meth Duty cycle translator methods and apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST Methods and apparatus for translating duty cycle information in duty-cycle-modulated signals to higher frequencies or higher data rates. An exemplary duty cycle translator includes a duty cycle evaluator, a high-speed digital counter, and a comparator. The duty cycle evaluator generates a first digital number representing a duty cycle of a low-frequency input duty-cycle-modulated (DCM) signal. The comparator compares the first digital number to a second digital number generated by the high-speed digital counter, and generates, based on the comparison, an output DCM signal having a higher frequency or data rate than the frequency or data rate of the low-frequency input DCM signal but a duty cycle that is substantially the same as the duty cycle of the low-frequency input DCM signal. Full Article
meth Sequence generation and transmission method based on time and frequency domain transmission unit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A method for generating/transmitting a transmission-unit symbol sequence is disclosed. In the case of transmission information, the information is modulated in time and frequency domains on the basis of a predetermined transmission unit (e.g., a transmission time interval TTI or slot), simultaneous transmission of the information is made, and then a transmission unit symbol is generated/transmitted. A transmission sequence is masked in each symbol contained in one transmission unit. Symbol-unit circular shift (cyclic shift) is applied to the masked result, so that transmission efficiency increases. A control signal transmission method for supporting a variety of formats and a signal transmission method based on a prime-length sequence are also provided. Full Article
meth Device and method for direct mixing of pulse density modulation (PDM) signals By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A device for mixing multiple (N) pulse density modulated (PDM) bit streams of a bit rate, the device comprises an input logic, an error accumulation circuit, an error correction circuit and an adder of more than N bits; wherein the device is arranged to output an output PDM bit stream that represents a mixture of the multiple input PDM bit streams; wherein the output PDM bit stream comprises a plurality of output PDM bits, wherein a certain output PDM bit of a plurality of output PDM bits that form the output PDM bit stream is generated during a certain clock cycle; wherein the input logic is arranged to select, during each fraction of the certain clock cycle, a current bit of a selected PDM bit stream, wherein different PDM bit streams are selected during different fragments of the certain clock cycle; wherein the error accumulation circuit is arranged to store intermediate values during a first fraction till a penultimate fraction of the certain clock signal and to store a last value during a last fraction of the certain clock signal. Full Article
meth Switched-mode power supply apparatus and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST The present invention relates to a switched-mode power supply apparatus and a corresponding method. For an effective compensation of non-linearities caused by dead-time and voltage drops in the switching power amplifier of the apparatus, an apparatus is proposed comprising a switching power amplifier (14) for amplifying a signal supplied by an external signal source (11) and for supplying a load voltage and/or load current to a load (15), and a control unit (12; 12b) for controlling the switching of said switching power amplifier based on a timing setting, said control unit being adapted for simulating the behavior of the switching power amplifier by predicting the average load voltage and/or load current for at least two, in particular a plurality of, timing settings for a desired load voltage and/or load current based on state information about the present state of the switching power amplifier. Full Article
meth Polar transmitter having frequency modulating path with interpolation in compensating feed input and related method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A frequency modulating path for generating a frequency modulated clock includes a direct feed input arranged for directly modulating frequency of an oscillator, and a compensating feed input arranged for compensating effects of frequency modulating on a phase error; wherein the compensating feed input is resampled by a down-divided clock that is an integer edge division of the oscillator. A reference phase generator for generating a reference phase output includes a resampling circuit, an accumulator and a sampler. The resampling circuit is for resampling a modulating frequency command word (FCW) input to produce a plurality of samples. The accumulator is for accumulating the samples to generate an accumulated result. The sampler is for sampling the accumulated result according to a frequency reference clock, and accordingly generating a sampled result, wherein the reference phase output is updated according to at least the sampled result. Full Article
meth Apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving data in a communication or broadcasting system using linear block code By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST Provided is a method for transmitting data in a communication or broadcasting system using a linear block code by generating a codeword by encoding input information data bits, interleaving the codeword; outputting modulation signal-constituting bits by bit-mapping the interleaved codeword using a bit-mapping table predetermined depending on a modulation scheme and a coding rate, outputting a modulation signal by modulating the modulation signal-constituting bits and transmitting the modulation signal via a transmit antenna. Full Article
