con Oxide sintered compact for producing transparent conductive film By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a sputtering target suitable for producing an amorphous transparent conductive film which can be formed without heating a substrate and without feeding water during the sputtering; which is easily crystallized by low-temperature annealing; and which has low resistivity after the crystallization. An oxide sintered compact containing an indium oxide as a main component, while containing tin as a first additive element, and one or more elements selected from germanium, nickel, manganese, and aluminum as a second additive element, with the content of tin which is the first additive element being 2-15 atom % relative to the total content of indium and tin, and the total content of the second additive element being 0.1-2 atom % relative to the total content of indium, tin and the second additive element. Full Article
con Heteroleptic (allyl)(pyrroles-2-aldiminate) metal-containing precursors, their synthesis and vapor deposition thereof to deposit metal-containing films By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed are metal-containing precursors having the formula Compound (I) wherein: —M is a metal selected from Ni, Co, Mn, Pd; and —each of R-1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, and R10 are independently selected from H; a C1-C4 linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl group; a C1-C4 linear, branched, or cyclic alkylsilyl group (mono, bis, or tris alkyl); a C1-C4 linear, branched, or cyclic alkylamino group; or a C1-C4 linear, branched, or cyclic fluoroalkyl group. Also disclosed are methods of synthesizing and using the disclosed metal-containing precursors to deposit metal-containing films on a substrate via a vapor deposition process. Full Article
con System for lifting, moving and transporting a vehicle via multiple slings connected to a common lifting vertex, and method of retrofitting a vehicle to facilitate lifting By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system for lifting a vehicle via multiple slings comprises a vehicle not engineered with structural facility to withstand lifting forces, including a frame which unmodified will deform in response to vertically imposed lifting forces, frame reinforcing elements affixed to the frame at selected locations which are subject to lifting deformation, at least two lifting members at spaced-apart forward frame locations, at least two lifting members at spaced-apart rearward frame locations, and a plurality of elongate slings extending respectively between each lifting member and a common lifting vertex. Each lifting member has an enlarged lower base portion rigidly affixed to the frame and an upper lifting portion. The frame reinforcing elements resist deformation of the frame in response to vertically imposed lifting forces. The enlarged base portions of the lifting members apply forces over a correspondingly enlarged area of the frame and the reinforcing elements without deforming the frame. Full Article
con Waste scoop containment system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A containment system to safely store a waste scoop includes: an outer receptacle including a bottom surface, at least one side wall, an opening and a first coupling element; an inner receptacle including a bottom surface and at least one side wall housed within the outer receptacle and including an opening, wherein the inner receptacle is removable from the outer receptacle via the opening of the outer receptacle; a scoop assembly including a scoop, a handle, and a lid, wherein the scoop is housed within the inner receptacle and is removable from the inner receptacle via the opening of the inner receptacle; a compartment including a second coupling element for connecting the compartment to the outer receptacle via the first and second coupling elements; and a third and fourth coupling element to secure a planar surface of the lid to cover the opening of the outer receptacle. Full Article
con Gripper for a contact lens and process for transporting a contact lens By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A gripper (1) for a contact lens (CL) includes a gripper head (10) having a bearing surface (11), the bearing surface (11) having at least one opening (110) through which underpressure can be applied in order to suck the contact lens (CL) against the bearing surface (11) and through which overpressure can be applied in order to release the contact lens (CL) from the bearing surface (11). The gripper further includes a detection opening (111) in the bearing surface (11) through which a separate underpressure can be applied. Full Article
con Orientation controller, mechanical arm, gripper and components thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A jointed mechanism including a segment coupled to a joint; and an elongated component coupled to the segment, where applying a pulling force to the elongated component rotates the segment around the joint, elastically deforming the elongated component; wherein the elastic deformation generates an elongated component elastic force sufficient to rotate the segment, in an opposite direction, in absence of the pulling force. Full Article
con Vacuum-lifting device for assembling and testing optical connector By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A vacuum-lifting device includes a holding block and a nozzle. The holding block defines a holding hole and a threaded hole communicating with the holding hole. The nozzle includes a first section that is slidably received in the holding hole and a second section. The second section extends from the first section and has an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the first section. Full Article
con Deposition of integrated protective material into zirconium cladding for nuclear reactors by high-velocity thermal application By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST A zirconium alloy nuclear reactor cylindrical cladding has an inner Zr substrate surface (10), an outer volume of protective material (22), and an integrated middle volume (20) of zirconium oxide, zirconium and protective material, where the protective material is applied by impaction at a velocity greater than 340 meters/second to provide the integrated middle volume (20) resulting in structural integrity for the cladding. Full Article
