US08825415B2
An estimation unit for estimating a nonlinearity error of a conversion circuit, such as an ADC, is adapted to receive a continuous-time input signal and output a digital output signal. In at least one embodiment, the continuous-time input signal is essentially bandlimited to an angular frequency band [ω1, ω2], where ω1>(L−1)π/T, ω2
US08825403B1
A system and method determines a plurality of scores for a road segment that are related to the total distance traveled when drivers traverse that road segment. The scores are displayed graphically to illustrate the usage of road segments. The scores are also used to determine which road segments to display on a map when determining which roads to display at a given zoom level for a map.
US08825402B2
A route display apparatus and method are provided. The apparatus includes a search unit that searches for a plurality of routes in which a plurality of destinations are stopped by in a different stopping order combination in each route. The apparatus also includes a prediction unit that predicts, for each of the routes, a travelable position that can be reached with a remaining amount of a battery. The prediction unit is configured to predict, for each of the routes, a necessity of charging based on whether the travelable position is on a side of a departure point in relation to a final destination. The apparatus also includes a display control unit that displays, for each of the routes, the necessity of charging in association with a corresponding stopping order for each of the routes, on a display part.
US08825396B2
A quasi tightly coupled (QTC) aided INS (AINS) process has an inertial navigator system with a loosely-coupled AINS Kalman filter that constructs INS-GNSS position measurements, a GNSS position engine that computes a position fix from observables and an externally provided a priori position and position VCV matrix. An INS position seeding process in which the externally provided a priori position to the GNSS position engine is an antenna position computed from the INS position and attitude solution. An observable subspace constraint (OSC) process computes an OCS matrix that suppress the components of the GNSS position error due to a poor geometry in the GNSS position solution in the IG position measurement constructed by the AINS Kalman filter and that multiplies the OSC matrix and the IG position measurement and measurement model matrix to suppress uncorrected component of the GNSS position error in the IG position measurement and measurement model.
US08825386B2
A navigation apparatus having a road learning function includes a detector, a memory, an identifying device, a determination device, and a guidance device. The detector creates a learned road link connecting exit and return points in an existing link. The memory stores road information representing that the existing link forms a continuous road at an end of the learned road link. The identifying device identifies an entrance link into the end of the learned road link and an exit link from the end of the learned road link in a route. The road determination device determines whether the entrance and exit links form the continuous road. The guidance device prohibits the guidance on a direction to go at the end of the learned road link when the road determination device determines that the entrance and exit links form the continuous road.
US08825382B2
A method of operation of a navigation system includes: generating a navigation route; generating an initial recommendation related to a search keyword for a point of interest upcoming along the navigation route; calculating an acquisition cost for the initial recommendation; and generating a message with the acquisition cost for the initial recommendation related to the point of interest and for displaying on a device.
US08825378B2
Disclosed herein are embodiments of an apparatus and method for determining a drift of a vehicle. In one aspect, a vehicle testing apparatus for determining a drift of a vehicle from trajectory data indicative of a trajectory of the vehicle during a drift test comprises: a processor configured to execute instructions stored in a memory to: determine an initial local vehicle heading based on an initial trajectory dataset of the trajectory data, and determine, for the vehicle, an amount of drift indicative of a deviation of the vehicle from the initial local vehicle heading based on a comparison between the initial local vehicle heading and a drift test dataset of the trajectory data.
US08825368B2
A method and system for searching for items is provided. The method includes receiving, from a user, description data describing search requirements associated with a requested physical object to be located. Locations of the user are monitored and a request to locate the physical object is transmitted to video data retrieval devices. In response, video data associated with associated physical objects and location data for associated locations are retrieved. Distances and relative velocities between current locations of the user and each location of each physical object are calculated. In response, recommendations associated with traveling to view each physical object are generated and presented to the user.
US08825346B2
In a method for controlling a start/stop operation of an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle, the controller activates a starting device which has a starter motor and a meshing device for the purpose of starting the internal combustion engine and of executing a start/stop operation, the rotational speed and position of a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine being detected with the aid of a detector device. To provide vehicle comfort in start/stop mode and to implement meshing of a starter pinion with the ring gear at a coasting rotational speed at reduced noise and wear, a point in time is determined for meshing with the ring gear of a coasting internal combustion engine after the internal combustion engine has been shut down.
US08825343B2
A fuel injection control device provided with: a standard fuel injection timing setting unit 41 which previously sets a standard fuel injection timing with respect to engine speed and fuel injection quantity; an injection penetration judging unit 45 which judges whether or not the penetration of the fuel atomization in a cylinder is in an increasing condition, by use of at least one out of a detected ambient pressure from an ambient pressure sensor, an estimated cylinder pressure at an injection start timing, and an estimated ignition delay from an injection start timing to a combustion start timing; and a fuel injection timing correction unit 43 which corrects the fuel injection timing toward an advanced timing angle and constrains the penetration of the fuel atomization, in a case where the penetration judging unit judges that the penetration of the fuel atomization is in an increasing condition.
US08825330B2
In a vehicle brake device having a hydraulic pressure sensor for detecting an output value corresponding to the pressure of a fluid pressure adjusted by a master cylinder and a master cylinder pressure calculating unit for storing the output value of the hydraulic pressure sensor at which the pressure of the master cylinder becomes 0 as a zero-point correction value and calculating a master cylinder pressure by correcting the output value of the hydraulic pressure sensor based on the zero-point correction value, the vehicle brake device has a zero-point correction value updating unit for setting, when the output value detected by the hydraulic pressure sensor is smaller than the zero-point correction value stored in the master cylinder pressure calculating unit, the output value as a new zero-point correction value and updating the zero-point correction value.
US08825328B2
A vehicle comprises a trailer angle detection apparatus and a trailer backup control system coupled to the trailer angle detection apparatus. The trailer angle detection apparatus is configured for outputting a signal generated as a function of an angle between the vehicle and a trailer towably attached to the vehicle. The trailer backup control system includes a jackknife enabling condition detector and a jackknife counter-measures controller. The jackknife counter-measures controller alters a setting of at least one vehicle operating parameter for alleviating an adverse jackknife condition during backing of the trailer by the vehicle when the jackknife enabling condition detector determines that a jackknife enabling condition has been attained at a particular point in time during backing of the trailer by the vehicle.
US08825323B2
A machine control system for use with a machine having a power source and a transmission is disclosed. The machine control system may have a clutch configured to connect an output of the power source with an input of the transmission. The machine control system may also have a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a speed of the power source, and a controller in communication with the clutch and the sensor. The controller may be configured to vary an actuating force of the clutch based on the signal.
US08825319B2
A method of controlling the performance of a vehicle from a stationary condition includes operating a vehicle powertrain in a creep mode following the disengagement of a driver-operated braking device; and operating the vehicle powertrain in a launch mode following an engagement of a driver-operated acceleration device subsequent to the disengagement of the driver-operated braking device. Operating a vehicle powertrain in a creep mode includes: applying a friction clutch to couple an engine crankshaft of the vehicle powertrain with an input shaft of the transmission; determining a torque command to accelerate the vehicle powertrain at a predetermined rate; providing the torque command to an engine controller to controllably increase the input torque to the transmission; and operating a closed loop engine speed control module to prevent the crankshaft speed from slowing below a predetermined engine idle speed.
US08825314B2
A machine may include a powertrain drivingly connected to left and right front and rear wheels through a torque transfer unit to transfer torque to the front wheels as a function of a desired front torque and to the rear wheels as a function of a desired rear torque. At least one sensor of the machine may detect a value of an operating parameter indicative of a weight distribution of the machine across the wheels, and generate a parameter signal corresponding to the operating parameter. A control unit determines the weight distribution across the wheels as a function of the parameter signal, and the desired front and rear torques as a function of the weight distribution. The control unit also considers the weight and position of a load of material borne by an implement of the machine in determining the weight distribution.
US08825308B2
An opening/closing control device for a grille shutter is capable of appropriately opening and closing the grille shutter according to a vehicle outside environment and an operating state of an aircon while ensuring the operation of the aircon, and is capable of sufficiently improving vehicle operating efficiency. An aircon operating time ratio as a ratio of operation time of an aircon to overall time is calculated. When the calculated aircon operating time ratio is larger than the sum of a threshold value calculated according to an ambient air temperature and a hysteresis constant, the grille shutter is opened to promote cooling of refrigerant in the aircon and reduce motive power consumed by the aircon. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately open and close the grille shutter depending on the ambient air temperature and the operating ration of the aircon.
US08825301B2
An electric power steering apparatus that compensates both a static friction and a dynamic friction, performs the switching between a static friction compensation and a dynamic friction compensation smoothly and without unpleasant sensation in order to achieve a natural comfortable steering feeling. In an electric power steering apparatus wherein a current command value is calculated based on at least a steering torque, and a motor is controlled by a current control value calculated based on said current command value to provide a steering assist force to a steering mechanism, wherein: there is provided a friction compensator calculating a friction compensation value for compensating friction to said steering mechanism on the basis of said steering torque, and said current command value is corrected by said friction compensation value.
US08825294B2
A method of controlling a vehicle suspension system including the steps of detecting, computing and altering the center of gravity of the vehicle. The detecting step includes the detecting of a center of gravity of the vehicle thereby defining a detected center of gravity. The computing step includes computing what alteration of a plurality of actuators is needed to substantially reduce a value of a difference between the detected center of gravity and a preferred center of gravity using a fuzzy relations control strategy. The computing step is carried out in a controller. The altering step includes altering the center of gravity of the vehicle by way of the controller actuating at least one of the actuators connected to suspension elements of the vehicle dependent upon the alteration arrived at in the computing step.
US08825293B2
A method is described comprising modulating vehicle speed about a target speed by operating a vehicle with an engine at high output and then operating the vehicle with the engine off, and adjusting operation of a suspension system based on the vehicle operation with the engine at high output and the engine off to control vehicle pitch during the modulating of vehicle speed about the target speed.
US08825292B2
A method for controlling a vehicle includes the step of determining if a curb parking operation is feasible for the vehicle. If a curb parking operation is deemed infeasible, an operator of the vehicle is notified that curb parking is infeasible. If a curb parking operation is deemed feasible, actuatable elements of the vehicle are controlled to facilitate the curb parking operation.
US08825289B2
An interface and corresponding method, where the interface is connected via a first connection to a factory data bus of a vehicle which transports signals according to a first data format, and further connected via a second connection to a data channel of the aftermarket component which transports signals according to a second data format. The interface identifies a factory data bus type corresponding to the factory data bus, out of a plurality of potential factory data bus types. The interface receives digital signals from the aftermarket component via the second connection, the digital signals being in the second data format which corresponds to the aftermarket component. The interface translates the digital signals into the first data format which corresponds to the identified factory bus type. The interface transmits the translated digital signals in the first data format to the vehicle via the first connection.
US08825278B2
A method and a system for detecting the first signs of malfunction of an aircraft engine valve, including an acquisition device to acquire the output pressure measurements of the valve, and contextual and command data of the valve, a processor to define a set of indicators of the first signs of malfunction, according to the output pressure measurements and the contextual and command data. A set of estimators corresponding to the set of indicators of the first signs of a malfunction, is determined using a previously produced regression model. At least one distance between the set of indicators and the set of estimators is computed. The distance is compared to a threshold of the first signs of a malfunction, in order to detect the first signs of malfunction of the said valve.
US08825267B2
A method, system and computer program product for detecting a tire pressure deviation in a tire of a vehicle by determining tire pressure indicating data indicative of a tire pressure condition of the tire and determining tire pressure deviation data indicative of a tire pressure deviation in the tire.
US08825260B1
Methods and systems for object and ground segmentation from a sparse one-dimensional range data are described. A computing device may be configured to receive scan data representing points in an environment of a vehicle. The computing device may be configured to determine if a test point in the scan data is likely to be an obstacle or ground by comparing the point to other points in the scan data to determine if specific constraints are violated. Points that do not pass these tests are likely to be above the ground, and therefore likely belong to obstacles.
US08825259B1
In an example implementation, an autonomous vehicle is configured to detect closures and lane shifts in a lane of travel. The vehicle is configured to operate in an autonomous mode and determine a presence of an obstacle substantially positioned in a lane of travel of the vehicle using a sensor. The lane of travel has a first side, a second side, and a center, and the obstacle is substantially positioned on the first side. The autonomous vehicle includes a computer system. The computer system determines a lateral distance between the obstacle and the center, compares the lateral distance to a pre-determined threshold, and provides instructions to control the autonomous vehicle based on the comparison.
US08825258B2
Aspects of the present disclosure relate switching between autonomous and manual driving modes. In order to do so, the vehicle's computer may conduct a series of environmental, system, and driver checks to identify certain conditions. The computer may correct some of these conditions and also provide a driver with a checklist of tasks for completion. Once the tasks have been completed and the conditions are changed, the computer may allow the driver to switch from the manual to the autonomous driving mode. The computer may also make a determination, under certain conditions, that it would be detrimental to the driver's safety or comfort to make a switch from the autonomous driving mode to the manual driving mode.
US08825254B2
A controller 21 of a vehicle 1 is equipped with a first control 24, which is configured to control a first actuator 8 so as to move a traveling motion unit 3 according to tilting of an occupant mounting section 5, and a second control unit 25, which is configured to control, in a case where a turning command is output from a joystick 12, an electric motor 14 such that a steering direction of a wheel 4 viewed from above the vehicle 1 becomes tilted with respect to a direction of a moving velocity vector V of the traveling motion unit 3.
US08825248B2
Disclosed is an information terminal for electric-powered vehicles or a cruise controller therefor to provide a driver with a traveling method that can shorten a total required time to a destination including a charging time. An information terminal for electric-powered vehicle configured to calculate a required time for the vehicle to travel a route from a current position to a destination in accordance with map information, includes: route setting means that searches for a route to the destination; recharging place setting means that sets a charging place on a way of the route to the destination set by the route setting means; and charging facility information acquisition means that acquires information on the charging place set by the recharging place setting means. A recommended vehicle speed or a vehicle speed range including the recommended vehicle speed at a section to the charging place is calculated.
US08825244B2
In a method and an apparatus (9) for operating a hybrid vehicle with an internal combustion engine (4) and an electric motor (5), the internal combustion engine (4) is started automatically in a readiness to drive mode of the hybrid vehicle (1) as soon as it is no longer detected reliably that the driver is present.
US08825241B2
This invention provides a vessel system and methodology that can be used to promote growth of phytoplankton in the oceans. Unmanned self-controlled wave-powered vessels are equipped with storage units for dispensing a fertilizer, and with sensors to monitor ocean conditions and effects. Fleets of vessels move autonomously by on-board processing of GPS and directional information, piloting a path that is coordinated by a central processing unit. The vessels travel through a defined target area, creating a detailed survey of chemical and biological characteristics that affect grown. The data are processed in a computer model to identify precise locations and precise amounts of fertilizer that will produce the best results. Projected benefits of fertilizing plankton include sequestering CO2 from the atmosphere, and enhancing the marine food chain to improve the fish stock in and around the treated area.
US08825232B2
Innovative new methods in connection with lighter-than-air (LTA) free floating platforms, of facilitating legal transmitter operation, platform flight termination when appropriate, environmentally acceptable landing, and recovery of these devices are provided. The new systems and methods relate to rise rate control, geo-location from a LTA platform including landed payload and ground-based vehicle locations, and steerable recovery systems.
US08825231B2
A method and system for piloting a craft with a rear propulsion unit are disclosed. The method can include a servo loop where the attitude (θM) of the craft (1) is measured in the vicinity of the rear end (1R) of the craft, then the orientation (β) of the propulsion means (2), which can be oriented relative to the rear end (1R), is adjusted as a function of the attitude measurement (θM) in such a way that the craft (1) is stabilized on its flight path.
US08825223B2
Methods, devices, and storage media provide for receiving a request to invoke a machine-to-machine communication to permit remote control of a device, wherein the request includes a device string that identifies the device and one or more secret strings; generating one or more hashed strings based on the request and a current time; and transmitting a remote control request to the device, wherein the remote control request includes the one or more hashed strings and the one or more secret strings.
US08825222B2
A method of remotely managing vehicle settings wherein the method includes receiving an identification (ID) code associated with at least one user. The method further includes corresponding the ID code to at least one user profile following verification of the ID code and executing a vehicle setting associated with the at least one user profile. An apparatus for remotely managing vehicle settings is further disclosed. The apparatus includes memory for storing at least one user profile. The apparatus further includes a processor coupled to the memory, the processor configured to receive an identification (ID) code corresponding to the at least one user profile. Furthermore, the processor is in communication with a vehicle processing system operable to execute a vehicle setting associated with the at least one user profile.
US08825221B2
A method and device for selecting a parking assistance function from a predefined group of parking assistance functions of a parking steering assistant by an input element of the parking steering assistant of a motor vehicle. The parking assistance functions are arranged in two groups, wherein the first group includes the functions which relate to parking of the vehicle and the second group includes functions which relate to exiting a parking space by the vehicle. A selection is made between the two function groups as a function of the ignition switch state and a distance traveled by the vehicle, as a result of which the method differentiates automatically between parking functions and parking space exiting functions.
US08825213B2
A gait generating device 32 includes a desired particular-site motion velocity value determining unit 45 that uses a quadratic evaluation function having a particular-site motion velocity vector ↑Vb as a variable and a linear matrix inequality having ↑Vb as a variable to sequentially determine, as a desired value ↑Vb_cmd2 of ↑Vb, a value of ↑Vb that can minimize the value of the evaluation function within a range in which a restriction condition that the linear matrix inequality holds is satisfied, by arithmetic processing according to a solution method for a quadratic programming problem. The device then integrates ↑Vb_cmd2 to sequentially determine desired values of the position and posture of the particular site (the body) 2 of the robot 1. The linear matrix inequality is set to satisfy a condition restricting the operations of the joints between the particular site 2 and the distal portion of each leg link 3.
US08825207B2
A trajectory planning method according to the present invention is one for obtaining a trajectory for controlling a state of an object toward a goal state by a trajectory planning system. The method includes the steps of dividing, by a cell generating section for dividing a state space of the object into cells, the state space into cells in such a way that approximation error due to discretization is minimized for a predetermined number of cells; generating, by a search tree generating section, a search tree which corresponds to state transition of the object in such a way that each cell does not contain more than one of nodes of branches of the search tree; and determining, by a trajectory generating section, a path from the current state to the goal state of the object using the search tree.
US08825199B2
The invention relates to a postal sorting machine (101) for sorting mailpieces (1) and separators (2), which machine includes: sorting outlets (105); a first unstacker (102); a conveyor (104) for distributing said mailpieces (1) and said separators (2) between said sorting outlets (105); a second unstacker (103) for automatically unstacking at least one separator (2) on the basis of at least one predetermined criterion, and for inserting it into the stream of mailpieces (1), said conveyor (104) distributing said reinserted separator (2) to a certain predetermined sorting outlet (105); and a stacker (103) for stacking separators (2), which stacker is interposed between said first unstacker (102) and said second unstacker (103) for the purposes of extracting separators (2), of stacking them, of storing them, and of feeding said second unstacker (103) automatically. The invention also relates to a sorting method using said postal sorting machine (101).
US08825191B2
A method for aligning a photolithographic machine in an automated semiconductor manufacturing system is provided. The method may include identifying a maximum precision degree for a wafer and identifying a maximum overlay correction value. The method may simulate one or more algorithms to determine whether an algorithm aligns a leading lot within alignment specifications. The method may align a photolithography machine using an algorithm selected based on the simulations.
US08825184B2
A method for operating a vapor compression system modifies each control signal of a set of control signals with a corresponding modification signal of a set of modification signals, wherein each modification signal includes a perturbation signal, and the pertubation signals haver different frequencies and determines a metric signal representing perturbations in the system caused by the set of modification signals. Next, the method adjusts a value of each modification signal based on a function of a phase between the modification signal and a corresponding frequency component of the metric signal.
US08825182B2
A position control system to control the position of a movable object, including a position measurement system configured to determine an actual position related quantity of the movable object; a set-point generator to provide a position related set-point signal of the movable object; a comparator to provide an error signal on the basis of a comparison of the actual position related quantity and the position related set-point signal, a controller to provide a control signal on the basis of the error signal, a feed-forward device to provide a feed-forward signal on the basis of the position related set-point signal, and one or more actuators to act on the movable object on the basis of the control signal and the feed-forward signal, wherein the feed-forward device includes a disturbance force correction table including estimations of disturbance forces exerted on the movable object in dependence of a position of the movable object.
