re Tree stand By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Tree stands are disclosed for providing an elevated standing location. The tree stand can include a support post, a seat rotatably coupled to the first end of the support post, and a platform rotatably coupled to the second end of the support post. The platform can rotate from a transport configuration to an operable configuration. The platform in the operable configuration is approximately perpendicular to the support post. The platform has a tree contact point positioned above a plane of the platform when the platform is in the horizontal position. The platform can comprise a plurality of hexagons with groups of three hexagons intersecting at a point and forming a honeycomb pattern defining a top standing surface on which a hunter can stand. The contact point is configured to create an over-center locking action. The tree stand can also include a stackable ladder coupled to the platform. Full Article
re Fall arrest block By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A fall arrest block has a drum (40) on which a lifeline is wound and from which the line can be drawn off or drawn back on, as the work man moves towards and away from the block. One end of the lifeline is permanently secured to the drum, and the drum has sockets (50) for securing ends of more than one different type of lifeline. The block also has a brake (24) in the form of a sealed unit which can be removed and replaced with a fresh unit, when servicing of the brake is required. Full Article
re Apparatus for receiving shock loading By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A fall restraint system includes a cable for attachment to a fall restraint harness assembly of a worker. The cable can be attached to a boom arm cantilevered on a mast carried from the ground or can be stretched between two points on opposed walls. A shock absorber is provided for absorbing at least part of the shock forces so as to reduce the loading applied to the support system. This comprises an elongate member with a movable member or sleeve mounted on it for longitudinal movement. The movement is resisted by a friction brake or a compressible material contained within a tube so that the sleeve moves along the tube in response to loads exceeding the normal load to reduce the loading on the cable while compressing the material in the tube. Full Article
re Fall restraint traveler device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The fall restraint traveler device has a hollow body structure, two or more spacers, one or more lanyards and a leash. The hollow body structure has a first end and a second end. A safety rope extends passing through both first and second ends. The body structure has an elongated slot extending between the ends. The two or more tubular spacers are placed internal of the body structure with the safety rope passing through each spacer. The one or more lanyards are for attachment to a climber. Each lanyard has at least one locking element. The device is aligned with and free to slide along the safety rope during ascent or descent of the climber and in the event of a fall, the at least one locking element tightens as it pulls on the safety rope pulling the rope out of alignment and thereby cinching to the rope. Full Article
re Tree stand ladder locking device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A ladder locking designed intended to prevent access to a tree stand and an attached ladder includes a two-piece interlocking frame, top and bottom hooks to engage rungs of the ladder, and a locking bar. The frames include a mesh covers having a width greater than the tree stand ladder. The frame is secured to the ladder by the top and bottom hooks, which provide opposing hangers hooked over and clamping ladder rungs. A bottom of the frame includes a locking bar which insertingly engages between the two frame sections and secured with a padlock. The frame is placed over a ladder and locked to prevent unwanted persons from ascending the ladder. Full Article
re Ladders, ladder components, ladder accessories, ladder systems and related methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Various embodiments of ladders, ladder components, accessories for ladders, ladder systems and related methods are provided. In one embodiment a ladder and platform system is provided having at least two ladders and a platform or plank. The platform or plank has coupling mechanisms that provide adjustable but secure coupling of the platform to the ladders, either with the top cap or with the rungs. Other embodiments include storage devices and paint trays for use with ladders and ladder systems incorporating such devices. Full Article
re Apparatus and method for extinguishing fires in a multi-floored building By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An improved apparatus for treating a fire in a multi-floored building where the fire is located on an upper floor vertically displaced from a lower floor from which the fire is treated, and where the upper and lower floors each have a selectively openable environmental access along an external wall of the multi-floored building. The improved apparatus includes a tubular structure having an inlet, an intermediate portion, and an outlet and a bracing system. The bracing system has a frame, a first pivot point, and a second pivot point. The frame provides support against a sturdy surface. The tubular structure is supported on the first pivot point and rotates thereon to elevate or hoist the outlet towards the upper floor environmental access. The tubular structure is further supported on a second pivot point and further rotates thereon to elevate the outlet. Full Article