con ***WITHDRAWN PATENT AS PER THE LATEST USPTO WITHDRAWN LIST***Pressurized water reactor with upper vessel section providing both pressure and flow control By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A pressurized water reactor (PWR) includes a vertical cylindrical pressure vessel having a lower portion containing a nuclear reactor core and a vessel head defining an internal pressurizer. A reactor coolant pump (RCP) mounted on the vessel head includes an impeller inside the pressure vessel, a pump motor outside the pressure vessel, and a vertical drive shaft connecting the motor and impeller. The drive shaft does not pass through the internal pressurizer. A central riser may be disposed concentrically inside the pressure vessel, and the RCP impels primary coolant downward into a downcomer annulus between the central ser and the pressure vessel. A steam generator may be disposed in the downcomer annulus and spaced apart from with the impeller by an outlet plenum, A manway may access the outlet plenum so tube plugging can be performed on the steam generator via access through the manway without removing the RCP. Full Article
con Zirconium alloy material By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed is a zirconium alloy material having high corrosion resistance regardless of thermal history during its manufacturing process. The zirconium alloy material is obtained by providing a zirconium alloy containing on the mass basis: 0.001% to 1.9% of Sn, 0.01% to 0.3% of Fe, 0.01% to 0.3% of Cr, 0.001% to 0.3% of Ni, 0.001% to 3.0% of Nb, 0.027% or less of C, 0.025% or less of N, 4.5% or less of Hf and 0.16% or less of O with the remainder being inevitable impurities and zirconium, being formed of a bulk alloy and a surface layer, in which the surface layer has a plastic strain of 3 or more or a Vickers hardness of 260 HV or more and an arithmetic mean surface roughness Ra of 0.2 μm or less. Full Article
con Uranium dioxide nuclear fuel containing Mn and Al as additives and method of fabricating the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT UO2 nuclear fuel pellets are fabricated by adding additive powder comprising Mn compound and Al compound into UO2 powder. Full Article
con Control rod/fuel support handling apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A control rod/fuel support handling apparatus that is used in the case where a control rod and a fuel support are held, removed and lifted in a reactor and then are transported into the reactor in a periodical inspection of a BWR and in the case where the control rod and the fuel support are attached and mounted again into the reactor, the control rod/fuel support handling apparatus including: a fuel support gripper that holds the fuel support with a support gripping member; a control rod gripper that includes a vertically movable and rotatable elevating/rotating unit, holds the control rod with a control rod gripping member, disconnects and connects the control rod and a control rod drive mechanism, and allows removal and attachment of the control rod; and a control panel that controls automatically controls the control rod gripper in response to the instructions from an operation pendant. Full Article
con Lid frame for nuclear fuel assembly shipping container and shipping container for nuclear fuel assemblies By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lid frame for a nuclear fuel assembly shipping container and a shipping container for nuclear fuel assemblies are provided. The shipping container can include a lower container in which a cradle is installed, an upper container detachably coupled to the lower container, and a base frame coupled to the cradle with at least one nuclear fuel assembly placed thereon. The lid frame can include a plurality of supports installed apart from each other so as to surround the nuclear fuel assembly placed on the base frame, and a plurality of clamps separated from each other, coupled to the plurality of supports perpendicular to the plurality of supports, rotatably hinged to the base frame, and configured to clamp the nuclear fuel assembly. The lid frame safely protects the nuclear fuel assembly that is being transported. Full Article
con Electromagnetic flow regulator, system and methods for regulating flow of an electrically conductive fluid By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed embodiments include electromagnetic flow regulators for regulating flow of an electrically conductive fluid, systems for regulating flow of an electrically conductive fluid, methods of regulating flow of an electrically conductive fluid, nuclear fission reactors, systems for regulating flow of an electrically conductive reactor coolant, and methods of regulating flow of an electrically conductive reactor coolant in a nuclear fission reactor. Full Article
con Axial power distribution control method, axial power distribution control system and axial power distribution control program By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT This document's object is to provide an axial power distribution control method in which only the control of an axial power distribution in a nuclear reactor with a simple operation with a clear operational target keeps the control of a xenon oscillation, thereby suppressing the xenon oscillation to an extremely small magnitude in advance at the same time. An axial power distribution control method comprises an axial offset calculation step of calculating an axial offset of the current power distribution (AOP) and axial offsets of the power distributions (AOX, AOI) which would give the current xenon and iodine distributions under equilibrium conditions, respectively, based on relative powers (PT, PB) in the upper and lower halves of the nuclear reactor core, a parameter calculation step of calculating parameters (DAOPX, DAOIX), a trajectory display step of displaying a trajectory to plot the parameters (DAOPX, DAOIX) on one and the other axis, respectively, an allowable range excess judgment step of judging if the axial offset of the current power distribution (AOP) exceeds an allowable range, an alarming step of giving the alarm when the AOP exceeds the allowable range, and a control rod moving step of controlling the movement of control rods to guide the plot to the major axis of an ellipse formed by the trajectory of said parameters upon receipt of the alarm. Full Article