US08825180B2
A multi-conductor medical electrical lead comprises a connector located at a proximal end of the lead, one or more electrodes located at a distal end of the lead and a co-radial multi-conductor coil connecting the connector with the electrode(s), wherein the coil has a lead body region with co-radially wound conductors and has an inductance greater than or equal to approximately 1.5 μH.
US08825172B2
A neurostimulation system and method of operating an implantable neurostimulation device configured for outputting electrical stimulation energy to at least one electrode in accordance with a set of stimulation parameters. The implantable neurostimulation device may be switched from a normal operating mode to a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) operating mode. Electrical parameter measurements may be repeatedly acquired at each of the electrode(s) in response to the placement of the implantable stimulation system in the MRI mode. A corrective action may be performed based on at least one of the repeatedly acquired electrical parameter measurements.
US08825171B1
An impact resistant implantable antenna coil assembly comprising a flat antenna coil having a plurality of laterally separated turns of wire encapsulated with a non-orthogonal force absorbing coil reinforcement in a flexible biocompatible polymer and axially anchored with the reinforcement to a feedthrough case. Thus configured, non-orthogonal impact forces applied to the antenna coil assembly are absorbed and lateral components thereof that would otherwise be reflected as tensile forces in the plane of the coil are prevented from forming or from fracturing wire within the antenna coil.
US08825163B2
Systems and methods selectively stimulate components of the pudendal nerve away from the sacral root to evoke desired physiologic responses in persons who lack the ability to otherwise produce these responses—e.g., maintain continence and/or produce micturition, and/or provide male/female sexuality responses, and/or provide bowel responses. The systems and methods use a multiple electrode array, or individual electrodes, placed on, in, or near the pudendal nerve. The electrode array, or individual electrodes, in association with a pulse generator, provide selective stimulation of individual fascicles within the pudendal nerve, to achieve different physiologic responses.
US08825159B2
Tools and methods are particularly suited for certain cardiac conditions involving use of a catheter for pacing of the right and left ventricles from a lead in the right ventricle, e.g., to facilitate mechanically and/or electrically synchronous contractions for resynchronization. Certain aspects involve pacing and/or mapping by delivering pulses to a cardiac site useful for improving heart function as measured, e.g., by QRS width, fractionation, late LV activation timing, mechanical synchronicity of free wall and septal wall, effective throughput/pressure, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, a catheter arrangement includes a fixation mechanism to attach the catheter arrangement to heart tissue, individually-addressable electrodes for providing pacing signals to the heart tissue, and an elongated structure that supports the fixation mechanism and the electrodes. The elongated structure is used to direct an end thereof to the target region in the right ventricle, and deliver an electrical pacing signal to different portions within the target region of the heart when the fixation mechanism is operative to attach to heart tissue and also when the fixation mechanism is not attaching the catheter arrangement to heart tissue.
US08825154B2
An automated external defibrillator (AED) (10) having a treatment decision processor (28) is described which follows a “shock first” or a “CPR first” rescue protocol after identification of a treatable arrhythmia, depending upon an estimate of the probability of successful resuscitation made from an analysis of a patient parameter measured at the beginning of the rescue. The invention may also follow different CPR protocols depending on the estimate. The invention also may use the trend of the measured patient parameter to adjust the CPR protocol either during a CPR pause or after the initial CPR pause. The AED (10) thus enables an improved rescue protocol.
US08825150B2
A bio-impedance measurement apparatus includes a flexible band member fastened around a body portion, two probe sets attached to the flexible band member, a measurement device, and a wireless device. One probe set includes a probe having a tip portion for piercing the skin of the body portion to be located adjacent to an acupuncture point. Another probe set, used as an electrical ground, includes a probe that contacts the reference skin. The measurement device is disposed on the flexible band member and electrically coupled to the two probe sets to provide an impulse current signal to the acupuncture point. The measurement device amplifies and measures the voltage response across the acupuncture points and the ground. The amplified signal is converted to a digital signal for Fourier transformation. The wireless device, coupled to the measurement device, transmits the acupuncture code and impedance information to a remote monitor station.
US08825130B2
An electrode support structure assembly is provided comprising an electrode support structure including a plurality of splines. Each of the plurality of splines can have a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The assembly further comprises a first element defining an axis and comprising an outer surface. The outer surface comprises a plurality of slots configured to receive the distal end portion of each of the plurality of splines. The first element is configured such that the distal end portion of each of the plurality of splines may move with respect to each slot. In accordance with some embodiments, the distal end portion of each of the plurality of splines comprises a section configured for engagement with the first element, wherein the section comprises a shoulder.
US08825128B2
A sensor for measuring biosignals is provided. The sensor comprises at least one electrode comprising: a substrate comprising a flexible non-conductive material; a conductive layer configured to transfer electrical signals; a gel layer configured to transfer electrical signals; and a barrier layer configured to protect the conductive layer and transfer electrical signals, wherein the barrier layer deposited on the substrate, the gel layer is deposited on the barrier layer so that the gel layer covers only a part of the barrier layer, and the conductive layer is deposited over an area of the barrier layer which is outside of an area of the barrier layer on which the gel layer is deposited.
US08825122B2
A hand-held device includes a first body, a second body, a sliding module, and a guiding module. The sliding module is disposed between the first body and the second body, so that the second body is able to be slid on a two-dimensional plane relative to the first body. The guiding module includes a first guiding part and a second guiding part. The first guiding part is fixed to the first body. The second guiding part is fixed to the second body and coupled to the first guiding part. Besides, the second guiding part is able to be moved along a guiding path relative to the first guiding part, so that the second body is able to be slid along the guiding path on the two-dimensional plane relative to the first body.
US08825118B2
A mobile terminal and a method for controlling the same are disclosed, which can connect communication with a preset external device when a battery of the mobile terminal is charged via a wireless charging pad, transmit information of the mobile terminal to the preset external device and output the information of the mobile terminal via the external device.
US08825114B2
A mobile display device includes a display part, a speaker, a microphone, an incoming call-detecting part, a state-detecting part, and a display control part. The display part displays information. The speaker outputs voice. The microphone picks up voice. The incoming call-detecting part detects an incoming call. The state-detecting part detects a positional relationship of the speaker and the microphone. The display control part displays, on the display part, information suggesting the correction of the inclination of the apparatus itself, when the incoming call-detecting part detects an incoming call and the state-detecting part detects that the positional relationship of the speaker and the microphone is in a prescribed positional relationship.
US08825102B2
Systems and methods for regulating transmit power in a mobile station to comply with SAR limits are disclosed. A mobile station may include a processor, transmitter, and proximity sensor. The transmitter is configured to operate at a transmit power controlled by a first transmit power limit. The proximity sensor identifies how close the mobile station is to a human head. A transmit power regulator, implemented on the processor, determines the cumulative energy radiated by the transmitter over a specified number of frames. If the cumulative energy exceeds an energy limit based on a SAR limit, and the proximity sensor indicates that the mobile station is close to a human head, the transmit power regulator may decrease the transmit power limit of the transmitter.
US08825098B2
A method and apparatus for providing multi-rate broadcast services in a wireless communication system are disclosed. The present invention takes advantage of the higher capacity of better channels by providing a certain data rate common to all users, while sending additional information to users with better channel conditions. A base station transmits a broadcast message including common information at a basic rate and additional information at a rate higher than the basic rate. The basic rate guarantees successful receipt by all WTRUs in a coverage area and the rate for the additional information is set such that only certain WTRUs with a channel condition above a threshold may decode the additional information successfully. The WTRU decodes the common information and subtracts the common information from received signals to decode the additional information. The additional information may be information supplementing the common information, such as video information.
US08825093B2
The invention relates to an electronic short messaging and advertising method where minimal initiative is required from the consumer. Some embodiments of the invention may also be applied to an electronic sales method. The invention may also be applied for normal short messaging. The electronic short messaging method for collect calling may send transmissions to at least one subscriber terminal via the Internet and/or the telephony network. The method may include sending a first transmission to a recipient subscriber terminal for display, wherein the first transmission defines one or more active alternatives including at least one of initiating a collect call and deleting the transmission. In some embodiments, unless the collect call is initiated, the first transmission is automatically deleted after reception after a predefined time period.
US08825082B2
The present invention is broadly directed to systems and methods for gathering information about wireless transceiver devices in a defined boundary region. To this end, the disclosure is more particularly directed to gathering movement information (e.g., via detection and location) about two-way end-user wireless terminals within three-dimensional boundaries of defined local space (“DLS”) to allow for selective control of the terminals and other subsystems, as desired. Additionally, the data collected can be used to improve accuracy and precision regarding the prediction of behavior characteristics and tendencies of populations based on a sampling of observed terminals.
US08825078B1
According to an embodiment, a method of estimating a location of an access point is provided. The method includes storing a first and a second sample respectively received from a first and a second mobile device, both samples including a location of their respective mobile devices, an access point identifier from the access point, and a value corresponding to a signal strength of a signal from the access point measured at their respective mobile device. The cells of a matrix are populated with probabilities based on mobile device locations and the signal strength values. Finally, the location of the access point is estimated based on the matrix.
US08825077B2
Method and system for femtocell positioning are disclosed. An apparatus includes one or more processors, a femtocell positioning module configured to determine position of a femtocell, and a memory configured to store position of the femtocell. The femtocell positioning module, working with the one or more processors, includes logic configured to identify one or more wireless terminals and receive location information from the one or more wireless terminals via a first communication channel and determine position of the femtocell in accordance with the location information from the one or more wireless terminals. The femtocell positioning module further includes logic configured to obtain multiple set of range measurements between the femtocell and the one or more wireless terminals, logic configured to determine position of the femtocell in accordance with the location information and the multiple set of range measurements between the femtocell and the one or more wireless terminals.
US08825070B2
The present invention supports a communication protocol on a wireless communication network to allocate network resources. The radio network controller maintains quality of service (QoS) profiles. A serving node determines the type of application in a communication call and determines a QoS policy it transmits to the radio network. The radio network identifies the QoS profile based on the received policy and allocates network resources before announcing the call to an access terminal.
US08825067B2
The present invention concerns a method, a device and a system for scheduling transfer of data from a mobile terminal to a base station in a telecommunication system. The method is executed by the mobile terminal. It comprises the steps of determining whether a resource of the telecommunication system needs to be allocated to the mobile terminal to enable transferring data from the mobile terminal to the base station, and transferring, from the mobile terminal to the base station, a pilot symbol before data transmission and before the resource of the telecommunication system is allocated to the mobile terminal, when the resource of the telecommunication system needs to be allocated to the mobile terminal, the pilot symbol having information for allocation of the resource of the telecommunication system by the base station.
US08825058B2
A special-purpose Service Control Point includes a customized application that provides Fixed Mobile Convergence services and interoperates with a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network to achieve a single-number fixed mobile convergence overlay network. By determining if a dual-mode cellular/WiFi handset is reachable via a WiFi network, the Service Control Point may redirect incoming and outgoing calls off of the cellular network and onto the WiFi network, thereby reducing cost and providing greater coverage.
US08825055B2
Provided is a handover originating base station which transmits data to a handover destination base station, for performing mobile communication terminal handover in a mobile communication system. The handover originating base station is provided with a means for transmitting data whose transmission is not confirmed by a communication terminal, with information which indicates data transmitted just before.
US08825049B2
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a unified scheme for selecting an operator and a radio access technology (RAT) by a multi-mode wireless device during a power-up or a handover process. By utilizing the proposed scheme, the mobile station may switch between RATs that are associated with the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) or 3GPP2 standards.
US08825044B2
A wireless communication device (WCD) may be able to acquire wireless service from preferred wireless coverage areas that are managed by the WCD's service provider. In some cases, the WCD may instead use wireless service from non-preferred wireless coverage areas of the service provider's roaming partners. In order to save roaming fees, the service provider's RAN may determine when the WCD is likely to roam to a non-preferred wireless coverage area. In response to this determination, the RAN may transmit a redirect message to the WCD, causing the WCD to switch from one preferred wireless coverage area to another preferred wireless coverage area. In some situations, the RAN may transmit such a redirect message because the WCD has reported that it has a low remaining battery life.
US08825043B2
A cordless telephone system provides home security. Each handset associated with the cordless telephone system detects an event, such as a noise level that exceeds a threshold noise level, smoke, carbon monoxide, intrusion or moisture level. If an event is detected the system initiates a telephone call through the base unit to an alert telephone number. When the telephone call to the alert telephone number is established, a message is played to provide notification of the event.
US08825038B2
Provided is a method of controlling a portable terminal having a projector module using a headset, which includes: receiving a command signal from the headset; determining whether the projector module is in an execution or driving state; recognizing the command signal as a signal for controlling the projector module, in case the projector module is in the driving state; and controlling the projector module according to the recognized signal.
US08825036B2
A telecommunications network offers a subscription plan or feature for parent and activity-based child devices. Configuration choices are made at the parent device and communicated to the activity-based child device. The child device creates a graphical menu showing activities as specified by the configuration information received from the parent device.
US08825034B2
A method for data bridging and synchronization between a mobile device and a computer network, using a computer connected to the mobile device over a short range communication channel.
US08825032B1
The described systems and methods allow for safer operation of a wireless communication device (WCD). The methods may be carried out at the WCD or at a wireless-communications network that interfaces to the WCD. A hands-free-audio (HFA) profile associated with the WCD may be set to enabled or disabled. A speed-condition of the WCD is determined and compared to a speed-threshold. If the speed-condition is greater than the speed-threshold and the HFA profile is enabled, then the WCD is operable to engage in wireless communications (e.g., voice calls or text messaging) via an HFA device associated with the WCD. If the speed-condition is greater than the speed-threshold and the HFA profile is set to disabled, then the WCD may prevent and/or postpone wireless communications from occurring. After the speed-condition is determined to be less than the speed-threshold, previously received communications (e.g., text messages) may be presented via the WCD.
US08825015B2
A mobile phone provided according to an aspect of the present invention generates a non-visual human perceptible signal (e.g., sound or touch/vibration) after the data representing a web page content is received. Due to such a feature, the user need not watch a display screen of the mobile phone to know that the web page is displayed. The use-friendliness is enhanced when accessing the web pages over low bandwidth communication paths.
US08825011B2
A method for controlling wireless communications to and from a macro wireless network includes provoking an access request from a wireless device to register the device with an intelligent network access controller for a local wireless network. The method then includes locking the wireless device to the controller and determining a category of the wireless device. If the determined category of the wireless device is a first category, the method includes preventing access to wireless communications using the macro wireless network. If the determined category of the wireless device is a second category, the method includes directing the wireless device to re-attempt access with the macro wireless network.
US08825009B2
The present invention relates to a method for operating a RF communication device, a RF communication device (400), a method for operating an authentication server of a network entity and to corresponding computer programs. All aspects of the present invention take into account that a continuous operation of a RF communication device, in particular of a metering application, needs to be ensured, even if the function of a component SIM or initial SIM (410) has to be replaced or supplemented by an external new SIM (420). It is suggested to ascertain the validity of the external SIM by using information stored in the component/initial SIM. The validity of the external SIM can be ascertaining either solely on the side of the RF communication device or by sending a corresponding validity check request signal to a remote network entity.
US08825005B2
A usage management system includes a first storage and a processor. The first storage stores, for each communication area and for each user, usage restriction information regarding a network device which locates in each communication area and which is used by each user and connectable to a communication network. The processor identifies a location area which is a communication area in which a target network device locates, identifies a target user present in the identified location area, acquires usage restriction information regarding the target network device for the identified target user from the first storage, and controls operations of the target network device in accordance with the acquired usage restriction information.
US08825004B2
The generation of charging data and charging traffic is reduced during idle periods of an always-on connection. During the detection of idle periods on the always-on connection special data like ICMP messages, keep alive messages and polling messages is ignored and not counted as active traffic. When an idle period is detected the charging session related to the always-on connection is suspended for the duration of the idle period in order to reduce the generation of charging data related to the idle always-on connection without terminating the charging session. Further on the user is not billed for the detected periods where the always-on connection was idle.
US08824990B2
There is provided a method for use in a wireless communication to avoid detection of a false modulated signal in a paged device. In one embodiment, a modulated signal is received by the paged device. Then, the modulated signal is identified by the paged device as a preliminary false modulated signal. Thereafter, the gain of at least one paged device amplifier and/or a matching threshold of the paged device is reduced by the paged device to decrease a sensitivity of the paged device to avoid detection of a future false modulated signal. In one embodiment, the wireless communication is a Bluetooth wireless communication and the paged device is a Bluetooth enabled device. An exemplary system for implementing one embodiment of the disclosed method is described.
US08824989B2
Implementations are directed to predicting signal degradation at receivers used to display a programming service. The receivers capture signal strength data that is then transmitted to a processing location, which may be associated with a provider of the programming service. A signal degradation detector at the provider operates to predict whether or not a future unacceptable signal quality will occur within a time interval. The prediction may be based on a test quantity calculated from signals captured at the receiver and based on a figure of merit for the geographic locale in which the receiver is located. A maintenance call may be initiated for those receivers that have such a poor signal quality.
US08824986B2
The invention relates to a multichannel radio-frequency receiver (1) for electromagnetic waves, having a radio-frequency analogue section (2) which has an input (3) for an electrical signal of a receiving device (4), and having an lower-frequency section (8, 9) which is connected downstream from the radio-frequency analogue section (2) and has a plurality of parallel channels (6b, 6c; 7b, 7c) for respectively different signal strengths and an evaluation circuit, in which a signal divider (5) is provided in the radio-frequency analogue section (2) in order to split the signal in accordance with a predeterminable division ratio into signal elements which can be supplied to radio-frequency analogue channels (6a, 7a), downstream from which the channels (6b, 6c; 7b, 7c) of the lower-frequency section (8, 9) are respectively connected, and the channels (6b, 6c; 7b, 7c) of the lower-frequency section (8, 9) each have an evaluation circuit for detection of the phase and amplitude of the respective signal element.
US08824978B2
A radio frequency (RF) power amplifier system or transmitter includes one or more power amplifiers and a controller that is configured to adjust amplitudes and phases of RF input signals of the one or more power amplifiers and supply voltages applied to the one or more power amplifiers. In embodiments where multiple power amplifiers are used, a combiner may be provided to combine outputs of the power amplifiers. In at least one implementation, amplitude adjustment of the RF input signals of the one or more power amplifiers may be used to provide transmit power control and/or power backoff.
US08824973B2
A method for filtering measurement values of a measurement quantity obtained from a communication between a mobile device and a mobile communication network and a mobile communication network device adapted to filter such measurement values are provided. A measurement value for the measurement quantity is to be periodically received at fixed points in time. The measurement value is filtered using a digital filter for obtaining a filtering result, wherein the filtering of the measurement value includes the weighting of the measurement value with a weighting coefficient. The filtering result can be provided for an adaptation of the communication link to the mobile device.
US08824963B2
A peripheral device and a method for programming the read/writeable memory of the RFID circuitry by communications between either RF antenna or bus communications port controller interface or both. In the peripheral device, an EEPROM, bus communications controller interface, NFC interface, antenna, and logic controller operate to receive and transmit configuration and calibration data between a wireless personal area network circuit and an external wireless personal area network enabled device. The dual interfaced EEPROM is operable to share or partition its EEPROM between an NFC interface and a bus communications controller.
US08824962B2
The invention relates to a system enabling the contactless transfer of personal data from a mobile terminal including a first antenna coupled to a first chip cooperating with a first memory to a second memory cooperating with a second chip, with said second chip being coupled to a second antenna. According to the invention, the second memory is included in a passive radiofrequency transponder supplied by the electromagnetic field emitted by said first antenna during said transfer of personal data.
US08824960B2
A mobile wireless communications device includes a housing carrying a wireless transceiver and a removable power source. The removable power source includes a first Near Field Communications (NFC) circuit. A second NFC circuit is carried by the housing and is configured to authenticate the removable power source based upon communications the said first NFC circuit.
US08824958B2
Providing connections to terminals in an access node of a first network. A message is received in the access node from a terminal, the message including capability information of the terminal. The terminal is identified in the access node on the basis of the received capability information as an intermediary node capable of relaying traffic between the first network and a second network. Parameters for a connection between the access node and the terminal are determined in the access node on the basis of the identification of the terminal as intermediary node and used in establishing the connection between the access node and the terminal.