re Helix fire escape structure By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Improvements in a fire escape having a structure of a Helix/Spiral Cylinder shape. It's a building within a building. It provides a quick and safe evacuation for all fire victims, including the A.D.A., the injured and the elderly. Its spiral design can accommodate a large number of floor levels. It eliminates the hazards acquainted with stairs and elevators. It has the capability of removing some of the smoke from the high-rise fire by way of a metal Ducting System. It draws the smoke into the center smoke shaft. The spiral is a two-way traffic pathway, which offers Fire Department personnel and their equipment a method of upward transportation to any floor-level they need for fighting this fire incident. My design can be retrofitted to any existing building. Full Article
re Firefighter safety device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A safety device comprising a foothold in association with a mounting assembly, wherein the position of the foothold relative to the mounting assembly is adjustable, thereby allowing the safety device to be used on a variety of sloped roofs. The safety device may further comprises a firefighter securing assembly which provides a means whereby an operator may secure himself to the safety device thereby preventing the operator from falling from the roof in the event the operator loses his balance. Full Article
re Ladders, ladder components and related methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Ladders, ladder components and related methods are provided including various embodiments of a combination ladder. In some embodiments, a platform is provided that is fixedly coupled with a rail assembly of a combination ladder. The platform may pivot between a useable position or state and a stowed or stored position or state. The platform may maintain a position relative to certain rungs of the rail assembly while being displaceable relative to other rungs of the rail assembly. A hand rail may be coupled to the rail assembly and a tray may be coupled with the hand rail. The tray and the platform may be configured to maintain a constant distance between one another while the rail assembly is adjusted for height. Full Article
re Line dispensing device with eddy current braking for use with climbing and evacuation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT This disclosure describes embodiments of novel line dispensing devices and methods for dispensing and retracting a line of a line dispensing device. Full Article
re Retractable stair assembly for a truck or trailer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A retractable step assembly for a vehicle includes a track assembly mounted on a vehicle frame beneath a workbed, a step assembly, and a pivot assembly that engages the track and step assemblies together. The step assembly moves between a storage position where it is disposed between tracks of the track assembly, and an operational position where it extends outwardly from the tracks, through an aperture in the vehicle's wall panel, and angles downwardly toward the ground. A foldable handrail on the step assembly is selectively movable between a collapsed position and an extended position. The handrail is in the extended position when the step assembly is operational and folds to the collapsed position when the step assembly is stored. First and second supports are provided for the step assembly to rest upon when in either of the storage position and the operational position. Full Article
re Modular tree stand By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A tree stand for removable attachment to a tree comprising: a support bar having an upper end and a lower end with a length therebetween; an upper jaw coupled to the upper end of the support bar and a lower jaw coupled to the lower end of the support bar, and a platform mounted to the outer side of the lower jaw by insertion of a set of protrusions on the platform into the pivoting snap locks of the arms of the lower jaw. A seat may also be attached to the support par through the upper jaw. Full Article
re Upright adaptor for ladder tree stand By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An upright adaptor for a ladder tree stand converts that ladder tree stand into an upright tree stand. The adaptor includes a ladder stand base support which is attachable to the base of a tree and which receives the lower end of the ladder stand. A speed lock assembly is part of the upright adaptor and is attachable to an upper portion of the ladder tree stand. It includes a self-tapping screw and a double-acting ratchet wrench which is operable by a person standing on the ground once the ladder tree stand has been erected. Full Article
re Unit for simulating the pressure and temperature conditions of the air drawn in by a reciprocating internal combustion engine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a unit for simulating the pressure and temperature conditions of an air flow drawn in by a reciprocating internal combustion engine (1) at a height above sea level, corresponding to the operating height of said reciprocating internal combustion engine (1). According to the invention, the unit comprises at least: (a) a radial inward-flow turbine (2) for expanding an air flow towards the pressure and temperature of the air drawn in by the reciprocating internal combustion engine; (b) a first container (4) and (c) a second container (5) connected to the first container (4) by means of at least a connection pipe (7) in order to balance the pressure between the two containers; (d) a centrifugal compressor (3); and (e) a vacuum pump (6) for maintaining a pressure equal to the pressure of the air flow drawn in by the reciprocating internal combustion engine (1). The invention also relates to the use of said unit for simulating the pressure and temperature conditions of the air drawn in by a reciprocating internal combustion engine. Full Article