con Plug for heat-conducting tube, device for attaching plug for heat-conducting tube, and method for plugging heat conducting tube By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A plug for heat-conducting tubes is equipped with: a plug main body, which is formed so as to be capable of being inserted into the heat-conducting tubes; a columnar member, which is capable of being inserted into and removed from the plug main body from the cylindrical open end of the plug main body, and has at its outer circumference a tapered surface; and a wedge member, which is formed so as to be capable of being inserted into and removed from the plug main body from the cylindrical open end of the plug main body, and has at its inner circumference a tapered surface which opposes the tapered surface of the columnar member when the wedge member is inserted into the plug main body. Full Article
con Nonconjugated conductive polymers for protection against nuclear radiation including radioactive iodine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Nonconjugated conductive polymers absorb radioactive iodine, therefore are useful for protection against nuclear radiation. These polymers have at least one double bond per repeat unit. The ratio of the number of double bonds to the total number of bonds along the polymer chain is less than half. Examples of nonconjugated conductive polymers include: cis-1,4-polyisoprene (natural rubber), trans-1,4-polyisoprene (gutta percha), polybutadiene, polydimethyl butadiene, poly(b-pinene), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), polyalloocimene, polynorbornene and many others. Through interaction with iodine atoms the double bonds in the nonconjugated polymers transform into radical cations leading to a dark color. The iodine atoms remain (immobile) bound to the polymer chain through the charge-transfer interaction, these polymers are very inexpensive and can be easily processed into any shape, structure and size. Therefore, these are useful for protection against nuclear radiation including radioactive iodine. These polymers when used as a thick cover can provide safe storage of nuclear waste materials including spent fuel rods. Full Article
con Control rod drive shaft unlatching tool By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A CRDS unlatching tool includes a support assembly and a latching assembly, wherein the support assembly is received within the latching assembly in a manner wherein the latching assembly is moveable relative to the support assembly. The support assembly has a plurality of latch fingers and at least one pin, each of the latch fingers being movable between a latched position wherein the latch finger is structured to engage and hold the CRDS an unlatched position wherein the latch finger is structured to not engage the CRDS. The latching assembly includes a first sleeve member and a second sleeve member, the second sleeve member having at least one slot, wherein the at least one pin is moveably received within the at least one slot. The latching assembly is movable from a latched state to an unlatched state wherein the latch fingers are actuated by the first sleeve member. Full Article
con Nuclear fuel cladding with high heat conductivity and method for making same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a nuclear fuel cladding totally or partially made of a composite material with a ceramic matrix containing silicon carbide (SiC) fibers as a matrix reinforcement and an interphase layer provided between the matrix and the fibers, the matrix including silicon carbide as well as at least one of the following additional carbides: titanium carbide (TiC), zirconium carbide (Zrc), and ternary titanium silicon carbide (Ti3SiC2). When irradiated and at temperatures of between 800° C. and 1200° C., said cladding can mechanically maintain the nuclear fuel within the cladding while enabling optimal thermal-energy transfer towards the coolant. The invention also relates to a method for making the nuclear fuel cladding. Full Article
con Method and system for inertial confinement fusion reactions By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed is a system for extracting energy from inertial confinement fusion reactions, which includes a central target chamber for receiving fusion target material. A plurality of energy drivers are arranged around the target chamber so as to supply energy to fusion target material in the chamber to initiate an inertial confinement fusion reaction of the material, releasing energy in the forms of fusion plasma and heat. A plurality of structures for extracting energy from the fusion reaction are provided, and comprise devices to extract high voltage DC energy from the fusion plasma, and means to extract thermal energy from the central target chamber. Power to the energy drivers may be supplied from high voltage DC energy extracted from the fusion reactions. The energy drivers may use an apodizing filter to impart a desired shape to the wavefront of the driving energy for causing the fusion reactions, to avoid hydrodynamic instabilities. Full Article
con System and method of conducting games of chance with enhanced payouts and bonus rounds By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and a method of conducting games of chance with enhanced payouts based on a cash in or initial investment amount are described. In response to a player's initial investment or cash in amount, a payout schedule is selected. The larger the initial investment the better the selected payout schedule for the player. Live games of chance, games of chance facilitated by electronic gaming machines or devices and server-based games may utilize the method shown here. Players may also receive enhanced awards such as enhanced player points based on the amount of the initial investment, or based on other parameters and factors. Awards and bonuses may also be provided to players who exhaust an initial investment exceeding a threshold amount. Other different variations and combinations of the games and winnings are also explained in details. Full Article