meth High-frequency, high-speed precision digital bi-phase modulator and method for bi-phase modulation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST Embodiments of digital high-speed bi-phase modulator and method for bi-phase modulation are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the digital high-speed bi-phase modulator comprises a high-speed digital divider, a high-speed digital multiplexer, and matched signal paths provided between the divider and the multiplexer. The high-speed digital divider is configured to receive a carrier signal and generate complementary output signals. The high-speed digital multiplexer is configured to switch between the complementary output signals and generate a bi-phase modulated output at a carrier frequency (fc) modulated with a bi-phase code. The bi-phase code may be provided to control inputs of the multiplexer. Full Article
meth System and methods of bimodal automatic power and frequency tuning of RF generators By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A radio frequency generator includes a power control module, a frequency control module and a pulse generating module. The power control module is configured to generate a power signal indicating power levels for target states of a power amplifier. The frequency control module is configured to generate a frequency signal indicating frequencies for the target states of the power amplifier. The pulse generating module is configured to (i) supply an output signal to the power amplifier, (ii) recall at least one of a latest power level or a latest frequency for one of the target states of the power amplifier, and (iii) adjust a current power level and a current frequency of the output signal from a first state to a second state based on the power signal, the frequency signal, and at least one of the latest power level and the latest frequency of the power amplifier. Full Article
meth Method of generating driving signal for driving dual mode supply modulator for power amplifier and device thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST Provided is a method of generating a driving signal for driving a dual mode supply modulator for a power amplifier. The method includes obtaining an envelope of a complex baseband signal to be transmitted, comparing the envelope of the complex signal with a preset threshold value, when a current envelope of the complex signal is the preset threshold value or greater or when there is a result having the preset threshold value or greater in previous N comparisons, outputting a digital board output signal configured with a first logic level through a digital-to-analog converter; and when the current envelope of the complex signal is smaller than the preset threshold value and when there is no result having the preset threshold value or greater in the previous N comparisons, outputting a digital board output signal configured with a second logic level through the digital-to-analog converter. Full Article
meth Apparatus and method for producing signals coded with amplitude shift keying By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST An apparatus for coding a signal by means of amplitude shift keying comprises a class E amplifier including a switching transistor, to whose gate is supplied a voltage having an operating frequency for operating the class E amplifier. For achieving an amplitude shift keying in the output signal of the class E amplifier, a circuit for switching the operating frequency of the voltage supplied to the gate of the switching transistor, or the resonance frequency of the class E amplifier, between a first value and a second value is provided and in order to switch a deviation degree between the operating frequency and the resonance frequency between a first value and a second value. Full Article
meth System and method for generating a radio frequency pulse-width modulated signal By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST In an embodiment, a method of producing a multi-level RF signal includes producing plurality of pulse-width modulated signals based on an input signal. The method further includes driving a corresponding plurality of parallel amplifiers with the plurality of pulse-width modulated signals by setting a parallel amplifier to have a first output impedance when a corresponding pulse-width modulated signal is in an active state and setting the parallel amplifier to have a second output impedance when the corresponding pulse-width is in an inactive state. The method also includes phase shifting the outputs of the plurality of parallel amplifiers, wherein phase shifting transforms the second output impedance into a third impedance that is higher than the second output impedance, and combining the phase shifted outputs. Full Article
meth Transmission device, reception device, transmission method and reception method for wireless communication system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST A transmission device for transmitting a signal in a wireless communication system is provided. The transmission device includes: a serial-to-parallel converter configured to convert an input serial bit stream into a parallel bit stream having three bits; and a phase rotation symbol mapper configured to map the parallel bit stream to a symbol having phase rotation characteristics, wherein when the parallel bit stream includes first to third bits, the phase rotation symbol mapper maps the second and third bits to a complex variable and sequentially maps a real number part and an imaginary number part of the complex variable to the front part and the rear part of a symbol in this order or to the rear part and the front part of the symbol in this order. Full Article
meth Spread spectrum clocking method for wireless mobile platforms By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT According to some embodiments, a method and apparatus are provided to vary a clock signal frequency for a first time period between a lower limit of a range of problematic frequencies and a frequency lower than the lower limit, and vary the clock signal frequency for a second period of time between an upper limit of the range of problematic frequencies and a frequency greater than the upper limit. Full Article
