meth 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
meth Method and apparatus for compressing plasma to a high energy state By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A compressor assembly and the method of using the same which includes an elongated spiral passageway within which a compact toroid plasma, such as a compact toroid plasma structure, can be efficiently compressed to a high-energy state by compressing the compact toroid plasma structure by its own momentum against the wall of the spiral passageway in a manner to induce heating by conservation of energy. The compressor assembly also includes a burn chamber that is in communication with the spiral passageway and into which the compressed compact toroid plasma structure is introduced following its compression. Full Article
meth Transverse in-core probe monitoring and calibration device for nuclear power plants, and method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and apparatus for the calibration of neutron flux monitoring devices used in a nuclear reactor core. The apparatus includes a transverse in-core probe (TIP) cable with a neutron absorber located a fixed distance apart from a TIP detector. The neutron absorber may be passed within close proximity of the neutron flux monitoring device such that a perceived drop in measured neutron flux occurs, whereupon the cable may be repositioned relative to the monitoring device to ensure that the TIP detector is within close proximity of the monitoring device for purposes of calibrating the monitoring device. Full Article
meth Method and device for fabricating dispersion fuel comprising fission product collection spaces By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of fabricating a nuclear fuel comprising a fissile material, one or more hollow microballoons, a phenolic resin, and metal matrix. The fissile material, phenolic resin and the one or more hollow microballoons are combined. The combined fissile material, phenolic resin and the hollow microballoons are heated sufficiently to form at least some fissile material carbides creating a nuclear fuel particle. The resulting nuclear fuel particle comprises one or more fission product collection spaces. In a preferred embodiment, the fissile material, phenolic resin and the one or more hollow microballoons are combined by forming the fissile material into microspheres. The fissile material microspheres are then overcoated with the phenolic resin and microballoon. In another preferred embodiment, the fissile material, phenolic resin and the one or more hollow microballoons are combined by overcoating the microballoon with the fissile material, and phenolic resin. Full Article
meth 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
meth 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
meth Game apparatus and method of play By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT In a board- or computer-implemented game, each of two opposing players is associated with a set of markers distinguishable from the markers associated with the other player. The markers are initially set up in an array of mutually perpendicular rows and columns of allowable marker positions, with the markers of each player being in two adjacent rows and a V-shaped pattern composed of two oblique rows extending from an apex toward end markers in a second of the two rows. Players take turns, moving markers to unoccupied allowable positions, optionally jumping their own markers, and optional jumping and capturing an opponent's marker or markers. Full Article
meth Ball ejection system and method for wheel games By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A ball ejection system for a roulette game is provided. The system includes a roulette wheel including a plurality of slots, at least one sensor, at least one ejector element, and a first driving mechanism. Each slot is defined by side walls and a bottom surface. Each bottom surface further includes an opening. The at least one sensor is position within each of the plurality of slots and are configured to emit a signal when detecting a ball within the slot. The ejector element is positioned below the roulette and includes at least one air blower. The air blower is configured to blow air circumferentially around the roulette wheel due to the detection of a ball on one of the sensors. Finally, the first driving mechanism is in communication with the at least one ejector element and configured to cause the initiation of the at least one air blower. Full Article
meth Target positioning systems and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The system includes a rotation disengagement mechanism configured to disengage a rotatable shaft from a powered drive unit such that upon disengagement the powered drive unit is no longer able to rotate the shaft. After disengagement, the rotatable shaft may reengage the powered drive unit at only one rotational position relative to the rotation disengagement mechanism. A target coupled to the shaft is thus always in a known home position. The systems and methods further comprise smart positioning logic that assigns a number designation to four rotational orientations spaced 90° from one another. Full Article
meth Methods of randomizing cards By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Apparatuses and methods for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into plural hands of cards, wherein each of the hands contains a random arrangement of cards. The apparatus may comprise a card receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack, and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanism and the elevator so that an individual card is moved into an identified compartment. The number of compartments receiving cards and the number of cards moved to each compartment may be selected. Apparatuses for feeding cards may comprise a surface for supporting a stack of cards, a feed roller with a frictional outer surface, a drive mechanism for causing rotation of the feed roller, a pair of speed-up rollers to advance the cards out of the feed roller, and a clutch mechanism for disengaging the feed roller from the drive mechanism as the card comes into contact with the speed-up rollers. Full Article
meth Reusable card-based gaming system and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for gaming, comprising a card reader system for reading card data from a game card associated with a player. An instant win game system for associating an instant win game entry with the card data. A jackpot game system for associating a jackpot game entry with the card data. Full Article
