ame Frame and insert for mounting a mobile device to a tripod By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for mounting a mobile device on a tripod includes a frame with a rigid peripheral member defining an opening therethrough. The peripheral member includes a mount configured to releasably couple the frame to the tripod. An insert is sized and shaped to be placed into the opening of the frame and releasably engage at least a portion of the peripheral member in an assembled configuration. The insert has a membrane in the form of a cavity configured to releasably receive and support the mobile device. The membrane extends over at least a portion of the opening of the frame in the assembled configuration and includes at least one camera hole extending therethrough that is aligned with a camera lens of the mobile device when the mobile device is mounted in the cavity. Full Article
ame Camera mount vibration dampener By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A vibration dampener for a camera mount is structured to reduce the movement of a first mount component relative to a second mount component. An upper camera mount component securing a camera couples to a lower camera mount component, which in turn couples to a base mount component configured to couple to a user, a sports board, a helmet, a vehicle, and the like. The vibration dampener is compressibly inserted between the lower mount component and the base mount component, causing the vibration dampener to exert an outward force on the lower mount component, and securing the lower mount component against a portion of the base mount component. The movement of the lower mount component relative to the base mount component is accordingly reduced by the vibration dampener. Full Article
ame Camera lens front cover and the monitoring camera having the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A camera lens front cover and the monitoring camera having the same are disclosed. The monitoring camera may comprise a main body, a lens module and a camera lens front cover. The lens module may be disposed on the main body and comprise a lens holder and a camera lens, wherein the camera lens may protrude from the lens holder. The camera lens front cover may comprise a cylindrical casing and a glass cap, wherein the cylindrical casing may be hollow, and there are two openings at both sides of the cylindrical casing, and the lens module may be disposed inside the cylindrical casing. The glass cap may be disposed on one of the openings of the cylindrical casing and one side of the glass cap may be disposed with a protrusion part for accommodating the camera lens protruding from the lens holder. Full Article
ame Camera By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A mirror holder includes a cam portion, and a rotating member includes a follower portion arranged to be able to trace the cam portion. When the mirror holder is at a mirror-down position, the follower portion traces a first region of the cam portion to urge the mirror holder toward the mirror-down position by an urging force of an urging member. When the mirror holder is at a mirror-up position, the follower portion traces a second region of the cam portion to urge the mirror holder toward the mirror-up position by the urging force of the urging member. When the mirror holder is at an intermediate position between the mirror-down position and the mirror-up position, a contact portion is contacted with an edge of a hole by the urging force of the urging member. Full Article
ame Continuous film and camera and method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The dual camera allows continuous wireless transmission of image data through radio waves to outside picture processing devices and continuous capture of images on frames of camera film rolls. A radio wave transmission attachment transmits image data though radio waves to outside picture processing devices. Several housing compartments of the dual camera receive camera film rolls. When images are captured on all frames of one camera film roll, a detachable housing compartment door is operable so that the camera film roll may be removed. While the camera film roll is being removed, the dual camera may simultaneously capture images on a remaining camera film roll in a filming position and the radio wave transmission attachment may transmit image data to outside picture processing devices without exposing the camera film roll in the filming position. Alternatively, a cable transmits radio wave image data to outside picture processing devices. An image radio wave converter of the dual camera converts photograph image data into radio wave image data. Full Article
ame Holding device for a camera By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention pertains to a device which allows a person to hold a camera with a first arm (10) which extends longitudinally in the first extension direction (E). The first arm (10) is designed to be attached to or detached from the camera (2) and features a first free end (100) and a chin rest surface (21) provided on that first free end (100). The chin rest surface (21) is designed to rest on the chin (K) of the person (P) holding the camera (2). A second arm (30) extends from the first arm (10) along the second extension direction (E') and features a free end (31) where a grip area (32) is provided. This grip area (32) is designed to allow a person (P) to grasp the camera with one hand (H) using the device (1) and is kept separate from the chin rest surface (21) along the first extension direction (E). Full Article