re Split-cycle, reactivity controlled compression ignition engine and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An internal combustion engine includes a first cylinder having an intake valve in fluid communication with an intake manifold, and a second cylinder having an exhaust valve in fluid communication with an exhaust manifold. A transfer passage fluidly connects the first cylinder with the second cylinder. A first fuel injector is configured to provide a first fuel to the first cylinder, and a second fuel injector is configured to provide a second fuel to the second cylinder. The first cylinder operates, at times, to push a first air/fuel mixture through the transfer passage into the second cylinder. The second fuel injector is configured to provide at least one fuel injection plume into the first air/fuel mixture. Full Article
re Lubricating configuration for maintaining wristpin oil pressure in a two-stroke cycle, opposed-piston engine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lubricating configuration in a two-stroke cycle, opposed-piston engine for a piston wristpin minimizes losses in oil pressure at the wristpin as the piston approaches bottom center and reduces the required oil supply pressure to the engine. The wristpin is constructed to absorb and store oil pressure energy when oil pressure at the wristpin is high, and to release that stored energy to pressurize the oil at the wristpin when connecting rod oil pressure is low. Full Article
re Method and system for pre-ignition control By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods and systems are provided for addressing pre-ignition that may be induced in response to actions taken to mitigate a cylinder misfire. An amount of engine load limiting applied may be adjusted to reduce the likelihood pre-ignition while also addressing component over-temperature issues. By limiting an engine load while shutting off fuel in a misfiring cylinder, and while combusting a lean air-fuel mixture in the remaining cylinders, pre-ignition induced by the misfire-mitigating lean combustion conditions can be reduced. Full Article
re Fuel injection adapters and related systems and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A fuel injection adapter can include a primary cavity into which a primary fuel injector can be received and a secondary cavity into which a secondary fuel injector can be received. A channel can provide fluid communication between the primary and secondary cavity, and the primary cavity can be in fluid communication with an outlet of the fuel injection adapter. Full Article
re Mounting system for a resonating needle injection device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A device for injecting fuel over a cylinder head of an engine, including a tubular body, an injection nozzle forming an extension of the tubular body, a needle extending coaxially to the nozzle in a form of a rod, an end of which includes a head forming a valve on a seat supported by the injection nozzle, and an actuator configured to cause a movement of the head so as to open the valve, the needle configured to axially resonate when the same is subjected to axial pulses at a predetermined nominal frequency by the actuator. A system for mounting the device includes a spacer for bearing on the cylinder head, as well as on a front surface of the tubular body at the connection to the nozzle. Full Article
re Fastening structure of fuel delivery pipe and cylinder head of internal combustion engine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A fastening structure of a fuel delivery pipe and a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine includes three or more bosses provided on each of the cylinder head and the fuel delivery pipe, and fastening portions formed by bolting the bosses on the cylinder head to the bosses on the fuel delivery pipe. The fastening portions at both end portions of the fuel delivery pipe are less rigid than one or more fastening portions in a middle between the fastening portions positioned at both end portions of the fuel delivery pipe. Full Article
re Exhaust gas recirculation device of multi-cylinder engine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An exhaust gas recirculation device is provided. The device recirculates, from an exhaust system to an intake system, a part of exhaust gas from a plurality of cylinders of a multi-cylinder engine as EGR gas. The device includes a single EGR pipe extending from the exhaust system toward the intake system, an EGR manifold branching from a downstream end portion of the EGR pipe toward each cylinder, and an EGR valve for adjusting an EGR gas amount. The EGR manifold has one or more common EGR passages having a single pipe portion and branched pipe portions, and one or more independent EGR passages. Each shape of the common and independent EGR passages is set so that a communicating path in the EGR manifold communicating an arbitrary cylinder with a cylinder where combustion is performed subsequently thereto has the same volume for any cylinder combination having the adjacent combustion order. Full Article
re Cam cover coil on plug retention via oil separator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system for a cylinder head is provided. The system comprises a cam cover mounted on the cylinder head and including an oil separator and a coil on plug (COP) coupled to the oil separator via a snap-fit connection. The snap-fit connection holds the coil-on-plug in position and may provide a lower cost alternative to existing systems of retaining coil-on-plugs on a cam cover. Full Article
re Fuel supply system having a recirculation loop capable of returnless operation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT According to the present disclosure, a fuel supply system having a recirculation loop is provided. The fuel supply system comprises a fuel tank; a return line coupled fluidly to the fuel tank; a fuel manifold; and a recirculation loop, wherein the return line is coupled fluidly to the recirculation loop at a first node to return fuel from the recirculation loop to the fuel tank, and the recirculation loop comprises a heat exchanger positioned downstream of the fuel manifold and upstream of the first node. The recirculation loop may comprise an orifice positioned upstream of the heat exchanger and downstream of the fuel manifold. Additionally, the fuel supply system may further comprise a supply line coupled fluidly to the fuel tank and further coupled fluidly to the recirculation loop at a second node positioned upstream of the fuel manifold and downstream of the first node. Full Article
