing a substrate to at least one preclean process to expose a silicon-containing surface, depositing a cobalt silicide material on the silicon-containing surface, depositing a metallic cobalt material on the cobalt silicide material, and depositing a metallic contact material on the substrate. In another embodiment, a method includes exposing a substrate to at least one preclean process to expose a silicon-containing surface, depositing a cobalt silicide material on the silicon-containing surface, expose the substrate to an annealing process, depositing a barrier material on the cobalt silicide material, and depositing a metallic contact material on the barrier material.
US08110487B2
By incorporating a carbon species below the channel region of a P-channel transistor prior to the formation of the gate electrode structure, an efficient strain-inducing mechanism may provided, thereby enhancing performance of P-channel transistors. The position and size of the strain-inducing region may be determined on the basis of an implantation mask and respective implantation parameters, thereby providing a high degree of compatibility with conventional techniques, since the strain-inducing region may be incorporated at an early manufacturing stage, directly to respective “large area” contact elements.
US08110485B2
Provided are nanocrystal silicon layer structures formed using a plasma deposition technique, methods of forming the same, nonvolatile memory devices including the nanocrystal silicon layer structures, and methods of fabricating the nonvolatile memory devices. A method of forming a nanocrystal silicon layer structure includes forming a buffer layer on a substrate and forming a nanocrystal silicon layer on the buffer layer by a plasma deposition technique using silicon (Si)-containing gas and hydrogen (H2)-containing gas. In this method, the nanocrystal silicon layer can be directly deposited on a glass substrate using plasma vapor deposition without performing a post-processing process so that the fabrication of a nonvolatile memory device can be simplified, thereby reducing fabrication cost.
US08110478B2
If the size of a single crystal silicon layer attached is not appropriate, even when a large glass substrate is used, the number of panels to be obtained cannot be maximized. Therefore, in the present invention, a substantially quadrangular single crystal semiconductor substrate is formed from a substantially circular single crystal semiconductor wafer, and a damaged layer is formed by irradiation with an ion beam into the single crystal semiconductor substrate. A plurality of the single crystal semiconductor substrates are arranged so as to be separated from each other over one surface of a supporting substrate. By thermal treatment, a crack is generated in the damaged layer and the single crystal semiconductor substrate is separated while a single semiconductor layer is left over the supporting substrate. After that, one or a plurality of display panels is manufactured from the single crystal semiconductor layer bonded to the supporting substrate.
US08110468B2
A DMOS-transistor having enhanced dielectric strength includes a first well region. A highly doped source region is located in the first well region and is complementarily doped thereto. A highly doped bulk connection region is located in the first well region and has the same type of doping as the first well region. A gate electrode and a gate insulation layer for forming a transistor channel are included on a surface of the first well region. The DMOS-transistor further comprises an isolation structure, a highly doped drain doping region, and a second well complementarily doped to the first well region. The second well accommodates the first well region and the drain doping region. A highly doped region is formed at least adjacent to the second well and has the same type of doping as the second well for enhancing the dielectric strength of the highly doped source region.
US08110466B2
A method of forming an integrated circuit structure includes providing a semiconductor substrate; providing a first lithography mask, a second lithography mask, and a third lithography mask; forming a first mask layer over the semiconductor substrate, wherein a pattern of the first mask layer is defined using the first lithography mask; performing a first etch to the semiconductor substrate to define an active region using the first mask layer; forming a second mask layer having a plurality of mask strips over the semiconductor substrate and over the active region; forming a third mask layer over the second mask layer, wherein a middle portion of the plurality of mask strips is exposed through an opening in the third mask layer, and end portions of the plurality of mask strips are covered by the third mask layer; and performing a second etch to the semiconductor substrate through the opening.
US08110461B2
Disclosed are a flash memory device and a method for manufacturing the same. The flash memory device includes first and second memory gates on a substrate; a floating poly between the first and second memory gates; first and second select gates at respective outer sides of the first and second memory gates; an oxide layer between the first memory gate and the first select gate and between the second memory gate and the second select gate; a drain region in the substrate at outer sides of the first and second select gates; a source region in the substrate between the first and second memory gates; and a metal contact on each of the drain region and the source region.
US08110453B2
A method and apparatus for forming a thin film transistor is provided. A gate dielectric layer is formed, which may be a bilayer, the first layer deposited at a low rate and the second deposited at a high rate. In some embodiments, the first dielectric layer is a silicon rich silicon nitride layer. An active layer is formed, which may also be a bilayer, the first active layer deposited at a low rate and the second at a high rate. The thin film transistors described herein have superior mobility and stability under stress.