US08824954B2
An image forming apparatus starts to change a curl correcting amount until when an upstream end in a sheet conveying direction of a preceding sheet passes through a curl correcting unit and finishes changing the curl correcting amount until when a succeeding sheet that follows the preceding sheet reaches the curl correcting unit in a case when the preceding sheet and the succeeding sheet are both guided in the curl correcting unit through a conveying path and when the curl correcting amount is changed between curl correcting amounts of the preceding sheet and the succeeding sheet.
US08824947B2
A recording sheet has an unfixed toner image that is formed thereon, and is conveyed to a fixing device. A surface reforming device of the fixing device performs surface reformation for the surface of the toner on the recording sheet by, for example, plasma irradiation or the like, thereby generating a polar group of a hydrophilic property on the surface of the toner. Next, the recording sheet is conveyed to a laser irradiation portion by a recording sheet conveyance device to be irradiated with a laser, in which the toner is fused to be fixed to the recording sheet. The toner on the recording sheet is subjected to surface reforming treatment, thus having increased affinity (adhesion force) with the recording sheet, so that it is possible to secure favorable fixability without pressing.
US08824946B2
A urethane resin laminate includes a substrate material having a contact angle of water in the surface of the substrate material being from 0 degree to 90 degrees, an inner urethane resin layer, and an outer urethane resin layer in this order. The inner urethane resin layer contains urethane resin that does not have a fluorine atom in a molecular structure, and has self-repairability. The outer urethane resin layer contains urethane resin containing a fluorine atom in a molecular structure, and has self-repairability.
US08824944B2
A method for fixing toner onto a receiver medium includes depositing a pattern of toner onto a surface of the receiver medium. The toner has a toner glass transition temperature. At least one surface of the receiver medium is brought into contact with a heating liquid, the heating liquid being at a temperature greater than the toner glass transition temperature. Heat is transferred from the heating liquid to the toner, thereby raising a temperature of the toner to a level above the toner glass transition temperature.
US08824942B2
A fixing device includes a cylindrical rotating member rotating in a circumferential direction thereof and having a slot at an end thereof and a protruding section extending along an edge of the slot at a front side in a rotational direction of the rotating member, the rotating member receiving a rotational driving force via the slot; a pressing member pressing a recording medium bearing an unfixed toner image on a surface thereof by nipping the recording medium together with the rotating member so as to fix the toner image onto the surface; a heat source heating the recording medium; and a driving member having an engagement section engaged with the slot and in contact with the protruding section at a position separated from a peripheral wall of the cylinder by a certain distance, the driving member imparting the rotational driving force to the rotating member via the engagement section.
US08824941B2
An image transfer device includes an image bearing member, a pair of opposed transfer members, a media separator, and an electrical bias applicator. The image bearing member defines an image bearing surface on which a toner image is created. The pair of opposed transfer members is disposed opposite each other via the image bearing member to form a transfer nip therebetween through which a recording medium is passed. One of the transfer members defines a first electrode to which a first electrical bias is applied. The media separator defines a second electrode downstream from the transfer nip to which a second electrical bias is applied. The electrical bias applicator includes a power supply connectable with each of the first and second electrodes to supply the first electrical bias to the first electrode and the second electrical bias to the second electrode.
US08824936B2
The image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus including an image bearing member, a developing device, a transfer device, and a cleaning device. The developing device includes a toner bearing member having a surface subjected to alumite treatment. Toner that is used in the image forming apparatus is magnetic mono-component developer including magnetic toner particles containing at least binder resin and iron-containing magnetic powder, and an external additive to be externally added to the magnetic toner particles. The external additive is formed from inorganic fine particles which have been subjected to surface treatment with a tin-containing compound and an antimony-containing compound. In the image forming apparatus, the ratio of antimony to iron of the toner that has been removed by the cleaning device is double or more the ratio of antimony to iron of the toner before being conveyed by the toner bearing member.
US08824931B2
Liquid marking agent development assemblies and liquid marking agent hard imaging methods are described. According to one aspect, a liquid marking agent development assembly includes a developer member comprising an outer surface and a charging assembly adjacent to the outer surface of the developer member, and wherein the charging assembly comprises at least one roller member configured to provide substantially an entirety of an electrical field relative to the developer member which electrical field is used to direct a plurality of ink particles of a liquid marking agent to the outer surface of the developer member and which ink particles upon the outer surface of the developer member are used to develop latent images upon an imaging member.
US08824928B2
A charging apparatus includes a latent image bearing member having a charge generating layer for generating an electric charge by receiving light energy; a light source for emitting light energy for generating the electric charge in the charge generating layer; an electrode; a bias voltage applying portion for applying a bias voltage to the electrode; and an elastic member, which is insulative and transparent, for contacting the electrode to a surface of the latent image bearing member. The electric charge is generated in the charge generating layer by reception of the light energy emitted from the light source, and the surface of the latent image bearing member is electrically charged by applying the bias voltage from the bias voltage applying portion to the electrode. The electrode is provided on the elastic member and is contacted to the surface of the latent image bearing member in a contact area and does not extend to an outside of the contact area.
US08824927B2
A fixing device includes a heating rotating body that heats a developer image formed on a recording medium, a pressurizing rotating body that pressurizes the recording medium by nipping the recording medium between the pressurizing rotating body and the heating rotating body, a pair of support plates that rotatably support both ends of one of the pressurizing rotating body and the heating rotating body, and a release member including an attachment portion attached to the support plates to hold the support plates from both sides in a thickness direction, and an operating portion. When an external force in a predetermined direction acts on the operating portion, the release member releases pressing of the one of the pressurizing rotating body and the heating rotating body against the other by moving the support plates in a direction away from the other.
US08824921B2
An image forming device capable of providing precise positional relationship between an exposure unit and a photosensitive body. The exposure unit having an exposure head elongated in a longitudinal direction and having light emitting sections arrayed in the longitudinal direction. The light elements emit light in an optical axis direction. A frame supports the photosensitive body. A positioning protrusion protrudes in the optical axis direction from one of the frame and the exposure unit. A remaining one of the frame and the exposure unit is formed with a positioning part engageable with the positioning protrusion. A biasing unit provides a biasing force that ensures engagement between the positioning protrusion and the positioning part.
US08824919B2
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material includes a detachably-mounted cartridge including an electrophotographic photosensitive member, first and second portions-to-be-regulated for regulating rotation of the cartridge when a driving force receiving portion receives a driving force, and a transfer member for transferring a developer image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member onto a toner image receiving member. A supporting member is movable between an inside position which is in a main assembly of the apparatus and an outer portion, and a contacting and spacing member is movable relative to the supporting member. In addition, a first regulating portion permits movement of the supporting member between the outer position and the inside position, and a second regulating portion regulates rotation of the cartridge.
US08824912B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image fixing device (9), a measuring module (101) and a control module (300). The measuring module (101) is used to measure the temperature of the image fixing device (9) to generate a temperature measure value. The control module (300) is used to control an execution mechanism to act to show that the image forming apparatus is in the working state, upon determining that the temperature measure value is lower than a preset threshold. The present invention further includes a corresponding image forming method. Advantages of the present invention are that, a user is clearly prompted that the apparatus is in a normal operation state, thereby bringing convenience to the use of the apparatus.
US08824909B2
An image forming apparatus includes a magnetic roller voltage applier for a magnetic roller, a developing roller voltage applier for a developing roller and a controller for controlling the appliers. The controller controls the magnetic roller voltage applier to apply, to the magnetic roller, a first voltage for forcibly conveying a thin layer of toner held on the developing roller toward the magnetic roller for a first period required for one turn of the developing roller, and controls the developing roller voltage applier to apply, to the developing roller, a second voltage for causing toner on the developing roller to fly onto the image carrier for a second period when at least the forcible consumption electrostatic latent image faces a facing portion between the developing roller and the magnetic roller. At least parts of the first period and the second period are overlapped with each other.
US08824899B2
OSUs 1 to N are connected to a plurality of PON lines respectively. A control unit performs processing for registering a plurality of subscriber devices connected to the plurality of PON lines respectively and processing for allocating a bandwidth. In addition, the control unit switches an OSU while a state of registration of the plurality of subscriber devices is maintained, by changing a communication path between the plurality of PON lines and a plurality of OSUs 1 to N.
US08824897B2
A system for transmitting data packets over a network. The system includes a plurality of first nodes, wherein each first node has a first transceiver configured to transmit a data packet at at least one of a plurality of first wavelengths and receive a data packet at an assigned first wavelength, wherein each first node is configured to pass incoming data packets not transmitted at the assigned first wavelength, a plurality of second nodes, wherein each second node has a second transceiver configured to transmit a data packet at least one of a plurality of second wavelengths and receive a data packet at an assigned second wavelength, wherein each second node is configured to pass incoming data packets not transmitted at the assigned second wavelength, and at least one optical fiber operably connecting the transceivers.
US08824893B2
Provided is an optical network system and optical network unit (ONU) structure enabling a passive optical access network having a meshed structure with at least two central nodes and plurality of ONUs. One embodiment employs a partially or fully meshed structure of optical fibers between customer locations and multiple optical line terminal (OLT) locations creating a passive optical access network. The ONUs can communicate with a neighboring OLT or ONU using a symmetrical or asymmetrical TDM scheme, and convert between the different TDM schemes. For this purpose, the ONU structure includes two transceiver units, one connected to the western network port and the other to the eastern. The ONU can establish communication between either network port and a further ONU or an OLT, with the ONU controller adapted for passing through data, and converting TDM schemes.
US08824892B2
In an optical line terminal connectable to optical network units in an optical communication network, an receiver converts an upstream optical signal, received from an optical network unit, into a corresponding upstream electric signal and then derives an upstream control signal controlling the optical line terminal from the upstream electric signal. A controller generates a power control signal switching on or off power supply to the receiver on the basis of the upstream control signal, and a power feeder switches on or off the power supply to the receiver in response to the power control signal. Thus, the optical line terminal can reduce the waste of standby electricity.
US08824891B2
A method removes signal interference in a passive optical network. The passive optical network includes an optical line terminal, a splitting unit coupled with the optical line terminal, an optical network unit coupled with the splitting unit, and an identification signal uniquely associated with the optical network unit. The method includes the steps of sending a first signal, detecting the first signal, comparing the detected first signal with an identification signal and decoupling the optical network unit from the splitting unit if the comparing step results in a mismatch.
US08824885B2
Optical network protection devices and protection methods including: a working line; a protection line; a determination module configured to determine the protection type of optical network; a first judgment module configured to judge whether the working line is normal according to performance parameter values of service signal in the working line and switching conditions configured for multiplexing section protection when the protection type of optical network is the multiplexing section protection; a second judgment module, configured to judge whether the working line is normal according to performance parameter values of service signal in the working line and switching conditions configured for channel section protection when the protection type of optical network is the channel section protection; a switching module, configured to take the service signal in the protection line as an output signal when working line is abnormal.
US08824881B2
Camera flash systems and methods for data transmission between cameras and flash devices remote to the camera for remotely adjusting flash exposure power of the flash devices are disclosed. The camera flash systems include a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter receives camera output data from a camera that includes exposure power data for at least one flash device remote to the transmitter and user input data that includes adjustments to the flash exposure power data for the at least one flash device. The transmitter is operable to transmit the adjusted flash exposure power data to the at least one flash device. The receiver receives the adjusted flash exposure power data from the transmitter and is operable to transmit the adjusted flash exposure power data to a flash device.
US08824879B2
A system and method is disclosed for enabling user friendly interaction with a camera system. Specifically, the inventive system and method has several aspects to improve the interaction with a camera system, including voice recognition, gaze tracking, touch sensitive inputs and others. The voice recognition unit is operable for, among other things, receiving multiple different voice commands, recognizing the vocal commands, associating the different voice commands to one camera command and controlling at least some aspect of the digital camera operation in response to these voice commands. The gaze tracking unit is operable for, among other things, determining the location on the viewfinder image that the user is gazing upon. One aspect of the touch sensitive inputs provides that the touch sensitive pad is mouse-like and is operable for, among other things, receiving user touch inputs to control at least some aspect of the camera operation. Another aspect of the disclosed invention provides for gesture recognition to be used to interface with and control the camera system.
US08824876B2
An exhaust apparatus includes a lower side exhaust duct and an upper side exhaust duct which are branched vertically, and in that the lower side exhaust duct is extended toward the lower side of the vehicle from an exhaust outlet portion of the air-cooled fuel cell stack, and the downstream end portion of the lower side exhaust duct is opened at a lower portion of the front compartment, while the upper side exhaust duct is extended toward the upper side of the vehicle from an upper portion of an outer wall of the lower side exhaust duct, the outer wall extending toward the lower side of the vehicle, and the downstream end portion of the upper side exhaust duct is opened between the rear end portion of the front hood and the front end portion of the front window.
US08824873B2
A high resolution video signal is divided by video division means into a main signal and a sub signal, and the main signal and the sub signal are MPEG-encoded. The stream of the main signal and the stream of the sub signal are divided into 1 GPO or more of frames. First interleave blocks each including 1 GOP or more of the stream of the main signal and second interleave blocks each including 1 GOP or more of the stream of the sub signal are recorded on an optical disk. A high resolution reproduction apparatus reproduces both the first and second interleave blocks to obtain a high resolution video output. A non-high quality picture reproduction apparatus reproduces only the first or second interleave blocks to obtain a standard resolution video output.
US08824872B2
Whether images are to be displayed in a display order or at a display speed is determined for each type of event for when images that are recorded in a recording unit in association with events detected by a detection unit, which are to be displayed by a display unit. The display order indicates whether the images are to be displayed in chronological order or in reverse chronological order. The display speed indicates a display speed at which the images are to be reproduced by the display unit.
US08824868B2
A playback apparatus includes an obtaining unit obtaining playback management information including a main playback path of a main stream set, a first sub playback path of a first sub-stream set, and a second sub playback path of a second sub-stream set. The first and second sub playback paths are allowed for a predetermined category. A selection-receiver receives a selection of streams as a first combination or a second combination. A reading unit reads the corresponding stream sets according to whether the first or second combination is selected. A playback unit plays back the main stream set and the first or second sub-stream set. The number of files that are readable at one time is predetermined. The sub playback paths are determined so that the number of the files that are readable at one time does not exceed the predetermined number.
US08824865B2
A digital video recorder (DVR) system with an integrated DVD recording device accepts TV input streams in a multitude of forms. Analog TV streams are converted to an MPEG formatted stream for internal transfer and manipulation, while pre-formatted MPEG streams are extracted from the digital TV signal and presented in a similar format. Indexes within the MPEG stream are determined and saved at predefined intervals and are stored on a hard disk along with the MPEG program material and used to create navigation packets when writing to a DVD inserted in an integrated DVD player/recorder. When a program is requested for display from the hard disk or the integrated DVD player/recorder, the program material are extracted from the appropriate source and reassembled into an MPEG stream which is sent to a decoder. The decoder converts the MPEG stream into TV output signals and delivers the TV output signals to a TV monitor. User control commands are accepted which affect the flow of the MPEG stream allowing the user to view stored programs with special functions: reverse, fast forward, play, pause, index, fast/slow reverse play, and fast/slow play. The user can select program material stored on the hard disk to be written to a DVD and can also select program material stored on a DVD to be transferred to the hard disk.
US08824859B2
A method for data display includes storing an identification code and receiving encoded video content for playback. The encoded video content is decoded so as to output a series of video frames while modulating a background level of the video frames in the series according to the identification code. Related systems and methods are also included.
US08824854B2
A method, arrangement and computer program for transferring multimedia data from a multimedia data capture device to a metadata recording device via a data communication connection and for enhancing the multimedia data using metadata captured by the recording device. The method involves establishing a data communication connection between the data capture device and a metadata recording device, determining the time difference between the clocks of the devices, receiving a captured multimedia data item from the multimedia data capture device. having a first timestamp indicating the creation time of the data item, recording metadata having a second timestamp indicating the creation time of the metadata according to the clock of the metadata recording device, and associating the captured multimedia data item with the metadata, utilizing the first and the second timestamps, where at least one timestamp is corrected using the time difference between the clocks of the two devices.
US08824853B2
A shooting apparatus includes: a stop/resumption determination unit that determines stop and resumption of recording of a moving image being shot by an image pickup unit provided in a shooting apparatus body; an unnecessary part determination unit that determines an unnecessary part of the moving image based on at least one of a state change of the shooting apparatus body and a state change of the moving image; and a recording control unit that records, as a single video file, the moving image except a moving image part corresponding to a stop period from the stop to the resumption and a moving image part determined as the unnecessary part.
US08824850B2
An insect-infestation prevention device and a fiber optic telecommunications equipment including an insect-infestation prevention device is disclosed. The fiber optic telecommunications equipment includes a housing with a main housing portion defining a first transverse wall, a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall, cooperatively defining an interior. A cable exit/entry is provided opening on one of the front wall, the rear wall, the top wall, and the bottom wall. A removable insect-infestation prevention device is located adjacent the cable exit/entry opening, the insect-infestation prevention device including cable openings communicating with the cable exit/entry opening. The cable openings of the device are sized to accommodate fiber optic cables exiting or entering the housing while limiting the amount of free space around the fiber optic cables to prevent insects from entering the housing. A removable cover mounted to the main housing portion defines a second transverse wall of the housing and captures the insect-infestation prevention device against the main housing portion.
US08824839B2
An optical coupling device includes an optical fiber holder configured to hold an optical fiber, a wavelength conversion member including a phosphor and an optical characteristic matching member and a wavelength conversion member holder configured to hold the wavelength conversion member. The optical coupling device includes a first region which is formed on an end face of the optical fiber and an end face of the wavelength conversion member, which are optically coupled, when bonding the optical fiber holder and the wavelength conversion member holder, and in which foreign bodies that shield the laser beam are removed from an optical axis of the optical fiber and an optical axis of the wavelength conversion member and a second region which is formed outside the first region when bonding the optical fiber holder and the wavelength conversion member holder, and in which the foreign bodies removed from the first region flow.
US08824829B2
Methods and apparatus according to various aspects take as input image data in a lower-dynamic-range (LDR) format and produce as output enhanced image data having a dynamic range greater than that of the input image data (i.e. higher-dynamic range (HDR) image data). In some embodiments, the methods are applied to video data and are performed in real-time (i.e. processing of video frames to enhance the dynamic range of the video frames is completed at least on average at the frame rate of the video signal).
US08824816B2
A method for estimating a bit rate and the distortion of at least one compressed image using at least one wavelet transform operation delivering at least one sub-band b containing coefficients, said sub-band being subdivided into at least one packet of coefficients associated with a compression quality layer, said packet also including a packet header and being transmitted through a propagation channel, said method including estimating a distortion Dbc linked to a compression of the coefficients of said packet, estimating a distortion D′bc linked to a corruption or loss of said packet, estimating a compression bit rate Lb, estimating a sensitivity {tilde over (D)}bc of said packet according to Dbc and D′bc and the bit rate Lb, and estimating a distortion of said image linked to a decompression of said packet based on {tilde over (D)}bc.
US08824814B2
A pixel data decompression method for decompressing a frame is provided. The method includes: loading memory storage addresses corresponding to to-be-decompressed blocks; reading and decompressing a pixel line of a current block according to a memory storage address of the current block; updating the memory storage address of the current block according to a decompression result; reading a memory storage address of a next block if decompression of a pixel line of the frame is not completed; and repeating the above steps until decompression of the frame is completed.
US08824812B2
A method and apparatus of image data compression and decompression are disclosed. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the compression method partitions the image data into access units and encodes each access unit into a bitstream according to a target bit budget. Each access unit is encoded using first data compression to generate a first bitstream and the residual data is further encoded using second data compression to generate a second bitstream if the first bitstream is smaller than the target bit budget. In one example, the second data compression comprises bit plane coding applied to bit plane-ordered data, wherein the bit plane-ordered data is generated by scanning from a most significant bit to a least significant bit of the residual data in a bit plane-wise order. The decompression method comprises steps to recover reconstructed data from the first and second bitstreams.
US08824810B2
An apparatus and a method of encoding/decoding an image are provided. The method includes generating a bitmap table by mapping a quantized image, that is quantized according to a predetermined bit-depth, to a map table, and setting a bitmap index corresponding to each pixel location of the quantized image with reference to the bitmap table; setting a fixed filter index corresponding to an image of each pixel of the image by analyzing local characteristics of the image; generating bitmap data by adding the filter index to the bitmap index; extracting a bitmap index, a bitmap table, and a filter index from the bitmap data; extracting an encoded image mapped to the bitmap index from the bitmap table; and filtering the extracted encoded image based on a filter corresponding to the filter index.
