rat Sheet processing apparatus with two image forming devices By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A first discharging portion that discharges a sheet received from one of image forming apparatus and a second discharging portion discharges a sheet received from another image forming apparatus are disposed opposite each other to stack the sheets discharged in a common processing tray. A controller controls the first and second discharging portions when the sheets are continuously discharged by the first and second discharging portions, controls a timing when the sheets are discharged by the first discharging portion and the second discharging portion to the common processing tray such that a leading edge of the sheet discharged from one of the discharging portions abuts on a sheet surface in the downstream of a discharging direction below a leading edge of the sheet discharged from the other discharging portion. Full Article
rat Method of, and apparatus for, processing sheets of different formats By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for processing sheets of different formats, the apparatus including a feeding device that feed sheets of different formats in a feeding direction one behind the other, and at a certain conveying speed, at least two collecting drums disposed downstream of the feeding device, the at least two collecting drums having cylindrical lateral surfaces that rotate about an axis of rotation, securing means for temporarily securing the fed sheets on a circumference of the at least two collecting drums, a drive device that drives the collecting drums in rotation at a circumferential speed that corresponds to the conveying speed of the feeding device, and a sensing device for sensing the sheets of different formats moving past is arranged along the conveying path and senses the leading edge of the sheets of different formats, as seen in the feeding direction, or markings applied to the sheets of different formats. Full Article
rat Method and apparatus to improve reliability of vias By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In a disclosed embodiment, a method for tiling selected vias in a semiconductor device having a plurality of vias comprises generating a layout database for the semiconductor device; creating zones around the plurality of vias; measuring density of covering metal in each zone; selecting a low density zone as being a zone that has a metal density less than a threshold metal density; and adding at least one tiling feature on a metal layer above the plurality of vias in the low density zone so that metal density of the low density zone increases to at least the same as the threshold metal density. Full Article
rat Microelectromechanical system devices having through substrate vias and methods for the fabrication thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods for the fabrication of a Microelectromechanical Systems (“MEMS”) devices are provided, as are MEMS devices. In one embodiment, the MEMS device fabrication method includes forming at least one via opening extending into a substrate wafer, depositing a body of electrically-conductive material over the substrate wafer and into the via opening to produce a via, bonding the substrate wafer to a transducer wafer having an electrically-conductive transducer layer, and forming an electrical connection between the via and the electrically-conductive transducer layer. The substrate wafer is thinned to reveal the via through a bottom surface of the substrate wafer, and a backside conductor is produced over a bottom surface of the substrate wafer electrically coupled to the via. Full Article
rat Single mask package apparatus and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed herein is a single mask package apparatus on a device comprising a first substrate having a land disposed on a first surface, a stud disposed on the land and a protective layer disposed over the first surface of the first substrate and around the stud. The protective layer may optionally have a thickness of at least 3 μm. A PPI may be disposed over the protective layer and in electrical contact with the stud, with a first portion of the PPI extending laterally from the stud. An interconnect may be disposed on and in electrical contact with the first portion of the PPI, and a second substrate mounted on the interconnect. A molding compound may be disposed over the PPI and around the interconnect. The stud may be a substantially solid material having a cylindrical cross section and may optionally be wirebonded to the land. Full Article
rat Integrated circuit structure having dies with connectors By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An embodiment is an integrated circuit structure including a first die attached to a second die by a first connector. The first connector includes a solder joint portion between a first nickel-containing layer and a second nickel-containing layer, a first copper-containing layer between the first nickel-containing layer and the solder joint portion, and a second copper-containing layer between the second nickel-containing layer and the solder joint portion. Full Article
rat 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
