para Method for controlling combined lathe apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 May 2014 08:00:00 EDT A carriage is moved in a direction including a Y axis component in order to move a turning process tool that is attached to a tool spindle along a horizontal line that is perpendicular to a Z axis, and thus, a turning process is carried out on a workpiece which is attached to a workpiece spindle. Full Article
para Component mounting apparatus and method for photographing component By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST There is provided a component mounting apparatus, which includes: a nozzle which sucks a component; a nozzle supporting member, on which the nozzle is installed, which moves in a vertical direction with respect to an upper surface of a substrate on which the component sucked at the nozzle is mounted; an optical system which captures an image of a leading edge portion of the nozzle where the component is sucked in a component mounting operation, from a side direction, such that an optical axis of the optical system is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a sucking surface of the nozzle; and an analyzer which analyzes the image of the leading edge portion to determine whether a sucking state of the component sucked by the nozzle is normal or abnormal. Full Article
para Turning tool holder used for a combined lathe apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A carriage is moved in a direction including a Y axis component in order to move a turning process tool that is attached to a tool spindle along a horizontal line that is perpendicular to a Z axis, and thus, a turning process is carried out on a workpiece which is attached to a workpiece spindle. Full Article
para Chain-type bit-storing apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A machine tool is provided with a chain-type bit-storing apparatus which includes a frame, two sprockets, a chain and a pivoting unit. The frame includes a cutout. The sprockets are placed in the frame. The chain is driven by the sprockets. The chain includes links each including a socket for containing a bit, two plates for supporting the socket, first and second blocks placed between the plates, first and second bearing units for rotationally supporting the first and second blocks on the plates, and a connecting unit for pivotally connecting the first block thereof to the second block of an adjacent link. The pivoting unit is used to pivot the socket of a selected one of the links to move an open end of the socket out of the frame through the cutout. Full Article
para Welding tip replacement apparatus, welding tip replacement system, and method for replacing welding tip By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A welding tip replacement apparatus is used for a welding torch that includes a tubular tip connection body, a tubular retaining member fitted over the tip connection body, and a tubular welding tip fitted within the tip connection body, the welding torch being configured such that displacing the retaining member toward the proximal end of the tip connection body along the axis of the tip connection body causes the welding tip axially fastened to the tip connection body to be released. The apparatus includes a first grasping mechanism grasping the retaining member, a second grasping mechanism grasping the welding tip protruding from the retaining member in a direction away from the distal end of the tip connection body, a first driving mechanism driving the first grasping mechanism axially, and a second driving mechanism driving the second grasping mechanism axially. Full Article
para Method and apparatus for transporting deterministic traffic in a gigabit passive optical network By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and method are disclosed for transporting deterministic traffic in a gigabit passive optical network. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an Optical Line Termination (OLT) for exchanging data traffic in a Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) having a controller programmed to generate a timeslot schedule for transport of a desired bandwidth of constant bit rate (CBR) data traffic by selecting one or more timeslots from periodic frame clusters operating according to a GPON Transmission Convergence (GTC) protocol. Additional embodiments are disclosed. Full Article
para Method and apparatus for controlling update of digital pre-distortion coefficient By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and apparatus for controlling update of digital pre-distortion (DPD) coefficient is provided. The apparatus is applicable to a digital power control system, wherein the apparatus comprises: an update controlling unit configured to determine a group of fully-trained DPD coefficients among a plurality of DPD coefficients; and a DPD coefficient generating unit configured to update adaptively the group of fully-trained DPD coefficients according to the result of judgment of the update controlling unit. The DPD coefficients are allowed to be updated after being judged as being able to be fully trained according to power distribution information of DPD input signals, or according to address distribution information of an LUT, or according to average power of output of an HPA; otherwise, they may not be updated, thereby efficiently preventing DPD abnormality resulted from unfull training of coefficients in being updated. Full Article