meth Communications system including jammer using continuous phase modulation (CPM) and associated methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A communications system includes a target receiver having a passband and configured to receive an intended signal within the passband. The communications system also includes a jammer configured to jam the target receiver from receiving the intended signal. The jammer has at least one antenna, a jammer receiver coupled to the at least one antenna, a jammer transmitter coupled to the at least one antenna, and a controller configured to cooperate with the jammer receiver. The controller is configured to detect the intended signal and to generate an interfering signal comprising a continuous phase modulation (CPM) waveform having a constant envelope so that the interfering signal at least partially overlaps the passband of the target receiver. Full Article
meth Method and systems for high-precision pulse-width modulation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT In various embodiments, systems and methods for generating high-precision pulse-width modulation include a delay-locked loop comprising multiple delay units having time-variable delays, control logic for selecting a subset S of the multiple delay units to thereby generate a time-invariant shift amount having a precision finer than that of a system clock and circuitry for applying the shift amount to rising and falling edges of a pulse-width modulation waveform to thereby generate a high-precision pulse-width modulation waveform. Full Article
meth Modulation method and control device having the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A modulation method is provided. The modulation method includes the steps of receiving multiple sinusoidal signals, obtaining the maximum value of the sinusoidal signals, obtaining the median value of the sinusoidal signals, and obtaining the minimum value of the sinusoidal signals within a period to generate a difference between the maximum value and the minimum value, generating a difference according to an upper limit and a lower limit of a predetermined comparison value, and comparing the two differences to generate an optimized modulation signal. Full Article
meth Method and device for digital modulation with low transition density By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a digital modulation method and a corresponding modulator. The modulator comprises a transcoder (110) followed by a FIFO register (120) and a 2-PSK modulator (130). The transcoder codes a binary word of fixed size into a code word of variable size using a transcoding table. The transcoding table codes at least one first binary word, leading to a first number of phase transitions at the output of the modulator, into a second word of size greater than that of the first word, leading to, at the output of the modulator, a second number of phase transitions less than the first number of phase transitions. Full Article
meth Oscillators having arbitrary frequencies and related systems and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods for operating with oscillators configured to produce an oscillating signal having an arbitrary frequency are described. The frequency of the oscillating signal may be shifted to remove its arbitrary nature by application of multiple tuning signals or values to the oscillator. Alternatively, the arbitrary frequency may be accommodated by adjusting operation one or more components of a circuit receiving the oscillating signal. Full Article
meth Method for the phase modulation of a carrier signal transmitted from a transmitter to a contactless transponder, and device for implementing same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for phase modulation of a carrier signal from a transmitter to a contactless transponder in which data is coded as consecutive symbols, each corresponding to a predefined number of carrier cycles, and in which a symbol time is at least two cycles of the carrier signal includes, at the transmitter, spreading a phase jump of a symbol in relation to a preceding symbol over a first part of the symbol time. The establishment of the phase jump is completed in the first part of the symbol time. The periods of the cycles are constant during a second part of the symbol time. Full Article
meth PWM signal generating circuit, printer, and PWM signal generating method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A PWM signal generating circuit, printer, and PWM signal generating method are described. The PWM signal generating circuit includes: a single counter configured to count values expressed in N bits; and at least one arithmetic device configured to generate a PWM signal, each of the at least one arithmetic device including a pulse width data storage unit for storing N-bit pulse width data representing a pulse width of the PWM signal to be generated, and an adder for calculating a carry value from a most significant bit obtained when adding the count value and the pulse width data. A signal having a level corresponding to the carry value is output at every change in the count value so that the PWM signal having the pulse width of the pulse width data is generated. Full Article
meth Arc chute assembly and method of manufacturing same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST An arc chute assembly includes a housing having a first wall, a second wall, and a pair of side walls coupled to the first wall. The walls configured to form an arc area. The housing further having a divider wall coupled to the first wall between the side walls. The divider wall configured to form a first sub-arc area, a second sub-arc area, and an arc plate area. The first sub-arc area and the second sub-arc area are configured to be in flow communication with the arc plate area. The arc chute assembly further comprises a support coupled to the first wall and the side walls, and an arc plate coupled to the support. The arc plate having a body extending between the side walls and over the divider wall. Full Article
meth Locomotive positive power bus contactor method of assembly By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A method of manufacturing a power contactor from an existing contactor having a magnetic amplifier that comprises a blowout coil and a ferromagnetic core, and an arc chute for extinguishing an arc generated by opening the existing contactor under a current load is disclosed. The method includes removing a bolt assembly from the existing contactor and at least one side plate from the existing contactor. The method also includes removing the ferromagnetic core from the existing contactor. Full Article