meth Wagering game method, gaming machine, gaming system, and program product providing an enhanced tournament award feature By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Gaming systems and methods provide a tournament game which selectively awards an enhanced tournament play result. The enhanced tournament play result may be of variable value which is selected for the given instance in order to place the receiving tournament player in some predetermined rank in the tournament. Such a variable enhanced tournament play result in the tournament game may be used to help keep all participants interested in the tournament, even those participants who trail the tournament leaders by a wide margin. Full Article
meth 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
meth Liquid splat game kit and method of play By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT One embodiment of a liquid splat game kit includes a plurality of squirt bottles for storing water, a plurality of water coloring tablets for transitioning the water into a colored liquid, a plurality of playing cards, and a game-play manual. Full Article
meth Method and apparatus for selectively indicating win probability By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Each play of a base game increases the likelihood of winning a bonus award. A display provides a graphical indication of the change in likelihood of winning the bonus award. In one aspect, the bonus award comprises the opportunity to play a secondary game. Full Article
meth 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
meth 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
meth 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
meth Method, a device and a system for interacting with the touch-sensitive electronic display of a computer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method, system and an interactive device for interaction with the electric field of touch-sensitive electronic display of a computing device is provided. The interactive device includes a housing for positioning on the top of the touch-sensitive electronic display, a first electrode determines the touch position, an energy harvester for receiving the electrical energy and transforming the received electrical energy into a DC voltage, a controller generates a serial identification number for identifying the housing through the touch-sensitive electronic display of the computer, an electronic switch transmitting the serial identification number, a second electrode forms a close electrical circuit from the electric field generated by the touch-sensitive electronic display to operate the energy harvester, the controller and the electronic switch; and a third electrode for receiving the serial identification number and the processor of the computer determines the distance and angle in between the first electrode and the third electrode. Full Article
meth ***WITHDRAWN PATENT AS PER THE LATEST USPTO WITHDRAWN LIST***Toy game apparatus and method of playing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A ramp for launching an object at a target is provided, the ramp having: a release mechanism mounted to the ramp for movement between a first position and a second position, wherein the release mechanism is configured to retain the object with respect to the ramp when it is in the first position and wherein the release mechanism is configured to release the object when the release mechanism is in the second position; and wherein the release mechanism further comprises an arm member pivotally mounted to the ramp and the arm member has a plurality of features each spaced from each other and extending from the arm member above a surface of the ramp when the release mechanism is in the first position. Full Article
meth System and method for providing a table game By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and method for providing a table game are disclosed. According to one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a playing field, a ball launcher mechanism launching a ball into the playing field, and the ball launcher mechanism allows a first player to select one or more attributes affecting a ball trajectory. The apparatus further comprises a ball striker mechanism controlling a ball striker. The ball striker placed at a distance from the ball launcher mechanism in the playing field has a bat to hit a ball launched by the ball launcher mechanism and is controlled by a second player. One or more sensors are placed in predetermined locations in the playing field. The electrical signals generated by the one or more sensors are used to update a status of a game. Full Article
meth Video poker method of play By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In accordance with a poker game, a player is dealt a first set of cards, such as 5 cards. The player elects which cards to hold and which cards to discard, if any. Upon discarding any cards, a player is dealt a second set of cards, preferably in the same number as the first set of cards. Subsets of the second set of replacement cards are combined with the cards held from the first set of cards to form final hands of cards. Each final hand is evaluated to determine if it is a winning or losing hand, such as against a standard poker paytable. Awards may be varied depending upon the size of the player's wager and/or the number of cards the player holds/discards from the first set. Full Article
meth Method of and machine for playing a game with area and numeric winning thresholds By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and gaming machine for playing a game with area and numerical winning thresholds. The method and machine present a plurality of distinct elements which are grouped into a plurality of subsets whereby a player can select both a sub-plurality of elements and at least one subset. A set of random elements is selected from the set of elements which also determines at least one random subset. The set of random elements is compared to the sub-plurality of player selected elements and the player selected subset to the random subset. A player is rewarded if the set of random elements and the set of player selected elements have a pre-determined minimum number of common elements and/or if the plurality of player selected subsets and the plurality of random subsets have a second, pre-determined minimum number of common subsets. Full Article