para Apparatus and method for rerouting multiple traffics By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The disclosure discloses an apparatus and method for rerouting multiple traffics. The apparatus includes a path computation unit and a traffic path incorporation unit, the path computation unit forwards a received uniform route computation notification message including multiple pieces of failed traffic connection information to the traffic path incorporation unit, and also forwards a route inquiry request transmitted from the head node of the fault traffic to the traffic path incorporation unit; the traffic path incorporation unit analyzes and detects the failed traffic connection information according to traffic incorporating and route inquiry statistic algorithm, and uniformly obtains and records the recovery route information from the path computation unit; when receiving the route inquiry request forwarded by the path computation unit, the traffic path incorporation unit is further configured to search the record according to the route inquiry request, and return the found corresponding recovery route information to the head node which requests the recovery through the path computation unit. The disclosure uses a incorporating and uniform route inquiry method, the resource loss of the path computation unit is reduced, and the efficiency of link restoration is improved. Full Article
para Method and apparatus for dynamically allocating bandwidth to a client in a passive optical network By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods for allocating bandwidth to a plurality of traffic containers of a passive optical network. The method comprises receiving upstream data from a plurality of traffic containers of the passive optical network and passing the upstream data to a traffic manager. The method further comprises dynamically changing the allocated bandwidth based at least in part on the amount of the upstream data stored in one or more queues of the traffic manager. Full Article
para Method and apparatus of decoding low-rate visible light communication signals By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods and apparatus related to the detection of low-rate visible light communication (VLC) signals and the recovery of information communicated by the VLC signals are described. Various methods and apparatus are well suited for embodiments in which a device, e.g., a smartphone, including a camera which uses a rolling shutter. The rolling shutter facilitates the collection of different time snapshots of a received low rate time varying VLC signal with different pixel rows in the image sensor of a frame corresponding to different time snapshots. In some embodiments, demodulation is used to recover and identify a single tone being communicated in a frame from among a plurality of possible alternative tones that may be communicated, each different tone corresponding to a different set of information bits. Full Article
para Optical receiver, polarization separation device and polarization separating method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a polarization separation device which converges filter coefficients used in polarization separating process more quickly. The polarization separation device according to the present invention comprises: a first filter means 11 which applies filtering process on each of first and second input signals, which are detected from an received optical signal, with elements of a characteristic matrix representing the inverse characteristics of an optical transmission path as filter coefficients, and uses each of the filtered signals to output a first output signal; a second filter means 12 which applies filtering process on each of the first and second input signals with the other elements of the characteristic matrix as filter coefficients, and uses each of the filtered signals to output a second output signal; a filter coefficient update means 13 which updates the first filter coefficients using a relation between the elements of the characteristic matrix so as to further reduce both error signals of the first and second output signals; and a filter coefficient update means 14 which updates the second filter coefficients using the relation between the elements of the characteristic matrix so as to further reduce both error signals to the first and second output signals. Full Article
para Method and apparatus for fault discovery in a passive optical network (PON) By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus and method for fault indication and localization in a Passive Optical Network (PON) comprising a multistage power splitter (100, 200, 300) with at least one 1:N splitter (120, 221, 222, 321, 322) followed by N items of 2:M splitters (131, 132, 231-233, 331-336), wherein N and M are integers greater than 1. The apparatus also comprises an Optical Time Domain Reflectometry (OTDR) device (110, 210, 310) capable of inserting an OTDR signal into the power splitter (100, 200, 300), and adapted to insert the OTDR signal between the first stage of the at least one 1:N splitter (120, 221, 222, 321, 322) and the second N items of 2:M splitters (131, 132, 231-233, 331-336). Full Article
para Device identification apparatus and remote control system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The device identification apparatus includes: a remote controller signal detecting section for detecting an optical signal from a remote controller; a receiving section for receiving the optical signal from the remote controller; a signal decryption section for decrypting the optical signal received by the receiving section; and a transmitting section for transmitting a device identification signal when the optical signal is a device selecting signal, and configured such that operations of the receiving section, the signal decryption section, and the transmitting section are started in response to a detecting signal of the remote controller signal detecting section, thereby realizing a device identification apparatus in which power consumption during standby is minimized. Full Article
para Method and apparatus for dispensing diagnostic test strips By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for storing and dispensing a test strip includes a container configured to store a stack of test strips. The container maintains appropriate environmental conditions, such as humidity, for storing the test strips. An engaging member is disposed in the container and is adapted to contact one test strip of the stack of test strips. An actuator actuates the engaging member to dispense the one test strip from the container. Since one test strip is dispensed at a time, the remaining test strips are not handled by the user. Accordingly, the unused test strips remain free of contaminants such as naturally occurring oils on the user's hand. Full Article