meth Arc mitigation assembly and method of assembly to avoid ground strike By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A circuit protection device is provided for use with a circuit that includes at least one pair of conductors. The protection device is configured to generate an arc. The protection device includes at least a pair of electrode assemblies electrically coupled to the at least one pair of conductors and a conductor base to support the pair of electrode assemblies. The protection device includes a cover coupled to the conductor base and defining at least one isolation chamber, wherein the electrode assemblies are disposed within the isolation chamber. The protection device includes a containment shield moveably coupled to the cover. The containment shield defines a containment chamber configured to contain charged particles produced by the arc. The containment shield is operative to move relative to the cover in response to a change in pressure produced by the arc within the containment chamber. An isolation assembly is coupled to at least one of the cover and the containment shield and configured to prevent the cover from contacting the containment shield. Full Article
meth Variable venting and damping arc mitigation assemblies and methods of assembly By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Equipment protection systems, arc containment devices, and methods of assembling arc containment devices are disclosed. In one example, an electrical isolation structure includes a conductor base, a cover coupled to the conductor base and defining an isolation chamber, a containment shield disposed on the conductor base within the isolation chamber, and a biasing assembly positioned between the cover and the containment shield. The containment shield defines a containment chamber configured to enclose the plurality of electrode assemblies. The containment shield is configured to at least partially contain the arc products within the containment chamber. The biasing assembly is configured to permit the containment shield to move away from the conductor base to thereby define a gap between the conductor base and the containment shield to enable at least some of the arc gases to vent from the containment chamber. Full Article
meth Arc runners suitable for DC molded case circuit breakers and related methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Circuit breakers include an arc chamber and an arc chute comprising a plurality of arc plates in the arc chamber. The circuit breakers also include a line conductor assembly with at least one arc runner attached to a line conductor in the arc chamber. The arc runner can extend below but adjacent to a bottom arc plate to thereby guide a respective arc into the arc chute. Full Article
meth Suspension packaging system and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A product is mounted on a support pad and suspended on the pad by wrapping a stretch wrapping film around the combination of the pad and product. The borders of the pad extend beyond the borders of the product so the package containing the product can be stood on edge, but the edge of the product is spaced away from the surface on which the package is stood. The borders of the pad also include notches on the top and bottom of the pad that receive the stretch wrapping film away from the borders of the pad and closer to the product. Thus the product, secured to the pad, is suspended away from that surface. Multiple packages can be packed into a shipping container and the loaded container can be lifted and transported by a lift truck with lifting forks received in passageways formed in the container by notches in the bottom edges of the support pads. The pads and containers are made of die-cut corrugated fiberboard material although other material could be used. Full Article
meth Housing shell for portable electrical devices and method for the production thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A housing shell for electrical measuring, controlling and communication devices, in particular the lower housing part of a cellphone, has very great flexural and torsional rigidity in spite of an extremely small wall thickness if it is formed as a part created by a forming operation from the planar blank of a thermoplastically impregnated long-fibered multi-layered mat. Fine-membered functional elements of likewise thermoplastic material are then molded onto the housing shell in an injection mold. Full Article
meth Packet of cigarettes, and method of producing a packet of cigarettes By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A packet (1) of cigarettes having: an inner package (2) defined by a group (30) of cigarettes wrapped in a sheet (29) of wrapping material having at least one tear line (32) defining a tear-off top portion (31); an inner container (4) housing the inner package (2) and having an extraction opening (10) for access to the tear-off top portion (31); an outer container (5) housing the inner container (4) in sliding manner, to allow the inner container (4) to slide, with respect to the outer container (5), between a closed position, in which the inner container (4) is inserted inside the outer container (5), and an open position, in which the inner container (4) is extracted partly from the outer container (5); and a tear-off lid (45) connected to the inner container (4) by at least one tear line (48), and covering at least part of the extraction opening (10). Full Article
meth Catheter assembly/package utilizing a hydrating/hydrogel sleeve and a foil outer layer and method of making and using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A catheter assembly including an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end has at least one drainage opening. A hydrophilic coating is provided on at least a portion of the elongate end of the catheter. A fluid containing member is provided and is either arranged on the elongate member or within a separate area of the container. The fluid containing member contains sufficient hydrating fluid to hydrate the coating of the catheter. A container contains the elongate member and the fluid containing member and incorporates at least one foil layer to prevent evaporation of the hydrating fluid. A method of using the catheter includes inserting a catheter into a user's body and draining fluid from the user's body. Full Article