re Method and system for pre-ignition control By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods and systems are provided for reducing late burn induced cylinder pre-ignition events. Forced entry of residuals from a late burning cylinder into a neighboring cylinder may be detected based on engine block vibrations sensed in a window during an open exhaust valve of the late burning cylinder. In response to the entry of residuals, a pre-ignition mitigating action, such as fuel enrichment or deactivation, is performed in the neighboring cylinder. Full Article
re Method for operating a pressure ignition engine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Aug 2015 08:00:00 EDT Method and system for operating a compression engine on ether containing fuel obtained by conversion of a primary fuel based on alcohol comprising the steps and means for: (a) continuously withdrawing the primary fuel based on alcohol from a fuel tank and pressurising the primary fuel based on alcohol in its liquid form to a final engine injection pressure; (b) continuously introducing the pressurized primary fuel based on alcohol into a fuel accumulation chamber; (c) continuously distributing the pressurized primary fuel based on alcohol into pipes connecting the accumulation chamber with fuel injectors of the engine; (d) prior to the fuel injectors continuously converting the pressurised primary fuel based on alcohol to an ether containing fuel by contact with an alcohol dehydration catalyst being arranged in each of the pipes upstream the fuel injectors; (e) continuously injecting the ether containing fuel at injection pressure into the engine; and (f) continuously withdrawing a part of the introduced primary fuel based on alcohol from the accumulation chamber; and (g) depressurising and recycling the withdrawn primary fuel based on alcohol to the fuel tank. Full Article
re REDUCING PROGRAMMING DISTURBANCE IN MEMORY DEVICES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Apparatus and methods are disclosed, such as a method that includes precharging channel material of a string of memory cells in an unselected sub-block of a block of memory cells to a precharge voltage during a first portion of a programming operation. A programming voltage can then he applied to a selected memory cell in a selected sub-block of the block of memory cells during a second portion of the programming operation. The selected memory cell is coupled to a same access line as an unselected memory cell in the unselected sub-block. Additional methods and apparatus are disclosed. Full Article
re OTP CELL WITH REVERSED MTJ CONNECTION By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A one time programming (OTP) apparatus unit cell includes magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) with reversed connections for placing the MTJ in an anti-parallel resistance state during programming. Increased MTJ resistance in its anti-parallel resistance state causes a higher programming voltage which reduces programming time and programming current. Full Article
re Self-Latch Sense Timing in a One-Time-Programmable Memory Architecture By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A programmable memory including a self-latching read data path. A sense amplifier senses the voltage level at a bit line, the bit line communicating the data state of a selected memory cell in its associated column. A data latch coupled to the output of the sense amplifier passes the sensed data state. Set-reset logic is provided that receives the output of the data latch in the read data path and, in response to a transition of the data state in a read cycle, latches the data latch and isolates it from the sense amplifier. The set-reset logic resets the data latch at the start of the next read cycle. In some embodiments, a timer is provided so that the latch is reset after a time-out period in a long read cycle in which no data transition occurs. Full Article
re MEMORY CELL AND CORRESPONDING DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A radiation hardened memory cell includes an odd number of storage elements configured to redundantly store an input data logic signal. The storage elements include output lines for outputting respective logic signals having respective logic values. A logic combination network receives the respective logic signals and is configured to generate an output signal having a same logic value as a majority of the logic signals output from the storage elements. An exclusive logic sum circuit receives the respective logic signals output from the storage elements and is configured to produce a refresh of the logic data signal as stored in the storage elements when one of the logic signals output from the storage elements undergoes a logic value transition due to an error event. Full Article
re ONE TIME PROGRAMMABLE NON-VOLATILE MEMORY AND READ SENSING METHOD THEREOF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A read sensing method for an OTP non-volatile memory is provided. The memory array is connected with plural bit lines. Firstly, a selected memory cell of the memory array is determined, wherein one of the plural bit lines connected with the selected memory cell is a selected bit line and the other bit lines are unselected bit lines. Then, the unselected bit lines are precharged to a precharge voltage. Then, the selected bit line is connected with the data line, and the data line is discharged to a reset voltage. After a cell current from the selected memory cell is received, a voltage level of the data line is gradually changed from the reset voltage. According to at least one result of comparing a voltage level of the data line with a comparing voltage, an output signal is generated. Full Article