para Apparatus and method of reacting polymers passing through metal ion chelated resin matrix to produce injectable medical devices By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and process for forming medical devices from an injectable composition. The apparatus includes a supply assembly configured to maintain and selective dispense a first precursor and a second precursor, a mixing assembly configured to mix the first and second precursors, and at least one catalyzing element including a transition metal ion to aid in the polymerization of the first and second precursors. The process includes dispensing a volume of the first precursor and a volume of the second precursor into a mixing assembly and mixing the first and second precursors. The first and second precursors each possess a core and at least one functional group known to have click reactivity with each other. The mixed precursors are contacted with a transition metal catalyst to produce a flowable composition for use as a medical device. Full Article
para Exhaust gas purification apparatus of an internal combustion engine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A laminated body composed of a holding member and an inner cylinder is arranged between a heat generation element, which is electrically energized to generate heat, and a case which covers the heat generation element, and the inner cylinder has an upstream side end portion extended to a more upstream side than an upstream side end face of said heat generation element and an upstream side end face of said holding member to form an extension portion, which is formed with a protruding portion protruding to an inner side in a diametrical direction. A flow of an exhaust gas, which flows backwards after colliding with the heat generation element, will be obstructed by said protruding portion. As a result, the backflow exhaust gas stops flowing into a gap between the case and the inner cylinder. Full Article
para Apparatus for closed tube sampling and open tube sampling for automated clinical analyzers By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A centrifuge to which sample tubes can be introduced while the centrifuge is in motion. The centrifuge comprises a carousel having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion of the carousel has a plurality of positions for sample tubes for a centrifugation operation, a plurality of drive mechanisms attached to the upper portion of the carousel, a movable element mounted upon each drive mechanism, the movable element capable of traversing the length of the drive mechanism when the drive mechanism is actuated, a sample tube-holding assembly comprising a sample tube holder and a bearing attached to each movable element, and at least one balancing element capable of contributing to a force vector that cancels an imbalance vector generated by rotation of the centrifuge. Full Article
para Apparatus, system, and method for collecting a target material By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT This disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for retrieving a target material from a suspension. A system includes a processing vessel, such as an Eppendorf tube, a syringe or a test tube, and a collector. The collector is sized and shaped to fit into a primary vessel, such as a test tube. The collector funnels the target material from the suspension through a cannula and into the processing vessel. The cannula extends into a cavity at a first end of the collector that holds the processing vessel. The collector includes a funnel at a second end in fluid communication with the cannula. In one implementation, the processing vessel includes at least one displacement fluid to be expelled, such that the at least one displacement fluid pushes the target material into the collector. Full Article
para Biological fluid sampling and storage apparatus for remote use By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for sampling and storing biological fluids from a human or animal subject is provided. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the apparatus includes a main body, lancet carrier or hub, lancet, lancet trigger, capillary tube, and sample compartments for collecting and storing dried blood and other bodily fluids. The lancet hub supports a lancet and provides for moving the lancet longitudinally between a first retracted position and a second extended position. The device includes a capillary tube having an internal diameter sized to draw and retain fluid from a contacted source using capillary action. The main body of the apparatus further includes a sample compartment for holding sampling and storage materials. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the sample compartment can be accessed by lifting sample compartment lid. Also included is a new “fan” or “daisy” shaped collection material format for use in collecting and preserving samples. Full Article
para Lid separation device and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 Apr 2016 08:00:00 EDT The present invention includes a device comprising a lid and a vessel forming an interface that allows transfer of waste from a purification chamber to a waste chamber and method for purification of an analyte are disclosed wherein a supernatant is separated from a solid phase to which an analyte is bound by centrifugation via the lid of the device. The present invention also includes methods for use of the device. Full Article
para Propulsion apparatus and drive apparatus for endoscope By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A propulsion apparatus for an endoscope includes a propulsion assembly for mounting on a tip device of the endoscope, for propulsion in a body cavity. First and second wire devices are disposed to extend from the tip device in a proximal direction, having a coil winding, for rotating to drive the propulsion assembly. First and second motors are connected with proximal ends of respectively the first and second wire devices, for rotating the first and second wire devices. A timer is actuated if a speed difference between rotational speeds of the first and second motors becomes equal to or more than a reference speed value, for measuring an elapsed time. A break detector detects breakage of the first wire device if the elapsed time becomes equal to or longer than a predetermined time. A controller controls the first and second motors in response to an output of the break detector. Full Article