ame Exchangeable lens and camera body By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An exchangeable lens includes: a mount unit at which a camera body is detachably engaged; a plurality of drive target members, conditions of which change as a drive force is applied thereto; an initialization unit that executes initialization processing for each of the plurality of drive target members; an initialization status transmission unit that transmits initialization statuses, each indicating a status of the initialization processing executed for one of the drive target members, to the camera body via a first transmission path over predetermined first cycles; and a drive condition transmission unit that transmits a drive condition of at least one drive target member among the plurality of drive target members to the camera body via a second transmission path different from the first transmission path over predetermined second cycles different from the predetermined first cycles. Full Article
ame Method and apparatus for self camera shooting By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method enables self-camera shooting in a mobile terminal. In the method, whether a first user input is detected is determined. When the first user input is detected, a half shutter mode is entered. Whether a second user input is detected is determined. When the second user input is detected, self-camera shooting is performed. Full Article
ame Interchangeable lens camera, camera body, lens unit, and busy signal control method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An aspect of the present invention provides an interchangeable lens camera having a camera body and a lens unit that is freely attachable and detachable to the camera body. In the interchangeable lens camera, a communications unit in the camera body sends via communications terminals (MT_MOSI and MT_MISO) an INTR_BUSY control instruction that instructs whether to make notification with a busy signal (INTR_BUSY signal) for any operation out of a plurality of types of operations that can be executed, and the lens unit or camera body communications unit sets the busy signal (INTR_BUSY) to an ON state (low level) only during the period of operation of the type indicated by the INTR_BUSY control instruction. Full Article
ame Dome-shape camera By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A dome-shaped camera comprising: a camera body including a focus adjustment ring for manually performing focus adjustment; a base part which supports the camera body and includes a tilt mechanism which changes an angle of a tilt direction for supporting the camera body; a dome cover which covers the camera body; a mount device which mounts the dome cover on the base part so that the dome cover is rotatable about a center axis of the dome cover; and a power transmitting device which transmits a rotating force in a direction about the center axis added to the dome cover as a rotating force of a focus adjustment ring of the camera supported at any angle in the tilt direction via a power transmission member placed on a tilt axis. Full Article
ame Interchangeable lens and camera system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An interchangeable lens attachable to a camera body includes an image pickup optical system configured to form an optical image of an object, and a controller configured to start initializing an optical element included in the image pickup optical system so as to move the optical element to a predetermined position when the controller receives a first signal that commands a start of an initialization from the camera body, and configured to start initializing the optical element after the controller receives identification information from the camera body and a period elapses for which the camera body consumes more than a predetermined amount of power when the controller does not receive the first signal from the camera body. Full Article
ame Camera system with rotating mirror By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An image system configured to record a scanned image of an area. The system includes a single two-dimensional (2D) imager and a rotatable mirror. The 2D imager is formed of a two-dimensional (2D) array of light detectors. The 2D imager is operable in a line-scan mode effective to individually sequence an activated line of light detectors at a time. The rotatable mirror is configured to rotate about an axis parallel to a plane defined by the rotatable mirror. The rotation is effective to vary an angle of the rotatable mirror to pan a projected image of the area across the 2D imager. The angle of the rotatable mirror and the activated line of the 2D imager are synchronized such that the scanned image recorded by the 2D imager is inverted with respect to the projected image. Full Article
ame Magnetic lens filters and adapter assemblies for a camera By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided herein are devices and system to magnetically, rotably secure a lens filter to a camera. Generally the devices and systems comprise a magnet assembly and a lens filter assembly threadably engageable. Also provided are magnetic lens filter systems comprising the engaged magnet and lens filter assemblies and an attachment assembly securable around a camera lens and magnetically attachable to the magnet comprising the magnetic lens filter, magnetic adapter assembly or magnetic adapter. Further provided are camera systems comprising the magnetic lens filter systems rotatably affixed thereto. Full Article
ame Camera By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 23 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT A camera includes a positioning member arranged to determine a mirror-down position of a mirror holder, a rotating member rotatably mounted to the positioning member, and an urging member arranged to urge the rotating member. The mirror holder includes a cam portion. The rotating member includes a follower portion arranged to be able to trace the cam portion. When the mirror holder is at the mirror-down position, the follower portion traces a first region of the cam portion to urge the mirror holder toward the mirror-down position by an urging force of the urging member. When the mirror holder is at the mirror-up position, the follower portion traces a second region of the cam portion to urge the mirror holder toward the mirror-up position by the urging force of the urging member. Full Article