meth Pharmacy bottle system and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A pharmacy bottle system includes a bottle and a ring. The bottle is formed as a single piece of molded plastic material and includes a body and a neck. The body defines an interior cavity. The interior cavity extends from a first end to a second end of the interior cavity. The body includes a spine portion covering the first end of the interior cavity. The spine portion defines a spine width measured from a front to a back of spine portion. The neck extends from the second end of the interior cavity and has an opening therethrough providing access to the interior cavity. The ring is secured about the neck of the bottle. The ring defines a ring width measured between a front and a back of the ring. The ring width is larger than the spine width. The neck extends above a top surface of the ring. Full Article
meth Methods of treating cancer of the central nervous system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of treating a cancer of the central nervous system in a subject in need thereof is provided. The method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an agent which reduces blood glutamate levels and enhances brain to blood glutamate efflux to thereby treat the cancer of the central nervous system in the subject. Full Article
meth Device and method for sanitary can packaging By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for sanitary beverage can packaging incorporates a plastic sanitation sheet between the tops of the beverage cans and a plastic can retainer. The sanitation sheet covers the tops of the cans, protecting them from dust and overhead spills. Some embodiments use a watertight or airtight seal of the sanitation sheet around the can rim. Some embodiments include visible indicators of seal breakage or direct contamination, using moisture or oxygen detection. Some indicators create a hole in the sanitation sheet. Other indicators provide visible warning text or symbols. The sheet and indicators provide both actual contaminant protection and visible indication of contamination. Embodiments include the plastic sanitation sheet, integration with beverage cans, and a method for use in providing assured sanitary cans to consumers. Full Article
meth Containers and components thereof for use in the medical industry and methods to manufacture the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Containers and components thereof for use in the medical industry and methods to manufacture the same are described. An example tab for use with a medical container includes opposing sheets sealed to define an open ended chamber into which a port is to be at least partially positioned. The port is to enable access to the medical container. The tab includes a tear seal defined by each of the opposing sheets and a first guide positioned on a first side of each of the tear seals. The tab includes a second guide positioned on a second side of each of the tear seals, wherein the first and second guides are to enable a tear to propagate substantially between the guides and adjacent the tear seals. Full Article
meth Method of producing a booklet, data page produced by this method and booklet produced by the method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 Nov 2013 08:00:00 EST The booklet comprises a number of sheets between a cover, and each sheet has a front side and a rear side. At least one data page is provided that is joined to the cover in a fixed manner. The data page comprises a flexible layer and this flexible layer projects with an area out of a data carrier. On this area, the data page is joined to the cover and to the remaining sheets. The flexible layer is flatly joined to at least one other layer, for example, by welding or bonding and is thus inseparably bound without a mechanical joining part. Full Article
meth Reusable notecard and methods of use thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Dec 2013 08:00:00 EST Embodiments of the invention are directed to reusable notecard. In one embodiment, the reusable notecard is comprised of a trifold panel having a left panel, a center panel and a right panel and a reclosable closing mechanism, connected to the trifold panel, to releasably secure the left panel to the right panel when folded over one another. In one embodiment, the adjustable left panel is comprised of a plurality of left panel fold lines and the right panel is comprised of a plurality of right panel fold lines, the plurality of left panel fold lines and the plurality of right panel fold lines for adapting to dimensions of contents inside the notecard. In one embodiment, the trifold panel is made of a material allowing for non-permanent markings. Full Article
meth Binding element and associated method for binding By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Jan 2014 08:00:00 EST A binding structure for binding a bundle of sheets and that includes a base and a pair of opposed position legs that are integrally formed with and extend from respective sides of the base. The pair of legs and base together defines a retention area in which the bundle of sheets is held. The pair of legs is constructed and arranged with a resilient bias toward each other, but separable to enable the bundle of sheets to be held therebetween under a biasing force. The legs each have at least one inwardly directed rib arranged for contact with opposed sides of the bundle of sheets, and a thermal adhesive layer is disposed on the base and upon which the bundle of sheets rests, to be later formed in a thermal binding machine. Full Article