US08824805B2
Provided are a regional information extraction method, a regional information output method, and an apparatus for the same. The regional information output method includes obtaining a regional image through the processing unit, transmitting the regional image to a server through the transmitting/receiving unit, receiving regional information on a geographical position that a regional image feature extracted from the regional image represents through the transmitting/receiving unit, and outputting the regional information through the output unit, wherein the geographical position represents one feature matching to the regional image feature, which is selected from a plurality of features representing a plurality of regional images.
US08824773B2
A defect observation device including an input-output unit supplied with information of a taught defect, and information of an ideal output of the taught defect, and configured to display a processing result based upon a determined image processing parameter set; and an automatic determination unit configured to: select image processing parameter sets which are less in number than the total number of all image processing parameter sets, out of all image processing parameter sets, calculate image processing results on an input defect image, by using the selected image processing parameter sets, calculate a coincidence degree for each of the selected image processing parameter sets, estimate distribution of an index value in all image processing parameter sets from distribution of the coincidence degree for the selected image processing parameter sets, and determine an image processing parameter set to have a high coincidence degree out of all image processing parameter sets.
US08824771B2
The invention relates to a method for tracing bank notes, wherein bank notes are inserted into an automated teller machine having a deposit function and are checked for authenticity, wherein a serial number of the bank note is detected and is stored as text together with transaction data. In addition, a serial number image of the bank notes is detected which forms an image detail of the bank note in an area of the bank note intended for the serial number, the detected serial number image with the serial number and the transaction data are stored and the serial number images are compared with the forged bank note if the serial number of the forged bank note has not been completely identified and/or if a comparison of the serial number of the forged bank note does not produce an agreement with the at least one stored serial number.
US08824770B2
Provided are methods for determining and analyzing photometric and morphometric features of small objects, such as cells to, for example, identify different cell states. In particularly, methods are provided for identifying apoptotic cells, and for distinguishing between cells undergoing apoptosis versus necrosis.
US08824769B2
The invention relates generally to a process of analyzing and visualizing the expression of biomarkers in an individual cell wherein the cell is examined to develop patterns of expression by using a grouping algorithm, and a system to perform and display the analysis.
US08824767B2
A cell-image analyzing apparatus is intended to analyze, using a cell image, a cell collective that forms a colony, and is provided with a computer. The cell-image analyzing apparatus has an image analysis software that makes the computer function as: a boundary element extracting means for extracting boundary elements of subjects upon analyzing the cell image; a possible colony region determining means for determining, as a possible colony region, a region surrounded by boundary elements of subjects and having a size greater than a first criterion value; and a colony region determining means for determining, in the possible colony region, a region containing more than a predetermined number of clustered regions each being surrounded by boundary elements of subjects and having a size smaller than a second criterion value, as a colony region.
US08824766B2
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for automated MRI. According to an aspect, a method for MRI includes receiving a plurality of MRI data signals representative of a region including a volume of interest. The method also includes determining at least one subvolume within the VOI. Further, the method includes determining a state of the at least one subvolume. The method also includes implementing a predetermined action based on the predetermined state.
US08824765B2
A method for acquiring a 3D image dataset is proposed. A 3D X-ray image dataset of an image object is acquired during scanning of a partial circle by X-ray radiation source and X-ray radiation detector. A first and a second 3D image datasets are calculated from the acquired image dataset. Redundancies are eliminated by averaging the first and second 3D image datasets. A filtering that is antisymmetric in respect of a center of symmetry is performed in respect of the 2D image datasets in calculating the second 3D image dataset. Said filtering has a row-by-row Hilbert transform. Suitable weights can be specified based on an axis defined in space.
US08824756B2
Systems and methods which implement an image reconstruction framework to incorporate complex motion of structure, such as complex deformation of an object or objects being imaged, in image reconstruction techniques are shown. For example, techniques are provided for tracking organ motion which uses raw time-stamped data provided by any of a number of imaging modalities and simultaneously reconstructs images and estimates deformations in anatomy. Operation according to embodiments reduces artifacts, increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and facilitates reduced image modality energy dosing to patients. The technology also facilitates the incorporation of physical properties of organ motion, such as the conservation of local tissue volume. This approach is accurate and robust against noise and irregular breathing for tracking organ motion.
US08824752B1
Systems and methods are disclosed for assessing the quality of medical images of at least a portion of a patient's anatomy, using a computer system. One method includes receiving one or more images of at least a portion of the patient's anatomy; determining, using a processor of the computer system, one or more image properties of the received images; performing, using a processor of the computer system, anatomic localization or modeling of at least a portion of the patient's anatomy based on the received images; obtaining an identification of one or more image characteristics associated with an anatomic feature of the patient's anatomy based on the anatomic localization or modeling; and calculating, using a processor of the computer system, an image quality score based on the one or more image properties and the one or more image characteristics.
US08824734B2
An image recognition device includes a processor, and a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the processor executes a process includes detecting a plurality of contour points arranged on a contour line of a given region in an image, detecting a first contour point and a second contour point, in the contour points, the first and second contour points corresponding to respective ends of a first shortcut line formed by connecting portions of the contour line across an external area of the given region, and determining, based on a length of the first shortcut line or a length of a first route that extends along the contour line between the first and second contour points, whether or not a portion surrounded by the first shortcut line and the first route, not contained in the given region, is a depressed portion.
US08824732B2
An apparatus and a method are provided that can intuitively and easily recognize hand rotation. The apparatus for recognizing a hand rotation includes a camera for photographing a plurality of hand image data, a detector for extracting circles through fingers of the hand image data and a controller for recognizing hand rotation through changes in positions and sizes of the circles extracted from each of the plurality of hand image data.
US08824726B2
An armature apparatus includes a first tine member, a second tine member, a center tine member, and a connecting portion. The connecting portion is coupled to the first tine member, the second tine member, and the connecting portion, and the connecting portion has a line of symmetry. The center tine member is attached to the connecting portion along the line of symmetry such that approximately one half the area of the connection portion is above the center tine member and approximately one half the area of the connection portion is below the center tine member. The attachment is effective to prevent a formation of a horizontal force in the center tine member along the third length when a vertical force is applied to the center tine member in the direction of third thickness.
US08824725B2
A speaker diaphragm includes a fabric layer in which impregnated thermosetting resin is thermally cured, and a paper layer integrated on a rear face of this fabric layer. Fluffs of the paper layer filling stitches of the fabric layer are entangled with threads of the fabric layer from a surface of the fabric layer, and are firmly fixed by thermosetting resin. This integrates the layers in the state that the paper layer is filled in the stitches of the fabric layer. Accordingly, internal loss and Young's modulus of the speaker diaphragm can be increased. As a result, the speaker sound quality can be improved.
US08824723B2
An electro-acoustic transducer includes an insulative flexible substrate, a base, and a magnetic field generator. The base includes a cavity and a magnetic portion disposed below the cavity. The insulative flexible substrate is configured to cover the cavity. The magnetic field generator can be disposed on the insulative flexible substrate and corresponds to the cavity. The magnetic field generator can produce a magnetic field and a reverse magnetic field to cause the magnetic field generator and the magnetic portion of the base to attract and repel each other, thereby vibrating the insulative flexible substrate.
US08824722B2
A diaphragm includes a diaphragm and a voice coil bobbin. The diaphragm includes a membrane and a first reinforcing structure reinforcing the membrane. The voice coil bobbin includes a base and a second reinforcing structure reinforcing the base. The first reinforcing structure and the second reinforcing structure are a carbon nanotube structure. The carbon nanotube structure is disposed on the membrane and the base, or in the membrane and the base.
US08824716B2
An apparatus comprising at least one signal coil; and a connection plug, comprising a first electrical connector connected to one end of at least one signal coil and a second electrical connector connected to a second end of at least one signal coil.
US08824710B2
Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for optimizing which sound processing modes are enabled in the sound processing pathway of a hearing prosthesis. A sound processor classifies in the input signal and enables a first sound processing mode based on the classification of the input signal. The sound processor transforms the input signal into a transformed signal based on the enabled sound processing mode. The processor further classifies the transformed signal and identifies a second classification. Based on the second classification, the processor enables a second sound processing mode. Sometimes, the second classification is a classification that is only apparent to the sound processor after the first sound processing mode has been enabled. The second processing mode transforms the transformed signal into an output signal based on the second enabled sound processing mode.
US08824706B2
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for glass-encapsulated microphones. In one aspect, a glass-encapsulated microphone may include a glass substrate, an electromechanical microphone device, an integrated circuit device, and a cover glass. The cover glass may be bonded to the glass substrate with an adhesive, such as epoxy, or a metal bond ring. The cover glass may have any of a number of configurations. In some configurations, the cover glass may define an aperture for the electromechanical microphone device at an edge of the glass-encapsulated microphone. In some configurations, the cover glass may define a cavity to accommodate the integrated circuit device that is separate from a cavity that accommodates the electromechanical microphone device.
US08824699B2
A planar audio tracking system comprises a square array of four microphones (M1, M2, M3, M4) arranged as first and second cross-dipole microphones and a virtually constructed monopole microphone. The signals from these microphones undergo directional pre-processing and the results are applied to a filtered sum beamformer (FSB) (32). The FSB identifies functions (hd (0), hd (π/2), and hm) of the FSB which are representative of impulse responses from desired audio source(s) to the first and second cross-dipole and the monopole microphone, respectively. The functions of the first cross-dipole and the monopole microphones and the functions of the second cross-dipole and the monopole microphones are cross correlated to produce respective estimates (ψc(l) and ψs(l)) representative of the lag of the most dominant audio source. An angle-estimate ({circumflex over (φ)}) of the most dominant source is determined using the estimates of lag. Other embodiments of the tracking system may comprise 3 microphones arranged in a circular array and forming first and second cross-dipoles and a virtual monopole.
US08824690B2
An apparatus for and a method of processing a multi-channel audio signal using space information. The apparatus includes: a main coding unit down mixing a multi-channel audio signal by applying space information to surround components included in the multi-channel audio signal, generating side information using the multi-channel audio signal or a stereo signal of a down-mixed result, coding the stereo signal and the side information, and transmitting the coded result as a coding signal; and a main decoding unit receiving the coding signal, decoding the stereo signal and the side information using the received coding signal, up mixing the decoded stereo signal using the decoded side information, and restoring the multi-channel audio signal.
US08824676B2
A method, system, and computer program product for deploying data to a web server for streaming video to a mobile device. The method can include receiving a request for streaming video from a mobile device upon the resolving of the request by a DNS. The method can further include simultaneously sending both a request to a database for the video requested and a playlist for the video to the mobile device. The method can then include receiving the video from the database. The video received is sent as a sequence of blocks, where each block can further be comprised of a sequence of chunks. The method can even further include decompressing each block and storing each chunk on a web server. The method can further include an exchange of a security credential.
US08824674B2
An information distribution system described herein is capable of securely storing digitized personal information in an encrypted state in a storage section and securely transferring/disclosing the stored digitized information only to a particular third person via a network. Communication of the information is securely performed in the encrypted state between information terminals connected to the communication network. An information terminal which has created information encrypts the original information by a common key generated upon communication and stores the information in a secure storage of one of the information terminals connected to the communication network while maintaining the encrypted state. Further, the system creates a mechanism for authenticating a person having a particular authority for viewing the encrypted information and index information having an encrypted common key and link information indicating the location of the information for supply to a user.
US08824671B2
A data conversion algorithm achieving efficient data diffusion is achieved. For example, in a configuration where a various processes are executed on two data segments which are resultants of dividing a rectangular matrix of data containing arranged one-byte data blocks into two parts to perform data conversion, efficient data scrambling with less operation cost is achieved by executing a linear conversion process on one of the data segments, an exclusive OR operation between the two data segments, a shift process on one of the data segments, and a swap process between the two data segments. Moreover, cryptographic processing with a high security level is achieved by including nonlinear conversion or key application operation on the data segments.
US08824666B2
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for noise cancellation of phone conversation. Some of the systems can include a phone having a microphone and a noise cancellation device. In some examples, the noise cancellation device has a microphone for receiving an input sound wave and positioned proximate the phone microphone, a processor for generating a noise cancellation sound wave based on the input sound wave, and a speaker for outputting the noise cancellation sound wave. The phone microphone and the noise cancellation device microphone can be shared or different microphones, and can also be microphone is integral to the phone. The shared or separate microphones can be part of a phone headset.
US08824661B2
A user of a personal computing device may identify an item of interest displayed in a user interface provided by a network-based service and would like to obtain more information. The user may submit one or more electronic contact requests to a contact service in communication with a contact distribution system in order to obtain more information. The contact distribution system determines accurate, real-time availability of service agents and enables communications between the customer and an agent to be established in accordance with user contact information provided by the user.
US08824655B2
Communications within a communication management network are routed according to a dynamic scorecard routing method in which communication routing decision attributes of communication route destinations are monitored through data feeds from the communication route destinations at a communication router. Values of the communication routing decision attributes are processed to produce processed attribute values and these processed attribute values are stored in a scorecard routing database. Thereafter, upon receipt of an indication of an inbound communication, a call controller is instructed to route the inbound communication to one of the communication route destinations according to assessed scores of the communication route destinations compiled using the processed communication routing decision attribute values stored in the scorecard routing database.
US08824644B2
Methods, systems, and products provide voicemail notifications. A first notification is received that indicates a caller has recorded a voicemail. In response to the first notification, the caller's communication log is updated to indicate that the voicemail was recorded. A second notification is received that indicates the recipient retrieved the voicemail. In response to the second notification, the caller's communication log is updated to indicate that the voicemail has been played. When the recipient listens to the voicemail, the communication log thus informs the caller.
US08824641B2
A computer-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product recognizes a voice input received by an interactive voice recognition system. An unintelligible voice input, which is unintelligible due to background noise at the caller's location, is received from a caller. Upon determining that the unintelligible voice input does not match any entry from a lexicon of known voice inputs, the unintelligible voice input is stored in a no-match-based user profiles database, and the caller is prompted to transmit a non-verbal electronic input to clarify the unintelligible voice input. This non-verbal electronic input is used to match the unintelligible voice input with a specific known voice input from the lexicon of known voice inputs, which is updated with the unintelligible voice input. The updated lexicon is subsequently used in future phone calls from the user to match the unintelligible voice input to the user-requested activity for the caller.
US08824636B2
The present disclosure provides a bi-directional image receptor assembly capable of receiving an image receptor in either a lengthways (or longitudinal) or crossways (or transverse) orientation, while maintaining the axis of an anti-scatter grid in a fixed position. The axis of the anti-scatter grid can be placed in a fixed orientation (such as a parallel orientation) to a subject's craniocaudal axis regardless of whether the image receptor is inserted in the lengthways or crossways orientation. Methods of using the bi-directional image receptor assembly in mobile radiography are also disclosed. The present disclosure further provides for an X-ray image receptor comprising a portion of an automatic position measurement system. Still further, the present disclosure provides for a cover comprising a reinforcing geometry that maximizes the strength of the cover while minimizing the thickness of the cover.
US08824635B2
Detector modules for an imaging system and methods of manufacturing are provided. One detector module includes a substrate, a direct conversion sensor material coupled to the substrate and a flexible interconnect electrically coupled to the direct conversion sensor material and configured to provide readout of electrical signals generated by the direct conversion sensor material. The detector module also includes at least one illumination source for illuminating the direct conversion sensor material.
US08824633B2
An embodiment of the present invention provides a medical apparatus which displays an image of an object collected by using a first radiography system and a second radiography system, including: an image processing unit adapted to acquire a three-dimensional image; a projection direction input unit used to input a projection direction for at least one of the first radiography system and the second radiography system using the three-dimensional image; an imaging direction setting unit adapted to set an imaging direction for at least one of the first radiography system and the second radiography system based on the projection direction; and an interference checking unit adapted to determine whether interference between the first radiography system and the second radiography system will occur if one of the first radiography system and the second radiography system corresponding to the set imaging direction is moved.
US08824623B2
A timer device includes a RES input terminal, an OUT output terminal, a delay circuit that delays a signal input to the RES input terminal, and a pre-settable down counter that counts a given set value, and outputs a measurement completion signal via an output terminal when the counting of the set value is completed. When a predetermined signal is input to an input terminal after an output of the measurement completion signal, the pre-settable down counter completes the output of the measurement completion signal based on a delay signal obtained by the delaying the predetermined signal using the delay circuit.
US08824619B2
A nuclear reactor module includes a reactor vessel and a reactor housing mounted inside the reactor vessel, wherein the reactor housing comprises a shroud and a riser located above the shroud. The nuclear reactor module further includes a heat exchanger proximately located about the riser, and a reactor core located in the shroud. A steam generator by-pass system is configured to provide an auxiliary flow path of primary coolant to the reactor core to augment a primary flow path of the primary coolant out of the riser and into the shroud, wherein the auxiliary flow path of primary coolant exits the reactor housing without passing by the heat exchanger.
US08824617B2
Systems and methods of monitoring position information of a control rod in a nuclear reactor, including detecting an output signal induced by movement of a control rod with respect to at least one detection coil of the control rod, the output signal having identifiable characteristics representative of a plurality of positions of the control rod within the at least one detection coil, and processing the identifiable characteristics to derive the positions of the control rod within the at least one detection coil.
US08824589B2
A method, an apparatus, and a system are provided in various embodiments of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the receiver samples the frequency signal from the transmitter to obtain sampling data and obtain the feedback IQ signal from the sampling data, and performs signal correction by using the feedback IQ signal. Sampling the received radio frequency signal does not need an additional component. The receiving channel installed in the receiver can be used to receive the radio frequency signal, which reduces the cost and power consumption.
US08824582B2
A base station is arranged for performing channel coding and link adaptation. The base station comprises one or more processors and physical layer circuitry arranged to decode symbols received from a user station to determine an error rate, the symbols received through a plurality of antennas, receive signaling from the user station, the signaling including channel quality information for channel resources of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) channel, select a modulation and coding rate for transmission of symbols to the user station based at least in part on the error rate, and transmit a transmit power control command to the user station, the transmit power control command based at least in part on a downlink path loss estimate. The base station may also transmit additional transmit power control commands to the user station based on the error rate of subsequently decoded symbols. The transmit power control command may be selected for channel resources that are allocated to the user station, the channel resources comprising a group of subcarriers having an initially selected modulation and coding rate.
US08824574B2
A communication system includes a transmitting unit with a peak to average power (PAPR) reduction section. The PAPR reduction section modifies the PAPR reduction it effects in a communication signal in accordance with two different error vector magnitude (EVM) constraints for each channel type, where a channel type is a distinct combination of a modulation order and a coding rate. The EVM constraint followed for each subcarrier in an OFDM or OFDMA application is selected in response to whether the subcarrier conveys voice or non-voice data. The PAPR reduction section may include a scaling filter. The scaling filter is efficiently defined through the use of a predetermined sinc function and a first stage scale factor that is calculated in response to a weighted average of excursion signal subcarrier gains, where the weighting follows the distribution of channel types through the subcarriers.
US08824566B2
The reception method is implemented in a receiver apparatus receiving images of a video sequence having undergone losses during an exchange of data with a sender apparatus connected to said receiver apparatus via a communication network. The receiver apparatus comprises at least a first module implementing a transport layer and a second module implementing an application layer, the application layer being subdivided into a first sub-module implementing the decoding of the video and a second sub-module implementing the display of said video. The method comprises the following steps: in the transport layer, transmitting a data loss detection signal intended for the application layer, as soon as the transport layer detects a loss of data; and in the application layer, implementing a loss concealment mechanism, on reception of said loss detection signal and without waiting for said application layer itself to detect said data loss so detected.
US08824564B2
Aspects of a method and system for redundancy-based decoding of video content are provided. A bit sequence comprising video content may be decoded in a multilayer process based on a decoding algorithm and at least one physical constraint. The decoding algorithm may be based on the Viterbi algorithm. Whether the bit sequence comprises video content may be determined based on information provided by a portion of a packet header or by packet priority information necessary for enabling quality of service applications. The physical constraint may be based on border, DC component, and/or low frequency continuity between neighboring discrete cosine transform (DCT) blocks. The physical constraint may also be based on the consistency of video data coded by a variable length coding (VLC) operation. At least one physical constraint test may be performed on selected estimated video bit sequences to select a decoded output video bit sequence.