ame Apparatus for a throwing game By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A throwing disc, goal apparatus, and game are provided. A disc includes a central hub with blades projecting equiangularly from the hub. The blades are circumscribed by and joined to an outer perimeter ring that aids in throwing. The blades of the disc act as airfoils and impart unique flight characteristics to the disc. A goalpost is comprised of two vertical sections, joined by a horizontal cross-bar located above the midline of the vertical sections, and supported by a rectangular frame oriented perpendicularly to the vertical sections. A scoring pad is included. The game is played by tossing the disc and attempting to pass the disc while in flight between the vertical posts and above the horizontal cross-bar of the goalpost, and landing the disc on the scoring pad. Full Article
ame Gravity-slowing self propelling game device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The game device for a user including a flexible closure for receiving impacts from the user, one or more filler placed inside the flexible closure for reducing recoiling of the flexible closure from the surface on receiving impacts, a mechanical unit attached to the inner walls of the flexible closure and a gravity slowing unit attached to the mechanical unit for reducing the gravitational pull acting on the flexible closure. The mechanical unit includes an electric motor for providing torque, an impact sensor for sensing the impacts received from the user, and a power source for energizing the electric motor and the impact sensor. The gravity slowing unit includes a spring-loaded hinge for stabilizing the flexible closure from impacts projected by the user, a spring-loaded shaft connected to the electric motor through the spring-loaded hinge for rotating to rotate on receiving torque from the electric motor and at least one set of propellers connected to the spring-loaded shaft for the receiving torque and providing thrust against gravitational pull acting on the flexible closure. Full Article
ame Game calling device having varied pitch and intensity By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A game calling device including a mouthpiece having inlet and outlet portions and holes between the inlet and outlet portions, whereby sounds having varied pitch and intensity can be generated. The game calling device also includes an inner tubular member that at least partially houses a reed and configured to be selectively positioned on the axial direction of the reed so that the emitted sound can be varied based at least on the position of the inner tubular member along the reed and thereby allowing the game calling device to be used hands-free. Full Article
ame Moldable sand compositions and methods for making the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to moldable sand compositions, methods for making the moldable sand compositions, and methods for using the moldable sand compositions. In a particular embodiment, the moldable sand composition comprises between about 70% to about 95% sand, between about 5% to about 30% water, a polar polymeric resin, a crosslinking agent, and a humectant. In an exemplary embodiment, the composition contains no oils, waxes, glycols, or rubbers. The composition is capable of becoming hardened over time in order to maintain the achieved shape, and can be re-wetted and molded again after becoming hardened. Full Article
ame Interactive toy apparatus and method of using same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A toy apparatus and method for interactive communication between a cellphone and a toy apparatus is disclosed. In an embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided, the method including: transmitting by the cellphone at least one signal; receiving by the toy apparatus the at least one signal; analyzing by the toy apparatus the at least one signal; determining by the toy apparatus at least one response to the at least one signal; and producing by the toy apparatus the at least one response. Full Article
ame Fiber with asymmetrical core and method for manufacturing same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An optical active fiber is configured with an asymmetrically-shaped core having at least one long axis and a shortest axis which extends transversely to the long axis. The outmost cladding of the active fiber is configured with a marking indicating the orientation of the short axis. The marking allows for bending the fiber so that the shortest axis extends along and lies in the plane of the bend thereby minimizing distortion of a mode which is guided by the asymmetrically-shaped core as light propagates along the bend. Full Article
ame Conduction cooled high power semiconductor laser and method for fabricating the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A conduction cooled high power semiconductor laser and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The conduction cooled high power semiconductor laser comprises a heat sink (2) and one or more semiconductor laser units (1). The semiconductor laser unit consists of a laser chip (3), a substrate (4) bonded to the laser chip for heat dissipation and electrical connection, and an insulation plate (5) soldered to the substrate for insulation and heat dissipation. The semiconductor laser unit is soldered on the heat sink with the insulation plate therebetween. The semiconductor laser unit may be tested, aged, and screened in advance, and thereby the yield of the lasers can be improved and the manufacturing costs can be reduced. The laser has desirable heat dissipation performance, high reliability, and is applicable to high temperature and other complex and volatile environments. Full Article