rat Method for manufacturing SOI substrate By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Jul 2015 08:00:00 EDT An object of an embodiment of the present invention to be disclosed is to prevent oxygen from being taken in a single crystal semiconductor layer in laser irradiation even when crystallinity of the single crystal semiconductor layer is repaired by irradiation with a laser beam; and to make substantially equal or reduce an oxygen concentration in the semiconductor layer after the laser irradiation comparing before the laser irradiation. A single crystal semiconductor layer which is provided over a base substrate by bonding is irradiated with a laser beam, whereby the crystallinity of the single crystal semiconductor layer is repaired. The laser irradiation is performed under a reducing atmosphere or an inert atmosphere. Full Article
rat Illumination apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Jul 2015 08:00:00 EDT A light emitting element array for an illumination apparatus, an illumination apparatus and method of manufacture of the same in which an array of light-emitting elements and an array of light directing optics are provided between first and second attached mothersheet substrates wherein the thermal resistance of at least one of the mothersheet substrates is reduced by means of thickness reduction so as to provide reduced LED junction temperature. Full Article
rat Method and structure for integrating capacitor-less memory cell with logic By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 08 Sep 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods for fabricating integrated circuits include fabricating a logic device on a substrate, forming an intermediate semiconductor substrate on a surface of the logic device, and fabricating a capacitor-less memory cell on the intermediate semiconductor substrate. Integrated circuits with capacitor-less memory cells formed on a surface of a logic device are also disclosed, as are multi-core microprocessors including such integrated circuits. Full Article
rat Method of forming 3D integrated microelectronic assembly with stress reducing interconnects By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 Jan 2016 08:00:00 EST A microelectronic assembly and method of making, which includes a first microelectronic element (including a substrate with first and second opposing surfaces, a semiconductor device, and conductive pads at the first surface which are electrically coupled to the semiconductor device) and a second microelectronic element (including a handler with first and second opposing surfaces, a second semiconductor device, and conductive pads at the handler first surface which are electrically coupled to the second semiconductor device). The first and second microelectronic elements are integrated such that the second surfaces face each other. The first microelectronic element includes conductive elements each extending from one of its conductive pads, through the substrate to the second surface. The second microelectronic element includes conductive elements each extending between the handler first and second surfaces. The conductive elements of the first microelectronics element are electrically coupled to the conductive elements of the second microelectronics element. Full Article
rat 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
rat Opposed substrate, manufacturing method thereof and LCD touch panel By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An opposed substrate (9') comprises: a substrate (1); a static electricity protective electrode (2), a bridging electrode (4) and a touch induction electrode (6) comprising a plurality of sub-units sequentially formed on the substrate (1), wherein the distribution of the static electricity protective electrode (2) on the substrate (1) corresponds to dummy regions between sub-units, and the static electricity protective electrode (2), the bridging electrode (4) and the touch induction electrode (6) are insulated from each other. The opposed substrate (9') has a good touching effect. A method for manufacturing the opposed substrate, and a liquid crystal display touch panel are also disclosed. Full Article
rat Counter substrate for liquid crystal display and liquid crystal display device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A counter substrate for liquid crystal display includes a transparent substrate, a black matrix, and stripe transparent electrodes. The black matrix divides a plane surface of the transparent substrate into pixel or sub-pixel unit to form a light-shielded area and openings above the plane surface. The stripe transparent electrodes are formed into the pixel unit or the sub-pixel unit above the plane surface. The black matrix includes a frame pattern including two sides facing each other in parallel in the pixel or the sub-pixel unit, and a linear central pattern which is parallel to the two sides of the frame pattern and is formed at a midsection of the pixel or the sub-pixel unit. The transparent electrodes are each parallel to the two sides of the frame pattern and the central pattern and are located symmetrically to the central pattern. Full Article
rat Display device substrate, display device substrate manufacturing method, display device, liquid crystal display device, liquid crystal display device manufacturing method and organic electroluminescent display device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a display device substrate, a display device substrate manufacturing method, a display device, a liquid crystal display device, a liquid crystal display device manufacturing method and an organic electroluminescent display device that allow suppressing faults derived from occurrence of gas and/or bubbles in a pixel region. The present invention is a display device substrate that comprises: a photosensitive resin film; and a pixel electrode, in this order, from a side of an insulating substrate. The display device substrate has a gas-barrier insulating film, at a layer higher than the photosensitive resin film, for preventing advance of a gas generated from the photosensitive resin film, or has a gas-barrier insulating film, between the photosensitive resin film and the pixel electrode, for preventing advance of gas generated from the photosensitive resin film. Full Article