con Grooved supporting member for assisting in the construction of a card structure By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A grooved supporting member for assisting in the construction of a card structure is provided. Specifically, the grooved supporting member provides support for the beginning foundational planar stackable members. The grooved supporting member includes a planar base member, top surface, bottom surface, at least one edge, and at least one groove. Preferably, the groove is cut completely through the planar base member and provides lateral support for a planar stackable member. In the preferred embodiment, the grooved supporting member has four edges and four grooves, thus providing support for four planar stackable members to create the cell of a card structure. The user may employ one or more of the grooved supporting members of the present invention in a card structure. Further disclosed is a kit including a grooved supporting member of the present invention and a plurality of stackable planar members. Full Article
con System and method of conducting games of chance with enhanced payouts and bonus rounds By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and a method of conducting games of chance with enhanced payouts based on a cash in or initial investment amount are described. In response to a player's initial investment or cash in amount, a payout schedule is selected. The larger the initial investment the better the selected payout schedule for the player. Live games of chance, games of chance facilitated by electronic gaming machines or devices and server-based games may utilize the method shown here. Players may also receive enhanced awards such as enhanced player points based on the amount of the initial investment, or based on other parameters and factors. Awards and bonuses may also be provided to players who exhaust an initial investment exceeding a threshold amount. Other different variations and combinations of the games and winnings are also explained in details. Full Article
con System and method of conducting games of chance with enhanced payouts and bonus rounds By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and a method of conducting games of chance with enhanced payouts based on a cash in or initial investment amount are described. In response to a player's initial investment or cash in amount, a payout schedule is selected. The larger the initial investment the better the selected payout schedule for the player. Live games of chance, games of chance facilitated by electronic gaming machines or devices and server-based games may utilize the method shown here. Players may also receive enhanced awards such as enhanced player points based on the amount of the initial investment, or based on other parameters and factors. Awards and bonuses may also be provided to players who exhaust an initial investment exceeding a threshold amount. Other different variations and combinations of the games and winnings are also explained in details. Full Article
con System and method of conducting games of chance with enhanced payouts and bonus rounds By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and a method of conducting games of chance with enhanced payouts based on a cash in or initial investment amount are described. In response to a player's initial investment or cash in amount, a payout schedule is selected. The larger the initial investment the better the selected payout schedule for the player. Live games of chance, games of chance facilitated by electronic gaming machines or devices and server-based games may utilize the method shown here. Players may also receive enhanced awards such as enhanced player points based on the amount of the initial investment, or based on other parameters and factors. Awards and bonuses may also be provided to players who exhaust an initial investment exceeding a threshold amount. Other different variations and combinations of the games and winnings are also explained in details. Full Article
con Communication module, connector, and connector-equipped communication module By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A connector-equipped communication module includes a communication module and a connector. The communication module includes a wiring board including antenna-mounted and IC-mounted regions at different positions in a planar view, an antenna element mounted in the antenna-mounted region, a wireless IC and a mounted component mounted in the IC-mounted region, and side terminals in the IC-mounted region and peripheral portions near the IC-mounted region. The connector includes a receiving portion including a placement portion configured to mount the communication module and a wall portion extending around the placement portion, inner wall terminals on an inner side of the wall portion at positions facing the side terminals, and external terminals located outward of the receiving portion and electrically connected to the inner wall terminals. In a state where the communication module is received in the receiving portion, the inner wall and side terminals are fitted so as to contact with each other. Full Article
con Graphic for use in determining a characteristic of a consumable By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A graphic may include a consumable and having optically encoded information. Full Article
con Verification of portable consumer devices By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Apparatuses, methods, and systems pertaining to the verification of portable consumer devices are disclosed. In one implementation, a verification token is coupled to a computer by a USB connection so as to use the computer's networking facilities. The verification token reads identification information from a user's portable consumer device (e.g., credit card) and sends the information to a validation entry over a communications network using the computer's networking facilities. The validation entity applies one or more validation tests to the information that it receives from the verification token. If a selected number of tests are passed, the validation entity sends a device verification value to the verification token, and optionally to a payment processing network. The verification token may enter the device verification value into a CVV field of a web page appearing on the computer's display, or may display the value to the user using the computer's display. Full Article