para Measuring apparatus and referencing method for a digital laser distance meter, and laser distance meter By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A handheld distance measuring instrument includes a first emission device, a first reception device and a second reception device. The first emission device is configured to emit an optical measurement radiation onto a target object. The first reception device is configured to detect the radiation returning from the target object. The second reception device is configured in order to detect a reference radiation internal to the instrument. The reception devices respectively include a first detector unit, a second detector unit, a first time measurement unit, and a second time measurement unit. The first time measurement unit is configured to be connected selectively to the first detector unit and to the second detector unit. The second time measurement unit is configured to be connected selectively to the first detector unit and to the second detector unit. Full Article
para Transmissive diffraction grating and detection apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A transmissive diffraction grating includes a polarization conversion layer, a first diffractive layer disposed on one surface side of the polarization conversion layer, and a second diffractive layer disposed on the other surface side of the polarization conversion layer. Both the first diffractive layer and the second diffractive layer include refractive index modulation structures arranged with a period P in a first direction, and diffraction efficiency for a TE polarized light component is higher than a diffraction efficiency for a TM polarized light component. Full Article
para Apparatus and method for in-flight detection of airborne volcanic ash By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of optically determining the presence of volcanic ash within a cloud comprises emitting a circularly polarized illuminating beam within a cloud and analyzing backscatter light to identify the presence of volcanic ash within the cloud. The method further includes determining the degree to which the cloud has altered the polarization state of the emitted beam. The index of refraction of the backscatter light and the opacity of the backscatter light are also analyzed. Full Article
para Apparatus and method for compensating for sample misalignment By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of compensating for sample misalignment in an optical measurement apparatus (40), comprises the steps of: determining an expected response from a detector (58) in said optical measurement apparatus given a particular set of parameters defining a path that light can take through the optical measurement apparatus from a source (42), via a sample (50), to the detector (58); measuring a response from the detector for the sample under test; and refining the set of parameters until the expected response and the measured response converge so as to determine the set of parameters giving rise to the measured response. Full Article
para Three-dimensional shape measuring apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT According to one embodiment, a three-dimensional shape measuring apparatus includes at least an aperture plate that is provided with a plurality of confocal apertures which are two-dimensionally arranged to have a predetermined arrangement period, and an aperture plate displacement portion that displaces the aperture plate at a constant speed in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. Further, the aperture plate is provided with a cover member which is moved integrally with the aperture plate and which includes a transparent body allowing the light beams from the light source to pass therethrough and to be irradiated to the plurality of confocal apertures, and protects the plurality of confocal apertures from dust. Further, an imaging optical system, by which each of reflected light beams is guided to a photo-detector, is designed in consideration of optical properties of the whole optical system including the transparent body of the cover member. Full Article
para Optical electrical field enhancing device and measuring apparatus equipped with the device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT An optical electrical field enhancing device includes: a transparent substrate having a structure of fine protrusions and recesses on the surface thereof; and a metal structure layer of fine protrusions and recesses formed on the surface of the structure of fine protrusions and recesses. The metal structure layer of fine protrusions and recesses has a structure of fine protrusions and recesses, in which the distances among adjacent protrusions are less than the distances among corresponding adjacent protrusions of the structure of fine protrusions and recesses of the transparent substrate. Full Article
para Profile measuring apparatus, method for manufacturing structure, and structure manufacturing system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Jul 2015 08:00:00 EDT There is provided a profile measuring apparatus which measures a profile of an object including: a projection unit which projects a pattern on the object from a projection direction; a measurement unit, which is displaced at a difference position for the projection unit and takes an image of the pattern from a direction different from the projection direction to measure a position on a surface of the object based on an image data obtained with the taken image; an object-rotation unit which rotates the object in two directions; and a pattern-rotation unit which is connected to the projection unit so as to be able to rotate the pattern relative to the object-rotation unit. Full Article