meth Pattern building game assembly with launching apparatus and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A game apparatus and a method using trays as the game board with vertical support columns, two sets of playing pieces and two launching devices. The one or more vertical support columns attach to the one or more trays to support the trays horizontally above a support surface. On the surface of each of the trays is a matrix and each element of the matrix has a recessed compartment orthogonal to the surface of the tray. Each recessed compartment is sized to hold a multiplicity of both types of playing pieces in a stacked manner. The recessed compartments may also be created so that the order and the number of the playing pieces in each recessed compartment are observable for additional variety in game play. Full Article
meth Toy game apparatus and method of playing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Nov 2015 08:00:00 EST A ramp for launching an object at a target is provided, the ramp having: a release mechanism mounted to the ramp for movement between a first position and a second position, wherein the release mechanism is configured to retain the object with respect to the ramp when it is in the first position and wherein the release mechanism is configured to release the object when the release mechanism is in the second position; and wherein the release mechanism further comprises an arm member pivotally mounted to the ramp and the arm member has a plurality of features each spaced from each other and extending from the arm member above a surface of the ramp when the release mechanism is in the first position. Full Article
meth Method and apparatus for high resolution decoding of encoded symbols By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for scanning and decoding encoded symbols comprises processing low resolution image data from a full field of view and/or high resolution image data from one or more windowed segments of the field of view to provide imaging that is easily adaptable to different types of symbols and varying environmental conditions. The scanning method can be switched between the low resolution mode and the high resolution mode automatically based on whether the low resolution data is sufficiently accurate to decode the symbol. Full Article
meth System and method for providing electronic event tickets By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems, methods, and devices for providing and managing electronic event tickets are provided. For example, a device for managing an electronic event ticket may include a processor configured to run an electronic ticket management application, a memory device configured to store data associated with the electronic ticket management application, an electronic display configured to display at least a portion of the data associated with the electronic ticket management application, and an input/output interface configured to receive an electronic ticket and the data associated with the electronic ticket for management by the electronic ticket management application. The electronic ticket management application may be configured to enable the electronic device to gain entry to an event and to obtain at least one other event-related benefit after the electronic ticket is received by the input/output interface. Full Article
meth Multi-purpose transaction card and associated methods and systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An approach for associating a card (e.g., a transaction card, an identification card, etc.) that corresponds to a primary account with one or more ancillary accounts (e.g., a library account, etc.) includes obtaining information from the card and associating that information with an ancillary account. The card may then be used to access the ancillary account. The card may be a transaction card and the primary account may be a financial account. The ancillary account may be a library account. When the card is a transaction card, fees associated with the ancillary account may be charged to the financial account. Full Article
meth Electronic apparatus for determining the attitude of a weapon and operating method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An embodiment of an apparatus for determining the attitude angles of a weapon includes a number of accelerometers for measuring the components of the acceleration of the weapon along the axes of a first reference system integral with weapon; a number of gyroscopes configured in such a way to measure the components of the angular speed of the weapon along the axes of the reference body; and a processing unit configured to compute a number of actual attitude angles of the weapon under dynamic conditions based on the components of the angular speed; determine a number of static attitude angles of the weapon under static conditions of the weapon based on the components of the acceleration; and correct the components of angular speed according to static attitude angles and to the actual attitude angles. Full Article
meth Electronic device for recognizing erroneous insertion of card, and operating method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electronic device comprises a socket having a plurality of connection terminals that accommodates a card-type external device having a corner cut-out portion, a plurality of contact pads exposed on a surface of the card-type external device that are correspondingly connected to the connection terminals in response to insertion of the card-type external device into the socket. A detection unit detects erroneous insertion of the card-type external device into the socket in response to incorrect location of the cut-out portion during the erroneous insertion. A processor outputs a control signal in response to the detected erroneous insertion of the card-type external device. Full Article
meth 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
meth System, method, and storage unit for managing multiple objects in an object zone By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed is a system for managing multiple objects in an object zone. The system comprises multiple machine-readable object identification tags configured to be respectively attached to the multiple objects; a storage unit moving through the object zone to store the selected objects which are respectively attached with the machine-readable object identification tags; at least one machine-readable storage unit identification tag attached to the storage unit; and multiple spaced reading units capable of remotely reading the multiple machine-readable object identification tags and the at least one machine-readable storage unit identification tag, wherein the objects attached with the machine-readable object identification tags within a predefined spatial range defined based on the at least one machine-readable storage unit identification tag are associated with the storage unit. A method thereof and a storage unit are also disclosed. Full Article