rat Array substrate and liquid crystal display panel By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The disclosed technology discloses an array substrate and a liquid crystal display panel. The array substrate comprises: a base substrate; a gate line and a data line formed on the base substrate, the gate line and the data line defining a plurality of pixel regions; and a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer formed in each pixel region; and an insulating layer provided between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. The first electrode layer, the insulating layer and the second electrode layer are laminated on the base substrate in this order. The first electrode layer is provided with a plurality of first apertures therein, and the first electrode layer comprises a plurality of first electrode portions located between the plurality of first apertures. Full Article
rat Pixel structure, array substrate, and liquid crystal display panel By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A pixel structure comprises a plurality of pixel regions, and each of the pixel regions includes first and second electrodes that are overlapped with each other, the first electrode is disposed above the second electrode, and each of the pixel regions is divided at least into a first to fourth domain display regions; strip-shaped first electrodes in the first to fourth domain display regions make first to fourth angles with a reference direction; the sum of the first angle and the second angle is 180 degrees, the sum of the third angle and the fourth angle is 180 degrees, and the first, the second, the third and the fourth angles are different from one another. Full Article
rat Tape substrate for chip on film structure of liquid crystal panel By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention discloses a tape substrate for chip on film structure of a liquid crystal panel. The tape substrate is provided with plural package units of chip on film structures arranged along its longitudinal direction, and the package unit has a driver chip, input leads and output leads. The longitudinal direction of the driver chip is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tape substrate, and the input leads and the output leads are located at the two opposite sides of the driver chip. Each package unit is set up with a short side and a long side, and the input leads are formed at the short side, while the output leads are formed at the long side. In the package units adjacent to each other, the short side of one package unit joins the long side of a next package unit. This invention further discloses a liquid crystal panel having the tape substrate. Full Article
rat Display apparatus having spacers with different heights and different upper and lower surface areas By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A display apparatus includes a lower substrate, an upper substrate, a spacer and an image display layer. The spacer includes a main spacer, a first sub-spacer and a second sub-spacer. The main spacer has a height greater than that of the first and second sub-spacers. The second sub-spacer has an area wider than that of the main spacer and the first sub-spacer. Full Article
rat High extinction ratio liquid crystal optical switch By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An optical switch for performing high extinction ratio switching of an optical signal includes a beam polarizing element and one or more optical elements. The optical elements are configured to direct an optical signal along a first or second optical path based on the polarization state of the optical signal as it passes through the optical elements. The optical switch performs high extinction ratio switching of the optical signal by preventing unwanted optical energy from entering an output port by using an absorptive or reflective optical element or by directing the unwanted optical energy along a different optical path. Full Article
rat Color filter substrate and method of manufacturing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments of the disclosed technology relate to a color filter substrate and a method of manufacturing the same. The color filter substrate comprises a base substrate having a black matrix pattern thereon, the black matrix pattern having a plurality of openings; and a plurality of color filter layers in different colors, disposed on the base substrate and located at the openings of the black matrix pattern, the color filter layers being glass layers in different colors. Full Article
rat Multilayered cell culture apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A multilayered cell culture apparatus for the culturing of cells is disclosed. The cell culture apparatus is defined as an integral structure having a plurality of cell culture chambers in combination with tracheal space(s). The body of the apparatus has imparted therein gas permeable membranes in combination with tracheal spaces that will allow the free flow of gases between the cell culture chambers and the external environment. The flask body also includes an aperture that will allow access to the cell growth chambers by means of a needle or cannula. The size of the apparatus, and location of an optional neck and cap section, allows for its manipulation by standard automated assay equipment, further making the apparatus ideal for high throughput applications. Full Article