con Fraud control when granting instant credit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Credit applicants may apply for instant credit, and use an instant account number (“IAN”) to make purchases after the instant credit has been granted. Fraud control methods may be used in authorizing the instant credit. When the IAN is issued to purchase airline tickets, it can be ensured that the applicant's last name matches the passenger's last name for the airline ticket being purchased, and that the ticket will not be renamed or sold. When the IAN is issued in conjunction with a partner's loyalty or rewards program, the applicant's account information with the rewards program is captured. It is ensured that the applicant has some tenure with the partner and that data submitted by the applicant is consistent with data on file with the partner. Full Article
con Banking machine controlled responsive to data read from data bearing records By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A banking system operates responsive to data read from data bearing records. The system includes an automated banking machine comprising a card reader. The card reader includes a movable read head that can read card data along a magnetic stripe of a card that was inserted long-edge first. The card reader includes a card entry gate. The gate is opened for a card that is determined to be properly oriented for data reading. The card reader can encrypt card data, including account data. The card data is usable by the machine to authorize a user to carry out a financial transfer involving the account. Full Article
con Banking apparatus controlled responsive to data bearing records By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A banking system is controlled responsive to data read from data bearing records. The banking system includes an automated banking machine. The machine is operable to carry out a financial transaction for a person responsive to a determination that the person is an authorized user of the machine based on correspondence between identifying data read by a reader of the machine and data store information. The machine includes a check acceptor that is operative to receive checks from authorized machine users. The check acceptor is operable to continuously move a received check along its transport path while simultaneously rotationally orienting the check into alignment with the transport path. A check determined not to have at least one property of an acceptable check is returned to the machine user. Acceptable checks are processed and stored in the machine. Full Article
con Payment or other transaction through mobile device using NFC to access a contactless transaction card By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A mobile device utilizes an embedded near field communication (NFC) capability to interact with a contactless transaction card to automatically obtain information from the card, e.g. reducing or eliminating the burden of manual user entry of the account information or the like into the mobile device. The mobile device, for a financial account transaction example, may read the information from the card at the time of a transaction, e.g. to facilitate an on-line purchase, an in-store purchase, ATM transaction or the like. The mobile device may store the information from one or more contactless transaction cards, for use in future transactions of various types. The mobile device and/or a server in communication with the mobile device may track various user activities on the mobile device that also utilize information obtained from the contactless transaction card. Full Article
con System and approach to convey data with a handheld device via a multi-dimensional code By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and approach for conveying engineering and license data with a handheld or mobile device via a multi-dimensional code. Engineering data from a page such as a schematic may be generated, formatted, and encoded with a multi-dimensional code. The code in a visual presentation may be embedded in the schematic. A mobile device may scan the code. The device with an appropriate application may decode and un-format the engineering data from the code for a consumer or user. License data may be generated, encrypted, and encoded in a multi-dimensional code. The code in a visual presentation may be scanned and decrypted by the mobile device with an appropriate application, for a consumer or user. Full Article
con Method and apparatus for controlling illumination By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method includes transmitting from at least one of the imaging sensors to a controller a short frame data that is collected by the at least one of the imaging sensors when the illumination source is activated to provide the illumination light toward the target object with a first illumination level. The method further includes transmitting subsequently from the at least one of the imaging sensors to the controller a regular frame data that is collected by the at least one of the imaging sensors when the illumination source is activated to provide the illumination light toward the target object with a second illumination level that is determined based upon the short frame data. The size of the regular frame data being at least 50 times larger than the size of the short frame data. Full Article