meth Imaging device and method for validating a document with selectable single side illumination By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An improved document scanning device and a scanning method for checking the transparency and thickness of an identification document. In a preferred embodiment, any one surface of the document is illuminated by the illumination source facing the said surface and the opposite surface of the document is captured by the camera. The amount of light that passes through the illuminated surface of the document is measured and contrasted with the amount of light that passes through the same surface of a reference or original document. The scanning method is also capable of validating an identification document by detecting and authenticating any laser image imprinted on such document. Full Article
meth Methods and systems for optimizing visual data communication By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and method for transmitting visual data by displaying a synchronization video that includes synchronization code sequences on a first device, capturing the synchronization video using a video camera of a second device, parsing and decoding the synchronization code sequences on the second device, displaying an indication of which of the synchronization code sequences are compatible for visual data transmission on the second device, receiving a selected synchronization code sequence of the synchronization code sequences on the first device, and displaying a data code sequence corresponding to the selected synchronization code sequence on the first device, wherein the data code sequence includes encoded data, and capturing and decoding the data code sequence on the second device. Full Article
meth Method and apparatus for executing user action commands By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method is provided for performing action commands on a mobile terminal. The method includes reading a 2D barcode to obtain 2D barcode information. The 2D barcode information includes at least an action command identifier and a call instruction for calling an application program interface (API) corresponding to the action command. The method also includes calling the API corresponding to the action command and completing execution of the action command. Full Article
meth Electronic interface apparatus and method and system for manufacturing same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for manufacture of an electronic interface card (100) including defining a pair of apertures in a substrate layer (116), associating an antenna (112) with the substrate layer (116) such that opposite ends of the antenna (112) terminate at the apertures, placing a metal element in each of the apertures, connecting the ends of the antenna to the metal elements, laminating the substrate layer together with a top layer (114) and a bottom layer (118), forming a recess (122) in the top layer and the substrate layer, attaching end of connection wires (130) to the metal elements, attaching opposite ends of the connection wires (130) to a chip module (120) and sealing the chip module in the recess (122). Full Article
meth Method and system for simulating a proximity-based transaction device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Reference equipment including a reference card and a reference reader is provided for testing electronic payment devices such as cards and card readers. The reference equipment includes reference cards and reference readers that respectively can be used to verify compliance of product cards and product readers with product specifications The product specifications may, for example, be the ISO 14443 Standard specifications which are commonly accepted in the electronic payment industry The reference equipment is designed to enhance interoperability of product payment devices whose functional behaviors may vary because of vendor customization of device specifications or due to manufacturing tolerances In some embodiments, the reference equipment includes a reference card for testing card readers The exemplary reference card can comprise a current mirror to permit an electronically adjustable variable load using an external controller The reference card electronic circuit can exhibit variable load conditions. Full Article
meth System and method for noise reduction in a bar code signal By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and method for reading a bar code are disclosed which may include transmitting light pulsed at a selected frequency to illuminate the bar code; converting light received at the bar code reader from the bar code into an electrical signal; transmitting the electrical signal through a signal conditioning circuit to filter and amplify the electrical signal, to thereby provide a conditioned electrical signal; sampling the conditioned electrical signal at the selected frequency; removing energy due to light scattering within a housing of the bar code reader from the sampled, conditioned electrical signal; generating one of a logical “1” and a logical “0” output based on a value of the signal generated by the step of removing; and resolving output from the step of generating into data indicative of information on the bar code. Full Article
meth Antenna for RFID device and method for making the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An RFID tag or label or device includes an RFID chip and an antenna. The antenna is manufactured by weakening a portion of a foil material, which weakened portion may be in a tessellating pattern. The foil material is then placed in contact with adhesive on a substrate. The foil material and substrate are separated, so as to retain on the substrate the portion of the foil material in contact with the adhesive. The foil material remaining on the substrate defines an antenna, which may subsequently be electrically connected to an RFID chip to provide an RFID tag or label or device. Full Article
meth Apparatus for and method of optimizing target reading performance of imaging reader in both handheld and hands-free modes of operation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Jul 2015 08:00:00 EDT An imaging reader reads targets by image capture in both handheld and hands-free modes of operation. Upon detection of the mode of operation, a controller sets the resolution and frame rate of a solid-state imaging sensor to different values in each mode to optimize target reading performance in each mode. Full Article