meth Communications device including radio frequency (RF) signal blocking layer for near-field communication (NFC) device and related methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Feb 2014 08:00:00 EST A communications device may include a near-field communication (NFC) circuit device, and a radio frequency (RF) signal blocking member adhesively coupled with the NFC device. The RF signal blocking member may be configured to block RF signal communication by the NFC device while coupled therewith. The RF signal blocking member may comprise an electrical conductor. In accordance with an example, the RF signal blocking member may comprise a frangible layer. In another example, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer may be included for adhesively securing the RF signal blocking member with the NFC device. Full Article
meth System and method for tactile currency identification By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 08:00:00 EDT A tactile orientation indicator is positioned along the periphery of a bill, and a tactile denomination indicator is positioned elsewhere along the periphery of the bill. The user of the bill may then use their tactile senses to feel along the edges of the bill to orient the bill to a pre-determined orientation based on the location of the orientation indicator. The user then feels along the periphery of the bill to locate the denomination indicator. Using a predetermined system associating the location of the denomination indicator with a particular bill denomination, the user may then identify the denomination of the bill even if blind or otherwise visually impaired. Full Article
meth Binding element and associated method for binding By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 May 2014 08:00:00 EDT A binding structure for binding a bundle of sheets and that includes a base and a pair of opposed position legs that are integrally formed with and extend from respective sides of the base. The pair of legs and base together defines a retention area in which the bundle of sheets is held. The pair of legs is constructed and arranged with a resilient bias toward each other, but separable to enable the bundle of sheets to be held therebetween under a biasing force. The legs each have at least one inwardly directed rib arranged for contact with opposed sides of the bundle of sheets, and a thermal adhesive layer is disposed on the base and upon which the bundle of sheets rests, to be later formed in a thermal binding machine. Full Article
meth Method and apparatus for superposed application of shipping labels over packing slips By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 08 Jul 2014 08:00:00 EDT The invention provides a method and apparatus for applying shipping labels over both folded or non-folded packing slips, or the like, at a single print-and-apply station, either through use of a label configured for application to a substrate and also in a superposed registered manner to another label of identical construction previously attached to the substrate, or by using a shipping label having a non-aggressive adhesive applied to a removable center section of the shipping label for attachment of the packing list, or the like, to the shipping label prior to application of the shipping label to the substrate. Full Article
meth Method for creating a single continuous web from which to fabricate mailpieces By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 08:00:00 EDT A method for producing a continuous web of printed material for use in creating mailpieces. The continuous web has a width and a length, the length comprised of a series of attached sheets. The series of attached sheets are comprising envelope sheets and rectangular content pages. The content pages are rectangular in shape and may be oriented relative to the envelope sheets in a number of different configurations. In some configurations, two sets of content pages and/or envelope sheets can be printed across the width of the web. Sheets for forming business return envelopes may be printed in series with the content pages and envelope sheets. BREs may include individualized return addresses. A control code may be printed on one or more of the sheets for a given mailpiece, providing information for controlling assembly of the mailpiece. Two sets of sheets may be printed across the width of the web by printing content pages onto the continuous web such that two end-to-end content pages are printed across the width of the web. Positioning of mail content pages and envelope sheets for a given mailpiece may be optimized based on respective processing times determined for the system. Full Article
meth Method for binding a bundle of loose leaves or the like and end leaf applied thereby By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 08:00:00 EDT Method for binding a bundle of loose leaves or the like in a cover. The method includes the step of providing an end leaf that includes a fixing strip on a side edge, with the fixing strip partly fixed to the end leaf and provided with a strip of glue on a part of the fixing strip which is not fixed to the end leaf. On the side of the fixing strip turned away from the end leaf, said strip of glue being provided with a removable foil. Another step is binding a free edge of the bundle of loose leaves together with the end leaf. Further steps include removing the foil, and providing the bound edge of the bundle of leaves and the end leaf in the back of the cover and fixing thereof in the cover only by the strip of glue. Full Article
meth Binding plant for hardcover books and a method of binding for these books By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT Binding equipment and false cover forming equipment for hardcover books are disclosed. The false cover forming equipment carries out false covers, by positioning a pair of endpapers in correspondence of lateral binding flaps of a respective backstrip, arranging folds of the endpapers at a pre-assembling distance associated with the thickness of the text block and gluing margins of past-down sheets of the endpapers with binding edges of the backstrip. The binding equipment is feedable, at a cover input “IC”, with the false covers for carrying out book blocks by gluing the backstrips of the false covers with the binding edges of corresponding text blocks and refolding the pairs of endpapers on the respective text blocks. An electronic processing unit is settable for the control of the false cover forming equipment and the binding equipment as a function of the dimensions of the hardcover book to be bound. Full Article