para Reflection type optical sensor and image generation apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Aug 2015 08:00:00 EDT A reflection type optical sensor that detect a surface condition of a moving body and that is used for an image generation apparatus which forms images on a recording media includes a light-emitting device which has a plurality of light emitter systems including at least two light-emitting members and a light-emitting optical system having a plurality of light-emitting lenses corresponding to a plurality of the light emitter systems and guiding light emitted from the light emitter systems to the moving body and a light-receiving device which has a light receiver system including at least two light-receiving members and a light-receiving optical system having light-receiving lenses corresponding to the at least two light-receiving members and guiding light reflected by the moving body to the light receiver system. The image generation apparatus has further a surface condition judging device in addition to the reflection type optical sensor. Full Article
para Polarization-modulating element, illumination optical apparatus, exposure apparatus, and exposure method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 22 Sep 2015 08:00:00 EDT There is disclosed a polarization-modulating element for modulating a polarization state of incident light into a predetermined polarization state, the polarization-modulating element being made of an optical material with optical activity and having a circumferentially varying thickness profile. Full Article
para Sheet holder and edge pattern making apparatus incorporating the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 23 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EDT A sheet holder for holding a sheet of paper and exposing an edge of the sheet, has a press for holding the paper sheet and exposing the edge, and a lever for operating the press. The lever is movable between a released position for placing of the edge of the paper sheet in the press and a holding position for operating the press. There is also an abutment for abutment by the edge of the paper sheet to position the edge relative to the press while the lever is in the released position. The abutment is associated with the lever for moving away from the edge of the paper sheet when the lever moves towards the holding position, thereby exposing the edge of the paper sheet. Full Article
para Binder apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Jul 2013 08:00:00 EDT Binder apparatus are described. An example binder apparatus includes a housing, a first support rail positioned within the housing and a second support rail positioned within the housing. The binder apparatus also includes first and second closure members coupled to the respective support rails. The closure members are positioned on the respective support rails to enable locking elements of the closure members to interlock when the binder apparatus is in a closed position. The binder apparatus also includes a lever comprising tabs that are received by recesses defined by the support rails. An interaction between the tabs and the support rails enables the support rails to be moved relative to one another and the locking elements to be moved to an unlocked position. Full Article
para Binder apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Aug 2013 08:00:00 EDT Binder apparatus are described. An example binder apparatus includes a housing and a first carrier rail having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge. The first carrier rail defining a notch adjacent the second longitudinal edge. The housing biasing the first carrier rail by engaging the first longitudinal edge. The binder apparatus includes a second carrier rail having a third longitudinal edge and a fourth longitudinal edge. The housing biasing the second carrier rail by engaging the third longitudinal edge. The second longitudinal edge hingably engaging the fourth longitudinal edge, the notch defining an opening having a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The binder includes a slider having a control element extending therefrom. The control element comprising a first control surface and a second control surface. The first control surface to engage the first edge to urge the first and second carrier rails to an open position, the second control surface to engage the second edge to urge the first and second carrier rails to a closed position. Full Article
para Recyclable ring binder apparatus with quick release ring metals By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 Nov 2013 08:00:00 EST A recyclable ring binder apparatus comprises a ring metal incorporating a set of binder rings that are formed of a pair of ring halves. The ring metal can be firmly fastened to a spine section of a binder hardcover by utilizing a post and a small arched snap clamp with a tap. The tap of the snap clamp can be pressed around a neck of the post utilizing a quick release clipping mechanism. The snap clamp can be accessed with an index finger and slid away from the post to remove the ring metal from the hardcover. The ring metal, the hardcover, the snap clamp and the post can be quickly separated into their perspective categories due to the clipping mechanism. Hence, it retains conformance of all components of the ring binder apparatus for recycling without increasing development and production cost. Full Article
para Document reading apparatus and document reading method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST Provided is a document reading apparatus capable of suppressing a shock that may occur when a trailing edge of a tabbed sheet passes through a roller pair. In an image reading section, when a document to be read is the tabbed sheet, a timing to start separation of the roller pair in response to detection of a trailing edge of the document is delayed by a time period corresponding to a tab length with respect to the timing to start separation when a document other than the tabbed sheet is conveyed. Thus, it is possible to prevent the shock when the trailing edge of the tabbed sheet passes through the roller pair, and to thereby suppress image reading failure due to the shock. Full Article