US08824563B2
A method of transmitting a broadcast signal includes performing Reed-Solomon (RS) frame encoding and Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) encoding on first mobile service data to form a primary RS frame and on second mobile service data to form a secondary RS frame; encoding on at least the first mobile service data or the second mobile service data, in serial concatenated convolution code (SCCC) block units; encoding signaling information including transmission parameters, the transmission parameters including SCCC encoding information and RS frame encoding information; formatting a data group including the encoded first mobile service data and second mobile service data, wherein the first mobile service data are included in a first region within the data group and the second mobile service data are included in a second region within the data group, the second region being different from the first region; and transmitting the broadcast signal including the formatted data group.
US08824562B2
The present disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus for encoding/decoding a color image or video. The video encoding apparatus encodes a luminance component block for a current block of an image, performs a selection of a color format among a plurality of color formats to encode a chrominance component block for the current block of the image according to the color format upon selection, and generates and outputs a bitstream including the encoded luminance component block, the encoded chrominance component block, and information on the selected color format. The disclosure enables an improvement in compression performance by allowing encoding and decoding one video component image in various color formats.
US08824553B2
A method of compressing video data having at least one frame having at least one block and each block having an array of pixels is provided. The method transforms the pixels of each block into coefficients and creates an optimal transmission order of the coefficients. The method also optimizes the speed of processing compressed video data by partitioning the data bitstream and coding each partition independently. The method also predicts fractional pixel motion by selecting an interpolation method for each given plurality or block of pixels depending upon at least one metric related to each given block and varies the method from block to block. The method also enhances error recovery for a current frame using a frame prior to the frame immediately before the current frame as the only reference frame for lessening quality loss during data transmission. Enhanced motion vector coding is also provided.
US08824540B2
Equalization techniques are provided for high-speed data communications and, more specifically, DFE (decision feedback equalizer) circuits and methods are provided which implement a high-order continuous time filter in a DFE feedback path to emulate structured elements of a channel response.
US08824527B2
An OFDM communication system performs time domain channel estimation responsive to received symbols before the symbols are processed by a fast Fourier transform. The communication system generates virtual pilots from actual pilots to improve the stability and quality of channel estimation. The system generates a reference signal from the actual and virtual pilots and correlates the resulting reference signal with a signal responsive to the received symbol to generate an initial channel impulse response (CIR) and to determine statistics about the channel. In some circumstances, the resulting reference signal is correlated with a modified symbol in which the actual and virtual pilot locations are emphasized and the data locations are deemphasized. Time domain channel estimation iteratively improves on the initial CIR. The system determines channel estimates for data only symbols through averaging such as interpolation.
US08824526B2
An apparatus provides a baseband signal for exploiting receive antenna diversity by means of a digital baseband processor. The apparatus includes a combiner configured to temporally alternately select at least one sample of a first received signal corresponding to a first receive antenna and at least one sample of a second received signal corresponding to a second receive antenna and to interleave the selected samples of the first and second received signal to obtain a temporally continuous stream of samples of a baseband representation of a combined signal at an output of the combiner as the baseband signal for exploiting receive antenna diversity.
US08824522B2
A pump light assembly (6) for a disc laser (1), comprising: a focusing device, in particular a concave mirror (11), having a reflecting surface (10) for focusing a pump light beam (8) onto a laser-active medium (2), and a deflecting assembly for deflecting the pump light beam (8) between reflecting regions formed on the reflecting surface (10) and disposed in different angular regions about a central axis (12) of the reflecting surface (10). The deflecting device is configured to produce a deflection of the pump light beam (8) between in each case two of the reflecting regions with an optical path length (2 f+2 d1; 2 f+2 d2) that is greater than the optical path length (2f) in the case of telecentric imaging in order to compensate for a beam expansion of the pump light beam (8), caused by aberrations of the focusing device (11), in successive focusings onto the laser-active medium (2). The invention also relates to a disc laser (1) and to a method for pumping a laser-active medium (2).
US08824521B2
A solid laser apparatus which includes: two reflection elements for forming an oscillator; a plate-shaped gain medium being disposed between the two reflection elements, thereby augmenting a stimulated emission light in a thickness-wise direction; a doughnut- or deformed-doughnut-type planar waveguide being disposed so as to make an inner peripheral face thereof come in contact with an outer peripheral face of the plate-shaped gain medium; and a plurality of excited-light sources being directed in five or more directions, the excited-light sources being coupled to an outer peripheral face of the doughnut- or deformed-doughnut-type planar waveguide so as to make excited lights propagate from the outer peripheral face of the doughnut- or deformed-doughnut-type planar waveguide to the plate-shaped gain medium.
US08824511B2
The invention provides a clock synchronization system which synchronizes the clock of a slave node with the clock of a master node by use of a timestamp packet transmitted from the master node to the slave node on the packet network, wherein the slave node includes a phase comparison part 201 which calculates a difference between a received timestamp and a timestamp generated on the slave node side; an LPF part 202 which suppresses jitters and noises contained in the difference obtained by the phase comparison part; a PI control part 203 which generates a control signal configured to ultimately reduce the difference to zero; a VCO part 204 which outputs a clock signal with a frequency corresponding to the generated control signal; a frequency division part 205 which generates a clock signal with a frequency up-converted from the frequency of the clock signal; a timestamp generation part 206 which outputs a timestamp based on the clock signal from the frequency division part; and a resolution conversion part 207 which increases the resolution of the timestamp from said timestamp generation part.
US08824502B2
A network interface module includes a physical layer module and a data rate module. The physical layer module is configured to transmit first signals to a network device via a cable at a first data rate while conforming to Ethernet baseband characteristics for the first data rate, and at least one of determine a characteristic of the cable, or perform an autonegotiation process with the network device. The data rate module is configured to select a second data rate based on at least one of the characteristic of the cable, or results of the autonegotiation process. The second data rate is slower than the first data rate. The physical layer module is configured to transmit second signals to the network device at the second data rate while conforming to the Ethernet baseband characteristics for the first data rate.
US08824498B2
A method and an apparatus for transmitting multiple services are provided, and which belong to the field of optical transmission technologies. The method includes: receiving bandwidth information of TCONTs of all nodes; dividing a payload area of a GTH frame into a preset number n of arrays, where each array includes a specified number of timeslots and the interval between any two neighboring timeslots in each array is n and n is a natural number; calculating, according to the bandwidth information of the TCONTs of all the nodes, timeslot positions of arrays occupied by the TCONTs of each node in the payload area; interleaving, according to the timeslot positions of the arrays occupied by the TCONTs of a local node in the payload area, the TCONTs of the local node into corresponding timeslots starting from a specified frame, obtaining a GTH frame, and transmitting the GTH frame.
US08824489B1
A system including a physical layer (PHY) module configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the PHY module is configured to be connected to a first physical medium including a first number of wire pairs, and is configured to communicate over the first physical medium at a first data rate. In the second mode, the PHY module is configured to be connected to a second physical medium including a second number of wire pairs that is less than the first number of wire pairs, and is configured to communicate over the second physical medium at the first data rate. A mode control module is configured to selectively transition the PHY module between the first mode and the second mode.
US08824484B2
A networking system is discussed. The system may be used for industrial networks, where deterministic behavior is often valued. Bounded message travel times may be achieved for a first set of network traffic. Additional traffic may be routed over the networking system without interfering with the message travel times associated with the first set of network traffic. Systems and methods for assigning priority to various sets of network traffic are discussed.
US08824479B2
Method and apparatus in a user terminal (200) for controlling the admission of outgoing communications. One or more communication admission rules (206a) are created locally in a communication admission controller (206) in the terminal, according to configuring input commands dictating when outgoing communications should be admitted or rejected. When an input unit (202) receives an input request from a current terminal user for an outgoing communication, the communication admission rules are checked. A communication request unit (210) sends a communication request message towards a used communication services network if the requested outgoing communication can be admitted according to the communication admission rules. Otherwise, a reject message is provided to the current terminal user.
US08824478B2
A method is provided in one example embodiment that includes receiving a radio signal stream, segmenting the radio signal stream based on a control word in the radio signal stream, mapping the segmented radio signal stream to a service class, transporting the segmented radio signal stream in packets through channels over a backhaul link, and maintaining the order of the radio signal stream over the backhaul link. In more particular embodiments, the backhaul link may use a DOCSIS link, the radio signal stream can be received using a Common Public Radio Interface, and the radio signal stream may include sub-streams transported through segmented channels over the backhaul link.
US08824472B2
A network device may receive a packet, determine whether the packet includes two or more headers of a same type, modify the packet to correct for the two or more headers of the same type when the packet includes the two or more headers of the same type, determine whether the packet includes out-of-sequence headers, and modify the packet to correct for the out-of-sequence headers when the packet includes the out-of-sequence headers.
US08824467B1
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally pertain to systems and methods for controlling multicast bandwidth. A communication system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a network access device (NAD) having bandwidth (BW) expansion logic. The BW expansion logic is configured to automatically calculate the expansion ratio for a multicast stream based on various network parameters, such as layer 1 and 2 information, network packet size, and network transmission rate. Based on the expansion ratio, the BW expansion logic determines the actual transmission rate for transmitting the multicast stream across a subscriber link. The NAD then accepts or rejects join requests based on whether the sum of the current allocated link rate and the actual transmission rate exceed a rate threshold for the link.
US08824465B2
A verification device that is used in a system in which a first device and a second device communicate using a physical communication path that includes at least one switch among switches included in a plurality of switch clusters and does not include a plurality of switches that belong to a different switch cluster among the plurality of switch clusters, the verification device including a verification unit that verifies whether switches included in a first communication path and a second communication path that are communication paths used for communication between the first device and the second device are included in the same switch cluster, and an output unit that outputs a result of the verifying.
US08824461B2
Method and apparatus for providing a control plane across multiple optical network domains is described. In one example, topology and resource discovery is employed in a transport network having a plurality of control domains. Topology information for each of the control domains is summarized to produce summarized topology information. The summarized topology information for each of the control domains is exchanged among the control domains. At each of the control domains, the summarized topology information of each of the control domains is combined to produce combined topology information. The combined topology information is passed among network elements within each of the control domains using an intra-domain routing protocol.
US08824458B2
A method and apparatus for supporting call control of circuit domain telephone and Voice over IP (VoIP) are provided by the present invention, and the apparatus includes a call flow control module, which is for receiving and storing off-hook events and judging if the user makes a circuit domain telephone call or VoIP call according to the number dialed by the user; if making a VoIP call, sending the off-hook event to a VOIP call control module, and sending all the events in the present call to the VoIP call control module for processing; if making a circuit domain telephone call, sending the off-hook event to a circuit domain telephone call control module, and sending all the events in the present call to the circuit domain telephone call control module for processing.
US08824449B2
Time synchronization for nodes of a broadcast-only network is provided by combining two methods. The first method provides relative synchronization of communication frames of node broadcasts, so that all nodes have frames with aligned start and end times. The second method associates a network time with each frame at each node (i.e., each node locally tracks this network time). When a time-stamped message is received by a node, the node network time is set to the larger of its current value or the time stamp of the received message. Each node increments its network time by the same amount from one communication frame to the next.
US08824444B1
This disclosure describes processes and methods for enhancing reporting of status information in a wireless sensor network. This disclosure also provides designs of wireless sensor devices configured to connect to a wireless network, and to execute the processes disclosed herein. As described herein, a first sensor device transmits a beacon signal to a second wireless device, and the beacon signal is transmitted while the first and second wireless devices are disconnected from the sensor network. The first wireless device facilitates supplemental network formation by transmitting information to the second wireless device, wherein the information causes the second wireless device to form the supplemental network by performing network joining procedures with the first wireless sensor device, and wherein, after performing network joining procedures, the second wireless device transmits status information to the first wireless sensor device. The first wireless device then connects to the wireless network and transmits the status information through the network.
US08824442B2
A intelligent backhaul radio have an advanced antenna system for use in PTP or PMP topologies. The antenna system provides a significant diversity benefit. Antenna configurations are disclosed that provide for increased transmitter to receiver isolation, adaptive polarization and MIMO transmission equalization. Adaptive optimization of transmission parameters based upon side information provided in the form of metric feedback from a far end receiver utilizing the antenna system is also disclosed.
US08824439B2
This invention discloses a combinatorial mobile hotspot device, a network service provision method thereof, a network access device and a wireless service power supply device. The network access device has a mobile internet access ability to provide an external host machine connecting to a wide area network through the network access device when the network access device is selectively and electrically coupled to the external host machine. A mobile hotspot device is formed while the network access device is electrically coupled to the wireless service power supply device. The wireless service power supply device supplies the power to the network access device. Further, by a wireless local network transceiver, a plurality of electronic devices in the hotspot covering region are able to connect to wide area network through the wireless access point service provided by the network access device.
US08824438B2
A networked mobile router system comprises a plurality of mobile routers; and a main server operable to track and monitor the plurality of mobile routers. Each mobile router is initially configured to communicate with the main server and is operable to establish first communication with the main server to register with the main server to upload configuration information from each the mobile router to the main server. The main server is operable in response to each mobile router registering with the main server to assign each mobile router with a predetermined group. Each mobile router is operable to establish a second communication with the main server. The main server is operable in response to each mobile router second communication to reassign each mobile router to communicate with at least one group server assigned to communicate with the predetermined group.
US08824435B2
A method and apparatus of scanning channels of a white space zone in a wireless local area network is provided. A response frame includes a white space map including information about whether each white space channel in the white space zone is occupied by an incumbent user. Channels of the white space zone are scanned based on the white space map.
US08824426B2
A method for transmitting Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) information, a method for determining PDCCH search space and devices thereof are disclosed in the present embodiments. The method for determining PDCCH search space includes the following step: Node B (NB) determines the different search spaces corresponding to different PDCCHs according to Carrier Indicator (CI) information. By applying the technical solution provided in the embodiments of the present invention, the CI information is introduced in the search space determining process, so that different search spaces can be allocated to the cross-carrier PDCCHs of one User Equipment (UE) and the NB and UE are able to exactly determine the search spaces of PDCCHs in each downlink carrier, therefore reducing the blocking probability during PDCCH scheduling process and improving the reliability of PDCCH transmission.
US08824422B2
An embodiment of the present invention provides a method, comprising dynamically reserving free channel time blocks for directional transmissions in a wireless personal area network (WPAN) by a transceiver communicating with a Coordinator and the Coordinator allocating a part or a whole of unreserved channel time blocks for a directional link during a handshake with the transceiver.
US08824415B2
A node of a wireless network includes processor circuitry that is configured to obtain an identification of a cell on which a user equipment shall transmit a random access preamble and to encode the identification of the cell on which the user equipment shall transmit the random access preamble into at least one unused bit position of a physical downlink control channel random access order. A transmitter is responsive to the processor circuitry and is configured to transmit the physical downlink control channel random access order including the identification of the cell that was encoded into the at least one unused bit position of the physical downlink control channel random access order. Related user equipment, systems and methods are also described.
US08824413B2
A method is provided for direct communications between members of at least one communication group of wireless entities, in which two communication groups are provided. A first group that has at least two wireless entities of an identical type, and a second group that has at least one wireless entity. A time slot is allocated in a frame belonging to a frame-based protocol for use by members of the first group to exchange direct communications between each other. The same time slot is used by at least one wireless entity of the second group to exchange non-direct communications in accordance with the frame-based protocol, or direct communication with one or more wireless entities of second group. Within the time slot, frequency resources within the same frequency channel are allocated to each of the two communication groups.
US08824408B2
A method of handling random access procedure associated to cell deactivation for a mobile device in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method comprises activating a secondary cell configured by a network of the wireless communication system, performing a random access procedure for the activated secondary cell, and when the secondary cell is deactivated during the random access procedure, continuously performing the random access procedure.
US08824389B2
A communication method and apparatus using multiple carriers are provided. A primary carrier is configured, and multi-carrier control information for monitoring a control channel of a secondary carrier is transmitted through the primary carrier. A user equipment monitors a control channel of the secondary carrier on the basis of the multi-carrier control information.
US08824387B2
An apparatus for wireless communication may allocate resources for multicarrier wireless communication. The apparatus may be enabled for cross-carrier signaling and semi-persistent scheduling on at least one carrier. Semi-persistent scheduling may be enabled by deriving a resource, such as a PHICH resource, for uplink HARQ operation using at least part of a demodulation reference signal field. The resource may be chose to reduce PHICH collision and may be based on a starting physical block of uplink data transmission. Cross-carrier signaling may be enabled by an information field, such as a carrier indicator field in the PDCCH, not enabled when cross-carrier signaling is not enabled.
US08824381B2
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate reliably requesting uplink resources in a wireless communications environment. In particular, mechanisms are provided for reliable uplink resource requests at instants when uplink resources are not retained. A mobile device transmits an uplink resource request on a feedback information channel conventionally utilized for channel quality indicators. The mobile device utilizes specific codewords reserved for uplink requests. In addition, a power spectral density of the feedback information channel is boosted to lower an error rate of the channel when reserved codewords are transmitted.
US08824380B2
Techniques are described for automatically determining quasi-static per-link channel assignments for each radio in multiple-hop mesh networks having nodes with two or more radios and where only a small number of channels is available for use in the network. The method optimally assigns the channels to the radios of all of the nodes in the network so as to achieve the lowest interference among links and the highest possible bandwidth.
US08824373B2
An apparatus for transmitting an uplink signal and method thereof are disclosed, by which an uplink signal can be efficiently transmitted in a wireless communication system. The present invention includes receiving a downlink control information (DCI) used for PUSCH (physical uplink shared channel) scheduling, the DCI including an information for resource block allocation, an information for a channel status information request and a plurality of MCS (modulation and coding scheme) informations for a plurality of transport blocks and if a condition is met, transmitting a channel status information only on the PUSCH without a transport block for UL-SCH (uplink shared channel). Moreover, the condition includes a case that: only one transport block is enabled, the MCS information for the enabled transport block indicates an MCS index 29, the information for the channel status information request indicates 1, and the number of allocated resource blocks is equal to or smaller than 4.
US08824372B2
Providing access to online services is contemplated. The online services authorized for access may be limited or controlled according to a location of an access point used to facilitate access to the online services. This location based authorization may be useful in providing access to online services that have location dependent restraints.
US08824361B2
A multi-frequency band receiver includes first and second receive paths, a combiner, a code multiplex baseband stage and an amplifier controller. The first and second receive paths receive and process first and second code multiplex signals, respectively. The first or the second receive path includes an amplifier having a variable gain factor. The combiner superposes the first and second processed code multiplex signals. The code multiplex baseband stage processes the superposed code multiplex signal to obtain and use first and second baseband receive signals. The first and second baseband receive signals represent data of the first and second code multiplex signals, respectively. In addition, the amplifier controller controls the gain factor of the amplifier having a variable gain factor so that the first or the second baseband receive signal includes a minimum reception quality which can be variably predetermined and is dependent on the operating state.
US08824343B2
The present disclosure provides a method and system for implementing synchronization among micro-base stations, including: a micro-base station intercepts a wireless reference signal of an air interface, and selects a synchronization reference object according to an intercepted wireless reference signal; and the micro-base station implements synchronization processing through detecting the wireless reference signal of the selected synchronization reference object, and adjusts its own synchronization information. The method for implementing synchronization among micro-base stations disclosed in the present disclosure is implemented on the basis of the wireless air interface signals of the micro-base stations, requires no additional synchronization hardware devices (such as Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) receiving apparatus, etc.) and has low cost. By the solution disclosed in the present disclosure, the mutual interference caused by asynchronization between a Time Division Duplex (TDD) micro-base station and other base stations is eliminated flexibly.
US08824341B2
In a computer-implemented method of joining a user to a conference call event an interface associated with a time management software application is displayed. The interface displays information relating to the conference call event including a date for a conference call which is subject of the conference call event and a start time of the conference call. While displaying the interface, a menu offering one or more options is displayed; these one or more options include an option to join the conference call. When an indication of a selection of the option to join the conference call is received, information associated with the conference call is located; this information includes a telephone number for a conference call bridge. A connection with the conference call bridge using the telephone number is initiated.
US08824335B2
Communication ability between nodes in a cluster-based computer system is tracked to inform applications executing on the nodes of the existence and quality of the endpoint-to-endpoint communications available between the nodes. Communications between a node and other nodes are tracked, and a database records the communication ability between the node and the other nodes for each link between the nodes. The tracking and recording are repeated at the other nodes. A registration by an application executing at a particular one of the nodes to receive notifications of changes in the communication ability with another node over a particular link (or in general) will cause notification of the application when the link status changes.