re Adaptive Reference Scheme for Magnetic Memory Applications By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A circuit and method for adaptive trimming of the reference signal for sensing data during a read operation of magnetic memory cells to improve read margin for the magnetic memory cells. The circuit has a trim one-time programmable memory array programmed with offset trim data applied to magnetic memory array sense amplifiers. Sense amplifier trimming circuits receive and decode the trim data to determine offset trim signal magnitude to adjust the reference signal to improve the read margin. The method sets the offset trim level to each increment of the offset trim level. Data is written and read to the magnetic memory array, the number of errors in the array is accumulated for each setting of the offset trim level. The error levels are compared and the appropriate trim level is programmed to the trim memory cells such that a read margin of the sense amplifier is improved. Full Article
re MEMORY DEVICE COMMAND RECEIVING AND DECODING METHODS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Systems, devices and methods are disclosed. In an embodiment of one such method, a method of decoding received command signals, the method comprises decoding the received command signals in combination with a signal provided to a memory address node at a first clock edge of a clock signal to generate a plurality of memory control signals. The received command signals, in combination with the signal provided to the memory address node at the first clock edge of the clock signal, represent a memory command. Furthermore, the signal provided to the memory address node at a second clock edge of the clock signal is not decoded in combination with the received command signals. The memory command may be a reduced power command and/or a no operation command. Full Article
re ADDRESS GENERATION CIRCUIT AND MEMORY DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An address generation circuit may include: a first latch unit suitable for latching an address obtained by inverting a part of an input address; a second latch unit suitable for latching the partly inverted input address of the first latch unit, and suitable for latching an added/subtracted address after a first refresh operation during a target refresh period; a third latch unit suitable for latching the partly inverted input address of the first latch unit during a period other than the target refresh period; and an addition/subtraction unit suitable for generating the added/subtracted address by adding/subtracting a predetermined value to/from the latched address of the second latch unit. Full Article
re SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY DEVICE FOR PERFORMING REFRESH OPERATION AND OPERATING METHOD THEROF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A semiconductor memory device may include: a memory bank comprising a plurality of word lines; a smart command generation unit suitable for generating a smart refresh command, which is enabled at a random cycle, in response to an active command; and a refresh operation control unit suitable for performing a refresh operation to at least one of adjacent word lines of a target word line among the plurality of word lines in response to the smart refresh command. Full Article
re REFRESH CONTROLLER AND MEMORY DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A refresh controller of a memory device may include a timing controller, a refresh counter and an address generator. The timing controller generates a counter refresh signal in response to receiving a refresh command provided from an external device, and generates a hammer refresh signal that is activated periodically. The refresh counter generates a counter refresh address signal in response to the counter refresh signal, such that the counter refresh address signal represents a row address, the refresh counter being configured sequentially change the counter refresh address signal. The address generator generates a hammer refresh address signal in response to the hammer refresh signal, the hammer refresh address signal representing an address of a row of the memory device that is physically adjacent to a row of the memory device corresponding to a hammer address that is accessed intensively. Full Article
re FLYING AND TWISTED BIT LINE ARCHITECTURE FOR DUAL-PORT STATIC RANDOM-ACCESS MEMORY (DP SRAM) By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A bit line architecture for dual-port static random-access memory (DP SRAM) is provided. An array of memory cells is arranged in rows and columns, and comprises a first subarray and a second subarray. A first pair of complementary bit lines (CBLs) extends along a column, from a first side of the array, and terminates between the first and second subarrays. A second pair of CBLs extends from the first side of the array, along the column, to a second side of the array. The CBLs of the second pair of CBLs have stepped profiles between the first and second subarrays. A third pair of CBLs and a fourth pair of CBLs extend along the column. The first and third pairs of CBLs electrically couple to memory cells in the first subarray, and the second and fourth pairs of CBLs electrically couple to memory cells in the second subarray. Full Article
re TRANSIENT CURRENT-PROTECTED THRESHOLD SWITCHING DEVICES SYSTEMS AND METHODS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Threshold switching devices demonstrating transient current protection through both insulation and repair current mechanisms, including associated systems and methods, are provided and discussed. Full Article