rat Constant-temperature equipment By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Constant-temperature equipment wherein mechanical and electrical structures are eliminated from the inside of a temperature-controlled chamber (15) by using a non-contact magnetic arrangement as a drive transmission for a sample table (5) and a sample table drive mechanism (6), thus reducing failure and enhancing maintainability. In addition, a conveyance mechanism (11) is provided with a pass box adjacent which sliding shielding plates (9) are stacked vertically, and the shielding plates (9) are linked with the conveyance mechanism (11) by an engaging mechanism provided in the conveyance mechanism (11) to allow the plates to be opened and closed by a travel mechanism (12), thus simplifying the structure and minimizing change in atmosphere during conveying. The sample table drive mechanism (6) and the conveyance mechanism (11) can be attached removably to the temperature-controlled chamber (15) to permit sterilization at high temperature. Full Article
rat Constant-temperature equipment By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is constant-temperature equipment wherein maintenance is facilitated with the least failure, and highly reliable culturing and testing can be carried out. Mechanical and electrical structures are eliminated from the inside of a temperature-controlled chamber (15) by using a non-contact magnetic arrangement as a drive transmission for a sample table (5) and a sample table drive (6), thus reducing failure and enhancing maintainability. In addition, a conveyor (11) is provided with a pass box to minimize change in atmosphere during conveying. The sample table drive (6) and the conveyor (11) can be attached removably to the temperature-controlled chamber (15) to permit sterilization at high temperature. Full Article
rat Generating a mucin-producing cell from an umbilical cord amniotic membrane epithelial stem cell By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to the generation of a mucin-producing cell using stem/progenitor cells obtained from the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord and therapeutic uses of such mucin-producing cells. Full Article
rat Separator device, deposition device and system for handling of somatic plant embryos By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods and devices for separating fluid-suspended plant somatic embryos and embryogenic tissue based on differences in their fluid drag properties are disclosed. Deposition method and device for depositing plant somatic embryos into embryo receiver comprising growth substrate by means of a fluid jet is disclosed. An automated system for processing plant somatic embryos from the bioreactor to the growth substrate is also disclosed. Full Article
rat Protein concentrate and an aqueous stream containing water-soluble carbohydrates By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 Jan 2016 08:00:00 EST Disclosed are process for contacting a protein containing material with one or more wet-mill streams. The protein content of the protein containing material is increased. Full Article
rat Child chair apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A child chair apparatus includes a supporting device and a seat device. The seat device is disposed on the supporting device. The seat device includes a fixing component and a seat component. The fixing component is disposed on the supporting device. The fixing component includes a first shaft and a second shaft. The seat component includes an oscillating base and an adjusting base. The oscillating base and the adjusting base are slidably connected to the first shaft and the second shaft respectively, such that the seat component is slidably disposed on the fixing component. The child chair apparatus of the present invention can be switched between the high chair and rocking chair, and has advantages of easy operation and convenient usage. Full Article
rat Operating unit for installation in an aircraft cabin By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An operating unit (1) for installation in an aircraft cabin comprises an operating unit front side (10) and an operating unit rear side (20), at least one operating element (12, 14) attached in the region of the operating unit front side (10) and accessible to a user, and a holding device (40) for attaching the operating unit (1) to a monument (30) accommodating the operating unit (1) in its state mounted in the aircraft cabin. The holding device (40) is designed to attach the operating unit (1) in its state mounted in the aircraft cabin to the monument (30), in a first position or in a second position, as desired, the operating element (12, 14) in the second position of the operating unit (1) being situated in a spatial position which is lowered with respect to the spatial position of the operating element (12, 14) in the first position of the operating unit (1) and/or is displaced in a direction parallel to an imaginary straight line connecting the operating unit rear side (20) to the operating unit front side (10). Full Article