ame Scanner capable of detecting the orientation of arranged document and image reading apparatus including the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Aug 2013 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed are a scanner and an image reading apparatus including the same. The scanner can include a transparent plate, a scanning unit configured to scan a document on the transparent plate, a first sensor and a second sensor. The first sensor is positioned in a first document zone that is associated with an area in which a first document type is to be positioned based on a first alignment reference point provided on the transparent plate. The second sensor is positioned in a second document zone that is associated with an area in which a second document type of a different size is positioned based on a second alignment reference point provided on the transparent plate. The first document zone and the second document zone are non-overlapping zones. The document type and/or orientation can be determined based on the detection signals from the first and second sensors. Full Article
ame Wire-bound product and method for manufacturing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 08 Oct 2013 08:00:00 EDT A wire-bound product using a double type laminated paper board and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The wire-bound product employs a structure in which inner paper sheets are turned over in the rightward and leftward directions on front plates of a frame, instead a structure in which a plurality of inner paper sheets is turned over toward the rear surface of a frame, thereby allowing a user to see both surfaces of the inner paper sheets. Further, rear plates of the frame are inserted into various positions of a spring to support the front plates, thereby allowing a standing angle of the front plates of the frame to be adjustable. Full Article
ame Machine for attachment of cover to book block and book binding apparatus having the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A machine for attachment of a cover to a book block comprises a press plate elevating mechanism for elevating a press plate 8, a nip plate drive mechanism for sliding nip plates 9 and 10, and a controller 30 controlling the press plate elevating mechanism and the nip plate drive mechanism. The press plate 8 elevates from the lower standby position to an upper press position. The press plate 8 presses the cover 12 to the book block 4 at the upper press position. The cover 12 is attached to the book block 4 by pressing the cover 12 to the lower end surface of the book block 4. The press plate 8 is elevated from the intermediate position to the upper press position, staying at the intermediate position during a waiting time for adjustment. The press plate 8 elevates from the intermediate position to the upper press position. Full Article
ame Female screw component and fastening component utilizing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A female thread member capable of preventing seizing caused by inclined insertion, and being smoothly fastened from any directions in which a bolt is inserted, and a fastening member using the female thread member. A non-thread portion is formed on an inner peripheral surface of a female thread member body having a female thread for a length corresponding to at least one pitch from an end surface on a bolt-inserting side, and a projection which comes into contact with a flank surface of a male thread of an inserted bolt is formed on a line extending from a helical line of the female thread. The female thread member is used in combination with the bolt having no incomplete thread portion, and there is no adverse possibility of seizing regardless of any directions in which the bolt is inserted. Full Article
ame Insulated support for electric conductors, finger grip, and method of making same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A manufacturing method and device for supporting conductors. Using a non-metallic insulating material extending beyond one or both parallel legs of a staple the thumb and forefinger may grip this extension while the staple is being driven into a supporting structure. This finger grip allows for a small, insulated staple to be held with increased safety to thumb and forefinger during penetration of staple into support. Full Article
ame Intramedullary fixation assembly and method of use By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for applying compression to a joint includes providing an intramedullary fixation assembly having a proximal screw member positioned at a proximal end of the intramedullary fixation assembly and a lag screw member positioned at a distal end of the intramedullary fixation assembly. Medullary canals are drilled in a first and second bone and the medullary canals are reamed. The proximal screw member is inserted into the first bone and a drill is used create a dorsal hole in the first bone. The lag screw member is slideably coupled to the dorsal hole and to the proximal screw member and into the second medullary canal. A torque is applied to the lag screw member to apply compression to the joint. Full Article
ame Stage circuit and scan driver using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A stage circuit and a scan driver using the same that is capable of concurrently (e.g., simultaneously) or progressively supplying a scan signal to a plurality of scan lines. The stage circuit includes a progressive driver and a concurrent driver. Full Article