re APPARATUSES AND METHODS OF READING MEMORY CELLS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method is provided for a reading memory even if there is a threshold voltage in an overlapped threshold voltage (VTH) region between a first state distribution and a second state distribution. The method includes ramping a bias on a memory cell a first time to determine a first threshold voltage (VTH1) of the memory cell and determining whether the VTH1 is within the overlapped VTH region. Upon determination that the memory cell is within the overlapped VTH region, the method further includes applying a write pulse to the memory cell; ramping a bias on the memory cell a second time to determine a second threshold voltage (VTH2); and determining the state of the memory cell prior to receiving the write pulse based on a comparison between the VTH1 and the VTH2. Full Article
re SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY DEVICE CAPABLE OF REDUCING CHIP SIZE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT According to one embodiment, a first well of the first conductivity type which is formed in a substrate. a second well of a second conductivity type which is formed in the first well. The plurality of memory cells, the plurality of first bit line select transistors, and the plurality of second bit line select transistors are formed in the second well, and the plurality of first bit line select transistors and the plurality of second bit line select transistors are arranged on a side of the sense amplifier with respect to the plurality of memory cells of the plurality of bit lines. Full Article
re MEMORY SYSTEM PERFORMING WEAR LEVELING USING AVERAGE ERASE COUNT VALUE AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A memory system may include a memory device including 0th to N-1th memory blocks, wherein N is a positive integer; and a controller having a first list and a second list, wherein the first list includes 0th to N-1th erase count values respectively for the 0th to N-1th memory blocks, wherein the second list includes 0th to N-1th difference values respectively for the 0th to N-1th memory blocks, wherein each of the 0th to N-1th difference values is a difference between an average value of the 0th to N-1th erase count values and each of the 0th to N-1th erase count values, wherein the controller selects a source block and a target block among the 0th to N-1th memory blocks depending on the 0th to N-th erase count values included in the first list and the 0th to N-1th difference values included in the second list to perform a wear leveling between the source block and the target block. Full Article
re COMPACT EFUSE ARRAY WITH DIFFERENT MOS SIZES ACCORDING TO PHYSICAL LOCATION IN A WORD LINE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A array of electrically programmable fuse (eFuse) units includes at least one connecting switch connecting two adjacent eFuse units. Each eFuse unit includes an eFuse, a write switch for passing through a first portion of a write current, a read/write switch for passing through a second portion of the write current or a read current, and a common node. The eFuse, the write switch, the read/write switch, and the at least one connecting switch are connected to each other at the common node. By turning on and off the at least one connecting switch, the current is split among the eFuse units, so that the size of the write switch can be reduced, thus reducing the total area of the array. Full Article
re SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY DEVICES AND METHODS OF TESTING OPEN FAILURES THEREOF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Semiconductor memory devices are provided. The semiconductor memory device includes an input/output (I/O) drive controller, a data I/O unit and a data transmitter. The input/output (I/O) drive controller generates drive control signals and an input control signal for driving first and second global I/O lines in a first test mode or a second test mode. The data I/O unit drives the first global I/O line in response to an input data when a write operation is executed in the first test mode and to drive the first and second global I/O lines in response to the drive control signals when the write operation is executed in the second test mode. The data transmitter transfers the data on the first global I/O line onto first and second local I/O lines to store the data on the first global I/O line in a memory cell array portion when the write operation is executed in the first test mode. The data transmitter also transfers the data on the first and second global I/O lines onto the first and second local I/O lines to store the data on the first and second global I/O lines in the memory cell array portion when the write operation is executed in the second test mode. Related methods are also provided. Full Article
re METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SHIFTING CONTROL AREAS IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for assigning a plurality of access nodes of a wireless communication network to control areas includes a processing apparatus. The processing apparatus is configured to assign each access node in the plurality of access nodes to a control area of a plurality of control areas and to determine a first control phase. The first control phase is a period of time during which the assignment of access nodes to control areas remains constant. The processing apparatus is configured to, when changing from the first control phase to a following second control phase, reassign at least a subset of access nodes which were assigned during the first control phase to a first control area to a second control area and reassign at least a subset of access nodes which were assigned during the first control phase to a third control area to the first control area. Full Article