con Smart card with reconfigurable receiver By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention proposes a smart card which comprises a digital signal processing receiver that can automatically identify the type of a smart card reader based on the error vector magnitude of signals received from the reader. The digital signal processing receiver is able to reconfigure itself at runtime in order to optimally minimize its power consumption in dependence on the type of reader it is communicating with. Furthermore, the invention proposes a new preamble structure that comprises a basic part and an optional additional part. Full Article
con Semiconductor reference voltage generating device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A reference voltage generating circuit has more than two first wells each having a first impurity concentration and more than two second wells each having a second impurity concentration different from the first impurity concentration. A first group of MOS transistors has more than two MOS transistors formed in respective ones of the first wells. A second group of MOS transistors has More than two MOS transistors formed in respective ones of the second wells. Full Article
con Methods of testing a connection between speakers and a power amplifier and devices therefor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure provides methods and devices for testing a connection between speakers and a power amplifier. The disclosed methods and devices solve a problem that, upon a connection test for a power amplifier which has a booster power source, when a midpoint potential of the power amplifier and the voltage of the speaker connection terminal are compared, and it is determined that short-circuiting occurs on a ground side when the potential of the speaker connection terminal is lower than the midpoint potential, a wrong test is conducted if a midpoint potential is higher than a battery voltage. Full Article
con Control device and method for actuating a semiconductor switch By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A control device for influencing a flow of energy in a load circuit between an electrical voltage source and an electrical load, having a semiconductor switch including a conductive section which is formed between an input connection and an output connection, can be looped into the load circuit, and has an electrical resistance adjustable by means of an electrical potential which can be applied to a control connection associated with the semiconductor switch, and having a control circuit which is coupled to the control connection and includes a freewheeling means connected in parallel to the load. The control circuit is designed to supply a control current at the control connection which is proportional to a voltage via the freewheeling means. Full Article
con Semiconductor device having pull-up circuit and pull-down circuit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT To reduce power supply noises occurring in a control circuit unit for controlling an output buffer. A semiconductor device includes unit buffers for driving a data output terminal, impedance control circuits for controlling the unit buffers, and a control circuit unit for controlling the impedance control circuits. The impedance control circuits and the control circuit unit operate by mutually-different power supplies, the control circuit unit supplies pull-up data and pull-down data in mutually reverse phase to the impedance control circuits, and the impedance control circuits convert the pull-up data and the pull-down data from reverse phase to in-phase and supply the same to the unit buffers. Thereby, a noise is difficult to occur in a power supply VDD used for the control circuit unit. Full Article
con Semiconductor device and method for driving the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A semiconductor device including an integrator circuit, in which electric discharge from a capacitor can be reduced to shorten time required for charging the capacitor in the case where supply of power supply voltage is stopped and restarted, and a method for driving the semiconductor device are provided. One embodiment has a structure in which a transistor with small off-state current is electrically connected in series to a capacitor in an integrator circuit. Further, in one embodiment of the present invention, a transistor with small off-state current is electrically connected in series to a capacitor in an integrator circuit; the transistor is on in a period during which power supply voltage is supplied; and the transistor is off in a period during which supply of the power supply voltage is stopped. Full Article
con Digital phase-locked loop using phase-to-digital converter, method of operating the same, and devices including the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A digital phase locked loop (DPLL), a method of operating the same, and a device including the same are provided. The DPLL includes a digitally-controlled oscillator configured to change a frequency and a phase of an output oscillation signal in response to a digital control code; a main divider configured to divide the frequency of the output oscillation signal and generate a first feedback signal based on the divided frequency; and a phase-to-digital converter configured to subdivide the phase of the output oscillation signal and to generate a quantized code by converting a phase difference between a reference signal and the first feedback signal using a phase-subdivided signal resulting from the subdivision. The digital control code is generated based on the quantized code. Full Article
con Time-to-digital convertor-assisted phase-locked loop spur mitigation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for compensating for an undesired fractional spur due to a PLL in a communication system. The communication system includes a time-to-digital converter (TDC) that is configured to execute in parallel to the PLL. The TDC is configured to determine a phase difference between a reference frequency and an output oscillation signal provided by the PLL. The phase difference is received by a processor to estimate particular characteristics of the undesired fractional spur, and the estimate of the characteristics is used to construct an estimate of the undesired fractional spur. Full Article