rat Sun shader apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A sun shading apparatus includes a supporting frame, a shading frame and a shading fabric. The supporting frame includes first and second leg frames, and a supporting bar extended between the first and the second leg frames, while the second leg frame has third and fourth mounting slots. The shading frame includes first and second coupling joints each having a V-shaped cross section, first and second frame members, and a reinforcing frame, wherein the supporting bar is extended between the first and second coupling joints. The first and the second frame member are coupled with the first coupling joint and the second coupling joint respectively, while the reinforcing frame is extended between the first and second frame member and the supporting bar to form a support platform. The shading fabric is detachably mounted on the support platform for shading adverse weather condition. Full Article
rat Ratchet platform By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A height adjustable platform and method include a ratchet platform having a platform upper assembly with a platform and a ratchet. The ratchet includes a platform riser tube and a ratchet rail secured to the platform riser tube. The ratchet platform also includes a platform lower assembly having a support column and a platform base. The support column is secured to the platform base. An end of the ratchet is proximate the platform and an opposing end of the ratchet is disposed within an interior of the support column. The platform upper assembly actuator includes a pedal sub assembly and an upper linkage. The upper linkage is attached to the pedal sub assembly. Actuation of the pedal sub assembly actuates the upper linkage. Actuation of the upper linkage actuates the ratchet to adjust the height of the ratchet platform. The ratchet platform also includes an energy attenuation system. Full Article
rat Chair with integrated back plate cell By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A chair capable of allowing positions of armrests and a back plate to be simultaneously adjusted having an integrated back plate cell including a backrest portion and armrest portions extending forward from the backrest portion, a lower frame including a seat plat support portion and an armrest support portion which extends upward from the seat plat support portion and is coupled to each of the armrest portions, and a fixing lever which fixes the armrest portion to the armrest support portion, wherein the integrated back plate cell is obliquely movable relative to the lower frame. Full Article
rat Inductor Q factor enhancement apparatus has bias circuit that is coupled to negative resistance generator for providing bias signal By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 01 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides an apparatus for enhancing Q factor of an inductor. The apparatus includes a negative resistance generator coupled to the inductor for providing a negative resistance, and a bias circuit coupled to the negative resistance generator for biasing the negative resistance generator. Full Article
rat Method and apparatus to facilitate the provision and use of a plurality of varactors with a plurality of switches By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST A plurality of varactors are coupled via a first electrode to a shared terminal that in turn can operably couple to a source of control voltage. A second electrode for each varactor couples to a corresponding switch, where each switch couples to at least two different voltage levels. So configured, the second electrode of each varactor can be individually connected to either of two voltage levels. This can be leveraged to control, in coarse steps, the overall aggregate effective capacitance presented by these components. At least some of these varactors can have differing corresponding capacitances, the specific values of which can be selected in order to facilitate relatively equal spacing and substantially equal rates of reactance change versus the control voltage value between aggregate-capacitive reactance ranges as correspond to differing settings for the switches at various levels for the control voltage source. Full Article
rat MEMS oscillator with temperature sensitive MEMS capacitances By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST Provided is an oscillator including: a MEMS resonator for mechanically vibrating; an output oscillator circuit for oscillating at a resonance frequency of the MEMS resonator to output an oscillation signal; and a MEMS capacitor for changing a capacitance thereof caused by a change in a distance between an anode electrode and a cathode beam according to an environmental temperature. Full Article
rat Varactor device with reduced temperature dependence By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EDT The invention discloses a varactor device (100) for improved temperature stability, comprising a first varactor (160) connected to a decoupling network (150). The device further comprises a voltage stabilizer (110), said stabilizer comprising a capacitor (140) and a temperature dependent capacitor (130), and in that the stabilizer comprises means for connection to a DC-feed (120). Suitably, the decoupling network (150) is connected in parallel to the first varactor (160), and the capacitor (140) of the voltage stabilizer (110) is connected in parallel to the decoupling network (150), the temperature dependent capacitor (130) of the voltage stabilizer (110) being connected in series to the diode of the voltage stabilizer (110). Full Article