ame Scanning circuit, solid-state image sensor, and camera By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A scanning circuit, comprising first signal lines, second signal lines, third signal lines, a drive unit configured to drive the first signal lines, first buffers configured to drive the second signal lines in accordance with signals of the first signal lines, second buffers configured to drive the third signal lines in accordance with the signals of the first signal lines, and a shift register having a first part to be driven by signals of the second signal lines and a second part to be driven by signals of the third signal lines, wherein the first to third signal lines include two signal lines arranged in parallel to each other and configured to transmit the in-phase signals. Full Article
ame Multiple data rate counter, data converter including the same, and image sensor including the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A counter includes a buffer unit and a ripple counter. The buffer unit generates at least one least significant signal of a count by buffering at least one clock signal until a termination time point. The ripple counter generates at least one most significant signal of the count by sequentially toggling in response to at least one of the least significant signal. The counter performs multiple data rate counting with enhance operation speed and reduced power consumption. Full Article
ame Bidirectional shift register and image display device using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A display device including various portions, circuits and other arrangements for outputting various pulses and triggers, for controlling forward shift and backward shift operations. Full Article
ame Scanning signal line drive circuit and display device provided with same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A stage constituent circuit of a display device drive circuit includes a first-node to a third-node, a thin-film transistor that changes a potential of a scanning signal toward a VDD potential when a potential of the first-node is in a HIGH level, a thin-film transistor that changes a potential of a different stage control signal toward a potential of a clock when a potential of the second-node is in the HIGH level, a capacitor between the first-node and the second-node, and a capacitor between the second-node and the third-node. The potential of the first-node is raised on the basis of a different stage control signal output from the stage constituent circuit in the different stage, and then the potential of the second-node and a potential of the third-node are sequentially raised. Herein, an amplitude of the clock is set to be smaller than an amplitude of the scanning signal. Full Article
ame Active level shift driver circuit and liquid crystal display apparatus including the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An active level shift (ALS) driver circuit and a liquid crystal display apparatus including the ALS driver circuit are disclosed. The ALS driver circuit includes an input unit configured to apply a first polarity voltage to a first node and to apply a second polarity voltage to a second node, a level compensation unit configured to adjust the voltages of the first node and the second node, and an output unit configured to alternately output a first power voltage and a second power voltage according to the adjusted voltages of the first and second nodes. Full Article
ame Stage circuit and emission control driver using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A stage circuit including an output unit for supplying first or second power source to an output terminal is disclosed. The stage circuit may comprise a bidirectional driver for respectively supplying signals supplied to first and second input terminals, a first driver, and a second driver. The second driver controls the output unit to output the second power source to the output terminal without any voltage loss, corresponding to a second clock signal. Full Article
ame Bridge output circuit, motor driving device using the same, and electronic apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A bridge output circuit includes an output terminal, a high side transistor, a low side transistor, a high side driver for controlling a gate voltage of the high side transistor, a low side driver for controlling a gate voltage of the low side transistor, and a controller for controlling the high side and low side drivers. The low side driver includes a first current source, a second current source, and a first assist circuit. The controller is configured to control the turning-on and turning-off states of the first current source, the second current source and the first assist circuit. Full Article
ame Impedance tuning circuit and integrated circuit including the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An impedance tuning circuit includes a calibration unit and a post-processing unit. The calibration unit generates an initial pull-up code and an initial pull-down code by performing a calibration operation using an external resistor during an initial impedance tuning operation. The post-processing unit outputs the initial pull-up code and the initial pull-down code as a final pull-up code and a final pull-down code during the initial impedance tuning operation, and generates the final pull-up code and the final pull-down code by using the initial pull-up code and the initial pull-down code during a subsequent impedance tuning operation. Full Article