US08824332B2
A method for selecting a clock source in Synchronization Digital Hierarchy (SDH) network and a clock module are provided in the present invention. The method includes: generating a clock information message based on the clock quality information in SDH network, and the clock module of every network node in said SDH network independently selects a clock source by using said clock information message. The method and clock module for selecting a clock source in SDH provided in the present invention enable automatic switch and recovery for a clock source, and effectively solve the problem of clock looping, and adequately maintain the compatibility with the existing system without increasing the cost of the system.
US08824330B2
A system and method for synchronized and coordinated beam switching and scheduling in a wireless communications system is provided. A method for controller operation includes determining a beam cycle pattern, sharing the beam cycle pattern with neighboring controllers, receiving beam information from a communications device, generating scheduling information from the beam cycle pattern and beam cycle patterns from other controllers, receiving a transmission intended for the communications device, and causing the transmission to be transmitted to the communications device. The beam cycle pattern includes a list of beam patterns transmitted by the controller, and the transmission is transmitted using the scheduling information and the received beam information.
US08824319B2
In a vehicle-side transmitting apparatus that applies a multi-link system employing a logical plurality of communication lines and includes a transmitting unit that transmits transmission data that should be transmitted to a receiving apparatus of a communication partner, the transmitting unit monitors changes in transmission rates of communication lines A to C, calculates, based on rated transmission rates, information concerning changes in the communication lines A to C, and a transmission time until data that should be transmitted to a ground-side receiving apparatus is completed to be transmitted to the ground-side receiving apparatus, fluctuating transmission rates of the communication lines A to C, and determines, based on the calculated transmission rates, allocation amounts to the communication lines of data that should be transmitted this time.
US08824312B2
A system for testing Ethernet paths or links without adversely impacting non-test traffic. The system includes a test traffic generator that includes a scheduler that determines when a new test packet is generated. The test traffic generator includes a packet creator that builds a test packet and a transmitter for transmitting the test packet via the Ethernet path or link. The packet creator sends the test packet to the transmitter. The traffic generator includes a transmit credit block coupled to the transmitter or to the scheduler. The transmit credit block stores an amount of credits representing a number of bytes that are available to transmit and decrements the amount each time a non-test packet is communicated via the Ethernet path or link.
US08824311B2
A system, method, and software are provided for measuring co-channel interference comprising interlink interference in a wireless backhaul network with particular application for management of resource allocation for Non Line of Sight (NLOS) wireless backhaul in MicroCell and PicoCell networks. Given the difficulty of predicting the interlink interference between multiple links, DownLink and UpLink co-channel interference are characterized for each backhaul radio link between each Hub and each Remote Backhaul Module Unit periodically during active service. Beneficially, the co-channel interference metrics are used as the basis for intelligently and adaptively managing network resources to substantially reduce cumulative interference and increase the aggregate data capacity of the network e.g. by grouping of interfering and/or non-interfering links, and managing resource block allocations accordingly, i.e. assigning common resource blocks preferentially to weakly interfering links or groups of links and allocating a different resource block or orthogonal channels to each strongly interfering link or groups of links.
US08824307B2
A wireless communication system transmits in a High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) by having a Radio Network Controller (RNC) assign portions of data to a first serving cell and a second serving cell for transmitting to a user equipment. The first serving cell transmits data on a first downlink carrier to the user equipment. The second serving cell, which is independent from the first serving cell, transmits data on a second downlink carrier to the user equipment. In an optional aspect, the RNC receives a measurement report from the user equipment on a first uplink carrier via at least one of the first serving cell and the second serving cell.
US08824303B2
A method and apparatus relate to coexistence of multiple RF subsystems on a communication device. An apparatus may include a plurality of radio frequency (RF) subsystems configured to receive or transmit communication signals; and an interface for communication between a first RF subsystem of the plurality of RF subsystems and at least a second RF subsystem of the plurality of subsystems. The first RF subsystem can be configured to generate a timing offset for a coexistence signal, the timing offset being indicative of a difference between a time of generation of a signal and the time of an event associated with the signal. The timing offset can comprise a fixed offset generated based on at least one of a reference time from a periodic interrupt or direct access of a timer; and an offset adjustment based on a distance between the apparatus and a base station associated with the first RF subsystem.
US08824299B1
In an embodiment, a method configures a network to route data on a first network service that connects a user's network with a service provider network. In the method, an instruction to route data from the network addressed to a hostname on the first network service is received. According to the hostname, a first IP address that addresses a server identified by the hostname is determined. A second IP address is also determined as the second IP address of the specific network service. Finally, a message is sent to the user's network that specifically instructs the user's network to route data addressed to the first IP address to the second IP address. The message causes configuration of a router on the user's network to route data on the first network service. System and computer program product embodiments are also disclosed.
US08824291B2
According to one embodiment, a packet distribution apparatus distributes packets each containing a digital content via a communication network. The packet distribution apparatus includes a generator, a packet transmitter, a detector and a swapper. The generator generates the packets for each session with a bit rate corresponding to a content to be distributed. The packet transmitter transmits the generated packets to the communication network. The detector detects a collision of transmission timings of the packets in the sessions. The swapper exchanges, upon detecting a collision of the transmission timings, a transmission order of packets associated with the collision of the transmission timings based on the bit rates.
US08824289B2
A wireless device includes a data structure that relates peak channel capacity to the quality of the wireless communication link. The wireless communication link quality forms an index to indicate the expected peak channel capacity for that particular quality value of the wireless communication link. The wireless device uses the data storage structure to determine an expected data transfer throughput based on the quality of the wireless communication link. A transfer rate lower than expected may indicate congestion in the core network or the RAN. In this case, the network may slow the data delivery from the data source or temporarily suspend delivery. Conversely, low data throughput may be the result of a poor quality wireless communication link. If the data structure indicates that the data throughput corresponds to the expected throughput for the quality value of the wireless communication link, the system need not take any steps to reduce congestion.
US08824288B2
Techniques are disclosed that involve communicating in bursty noise environments. For instance, a source device may send a probing packet to a destination device. This probing packet is for determining whether the communications medium (e.g., one or more frequency channels) is currently exhibiting a busy or jammed (e.g., due to bursty noise) condition. More particularly, based on whether an acknowledgment of the probing packet is received, the source device determines whether the channel is jammed (or busy) or clear. For example, an unacknowledged probing packet indicates that the channel is jammed or busy, while an acknowledged probing packet indicates that the channel is clear. If the channel is determined to be clear, then the source device may transmit one or more data packets to the destination device. Such data packet transmissions may be in accordance with a non rate-adaptive technique.
US08824278B2
Provided is a method and apparatus for avoiding an interference in a local area wireless communication system. The method includes (a) transmitting, by an interference device detecting a frequency interference, a channel update request signal to a channel manager, (b) broadcasting, by the channel manager, channel update information including new channel information in response to the channel update request and changing a channel, (c) rebroadcasting, by at least one device having received the broadcasted channel update information, the received channel update information and changing a channel after waiting for a maximum polling delay time of a child sleep device, and (d) transmitting, by the at least one device having changed the channel, a channel change confirmation packet to the channel manager.
US08824271B2
The present invention relates to an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing receiver, and more particular to an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing receiver including an FFT/IFFT operating core and a scheduler. In order to simultaneously share the FFT/IFFT operating core, the scheduler manages input/output timings of FFT/IFFT operations and control signals. The FFT/IFFT operating core supports decimation-in-time (DIT) and decimation-in-frequency (DIF) FFT/IFFT operations at the same time.
US08824270B2
In an orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) communication network, a node transmits an echo profile probe to other nodes in the network. The echo profile probe is a message that allows characterization of the unique echo profile through the communication channel between each node pair. The echo profile is used to calculate the cyclic prefix length needed for optimum communication from one node to the other.
US08824267B2
A transmission method and apparatus that combines the benefits of DFT precoding and transmit diversity coding for PUCCH transmission. In one aspect, the invention provides an improved transmit diversity coding method and apparatus for DFTS-OFDM PUCCH with minimal impact on multiplexing capacity. In one embodiment, the improved transmit diversity method and apparatus has the feature of employing frequency-domain separation for the payload signals.
US08824261B1
A system for peer-to-peer vibration mitigation in a distributing computing system includes a secondary communication interface over which chassis management electronics (e.g., a chassis-level controller) and/or system storage nodes may initiate communications to in order to affect system changes that may decrease vibration-related performance degradation in the system.
US08824257B2
In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, in read and write operations by a compatible optical disc device conforming to a plurality of optical disc standards, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced by using this information to select a tracking error signal generating method.
US08824255B2
A multi-output power supply device (1) comprises a first power supply (10) for outputting a first output voltage (VDCO1); a second power supply (30) for outputting a second output voltage (VDCO3); and a reset circuit (40) for detecting an abnormality of the first output voltage (VDCO1) and for outputting a first reset signal (XRESET) to forcibly stop the output operation of the second power supply (30).
US08824251B2
In a library apparatus, it is not considered that eliminated is an operation for reversing a direction of a double-sided readable/writable recording medium. In the library apparatus having a function of transporting and loading a recording medium from a recording medium storage unit to a recording and reproducing unit through a recording medium transportation unit, a direction in which an unrecorded recording medium is first loaded in the recording and reproducing unit is afterward treated as a front surface, and a direction opposite to the above direction is treated as a rear surface.
US08824247B2
Magnetic write heads for heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) are disclosed that include a laser diode having a light emitting edge or surface mounted on a slider, an optical waveguide, and a printed bonding agent disposed in an air gap between the laser diode and the slider. The printed bonding agent can be applied by ink jet printing or aerosol jet printing. Also included is a method that includes attaching a laser diode to a slider of a magnetic write head and depositing a bonding agent into the air gap using a focused stream of bonding agent. A light-emitting edge or surface of the laser diode is adjacent to an optical waveguide. The light-emitting edge or surface of the laser diode and the optical input of the waveguide define an aligned direction and an air gap extends from the light-emitting edge or surface of the laser diode in a direction perpendicular to the aligned direction. The bonding agent can be applied by ink jet printing or aerosol jet printing.
US08824242B2
Systems, methods, articles of manufacture and apparatus are disclosed to calculate distance from audio sources. An example method disclosed herein includes receiving, at the reference audio collecting device, a first radio frequency (RF) signal from the portable audio collecting device, in response to receiving the RF signal, storing ambient audio to a memory as reference data samples, each of the reference data samples associated with an indication of a respective time of acquisition, and receiving a second RF signal containing portable data samples of the ambient audio, each of the portable data samples associated with an indication of a respective time of acquisition. The example method also includes computing a correlation value between a set of the portable data samples and a plurality of the reference data samples, selecting a set of samples having a highest correlation value, subtracting the indication of times of the pair of samples to form a difference value, and calculating a distance between the portable audio device and the reference audio collecting device based on the difference value.
US08824239B2
An inventive method provides for control of a seismic survey spread while conducting a seismic survey, the spread having a vessel, a plurality of spread control elements, a plurality of navigation nodes, and a plurality of sources and receivers. The method includes the step of collecting input data, including navigation data for the navigation nodes, operating states from sensors associated with the spread control elements, environmental data for the survey, and survey design data. The positions of the sources and receivers are estimated using the navigation data, the operating states, and the environmental data. Optimum tracks for the sources and receivers are determined using the position estimates and a portion of the input data that includes at least the survey design data. Drive commands are calculated for at least two of the spread control elements using the determined optimum tracks. The inventive method is complemented by an inventive system.
US08824221B2
A hybrid memory device is provided. The hybrid memory device includes a DRAM, a non-volatile memory and a control circuit. The control circuit selects one of output data of the DRAM and output data of the non-volatile memory according to a mode selecting signal and output the selected data. The control circuit outputs data requested to be output from the DRAM when the data requested to be output is in the DRAM, and may output the data requested to be output from the non-volatile memory when the data requested to be output is in the non-volatile memory. Accordingly, the hybrid memory device has a high speed in a read and write operation, and has low power consumption.
US08824217B2
The described devices, systems and methods include an electro-static discharge clamp with a latch to prevent false triggering of an electro-static discharge protection circuit in response to fluctuations in a power supply rail.
US08824216B2
A semiconductor memory apparatus includes: a data output signal transmitter configured to receive a data signal and a data mask signal and transmit a data output signal through a global data line, the data output signal being outputted by determining whether the data signal is masked or not; and a write driver configured to receive the data output signal through the global data line and input the received data output signal to a local data line corresponding to the data output signal.
US08824208B2
A non-volatile memory device includes a floating gate with pyramidal-shaped silicon nanocrystals as electron storage elements. Electrons tunnel from the pyramidal-shaped silicon nanocrystals through a gate oxide layer to a control gate of the non-volatile memory device. The pyramidal shape of each silicon nanocrystal concentrates an electrical field at its peak to facilitate electron tunneling. This allows an erase process to occur at a lower tunneling voltage and shorter tunneling time than that of prior art devices.
US08824203B2
A method for multiple step programming programs data to an even page of memory cells. The even page of memory cells is read into a page buffer and the uncertain data is removed. An odd page of memory cells is programmed and the data from the even page data from the page buffer is reprogrammed to the even page of memory cells without the uncertain data.
US08824189B2
A semiconductor device is provided with a lower-layer circuit including a transistor formed over a semiconductor substrate, and a memory cell array formed in an interconnection layer above the semiconductor substrate. Respective memory cells of the memory cell array are provided with a variable resistor element formed in the interconnection layer serving as a memory element. The memory cell array includes a first region directly underneath the memory cells, the first region being a region where a via for electrical coupling with the memory cell is not formed. The lower-layer circuit is disposed in such a way as to overlap at least a part of the first region.
US08824181B2
A switch mode power supply (SMPS) is capable of reducing standby power consumption, and includes a power factor capacitor (PFC) bulk capacitor which supplies power in a standby mode to constant loads by repeatedly charging and discharging a voltage, a PFC controller which controls the voltage to be charged in the PFC bulk capacitor, a first resistor and a second resistor which divide the voltage of the PFC bulk capacitor and output a reference voltage, and a control unit which controls the charging and discharging of the voltage of the PFC bulk capacitor in accordance with the reference voltage.
US08824176B2
The resonant converting circuit comprises a resonant circuit, a current detecting circuit and the resonant controller. The resonant controller controls a power conversion of the resonant circuit for converting an input voltage into an output voltage and the resonant controller comprises an over current judgment unit and an over current protection unit. The over current judgment unit determines whether the resonant current is higher than an over current value according to a current detecting signal generated by the current detecting circuit. The over current protection unit generates a protection signal in response to a determined result of the over current judgment unit and an indication signal indicative of an operating state of the resonant controller. The resonant controller executes a corresponding protecting process in response to the protection signal.
US08824174B2
A new current loop control system method is proposed for a single-phase grid-tie power conditioning system that can be used under a standalone or a grid-tie mode. This type of inverter utilizes an inductor-capacitor-inductor (LCL) filter as the interface in between inverter and the utility grid. The first set of inductor-capacitor (LC) can be used in the standalone mode, and the complete LCL can be used for the grid-tie mode. A new admittance compensation technique is proposed for the controller design to avoid low stability margin while maintaining sufficient gain at the fundamental frequency. The proposed current loop controller system and admittance compensation technique have been simulated and tested. Simulation results indicate that without the admittance path compensation, the current loop controller output duty cycle is largely offset by an undesired admittance path. At the initial simulation cycle, the power flow may be erratically fed back to the inverter causing catastrophic failure. With admittance path compensation, the output power shows a steady-state offset that matches the design value. Experimental results show that the inverter is capable of both a standalone and a grid-tie connection mode using the LCL filter configuration.
US08824171B2
The present invention relates to a hold-up time expansion circuit and a converter including the same. The hold-up time expansion circuit controls switching frequency of at least one switch according to the input voltage of the converter. The converter is dependent on the switching frequency that is controlled by the hold-up time expansion circuit, and controls the duty of at least one switch according to the feedback signal of the output voltage.
US08824169B2
A multiple inverter with neutral line inductor and an active power filter system are disclosed. In the disclosure, the multiple inverter comprises at least two inverter units connected in parallel, the midpoint of the direct current bus in each inverter unit is connected to the neutral line N through the respective neutral line inductor. The multiple inverter can suppress the ripple produced by the neutral line current without increasing the direct current bus capacitor.
US08824168B2
A full bridge phase shifted power supply with synchronous rectification and current doubler and method for dynamically adjusting delay parameters thereof mainly have multiple delay parameter combinations respectively varying with multiple loads and embedded in a controller of the power supply. The delay parameter combinations serve to determine driving waveforms of two rectification switches of a synchronous rectification and current doubler circuit of the power supply. When the load of the power supply varies, the controller dynamically performs a corresponding delay parameter combination so as to vary the driving waveforms of the rectification switches of the synchronous rectification and current doubler circuit and enhance the operating efficiency of the power supply.
US08824165B2
An electronic package structure including at least one first electronic element, a second electronic element and a lead frame is provided. The second electronic element includes a body having a cavity. The first electronic element is disposed in the cavity. The lead frame has a plurality of leads. Each of the leads has a first end and a second end. The first end of at least one of the leads extends to the cavity to electrically connect the first electronic element.
US08824162B2
Electronic devices may have housings in which components are mounted. Some of the components may be sensitive to moisture. Other components may be insensitive to moisture and may form openings in a device housing that allow moisture to escape from within the housing. Components may be mounted on substrates such as printed circuit board substrates. Moisture repelling layers and moisture attracting layers may be patterned to form channels and other structures that guide moisture away from sensitive components towards insensitive components. Moisture repelling and attracting layers may also be used to limit the lateral spread of a conformal coating layer when coating components.
US08824161B2
A hybrid integrated circuit in a wafer level package for an implantable medical device includes one or more passive component windings formed, at least in part, along one or more routing layers of the package. The windings may be primary and secondary windings of a transformer, wherein all or part of a magnetic core thereof is embedded in a component layer of the wafer level package. If the core includes a part bonded to a surface of the package, that part of the core may be E-shaped with legs extending into the routing layers, and, in some cases, through the routing layers. Routing layers may be formed on both sides of the component layer to accommodate the transformer windings, in some instances.
US08824151B2
A mounting system for a control module in a vehicle comprises a housing with a flange formed with an opening adapted to receive a fastener for securing the housing to the vehicle. A crack initiator causes a crack to occur in the flange or the housing and thus reduces bending of the housing during a side impact collision causing lateral forces. Preferably, an attachment bolt extends through the opening into the vehicle and the flange forms a C-shape around the opening to allow lateral forces during the side impact collision to force the attachment bolt to slide out of the opening. Preferably, electronic components in the module include an event data recorder for recording data about the vehicle collision and relaying the data after the collision, a communications system for calling for assistance and a controller for cutting off the vehicle fuel supply.
US08824147B2
This invention relates to a fluid-cooled electronic equipment item, an avionic rack to receive such an equipment item and an aircraft equipped with such racks.The electronic equipment items are connected to the avionic rack on the one hand electrically (C3-C4) and on the other hand fluidically (36′-37, 45′-44) to a system of pipes (30a, 30b) on at least one cold source for a cooling fluid (30). A heat-dissipating electronic board (35) is equipped with a dissipated-heat collector plate (61-65), in which fluid circulation channels are implemented, connected via quick-disconnect fluidic couplings (42, 39) to quick-disconnect fluidic couplings of the system of pipes. These devices allow the equipment to be removed from or inserted into the rack (32-EE) or the electronic board (35) to be removed from or inserted into the electrical equipment (33-35).
US08824138B2
A baffle guides airflow into two heat areas in a heat dissipation system. Each of the two heat areas includes a plurality of slots. The baffle includes a main body, an interval portion, and a clasp. The interval portion is located on the main body. The clasp is located on the main body opposite to the interval portion. The clasp includes a resilient clip and a stand portion vertically located on the resilient clip. The stand portion is engaged with at least one of the slots. The interval portion extends between two of the plurality of slots.
US08824130B2
A chip card holder includes a base, a first retaining board attached to the base, a second retaining board attached to the base spaced apart from the first retaining board, and a receptacle is defined between the first retaining board and the second retaining board. The first retaining board has a first electrical connector. The second retaining board has a second electrical connector. A drawer is movably received in the receptacle. When the drawer received in the receptacle, the chip cards are retained between the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector.