meth Publication and method of making a publication By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A publication including a plurality of pairs of pages, with the pair of pages comprised of a removable page and non-removable page. The removable page has a perforated edge, an adhesive edge opposite the perforated edge and a printable surface. The non-removable page has a printable surface. The pairs of pages are arranged such that alternate pages are removable and can be removed without harming the publication or the non-removable pages. The removable pages can be arranged to form an image larger than the publication itself and removable attached to a surface through the adhesive edge. Full Article
meth Booklet stacker, ring-binding device, ring-binding system, and booklet stacking method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A booklet stacker to stack multiple booklets each bound with a ring member includes a stack tray on which multiple booklets are stacked, a shifter disposed upstream from the stack tray in a booklet conveyance direction in which a booklet is conveyed, the shifter to adjust a position of the booklet in a width direction perpendicular to the booklet conveyance direction by shifting the booklet a distance shorter than a ring pitch of the ring member in the width direction, and a booklet conveyer disposed upstream from the stack tray in the booklet conveyance direction, to convey the booklet positioned by the shifter to the stack tray. Full Article
meth Method of producing an information page for a security document By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a multilayer information page (1) for a security document, which includes an information part (3) manufactured from a material allowing at least some identification information of the information page to be entered thereto by utilizing laser engraving, the identification information provided on the information page (1) being readable from an upper surface thereof, and a flexible and bending resistant connecting part (2) for connecting the information page (1) to the security document, the connecting part (2) comprising a fastening end (8) by means of which the connecting part (2) is fastened to the information part (3). In order to ensure that detachment of the information part and the connecting part from one another leaves visible marks, the fastening end (3) of the connecting part (2) is arranged to overlap with a lower surface of the information part (3). Furthermore, the information page (1) includes a transparent surface layer (7) which covers at least the fastening end (8) and at least a part of the lower surface of the information part (3) and through which at least the fastening end (8) is visible. Full Article
meth Method and circuit arrangement for controlling current in motors By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and circuit arrangement for controlling the motor current in an electric motor, in particular a stepper motor, by a chopper method is provided. In the method/circuit arrangement, the motor is operated with a coil current that follows a target coil current substantially more accurately at least at the zero crossing of the coil current. The method/circuit arrangement provides a good symmetry of the sinusoidal wave shape of the coil current with respect to the zero crossing of the coil current. The method is achieved in particular by the active control of the coil current both in the direction of a predefined target coil current and opposite the direction of the predefined target coil current with respect to upper or lower desired current values and a lowering or increasing of the upper or lower desired current values. Full Article
meth System and method for pre-charging a current mirror By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system for pre-charging a current minor includes a controller configured to provide a first current and an additional current to a current minor to rapidly charge a capacitance associated with the current minor based on a reference voltage or control signals. A power amplifier module includes at least one current minor and a controller. A capacitor is coupled to the current minor. The controller provides a bias current in an amount proportional to an input to a voltage-to-current converter. The controller receives a control signal that directs the controller to apply one of a pre-charge voltage and a nominal voltage to the voltage-to-current converter. Full Article
meth Transimpedance amplifier (TIA) circuit and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A TIA circuit and method are provided that merge the automatic gain control function with the bandwidth adjustment function to allow the TIA circuit to operate over a wide dynamic range at multiple data rates. The TIA circuit has an effective resistance that is adjustable for adjusting the gain and the bandwidth of the TIA circuit. The mechanism of the TIA circuit that is used to adjust the effective resistance, and hence the gain and bandwidth of the TIA circuit, is temperature independent, and as such, the performance of the TIA circuit is not affected by temperature variations. Full Article
meth Light emitting apparatus, manufacturing method for the light emitting apparatus, printer, and manufacturing method for the printer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A light emitting apparatus including: a plurality of light emitting elements; a drive circuit including a transistor and a capacitor having one end connected to a gate of the transistor; and a signal supply circuit for receiving a digital gradation signal and outputting an analog voltage signal to the drive circuit, including a computation circuit configured to correct the input digital gradation signal to generate a corrected digital gradation signal, in which the drive circuit is configured to conduct an auto-zero operation which reduce the gate-source voltage of the transistor to a threshold voltage by flowing the drain current to the capacitor, and the computation circuit is configured to generate the corrected digital gradation signal by multiplying a correction coefficient to the input digital gradation signal subtracted by a particular signal common to the plurality of light emitting elements. Full Article