para Method and apparatus for ripple and phase loss detection By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods and apparatus are presented for detecting phase loss and/or excessive ripple in a power converter, in which bandpass filters are used to obtain harmonic voltage amplitudes associated with the power converter DC bus, and phase loss is detected if a ratio of the second harmonic to the sixth harmonic and/or a ratio of the fourth harmonic to the sixth harmonic exceed predetermined threshold values. Full Article
para Switching power converting apparatus, switching controller for the same, and method of controlling a bipolar junction transistor of the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A switching power converting apparatus includes a coil unit, a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) controlling power transfer through the coil unit, and a current sensing resistor sensing a current flowing through the BJT so as to produce a sensed voltage thereacross. A switching controller includes a current source supplying a first current, a current generating module generating, based on an input voltage associated with the sensed voltage, a second current, which is proportional to the current flowing through the BJT, a multiplexing module selecting one of the first and second currents as an output current, and a driving module outputting, based on the output current, a driving current, which is proportional to the output current, to the BJT to thereby conduct the BJT. Full Article
para Methods and apparatuses for a soft-start function with auto-disable By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods and apparatuses for a soft-start function with auto-disable are described. Such methods and apparatuses can gradually increase a voltage towards a reference voltage using a ramp generator and a control loop and can disable the ramp generator and the control loop once the voltage has reached the reference voltage. Full Article
para Thermally assisted magnetic recording medium and magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A thermally assisted magnetic recording medium (1) includes a substrate (101), an underlayer (3) that is formed above the substrate (101), and a magnetic layer (107) that is formed on the underlayer (3) and contains an alloy having an L10 structure as a main component. The underlayer (3) is formed by continuously laminating a first underlayer (104) having a BCC structure with a lattice constant that is 0.302 to 0.332 nm, a second underlayer (105) that has a NaCl structure including C, and a third underlayer (106) that is composed of MgO. Full Article
para Optical recording and reading method, optical recording and reading apparatus, optical recording medium, and method for producing an optical recording medium By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An optical recording medium includes a recording and reading layer that is previously staked or formed afterword and has no concavo-convex pattern for tracking control, and a servo layer in which a concavo-convex pattern or a groove for tracking control is formed. Information can be recorded in the recording and reading layer while tracking is performed using the servo layer. Full Article
para Video jukebox apparatus and a method of playing music and music videos using a video jukebox apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A digital jukebox (14) allows for playback of a first offering and a second offering. The contents of each offering are individually licensed for public performance at a particular location where the jukebox is found. The jukebox (14) displays advertisements that are selected in response to user interaction with the jukebox or a number of other factors. The jukebox (14) features a screen (18 and 20) that allows user to interact with the jukebox to select offerings, but also to respond to advertising. Jukebox can function in cooperation with a server (12), but in the alternate, can function as an independent and stand-alone device when connection (16) to server (12) is not available. Full Article
para Mixing apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Once a human operator selects one output channel using a port setting key and SEL key, output port parameters of a plurality of output ports connected with the selected output channel are displayed in a given arrangement on an output channel-port setting popup screen, and the thus-displayed output port parameters are allocated to controls of corresponding channel strips. Such arrangements allow parameter setting operation to be readily performed for each of the output ports. Full Article
para Multilayer optical recording medium, drive device, reproducing and recording apparatus, and inspection method for multilayer optical recording medium By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT According to one embodiment, a multilayer optical recording medium including a substrate, a guide layer group that is provided on the substrate and has guide layers in which positional information in a radial direction is recorded, and a recording layer group that is provided on the substrate and has recording layers in which information can be recorded. In the recording layer group, positional information of the recording layers associated with the positional information recorded in the guide layers and control information of the optical device where reflected light volumes of the laser beams on the guide layers and the recording layers become maximum at the positions in the radial direction are recorded at the positions in the radial direction of the recording layers. Full Article