ame Digitally controlled oscillator and digital PLL including the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A digitally controlled oscillator has a high-order ΔΣ modulator configured to be of at least an order higher than a first order and configured to input a digital control signal and output a pseudorandom digital output signal, a first-order ΔΣ modulator configured to input the pseudorandom digital output signal and generate a control pulse signal including a pulse width corresponding to the pseudorandom digital output signal, a low pass filter configured to pass a low frequency component of the control pulse signal, and an oscillator configured to generate a high-frequency output signal whose frequency is controlled based on the control pulse signal outputted by the low pass filter so as to be a frequency corresponding to the digital control signal. Full Article
ame Digital system and method of estimating quasi-harmonic signal non-energy parameters using a digital Phase Locked Loop By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention proposes a digital system and method of measuring (estimating) non-energy parameters of the signal (phase, frequency and frequency rate) received in additive mixture with Gaussian noise. The first embodiment of the measuring system consists of a PLL system tracking variable signal frequency, a block of NCO full phase computation (OFPC), a block of signal phase primary estimation (SPPE) and a first type adaptive filter filtering the signal from the output of SPPE. The second embodiment of the invention has no block SPPE, and NCO full phase is fed to the input of a second type adaptive filter. The present invention can be used in receivers of various navigation systems, such as GPS, GLONASS and GALILEO, which provide precise measurements of signal phase at different rates of frequency change, as well as systems using digital PLLs for speed measurements. Full Article
ame Bundle of printed products and method for producing same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A method for producing a bundle composed of book blocks includes gathering a plurality of printed sheets to form respective book blocks. The plurality of the book blocks are positioned with the same orientation and respectively positioned on lower edges of the printed sheets. Respectively two adjacent book blocks are offset from one another parallel to the lower edges of the printed sheets and transverse to a height of the bundle to be formed, such that a side edge of one of the two book block projects relative to a side edge of the adjacent book block. Thereafter the offset book blocks are combined to form the bundle and the bundle is compressed to fix the offset position of the book blocks. Full Article
ame Sheet binding apparatus using concave-convex members and image forming apparatus having same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A sheet binding apparatus which forms concavity and the convexity on a sheet bundle including a plurality of sheets in a thickness direction so as to bind the sheet bundle, the sheet binding apparatus includes: a pair of concave-convex members, each of which has concave-convex portion in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle and which forms the concavity and the convexity on the sheet bundle in the thickness direction while niping the sheet bundle therebetween; wherein in the pair of concave-convex members, one of the concave-convex members has a greater difference in height of the concave-convex portion than that of the other concave-convex member which engages with the above-described concave-convex member. Full Article
ame Image recording apparatus, recording-media aligning method executed by the same, and non-transitory storage medium storing instructions readable by the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An image recording apparatus includes: a recording unit for recording an image on a recording medium; a tray for supporting the recording medium recorded by the recording unit; a conveyor mechanism for conveying the recorded medium to the tray; and an alignment mechanism for aligning a plurality of recording media stacked on the tray, by application of an external force. In a period from a start to an end of recording based on one recording job, the alignment mechanism aligns the plurality of recording media stacked on the tray in a period in which image recording is not performed, and the alignment mechanism does not align the plurality of recording media stacked on the tray in a period in which image recording is being performed. Full Article
ame Sheet storing apparatus, post-processing apparatus and image forming system having the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT In a provided apparatus, an upper roller to be engaged with a sheet upper face and a lower roller to be engaged with a sheet lower face are arranged at a sheet discharging port in a manner capable of being pressure-contacted and being separated, the upper roller is formed with a large-diameter soft roll face and a small-diameter hard roll face, and a pressurization force of roller lifting-lowering means with which the upper roller is pressure-contacted to and is separated from the lower roller is switched to be high or low. Full Article
ame Sheet storing apparatus, post-processing apparatus and image forming system having the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT In a sheet storing apparatus of the present invention, a tailing end supporting member which temporarily supports a tailing end of a dropping sheet bundle is arranged between a discharging port of a processing tray to discharge the sheet bundle and the upmost sheet on a stack tray as being movable between an operating position above a sheet placement face and a waiting position outside the stack tray. Full Article
ame Sheet processing apparatus and method of controlling the same, and storage medium By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A sheet processing apparatus and a method of controlling the same align sheets stacked on a stacking unit, by causing a first alignment member and a second alignment member to come into contact with edges of a sheet stacked on the stacking unit in a sheet width direction. In a case that a second sheet that is different from a first sheet stacked on the stacking unit is to be stacked on the first sheet and aligned using the first alignment member and the second alignment member, control is performed to discharge a partition sheet onto the first sheet stacked on the stacking unit. Full Article