con Semiconductor storage device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A semiconductor storage device which stops and resumes the supply of power supply voltage without the necessity of saving and returning a data signal between a volatile storage device and a nonvolatile storage device is provided. In the nonvolatile semiconductor storage device, the volatile storage device and the nonvolatile storage device are provided without separation. Specifically, in the semiconductor storage device, data is held in a data holding portion connected to a transistor including a semiconductor layer containing an oxide semiconductor and a capacitor. The potential of the data held in the data holding portion is controlled by a data potential holding circuit and a data potential control circuit. The data potential holding circuit can output data without leaking electric charge, and the data potential control circuit can control the potential of the data held in the data holding portion without leaking electric charge by capacitive coupling through the capacitor. Full Article
con Resonant clock distribution network architecture for tracking parameter variations in conventional clock distribution networks By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A resonant clock distribution network architecture is proposed that enables a resonant clock network to track the impact of parameter variations on the insertion delay of a conventional clock distribution network, thus limiting clock skew between the two networks and yielding increased performance. Such a network is generally applicable to semiconductor devices with various clock frequencies, and high-performance and low-power clocking requirements such as microprocessors, ASICs, and SOCs. Full Article
con Pulse generation circuit and semiconductor device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Two gate drivers each comprising a shift register and a demultiplexer including single conductivity type transistors are provided on left and right sides of a pixel portion. Gate lines are alternately connected to the left-side and right-side gate drivers in every M rows. The shift register includes k first unit circuits connected in cascade. The demultiplexer includes k second unit circuits to each of which a signal is input from the first unit circuit and to each of which M gate lines are connected. The second unit circuit selects one or more wirings which output an input signal from the first unit circuit among M gate lines, and outputs the signal from the first unit circuit to the selected wiring(s). Since gate signals can be output from an output of a one-stage shift register to the M gate lines, the width of the shift register can be narrowed. Full Article
con Semiconductor device and communication interface circuit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A semiconductor device prevents recognition failure in mutual recognition between a host and a device compliant with USB Specifications. The semiconductor device includes: an interterminal opening/closing section having a plurality of first conductivity type MOS transistors, the respective sources or drains of which are cascaded, in which the source or drain of a first-stage MOS transistor among the cascaded MOS transistors is used as a first terminal, the source or drain of a final-stage MOS transistor among the cascaded MOS transistors is used as a second terminal, and the respective gates of the cascaded MOS transistors receive a control signal for controlling the opening or short-circuiting between the first and second terminals; and a current bypass section that reduces a current flowing into either one connection node coupling the respective sources or drains of the cascaded MOS transistors. Full Article
con Power semiconductor device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A transistor being one of an IGBT and a MOSFET and arranged near a gate control circuit applies a gate control signal from the gate control circuit to the gate of a transistor arranged far from the gate control circuit. A gate control signal is applied via a resistive element to the transistor arranged near the gate control circuit. Full Article
con Universal filter implementing second-order transfer function By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus includes a biquad filter having first and second lossy integrators and multiple input networks. Each lossy integrator includes an amplifier, and each input network is coupled to an input of the amplifier in one of the lossy integrators. Each input network includes multiple resistors and a capacitor arranged in a T-structure. In a single-ended configuration, each input network includes a grounded capacitor. In a fully-differential configuration, each input network includes one of: a grounded capacitor and a floating capacitor coupled to another input network. The amplifiers and resistors could form a portion of an integrated circuit chip, which also includes multiple input/output pins. A single grounded capacitor could be coupled to a single input/output pin of the integrated circuit chip for an input network. A single floating capacitor could be coupled to two input/output pins of the integrated circuit chip for a pair of input networks. Full Article
con Partial adiabatic conversion By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Operation of a charge pump is controlled to optimize power conversion efficiency by using an adiabatic mode with some operating characteristics and a non-adiabatic mode with other characteristics. The control is implemented by controlling a configurable circuit at the output of the charge pump. Full Article
con Phase locked loop with bandwidth control By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A phase locked loop (PLL) includes a first loop, a second loop, and a lock detector. The first loop locks a feedback signal having a frequency equal to a fraction of a frequency of an output signal to a reference signal in phase. The first loop has a first bandwidth. The second loop locks the feedback signal to the reference signal in frequency and has a second bandwidth. The first bandwidth is higher than the second bandwidth. The lock detector is coupled to the second loop and increases the second bandwidth in response to detecting that the feedback signal is not locked to the reference signal. Full Article