rat Single package television tuning apparatus and television receiver including the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EDT There are provided a single package television tuning apparatus and a television receiver including the apparatus. The apparatus includes: a printed circuit board; a switching part installed on the printed circuit board and selecting one of a first radio frequency signal and a second radio frequency signal inputted; a tuner part installed on the printed circuit board and down-converting one of the first radio frequency signal and the second radio frequency signal, the one selected by the switching part; first and second input connectors receiving the first radio frequency signal and the second radio frequency signal; and a chassis supporting the first and second input connectors, covering the printed circuit board, the switching part, and the tuner part, and electrically connected to grounds of the switching part and the tuner part. Full Article
rat Apparatus, system and methods for enabling linearity improvement in voltage controlled variable capacitors By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EDT An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising at least one anti-parallel pair VVC network comprised of two parallel VVCs with one biased in the opposite polarity of the other and at least one anti-series VVC network comprised of two VVCs configured in series, one biased in the opposite polarity of the other such that the resulting AC capacitive variations produce a desired capacitance variation. Full Article
rat Boosted-bias tunable filter with dynamic calibration By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EDT In a signal communication device, a frequency-selective filter has at least one component that is biased by a control signal to establish a center frequency of the frequency-selective filter. A closed-loop bias generator is provided to generate the control signal and to adjust the control signal based, at least in part, on a comparison of the control signal and a reference signal. Full Article
rat Communication module having tuner units that are separated and isolated from each other, and method of manufacturing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 23 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST A communication module is provided in which its characteristic of separation between its first and second tuner units is improved. The module is equipped with a circuit board having a first main surface, and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface; a first amplifier arranged on the first main surface, for amplifying a first signal; a first mixer arranged on the first main surface, for converting a signal supplied from the first amplifier to an intermediate-frequency signal; a second amplifier for amplifying a second signal; and a mixer for converting a signal supplied from the second amplifier to an intermediate-frequency signal, both arranged on the second main surface of the circuit board. Full Article
rat Integrated channel filter and method of operation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 08 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST A system includes a filter and a tuner formed on an integrated circuit. The filter receives an input signal comprising a first number of channels and communicates an intermediate output signal comprising a second number of channels less than the first number of channels. The tuner is coupled to the filter and receives the intermediate output signal and communicates an output signal comprising a third number of channels less than the second number of channels. Full Article
rat Receiver apparatus and receiver system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EDT A receiver apparatus 3 has a digital circuit portion 13 that converts a compressed digital signal outputted from a digital demodulating portion 12 into digital video and audio signals and a video/audio output circuit 14 that converts the digital video and audio signals outputted from the digital circuit portion 13 into analog video and audio signals. With this configuration, a video/audio processing IC for digital signal processing no longer needs to be mounted on the circuit board of a video display apparatus 4, and thus a receiver system can be realized with a video display apparatus having a simple configuration. Full Article
rat Apparatus for airfield management By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EDT A system for supervising the landing of an aircraft by a supervisor in a control station, each of the aircraft being incapable of being controlled by any personnel onboard, the system comprises a control station and onboard aircraft control apparatus. The station includes an input device, responsive to the supervisor, for producing a control signal for controlling the landing of the aircraft; and a transmitting device, coupled to the input device, for communication with the aircraft. The aircraft apparatus includes a receiving device for communication with the station; a logic device, coupled to the receiving device, for controlling the aircraft which is programmed to pilot the aircraft to the vicinity of the airfield. The control signal is selected by the supervisor, based on the supervisor's observations of the aircraft and is transmitted to the logic device; in response thereto, the logic device controls the aircraft. Full Article
rat Oscillating apparatus, receiving apparatus, and oscillation control method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Jul 2013 08:00:00 EDT In an oscillating apparatus, a detection unit detects a frequency offset between an input signal and a reference signal. A code generation unit specifies a relationship among a code having a predetermined number of bits, the frequency offset, and a voltage to be applied to a voltage-controlled oscillator by a DAC, in accordance with a frequency offset detection state of the detection unit. The code generation unit also generates a frequency offset correction code having a predetermined number of bits in accordance with the specified relationship. The DAC applies the voltage to the voltage-controlled oscillator, in accordance with the relationship described above and the code generated by the code generation unit. The voltage controlled oscillator outputs an oscillator signal having an oscillation frequency corresponding to the voltage applied by the DAC. Full Article