ame Interconnect structure and method of forming the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An interconnect structure and a method of forming an interconnect structure are disclosed. The interconnect structure includes a lower conductive feature in a lower low-k (LK) dielectric layer; a first etch stop layer (ESL) over the lower conductive feature, wherein the first ESL comprises a metal compound; an upper LK dielectric layer over the first ESL; and an upper conductive feature in the upper LK dielectric layer, wherein the upper conductive feature extends through the first ESL and connected to the lower conductive feature. The interconnect structure may further include a second ESL between the upper LK dielectric layer and the first ESL, or between the first ESL and the lower conductive feature, wherein the second ESL comprises a silicon compound. Full Article
ame Camera module for tilt balance of lens By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a camera module including: a lens unit mounted with at least one or more lenses; an image sensor mounted with an image pickup device for converting a light converged through the lenses to an electric signal; a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) mounted with the image sensor; and a holder accommodated inside the lens unit for supporting the lens unit, wherein the lens unit is bonded and fixed at an inner surface of the holder, whereby the lens unit mounted with a plurality of lenses is bonded to a lateral surface of a holder to prevent generation of vertical tilting phenomenon at the lens unit caused by a conventional improper coating of epoxy, and particularly, the coating of epoxy on the lateral surface of the holder advantageously enhances adhesive power to increase a bonded area. Full Article
ame Semiconductor integrated circuit device and method of manufacturing same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT In manufacturing an LSI, or semiconductor integrated circuit device, the step of assembling device (such as resin sealing step) is normally followed by a voltage-application test in an environment of high temperature (e.g., from 85 to 130° C.) and high humidity (e.g., about 80% RH). It has been found that separation of a titanium nitride anti-reflection film from an upper film and generation of cracks in the titanium nitride film at an upper surface edge part of the aluminum-based bonding pad applied with a positive voltage in the test is caused by an electrochemical reaction due to moisture incoming through the sealing resin and the like to generate oxidation and bulging of the titanium nitride film. These problems are addressed by removing the titanium nitride film over the pad in a ring or slit shape at peripheral area of the aluminum-based bonding pad. Full Article
ame Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Aug 2015 08:00:00 EDT It is an object to provide a semiconductor device including a thin film transistor with favorable electric properties and high reliability, and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device with high productivity. In an inverted staggered (bottom gate) thin film transistor, an oxide semiconductor film containing In, Ga, and Zn is used as a semiconductor layer, and a buffer layer formed using a metal oxide layer is provided between the semiconductor layer and a source and drain electrode layers. The metal oxide layer is intentionally provided as the buffer layer between the semiconductor layer and the source and drain electrode layers, whereby ohmic contact is obtained. Full Article
ame Semiconductor element and method for manufacturing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Oct 2015 08:00:00 EDT An object is to provide a thin film transistor and a method for manufacturing the thin film transistor including an oxide semiconductor with a controlled threshold voltage, high operation speed, a relatively easy manufacturing process, and sufficient reliability. An impurity having influence on carrier concentration in the oxide semiconductor layer, such as a hydrogen atom or a compound containing a hydrogen atom such as H2O, may be eliminated. An oxide insulating layer containing a large number of defects such as dangling bonds may be formed in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer, such that the impurity diffuses into the oxide insulating layer and the impurity concentration in the oxide semiconductor layer is reduced. The oxide semiconductor layer or the oxide insulating layer in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer may be formed in a deposition chamber which is evacuated with use of a cryopump whereby the impurity concentration is reduced. Full Article
ame Sensor substrate, method of manufacturing the same and sensing display panel having the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A sensor substrate includes a blocking pattern disposed on a base substrate, a first electrode disposed on the base substrate and overlapping the blocking pattern, the first electrode including a plurality of first unit parts arranged in a first direction, each of the first unit parts including a plurality of lines connected to each other in a mesh-type arrangement, a color filter layer disposed on the base substrate, a plurality of contact holes defined in the color filter layer and exposing the first unit parts, and a bridge line between and connected to first unit parts adjacent to each other in the first direction, through the contact holes. Full Article