US08824114B2
A circuit comprises a first conductor, a second conductor, and a first detect and disconnect circuit. The first conductor is coupled to a first power supply voltage terminal. The second conductor is positioned a first predetermined distance from the first conductor. The first detect and disconnect circuit has a first terminal coupled to the second conductor and a second terminal coupled to a second power supply voltage terminal. The first detect and disconnect circuit detects a first electrical property change between the second conductor and the first conductor. In response to detecting the change in the first electrical property, the second conductor is disconnected from the second power supply voltage terminal. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising the circuit is also provided.
US08824111B2
A circuit for protecting a node (201) in an electronic device (200) from an electrostatic discharge comprising: a voltage rail (206) arranged to provide an predetermined voltage when the device is powered; a first switching device (202) connected between said node (201) and ground (204); a second switching device (203) coupled to said node (201) and arranged to control the conductance of the first switching device (202) between said node (201) and ground (204); wherein, the second switching device (203) is configured to, irrespective of whether the device is powered or not powered, (a) hold the conductance of the first switching device (202) low when the potential difference between the node (201) and the voltage rail (206) is within an operating range, and (b) hold the conductance of the first switching device (202) high in response to an overvoltage at the node (201) so as to allow current to flow from the node (201) to ground (204).
US08824110B2
A power plug, including: a shell, the shell having two sides, a reset button and a test button protruding from the first side, and a live wire pin and a neutral wire pin protruding from the second side; a circuit board; a stationary contact; a movable contact; a tripping device; a cross arm; and a push block. The stationary contact is connected with the live wire pin and the neutral wire pin; the movable contact can be connected to or disconnected from the stationary contact. The tripping device includes a sliding pedestal and a sliding part and controls the connection between the movable contact and the stationary contact. An elastic member is disposed on the push block. An ejector spring is disposed on one end of the movable armature. A reset spring is disposed between the sliding part and the sliding pedestal.
US08824098B1
A disk clamp for clamping an information storage disk to a rotating spindle in a disk drive includes a deflection portion that is annular and conical in shape, and which has a material thickness, an outer extent, and an inner extent. In certain embodiments, the inner extent is offset from the outer extent by a particular height measured parallel to an axis of rotation of the disk clamp. The disk clamp may further include a disk contact portion that is disposed radially outboard from the deflection portion, and which may include a curvature radially outboard of the outer extent that departs from a projection of the deflection portion, and a surface for contacting the information storage disk.
US08824096B1
A rotating portion of a motor includes a hub body portion and a shaft arranged to extend in an axial direction. The hub body portion includes a through hole and a recessed portion. The recessed portion extends radially outward from an outside surface of the shaft, has an annular shape and is recessed axially downward. The recessed portion includes first, second, and third ridge portions. The first ridge portion is an axially upper edge of an inside surface defining the through hole, the second ridge portion is arranged radially outward of the first ridge portion, and the third ridge portion is arranged radially outward of the second ridge portion, and is located axially above both the first ridge portion and the second ridge portion. An adhesive is arranged to cover the outside surface of the shaft and reach a portion of the second ridge portion.
US08824087B2
A method and system for estimating a zero gain start (ZGS) bias in a read channel is disclosed. The method may include: receiving preamble samples within a fixed-length window selected for ZGS calculation; calculating an energy associated with a 2T frequency in the preamble samples; calculating an energy associated with non-2T frequencies in the preamble samples; and calculating the ZGS bias based on the energy associated with the 2T frequency in the preamble samples and the energy associated with non-2T frequencies in the preamble samples.
US08824079B2
A servo control field on a recordable medium includes a bit patterned media (BPM) pattern including a plurality of dots arranged in a down-track orientation and in a cross-track orientation, wherein the dots comprise a plurality of dot composites. Each of the dot composites includes a plurality of dots. A first spacing between adjacent ones of the plurality of dots in a dot composite in the down-track direction on the recordable medium is less than a second spacing between adjacent ones of the plurality of dot composites in the down-track direction. A readback signal generated in response to the BPM patterned may be filtered to attenuate harmonic frequencies in the readback signal.
US08824077B2
Write enhancement circuitry on the head carrier of a magnetic recording disk drive provides additional write current overshoot beyond that provided by the write driver circuitry. The write enhancement circuitry is formed on the head carrier as ladder network blocks. A first ladder network block is a first capacitor C1 located in parallel with the write coil. The second ladder network block includes a second capacitor C2 having substantially the same inductance L2. The compensation circuitry is referred to as a ladder network because additional ladder blocks, like the second block but with different values of capacitance and inductance, may be located on the head carrier.
US08824074B1
Methods, systems and computer program products for performing hybrid defect detection are disclosed. In some implementations, an apparatus includes a signal module to process data signals corresponding to data on a storage medium to generate signal samples. The apparatus includes a first defect detector to identify a first portion of the signal samples, determine a number of the signal samples in the first portion that are associated with abnormal signal characteristics, and generate a first output based on the number of the signal samples in the first portion that are associated with abnormal signal characteristics. The apparatus includes a second defect detector to identify a second portion of the signal samples different from the first portion, and generate a second output based on a correlation between data bits and signal samples in the second portion.
US08824069B2
The lens barrel includes a first lens unit, a second lens unit, and a drive unit. The first lens unit includes a first lens element and a first lens support frame supporting the first lens element. The second lens unit includes a second lens element and a second lens support frame supporting the second lens element. The second lens unit is supported by the first lens unit to be movable in the optical axis direction of the first lens element with respect to the first lens unit. The drive unit is arranged to be used to drive the second lens unit with respect to the first lens unit, and is fixed to the first lens unit. When viewed in the optical axis direction, the drive unit is fixed to the first lens unit so that a first profile line formed by the first lens unit and the drive unit is substantially circular.
US08824064B2
A zoom lens includes a fixing barrel, a cam barrel, a guide barrel, a first lens group, a second lens group, and a third lens group. The cam barrel is rotatably received in the fixing barrel. The guiding barrel is movably received in the fixing barrel and partially receives the cam barrel. The guiding barrel is moveable along an optical axis of the zoom lens following the motion of the cam barrel. The first lens group is rotatably received in the guiding barrel. The second lens group is rotatably received in the cam barrel. The first and second lens groups move along the optical axis following the rotation of the cam barrel. The third lens group is aligned with the first and second lens groups, and driven by a driver to be movably received in the fixing barrel and moveable along the optical axis of the zoom lens.
US08824063B2
An optical device includes a first and second lens group, an operation member, a first and second lens group position detection unit, a storage unit, a control unit. The control unit controls the movement of the second lens group based on positional information of the first lens group detected by the first lens group position detection unit and the positional relationship information stored in the storage unit, and determines whether a control state of the second lens group is abnormal based on control positional information during the control of the movement of the second lens group and the signal corresponding to the position of the second lens group detected by the second lens group position detection unit.
US08824053B2
Two aperture members are disposed on each side of a lens array. In one aperture member, decreasingly tapered through holes having a cross sectional area that gradually decreases in a light incident direction and increasingly tapered through holes having a cross sectional area that gradually increases in the light incident direction are alternatively arranged. The other aperture member that is oppositely disposed with respect to the lens array has the same configuration. The center axes of the decreasingly tapered through holes and the center axes of the increasingly tapered through holes are coincident with each other. This enables to achieve an image forming optical element that has a large amount of light and less irregularity of the amount of light.
US08824040B1
An illuminated electrophoretic device comprising of an electrophoretic display having a set of microcapsules suspended within a insulating liquid. The insulating liquid can be sandwiched between a first surface and a second surface, where each microcapsule encapsulates a set of charged particles. The first surface can be transparent, permitting light to be transmitted. A light source can be configured to transmit visible light through the first surface and/or the second surface. The transmitted light can illuminate the microcapsules and/or the insulating liquid.
US08824034B2
A method and a device for operating a laser in an optical component are provided, wherein the laser is a local oscillator of the optical component; and wherein a linewidth of the laser is broadened. Furthermore, an optical communication system is suggested comprising said optical component.
US08824031B2
A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus for transmitting an object from a scanned document are disclosed. For example, the method receives a scanned document, automatically segments one or more objects from the scanned document, presents the scanned document to the user, wherein the scanned document is modified to visually identify the one or more objects that are automatically segmented, receives a selection of an object of the one or more objects that are automatically segmented and transmits the object that is selected.
US08824029B2
A color calibration method and an image processing device using the same are provided. The method includes: obtaining a first image of a calibration card having color blocks, each of which corresponds to a standard value; obtaining first sensing values according to the first image, wherein each of the first sensing values corresponds to one of the standard values; generating a calibration table according to the first sensing values and the standard values; determining if a recursive condition is satisfied. The method also includes: obtaining a second image of the calibration card if the recursive condition is not satisfied; obtaining second sensing values according to the second image; adjusting the second sensing values according to the calibration table to generate third sensing values; updating the calibration table according to the third sensing values and the standard values until the recursive condition is satisfied. Accordingly, the calibration table is generated automatically.
US08824026B2
An image reading apparatus having light emitting unit for irradiating light onto a original, reflected light detector light reflected by the original after the original is irradiated by the light emitting unit, outside light detector disposed in an area outside the area in which light reflected by the original enters the reflected light detector and reflected light correcting unit for correcting detection result data detected the reflected light detector based on outside light detected by the outside light detector. An image reading head having light emitting unit, which irradiates, a original with light, and a plurality of light receiving elements arranged in a row having a length longer than a length of the light emitting unit.
US08824019B2
An image processing apparatus may include a generation unit, a calculation unit, and a storing unit. The generation unit generates, from job data, image data independent of a model of the image processing apparatus. The calculation unit calculates charging information about contents included in the image data and charging information about additional information added to the image data. The storing unit stores the charging information about the contents and the charging information about the additional information for each charging destination stored in a storage unit.
US08824018B2
In a case where a line noise suppression mode in which a line noise image is suppressed is enabled by a mode setting section 81, (A) a spatial filter process section 108 executes a spatial filter process with respect to a text pixel which have determined to be included in a text region by a segmentation process section 105, in which spatial filter process an edge enhancement degree of an image is smaller than that obtained when the line noise suppression mode is disabled, and (B) an output tone correction section 109 executes, with respect to the text pixel subjected to the spatial filter process, a tone correction process in which a contrast enhancement degree of an image is higher than that obtained when the line noise suppression mode is disabled.
US08824015B2
An image processing apparatus includes a halftone processing unit configured to apply halftone processing based on a dither matrix to image data, a correction unit configured, with respect to the processed image data, to shift a pixel of the image data in a sub-scanning direction at a correction position in a main scanning direction which is determined based on correction information for correcting a distortion due to a curve of a scanning line for forming an image according to the image data, and a resolution conversion unit configured to apply resolution conversion processing for lowering a resolution of image data to the corrected image data, wherein the dither matrix results in that the image data to which the resolution conversion processing has been applied includes matched portions of halftone dot patterns appearing in regions preceding and following the correction position in the main scanning direction.
US08824014B1
A method of operating a printer includes reducing a first plurality of coverage parameters in a first continuous tone (contone) pixel by a predetermined amount if a combination of at least two of the coverage parameters is below a predetermined threshold and reducing a second plurality of coverage parameters in a second pixel by a smaller amount if the combination of coverage parameters in the second pixel is greater than the predetermined threshold. The method further includes generating half-tone image data from the first and second pixels and forming printed marks corresponding to the first and second pixels on an image receiving surface.
US08824010B2
To realize effective load distribution and improve the performance in image formation processing, an image processing apparatus includes a first image processing unit configured to perform image processing on a drawing area, a second image processing unit configured to be differentiated from the first image processing unit, a load analysis unit configured to analyze a composition processing load of an object in the drawing area, a rotational angle analysis unit configured to analyze a rotational angle of the object in the drawing area, and a load distribution determination unit configured to determine whether to distribute a part of image formation processing to be applied on the drawing area from the first image processing unit to the second image processing unit based on the analyzed composition processing load of the object and the analyzed rotational angle of the object.
US08824008B2
An image forming apparatus includes the following elements. An image forming unit forms an image by using plural predetermined colors. An index forming unit causes the image forming unit to form three or more consecutive image correcting indexes of one type by using an identical color, the image correcting indexes being used for correcting misregistration of an image to be formed. The image correcting indexes are sequentially transferred to an image carrier. A detector includes a light source emitting light to the image correcting indexes and a light receiver receiving light reflected by the image carrier and the image correcting indexes to generate a detection signal. A position specifying unit specifies a position of an image correcting index located at the center of three consecutive image correcting indexes by using the detection signal. A misregistration correcting unit corrects misregistration of an image to be formed by using the specified position.
US08823998B2
An identification (ID) code printing method for a glass substrate is disclosed, which comprises the following steps: loading a glass substrate onto a front end of a platform; aligning the glass substrate at the front end of the platform; printing an ID code on the glass substrate for three times in a process of moving the glass substrate from the front end of the platform to a back end of the platform, then from the back end of the platform to the front end of the platform and finally again from the front end of the platform to the back end of the platform. An ID code printing apparatus for a glass substrate is further disclosed. Thereby, an additional cycle of ID code printing operations can be carried out in the present disclosure as compared to the prior art, which can increase the number of times of ID code printing under the conventional tact time conditions and improve the utilization factor of the production line.
US08823996B2
Image forming devices, hard imaging methods, and methods of determining a transfer function are described. According to one embodiment, an image forming device includes an image engine configured to provide a marking agent upon media, processing circuitry configured to control the image engine to form a test image upon the media having a specified coverage of the marking agent and to access measurement data indicative of a measured coverage of the marking agent of the test image, storage circuitry configured to store data comprising associations of a plurality of specified coverage values of the marking agent and a plurality of resultant coverage amounts of the marking agent formed upon the media by the image engine corresponding to respective ones of the specified coverage values, and wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to access image data of an image to be formed to identify one of the specified coverage values of the marking agent to be formed upon the media to form the image, to modify the one specified coverage value using the stored data and the measurement data to provide an imaging coverage value, and to control the image engine using the imaging coverage value to form the hard image.
US08823994B2
An image reading device includes a light source, an image sensor, a transport unit, and a control unit. While, during reading of a target to be read by the image sensor, the control unit causes the transport unit to accelerate the read rate of the image sensor to a reference read rate or to decelerate the read rate thereof from the reference read rate, the control unit causes the light source to light up, within the read time, with timing brought close to a read section from a lighting start point to a lighting end point in the case of reading one line in the reference read time.
US08823993B2
Disclosed are a method, computer program product, and system for print job distribution. An amount of available consumable resources for each of a plurality of printers is determined. An estimated usage of the consumable resources for the plurality of printers for one or more printer jobs in a printer queue is determined. A maintenance schedule related to the maintenance of the consumable resources for each of the plurality of printers is accessed. A print distribution plan for each print job in the printer queue is determined, based at least in part on the amount of available consumable resources for each of the plurality of printers, the estimated usage of consumable resources for the plurality of printers for each printer job in a printer queue, and the maintenance schedule related to the maintenance of the consumable resources for each of the plurality of printers.
US08823980B2
An image forming apparatus which configures a printing system includes an application server which has a function of editing and storing document data, and provides the document data in response to a request; the image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions including a printing function; a data generation apparatus which generates, from the document data, print data printable by the image forming apparatus; and a storage apparatus which stores data having undergone processing by the image forming apparatus, the apparatuses being communicable with each other via a network, comprising: recording unit configured to record, as difference data, a setting difference upon setting change of print data; and transmission unit configured to execute processing for the print data, and transmitting a completion notification of the processing together with the difference data.
US08823973B2
An image forming apparatus, to which an accessory device is connectable, includes a control unit configured to control the image forming apparatus to start a preparation operation in which an image forming unit can form an image in response to a power supply, and a storage unit configured to store a connecting state between the image forming apparatus and the accessory device. The control unit determines, in response to the start of the power supply, whether the accessory device has been connected to the image forming apparatus before the power supply is stopped, with reference to information stored in the storage unit. Then, the control unit controls the image forming apparatus to start the preparation operation without waiting for the receiving of the information about the accessory device therefrom if the accessory device has not been connected to the image forming apparatus.
US08823967B2
A power-supply control device includes a power-supply control section, a first detection section that detects whether or not a body capable of movement is moving, a second detection section that detects whether or not the body capable of movement exists, and an instruction section. The power-supply control section receives supply of power from a mains power source section, and selectively sets a power supply mode, in which power is supplied to a processing section, and a power saving mode, in which supply of power to the processing section is stopped. The first and second detection sections and the instruction section are caused to operate at least in the power saving mode. The instruction section provides, for the power-supply control section, an instruction for switching between the power supply mode and the power saving mode.
US08823965B2
A printer driver causes a computer to function as: an image formation data generator configured to generate image formation data which includes image data and other data; and an image formation data updater configured to update the image formation data. The image formation data updater is configured to update the image formation data by: judging whether or not a description to secure compatibility of a version of the image formation data exists in the image formation data; if the description exists, adding to the other data an enabling instruction to enable a compatibility securement function to secure the compatibility of the version of the image formation data; and if no description exists, adding to the other data a disabling instruction to disable the compatibility securement function.
US08823960B2
A management apparatus comprises: a holding unit that holds configuration data defined for respective models of a plurality of image forming apparatuses or respective image forming apparatuses; a determination unit that determines whether a value defined in configuration data of a first image forming apparatus exceeds a range settable for a function of a second image forming apparatus; and a generation unit that, when the determination unit determines that the value defined in the acquired configuration data of the first image forming apparatus exceeds the settable range, newly generates configuration data to implement an operation to be executed based on the value defined in the configuration data of the first image forming apparatus by combining at least one other function executable by the second image forming apparatus.
US08823954B2
A low coherence enhanced backscattering tomography (LEBT) method is disclosed for depth-selective sensing of the superficial layer of tissue. 3D images of the microarchitecture and molecular conformation of the superficial layer of tissue are obtained. The method combines the high resolution advantage of low coherence light and the high sensitivity advantage of light scattering to tissue structure and composition. Intact tissue can be examined without the need of excision or processing. The method can be applied in in situ measurements. According to the method, 3D images of the nuclear morphology and cellular structure for the superficial layer of the tissue are generated; this is particularly useful in detecting cancer and precancer at the earliest stage of carcinogenesis.
US08823949B2
A measurement apparatus includes a pedestal, a supporting tray, a first movable base, a first measuring assembly, a second movable base, a second measuring assembly, a third movable base, a third measuring assembly, and a console. The supporting tray is rotationally fixed in the pedestal and can be rotated to position a workpiece at different angles to ensure that images of all portions and surfaces needing to be measured can be captured.
US08823946B1
A fiber optic gyroscope including a non-coherent light source for producing a first beam of light, an optical circulator in the path of said first beam for providing polarized second and third beams, respectively, with polarization orthogonal to each other, and a time division multiplexer in the path of the second and third beams. A first planar optical fiber loop is coupled to the time division multiplexer and has a first end and a second end coupled to the second and third beams respectively during a first time period. A second planar optical fiber loop is coupled to the time division multiplexer and has a first end and a second end coupled to the second and third beams respectively during a second time period subsequent to the first time period.
US08823945B2
The invention relates to a measuring device for determining a vegetation index value (REIP) of plants. The measuring device comprises a plurality of light emitting elements, each of which emits substantially monochromatic light at a predetermined wavelength, a light receiving element which receives light from the light emitting elements reflected by the plants and generates a signal indicating the respective intensity of the received light, and a control means which successively activates the light emitting elements in a cyclical sequence, determines the respective intensity of the reflected light based on the output signal of the light receiving element, and calculates the vegetation index value based on the determined intensities of the overall measurement cycle. According to the invention, a light frequency converter is provided as the light receiving element.
US08823944B2
To reduce the effect of directly reflected light on a contact-surface side of a contact member, a biological information detector includes a light-emitting part, a light-receiving part, a reflecting part, a protecting part for protecting the light-emitting part, and a substrate. The protecting member is formed from a material that is transparent with respect to a wavelength of the light emitted by the light-emitting part and has a contact member provided with a contact surface in contact with the detection site. Light emitted from the light-emitting part is inhibited from reflecting once on a contact-surface side of the contact member of the protecting part and being incident on a light-receiving region of the light-receiving part.