re UPLINK DATA TRANSMISSION METHOD IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for transmitting uplink (UL) data requiring low latency in a wireless communication system according to the present invention, the method performed by a user equipment comprises transmitting contention PUSCH resource block (CPRB) indication information used for identifying a particular UE and/or particular data to an eNB; transmitting UL data to the eNB through CPRB resources of a contention based PUSCH (CP) zone; and receiving a hybrid automatic retransmit request (HARQ) response with respect to the UL data from the eNB through a physical hybrid ARQ indicator channel (PHICH). Full Article
re USING RESOURCE ELEMENT LOCATION PATTERN TO CONVEY MCS OF CONTROL CHANNEL By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A mechanism that allows the successful decoding of MCS information of cell edge UEs while retaining the performance for the other UEs of the cell is provided. In one aspect, a UE may determine an uplink control coding rate based on an uplink signal quality. The UE may encode uplink control data based on the uplink control coding rate. The UE may apply a pattern of unused resource element locations in uplink control resource elements based on the uplink control coding rate. The UE may transmit the uplink control resource elements with the pattern of unused resource element locations. In another aspect, an eNB may receive uplink control resource elements. The eNB may determine an uplink control coding rate based on a pattern of resource element locations in the uplink control resource elements. The eNB may decode uplink control data based on the uplink control coding rate. Full Article
re VDC Resource Request Method, User Equipment, and Base Station By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A VDC resource request method, user equipment, and a base station, where the VDC resource request method includes sending, by user equipment, a VDC resource request message to a base station when the user equipment needs to request a VDC resource for sending vehicle service information, where the VDC resource request message includes at least one piece of the following information: a VDC resource status list, or travel information of the user equipment, and an available VDC resource is indicated in the VDC resource status list, receiving a VDC resource allocation indication message from the base station, and sending the vehicle service information by using the VDC resource indicated by the VDC resource allocation indication message. Full Article
re COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND A METHOD THEREIN FOR TRANSMITTING DATA INFORMATION AT FIXED TIME INSTANTS IN A RADIO COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A first communication device and method therein for transmitting data information at fixed time instants on a radio channel to a second communication device in a radio communications network. First, the first communication device determines that the radio channel is available for transmitting data information to the second communication device during a time period determined by the first communication device. Then, the first communication device transmits a preamble on the available radio channel after the time period. The first communication device thereafter transmits the data information on the available radio channel to the second communication device at a next fixed time instant following the transmission of the preamble. Full Article
re Method, Apparatus, Server, and Systems of Time-Reversal Technology By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A time-reversal wireless system comprising a first wireless transceiver of a time-reversal client, one or more second wireless transceiver and/or a time-reversal client with the first wireless transceiver. The first wireless transceiver of the time-reversal client is wirelessly coupled to the one or more second wireless transceiver through a wireless broadband multipath channel associated with a space. The time-reversal client contains the first wireless transceiver. The time-reversal client also contains a processor and a memory configured to obtain a set of channel state information (CSI) in a channel probing phase, and/or to obtain a set of location-specific signatures based on the set of CSI and/or a time reversal operation in a channel probing phase. The set of CSI is captured when one or more probing signal is sent either from the first wireless transceiver to each of the at least one second wireless transceiver, or from each of the at least one second wireless transceiver to the first wireless transceiver, through the wireless broadband multipath channel associated with the space. A channel passband with bandwidth W0 is associated with the wireless broadband multipath channel. A first passband with bandwidth W1 is associated with the first wireless transceiver. The W1 is not larger than W0 such that the first passband is part of the channel passband. One or more second passband is associated with the one or more second wireless transceiver such that a bandwidth W2 associated with each of the one or more second passband is not larger than W1 such that the each of the one or more second passband is part of the first passband. Each of the set of CSI include a channel impulse response, a channel frequency response, and/or another channel state data of the wireless broadband multipath channel. Full Article
re APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING/RECEIVING DATA IN COMMUNICATION SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A data transmission apparatus in a communication system includes a reception unit configured to receive terminal information from a plurality of terminals through a new frequency band for transmission and reception of data between the plurality of terminals and an AP (access point); a determination unit configured to determine access timing of the terminals to the AP by using the terminal information, and generate terminal access information including information on the access timing; and a transmission unit configured to transmit the terminal access information and beacon frames to the terminals, wherein the terminals access the AP and transmit data frames to the AP, at the access timing based on the beacon frames. Full Article