para Apparatus and method for compensating for pixel distortion in reproduction of hologram data By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for compensating for pixel distortion while reproducing hologram data includes an extraction unit, a determination and calculation unit, a table, and a compensation unit. The extraction unit extracts a reproduced data image from a reproduced image frame including the reproduced data image and borders. The determination and calculation unit determines position values of edges of the extracted reproduced data image, and calculates average magnification error values of pixels within line data from position values of start and end point pixels thereof, which are based on the determined position values of the edges. The table stores misalignment compensation values for the pixels within the line data, wherein the misalignment compensation values correspond to predetermined references for average magnification error values. The compensation unit compensates for pixel positions in the extracted reproduced data image using the misalignment compensation values that correspond to the calculated average magnification error values. Full Article
para Optical recording method, optical recording medium, optical recording medium recording apparatus, optical recording apparatus, optical disk, and optical disk recording/reproducing apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A mark having a length nT (n being an integer equal to or greater than 3 and T being a clock period) is formed by modulating irradiation laser power with three values of recording power Pw, erase power Pe, and bias power Pb (Pw>Pe>Pb). Constant strength periods (At) of the recording power Pw are set as AtT, A1T, . . . , and AmT and constant strength periods (B) of the bias power Pb are set as BtT, B1T, . . . , BmT, and CT (C=−1 to 3). The application of laser is divided into pulses in order of AtT, BtT, A1T, B1T, . . . , AmT, BmT, and CT (m=(n−k)/2, k=3 (if n is an odd number), or k=4 (if n is an even number)). (Here, the constant strength period of the recording power Pw for n=3, n=4, n≧5 (odd number), and n≧6 (even number) is set as At3, At4, Atod, and Atev, the constant strength period of the bias power Pb for n=3, n=4, n≧5 (odd number), and n≧6 (even number) is set as Bt3, Bt4, Btod, and Btev, and then, At3+Bt3=Atod+Btod=Am+Bm=2T and At4+Bt4=Atev+Btev=3T). Full Article
para Method and apparatus for laser control during recording By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to recording on a medium, and in particular, to laser control during recording data on an optical medium. A laser control method for dynamically adjusting laser power during recording data onto an optical disc comprises: recording normal data onto the optical disc according to an initial laser power; stopping recording when a trigger is generated; reading back the recorded normal data and generating a first recording quality index; recording a test pattern at a test pattern starting point according to a selected laser power; reading back the test pattern and generating a second recording quality index; and determining an adaptive laser power to continually record the normal data according to the first recording quality index and the second recording quality index. Full Article
para Method and apparatus for monitoring surgical traction By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Apparatus is described for measuring and displaying the magnitude of traction forces applied to a patient's lower limbs during surgery, and for measuring the direction and magnitude of counter-traction forces applied to the patient's body by the perineal post located at the patient's groin to oppose traction forces applied to the patient's lower limbs. Full Article
para Emergency transport back support apparatus and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A back support apparatus intended for use during emergency transport of a patient suffering an actual or suspected spine injury is disclosed. The device provides a solid support for the arched portion of the spine that molds to the shape of the individual patient's back. The device comprises a bag or other container into which a solid curable material and a liquid activator are introduced, which is then placed beneath the patient's spine on a back board or like support. The device may be deployed quickly without the need for additional straps, belts, or the like, and may be treated as disposable due to its low cost. Full Article
para Muscle training apparatus and belt for muscle training By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT To ensure easy and secure placement of a belt for KAATSU muscle training on a target compressed site near the proximal portion of a limb. A belt 100B has a longer first band-shaped member 110 and a shorter second band-shaped member 120 both of which have a band shape and are connected to a ring-shaped joint member 130 at their respective ends. In order to place the belt 100B on the target compressed site, the limb (right leg in this case) on which the belt 100B is expected to be placed is inserted into a loop of the first band-shaped member 110 formed by passing the end of the first band-shaped member 110 through an opening in the joint member 130, and the belt is moved up to the target compressed site. Then, the first band-shaped member 110 and the second band-shaped member 120 are pulled with both hands in the opposite directions. The belt 100B is placed on the target compressed site with the belt 100B being tensioned appropriately. Full Article
para Apparatus for detecting and treating ventricular arrhythmia By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and method for long-term monitoring of cardiac conditions such as arrhythmias is disclosed. The invention includes a pulse generator including means for sensing an arrhythmia. The pulse generator is coupled to at least one subcutaneous electrode or electrode array for providing electrical stimulation such as cardioversion/defibrillation shocks and/or pacing pulses. The electrical stimulation may be provided between multiple subcutaneous electrodes, or between one or more such electrodes and the housing of the pulse generator. In one embodiment, the pulse generator includes one or more electrodes that are isolated from the can. These electrodes may be used to sense cardiac signals. Full Article