US08823938B2
A system, apparatus, and method is provided to remotely measure atmospheric species using a long path differential absorption technique. In one embodiment, a source and a detector are collocated and at the far end of the absorption path a retro-reflector is mounted on a vehicle. The source generates an outgoing laser beam that is transmitted to the retro-reflector and reflected towards the detector as an incoming laser beam, and the detector receives the incoming laser beam that was reflected by the retro-reflector.
US08823936B2
The invention provides a structure for critical dimension and overlay measurement including a measuring unit, a first measurement pattern for measuring overlay and a second measurement pattern for measuring linewidth, line density and/or line semi-density. The first target pattern includes an outer bar structure disposed on a first layer and an inner bar structure disposed on a second layer; the outer bar structure and/or the inner bar structure has a same shared pattern structure with the second target pattern. The pattern structure includes four bars with the same shape positioned orthogonally and closely to each other, and at least two orthogonally positioned bars include N equally spaced rectangular lines of the same width, wherein, N is an odd number; the N rectangular lines include one central rectangular line and N−1 auxiliary rectangular lines.
US08823922B2
An overlay measurement apparatus has a polarized light source for illuminating a sample with a polarized light beam and an optical system to capture light that is scattered by the sample. The optical system includes a polarizer for transmitting an orthogonal polarization component that is orthogonal to a polarization direction of the polarized light beam. A detector measures intensity of the orthogonal polarization component. A processing unit is connected to the detector, and is arranged to process the orthogonal polarization component for overlay metrology measurement using asymmetry data derived from the orthogonal polarization component.
US08823921B2
A programmable illuminator for a photolithography system includes a light source, a first optical system having a light uniformizing element, a programmable micro-mirror device, and a second optical system that forms an illumination field that illuminates a reticle. The programmable micro-mirror device can be configured to perform shutter and edge-exposure-blocking functions that have previously required relatively large mechanical devices. Methods of improving illumination field uniformity using the programmable illuminator are also disclosed.
US08823901B2
The present invention relates a prism sheet, and a back light unit and a liquid crystal display device therewith, in which total thickness of a back light unit is reduced while taking place of the lamp mura is prevented, for improving a picture quality. The prism sheet includes a plurality of first prism mountains formed on a supporting film at regular intervals, a resin layer filled between the first prism mountains, and a plurality of second prism mountains formed on the resin layer and the first prism mountains with at intervals greater than the intervals of the first prism mountains.
US08823889B2
A stereo display includes a display panel, a first polarizer modulator disposed above the display panel, and a second polarizer modulator disposed above the first polarizer modulator. The second polarizer modulator includes a first lens set, a second lens set opposite to the first lens set, a polarization material, and a birefringent material. An angle between an extending direction of the first lens set and an extending direction of the second lens set is not 0 or 180 degrees. The polarization material is between the first lens set and the second lens set. The birefringent material is disposed in at least one of the first lens set and the second lens set.
US08823879B2
A method carried out on a television receiver device involves at a television receiver/tuner device, carrying out a channel scan to identify available television channels that can be received by the television receiver device; while the channel scan is being carried out: reading a feature highlight video file from a memory; and displaying the feature highlight video file on a television display. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US08823872B2
An image pickup module includes a cover member, an image pickup device chip including photodiodes, a fixing member which is arranged around the image pickup device chip and which connects the cover member and the image pickup device chip together, a rewiring substrate arranged on the side opposite to the cover member of the image pickup device chip, connection members for connecting the image pickup device chip with the rewiring substrate, and a space surrounded by the cover member, the image pickup device chip, and the fixing member. The image pickup device chip includes a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate includes through-hole electrodes penetrating the substrate. When an area corresponding to the fixing member in the orthogonal projection of the image pickup module with respect to the cover module is defined as a fixed area, the through-hole electrodes and the connection members are arranged in the fixed area.
US08823867B2
A camera of the present invention comprises a contrast detection section for detecting a contrast value, an assist light section for irradiating a subject by emitting light at a first luminance amount or a second luminance amount that is dimmer than the first luminance amount, and a control section for moving the photographing lens and detecting a focus position of the photographing lens based on contrast values detected by the contrast detection section, wherein the control section causes the assist light section to emit assist light in a first luminance amount or a second luminance amount, and detects a focus position of the photographing lens based on one of a first contrast value detected in a state where the assist light section emits light in the first luminance amount, or a second contrast value detected in a state where the assist light section emits light in the second luminance amount.
US08823860B2
An apparatus for auto-focusing detection, a camera applying the same, and a method for calculating a distance to a subject are disclosed. The camera calculates a focusing control state based on synthetic image data output as an image passing through a pupil split unit provided with a filter arranged at one or more of the at least two holes as taken by an image pickup unit.
US08823859B2
A manufacturing method for an optical unit includes: a step of bonding plural lens wafers, on which optical components are formed, and forming a lens unit wafer including plural lens units; a step of bonding a bending optical element wafer including plural bending optical elements to a first surface of the lens unit wafer such that the plural bending optical elements are respectively opposed to the plural lens units and forming an optical unit wafer; and a step of separating and individualizing the optical unit wafer for each of the lens units and the bending optical elements and manufacturing plural optical units.
US08823853B2
An image sensor includes a charge accumulation region of a first conductivity type, an isolating semiconductor region formed from an impurity semiconductor region of a second conductivity type, a channel stop region formed from an impurity semiconductor region of the second conductivity type which is located on the isolating semiconductor region, and an insulator arranged on the channel stop region. The insulator includes a first insulating portion arranged above the isolating semiconductor region via the channel stop region, a second insulating portion arranged adjacent to an outside of the first insulating portion, wherein thickness of the second insulating potion decreases with an increase in distance from the first insulating portion, and a third insulating portion formed on the first insulating portion, wherein the third insulating portion has upper and side faces connecting the upper face to an upper face of the second insulating portion.
US08823846B2
Providing for pausing data readout from an optical sensor array is described herein. By way of example, an interruption period can be introduced into a readout cycle of the optical sensor array to suspend readout of data. During the interruption period, other operations related to the optical sensor array can be performed, including operations that are typically detrimental to image quality. Moreover, these operations can be performed while mitigating or avoiding negative impact on the image quality. Thus, greater flexibility is provided for global shutter operations, for instance, potentially improving frame rates and fine control of image exposure, while preserving image quality.
US08823830B2
A method for digital image eye artifact detection and correction include identifying one or more candidate red-eye defect regions in an acquired image. For one or more candidate red-eye regions, a seed pixels and/or a region of pixels having a high intensity value in the vicinity of the candidate red-eye region is identified. The shape, roundness or other eye-related characteristic of a combined hybrid region including the candidate red-eye region and the region of high intensity pixels is analyzed. Based on the analysis of the eye-related characteristic of the combined hybrid region, it is determined whether to apply flash artifact correction, including red eye correction of the candidate red-eye region and/or correction of the region of high intensity pixels.
US08823829B2
Image capture by using an imaging assembly having spectral sensitivities which are tunable in accordance with a capture parameter. First and second capture parameters are applied respectively to first and second regions of a scene, and a preview image is captured and displayed, together with a user interface which permits a user to adjust a transition of the capture parameter at a boundary between the first and second regions. Further preview images may be captured and displayed until the user is satisfied with the appearance of the preview image at the boundary of the first and second regions. A final image is captured using the first and second capture parameters together with any adjustment to the transition of the capture parameters at the boundary between the first and second regions.
US08823814B2
An imaging apparatus includes an optical system, an imaging device that captures an image imaged via the optical system to generate image data, a detecting unit that detects a shake of the imaging apparatus in a rotating direction, a cutting-out unit that cuts out data in a predetermined cutting-out region in a region of the image data generated by the imaging device, and a recording unit that records the cut image data in a recording medium. The cutting-out unit determines a rotating center position according to a predetermined condition (for example, the focal length of the optical system or move amount of the imaging apparatus), rotates the cutting-out region around the rotating center position to reduce an effect of the shake in the rotating direction detected by the detecting unit on the image imaged on the imaging device, and cuts out the image data from the rotated cutting-out region.
US08823810B2
A night vision device and method for filtering a series of image frames that depict a moving subject, which thereby improves the signal-to-noise ratio of each image frame, is provided. A composite image is formed for each image frame by combining pixel values in a current image frame with pixel values in composite images corresponding to image frames acquired before the current image frame. Additionally, pixels values in image frames acquired subsequent to the acquisition of the current image frame are included when forming the composite image. A bi-directional recursive filter is used to weight the contributions from the previous composite images and subsequent image frames with a decay constant. Motion of the imaging system is optionally compensated for by establishing a moving reference frame and shifting the image frames to account for this motion; thus, registering the image frames before filtering the current image frame.
US08823801B2
A digital X-ray capture device that uses an image array camera to capture a digital image of a standard X-ray film. The X ray-film is placed on a tray within a housing. An array of LED lights located under the tray illuminate the film. In the preferred embodiment the illuminated image of the X-ray bounces off a forty-five degree angle mirror and enters the image array camera. The digital image can then be downloaded to a standard computer. Custom software allows the user to manipulate the image as needed. The entire capture process takes only two seconds. A patients information can be added to the boarder of the captured image. The captured image can be sent via email to any other computer.
US08823799B2
The invention proposes a method and an arrangement for evaluating sensor images of an image-evaluating environment recognition system on a carrier, in which, in order to distinguish the light conditions in the area of the image-evaluating environment recognition system with regard to day or night, at least the gain and/or the exposure time of the at least one image sensor detecting the environment is/are monitored, a profile of the gain and/or the exposure time against time with relatively high gain or relatively long exposure times characterizing night-time light conditions, and a profile of the gain and/or the exposure time with relatively low gain and/or relatively short exposure times characterizing daytime light conditions. The environment recognition system according to the invention can also be used to search the detected environment for bright objects, the headlights of another carrier being used as additional information, for example.
US08823798B2
What is disclosed is a system and method for processing an image to obscure information which can be used for identification purposes. In one embodiment, an image is received as part of a traffic enforcement activity. A motor vehicle in the image has a visibly discernible license plate. The vehicle's license plate is first isolated in the image. Content in the image which can be used for identification purposes is thereafter identified. The identified content is compared to the license plate. Any content in the image which is different than the license plate is obscured by, for instance, pixelating the content in the image, introducing a distortion into the image at a location of the content, replacing content with other content, or by blurring the content of the image. The modified image containing the obscured content is then provided to an image output device for rendering. Various embodiments are disclosed.
US08823795B1
Communication systems configured to monitor an entryway to a building can include a security system configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote computing device. The security system can include a doorbell that comprises a camera, a speaker, and a microphone.
US08823794B2
Methods and systems may include high speed camera to capture a video of a display output, a robotic arm to interact with a device, a processor, and a computer readable storage medium having a set of instructions. If executed by the processor, the instructions cause the system to identify one or more user experience characteristics based on the captured video, and generate a report based on the one or more user experience characteristics. The report may include a perceptional model score that is generated based on the user experience characteristics as well as other parameters. The user experience characteristics could include response time, frame rate and run time characteristics.
US08823789B2
An imaging apparatus includes first and second imaging units, a reading unit that reads pixel information from pixels set as a reading target in each of the first and second imaging units, a control unit that sets the pixels as the reading target in each of the first and second imaging units in a manner such that the pixel information is alternately read from the first and second imaging units by the reading unit, and controls timing of exposure processes in the first and second imaging units and timing of reading processes of the pixel information for the first and second imaging units by the reading unit, to be correlated with one another, a transmission unit that transmits the pixel information read from each of the first and second imaging units in a same transmission path, and an image processing unit that generates an image based on the pixel information.
US08823788B2
An imaging apparatus includes: a first and second optical systems that focus and emit incident light, a transparent wavelength, and a focal length of them being different from each other; an imaging unit that includes a first region on which the light emitted from the first optical system is incident and a second region on which the light emitted from the second optical system is incident, can output, as pixel information, an electric signal after photoelectric conversion from pixels arbitrarily set as read targets; a setting unit that can arbitrarily set the read targets in at least one of the first region and the second region; a reading unit that reads the pixel information from the read targets; a control unit that changes the read targets according to an acquisition target image; and an image processing unit that generates the acquisition target image.
US08823781B2
A stereoscopic image display apparatus capable of generating a cursor that moves according to user operation to allow stereoscopic view with a stereoscopic image including a set of images with parallax and capable of combining and displaying the cursor on the stereoscopic image acquires a parallax amount of the stereoscopic image at a location where the cursor is combined and displayed on the stereoscopic image and calculates a moving speed of the cursor. The stereoscopic image display apparatus determines whether the cursor is moving based on the calculated moving speed and generates the cursor including a certain predetermined value as the parallax amount of the cursor if it is determined that the cursor is moving. The stereoscopic image display apparatus generates the cursor by setting the parallax amount of the cursor to the parallax amount of the acquired stereoscopic image if it is determined that the cursor is not moving.
US08823779B2
A technique for reducing the time required before a tracking process is performed again in calculating the position and orientation of an image capturing apparatus or an object. Images captured by the apparatus are acquired, the acquired images are stored in order per frame, straight lines detected in the captured images and straight lines in a three-dimensional space model are matched, the position and orientation of the apparatus are initialized by obtaining correspondences having the highest consistency, a captured image to be processed is selected from the captured images, the change in position and orientation of the apparatus is measured using the change in position and orientation of a target object in the selected image based on the initialized position and orientation of the apparatus, and if the measured change in position and orientation is not within a predetermined threshold, initialization is performed using the selected image.
US08823777B2
Systems and methods may provide for determining a one-dimensional (1D) disparity between a plurality of rectified images, and extracting depth information from the plurality of rectified images based at least in part on the 1D disparity. In one example, the 1D disparity is in the horizontal direction and the images are rectified with respect to one another in the vertical direction.
US08823776B2
A method that includes capturing depth information associated with a first field of view of a depth camera. The depth information is represented by a first plurality of depth pixels. The method also includes capturing color information associated with a second field of view of a video camera that substantially overlaps with the first field of view of the depth camera. The color information is represented by a second plurality of color pixels. The method further includes enhancing color information represented by at least one color pixel of the second plurality of color pixels to generate an enhanced image. The enhanced image adjusts an exposure characteristic of the color information captured by the video camera. The at least one color pixel is enhanced based on depth information represented by at least one corresponding depth pixel of the first plurality of depth pixels.
US08823768B2
A conference system includes a first conference device and a second conference device installed at a first site, and is connected with an external conference device installed at a site different from the first site. The second conference device selects one from a group consisting of a video image taken by and received from the first conference device and a video image taken by the second conference device to transmit the selected video image to the external conference device. The second conference device selects a video image taken by the second conference device when the second conference device detects an event occurred at the second conference device.
US08823767B2
Methods, apparatuses, system and a computer program product provide improved delivery of short messages. The method includes the steps of receiving a message to be delivered to user equipment, negotiating a timer value with a short message service routing element, forwarding the short message to the short message service routing element together with the negotiated timer value and starting a timer according to the negotiated timer value.
US08823764B2
An optical writer includes a housing, a light source, a deflector, and a plurality of optical elements. The housing includes a plurality of surfaces, one of which includes a substantially flat portion having an opening formed therein and a curved portion curved in the shape of an arc of a circle in cross-section. The light source is enclosed within the housing and projects light through the opening and onto a target. The deflector is enclosed within the housing and deflects the light projected from the light source in a main scanning direction. The plurality of optical elements is enclosed within the housing and directs the light deflected by the deflector onto the target.
US08823763B2
Provided is printing apparatus which includes: a light-emitting device array and a photoconductor, wherein the light-emitting device array includes the light-emitting devices of the number greater than the number of pixels of a single line of the print image, data of the single line of the print image are allocated to a portion of the light-emitting devices in the light-emitting device array, and in a period in which exposure of the photoconductor is halted, the light-emitting devices to which the data of the single line of the print image are allocated are shifted in position in the light-emitting device array.
US08823761B2
An optical scanning device includes a light source that emits a laser beam, a deflector that deflects the emitted laser beam, a scanning lens that causes the deflected laser beam to scan a surface of a photosensitive body at a uniform velocity, a reflector having a reflective surface that reflects the deflected laser beam toward the photosensitive body among the laser beams that have passed through the scanning lens, and a synchronization sensor that receives the laser beam from the reflector and outputs a detection signal. The reflector is set so that a scanning speed in a main scanning direction of the laser beam on a light-receiving surface of the synchronization sensor becomes greater than a value obtained by dividing a scanning distance of the laser beam in the main scanning direction on the light-receiving surface of the synchronization sensor by a response delay time of the synchronization sensor.
US08823756B2
A first printhead that prints on one side of the paper, a second printhead that prints on the other side of the paper, and a cutter are disposed to the paper conveyance path with a specific gap therebetween approaching the paper exit for the paper, and a conveyance unit that conveys the paper through the conveyance path in a device that prints duplex receipts. Based on reception of a transaction end statement, the printer prints part of the transaction information by the first printhead; prints the remaining part of the transaction information by the second printhead; prints store information, the length of which fits between the cutter and the first printhead, by the first printhead after printing the transaction information; and then cuts the paper by the cutter at a position between the area where the transaction information was printed and the area where the store information was printed.
US08823750B2
Various embodiments enable repetitive gestures, such as multiple serial gestures, to be implemented efficiently so as to enhance the user experience. Other embodiments provide various approaches to zoom operations that consider a particular element's contextual surroundings in making a zoom decision that is designed to enhance the user experience and provide efficiently-zoomed content given a device's or rendering container's form factor.
US08823748B2
Technology is generally described for disabling an automatic rotation function of mobile computing devices. The technology can detect a tilt angle of a display of the computing device in relation to a surface; and if the tilt angle is less than a specified threshold tilt angle, disable a rotation function.
US08823740B1
A display system includes an image generator configured to generate a virtual image and a first beam splitter coupled to the image generator. The virtual image and a real-world view are viewable through the first beam splitter from a viewing location. The display system also includes a second beam splitter coupled to the first beam splitter and a camera coupled to the second beam splitter. The camera is configured to image an eye of a user located at the viewing location. Further, a controller is coupled to the image generator and the camera. The controller is configured to process the image of the eye of the user, to determine a location in at least one of the real-world view and the virtual image where the eye of the user is focused, and to control an operation of the display system in response to the determined location.
US08823734B1
An interactive digital map of a geographic area is provided via a viewport that defines a visible portion of the digital map. The digital map includes a representation of a structure. The viewport is panned relative to the digital map in response to receiving a user request. An indication that indoor map data is available for the structure is displayed in response to determining that the viewport is panning, and the indication is removed in response to determining that the viewport has stopped panning.
US08823733B2
A touch-based computer graphics user interface enhances a stylus pen with virtual suction to create a virtual vacuum or suction tool. The virtual tool may simulate a physical world suction tool and/or provide capabilities not available in the real world. The virtual suction tool allows the user to feel as if he or she has transcended the boundary between the virtual world and the real world by physically holding in his or her hand an object that is able to interact with and virtually attract and contain items (e.g., objects with characteristics and behaviors) removed from or expellable into the virtual world. The resulting highly intuitive user interface provides fun and exciting video game play and has other applications as well.
US08823731B1
According to one aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for converting data encoded in a graphics signal to at least one output signal. The apparatus includes an input, a plurality of outputs, signal processing circuitry and a controller. The input is adapted to receive the graphics signal where the graphics signal includes a plurality of frames generated at least in part from original data. The signal processing circuitry is adapted to locate, in the graphics signal, data corresponding to the original data, convert the data corresponding to the original data to output data and communicate the output data to the plurality of outputs. The controller is adapted to monitor a capacity of the signal processing circuitry and generate a signal that results in at least one disposable frame being added to the plurality of frames. The signal processing circuitry is adapted to discard the at least one disposable frame.
US08823730B2
An image display device includes a creation unit configured to calculate histogram data before correction that indicates a luminance distribution from an input image data; a clip processing unit configured to set a value of the number of pixels of a tone to an upper threshold when the tone among tones of luminance values in the histogram data; an addition unit configured to add a value of the number of pixels based on a difference between the upper threshold and a value of the number of pixels for each tone that is set to the upper threshold in the histogram data before correction to a value of the number of pixels of at least a part of tones that are present between a first luminance value and a second luminance value and to output obtained corrected histogram data; and a correction unit configured to correct the input image data.
US08823721B2
Techniques are described that can used to synchronize the start of frames from multiple sources so that when a display is to output a frame to a next source, boundaries of current and next source are aligned. Techniques are useful to avoid visual distortions when changing from a first video source to a second video source.