meth Method for operating a brushless electric motor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for operating a brushless electric motor, the windings being energized by an inverter with the aid of six switches. A detection unit for detecting defective switches, a unit for measuring voltage at the outputs of the inverter, and a microcontroller for controlling the switch and for generating a pulse width modulated voltage supply for the windings are provided. A short-circuited switch causes a torque in the electric motor opposite the actuating direction of the electric motor. The method proposes that after detecting a short-circuited switch, the windings (U. V. W) are energized to generate a motor torque that is, on the whole, positive. An actuating period of the electric motor is divided into a plurality of sectors, wherein, in accordance with the defective switch, individual sectors are deactivated for the actuation of the windings (U, V, W), while other sectors are used to actuate the windings (V, W). Full Article
meth 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
meth Sequential state elements for triple-mode redundant state machines, related methods, and systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The disclosure relates generally to sequential state elements (SSEs), triple-mode redundant state machines (TMRSMs), and methods and systems for testing triple-mode redundant pipeline stages (TMRPSs) within the TMRSMs using triple-mode redundant SSEs (TMRSSEs). The SSEs, TMRSMs, TMRPSs, and TMRSSEs may be formed as integrated circuits on a semiconductor substrate. Of particular focus in this disclosure are SSEs used to sample and hold bit states. Embodiments of the SSEs have a self-correcting mechanism to protect against radiation-induced soft errors. The SSE may be provided in a pipeline circuit of a TMRSM to receive and store a bit state of a bit signal generated by combinational circuits within the pipeline circuit. More specifically, the SSEs may be provided in a TMRSSE configured to perform self-correction. Also disclosed are methods for using the TMRSSE to test redundant pipeline stages of the TMRSM. Full Article
meth 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
meth Method of forming electronic components with reactive filters By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electronic component comprising a half bridge adapted for operation with an electrical load having an operating frequency is described. The half bridge comprises a first switch and a second switch each having a switching frequency, the first switch and the second switch each including a first terminal, a second terminal, and a control terminal, wherein the first terminal of the first switch and the second terminal of the second switch are both electrically connected to a node. The electronic component further includes a filter having a 3 dB roll-off frequency, the 3 dB roll-off frequency being less than the switching frequency of the switches but greater than the operating frequency of the electrical load. The first terminal of the filter is electrically coupled to the node, and the 3 dB roll-off frequency of the filter is greater than 5 kHz. Full Article
meth Output buffer and signal processing method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An output buffer comprises a series connection of a first field effect transistor and a second field effect transistor, wherein the first field effect transistor is connected to a first supply potential terminal and the second field effect transistor is connected to a second supply potential terminal. An output terminal is connected to a common connection of the first transistor and the second transistor. The output buffer has a series connection of a resistive element and a capacitive element, wherein the capacitive element is connected to the output terminal, and a control circuit, to which an input signal is provided. The control circuit controls the transistors in such a way that turning off of a transistor is performed immediately, while turning on of a transistor is performed depending on the charging or discharging of the capacitive element, thus achieving a defined slew rate of the output signal at the output terminal. Full Article
meth 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
meth 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
meth Flip-flops in a monolithic three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuit (IC) (3DIC) and related methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Flip-flops in a monolithic three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuit (IC)(3DIC) and related method are disclosed. In one embodiment, a single clock source is provided for the 3DIC and distributed to elements within the 3DIC. Delay is provided to clock paths by selectively controllable flip-flops to help provide synchronous operation. In certain embodiments, 3D flip-flop are provided that include a master latch disposed in a first tier of a 3DIC. The master latch is configured to receive a flip-flop input and a clock input, the master latch configured to provide a master latch output. The 3D flip-flop also includes at least one slave latch disposed in at least one additional tier of the 3DIC, the at least one slave latch configured to provide a 3DIC flip-flop output. The 3D flip-flop also includes at least one monolithic intertier via (MIV) coupling the master latch output to an input of the slave latch. Full Article
meth Circuit and method of clocking multiple digital circuits in multiple phases By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A circuit includes a power supply terminal and a clock parsing circuit configured to produce multiple clock signals having a common clock period and different phases. The circuit further includes a plurality of digital circuits coupled to the clock parsing circuit and the power supply terminal. Each digital circuit includes an input to receive data and logic to process the data. Each digital circuit is responsive to a phase associated with a respective clock signal of the multiple clock signals to draw current from the regulated power supply terminal to process the data to produce a data output. Additionally, the circuit includes an output timing management circuit coupled to each of the plurality of digital circuits and configured to control data outputs of each of plurality of digital circuits to prevent timing violations at one or more destination circuits. Full Article