rat Powder coating gun with manually operated controls on gun By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 Nov 2013 08:00:00 EST Control method and apparatus for a manual spray gun may include a second manually actuated trigger disposed on the spray gun handle, with the second trigger being operational to select or change one or more coating operation parameters. Full Article
rat Self-calibrating RFID transponder By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Dec 2013 08:00:00 EST A RFID transponder includes a resonant circuit for providing a clock signal at a predetermined clock frequency, a self-calibration stage for calibrating the resonant circuit's current clock frequency towards the predetermined clock frequency. The self-calibration stage is adapted to compare a first clock frequency of the resonant circuit determined during an interrogation period, during which the resonant circuit is excited by an external RF signal, with a second clock frequency determined during a frequency maintenance period, during which the resonant circuit is excited internally through an oscillation maintenance circuit of the RFID transponder and to calibrate the resonant circuit towards the predetermined clock frequency based on the comparison result. Full Article
rat Stopper structure for rotary operation member, electronic device, and channel stopper By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 May 2014 08:00:00 EDT A stopper structure includes a wall defining an opening. A rotary electronic component has a rotational shaft extending through the opening. A channel stopper has a tubular body and an engagement projection. The tubular body is detachably mounted onto the rotational shaft and is inhibited from rotating relative thereto. The engagement projection extends from an end of the tubular body in an axial direction and a radial direction with respect to the rotational shaft. A rotary operation member is detachably mounted onto the rotational shaft and the tubular body and is inhibited from rotating relative thereto. The rotary operation member has an axial hole in which at least portions of the rotational shaft and the tubular body fit. A limiting portion provided on the wall is engageable with the engagement projection for limiting a range of rotation of the rotational shaft. Full Article
rat Tuner module and a receiving apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Jun 2014 08:00:00 EDT Provided are a tuner module and a receiving apparatus capable of providing great degrees of variation and freedom to a layout in a main board, improving a degree of freedom of design, and achieving low cost. A tuner module includes a tuner module board on which a tuner functional unit is formed, a main board on which the tuner module board is surface-mounted, and a shield casing including at least one antenna connector, arranged to cover the surface-mounted tuner module board, and fixed to the main board. In the shield casing, a length of a longest long-side is a length equal to or less than ¼ of a wavelength of a highest received frequency in the air. Full Article
rat Method and apparatus for use in digitally tuning a capacitor in an integrated circuit device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and apparatus for use in a digitally tuning a capacitor in an integrated circuit device is described. A Digitally Tuned Capacitor DTC is described which facilitates digitally controlling capacitance applied between a first and second terminal. In some embodiments, the first terminal comprises an RF+ terminal and the second terminal comprises an RF− terminal. In accordance with some embodiments, the DTCs comprise a plurality of sub-circuits ordered in significance from least significant bit (LSB) to most significant bit (MSB) sub-circuits, wherein the plurality of significant bit sub-circuits are coupled together in parallel, and wherein each sub-circuit has a first node coupled to the first RF terminal, and a second node coupled to the second RF terminal. The DTCs further include an input means for receiving a digital control word, wherein the digital control word comprises bits that are similarly ordered in significance from an LSB to an MSB. Full Article
rat Printing apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 29 May 2012 08:00:00 EDT A printing apparatus, having at least two platens, at least one print head, at least one print head drive unit to drive the print head in a main scanning direction, at least two platen drive units to drive the platens in an auxiliary direction, at least one ink cartridge, at least two operation input units to be operated by an operator to instruct the printing apparatus to activate a first printing process and a second printing process respectively, and a cooperation controller system to control the print head, the print head drive unit, the first platen drive unit, and the second platen drive unit to behave in cooperation with one another so that the second printing process is started one of after and during the first printing process when an instruction to start the second printing process is entered whilst the first printing process is in progress, is provided. Full Article